ISPO Press Portal

Environmentally friendly. Fair. Sustainable. For several years now sustainability has been emerging from its ecological niche into the forefront. According to a survey by Statista and YouGov from 2018, 79 percent of Germans consider sustainability to be an important topic. In its international survey from 2015, market research firm Nielsen also came to the conclusion that consumers worldwide want to act in a responsible manner—and they expect that from businesses, too. Among those surveyed, 50 percent indicated that they are influenced by sustainable factors when making a purchase. For the outdoor segment, global challenges such as climate change, plastic waste and species extinction are major issues also, or precisely, because outdoor sports generally take place in nature. This is also evident when looking at the innovations and visions for summer 2020 being presented at the OutDoor by ISPO trade fair in Munich from June 30 through July 3.

Urban outdoor, outdoor yoga and standup paddleboarding (SUP)—the incentives for spending time outdoors are becoming increasingly diverse. From millennials and families to senior citizens, different target groups with different requirements have their own interpretation of what “outdoor” means to them and are enjoying it their own way, for example through luxury camping and minimalist bike travel. The main outdoor trends and developments for 2020 that go beyond classic activities have been summarized below for you. They will be on show with many other innovative products for the first time in Munich from June 30 to July 3, 2019 at Europe’s biggest outdoor trade show OutDoor by ISPO.

Climbing and bouldering are establishing themselves as leisure activities fit for the masses and trail running promises a combination of physical endurance and a natural setting. Outdoor adventures are part and parcel of the German way of life and even during vacations trekking is a great way of getting back to nature. Requirements in terms of the equipment involved are the same with all activities: what consumers want is a comprehensive, stress-free package, and functionality and lightweight construction are the top priorities. Sustainability is also an important issue in this regard (see specific OutDoor by ISPO Trend Report).

The first winners of the new Outstanding Outdoor Award have been selected. After reviewing 203 nominations in 28 categories, the international jury of experts selected products that set new standards in terms of their special functionality, striking design, safety improvements or exceptional innovation. Another constant focal point: sustainability. The Outstanding Outdoor Award places the winners in a powerful spotlight and serves as an important guide about current and future trends for retailers, the media and consumers. The awards will be presented on June 30, 2019 during the OutDoor by ISPO trade fair.

This summer, Europe’s biggest outdoor trade fair, OutDoor by ISPO, will be taking place for the first time ever in Munich. However, it’s not just the trade visitors who will be part of the new outdoor movement—end consumers will be able to get in on the act as well. This is because a range of events and activities open to everyone will be taking place in the wider metropolitan region of Munich from June 29 to July 6 as part of OutDays, which will be running in parallel to the trade fair.

Thanks to an affluent middle class with a growing interest in sports, China is becoming increasingly attractive to sporting goods manufacturers. It is not just those in the sports business that have recognized the potential—international soccer clubs are also competing for the favor of Chinese sports fans. ISPO Shanghai, taking place at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) from July 5 to 7, will provide the perfect gateway to the market. In addition to numerous companies, this year Bundesliga International will be represented with FC Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04, Borussia Mönchengladbach, VfL Wolfsburg and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Digitalization has given a rocket-like boost to the sporting goods industry in recent years. Manufacturers and retailers will learn the best ways to seize these new digital opportunities and to apply digital tools on July 3 and 4 during the ISPO Digitize Summit in Munich, the compact, clearly structured digital conference for the sporting goods industry.

ISPO Brandnew, the world’s largest platform for startups in the sporting goods industry, will be expanded: For the first time ever the startup summit “Basecamp of Inspiration” will take place as a part of Europe’s largest outdoor trade fair OutDoor by ISPO in Munich (June 30 to July 3).