With stand visitors and sales orders for 2018 at record levels, leading UK barbecue supplier Outback International voted this year’s NEC Solex Exhibition “an outstanding success”.
“Offering a selection of freshly-cooked barbecue dishes on the stand proved a great attraction among trade buyers, and meant we were able to host a number of top executives in a relaxed business setting over the three days of the show. “We more than doubled our visitor throughput, with garden centre, on-line and specialist sector buyers keen to invest in the Outback brand across the board”, said company chief executive Mark Osborne.
Trade confidence in the Outback portfolio was seen as a reflection of continuing interest among UK consumers in the premium end of the market, with one buyer snapping up 15 of the compamy’s latest top-end innovation the Bar-Grill – a combination of barbecue and bar that adds a new focal point to the alfresco dining scene.
While Outback plans to build on the success of its Bar-Grill concept by offering a choice of different finishes next year to complement the existing stucco and marble-top model, the soaraway Solex star attraction was the Jupiter series of 3, 4 and 6-burner gas barbecues in a choice of striking red or stainless steel design.
The barbecue’s centre plate that accommodates a pizza stone, wok or griddle – stored alongside utility trays to hold menu ingredients – has proved to be a major selling point in the Jupiter’s success since its 2016 launch. “Alongside the established popularity of our Meteor range, the Jupiter barbecue proves the added value to the trade of offering a selection of premium barbecues to an increasingly discerning consumer”, said Mark Osborne.
Finally, the strength and appeal of the brand was underlined by the high level of interest in and sales of the Outback padded relaxer chair range which, alongside the new patio heaters, flame tower and gazebo, demonstrates the company’s stake in the outdoor leisure market.
