Residential dachas and physical activities: further leisure pursuits for May residents
Time Stamp: May 5, 4:00 AM
Hey there!
Looks like the folks in Nizhegorod are really feeling the spring fever this year! According to MegaFon's "Marketplace Analytics" data, the people of Nizhegorod (and Russians in general) have become more active and connected with nature.
Interest in sports, hiking, and dacha repairs has soared in April 2025 compared to the same month last year. What's more, the demand for these goods is also higher than in March of this year. It seems Russians are invigorated and spending more on active outdoor lifestyles.
Running, walking, and cycling have been especially popular sports this season. Sales of sports shoes skyrocketed by 63%, while bicycles and biking gear saw a 29% increase. Interestingly, sports shoe sales in March were still 17% higher than in April.
Exploring the great outdoors has become increasingly attractive, too. For instance, sales of sleeping bags climbed by a quarter this year over last. Tents sales haven't changed from last year, but there's been a substantial spike this April compared to March, with a whopping 86% rise in demand for tents, pavilions, and canopies.
As for other summer essentials, Russians are clearly ready to fire up the barbecue and tend to their garden! Grills, barbecues, and greenhouses are 14%, 28%, and 58% more popular this year, respectively. Garden tools and watering equipment are also in high demand, with a 36% increase in sales.
It's worth noting that demand for some goods has persisted despite a price increase this year. For example, goods in the "Cycling" category have become 23% pricier, while "Watering and Irrigation" goods are up 38%. Some hiking gear, like tents, however, have actually decreased in price — they're now 16% cheaper.
MegaFon's "Marketplace Analytics" service provides valuable insights by analyzing product requests, stock levels, revenue correlations, discounts, views, and daily request frequencies.
Let's dive deeper:
Rising demand for outdoor recreation goods might be tied to a growing interest in outdoor activities[1]. So, with more people embracing hiking, camping, and wildlife exploration, demand for related products likely follows. This trend is consistent with global patterns, where outdoor recreation participation has been surging[1].
There may also be expansion on the horizon for related markets. The global premium outdoor apparel market[2] and the rooftop tent market[3] are both predicted to grow, thanks to factors like adventure tourism and economic expansion. It's possible that similar trends might be observed in Russia.
Don't forget about the economic factor, though. Economic conditions can affect spending on non-essential items like outdoor gear. Even though Russia has faced economic challenges in the past, it's interesting to observe the resilience shown by the current demand for outdoor recreation goods.**
Lastly, supply chain factors, including imports and local production, could play a role in determining the availability of outdoor recreation goods in Russia.
Sources:
[1] Outdoor Industry Association (2023). Participation in Outdoor Recreation Reaches a Record High in the United States. Retrieved from https://outdoorindustry.org/press- releases/participation-in-outdoor-recreation-reaches-a-record-high-in-the-united-states/
[2] Grand View Research (2022). Premium Outdoor Apparel Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Region, Segment and Forecast 2022-2028. Retrieved from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/premium-outdoor-apparel-market
[3] McKinsey & Company (2020). The Future of Camping: Growth Opportunities in Roof-Top Tents. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/the-future-of-camping-growth-opportunities-in-roof-top-tents
Stay tuned for more insights and analysis as we continue to explore the exciting growth in demand for outdoor recreation goods in Russia!
- With the surge in interest for sports, hiking, and fitness-and-exercise activities, it's no surprise that health-and-wellness products, such as sports shoes, bicycles, and biking gear, are experiencing a significant increase in demand.
- Besides physical activities, Russians are also investing in home-and-garden essentials, as shown by the rise in demand for grills, barbecues, greenhouses, garden tools, and watering equipment, indicating a growing lifestyle trend towards cultivating and embracing outdoor living.
- As the world continues to explore the great outdoors, the demand for camping gear like tents, sleeping bags, and related items is booming globally, aligning with the trends observed in sporting goods and home-and-garden sectors in Russia.
