2009.06.29
Staycation sales
This last weekend seemed to be the perfect two days to enjoy the outdoors. Up and down my street, many people spent time outside, grilling out and enjoying their yards and the nice weather.
According to Ace Hardware, a supposed rise in staycations is showing up in sales. Staycations are considered economical alternatives to vacations, because consumers choose to spend time at home, rather than spend money traveling.
Ace Hardware reports that national sales of its outdoor living products and decor have doubled from last year, an indication that people are investing in their home environments.
The popular items this year are fountains, statues, lawn lighting equipment and outdoor furniture, says this hardware retailer with several locations in the Roanoke Valley.
Is this true for you?
Yes, it is actually. While we bought or deck furniture last year, we did buy a new grill a little more than a month ago, and we also installed a decorative pond, and have been working more on our home landscaping to make it more inviting and attractive. We're planning on adding a retractable awning or permanent overhead covering for our back deck to provide some shade relief to make it even more usable during the summer. We're still going to take a vacation away from the area, but we plan on spending our weekends at home rather than on short trips anywhere, because it will be a lot cheaper and more enjoyable to not have to drive anywhere. Ordinarily, we'd go to places like Charlottesville, Gatlinburg, or Wilmington NC for a weekend or extended weekend. This year, we'll walk out our sliding glass door to the deck and enjoy the summer from there.
Comment by Other John — June 29, 2009 @ 11:36 am