Italy’s garden market grows slowly

The Italian garden and outdoor living market achieved a volume of € 4.35 bn in 2010. The outdoor living sector accounted for € 1.231 bn of the total, with 35 per cent of it coming from the contract/gastronomy sector. These are estimates published by the organisers of the Sun trade fair. They revealed that the total garden and outdoor market had grown by € 100 mio or 2.35 per cent since 2008. Three years ago sales of garden furniture and equipment came to € 1.202 bn, and to € 1.217 bn in 2009, which means that they experienced an increase of 2.41 per cent between 2008 and 2010. Building materials (e.g. greenhouses, pergolas and flooring) make up the most important product group in the garden and garden furniture market overall with a share of 15.6 per cent. Garden furniture and accessories represent 13 per cent of the market. The Sun fair will be held in Rimini from 20 to 22 October 2011. Close to 1 000 exhibitors are expected to occupy around 120 000 m² in 16 halls.