July 2014

July 2014 Articles

Perspective:
Tough Times in SoCal

The retail attrition that began over six years ago continues today at ground zero of the housing crisis – southern California.

Passion for the Business

By Tom Lassiter

At Taylor Creek, Michael Kapp considers every little detail in his effort to improve his customers’ experience.

Trends 2014

By Richard Wright

For the fourth year in a row, we have the benefit of being informed by Maxine Lauer about trends that will affect your business and, indeed, the vast majority of businesses in this country that deal with consumer goods.

Trends 2015

By Richard Wright

In a few short weeks, patio retailers will head for Chicago and their first look at furniture and fabrics available to them for the 2015 season. The wisdom of Maxine Lauer is their best guide.

BBQ at the White House

By Lisa Readie Mayer

From George Washington to Lyndon Johnson and Barack Obama, barbecue has played a role in national politics.

Tough Times in SoCal

By Bill Sendelback

The California Dream has become the California Nightmare for specialty retailers – especially hearth retailers – in the southern part of the state.

Rebound or Retreat?

By Bil Kennedy

Growth in pools and spas is no longer assured.

Outside in Style: One Year Later

By Richard Wright

Giving your store a total makeover is far more difficult than you might think, says Karen Galindo – “It’s like giving birth and raising a child.”

Sales Strong, Future Unknown

By Bill Sendelback

Sales of wood stoves/inserts are doing well, but in the shadows lurks the specter of the EPA and its NSPS.

BBQ – 101

By Lisa Readie Mayer

Colleges now offer barbecue classes and – surprise! – those courses are very popular.

Future Looks Bright

By Lisa Readie Mayer

Consumers say they are ready to purchase a charcoal grill; if they buy from you, there’s a good chance they’ll return nine times a year to purchase fuel.

From Donors to Workers

By Lisa Readie Mayer

The Travis Industries’ team reacts to a disaster in their own backyard – the Oso, Washington, mudslide.

2014 May Business Climate

In early May, Hearth & Home faxed a survey to 2,314 specialty retailers of hearth, barbecue and patio products, asking them to compare May 2014 sales to May 2013. The accompanying charts and selected comments are from the 2,011 useable returns.

Who Reads Hearth & Home?
Doug Wheat, for one!

San Diego, California

Parting Shot: Sophisticated Romance

It’s called Twin Farms; it’s in Barnard, Vermont, and it’s the former estate of Nobel-prize winning novelist Sinclair Lewis and his journalist wife Dorothy Thompson.