British garden market growing

The British garden market grew by around eight per cent last year, attaining a volume of roughly five billion GBP, according to market research company AMA Research. Annual growth of two to four per cent is expected up to 2019.
Accounting for about a quarter of the overall market volume, plants and seeds are the biggest product group. All other product segments – garden buildings, tools, leisure, garden chemicals and sundries – account for between ten and 20 per cent respectively. The general growth in the market is attributed among other things to a greater appreciation by home owners of more upmarket products as they endeavour to utilise the garden as another “room”.
On the distribution side, the market is considerably fragmented. Garden centres are the biggest distribution channel for plants with a market share of 20 per cent, while DIY stores lead the way with regard to garden equipment and leisure products. Direct sales by the manufacturer constitute the main distribution method for garden buildings. Online trade currently accounts for a share of seven to eight per cent, a figure that is likely to increase.