Post Categories: Essentials to Engagement

Bring Home the Thrill of the Grill

july2015-essentialThis month, over 150 million people will celebrate the Fourth of July with a barbeque, picnic or cookout—spending an estimated $6.2 million on burgers, hot dogs and other grilling favorites, according to the National Retail Federation. That spending will continue throughout the month as the 80 percent of consumers who own a grill continue to enjoy outdoor cooking on sunny days and warm nights. As a Sales Advisor, you’re in a great position to capitalize on the thrill of the grill and give shoppers new and creative ideas to keep them grilling all summer long.

The first thing that comes to mind for many people when they think grilling is hamburgers and hot dogs, so that’s a great place to start thinking about tie-ins for the products you’re sampling. For example, suggest shoppers try mixing the freeze-dried dip or soup mix you’re sampling with ground beef or turkey to kick their hamburgers up a notch. Or show them how the flat sandwich rounds you have on your cart can make a healthy, lower-calorie alternative to traditional hamburger and hot dog buns. Also point out any creative condiment ideas shoppers could try with your products—for example, by using barbeque sauce in place of ketchup or coleslaw in place of relish.

You can also use your knowledge to help shoppers move beyond the basics. For example, if you’re sampling a marinade or a prepared side that would go great with a “fancier” grilled dinner, give shoppers suggestions of the types of meats and cuts that would work well. These could include rib eye, skirt and flank steaks, bone-in chicken legs and pork chops. Even shoppers who are vegetarians can take advantage of what you have to offer—think marinated and grilled portobello mushrooms, peppers or eggplant.

Maybe it’s the main attraction itself that you’re sampling, such as a cut of meat or fillet of fish. In that case, give shoppers tips for making it come out just as good at home as you’ve prepared it for them in-store. For example, suggest cooking ribs low and slow on the grill, with plenty of barbeque sauce. Or share a basic marinade recipe (such as 1 part oil to 1 part acid) that shoppers can adjust to their own tastes.

Tags: