The clientele at stores catering to athletes and outdoor enthusiasts has shifted over the years. Once frequented by gym rats and parents getting their kids ready for their next athletic season, the majority has adjusted with society and the economy. As a result, Dick's Sporting Goods has announced that the retailer will only be stocking tents.
"There was a bump in tent sales during COVID, but the industry-wide assumption had been that the trend would die down once the world got back to normal. As it turns out, that never happened," said president and CEO Lauren Hobart.
In fact, demand only seems to have increased, but not just because people are looking to leave their worries behind and head to the woods. Actually, quite the opposite — Dick's has been named the number one retailer for purchasing everyday homes.
"The housing market is ridiculous these days. When I moved here, I was in a decent studio, but I got priced out. Luckily, a good tent is still way cheaper than rent!" said Cedar Park, Texas' Leah Mays, who hopes to move back into an apartment once she's done paying off medical bills for an ointment she received after accidentally stepping on a bee.
And now, there's another branch of customers frequenting the stores — college students participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations.
"I needed a tent that I could carry from my dorm, but could stand up to being trampled on by police. So far, so cozy!" said University of Wisconsin-Madison student Stewart Grable. "Plus, they still have beef jerky and trail mix by the checkout — I'm stocked for weeks!"
Other customers may be frustrated that they'll now have to go somewhere else for their other sporting needs, but some may be getting ahead of themselves. While Dick's made a point to stop selling guns at hundreds of stores in 2020, the dangers of sleeping outside are likely to prompt the chain to bring back the next best weapon — children's soccer cleats.
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Photo courtesy of Mike Mozart via CC BY 2.0
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