What sports are trending in the age of social distancing? Sports and social-distancing typically don't go together very well. Even with frequent health checks and a reduced number of participants, the unavoidable reality is that popular sports like football or basketball almost always require some degree of social contact. But sports have been around since the dawn of humanity and even in lockdown, our need for competitive athletics is enduring. This surge in popularity provides a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs. First-time players for any sport need a lot of gear. That means a high-demand for starter kits, equipment, and accessories with a ton of sales potential. If you're looking for products to sell, here are some summer sports trends to take advantage of: Here's what we're seeing trend in July Outdoor racket sports like badminton, tennis, and pickleball Racket sports let you keep far away from your opponent without making any major changes to the rules, making them perfect for social distancing. Tennis, badminton, and even more obscure racket sports like pickleball are all experiencing increased search interest for rules and equipment. Products for racket sports typically trend in summer, but the growth is noticeably larger this year. Badminton and tennis sets are the perfect solution for customers looking for a fun, backyard friendly, socially-distant sport. | 💡Marketing tip: Badminton birdies go missing frequently. Adding an extra pack onto an order for a discounted price could be too good an offer to pass up for many customers. | Roller skates Roller skating has been enjoying a steady upward trend since the early 2000s, largely due to the modern revival of roller derby. Roller derby, like most sports, is on hold. But roller skates are experiencing a larger surge in popularity that in any previous summer. Roller skates work as both a fitness tool and a convenient urban travel-method. Roller skates, along with accompanying equipment like helmets and pads, have become increasingly popular products in lockdown. | 💡Marketing tip: With a lot of people getting into roller skating for the first time, selling "bundles" with skates and safety equipment could be an effective upselling technique. | Croquet equipment Croquet is another backyard-friendly sport that's experiencing a big surge in popularity this summer. Set-up only takes a minute and the rules are easy to learn, making it a great outdoor activity for kids and their parents. Croquet products typically reach their high-point in sales around July, and with popularity already trending higher than previous years, this summer will be especially lucrative for merchants selling croquet products. | 💡Marketing tip: Croquet products pair well with other backyard games like bocce ball, ladder golf, and horseshoes—all of which tend to trend around the same time. | Fitness-boxing Admittedly, the sport of boxing isn't great for social distancing. But even with the sport itself mostly paused, training equipment for boxing has experienced a huge increase in sales in the last couple of months. Fitness-boxing adds some much-needed variety to any home workout regimen. Equipment like speed bags, gloves, helmets, and non-slip boxing shoes have all trended upward in recent months, making them a great new product to sell. | 💡Marketing tip: Fitness-boxing has a lot of vibrant, online communities. Participating in online discussions can be a great way to find new customers and gain a deeper understanding of your niche. | |