The construction holiday for the Central Netherlands has started and so it is very busy at the camping shops. They also notice this at De Vrijbuiter in Zaandam. “Last weekend we achieved the highest score here in terms of visitor numbers,” said seller Janick Heilijgers. “So that’s great.” Most shoppers who still visit the floor are still looking for the very last items. “I just need to score a good seat,” said one visitor. “Nice for the beach.”
Camping is still popular, especially due to the corona period. An inflatable tent that sells well at the moment, says salesman Janick. “It’s a nice stable tent. You inflate it, you get a hand pump. You don’t need tent poles anymore. You don’t have to worry that it will blow away. It is more stable than a traditional tent with poles because it moves more dynamically with the wind.”
Some visitors come to the camping shop for no specific purpose. “It’s always nice to stroll around here”, says a visitor who will leave for France in a few days with the folding trailer. “Also to see if there are any latest gadgets.”
A mother of two also says she walked in for no particular reason. “We’ve actually already been on vacation,” she says. “But we’re looking around here to get a little bit of holiday feeling.”