Blackstone and the Outdoor Cooking Revolution

Garden centres across the UK are on the brink of a lucrative opportunity by adding griddles to their product range. As outdoor cooking trends evolve, griddles have emerged as a leading growth segment, offering substantial profit potential for retailers. In the United States, the griddle market has seen exceptional expansion, growing from a niche category to now representing over 34% of the total outdoor cooking market as of 2024. This rapid growth presents UK garden centre owners with a unique chance to diversify their offerings, drive year-round sales, and significantly boost their bottom line.

Capitalize on a Fast-Growing Market

The impressive rise of the griddle market can be directly linked to its versatility and broad consumer appeal. Unlike traditional barbecues, which are often limited to certain types of cooking, griddles offer the ability to prepare an extensive variety of dishes — from breakfast to dinner — all on a single cooking surface. Leading brands like Blackstone have successfully showcased this versatility through targeted marketing campaigns and engaging social media content, which has helped consumers reimagine what outdoor cooking can be. This has driven significant consumer interest and sales growth, making griddles a must-have item for any retailer looking to expand their outdoor cooking section.

Unlock Year-Round Revenue with Griddles

One of the most compelling aspects for garden centre owners considering griddles is the opportunity for year-round sales. While traditional BBQ equipment sees the bulk of sales during the summer months, the griddle category tells a different story. Only 51% of griddle sales occur during the traditional BBQ season from May to August, with the remaining 49% spread evenly throughout the year. This unique sales pattern enables garden centres to generate consistent revenue outside the typical peak seasons, providing a steady stream of income and enhancing overall profitability.

"The opportunity is significant for every garden centre," said Steven May, Blackstone's UK Country Manager. "As we start the roll out of attending over 60 Country Fairs and shows in 2025 demonstrating the variety of food that can be cooked outdoors on a Blackstone, we will partner with specific retailers in each location to drive all sales back through our dealer network and deliver growth and profit."

Maximizing Profits with High-Margin Accessories

Beyond just selling the griddles themselves, garden centres have the opportunity to capitalize on a highly profitable accessory market. Blackstone, a leading brand in the griddle market, offers a comprehensive range of accessories designed to enhance the cooking experience. On average, retailers sell eight accessories for every griddle sold, substantially boosting the overall profit margin. This accessory sales model not only increases revenue but also differentiates Blackstone from other players in the outdoor cooking category, making it a valuable addition to any garden centre’s inventory.

Why Partner with Blackstone?

By partnering with Blackstone, garden centres can access a proven, growing market with products that appeal to a broad customer base. Blackstone’s commitment to innovation, consumer engagement, and comprehensive product offerings make it an ideal partner for any retailer looking to enhance their outdoor cooking section. With the added support of Blackstone’s extensive marketing and educational resources, garden centres can attract new customers, increase foot traffic, and drive substantial sales throughout the year.

Seize the Opportunity Now

With the outdoor cooking market evolving rapidly, griddles represent a dynamic and profitable addition to any garden

centre's product line-up. Don’t miss the chance to tap into this growing trend and unlock new avenues for revenue and growth.

For more information on how your garden centre can benefit from adding Blackstone griddles to your product lineup, please contact Steven May smay@jdmproducts.co0m 07546 931642.

Blackstone will also be exhibiting at this year’s GLEE show where they will have. Tehri full range of Griddles and Accessories.

About Blackstone

Blackstone is a leading brand in the outdoor cooking market, known for its innovative griddles and accessories that enable consumers to cook a wide variety of meals outdoors. With a strong focus on customer engagement and education, Blackstone continues to drive growth in the outdoor cooking sector.