February 22, 2022
GRILL AND PATIO MANUFACTURING LEADERS ADVISE CONSUMERS TO PLAN NOW FOR SPRING/SUMMER PURCHASES
Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association Reports Grill Sales and Usage Near All-Time Highs
If you’re among the millions of homeowners thinking about a new grill or smoker purchase or patio upgrade this spring or summer, industry leaders are encouraging consumers to plan and place orders now.
The reason? Continued supply chain challenges combined with continued rising demand for grills, smokers and backyard furniture and accessories.
According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association’s biennial consumer survey, 70% of all households own at least one grill or smoker and 38% of them purchased one in the past two years. More than a quarter of new purchases were because “they were cooking at home more due to the pandemic.”
Grill, smoker and outdoor kitchen manufacturers expect this demand will continue, and they suggest homeowners visit their local retailers now to make their summer plans.
“If you want to make your summer dreams of an ideal backyard space come true, you should start planning now,” said Gary Butler, vice president and general manager for SABER Grills, based in Columbus, Ga. “Be proactive, especially if you are planning an outdoor kitchen to surround your barbecue or smoker. You should be relatively at ease knowing you’ll get the grill you want, but due to a slower and tighter supply chain, when it comes to accents like patio kitchen doors, drawers, cabinets, lighting and refrigeration, you need to be ordering them in February.”
“Demand is about as strong as we’ve seen in the past 20 years, and there wasn’t the usual post-holiday downtime the industry usually realizes at the beginning of the year,” said Brian Eskew, sales and marketing director for Twin Eagle Grills, based in Cerritos, Ga. “Right now, the backyard industry is like a great restaurant. It just got busy, and the line just keeps getting longer. You’ll eventually get served, but you’re going to have to wait in line. With each day you wait, you may have to make compromises on your ideal set-up.”
“According to our ongoing surveys, the popularity of backyard grilling year-round and patio upgrades has been on the rise for several years, but over the past 24 months, consumers have significantly increased cooking and spending time at home,” said Jack Goldman, president and CEO of HPBA. “Now, as we enter the third year, we’re seeing demand start to outpace supply. We encourage shoppers to connect with a local retailer to make sure they are able to realize their backyard visions as best as possible.”
About the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), based in Arlington, Va., is the North American industry association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, representatives, service firms and allied associates for all types of barbecue, patio and hearth appliances, fuels and accessories. The association provides professional member services and industry support in education, statistics, government relations, marketing, advertising and consumer education.
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