December 2015

December 2015 Articles

Perspective:
Commerce & Climate

It seems that, no matter the issue, there always will be a large block of people on both sides – immigration is a good example, so is abortion, the KeystoneXL pipeline, campaign finance reform and, of course, the Great Gun Debate.

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Consumers & Climate Change

By James E. Houck

Searching for opportunities for the hearth, patio and barbecue industries among disparate, and somewhat reluctant, groups of consumers.

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Here's Something New!

By Tom Lassiter

Erik Mueller has used his knowledge of retail (Watson’s) to find a new material (Sima) for outdoor products and to create a new company (Plank & Hide).

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The EPA: Cleaning Our Air

By Bill Sendelback

Results of Clean Air Act enforcement agreements are cleaner air and fewer pre-EPA stoves in the field.

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2015 Retail: Past & Future

By Richard Wright

Hearth & Home talked to retailers throughout North America – hearth dealers had a Fair year, patio dealers had a Good year, and barbecue dealers had a Damn Good Year!

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Hearth Retailing: Past & Future — A Fair Year

By Bill Sendelback

Dealers report that the hearth recovery is continuing but, generally speaking, it’s not growing at a very robust speed.

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Good Folks Who Care

By Bill Sendelback

Morton’s relies on professional service and community involvement in lieu of a large advertising budget.

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Patio Retailing: Past & Future — A Good Year!

By Tom Lassiter

For some patio furnishings dealers, it was the best year ever, for most it was a good year, and for some it was basically flat.

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Embracing Change

By Tom Lassiter

The Stegman’s moved their business from Ohio to Florida, created three new stores (with one more coming), learned (the hard way) what to buy, and are in the process of figuring out how to attract Millennials.

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Barbecue Retailing: Past & Future — A Damn Good Year!

By Lisa Readie Mayer

Sales of barbecue products are back, fueled primarily by the strength of the Outdoor Room® trend.

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Treat People Right

By Lisa Readie Mayer

Zach Watson, Rex and Crystal, are building a strong business by remembering lessons learned when they were young.

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2015 December News

Items of interest to members of the hearth, barbecue, and patio industries.

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2015 October Business Climate

In early November, Hearth & Home faxed a survey to 2,500 specialty retailers of hearth, barbecue and patio products, asking them to compare October 2015 sales to October 2014. The accompanying charts and selected comments are from the 203 useable returns.

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