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| Carol Daus - Editor |
Staycation
This summer, everybody is talking about the staycation. This bodes well for the patio-furniture, hearth and barbecue-grill industries, but are stay-at-home vacations a passing trend due to the soft economy, or do they represent something with more staying power? I predict that the staycation is here to stay, as people recognize the value of spending precious vacation time in their own homes versus on the roads, in hotels and even on the beaches.
With gas prices approaching $5 a gallon, airfares soaring and the dollar looking extremely weak against other currencies, it’s easy to understand why the getting-away element of vacationing is on hiatus. The high cost of travel, however, isn’t the only reason that many individuals and families are turning their backyards and interiors into their own vacation getaways.
One of the driving forces of this trend is the availability of a wide range of outdoor merchandise and hearth products. These make it possible to transform homes into relaxing respites that resemble five-star resorts. A starry, candlelit dinner on the patio with friends and family can be enhanced by a plush dining set, a high-quality grill and an outdoor fireplace (in cooler climates). As fall arrives, many people will forgo trips to spend time indoors, connecting with loved ones in front of an inviting fireplace.
Retailers who recognize this paradigm shift in how people choose to spend their free time will be successful, despite the slow economy. Selling innovative products that help provide customers with their very own patch of paradise is the best thing that store owners can do to remain profitable.
Retailers in a very select group deserve special attention for helping their customers transform their living spaces into private sanctuaries that are every bit as relaxing as vacation spots. Each of these retailers is a finalist for the 2008 Apollo Awards, sponsored by the International Casual Furnishings Association.
The recipients of this distinguished honor must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments and commitment to customer service. Finalists will be honored and the winners will be announced at a gala awards banquet on September 17, 2008, during the Chicago International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™.
Finalists in the 2008 competition include:
- Single-store category
- Dodds & Eder, Oyster Bay, N.Y.
- Fruehauf’s Patio and Garden, Boulder, Colo.
- Kolo Collection, Atlanta
- Leisure Living, Salt Lake City
- Sunnyland Furniture, Dallas
- Williams Patio Furniture, Highland Park, Ill.
- Multistore category
- Carls Patio, Coconut Creek, Fla.
- Greenhouse Mall, Austin, Texas
- Paddy O’ Furniture, Phoenix
- Patios Plus, Rancho Mirage, Calif.
- Robb & Stucky Patio, Ft. Myers, Fla.
- Yard Art Patio & Fireplace, Irving, Texas
These award-winning retailers have some of the most beautiful showrooms in the United States, and they understand the importance of selling a wide selection of high-quality products backed by superior customer service. To learn more about what makes them such savvy retailers, check out their Web sites—or better yet, attend Casual Market and meet them in person. They’d be happy to share with you not only how they have become profitable, but how they help customers transform their outdoor and indoor spaces into special places that are more appealing than travel destinations.
Carol Daus
Editor
carol@peninsula-media.com
PHPR July/August 2008
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