Outdoor Products At Home Depot (left) and elsewhere, it's not just about the product, it's about the platform.
legislation,” Schieber said. “But down the road, we might be hard pressed to find it in residential areas.” On the merchandising side of the business, the move to battery powered product raises the stakes for that initial sale into a specific battery platform. “Once they buy our platform, they’re in our platform,” said Todd Zimmerman of Worx, a popular brand of Positech. Meanwhile, the battery powered movement has its own challenges — the availability of lithium ion is limited by the general supply chain issues. And as electric cars become more popular, that could add to the scarcity. And battery-powered products reduce air pollution and noise pollution, the environmentally friendly story of batteries is clouded by less visible factors — the energy required to harvest precious metals to produce batteries, for instance. Gas-powered product is particularly strong among the pro segment, who rely on BAT TERIES SURGE IN THE OUTDOOR the run time and power of the gas products. POWER EQUIPMENT AISLE Tom Cost, owner of Killingworth (Conn.) True Value told HBSDealer: “I am on the he years-in-the-making trend toward battery-powered lawnmowside of advocating for cleaner burning gas ers, leaf blowers and other species of outdoor power equipment engines along with cleaner burning fuels.” is gaining a push from legislatures that are either moving to ban In California, Augie Venezia of Fairfax gas-powered OPE, or considering to do so. Lumber and Hardware told HBSDealer: California is moving toward such a ban that would include gas-powered “We face the fact that the state does not lawnmowers, and it could take effect as early as 2024. Some have the infrastructure to cities — including Washington, D.C. — have already banned distribute the increase in certain gas-powered OPE products. needed electricity to take The retail responses vary, but battery-powered product the place of gasoline, diesel is gaining prominence on shelves everywhere, according and propane.” to Memphis, Tenn.-based Orgill’s Alan Shore, director of Meanwhile, the market seasonal merchandise, and Matt Ray, senior category continues to see gas-engine manager, outdoor living. “Nearly all retailers seem to be innovations tthat boost fuel transitioning some of their power equipment assortment efficiency and reduce noise. to battery-powered alternatives,” said Shore. The battery pow“Many of the traditional gas equipment manufacturers are ered movement is still adjusting their assortment to incorporate more battery-powlooking for its holy-grail ered options,” added Ray. moment, Zimmerman Demand and competition are charging forward. said. “Whoever’s the first “There is far more promotional and buying activity manufacturer out there —Matt Ray, senior category manager, surrounding battery-powered categories as vendors that can provide a battery outdoor living, Orgill's Alan Store compete to get their platform/batteries into the markettechnology that can give place,” said Brad Schieber, merchandise manager for them the run time of a outdoor power equipment at Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Do it Best Corp. gas blower at the power of a gas blower “This is especially true for handheld OPE.” will change the game forever. But that’s Gas powered product “will never go away completely, barring nationwide going to take a little while.”
A charging category
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“Many of the traditional gas equipment manufacturers are adjusting their assortment to incorporate more battery-powered options.”
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Januar y 2022 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER
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