I recently came across this article in Transworld Business regarding the State of Skate and wondered if the results are valid for the powersports industry as well.
Within the article (found here) it mentions that the core skater (26+ times per year) is down and the casual skater (1-25 times per year) is up. Additionally, it goes on to mention that today’s youth in GenerationZ do not remain loyal to brands or even sports and activities.
Where is the powersports industry? Are we core or casual? Based on my experience, I’d have to say that the industry is trending the same as skate with far more casual participants. The weekend or fair weather rider is up while the no holds barred core participant has diminished. Is that good or bad for the industry? I’m on the fence with a final decision, but I feel a larger number of casual participants could increase the user base allowing more people to get involved in the sport. What are your thoughts?
Along with the information regarding Gen Z, the industry faces challenges ahead. How do we entice new participants into the sport and encourage them to stay along rather than move on to the next new thing? This is the technology generation. One that doesn’t remember dial-up modems and waiting for things to download. Gen Z looks for instant gratification. They are comfortable with technology and fluent in social media. Answers to any questions are just a Google search away, and they use that information to make buying decisions.
So what will the powersports business do to market to the changing demographics? Only time will tell, but it better happen quickly as Gen Z does not wait around.
As always the ideas expressed above are my own, and I make no claims to the success or failure of implementing them. They are suggestions to make you think. Please vet all ideas against your business plan before implementing them.
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