Orgill experts weigh in on outdoor living
HBSDealer turned to two of Memphis, Tenn.-based Orgill’s merchandise managers to offer their perspective on outdoor living trends. Alan Shore, director of seasonal merchandise, and Matt Ray, senior category manager, outdoor living describe a broad category that continues to grow, though not as fast it was growing during the pandemic-induced spending spree for stay-at-home consumers.
The duo provided the following analysis for the outdoor triumvirate of grills, coolers and patio furniture:
“In recent years, we’ve seen a lot of interest in alternative styles of grilling such as pizza ovens or griddle-style grills. These are not new, but are growing in popularity. Both pizza ovens and griddles have been highlighted heavily through social media, which has boosted interest.
“Griddles bring a lot of versatility. You can cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner on a griddle. They are also attention-grabbing. You can see everything as it cooks. Griddles are great for large gatherings. Big manufacturers such as Weber and Traeger have noticed the growth in this area and introduced their own versions for 2023.
-
There's the rub: Loot N Booty BBQ and Big Swede BBQ. Seen at Orgill’s spring market. -
The Ooni Volt 12 Electric Pizza Oven: capable of baking restaurant-quality pizza inside or outdoors in 90 seconds. -
Igloo Trailmate Softside Series coolers expand on the brand's hardside line.
Pizza ovens bring an entirely new category to the grilling space. Historically, pizzas were never considered a backyard cooking experience. Now, they absolutely are. The results from pizza ovens are tremendous and the cooking time is extremely fast. Many homeowners can now create the local pizzeria quality and flavor with little time or effort. Pizza ovens grab attention and are great for large gatherings.
“Lastly on grilling, social media has been a big influence on sauces, rubs, and seasonings. We’ve seen brands that have grown in interest recently through their success with social media. Consumers are looking for specific brands now that they recognize and want to try.
“The Cooler category is an interesting one. Premium hard-sided coolers have slowed considerably. There are a number of brands in this category, all offering lifetime or extended warranties on their products. It seems like almost everyone that wanted one of these coolers has made that purchase. The quality of the product lessens the need for repeat buys.
“Soft-sided coolers offer new opportunities. They offer many perks, such as being portable, lightweight, flexible, and less expensive. There are more style and design options available through a soft-sided cooler. Most of the cooler innovation is being focused toward the soft-sided cooler category now.
“We have seen some trends specific to patio furniture. Regarding color, neutral shades continue to be the preference with gray now leading the way. We’re seeing more interest in comfort now. While sling furniture is more economical, many customers are choosing cushion sets. Similarly, we’re seeing chat sets far outselling dining sets. Lastly, customers are looking for more natural materials, with materials like bamboo, rattan, and wicker growing in popularity.”
