association comment


Demand for houseplants, sustainable goods and outdoor living driving


sales, says GIMA members As the 2020 gardening season edges closer, GIMA members have been reflecting on the trends and influences that have driven sales over the past 12 months


At Vitax, several products excelled. National sales manager, Mark Butler,


explained: “This season, we had four products topping the sales board. Q4, a good all-round premium feed, performed well, while sales of Slug Gone surged. Acer Feed topped the new product sales list for 2019 along with SBK Tree Stump Killer.”


Consumers’ desire to help pollinators fuelled sales for G-Plants. Managing director, Alex Reihl, explained: “Feedback from customers showed that our pollinator-friendly seed mixtures were flying off the shelves faster than before, including our BEES Seed Mats.” Alex Allen, marketing director at Vegepod, said the ongoing popularity


of GYO has provided great opportunities for buyers to maximise on. Lawncare is another sector that’s performed strongly. Johnsons Lawn Seed’s consumer manager, Guy Jenkins, explained: “Tuffgrass and Quick Lawn, new for 2019, were joint top sellers. Lawn owners needed to repair lawns after last summer’s high temperatures.”


Primeur is reporting strong demand for its Recycled Rubber Border Collection – a lightweight alternative to heavy concrete edging, made from recycled tyres.


Woodlodge said Weave pots, which use new production techniques to create a realistic weaved rattan effect, had become its best-selling product. Lechuza pointed out that a successful year of house plant sales has seen its sales of containers grow.


Rising houseplant sales fuelled demand for Burgon & Ball products, too. Managing director, Rainer Schubert, commented: “Everything ‘indoor gardening’ has been in demand, including indoor pots, houseplant tools, indoor watering cans, small pruning tools and snips and windowsill herb pots.” At Natural Grower, which won the GIMA Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund 2019,


owner Charlotte Beaty described a “phenomenal response” to the launch of its Natural Grower Liquid Fertiliser and Soil Conditioner for Organic Growers. This year marked the second season for Bloomin Amazing, a by- product from the production of bio-gas. Managing director, Nick Finding, echoed rivals’ confidence in the market for natural fertilisers. Similarly, Empathy by Plantworks is addressing demand for chemical-free


products. Director, Mark Mackie, described how supporting a social enterprise has been beneficial to the company in 2019: “Sales of our RHS endorsed mycorrhizal products have grown rapidly throughout 2019, thanks to an influx of new stockists and heightened brand awareness that working with Annabelle Padwick’s Life at No.27 social enterprise has brought.” Root Pouch said it had gained market-share due to demand for recycled and sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic pots. Keith Nicholson, marketing director at Westland, highlighted how sustainability has “been a key driver of sales” this year. Keith said: “On average, sales out of retailers for New Horizon compost increased by over 42 per cent. It’s the fastest growth of any compost in the retail sector in 2019. This is the single biggest shift in peat-free sales, down to performance, look and consistency.”


At Bathgate, commercial director, Colin Sanders, said demand for premium horticultural products and specialist ingredients continues to rise. He added: “That’s fuelled demand for our Champions Blend range. Buyers welcomed our complementary point of sale material.”


GCU October/November 2019 www.gardencentreupdate.com | 25


As the autumn bulb-planting season draws to a close, Ian Clark of Taylors Bulbs pointed out: “We have been impressed by sales of our new “Best of the Best Fragrance” range which highlights varieties chosen for their aromatic characteristics. Sales more than doubled our original estimate, and novelty bulb gift lines sold well.”


Decorative aggregate suppliers have enjoyed a buoyant season. Deco- Pak revealed its best-selling products - Golden Flint and Blue Slate 40mm – which helps gardeners and landscapers to instantly transform an outdoor space. Kelkay outlined how its Impressions range has been expanded to 14 features for 2020. Consumer appetite for outdoor living shows no sign of slowing and


La Hacienda said products seeing the fastest growth are those designed for social gatherings. Woodshaw is also benefitting from interest in outdoor living.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32