The growth of travel goods in everyday life led to record sales last year, according to a new report from the Travel Goods Association (TGA).
Travel goods are defined as luggage, backpacks, travel/sports bags, business cases/computer bags, handbags, personal leather goods and luggage locks.
TGA estimates that US consumers spent a record $20.7 billion on travel goods in 2006, fueled by burgeoning consumer demand in virtually all travel goods categories.
“There are two factors driving the growth in sales,” said Michele Marini Pittenger, TGA’s president. “First, more people are traveling today, and second, travel goods are becoming a part of our everyday life.”
Totes and backpacks, for example, were previously used mainly in schools and airports; today they are more and more common in the workplace.
Handbags and business cases traditionally held personal items and important papers, but now they must also accommodate cell phones, iPods, PDAs and laptops.
With more and more demands being placed on the travel goods they use, consumers are demanding new and better products, he said.
“These changing demands mean consumers will no longer wait until their tote or briefcase wears out, but will instead buy the new backpack or briefcase to go with their new laptop or cell phone — translating into a surge in demand for these items,” said Mr Pittenger.
This growth, however, has curbed sales of more traditional travel goods such as luggage and handbags as people find alternatives that better suit their changing lifestyles.
Said Mr Pittenger:
“Because consumers now buy travel goods because they ‘need’ them, they are focusing on new, functional, innovative and stylish products rather than simply comparing costs. This should lead to stabilizing prices after years of deflation, and since it looks like the consumers’ appetite for well-designed, original and fashionable travel goods shows no signs of abating, 2007 should be another great year for the industry.”
Report by David Wilkening
