greenhouses and outdoor buildings


‘Demand is certainly on the increase’


Outdoor structures, from garden sheds to bespoke glasshouses, are growing in popularity with consumers


Inspiring your customers and showing them what can be done in their outdoor space can help boost sales in the outdoor buildings market


W


ith consumers spending more on their homes and gardens, the outdoor buildings and


greenhouses market is among the categories to be enjoying an upwards trend. Griffin Glasshouses managing director Linda Lane comments: “Here at Griffin, sales are going well. Sales are up on last year and are continuing at a steady rate of upward growth. “A big contributing factor for our growth has been that people are getting into their gardens in a big way. ‘Grow your own’ has really taken off which has had a noticeable knock on effect for glasshouses and people seeking somewhere to house their produce.” The Posh Shed Company managing director Richard Frost agrees that demand is on the increase for outdoor structures that fit into a gardener’s lifestyle.


“Sales are going very well, we have seen a 9% increase in sales on last year,” he explains. “The popularity of outdoor buildings in general has been a factor; sheds are now used for home offices and an extra room and have become more than garden storage. “We are seeing customers using sheds as extra rooms but also not hiding them away in a corner, perhaps making a garden feature of the


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shed. People want a beautiful looking shed as they know they’ll have to see it in the garden. “ Linda adds: “People seem to be spending more on their gardens and making the most of them as outdoor living spaces with dedicated eating areas outside, hot tubs, sun rooms and, of course, glasshouses.”


To make the most of the market, it is important for retailers to try and inspire their customers. “People tend to buy what they see and can be


inspired to see how it would look in their own garden,” says Linda. “Having good displays at shows is a great way to put your product in front of customers, dressing the product to show different ways it could be used to give people food for thought can be a great way of making customers realise how it can fit their lifestyle. “If space is limited, having pictures of other or larger products is a good way to demonstrate to potential clients what else can be done.” Richard adds: “We now have sheds in two


garden centres and this has been great to give customers somewhere to go as we are an online retailer. Customers love to see the shed filled with accessories, for example shelving, to get an idea of space and what they could use it for.


“For smaller on-site spaces, demonstrate smaller storage solutions; we do a range of new Back Door Stores which offer useful space that still looks great.”


Richard is optimistic that current trends in the market will continue.


“It’s looking positive,” he says. “Demand is certainly on the increase for sheds and outdoor buildings and we’ve embraced that by launching new ways to buy Posh Sheds. “We now offer self-install options in treated


timber, giving the same Posh Shed quality at lower prices. We are keen to give customers the choice of ‘how Posh do you want your shed’, giving them self-install options to full insulated and lined with all the optional extras included.” Linda is also positive about the future of the


market.


She says: “I believe the outlook is good. Lots of people are using garden designers who will design outdoor buildings into their work; some will recommend retailers but it’s always good to have a look around for yourself and get a couple of quotes.”


With a good proposition at point of sale, garden centres can be well placed to take advantage of the growing interest in the category.


GCU July/August 2018


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