The Exchange is sowing the seeds for success with its annual Outdoor Living seminar, which will be virtual on LEX starting Feb. 15.
The Hardlines team is hoping sales bloom again this year—and the virtual seminar gives associates tips for cultivating product knowledge.
This year, vendors will present prerecorded messages to share products and strategies for the 2021 ODL season.
“We encourage associates to have a conversation about the presentations, share what they’ve learned and review product knowledge with their teams,” said Dan Koglin, the Exchange’s vice president of Hardlines.
ODL associates can click here to get a sneak preview of what’s in store at this year’s seminar.
This year’s seminar has three themes: Keep ODL sales momentum going; educate associates about product features and benefits; and improve training and customer service.
Vendors this year include Craftsman, Black & Decker, Scotts Turf Builder, Central Garden, Orbit, Swan, Weber and Traeger.
“We wanted to make this seminar as simple and efficient as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Linda Jerome, senior buyer for ODL. “We have prerecorded all of the vendor presentations so that associates are able to watch them individually while social distancing.”
Outdoor Living generated $90 million in sales in 2020, an increase of more than 15% from 2019. Handheld power tools, lawn mowers and tractors were top sellers, Jerome said, and that trend is expected to continue in 2021.
“Outdoor Power is no longer a seasonal, spring-only category,” Jerome said. “Big-ticket items, tractors specifically, sold all year long.”
Sales of grills, propane, charcoal and pellets rose in 2020, with combined sales totaling $27 million.
The seminar will also feature a sneak peek at a new landing page on ShopMyExchange.com for Outdoor Living, which will offer buying guides, do-it-yourself tips and other helpful information.
In addition, Scotts products will be added to the buy online pick up in store program to accommodate shoppers who want to limit contact during the pandemic.
“We are looking to associates to provide shoppers with suggestions and solutions that meet their needs,” Koglin said. “The Exchange has confidence that our shoppers will continue to shop at the Exchange and we will continue to provide a great shopping experience for them.”
The seminar presentations will be in the ODL section of the Retail Category in LEX beginning Feb. 15. Associates can access each element individually or by signing up for the ODL 2021 Curriculum.
Leave a Reply