UK garden products market grew by 3 per cent last year

The UK domestic garden products distribution market was worth an estimated GBP 4.9 bn in 2017 at retail selling prices (RSP), representing an increase of three per cent compared to the previous year. Both the weather and the state of the economy influence growth rates within the garden products distribution market, AMA Research states in a recently published report. According to the market research company, a strong interest in home improvement, which extends to the garden, has also stimulated growth in this sector. The market is forecast to grow by around 2 per cent per year until 2022.
Key product sectors in the market are horticulture, garden sundries and garden buildings, which all account for a share of 20 per cent or more by value, and garden equipment, garden leisure and garden chemicals, with slightly lower shares.
The situation on the trade side is described by Fiona Watts, editor at AMA Research, thus: "The DIY sector and garden centres account for the majority of sales of garden products, reflecting their diverse product range, especially in garden equipment and leisure products, but these are facing increasing competition from other channels - in particular online specialists, but also discount chains and grocery stores. Although most larger DIY outlets have embraced the Internet as a distribution channel, there is significant scope for existing retailers to develop Internet sales, particularly in the garden centre sector."