Canada Sporting Goods Pandemic Recovery
The lockdowns introduced during the pandemic had a significant impact on the sports industry in Canada. Athletic facilities were forced to close temporarily, ski hills and golf courses were permitted to operate at reduced capacity or not at all, and Canadians were required to reduce contact with the overall sports community. As a result, the sporting goods industry experienced a considerable demand for at-home fitness equipment, including treadmills, dumbbells, yoga mats, and other equipment. Canadians were also more likely to subscribe to online training programs and virtual coaches to help with their fitness goals.
Despite the gradual lift of pandemic restrictions and return to pre-pandemic fitness routines, the growth of the hybrid work model is expected to sustain the demand for home workout equipment and online fitness classes. Canadian consumers have enjoyed the convenience of exercising from the comfort of their home, saving on transportation costs from travelling to and from their local gyms and fitness clubs.
Popular Canadian team sports, like ice hockey, soccer, baseball, rugby, and lacrosse were particularly hit hard by the social distancing measures, including equipment and sportswear retailers that serve these sports. The decline of pandemic restrictions led to the reopening of sports facilities across Canada and participation in these sports are now slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels, along with sales in team sports equipment.
The market for bicycles and bicycle equipment is also expected to grow as Canada recovers from the pandemic. Bicycling is already one of the most popular sports in Canada and grew in popularity during the pandemic as it provided an outdoor activity that avoided lockdowns.
In March 2021, to increase bicycle ridership and help achieve Canada’s net-zero emissions by 2050, the Government of Canada committed CAD 400 million over five years to invest in new and upgraded bicycle lanes, trails, and pedestrian bridges. This is the first federal fund of its kind and represents an opportunity for further growth in the number of Canadian cyclists as bicycle infrastructure becomes more accessible to underserved communities in Canada.
Like bicycles, many outdoor sports gained popularity during the pandemic. Sales of winter sports equipment for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing increased and are expected to maintain usership as Canadians discover new or rediscover old hobbies. Similarly, summer water sports like kayaking, canoeing, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and motorized water sports like wakeboarding and waterskiing experienced a jump in sales.
U.S. exporters offering high quality, high value and innovative sporting goods equipment can benefit from developments in this industry. For further information, please contact: Commercial Specialist Philipp Fortin