Hungry for hard-fought sales, hot tub retailers were keen to get on the road this summer to maximise the sales potential of specialist and county shows around the country. Hot Tubs Rock took a roadshow team from their showrooms in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire on tour. They were on target to exhibit at seven shows over the summer months.
They took with them a selection of hot tubs, garden furniture, pergolas and even had a swim spa at the recent Malvern Spring Show. “It seems like a huge upheaval but doing shows is hugely important for a small business like us,” comments Angharad Wrigley of Hot Tubs Rock. “We don’t do shows as a selling exercise but much more for brand awareness,” she emphasises. “It gives us the opportunity to tell people who we are what we do and we spend a lot of time answering peoples questions about the products,”
Angharad continues. “We’ve had customers come in to the showroom, sometimes even a year later, saying ‘we saw you at so-and-so show’ who are then ready to buy from us. So it really is worth all the effort to get our name out there and have those conversations.” A gloomy May was soon forgotten as the sun shone through a glorious June with once again, sustained record- breaking temperatures.
Nearly 120,000 people visited the Royal Cornwall Show across the three-day event, in early June, and enjoyed what was a beautiful few days of early summer weather with not a drop of the ‘wet stuff’ in sight. Show Secretary Chris Riddle, expressed his delight at what had been a resounding success. “We had the most amazing weather for both the build-up and the staging of the Show.
We are not surprised that we are not quite at the attendance levels of 2022, a combination of excitement of the Show returning last year, and with everyone watching their wallets a little closer, we expected it to be difficult to match, but all in all, it is still a very good attendance”. “We are really grateful for the support of all those that visit, compete and trade at the Show.”
Pool & Spa trade exhibitors included Elite Spas & Leisure who were tempting new buyers with bargain prices and special offers such as free delivery, free steps and cover shelf and a free air source heat pump on all swim spas. The Cornish Hot tubs team was out in force attracting new customers with cut prices on an extensive range of hot tubs with £1,000 off all swim spas, 10 per cent off heat pumps and 10 per cent off outdoor kitchens and barbecues.
Master Spas, Wellis and Tuff Spas were just some of the spa brands represented at the World of Park & Leisure Homes event held at the National Agricultural Centre in Stoneleigh. Among the familiar faces was Pete Grinnall, the current BSPF President, promoting a new training venture, Accredited Training – a must for holiday park operators and holiday let business.
