Helinox SS24 Great Outdoors Preview
What is the status of the Outdoor Market after that long hot summer 2022?
The outdoor market in Europe is feeling a little uncertain and nervous this spring. The macroeconomic situation, mixed with a long cold spring, has left a lot of businesses looking at worst, double-digit losses, and at best, single-digit growth. Retailers are sat on a lot of stock in key product categories after the frenzy to buy up anything available during the covid bump. This is resulting in heavy discounting, contributing to the market’s general instability. That said, demand for high-quality products from industry-leading brands is still strong, and participation is still high, so overall, the long-term outlook is good.
How did war, economy, global warming, overall inflation affect your SS22 sell in plans (delays/ range cancellations/ carry over/stock)?
I believe most brands had to make hard choices last year to sure up supply. This meant keeping ranges lean and orders carefully managed. Brands that didn’t oversell to retailers, and kept a steady hand on their distribution strategy are the ones doing well in 2023.
What are the major trends in the camping segment in spring/summer 2024?
Trend cycles are becoming less important as the years go on. Brands that make high-quality products designed to last a long time should be focused on making timeless products with long-term appeal. We do welcome a move towards more natural, earthy tones in the colour palette of most brands and the continued excitement from younger generations to find camping and the outdoors through non-traditional outdoor brands and retailers.
What efforts are you implementing towards sustainability?
Helinox continues to invest in hard and detailed work that really makes a difference to our environmental impact. We are 99% PFC-free, and around 75% of all our soft goods materials are Bluesign approved & made from recycled stock. I would say our biggest investment for 2023 Is the launch of our self–repair program. Helinox Chairs rarely break, but when they do we now hold a wide variety of spare parts including legs, hubs, feet, skins and cases. If you break your chair we will send you the individual part and a set of easy-to-follow instructions to repair it. This program has the potential to vastly reduce the amount of Helinox that ends up in landfill and keep people relaxed in their Helinox chairs for as long as they want!
Which items should every nature lover take with him on the next outdoor-adventure?
Well, that all depends on what kind of adventure! Helinox has recently found favour with bike touring and bikepacking communities of late. Nothing beats sitting down in a Chair Zero to relax at your camp spot after a long day cycling.
What marketing stories and themes are you telling in your gear line for SS2024? Which item(s) do you expect to grow the most in SS2024?
2024 is all about growth in the campervan owners market. Helinox products pack down smaller, are lighter and more versatile than all the incumbent brands in that market. Our vision is for every campervan owner to have a set of Helinox stashed in the cupboard ready to be deployed for a cold drink and a beautiful sunset.
Key products for 2024
Table Four
Helinox is bringing a 4-person dining table to the market. It is lighter, packs down smaller and has a longer warranty than any currently available models. It uses our folding tabletop design to mean you can have a standard 120 x 70cm tabletop pack into an 80 x 20cm case.
Café Chair
Helinox styling for an upright dining chair. Modeled on our classic Chair One but high enough and upright enough to eat, play and drink. This is a must have for anyone dining outdoors.
Chair One – Mint Mutiblock
A Helinox Classic in our best new colourway for 4 years. Taking inspiration from the sneaker world, Mint Multiblock combines earthy brows and orange with a fresh pop of mint. It’s got to be coped.
