Sales surge as summer unofficially starts
Posted May 24, 2010 05:27:21 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The long weekend often leaves us a little lighter in the wallet but it’s not as though the money goes to waste. Camping is a popular long weekend pastime and, where facilities allow, a stop at the local LCBO is usually in order on the way to your destination. And there are statistics to back up that expectation as both the LCBO and a local camping equipment supplier report an increase in business as the long weekend approaches.
In the case of the LCBO, sales across Ontario were up $10 million week over week leading up to the Victoria Day weekend. Spokesperson Chris Layton tells 570 News sales are heavily dependent on the weather and the warmer it is, the brisker the sales. As the summer wears on, Layton says sales of spirits inevitably pick up. The LCBO notes an increase in sales if Canada Day falls on a weekend and again on the Civic long weekend in August when compared to the May 2-4.
Layton says summer is the second busiest season at the LCBO, behind only the holidays. He calls beer “the number one warm weather drink” and says white wines, rose wines and other white spirits are popular for entertaining during the warm weather months. Layton refers to these as the LCBO’s “seasonal products” for summer.
Naturally, the LCBO is using the long weekend to reinforce its safe entertaining message. The LCBO encourages party planners to prepare ahead of time how to handle alcohol-related issues and help guests make responsible choices. “We encourage everyone to drink responsibly over the summer season and to never drink and drive,” says LCBO President and CEO Bob Peter. “To take the guesswork out of responsible entertaining, we offer online tools and our store staff can also help hosts plan safe get-togethers.”
When it comes to camping, it all starts with the proper tent, according to Jason Cunningham, Operations Manager at Adventure Guide in Waterloo. Cunningham tells 570 News the right tent will keep you protected even in bad weather. A good family tent will set you back about $550. The family will also need quality sleeping bags which cost about $135 each and kitchen supplies, if needed, would cost about $300 more.
Of course, that’s if you’re going into the camping weekend as a first-timer. Once you’ve made the initial purchase, it’s a matter of upgrading where and when needed or adding to your personal cache of camping supplies. Cunningham cites his original camping stove, purchased 15 years ago, and still going strong today.
The biggest change in camping over the years is when it comes to creature comforts. Cunningham says sleeping is “super comfortable” today thanks to down-filled, air-filled or foam-filled sleeping pads. He says today’s stoves cook faster and are easier to maintain and he calls the latest in tent technology “phenomenal” because they’re so much lighter and easier to set up. Cunningham says his own daughter, just two years old, is always active in trying to help set up the tent. And while that may be a little young, he says a child as young as five can be a “productive member” of the camping team thanks to today’s technology that makes set up so much easier.
With summer now “unofficially” underway, Cunningham says more and more people find their way into his store to pick up new gear or get started on a camping holiday. He says setting aside a budget of $1500 will leave you well-equipped for virtually anything but adds you can get started for less than $1000 and add to your equipment over time, which is what he sees most people do.
