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SPN JUN 2011 Hottubs
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
A combination of quality customer service, new products with improved technology and some good April weather has lifted sales and brought the smile back to the faces of hot tub retailers and distributors. Add in the interest shown by hot tub owners looking to trade up to a new 2011 model and it all spells good news for sales
The wonderfully ‘summer like’ weather looks as if a higher than usual number of the public have been turning their thoughts to hot tubs. It looks as if hot tub sales are starting to thrive. For the first time in a few years, new longer term optimism might just be starting to flow through hot tub showrooms and distributors’ head offices.
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The new Elite Series from Sundance Spas consists of the Constance™ (above) and Victoria™ models
And the reason why all of a sudden things are happening in the trade is put down to what one dealer called the ‘triple whammy’. It’s a unique combination, he said, of firstly real confidence in consumers about the customer service which is being offered within the trade which takes all the fear factor away from making such a big purchase.
Secondly, he said there were instances of people trading up for a newer hot tub after five or more years with an older model.
“I also think there are some great products we are selling and that helps.”
Paul Buckley, HotSprings dealer at Blue Lagoon Spas was thrilled with business in April. ”It’s been a sensational April. The best we’ve ever had. Over one weekend the 15th/16th/17th and 18th we sold eight HotSprings spas. The showroom has been bursting with people and we’ve had so many enquiries. Obviously something is in the air.”
Another Catalina dealer said: “Our showroom
t seems if you’ve been in a hot tub showroom in April, the chances are you might have got knocked over in the rush.
has been throbbing. I’ve never seen so many people looking and asking about our hot tubs. Over the Easter holiday we had to draft people in to help meet and greet. You can’t underestimate the effect the weather has on helping to push someone who is almost certain they want to buy a hot tub over the line to finally saying ‘yes’.” Retailers have also been reporting that energy issues remain high on the concerns of showroom customers looking to purchase.
“Luckily, we can reassure people that hot tubs now are so much more energy efficient it’s keeping the day to day costs down,” said another dealer. Buoyant sales, says Tony Welsby of Spa Crest Europe, could be due to social reasons. “Families who might in other financial climates have moved to bigger and better houses are now staying put. These are the people who are spending and instead of moving have decided to invest in luxury items for their homes – and hot tubs are one of these items.”
Spa Crest offers three brands in its range – Spa Crest, Coastal and the top of the range Vision. Tony Welsby said the Coastal range was currently outselling the other two – a reflection of the current market.
“The Coastal range is now 40% of our sales. We are selling the Vision hot tubs at the top end but the market is mainly elsewhere.”
Spa Crest this year launched a new model from its Coastal range and a first in-ground commercial tub.
The new Coastal tub adds to the appeal of the
By Alan Lewis
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