The 10th
edition of the garden products distribution market report provides
a comprehensive analysis of the structure of the market and
provides details of the key players within the market. The main
garden product sectors are analysed including the product market
sizes, mixes, trends and distribution channels The report also
provides a forecast of the market prospects to 2014.
The
garden products distribution market is a highly fragmented market
with some distributors operating in all product sectors defined in
the report, whilst others focus on a more limited number of
product sectors.
The
market is very complex consisting of a very wide range of products
distributed via a variety of channels. Horticultural products,
garden buildings and garden sundries are key product sectors
accounting for an estimated 28%, 24% and 18% respectively. The
garden buildings sector is dominated by the conservatories sector
that individually accounts for around a fifth of the total garden
products market size. Indeed, excluding the conservatories sector
(that has declined in recent years), the total market essentially
remained static in 2008/09. The health of the distribution market
is highly dependent on the performance the prevailing economic
conditions, the housing market, consumer confidence and spending
and the weather. It is a large, mature market, although saturation
levels for each product sector are variable with decking and
garden rooms yet to reach maturity, compared to products such as
pots & planters and planters and garden furniture that are more
mature sectors.
The
market has benefited from underlying trends towards outdoor
living, environmental and nutritional concerns, an ageing
population that is generally more interested in gardening as well
as first time gardeners encouraged by the ‘grow your own’ boom. In
any given year, the weather will impact on the market,
particularly at key trading periods. In the longer term, the UK is
expected to experience warmer, drier summers and milder, wetter
winters that may change the product shares in time.
Key
distribution channels for garden products are DIY multiples,
garden centres and direct sales, with internet sales of some
product sectors increasing. Different products favour different
distribution channels; for instance garden centres are dominant
suppliers of horticultural products, whilst DIY multiples dominate
sectors such as garden furniture and chemicals with direct supply
being the key channel for conservatories.
