Shopify shoppers ate up home cooking appliances, pool accessories, and camping gear in May

Shopify shoppers embraced a summer state of mind in May. Consumers prioritized orders for everything from baking supplies to pool skimmers to group tents and bookshelves.

Making bread was top of mind with orders for breadmakers popping 533%, per the latest data from Shopify shared first with Retail Brew. Orders for cookware and bakeware combo sets jumped 266%. Shoppers also purchased pizza pans (up 115%) and pie and quiche pans (up 98%). Casserole dishes and bread and pastry dough orders rose 79% and 50%, respectively.

Pool day everyday: Summertime also means soaking up the sun. In May, consumers bought pool skimmers in a big way (orders were up 479%) followed closely by pool toys (up 411%). Orders for rash guards went up 315%, pool lounger orders spiked 262%, and swim trunk and swim cap orders went up 199% and 76%, respectively.

Under the summer sky: Camping or glamping (take your pick) was also a big hit in May. Orders for group tents on Shopify rose by 438% last month. Orders for camping cookware and cots rose 86% and 82%, respectively. Orders for hiking poles (up 75%), sleeping bags (up 73%), tent poles and stakes (up 62%), and air mattresses (up 40%) also popped.

Outdoorsy: As the weather started getting nicer, shoppers spent more money on sprucing up backyards and gardens. Sales of plants, patio furniture, and outdoor gear really took off. There was a rise in orders for landscaping plants (up 260%), powered hand fans and misters (up 222%), garden sculptures (up 206%), inflatable kayaks (up 172%), swing chairs (up 171%), outdoor misting systems (up 124%), and canopies (up 83%).

Hermit mode: For some, May was the time to stock up on book accessories and stationery. Orders for modular bookcases and shelves popped 232% on Shopify, while demand for pocket notebooks rose 60%. Orders for ladder bookcases and shelves rose 50%, while scrapbooking and stamping kits saw a 45% jump in demand.