Sizzling out? As peak barbecue season begins, fewer Americans are buying grills
CNN
To BBQ or not to BBQ? That is one question on Americans’ minds heading toward July 4 as grills are not as hot of an item as they once were.
To BBQ or not to BBQ? That is one question on Americans’ minds heading toward July 4 as grills are not as hot of an item as they once were. The grill business saw a massive pandemic-era buying binge, but is now facing consumers worried about inflated meat prices, high interest rates and uncertainty. Many feel no need to upgrade fairly recent purchases. Market leaders like higher-end grill manufacturer Traeger, once a pandemic darling, reported its latest quarter’s grill sales at $76.8 million — a plunge from the $156.1 million the company raked in during the second quarter of 2021. Best-selling outdoor cooker brand Weber has also seen unit shares decline since 2020, according to data from Traqline. (Weber did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.) Retailer Home Depot also reported pressure in big-ticket patio and garden equipment, including grills, during its first quarter earnings call in May as the company reported overall dips in sales and earnings. And it’s not just the big brands. Local stores that sell grills and other backyard cooking gear similarly reported demand slacking off. “It’s trending down,” said Brian Bushfield, general manager at West Coast BBQ Shop in San Diego, California. He noted a sluggish start to June and a slow Memorial Day, despite the holiday being one of the most popular occasions to purchase new grills.
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