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Summer Travels Mean Summer Shopping: Suitcases and GPS trackers see an increase in sales
11.7.2022
Translation: Christine Duranza
For many of us, our sense of wanderlust has awakened from its pandemic-induced stupor. Suitcases are doing even better on Galaxus than they were before the pandemic. And that’s not all. GPS trackers for luggage are flying off the virtual shelves, too – probably because of chaos at airports. Read on to find out who’s rushing to buy swimwear and what kind of open-toed footwear is trending.
Whereas the pandemic has kept most of us bound to a single country in recent years, in 2022, we’re once again indulging in cross-border travel. Travel agencies are talking about a booking boom and a recent vacation study predicts that the number of people traveling abroad will double this year compared to 2020 (study in German). Not only that, but our sales figures show that travel is back on the agenda this year. Suitcases and backpacks which spent the last two years gathering dust in our warehouses are currently all the rage. Wheeled suitcases which double as seats are extremely popular with kids.
Baggage and GPS trackers flying off the shelves
It doesn’t matter if you’re travelling by car, train or plane – you’ll usually have luggage with you. In June, suitcase sales increased (for both German and Swiss customers) by 120 per cent in comparison to last year. Looking at the first half of the year, the increase is as much as 158 percent – even higher than pre-pandemic sales.
The desire to travel seems to have a significant influence on what we buy. We can only speculate as to why. Did everybody’s baggage rot away in the attic during the pandemic? Or do people need to buy carry-ons to skirt the additional costs for check-in baggage? This could well be the case in view of current flight prices, courtesy of inflation and expensive kerosene. Another striking aspect is that baggage in loud colours is totally in. With one of these bad boys, you’ll spot your suitcase on the carousel in no time – if it arrives, that is.
The fear of losing luggage could explain why GPS trackers ended up in the shopping carts of numerous Galaxus customers this June. A hundred and sixty three per cent more than last year, in fact. But how do they work? Well, you pack the tracker in your suitcase, then you’re able to locate it using an app. With so many suitcases lost lately, it's an interesting idea.
What to pack
But whether or not you invest in a GPS tracker, there’s lots to pack... from toiletry bags to sunscreen and e-readers. And even if you choose a staycation over a vacation, these items are often must-haves for an afternoon at the local pool or your backyard. No matter whether our customers are at home or abroad, they seem to be in the summer spirit: sunscreen flew off the virtual shelves 69 percent more often in June than in the same month in 2021. Toiletry bags (+52%) and e-readers (+58%) are also popular vacation buddies.
As for footwear: the demand for espadrilles and flip-flops seems to have lulled, with only sandals recording an increase in sales in June (+ 15%). Birkenstocks and Crocs are particularly sought after.
And when it comes to swimwear, only men have been buying more (+ 77%), with O'Neill, Quiksilver, Billabong and Jack & Jones swimming trunks especially likely to end up in the shopping cart. Swimsuits and bikinis, however, saw stable or even declining sales last month.
Are you all set for the summer holidays? Or will you be taking your vacation later in the year? Is a staycation on the cards or are you going further afield? Is there anything missing from your holiday packing list? Happy travels!
Press contact Germany/Austria
Galaxus Deutschland
Daniel Borchers
Schützenstraße 5, 22761 Hamburg
Phone: +49 40 334 614 772
E-mail: daniel.borchers@galaxus.de
Stephan Kurmann
Senior Communications Manager
stephan.kurmann@digitecgalaxus.chStudies claim that we have a shorter attention span than goldfish. Ouch! My job is to get your attention as often and for as long as possible. How? With content you enjoy. Outside of the office, you’ll find me on the tennis court, curled up with a book,Netflixing or travelling.