Inside the Outdoors

Kelly and Patrick discuss the current state of product inventory and sales in the market, exploring the remaining effects of the bullwhip effect. While market sales of many outdoor products waned in 2022, some categories (including bicycles) are expected to recover relatively quickly. How have macroeconomic trends affected our markets? What can we expect in the next few months? How can dealers, di...

Kelly and Patrick get very excited about consumer segmentation research. Not every participant is looking for the same experience when they participate in outdoor recreation, and not every consumer of a given product is buying it for the same reason. How can consumer segmentation help organizations better understand their target audience so that they can successfully communicate with and sell to t...

Kelly and Patrick build upon the Zoom Town discussion by describing recent trends of small businesses opening up in small towns. Many new small businesses are bringing unique offerings to niche markets, offering products which larger organizations are not able to. What function do small operations serve when it comes to outdoor recreation participation? How have social media trends allowed small b...

Kelly and Patrick describe recent population trends in rural areas and small towns growing as remote work has allowed Americans the freedom to live wherever they would like. This trend, which we describe as the growth of ‘Zoom Towns’, has allowed Americans to live in areas where they can more easily access outdoor recreation activities, allowing for greater participation and unique experiences. Ho...

Kelly and Patrick describe employer sponsored outdoor recreation benefits, exploring the benefits of getting employees outside. We know that outdoor recreation serves many functions - maintains mental health, ensures an active lifestyle. Why else might employers be keen on spending money to encourage outdoor recreation? Access information about creating a bike benefits program by following this li...

Kelly and Patrick discuss expectations for outdoor recreation participation in 2023. How will participation rates continue to be affected by changes in remote work, the rising cost of outdoor related hardgoods, and potential shifts back to pre-pandemic activities? What trends do we think we will see in the coming year?  Members of PeopleForBikes can find the 2022 US Bicycling Participation St...

Kelly and Patrick discuss market expectations for 2023. What trends do we think we will see in the coming year? How will macroeconomic trends, such as inflation and transportation cost, and shifting consumer preferences for purchase methods and participation affect the market for outdoor recreation related products?  Members of PeopleForBikes can find the Global Risk & Opportunity Forecas...

Kelly and Patrick describe how current macroeconomic trends are affecting the market for outdoor products. As we enter 2023 the US economy is seeing low unemployment, high inflation, and a potential recession on the horizon. How will this mix of economic indicators affect the ability of our respective industries to bring products to market and successfully compete? How are consumers reacting to th...

Kelly and Patrick start the new year by discussing renewed enthusiasm for activities. Many of us will often start the new year by setting goals for fitness activities and other hobbies, which create a seasonal surge in demand for related products and services. Similarly, there are periods of spontaneous, organic increases in demand, such as The Hunger Games influencing archery participation and St...

Kelly and Patrick describe how apps have changed the way that many of us participate in our outdoor recreation activities. How can apps enhance our experience by cataloging our recreation activity and sharing our stories? What forms of gamification, like in-app challenges, can push us to achieve new goals?

Kelly and Patrick describe how we can participate in our outdoor recreation activities safely. How can participants access the information necessary to be safe in their pursuits? What levels of danger are inherent to an activity, and how can we mitigate risks associated with an activity? How do displays of extreme sports and big stunts affect our perceptions of safety?

Kelly and Patrick describe how outdoor brands can and should use their social media presence. What role do social media platforms play in our efforts to increase participation in an activity? How can brands use social media to reach new audiences and connect with their customers? How can an outdoor recreation activity be enhanced by using social media? 

Kelly and Patrick describe the process of forecasting sales to gauge our expectation of the future. There has been a lot of market volatility over the past few years - what can we expect out of the next few years? What factors need to be considered when forecasting future sales? How can we use forecasts to influence our business decisions?

Kelly and Patrick discuss current methods of studying youth participation in outdoor recreation activities, as well as the importance of getting kids excited about spending time outdoors. How do we measure youth participation? What are the current limitations of our methods? What can we do to improve those methods, and how can we create a framework that encourages youth participation in outdoor re...

Kelly and Patrick discuss the origins of goods used for outdoor recreation recreation activities. Where are our products made? Why are they made in a given area? What would it take to produce in the US?

Kelly and Patrick discuss the data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account which measures the outdoor recreation economy. What does this metric actually measure? What is not measured? To whom are these estimates important? What other similar measures can be used to communicate the economic contributions of a given outdoor recreation activity?

Kelly and Patrick try to reconcile the desire to ensure everyone has equal access to quality outdoor recreation activities while managing overcrowding. How can we bring in more participants while not overloading our natural resources? How have ski resorts strategized to balance crowds? What role do apps play in disseminating information that could spread participants across resources?

Kelly and Patrick discuss their outlook for the holiday shopping season. How has seasonality shifted in the past few years? What macroeconomic factors could affect consumer spending in 2022? How have purchasing patterns shifted to and from buying online as opposed to buying in the store? 

Kelly and Patrick describe the market for used outdoor recreation products. How does the secondhand market affect consumer demand for new products? How can brands leverage an understanding of their product’s lifecycle to ensure they have lifelong customers? How can we describe the size of the secondhand market?  

Kelly and Patrick describe how shifting consumer preferences have given rise to sales of products directly to consumers by brands, and how this affects all market players. How can brands understand and adapt to consumer behavior? What role does the brick-and-mortar retailer have in this model? What is the consumer journey?

Kelly and Patrick challenge the notion that a bike rider, thru-hiker, or snowboarder can be defined by their participation in an individual activity. This episode explores the efficiency gained by approaching outdoor participants with a more comprehensive view of their outdoor recreation activities and lifestyle choices.

Kelly and Patrick justify their jobs as research directors by describing the value of their trade associations. How can Outdoor Industry Association, PeopleForBikes, and similar outdoor recreation industry trade associations help brands navigate markets during both good and challenging times?