Tag Archives: retail sales

Hot tub or swim spa, what is the difference?

Retailers that have had customers ask to test a swim spa but cannot oblige because they do not carry them could be missing an emerging wave of new buyers. Although swim spas are not new to the hot tub industry, an increasing number of manufacturers now have a swim spa line. The reason for this is because these units serve the niche fitness market—one for which most consumers did not know they were looking for until seeing them in action.

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Cash management: Retail tips that can bolster profitability

When it comes to the success of a pool and spa business, proper cash management is critical. Many businesses fall into the trap of equating cash flow with overall revenue. In reality, cash flow is a product of multiple areas of a business; therefore, investing time in these areas can increase profitability. For pool and spa companies, four key areas can effect overall cash management.

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How service techs can use automatic cleaners to their advantage

Savvy pool maintenance companies can increase their revenue streams by having their technicians take some time to look around the client’s backyard for additional sales opportunities. Rather than waiting for something to break, maintenance professionals should look for ways to enhance their client’s pool experience and, as a result, earn more income by selling them products such as pool cleaning tools or replacing incandescent and fibreoptic lighting with new light-emitting diode (LED) lights.

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Increasing showroom sales by creating the ultimate customer experience

Pool and hot tub retailers are unique; just like people, every business has its own style and personality. However, when most business owners compare their stores to their competition they always tend to forget about all of the unique qualities they have to offer. This uniqueness, or impressions, is the driving force behind consumers returning to the same store time and again. That said, this article will discuss what retailers can do to leave more lasting impressions and control their customers in-store experience.

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Today’s hot tubs are no longer just a box of hot water

Hot tubs have come a long way over the past 30 years. From being constructed of brown marble fibreglass with only five or six jets for hydrotherapy, today’s hot tubs have morphed into new, sophisticated designs with an array of internal components and colours meant to bring hot water therapy to a whole new level. While hot tubs have changed, the desire for a complete backyard retreat is still at the forefront of every consumer who purchases one. Their interest has since waned from the old-style gazebos or wooden surrounds with wine racks which required staining and meticulous care. The consumer is not happy with a wood gazebo or just a cheap, plastic step; they are looking for a complete transformation of their backyard.

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Centralized purchasing: Taking business operations to a new level of efficiency

In today’s highly competitive marketplace, centralized purchasing has become integral to business success. It eliminates redundant and duplicated efforts and creates opportunities for combining departmental purchases to qualify for volume discounts and decreased/eliminated shipping costs. Centralized purchasing also makes it easier to create and maintain good relationships with vendors and suppliers. Volume purchasing means better prices, greater discounts, and more agreeable terms can be obtained. Further, volume deliveries also help to cut down on staffing costs involved to move and store goods. Fortunately, the technology incorporated into today’s business software allows pool and hot tub retailers to automate much of this work as well as integrate these purchasing systems with accounting and stock control, making centralized purchasing key for specialized retailers to compete against big-box stores.

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