This year Patio & Hearth is live-blogging from the Casual Market in Chicago. In these blog posts over the next couple of days we hope to highlight some of the collections that have stood out to us.
Kingsley-Bate The Somerset Collection - This stylish solid teak collection features a trellis lattice back and weather-resistant construction.
Manchester Pellet Stove by HearthStone
Many specialty retailers are expecting an increase in pellet stove sales as the fall season approaches. With unpredictable fuel prices and product advances, pellet stoves have a chance to rise in popularity this burn season. At least this is what David Kuhfahl, president of HearthStone Stoves, predicts. Increased home-improvement spending is also expected to drive pellet stoves this fall.
“More confidence will encourage the sale of higher-end products, which is good for us,” says Kuhfahl. While HearthStone Stoves continues to put out high quality products, they also continue to raise the standards to meet EPA certification.
HearthStone’s Heritage Pellet stove has one of the highest heat outputs in the market. It is also one of the most efficient, up to 86%. It can heat up to 2,000 square feet and can hold up to 50 pounds of pellets. The Manchester Pellet stove is also made by HearthStone. Like The Heritage, it also has one of the highest efficiency ratings in the industry. It features a 169-inch viewing glass so the consumer can enjoy beautiful flames.
Whether it’s buying a new home or fixing up an old one, a pellet stove can make a great addition to any room.
Team Grill TAILGATE Series
School is back in session and cooler air is just around the corner. The beginning of fall also means the arrival of the college and professional football seasons. Tailgating will become the main weekend activity for many loyal fans. Here are some products that we think will make those game days even more exciting.
If one is looking to represent their team to the fullest, Team Grill has a portable grill series called Tailgate. From college football teams to major baseball teams, Team Grill has a growing number of specialty grills that include team logos and colors. These grills can collapse and be transported like a travel suitcase, which makes mobility easy for those who tailgate in smaller vehicles.
MiniHog T1000 from WoodMaster
For those sports fans who expect large crowds at their tailgating parties, the MiniHog T1000 is the perfect grill. This heavy-duty grill is powered by tiny pellets made of all-natural wood. It features a 904-inch cooking surface that will help keep up with hungry fans—whether you’re serving steak, chicken, burgers, or ribs. The MiniHog T1000 uses customized pellet flavors, such as hickory, apple, cherry, maple, and Masterblend. It’s safer than gas or propane grills because there is little risk of flare-ups, gas leaks, or smoldering coals. You can even add your own personal style with a customized grill design.
Patio & Hearth wishes everyone a relaxing and fun Labor Day weekend, so we’ll leave you with something sweet. Napoleon Gourmet Grills’ recipe for Plank-Smoked Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Brownies.
Plank-Smoked Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Brownies from Napoleon Gourmet Grills
Ingredients:
Electric fireplaces and electric fireplace inserts are becoming increasingly popular as people seek ways to reduce their heat bill and conserve more energy. Fireplace manufacturers are also realizing that being able to offer a variety of fireplace types is important as well.
According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association, consumers purchased around 1,400,000 electric hearth appliances in 2010. A large number of units bought were electric fireplace inserts.
Twin-Star's Baxter
Two popular electric fireplaces are Twin Star’s Baxter fireplace and Dimplex’s newly launched Wickford. Both are more than just fireplaces–they are also media consoles. Along with the fireplaces, they come with storage areas and space for flat screen televisions. The Baxter features a beautiful empire cherry finish along with a matchbook pattern crowning the cabinet and a sturdy box-style base. The Wickford features a rich burnished walnut finish along with convenient framed glass cabinet doors and sturdy shelves.
Wickford from Dimplex
These media console fireplaces are especially popular for people who are short on space, but want to have the luxury of a nice fireplace. Electric fireplaces also tend to be cheaper than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and they leave a smaller carbon footprint for those who want to be environmental conscious.
In retail, customer service is just as important as advertising. Some may even say that customer service plays an even bigger role than advertising. Once you get the customer into your store, you want to make sure that they stay and make purchases. You also want to turn your first-time customers into repeat customers. Your best means of achieving this is to provide stellar customer service. In a weak economy, customer service becomes even more important. Reinforcing your business’ values about customer service with employees on a regular basis will help them interact better with shoppers and will eventually strengthen your bottom line.
Here are some rules to follow:
Arlene Eastwood, assistant manager, and Tom Tapken, CEO of California Backyard
In a tough economy, outstanding customer service will help retain your existing customers. This becomes particularly important for any after-sale service or repairs. California Backyard, a retailer based in Sacramento, California, has noticed that by selling high quality products and having exceptional after-the-sale service, they have been able to stay competitive in an area that was hit particularly hard by falling house prices. In fact, three of California Backyard’s full-time employees are dedicated to customer service alone.
Customer service should be a top priority for any retailer. After all, without customers, stores would be nonentities.
Phifer International’s GeoBella line of fabrics.
Bold and bright colors can help breathe new life into any outdoor space. From flowers to umbrellas, there are endless ways to pop some blues, purples, and even pinks into one’s backyard. But before adding every color in the rainbow, there are a few guidelines for customers attempting to design Technicolor backyards.
Just as accessories are important for interior design, accessories for the backyard can also help make it more visually stimulating. Adding a one-of- a-kind bench or fun planter (as well as appealing and colorful accessories) will personalize a space and transform it into a dreamy retreat.
Umbrella by Summerset Outdoor Living
The last thing to keep in mind is that the outdoor look should complement one’s interior space. Having a cohesive look that flows seamlessly from space to space is the ultimate goal. And adding color will bring you one step closer.
El Paseo Firepit by California Outdoor Concepts
Being able to enjoy a crackling fire outdoors should not be limited to camping trips. Perfect for the summer and fall months, firepits and fire tables can create a relaxing and fun atmosphere in any outdoor space. Most designers consider fire pits or fire tables to be must-haves because they serve as focal points and provide a sense of luxury. There are now a variety of firepits and fire tables to choose from since manufacturers have been introducing many new models during the past couple of years to meet increasing consumer demand.
Firepits are can either be built into the ground or above ground. With so many styles now available, it’s not hard to find one that complements the rest of one’s outdoor space.
Fire tables are perfect for entertainers who want to impress their guests with their outdoor space. Having a meal or drinks around a fire table can add an element of fun and also serves as a good conversation piece.
Kiribati Firepit by Bradford Lifestyles
Although firepits and fire tables are fun, it’s important to remind customers to pay attention to fire safety when using these products. If they are not used properly, they can be dangerous to the people involved and can damage structures near the firepit or table.
Advanced Convection Morsø 5660 Fireplace Insert
Earlier this year, the U.S. federal government announced a tax credit for those consumers who purchase a 75% efficient biomass (wood or pellet) burning stove, fireplace or insert during 2011. Many stoves and fireplaces sold in your stores qualify for this tax credit for 10% of the product’s cost, or up to $300.
Harman P35i Pellet Insert by Hearth & Home Technololgies
With the weak economy, it is uncertain if this tax credit will continue into the next year. At Patio & Hearth Blog, we encourage retailers to remind customers of this tax credit, especially with fall approaching and as consumers seek energy-efficient replacements for their current fireplaces or stoves, or if they’re adding these for the first time to their homes.
Pictured here are two products that qualify for the tax credit.
Thousand Oaks Fireside in Thousand Oaks, California, is known for its impressive fireplace vignettes.
Many people shopping for fireplaces and stoves are also redesigning existing rooms, so they are making decisions about new flooring, paint, furniture, and even something as simple as new decorative accessories. With busy work and home schedules, accomplishing all of this can be difficult. That’s why in-store vignettes can be extremely helpful to customers.
Fireside Hearth & Home, the national retail brand of Hearth & Home Technologies Inc., helps its retailers throughout the United States by showing them how to develop in-store vignettes that spotlight the entire room setting, from furniture and case goods to home décor–not just the fireplace and mantel. Not only have their in-store vignettes helped customers with their remodels, they have also increased sales for individual stores because customers are motivated to buy something when they can visualize it.
A fireplace vignette by Fireside Hearth & Home.
Creative vignettes can help inspire customer who may not have a clear vision of how they want their new hearth room, bathroom, or kitchen to look. For example, one vignette could depict the fireplace in the bedroom. In addition to the fireplace, the display would include the fireplace, bed, nightstand and any other accessory to help make it look like a realistic bedroom.
Another example would be a fireplace vignette of a contemporary room for customers wanting to redesign a room with a more modern motif. A modern fireplace or stove combined with sleek leather sofas and chairs, mirrors, and contemporary lighting would wow customers into making a purchase.
If vignettes are done right, not only will you end up with happy customers, you’ll watch your sales soar.
Patio & Hearth Blog 