Prices for outdoor furnishings are dependent on the marketplace, with inflation, supply chain challenges, shifting demand and even national politics all playing a role.
The chain reaction that began with the pandemic is still playing itself out in many business sectors, leaving outdoor retailers to make changes or risk being left behind.
Several talked to Casual News Now about pricing in today’s environment.
Rob Decker, sales manager for Outdoor Elegance Patio Design Center in La Verne, California, says that inflation has indeed affected his business, that he has increased prices recently and people are more hesitant about buying than a year ago.
“Yes, yes, yes,” says Decker. “We have lost a large amount of money with manufacturers who raised their prices retroactively, along with the surprise cost of freight and the absolutely ridiculous surcharges.”
Eli Hymer, buyer for Gasper Home & Garden Showplace in Richboro, Pennsylvania, says that for him, part of the equation has been his location in an area that has not been particularly hard hit by inflation.
“We are fortunate that we are in a relatively good market for home values and employment and everything like that,” Hymer says. “It has not affected us as much as it has affected others; the effect has been minimal.”
Hymer says that similarly, price increases to consumers have been minimal.
“We try not to increase prices,” he says. “The only time we have ever increased them is if the manufacturer increases prices and if they do, we mark them up accordingly.”
Hymer says that people are not so much hesitant about prices right now as they are concerned.
“They are more concerned about it than ever before,” he says. “I think it depends on which party wins. I don’t know, some parties are painting a picture of gloom and doom and others are more optimistic. I think everything in this country comes back to elections and politics. There are certain messages, and that message is not always positive, and I think that this is on both sides of the aisle.”
Those debates don’t have winners on a sales floor, Hymer says.
“Before, you used to be able to banter,” he continues. “People respected one another. But it’s gone beyond that, it’s so polarizing that banter now can be dangerous — you could turn a friendly customer into someone who is unhappy.”
Hymer said that means retailers should only consider taking on one topic.
“The only thing you can talk about is patio furniture,” he says. “Keep it focused on outdoor furniture — that is your safest way to go. Don’t be pulled into it. Stay in your lane and don’t deviate from that.”
Susan Kiley, owner of Bay Breeze Patio in Destin, Florida, says that consumers have seen a number of price increases throughout the marketplace, so outdoor furniture buyers aren’t surprised.
“Furniture is up, just like everything else,” says Kiley.
She said that at Bay Breeze, price increases have been tied to higher costs from suppliers.
“We have increased our costs as our manufacturers have increased theirs,” says Kiley. “Freight has been the toughest cost increase to get a handle on.”
She said that she has not noticed any real price hesitancy on the part of consumers to make a purchase, versus a year ago.
“Most consumers seem to understand that everything is up,” says Kiley. “Sticker shock is still there, but it does not seem to stop people from buying.”
