Reduced international travel and delivery challenges for popular products are reflected in Finnish shopping carts – Verkkokauppa.com lists the top holiday purchases.
Press release, July 12, 2021
More than just fans: Verkkokauppa.com experts explain how the summer season and the gradual end of the pandemic are shaping Finnish consumer behavior. Beyond traditional fans and coolers, trending summer categories include active lifestyle products, cooking, and home improvement.
Once again, holiday budgets aren't being spent on international travel or festivals. Travel restrictions have led Finns to invest in products that make life easier, such as stable internet connections. Summer shopping is also focused on a wide range of hobby equipment.
Demand for e-bikes has surged by dozens of percentage points compared to last summer. Electric fatbikes and mountain bikes have been even more popular than expected, though a pandemic-driven component shortage has caused some availability issues. The models that have arrived in stock have been selling like hotcakes.
The popularity of two-wheelers is also evident in the e-scooter boom, with growth exceeding 50% compared to last year despite increased competition.
“E-bikes and e-scooters aren't competitors and don't exclude one another. E-bikes reflect the current trend of self-care and an active lifestyle, while e-scooters are a practical tool for short city trips. Plus, they have a strong entertainment factor,” says Verkkokauppa.com Jätkäsaari Store Manager Jukka Saarinen.
Summer investments in cooking and hot tubs
The Finnish summer and grilled food go hand in hand. According to Verkkokauppa.com sales data, smokeless electric grills are particularly popular right now. Experts believe this is driven by urban residents wanting to grill on balconies and in courtyards.
A prolonged heatwave has also boosted demand for inflatable hot tubs, with growth exceeding 300% compared to last season. Traditional hot tubs and fixed spas now have a more compact and portable alternative. Inflatable tubs are easy to store for the winter or take along to the summer cottage.
5G modems: The surprise hit of the holiday season
Sales data shows that summer is a busy time for 4G and 5G modems, even during the peak holiday season. Experts attribute this surprising popularity to changes in working life and the rise of remote work.
“Many people start preparing for autumn and the return to work during the summer. They want to fix unreliable connections, and more people now need high-speed internet at their summer cottages. With remote work becoming the norm, people are working from places other than the office or home, and stable connections allow them to combine cottage life with work for longer periods,” Saarinen concludes.
Additional information
press@verkkokauppa.com (Ulkoinen palvelu)
Verkkokauppa.com
Verkkokauppa.com is Finland's leading online retailer, offering a wide range of products from home technology to leisure and business needs. Operating since 1992, the company is one of the world's oldest online retailers, combining e-commerce and physical stores into a seamless omnichannel customer experience. Verkkokauppa.com's four megastores are located in Oulu, Pirkkala, Raisio, and Helsinki's Jätkäsaari district. To deliver an exceptional customer experience, the company delivers products to your door in as little as one hour, around the clock, using automation and robotics. Verkkokauppa.com employs approximately 600 people, and the company's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
