Consumer increase in van purchases driven by a need for convenience

Over the last few years, the market for vans has been growing at an impressive rate. Regular vans are still very much business staples. They are, however, increasingly being used for leisure travel too. Some are even being converted into alternative forms of accommodation. For those who don’t want the conversion work, campervans are a popular alternative.

Businesses need to go where their customers are

Vans have long been must-haves for the construction industry, and they still are. The growth in sales to this business sector can be attributed to two main factors. One is the fact that the construction industry has been really going full steam ahead since pandemic restrictions were eased.

Given the UK’s desperate need for housing, this seems unlikely to change any time soon. The other is the switch to electric/hybrid vehicles.

The logistics industry also has a growing need for vans. HGVs do a great job of transporting goods over long distances. They are not, however, necessarily ideal for getting them to a customer’s door. Online shopping hasn’t totally replaced real-world shopping. In fact, it’s highly questionable if it ever will. It has, however, definitely been gaining market share. That means there’s a growing need for vans.

Another trend that looks like it’s here to stay is the growth of mobile businesses. There are a couple of factors that appear to be behind this. The first is the growth in remote-/hybrid-working. This reduces the value of having a business location that’s near to other businesses. In fact, it reduces the value of having a permanent business location at all. By contrast, it vastly increases the value of mobility.

The second is that operating out of a van spares business owners the need to navigate the commercial property market. They don’t have to sign leases, deal with rent increases or negotiate what they can and cannot do on the property. Furthermore, there is no risk of them getting stuck in a property that no longer suits their business’ requirements.

Vans can be your home on wheels

On a similar note, vans are increasingly being used as alternative forms of permanent accommodation. Some people are using them as extra rooms in their own homes. Unsurprisingly, home offices and classrooms are especially popular options. Some people are going even further and making vans their full-time, permanent homes.

In itself, living out of vans is nothing new. It has come in and out of popularity since at least the 1960s. There is, however, a very simple reason why its popularity could now be here to stay (and even to grow). That is the arrival of the mobile internet. Access to genuine mobile broadband really is a game-changer for people who want to live in non-traditional accommodation.

Currently, the age groups most likely to adopt full-time van life are young adults (Millennials and Gen Z) and retirees (mostly Boomers). This makes sense given that these are the age groups least likely to have children. They may also be on more restricted incomes, especially the young adults. This, however, is very variable. It is, however, worth noting that families with young children are adopting van life too.

In many ways, van life has much the same attractions for individuals as it does for businesses. Essentially, it provides a low-cost route to home-ownership. For young adults, van life can be a way to save for a home of their own later. For retirees, it can be a way to have some time out and think about how they want to spend their retirement. Alternatively, it can be a permanent lifestyle (even with children).

Van travel is picking up pace

Probably the most exciting development for the van industry is the growth in vans being used for leisure travel. Some people are buying campervans, others are adapting regular vans and others are leaving regular vans as they are. Each approach has its own potential benefits (and, of course, limitations).

Currently, the age groups most interested in van travel appear to be the same age groups that are most interested in van life. That is young adults and retirees. There is, however, a relatively high level of interest from families with children. This makes sense when you compare the challenges of living in a van with children over the short term versus over the long term.

The most obvious reason for the growth in interest in van travel is the ongoing effects of COVID19. Many people are still choosing to holiday at home for various reasons. This is leading to massive demand for holiday accommodation in the UK, especially at peak times (e.g., school holidays). Having a van (regular or camper) increases your options. It can also significantly reduce the cost of your holiday.

Even when the travel sector does get back to normal, vans are still likely to be in demand for leisure travel. They are a great option for short breaks and events such as festivals. It’s also worth noting that people coming to the UK for holiday may choose to hire vans to travel around. Likewise, people going overseas may hire a van at their destination.

Vans are excellent for adventurous travel

There is another key reason why vans are likely to have a bright future as recreational vehicles. This is because they are great for getting off the beaten track. They are far more manoeuvrable than caravans (even pod caravans). At the same time, they offer far more usable space than cars (and vastly more than motorbikes).

Vans may not really be ideal for proper off-roading. They can, however, cope with standard country tracks as well as sand. This means that people with vans can visit more remote destinations and still be sure of a fairly high level of comfort. In particular, they don’t need to worry about pitching tents or finding bathroom facilities.

It may also be relevant that van travels often make for great social media content. Content creators in this niche both educate and inspire their audiences. While the effect of this is hard to measure, it does seem safe to assume that van-travel accounts do help to popularise van travel. Their continued growth is, therefore, a very healthy sign for this sector.

Author

Tracy Hill is the Marketing Manager for Car Mats UK, a leading car accessories manufacturer based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. All of their products are made in Britain by their amazing team of skilled workers.