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| Carol Daus - Editor |
Much like creating the perfect outdoor kitchen or family/hearth room, developing a brand-new magazine takes hours of visualizing and planning to build something that will stand the test of time and provide readers with value. We are confident that Patio & Hearth Products Report will achieve these goals because it has been designed to meet your specific and unique needs as owners and managers in the Patio, Hearth, Barbecue/Grill and Outdoor Living markets.
Unlike other magazines in these industries, Patio & Hearth Products Report offers readers concise, business-minded advice, covering a wide range of topics that can help maximize your sales and profitability. We also strive to keep a fair balance, recognizing that the hearth, barbecue/grill and casual-furniture industries each deserve equal representation in terms of editorial content.
Our premier issue is the perfect example of this type of coverage. One of our features (Pages 38 and 39) profiles two veteran hearth retailers—one in Wisconsin and one in Pennsylvania—who share their secrets for developing niche businesses that have brought long-term success. “Building Around the Built-in Barbecue” describes how increasing consumer demand for high-quality outdoor kitchen equipment has contributed to the success of the retail chain Outdoor Kitchen Concepts, and features three of its franchise owners who offer tips on how retailers can take advantage of this growing market. Two articles provide advice to specialty patio and outdoor-furniture retailers on how to increase sales through a commitment to customer service and a strong focus on marketing. In addition to these features, our pages are packed with articles containing practical information and insight from respected manufacturers and industry leaders, as well as numerous “Product Profiles,” which showcase the latest innovations and enhancements in products.
This is an exciting time to be involved with these industries. As outdoor amenities like patio furniture and barbecues continue to gain popularity among homeowners and demand for a wide variety of hearth products increases, there couldn’t be a better time to launch a new magazine that represents these markets. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, consumers annually spend more than $40 billion upgrading outdoor living spaces. New home buyers and remodelers are also recognizing the value of having a fireplace in more than just one room and are purchasing hearth products for their bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and even backyard decks. These diverse products will undoubtedly stay hot in the years to come as consumers continue to transform their homes into mini resorts and tranquil retreats.
Please feel free to contact us with any ideas or suggestions for Patio & Hearth Products Report. We look forward to serving you by offering practical news and information that can help make your business thrive.
Carol Daus
Editor
carol@peninsula-media.com
PHPR July/August 2006
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