sportstyle

52 • sportstyle • March 2021 sportstylemag.com M any consumers have begun participating in new fitness activities this past year. And they are buying new apparel, gear and footwear for those activities. Family, friends and the internet are where they go to seek out advice, along with 23% relying on store associates. Pricing will continue to influence purchase decision, with 36% responding that they will consider new brands at lower prices Running footwear is the most in-demand item, with 72 percent of those surveyed saying they are considering purchasing running shoes this year. Casual shoes, sneakers, hiking shoes and slippers also rated near the top on the "considering purchasing" list. Covid impacted consumers' fitness routines. 63% of those surveyed said staying active locally influenced their decision to buy more from local community based retailers. What will entice consumers to shop in-store? We have asked consumers this question multiple times over the past several months, and their answers have shied slightly each time. In the most recent survey, respondents listed the top three aspects that they are seeking from brick-and-mortar stores in the current environment: #1 Require face covering for store associates; #2 Require face covering for customers; #3 Limiting the amount of customers in store at any one time. n e survey, conducted by MESH01, included 373 respondents, men and women, ages 18 to 60 who identify themselves as active and outdoors. Shopping Patterns TRENDINSIGHT We surveyed 373 consumers. Here is what they told us. S E I Z E T H E T R E N D ! CARPE TRENDEM Trend Insight Consumer is a feature within Footwear Insight that delivers research conducted on the MESH01 Platform. MESH01 collects data from a select panel of sports enthusiasts. For information on the Mesh1 Platform, contact Brian Bednarek at 603-766-0957 or brian. bednarek@mesh01.com. For more information on Trend Insight Consumer and how your company can participate, contact Jeff Nott at 516-305-4711 or jnott@formula4media.com. When searching for new footwear, apparel or gear, how will pricing affect your purchases? When picking up a new sport or activity, where do you seek out advice when it comes to purchasing your new product? I will look at pre-owned gear I will continue to buy the latest new models from the brands that I know I will consider new brands at lower prices I will look first at last season's models from my favorite brands Coaches Instructors Retail Sales Associates Family Friends Internet 4% 13% 19% 23% 39% 74% 83% 22% 36% 38% COVID impacted our recreational fitness routines. Has staying active locally during 2020, influenced your purchasing decisions to buy more often from local, community- based retailers? 37% 63% YES NO

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