SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Retailers are optimistic about the summer after some business representatives said last year's smoke dampened sales.

Polar Tech owner Gord Olsen stands next to a display of camping equipment and accessories. The company has moved away from apparel to stocking more camping and safety items due to their longer shelf-life. - Karen K. Ho/NNSL photo

"We've had a surge of quads, small boats and camping gear," Polar Tech owner Gord Olsen told Yellowknifer. This year's weather has also meant boosts in demand for certain kinds of inventory.

Overlander Sports co-owner Sandra Sterling said recent sunny skies has meant strong sales in every category in her store.

This includes bikes, boats, stand-up paddleboards, camping equipment and skateboards.

"I can't think of anything that's not selling well this summer," she said.

Last year's fires did result in the company losing canoe rentals and lower sales of running shoes. "People stopped running for a while," she said.

Even rain gear has sold well in the store.

Sterling has observed increased sales of women's items and attributes this to more selection, even in "unisex" categories such as backpacks and sleeping bags.

"I think it's a lifestyle thing, where people are wearing it more every day," she said.

The company has also recently expanded its selection of cross-trail bikes -- slightly different than mountain or road bikes.

"They allow you to ride on rougher roads," Sterling explained. "You can ride on both the highways and the Ingram Trail."

At another retailer along a major road, Canadian Tire owner Warren Pariseau told Yellowknifer that sales in May were "amazing" due to the early start in good weather.

"January to now was really, really strong," he said.

Pariseau said that last year fishing and camping sales were "a little tough", but this year plant sales have been strong starting in May. The his store's gun lineup is also selling well, said Pariseau.

When it comes to inventory levels, Pariseau said last year's weather didn't result in any huge adjustments.

"We try to bring in as much as we can due to delivery times," he said.

Once the snow melts and the summer season begins, it's a really crucial point for Canadian Tire.

"If the sun comes early and we get the plants out, it's gangbusters," Pariseau said. "For us, May and June are bigger than Christmas sales in the North and not by a small deal."

However, bikes, as well as barbeques and patio furniture, have all been "flattish" at the Old Airport Road retailer. Pariseau attributed that to their cyclical nature. "Not everyone needs a new one every year," he said. "It depends on the population of new people."

When it comes to the rest of the summer, Canadian Tire's inventory of fishing, hunting and camping equipment is at most risk of being affected by smoke from any possible wild fires.

"But we're well-positioned inventory wise for the seasons coming up," he said. "We're ready to go."

Back at Polar Tech, Olsen said in addition to the weather, a few commercial orders in the tourism and road building industries, a shift in inventory management, as well as the low water levels on the Mackenzie River have all affected what's leaving his shop floor -- smaller boats seem to be doing better, Olsen said.

He estimated this year he's sold six scooters, more than two dozen quad vehicles, 10 outboards, eight boats, as well two solar and wind systems which were new to the store. Some of the quad vehicles were destined for as far away as Cambridge Bay and Kugaaruk.

The company has sold about 40 fishing licences so far, about a third of the total number they sold last year.

This year, Polar Tech has also expanded its supply of camping and emergency items after moving away from apparel. Floor manager Terry Gravel said much of the marine equipment, such as ropes, oars and anchors, were customer necessities already and helpful for many clients who don't often know what they need.

"It's stuff that can often save your life," he said. "It's the same with winter - 90 per cent of riders don't bring a survival kit with them on their snow machine."

Olsen was tired of the hassle of dealing with sizes on both sides of the spectrum at the end of every season.

"Camping gear doesn't go out of date like clothing does," he said.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.