Four Ways to Add Value to Your Grilling Assortment

The downside of grills is that everybody sells them. Big boxes, discount stores and specialty stores all feature grills, but selling accessories and services can one-up the competition and lead to increased sales.

Carrying charcoal, propane, grill brushes, turners, smoking chips and covers can help your outdoor living department thrive. Keeping replacement parts for grills is also essential.

In addition to accessories, consider adding specialty grill services, including those listed below:

• Grill tune-ups. Some independent retailers have gone as far as offering grill tune-ups where the retailer will pick up the customer’s grill, clean it up, replace any broken parts and return the grill to the customer’s home. This service, for example, will put your store in the forefront when it comes to customer service and grills, and customers will be more likely to return to your store for accessories and helpful advice.
• Free assembly/shipping. When buying a grill or new patio furniture, not many customers want to take the time and the hassle to put it together –they want to enjoy it right away.  Something as little as free shipping and assembly, something that most big boxes do not offer, can get customers to shop your store.
• Propane exchange/recharge. Providing a propane exchange/recharge service is a must when it comes to an outdoor living department. Sooner or later, your customer will need a refill and that is the perfect time to try to sell them on a grilling accessory.
• Freebies. Every customer likes a little something extra. Try giving away free charcoal, seasoning or barbecue sauce when a customer buys a grill. Even better, if the customer really likes that seasoning, sauce or charcoal…they’ll come back for more.