LANDSCAPING OUTSIDE IS IN
As the media continues to report rising house prices the vogue is still to invest in improving one’s out- door spaces rather than relocating. Kevin Stanley identifies
current landscaping trends and the drivers behind them.
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n the UK, our gardens are generally most welcoming in the summer months and, with spring just weeks away homeowners will be looking to update their gardens in order to enjoy them later in the year. Which means that now is the time for a marketing push on the products that landscapers will be using to create on-trend, stylish outdoor spaces.
IThe current trends are for contemporary products and colours. This demand has been noted across the whole landscaping market from concrete block paving, to patio products, which has seen a switch to sleek looking aesthetics with clean edges and straight lines. Sandstone and porcelain are the materials of choice.
“We’ve seen a dramatic increase in the sales of porcelain. The desire for contemporary paving is continuing to grow and the modern appearance of porcelain offers a premium, stunning result that boasts incredible strength
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and provides a very low maintenance solution to the homeowner,” says Krystal Williams, sales director at Pavestone UK.
Strong relationships are the key to success and manufacturers and merchants should always be working together to try to increase sales with manufacturers offering support and training in as many areas as possible. “We believe in working closely with our stockist partners and offer bespoke training plans as well as flexible delivery solutions and exceptional quality to ensure we give confidence to those selling our products,” she says.
“Our sales team work with merchants as well as landscapers and homeowners to ensure support is always available. We’re working towards improving product knowledge within our stockist partners and are providing the support to see them promote more premium product ranges confidently. By building these relationships and having trust in each other we
Above: Pavestone’s Classic Sandstone in light grey and, Right: the company’s Dolomite Moon.
have seen exceptional growth with our stockist partners.”
Darren Digby, director at Digby Stone says that sandstone remains the number one product group in terms of volume. “New product innovation has mainly been in porcelain - the popularity of which stems from its fantastic technical properties and durability. Many suppliers now have a well-established and broad range of porcelain product choices with 15 new colours joining our ranges in 2018. Having said that, we continue to innovate across all product groups to bring as much choice to market as possible.” Digby believes concentration has to move away from price and on to how merchants and suppliers can work together in order to
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net March 2018
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