B OA R D S P O RT S B AG S & B AC K PAC KS 2020
With travel down but skate participation up, what is happening in the boardsports bags and backpacks segment? Find the major trends for 2021 in our Retail Buyer’s Guide by Dirk Vogel.
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retail buyer’s guide
RETAIL BUYER’S GUIDE
Welcome to the new normal. While skateboard hardgoods are booming, other segments are under pressure amid the coronavirus pandemic. With travel and holiday bookings in freefall, the luggage segment has suffered a 90 percent decline in sales over last year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). As consumers spend less time on the road, boardsports bags and backpacks also feel the effects. “Our category was of course greatly impacted by Covid-19, with travel bags and backpacks being amongst the top 20 most impacted fashion accessories,” said Domitille Parent, Product Director at Eastpak, adding: “That being said, we are seeing a positive turn as we ramp up towards the important BTS period.” What exactly back to school (BTS) will look like this year remains a guessing game. But even amid lockdown measures, consumer demand proved resilient: “The shutdown still led to a requirement among end consumers 33
for backpacks and shoulder bags for daily use,” said Maria Schmieder, Marketing Coordinator at Pacsafe. But daily use is changing. While indoor gyms, sports facilities,
“Our category was of course greatly impacted by Covid-19, with travel bags and backpacks being amongst the top 20 most impacted fashion accessories”. Domitille Parent, Product Director at Eastpak, adding: “That being said, we are seeing a positive turn as we ramp up towards the important BTS period”. restaurants and bars remain closed (varies across regions), people congregate out in the open air, where it’s safe. That’s why the backpack emerges as a valuable companion, whatever the use case. “For the summer
