What Will Happen? Outdoor. 2021 to 2022 | feature

PROFILE

Hiroaki Kobayashi

Purveyors Owner

After starting his own business from a music label company, he went from organizing events to running a gallery and restaurant before opening the outdoor and travel concept store "Purveyors" in 2017. Forest, Road, Market." He is also an event organizer for such events as "Circus of the Sun and Starry Sky" and "The Purveyors Show." Recently, he is interested in hot air balloons.

The outdoor world is in the midst of an information war.

Last year and this year, the camps have received a lot of public attention, but what do you think from your point of view?

Kobayashi:The camp has grown so much because of the open-air recommendations, so the coronavirus has had a huge impact. I think the industry as a whole is on the rise. Unlike a decade ago, I have the impression that even people with money are interested in camping and the outdoors. It seems that spending time in nature has become an indicator of wealth, rather than owning a high brand or going abroad. It's like, "Well, it would be nice to go camping once every two months or so."

I think the feeling of wellness is somehow growing.

Kobayashi:However, it has become so popular that it has become a bit strange. For example, people who go camping with their families are using tools for solo camping.

If you enjoy mountain stream fishing while climbing mountains like I do, you need to minimize your luggage, so you seek compactness and light weight, but if you are going with your family by car, there must be something more appropriate.

Especially with children, it is more comfortable to use firm, comfortable chairs and a wide table. Why is that?

Kobayashi:Nowadays, there is an overflow of information. There is a lot of incorrect information out there, and it is difficult to get the message across accurately. I think that in many cases, sellers are not able to take such good care of their customers. We also sell Zane Arts tents for families and Samaya tents for solo travelers together, so I think we are a store that can cause confusion.

Kobayashi: The number of outdoor-related brands and stores is increasing tremendously, and we receive many sales calls and inquiries at our store.

Five years ago, when "Purveyors" was just established in Kiryu, there were hardly any outdoor select stores in the northern Kanto region... We have received comments such as, "Inspired by Purveyors, we opened our own store! I was very happy in the beginning because the industry was getting more and more exciting.

The more the market expands, the more the industry will develop.

Kobayashi:This has had its downsides, though. Seeing this boom, people from completely different industries have started to enter the market. It is not only those who want to "work together to make the outdoors more exciting," but there are also many people who want to do business around those who have created the groundwork while dividing the grassroots.

Of course, this is a common occurrence in the business world, and it is not something that I can stop. However, I think it is sad that as a result, the outdoors may not take root as a culture and more people may leave.