trends
sizes and weights each year which represents only four per cent of all flexible plastic packaging within the UK. The project is still very much a work in progress, but they are looking at how to eliminate problem plastics from the supply chain.
Bringing the outdoors inside In 2018-2019, a trend towards houseplants and products to complement a reduction in living space for many, is a trend that will see continuing in 2020. According to research by Wyevale Garden Centres, a quarter of Londoners claim that not having enough space is their single biggest problem when it comes to gardening. As a result, adapting to a societal concept of reduction in space is a pressing concern for the industry. Recent statistics show the industry is adapting. Houseplants were bestsellers at garden centres across the country according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade (BoT) report for November 2019. Compared to the same month in 2018, sales in houseplants were 15.38% up. Iain Wylie, GCA chief executive, commented:
“It’s interesting to see non-traditional and traditional categories such as clothing and houseplants doing well at the same time of year. “The rise in sales of houseplants coincides with the introduction of festive houseplants such as Poinsettias, Cyclamen and Hyacinths and it looks like lots of customers were
popping these in their baskets in order to bring some much-needed colour into their homes.” With this, 2020 will see new campaigns to capitalise on this growth. For example, a new section dedicated to houseplants has been launched on Joy of Plants’ Plant Finder software, to help meet the recent resurgence in houseplants sales from garden centres. Terri Jones, managing director of Joy of Plants in Twyford, said: “We’ve seen a huge demand for information on houseplants as well, so we’ve also updated our ‘houseplants by type’ group to meet this increase in interest. “Lifestyle magazines and online influencers have ensured that modern indoor plants are home accessories, bought to emphasise a look or to make a statement as they can complement the colour themes of your home.”
Going Vegan
The rise of Veganism is a trend being seen across a wide range of sectors, and the garden retail industry is no different. Dobbies Garden Centres has taken a prominent lead on the trend, with the launch of its Vegan afternoon tea, which launched in January 2020. The breakfast includes falafel cakes, vegan sausage rolls, and vegan brownies.
Commenting on the new breakfast, Paul Spencer, Dobbies' hospitality director, said: “We are very excited to reveal the latest edition to the Dobbies menu with the launch of our Vegan Afternoon Tea. With a brand new
decade to celebrate, we hope that all afternoon tea lovers will be encouraged to try the vegan cakes and bakes this month, and hope they enjoy them as much as we do.” On the retail product side, a number of companies are looking to capitalise. These include Hozelock who will be promoting its Pure BioMix, which helps consumers to create home-made natural fertiliser, Block Blitz, a new naturally-derived, chemical-free outdoor cleaning and protection product, and Natural Grower, a supplier of organic fertiliser that’s free from any animal matter.
GCU January/February 2020
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