Lighting
Lighting is a must-have feature for a hot tub, regardless of any other accessory. Consumers want to use their hot tub during the day and evening; therefore, lighting not only enhances the beauty and ambiance of the space, but also makes getting to and from the hot tub, as well as in and out of the water, safe and easy.
Christian Staples, the owner of Arctic Spas of Utah, always sells lighting packages to his customers.
“Not only are we selling landscape lighting for around the hot tub and nearby trees, we also have had a lot of success selling lighting that is built into the steps that lead up to the hot tub,” he says.
Amanda Donoghue, who handles dealer development at Coast Spas in Langley, B.C., agrees that lighting is one of the first areas to tackle when designing an oasis in or around the hot tub.
“Lighting sets the ambiance,” says Donoghue. “For instance, interior hot tub tables that are vibrantly lit with a multi-colour light-emitting diode (LED) lights, originating at the stem of the table, are visually appealing and provide additional lighting—and of course, a place to put drinks and personal items.”
Steps and surrounds
When it comes to hot tub steps and surrounds, one of the most important aspects to consider when including these features is determining how the client plans to get in and out of the hot tub.
“We recommend steps and surrounds to not only increase the functionality of the hot tub, but to also enhance its visual appeal,” says Burson.
In fact, most retailers sell some type of step with every hot tub they sell.
“A hot tub step accessory is typically purchased on 95 per cent of the units we sell,” says Staples. “One of the most popular type of steps we currently offer are those that include an optional solar lighting feature, which illuminate the steps leading up to the hot tub. These steps are particularly well-suited for swim spas, which is a category that is growing exponentially.”
These types of accessories are extremely popular with consumers, as they complement the way in which many use their hot tub or swim spa. To this end, several manufacturers offer steps and accessories developed specifically to create more of a hot tub oasis. Retailers can sell these products all at once or a little at a time. For instance, products such as counter cabinets, tables, bars, shelves, umbrellas, stools, towel racks, and even planters, can be integrated with the hot tub in the backyard to create a co-ordinated finished space. Retailers not only need to display these products in their stores, but also need to recommend specific accessories that will offer their customers a unique, cohesive hot tub area.
Simple storage units where towels, chemicals, and aromatherapy products can be placed within arm’s reach of the hot tub can go a long way to enhance functionality and improve the overall hydrotherapy experience.
Selling a handrail, steps, lighting, and a storage cabinet quickly adds a minimum of $300 to $500 to the sale price of a hot tub. If a retailer sells 50 hot tubs each season and is able to add $500 to every sale, they can add approximately $25,000 more in total revenue—without any additional marketing costs.
