the big interview Neudorff wins GIMA Sword of Excellence at GIMA Awards 2018


Jude says he can see consumer interest growing in weed, feed and control alternatives, he says: “The primary factors driving this include regular press coverage highlighting environmentally conscious options not just in gardening but across all products from food to homewares, this combined with the anti- plastic movement and shift from excessive consumerism to making more considered purchases is definitely a factor in driving the garden alternatives market.”


However it’s not just consumer attitudes that are changing, Jude says legislation will force certain chemicals out of the market should they not adhere to regulations.


“We have noticed a steady shift in consumer


attitudes towards alternative ingredients for a number of years now, especially across products used for GYO. But legislative changes are also shaping the market; many traditional garden chemicals have been removed from sale in the past two decades and further active ingredient restrictions are a certainty in the future. This, coupled with very few new active ingredients being granted registration, will reduce the scope of chemical products available thereby encouraging consumers to make more ‘natural’ product choices.”


GYO boosts the market


Jude says 2018 was a positive year for ‘hardline’ products such as BBQs and garden furniture


due to the exceptional run of warm dry weather, which proved extremely valuable to the industry following the poor start to the spring season, however, he says this “didn’t translate to all garden product sales” – for example slugs, snails and weeds didn’t need as much attention. “Nevertheless,” he continues. “In general the market was able to mitigate for the highs and lows of the weather during 2018 and look forward to year of more ‘normal’ conditions in 2019.”


“Looking forward, the ever-expanding trend for Grow Your Own (GYO) and also the fantastic effects that gardening is proving to have on our health and wellbeing means that it’s an exciting time for the garden industry - drawing in more people of different ages and backgrounds that wouldn’t have considered it as a hobby or a pastime before. There is some fantastic work being done by individuals within the industry to promote the benefits and this will only help to grow and increase the market. “We are now heading into the peak season


for Neudorff’s product categories, it’s going to be an incredibly busy time and this is where our products come into their own. Of course we are reliant on the weather but the outlook is good; our increased network of stockists combined with consumer preferences for alternative products means that everything is pointing in the right direction for a fantastic season.” With Brexit looming, Jude says it is unclear what the effects of it will be from an import and regulatory perspective, but remains optimistic that the industry will tackle any potential upcoming issues.


“The garden industry has regularly proven itself to be incredibly resilient in times of uncertainty and I am sure that any problems arising from the impending Brexit will be overcome. Constantly evolving consumer preferences, gardening gaining popularity for wellbeing and a trend towards more natural and organic options, will help ensure the buoyant health of the market is maintained.”


6 | www.gardencentreupdate.com GCU January/February 2019


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