Despite our tech-filled lives, spending time in the great outdoors is still a much-loved pastime for millions of people across the globe. In fact, in the USA, at least 77 million people go camping each year.
While sleeping out on the ground is hardly luxurious, the camping market has seen a recent jump in popularity. The wellness and mental health boost that comes from basking amongst nature is now widely understood. As a result, consumers are currently motivated to invest in products that allow them to enjoy these health benefits.
Ready to jump onto this trend and attract more sales? This guide explores the leading camping products you should be stocking in 2023.
Table of Contents
Why choose camping products for your business
Why the camping product market is growing
How to choose the best camping products to stock
Conclusion
Why choose camping products for your business
The market for camping products is experiencing phenomenal growth. In 2021, this market held a value of US$ 21.9 billion, yet over the next ten years, it is projected to skyrocket to US$ 46.7 billion with an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%.
Camping products are a great option for online store owners and dropshippers. By 2027, it is forecast that online sales will generate 59% of global revenue in this market.
People who love spending time outdoors are keen to spend on quality items that can withstand changeable weather conditions. With an approximate average spend per user of US$ 171.70, it’s easy to see how this market can be highly profitable for sellers.
With such a variety of items to offer, and a generous market increase on the cards, it makes sense to stock these products in your business and reap the rewards.
Why the camping product market is growing
The key factors driving the growth of the camping product market are varied.
As people spend more time working in office environments shackled to screens, there is increasing awareness of the health benefits of spending time surrounded by nature.
A recent report by two British universities found that 88% of campers experienced lower stress levels and 98% believed the activity had improved their mental health. On top of this, 97% said that camping made them feel happier.
Camping is easily accessible and a popular choice of affordable domestic vacation. In countries experiencing economic downturns, many people now choose to take camping trips as a cheaper alternative to expensive foreign travel.
In addition, recent global events have resulted in international travel becoming less convenient for some nationalities.
The rise in more luxurious “glamping” sites provides a market expansion that appeals to customers who would otherwise shun sleeping outdoors. These consumers can now enjoy a much more comfortable experience, whilst still enjoying the benefits of time in nature.
There’s also a key increase in the number of GenX and millennials choosing to go camping for recreation. With such a large percentage of the global demographic falling into this age range, business owners can expect healthy sales for the forecast period and beyond.
How to choose the best camping products to stock
The camping product market is vast. Therefore, sellers must ensure they select the most popular, trending products for their customers.
The leading product types are those that enhance the outdoor experience, make the trip more convenient, or solve a pain point often associated with spending time in nature.
The best products are made from robust materials. They should also be weather-proof and easily portable, so that the user can effortlessly transport them and can rely on their durability.
Let’s dive into each of these products in more depth.
Travel bottles
Aside from being useful on camp, travel bottles are vital for keeping users properly hydrated during hiking activities or day trips out in the wilderness that campers often enjoy.
The travel bottle market is popular and experiencing ongoing growth. With a reported CAGR of 4%, the global market for this product is expected to exceed US$ 7.14 million by the second quarter of 2028.
This product comes in a range of styles, but the best options for sellers are highly-durable models made from resistant materials such as silicone, tough plastics or stainless steel.
Compact and collapsible travel bottles are also a great choice, as these allow your buyers to save precious packing space when not in use.
They are available in a wide variety of colors, capacities and styles to meet all tastes, so you’ll have plenty of options to satisfy your customers
Bug repellents
The insect repellent market is a huge opportunity for sellers.
Globally, this market was worth US$ 6.9 billion in 2021. It’s expected to grow at a generous CAGR of 5.6% to US$ 9.0 billion by 2026.
A camping trip can be quickly ruined by insect bites. Therefore, it’s little surprise that mosquito repellents are often seen as a must-have product for buyers.
This product comes in a variety of formats, including sprays, bug zappers and plug-in ultrasonic devices to deter biting insects. We recommend choosing battery-operated versions as these are most convenient for campers where an electrical hookup may not be available.
Portable fire pits
One of the greatest pleasures of a camping trip is sitting around a fire under the stars – and consumer demand reflects this. The market for fire pits is forecast to reach US$ 232.57 million by 2028, with a projected CAGR of 3.4%.
Of course, safety is a key consideration with this type of product. Many campsites will have rules prohibiting open fires on the ground, so elevated portable fire pits are a responsible alternative for users.
This type of product allows your buyers to enjoy the ambience of open flames, while adhering to rules and minimizing risk. As they are lightweight and compact, portable fire pits are simple to transport. They are also available with a collapsible design to save space while traveling.
The best portable fire pits are crafted from durable, heat-resistant metals such as 304 stainless steel. They should also have a strong load capacity to prevent buckling when loaded with fuel.
BBQ grills
It’s no secret that campers love to cook outdoors during their vacation. The international BBQ grill market size stood at US$ 4.59 billion in 2021, and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% to 2030.
The simplest and most convenient BBQ grill is the portable charcoal grill. Buyers prefer this type of product for camping because it is lightweight, simple to operate and easy to carry. No electrical hookup is required for use, and there’s no need to pack additional gas canisters.
As this product uses charcoal as fuel, it imparts a smokey flavor to meat and vegetables. Thus, your buyers can enjoy an authentic outdoor cooking experience.
Conclusion
The camping market is in a phase of strong growth that is expected to continue for the latest forecast period and beyond.
With the surge in younger demographics taking up camping as a hobby, and the increasing awareness of the benefits of nature for mental health, now is a great time to offer camping products to your buyers.
From collapsible travel bottles and portable fire pits, to BBQ grills and battery-operated mosquito repellents, there is a wealth of trending items to choose from for your customers.
