How athletes shop in Corona times

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The corona pandemic has changed many things. While the stationary retail had to close, online shopping has literally gone through the roof. New televisions, books, kitchen appliances, but also food and toilet paper were delivered in bulk - but large purchases were avoided. And what about sports and outdoor goods? Five hobby athletes told ISPO.com how they shop these days.

Author: Ole Zimmer

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"I buy almost everything online anyway. I simply find it more convenient to shop on my sofa in the evening than to run into the city centre with 100,000 others - I can shop on the net whenever I want to. The only exception are larger purchases, like skis or a new racing bike - for that I go to the shop. There I want to test and optimize, that works best at the specialist dealer". — **Jonas Seybold, 35**
**Running and cycling**
"I buy almost everything online anyway. I simply find it more convenient to shop on my sofa in the evening than to run into the city centre with 100,000 others - I can shop online whenever I want to. But an exception are bigger purchases like skis or a new racing bike - for that I go to the shop. There I want to test and optimize, that works best at the specialist retailer.
Image credit: Ole Zimmer

Fred Wasserle, 55 Running — **Fred Wasserle, 55**
**Running**
"When I know exactly what I want, I order it on the internet, which has been the case for quite a while now. Nevertheless I still visit my retailer often. And when they advise me, I buy there too. We were also in contact during the shutdown. My running shop has the advantage that it offers a running group and also writes the training plans for me - that connects.
Image credit: Ole Zimmer

Kathrin Degmair, 42 Running and climbing — **Kathrin Degmair, 42**
**Running and climbing**
"I'm just getting back in the swing of things. So I really need some more advice. With clothes, that's not so important to me. If they're chic, l'II buy them anywhere. But when it comes to safety equipment for climbing or shoes, I would never just buy them on my own - so I'm glad to have a good advisor on site."
Image credit: Ole Zimmer

Gerriet Ehlers, 42 Rugby and cycling — **Gerriet Ehlers, 42**
**Rugby and cycling**
"Corona did not change anything for me since I didn't need anything new anyways. I just want my racing bike equipment to work, I just take it with me to my bike shop, where I always get good tips. It's different with a marginal sport like rugby: there are only a few good shops in Germany. But the few have recognized the niche and usually have their own mail order business. You depend on the internet, but still buy from the small professionals."

Image credit: Ole Zimmer

Heidi Grasbon, 47 swimming coach, triathlon — **Heidi Grasbon, 47**
**Swimming coach, triathlon**
"Especially in the Corona period, our sports retailer saved us. When it was clear that there would be a shutdown, we went out and did some big shopping: Thera-bands, sling coaches, balls and ladders. With the advice we turned our garden into an open air studio. And for example a wetsuit you have to try on and test anyway, that's only possible if the reetailer offers test events."
Image credit: Ole Zimmer

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Has Covid-19 changed the relationship between sports retailers and customers - and if so, how? Many sports articles require a lot of advice due to the variety of models. The sports retailer is often an important confidant. Due to corona-related restrictions, the exchange with the specialist dealer is no longer quite so easy. We asked five hobby athletes how they shop in this exceptional time.

No matter which country you look at, no matter which sector - the buying mood is clearly clouded. A Deloitte study shows that when it comes to planned clothing or shoe purchases, for example, consumers in Germany (-7%), Italy (-17%) and Canada (-34%) want to spend significantly less in the coming month (until mid-June 2020).

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Our international retailer survey shows where retailers feel the pinch:

ISPO Retailer Survey: How Corona affects the international sports retail trade

Author: Ole Zimmer