Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) was initiated in 1971 when a group of west coast mountaineers decided to do business differently; they turned an unconventional retail model into a successful thriving business. Though MEC has faced numerous challenges during its evolution as one of the top outdoor stores in Canada, their grassroots foundation and philosophy has endured for years: make things happen, deal fairly, find strength in community, and inspire adventure. For the complete fascinating history of MEC, click here. Additionally, be sure to check out the very entertaining and informative MEC blog.
RV ACCESSORIES
Regarding the customer demographic at Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), how has it changed throughout the years considering the increased number of camping and travel enthusiasts?
MEC started in 1971 on the west coast by mountaineers that wanted to get hard to find backcountry gear into the hands of Canadians. A lot has changed since then. MEC’s goal is to inspire and enable Canadians to lead active lives and this leads us to continue to expand our offerings, while sticking to our cooperative roots. With over 4 million members from coast to coast, the one thing all our members have in common is that they enjoy the outdoors.
Do you sell a wide variety of RV camping accessories and if so, what are they?
Where to start? Quick answer yes. Whether you are backcountry camping or RV camping, you need to make sure that you are safe, well hydrated, well fed, have packs for your adventures, have a place to sit and a way to see around the campfire and of course, who doesn’t like the coolest new gadgets? MEC has you covered.
In general, what are the most popular items that camping enthusiasts purchase at your store?
Everyone loves having their iPhone, iPad and e-Reader with them. What many of the top selling camping accessories have in common is providing a way to keep the gadgets charged in the outdoors. One of our most popular stoves is the BioLite CampStove, a camp stove that charges your favourite device while you cook your supper. Another hot seller is the Power Pond, a way to keep the phone charged, whether it’s on those long days at the office or on longer hikes. There are many more hot sellers, too many to list.
How will the rising popularity of RVing affect the growth in the accessories market?
MEC has a diverse set of members. When people get out and enjoy our amazing country, whether through rock climbing or RVing, there will be an increased demand at outdoor retail stores such as MEC.
GADGETS
Is there growth or a demand for eco-friendly gadgets and eco-friendly camping products at Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC)?
Absolutely. There is a growing trend at MEC towards solar. There are some innovative new products that are compact, but have enough juice to charge a laptop. Also on the eco-friendly side, two popular products used are Campsuds and biodegradable soap, always a great way to keep you, your dishes and the environment clean.
What are some new and trending gadgets available at Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) today?
One of the trending gadgets at MEC and elsewhere are fitness trackers. MEC has a few neat options including ones designed for backcountry use.
How do customers’ requests and needs influence what type of inventory you bring into the store?
As with any store, if we want to stay relevant in this fast changing society, we must adapt to the requests of our members to survive.
What are the most popular tools and gadgets at Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) for camping and RVing? Do you have any particular items used for emergencies that are of particular interest to your customers?
There are a few new products on the market aimed at keeping people safe, especially when they are outside cell phone coverage. The SPOT and the DeLorme InReach GPS and Satellite communication systems are able to alert people in the event of an emergency. Since they use satellite networks, they are a great peace of mind, no matter where you are.
What are some emerging trends for specialty items on the market for the outdoor experience?
Again I’m going to turn to the BioLite CampStove, which is one of our strongest selling stoves, an innovative way to combine camping with our changing ways.
NECESSITIES
In your opinion, what are the most important necessities to have when camping and RVing?
Whenever you are enjoying the outdoors, proper clothing is a MUST! We have a saying at MEC: There is no bad weather, just bad gear. If you are properly dressed, you can be comfortable no matter what season you are traveling in.
MEC – Clothing and Accessories for Children
Are your clothing lines appealing to campers and RVers because of fabric durability and comfort? What clothing lines are new to Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) this year?
I think there are a couple things that keep people coming to MEC. One is the durability and the other our Rock Solid Guarantee. MEC expanded our line up with a bunch of new brands this year including: Outdoor Research, Castelli, Horney Toad, Moving Comfort, Adidas and Etxeondo to name a few. There are also the ever popular Patagonia, Prana and MEC Branded clothing.
MEC – Some Men’s and Women’s clothing and accessories
Regarding hiking specialities, what are your most popular items at Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) for hikers?
The most popular hiking accessory for years has been Gaiters to help keep the feet dry.
MEC – Some Men’s and Women’s clothing and accessories
What emergency preparedness products do you sell at Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC)?
MEC has a ton of health and safety products including: First Aid Kits; Locator Beacons; knives; satellite phones; Emergency Blankets; and GPS units etc. Regarding where your adventure takes you, will depend on what items you want to take as emergency preparedness.
With respect to safety essentials, what are the necessities that campers and RVers should have to keep them safe during outdoor activities?
Staying safe and healthy is important especially in unfamiliar areas. A good First Aid Kit, proper clothing and an Emergency Locator are important for those off road adventures. If you are heading into the backcountry, you will want to make sure that you have a safe water supply as well.
MEC – Safe Drinking Water Products for Camping
Do you test products to see which ones are more popular before doing a large purchase for your customers? How do you decide which products to sell in the store?
We are always listening to our members to tweak what we decide to carry and make sure they enjoy the fit and type of products in our selection.
CLOSING COMMENTS
How has online shopping changed your business? Do you have just as many online shoppers as in-store shoppers or more? Do you see continued growth with online shopping at Mountain Equipment Co-op?
There is no doubt that the retail industry is changing quickly. MEC is adapting to make sure that our members are able to access MEC in a way that is convenient for them, whether it is in our brick and mortar stores, through our iPhone app or online. The trend of increase online purchases is not likely to slow down. MEC will do what it can to stay relevant in this changing retail environment.
The post INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL HEUCHERT FROM MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP (CALGARY) ON RV CAMPING ACCESSORIES, GADGETS AND NECESSITIES appeared first on Guarantee RV Blog.
