With the weather getting warmer and the three-day May Day holiday approaching, the bright spring sunshine has attracted many residents to go out and enjoy themselves, greatly driving up sales of outdoor gear. Recently, reporters visited multiple outdoor gear stores in Jiaozhou City, where shop owners said that in recent weeks, a large number of citizens have been coming to their stores to buy outdoor equipment, especially as the May Day holiday nears, with many visiting in groups to purchase travel gear. Many citizens noted that the current fine weather is perfect for traveling, and taking a break during the holiday to get out not only helps relax but also broadens their horizons.
Serving over a hundred customers a day
Since mid-April, temperatures have gradually risen, and the bright spring sunshine has lured many residents out for leisure. Especially those who enjoy self-driving trips have been traveling frequently to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery. While citizens are out and about, they’ve also heated up the outdoor gear market. Recently, reporters visited multiple outdoor gear markets in Jiaozhou City and found that outdoor gear has become a “hot commodity” in the eyes of residents, highly sought after by many “travel enthusiasts.”
During the visits, reporters learned that many outdoor gear stores have recently entered their peak sales season. Sales staff at several outdoor gear stores told reporters that with the rapid temperature rise in the past two days, spring outing gear has been selling briskly, especially outdoor clothing, which has seen a significant increase in sales. Many citizens are buying complete sets. Their stores are serving over a hundred customers a day, and just five minutes before the interview, there were still more than ten customers selecting travel items in the store.
At another store, reporters met Mr. Wang, who was shopping for hiking boots. He said he and his friends had planned to go mountain climbing during the May Day holiday. During his recent days off, he hurried out to buy the necessary gear for the trip, such as outdoor clothing, hiking boots, water bottles, and backpacks, making sure he had everything ready. Otherwise, if he waited until just before the trip to shop, not only would time be tight, but any issues with the gear might not leave enough time for exchanges.
Camping gear selling briskly
“Can’t let this beautiful spring go to waste. The weather is so nice now, and there are scenic views everywhere when you go out,” said Ms. Chen, a resident. She also enjoys traveling and spring outings. Recently, she has often gathered a few close friends to go for walks and enjoy nature in Shao Hai New City and Sanlihe Park.
Not only are hiking boots and outdoor clothing popular among citizens, but camping tools and tents are also selling well. At many stores, reporters saw prominently displayed essential picnic items such as charcoal grills, grill racks, and forks. According to store staff, recently, barbecue-related items including grill racks, barbecue brushes, charcoal boxes, grill stands, forks, and disposable tableware have become essential outdoor cooking products for citizens. Many are buying complete sets of tools for convenience. “Items like grill racks and charcoal, which customers used to ask about less often, have recently seen a small boom, with very impressive sales,” a sales clerk happily said, adding that several models of barbecue grills have even sold out.
“I’m here to buy a pair of binoculars for mountain climbing,” said Mr. Chen, a resident. For the three-day May Day holiday, he plans to take his son hiking. He has already prepared hiking clothing, footwear, trekking poles, and other gear, and this time he wants to buy two binoculars to enjoy the distant scenery from the mountaintop, which will be refreshing and also help cultivate his child’s appreciation for nature.
To better help citizens choose outdoor gear, industry insiders have offered many suggestions. Especially when traveling or hiking, selecting the most basic equipment is important. Residents are advised to carefully compare and try on items such as hiking boots, backpacks, trekking poles, sun hats, and quick-dry clothing, and opt for well-known brands. For example, professional backpacks make it easier to carry various personal items, good quick-dry clothing effectively wicks away sweat during activities, keeping you breathable and comfortable. Trekking poles, an essential piece of hiking equipment, provide great support when hikers are tired. At the same time, avoid blindly purchasing unnecessary items that may become a burden during the trip.