Will the Caravan Industry survive the next 12 months?

[Dustydog]

Politics is banned as we all know. This is more a genuine current situation awareness view of where we are going with our hobby , interest, fun time etc.
Halfords , known to all of us a Public Limited Company ,have today explained the repercussions of the increases in running costs to their business. They are struggling with 12000 employees and the final nail may be going in the coffin sooner than most think.
Will our caravan manufacturers survive?

 

[RogerL]

The rise of online shopping will have hit Halfords hard.

Erwin Hymer Group might decide to switch production of Buccanneer, Elddis and Xplore to one of their mainland Europe factories but Bailey, Coachman and Swift don't have that option.

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Certainly hope so!

We've got trips booked right through to October 😎

 

[Dustydog]

Certainly hope so!

We've got trips booked right through to October 😎

I’m sure caravan and camping sites will survive 😉

 

[Mr Grumpy]

I’m sure caravan and camping sites will survive 😉

I'll drink to that 🍺🍺🍺

 

[borderbilly]

Well if they keep churning out inferior vans, like they are doing now, i very much doubt it.

 

[otherclive]

The wet spring this year hit bike

Politics is banned as we all know. This is more a genuine current situation awareness view of where we are going with our hobby , interest, fun time etc.
Halfords , known to all of us a Public Limited Company ,have today explained the repercussions of the increases in running costs to their business. They are struggling with 12000 employees and the final nail may be going in the coffin sooner than most think.
Will our caravan manufacturers survive?

Halfords cycle business boomed during Covid but since the early part of this year sales have dropped. In part due to a rubbish spring and not very good summer. They have closed some of their specialty shops within shops IE Bordman. Also not as many car owners do their own maintenance these days.

Wrt caravan manufacturers I’m sure there will be a future but how they will market their models is uncertain. Car makers have moved towards the larger and/or better outfitted models which bring greater profits. But as a non enforced purchase caravan makers need to look to their market place. Sites too will have to recognise the part they play in supporting the market.

 

[ProfJohnL]

The answer to the question is, some might and some might not. The same answer applies to caravan sites and dealers.

 

[Dustydog]

The wet spring this year hit bike

Halfords cycle business boomed during Covid but since the early part of this year sales have dropped. In part due to a rubbish spring and not very good summer. They have closed some of their specialty shops within shops IE Bordman. Also not as many car owners do their own maintenance these days.

Wrt caravan manufacturers I’m sure there will be a future but how they will market their models is uncertain. Car makers have moved towards the larger and/or better outfitted models which bring greater profits. But as a non enforced purchase caravan makers need to look to their market place. Sites too will have to recognise the part they play in supporting the market.

I deliberately picked Halfords because of their directions, change over the last few years. Car servicing isn’t far off 49% and increasing. Retail eg cycle sales is dropping. So even trying to stay ahead of the game it is not a rosy picture even for those with an entrepreneurial skill.
Caravan manufacturers do not understand the phrase Entrepreneurial skill😉

 

[otherclive]

I deliberately picked Halfords because of their directions, change over the last few years. Car servicing isn’t far off 49% and increasing. Retail eg cycle sales is dropping. So even trying to stay ahead of the game it is not a rosy picture even for those with an entrepreneurial skill.
Caravan manufacturers do not understand the phrase Entrepreneurial skill😉

Agree, they are becoming more competitive in tyres with a good range. Also my daughter’s Toyota hybrid is a lease car and the lease company requires servicing at Halfords. But changing to meet changing customer needs must be incredibly difficult as it will possibly differ area to area.

 

[Dustydog]

Agree, they are becoming more competitive in tyres with a good range. Also my daughter’s Toyota hybrid is a lease car and the lease company requires servicing at Halfords. But changing to meet changing customer needs must be incredibly difficult as it will possibly differ area to area.

It’s not that long ago certain people were shopping at Aldi and Lidl but using Harrods shopping bags😜

 

[Buckman]

Instead of a manufacturer offering several models that are almost the same, they could cut back from several to just one or two and improve the quality!