sportstyle

I t seems like everywhere you turn this summer, people are talking about pickleball. Friends are playing it. Retailers are selling it. Mainstream media is covering its rapid growth. Pickleball is definitely hot right now. And the responses in our latest survey back this up. Of the more than 1,100 active consumers we polled, 56% of respondents said they either have played or plan to start playing pickleball. ose between the ages of 30-60 were most likely to say they play pickleball, according to our survey. Notably, more than 80% say they play socially rather than in leagues or tournaments. Consumers are buying apparel, footwear, socks, accessories and equipment (paddles, balls, nets) to play the sport. Respondents say they are most likely to buy pickleball products at sporting goods or sport specialty stores. Run specialty (for footwear), e-comm and mass merchants also rated high on potential pickleball shopping destinations. Consumers are spending money on products — though not exorbitant amounts. We found that 39% of respondents say they plan to pay between $50-$100 on pickleball equipment, with 28% planning to pay under $50 and 18% saying they plan to pay $100- $150. Similarly, 40% say they plan to spend $50-$100 on pickleball footwear, with 29% planning to pay less than $50 and 24% planning to pay between $100-$150. We also found that consumers are open to trying out new brands, with 72% saying they do not go to the store to buy pickleball products with a specific pickleball brand I mind. When it comes to "why" consumers purchase a particular pickleball brand, the most likely influencing factors include online reviews/ratings, followed by friends/ family recommendations, reviews in articles, discounts and a coach's recommendation. n is survey conducted by MESH01 included 1,140 respondents, men and women active and outdoors. Trend Insight is a feature within sportstyle that delivers research conducted on the MESH01 Platform. MESH01 collects data from a select panel of active and outdoor enthusiasts. Understanding the Pickleball Consumer S E I Z E T H E T R E N D ! CARPE TRENDEM Have you ever played Pickleball? 29% No, but I am planning to play WE SURVEYED 1,140 CONSUMERS... No, and I am not planning to play Never heard of it No, but I am planning to play 16% 27% 28% 29% 20-30 20-30 61+ 61+ 9% 6% 10% 12% 31-40 31-40 51-60 51-60 41-50 (AGE) (AGE) 41-50 31% 29% 20% 21% 30% 32% 27% Yes, I play Pickleball 20-30 61+ 13% 8% 31-40 51-60 41-50 35% 15% 29% MALE 32% FEMALE 68% FEMALE 75% MALE 25% Yes TRENDINSIGHT MALE 28% FEMALE 72% 62 • July/August 2022 sportstyle • sportstylemag.com (AGE)

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