Grills

-- Casual Living, 11/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Comprising more than half of the outdoor market, retail sales for grills are projected to increase 5.8% this year to $3.2 billion.

Home improvement centers, including Home Depot and Lowe's, accounted for 45% of the market. Sales through this channel are projected to grow 6.3% this year to $1.4 billion, the fastest of any channel. They're successful at all price points, too. Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe's, which began adding higher-end models last year, currently offers gas grills retailing between $29 and $1,699.

With Wal-Mart and Target in the lead, discount department stores sold $862 million worth of grills in 2006. Accounting for 28% of the market, sales for discounters are projected to grow 5.8% this year.

Specialty stores, with 2006 sales of $121 million, are expected to maintain their market share of 4% in 2007.

Research from Casual Living's 2007 Consumer Buying Trends Survey, conducted among households with incomes of $75,000 or more and published in June 2007, revealed that two-thirds of households cook out on their grill at least once a week.