Camping Craze Takes a Hike This Memorial Day
New Data Shows Decreased Demand for Camping Gear
If you’re planning on camping for Memorial Day weekend 2023, you may not have to share the campground with as many folks as last year according to new data from ecommerce accelerator, Pattern.
Why it matters: In a reversal from last year when folks were revenge vacationing to make up for lost time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the general public’s interest in hitting the road for a camping adventure has decreased considerably. While Memorial Day weekend is normally the most popular time for camping among U.S. families, new consumer demand data suggests a downward trend for camping gear in 2023.
What we’re seeing: We evaluated consumer demand for the most popular camping items on Amazon U.S. Marketplace from May 2022 to present day. Here’s how demand has drastically decreased for key camping supplies over the past year:
- Demand for lanterns decreased by 45.72% from May 2022 – May 2023
- Tents -39.12%
- Sleeping Pads -38.58%
- Sleeping Bags -33.02%
- Camping Dishes -31.96%
- Camping Grills -19.89%
- Hatchets -19.26%
Yes, but: While decreased interest might be good news for camping enthusiasts who prefer more solitude, those who still wish to brave the wilderness may do so at a higher cost. If you still plan on taking a camping trip this year, here’s how much more you can expect to pay for some of the most popular camping supplies:
- Camping Shampoo saw a 4.17% increase in price year over year
- Foot Warmers +4.58%
- Camping Cookwear +5.67%
- Camping Cups +6.93%
- Camping Stove Accessories +7.53%
- Camping Candles +12.37%
- Camping Pillows +19.63%
However: Some supplies have seen inflation reversal over the past year, making happy campers out of consumers who otherwise would have been deterred by skyrocketing supply prices:
- Bear Protection saw a -40.17% decrease in price year over year
- Water Purifiers -13.58%
- Camping Shovels -11.85%
- Camping Personal Care Products -9.52%
- Axes -9.36%
- Sleeping Bag Stuff Sacks -7.66%
- Headlamps -7.55%
- Hammocks -7.42%
- Camping Survival Kits -5.35%
- Sleeping Pads -5.24%
The takeaway: While avid campers might enjoy some extra peace and quiet over Memorial Day weekend, that added tranquility may come at a higher cost for supplies. Plan accordingly by stocking up on the camping gear that you can still find at a bargain thanks to inflation reversal. Pattern’s data science team analyzed pricing and demand data on Amazon U.S. Marketplace every day of 2022 and 2023 so far to understand how Memorial Day will look for camping consumers this year. If you’re interested in using wild insights like these to tame your ecommerce strategy, contact us for more information.