HPBAC Ontario Chapter ReportOntario Survey ResultsAfter hearing about the incredibly busy season hearth is experiencing this year we decided to do an informal survey of members across each region to find out how their season is going. We surveyed ten randomly selected retailers from around the province and found the following: Overall dealers have found this season to be far busier than last year with an average increase of 26% in store traffic. 70% found store traffic to be far heavier compared with the 2004 season Wood appliance sales increased an estimated average of 35% with the highest increase reported at 75% and the lowest at 0%. Wait times for installation of a wood appliance averaged 4.6 weeks with the highest reported at 8 weeks and the lowest at less than 1 week. Pellet appliance sales increased an average of 33% although several of the dealers we contacted didn't sell pellet appliances. One dealer reported the number of requests for pellet stoves has doubled but they have not sold many because fuel is not available in their area. Another dealer has had many requests for pellet appliances but none were available. Wait time for installation was an average of 4.6 weeks. Gas and propane appliances were reported to have increased approximately 11.25% mainly due to a Toronto area dealer who reported his sales are "way up" and a dealer in Muskoka with an estimated 25% increase. Most other dealers reported sales up slightly or about the same as 2004 and two reported a slight decrease. Wait time for installation averaged 4 weeks ranging from less than one week to 12 weeks. Most dealers reported that electric fireplace sales remain the same as last year. One dealer reported a 10% increase while another attributed a significant decrease to competition from big box stores. We also asked if pellet fuel was readily available in the dealer's area because of rumours that pellets were in short supply. Only two dealers reported pellets were not available - in Toronto and Muskoka, while two were unsure and one in eastern Ontario was beginning to see back orders. We asked for comments from the participating dealers and received the following: A Toronto dealer has had some requests for corn stoves. One dealer said they spend a lot of time trying to keep people at bay. Several dealers complained of back orders for product, particularly wood and pellet products. Ontario Barbecue SurveyThe HPBAC Communication Committee was interested in knowing how many dealers sell barbecues year-round so we asked our sample of retailers some questions relating to barbecues as well. 40% of dealers surveyed sell barbecues HPBAC / Ontario Chapter Forum and Education DaysThe Ontario Chapter will offer three education days in 2006. The first will take place in late March and will include a session on Barbecue Trends and Statistics and Selling High End Grills, followed by a panel discussion and infrared and komodo barbecuing demonstrations. We are also hoping to host a press reception on the Outdoor Room in April. More details will follow soon. In early June education sessions will be held in Ottawa and the Toronto area on Trends and Showroom Design with guest speakers from Hearth & Home magazine and Hearth & Home Technologies.
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