It’s a Great Time to Save on Outdoor Furnishings
High Point, NC – It’s August, and Labor Day is fast approaching, which means summer 2015 is coming to a close. And that means it’s a great time to save on outdoor furnishings.
“There’s still plenty of good weather ahead for enjoying outdoor spaces, but if you don’t have just the furniture you’d like, now is the perfect time to score a bargain on new furnishings for your deck or patio,” said Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance and executive director of its outdoor division, the International Casual Furnishings Association. “Retailers in areas where the season is ending tend to reduce prices on outdoor furnishings as we head into the fall.”
Bruce Erickson, patio buyer at Williams Ski & Patio in Highland Park, Ill., agreed that it is the season for patio furniture sales. “I always tell customers if they shop early in the season, they get the best selection. If they shop late, they get the best deals,” he said. Like many other retailers, Williams Ski & Patio started marking patio products down in August and will continue through September. The store switches its merchandise to ski products for the winter season.
The Kolo Collection in Atlanta offers sales in August and September, but primarily to turn over the product and freshen up the sales floor, said Greg Martin, president. “We are lucky to be in the south where we have beautiful falls,” he said. “The retail customer doesn’t turn off the switch. They are still there.”
Retailers across the country say it’s been a good summer for sales of outdoor furnishings, especially for deep seating collections in aluminum and woven wicker, with and without fire pits.
“Deep seating is huge,” said Debbie Stegman, president of Elegant Outdoor Living in Bonita Springs, Fla. “We do well with woven, chat groups and sectionals.” However, it’s not the end of the season in Florida. That comes after Easter. “We slow down when everyone else cranks up,” Stegman said.
The cycle also differs on the West Coast. Doug Sanicola, president of Outdoor Elegance in La Verne, Calif., quipped, “We never have an end of season because the weather is always so good.”
Some retailers noted that woven wicker products are still selling, but sales of aluminum products are growing. “Woven is becoming saturated,” noted Jessica Salisbury of Village Green Home and Garden in Rockford, Ill. “Aluminum and cast aluminum are a little different, so it catches people’s eye.”
Garrett Wallace, executive vice president at Yard Art Patio and Fireplace in Irving, Texas, agreed that the uniqueness of metal products has helped boost sales. He also noted, as did many others, that “fire pits are fantastic” and continue to sell well.
Aluminum products, especially groups from Tropitone, are among the best-sellers at Bay Breeze Patio in Destin, Fla., said Susan Kiley, owner. She also noted that sales of composite Adirondack chairs are growing in her area. “They are low maintenance, and people with second homes especially are looking for that.”
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