VIEWPOINT
The future’s bright, the future’s gardening VICKY NUTTALL DIRECTOR OF GIMA It’s easy to get distracted by the doom and gloom that is so often reported, be it Brexit, house prices, exchange rates or the demise of the High Street. But what we don’t do enough of is celebrate our successes, and we certainly have cause to celebrate at the moment. Thanks to an Easter heatwave, and strong spring trading we are currently enjoying a spring sales bonanza with GIMA members reporting exceptionally strong sales for the first quarter of 2019. The latest stats from Euromonitor International – strategic market research, data and analysis experts – also paint a positive picture. The value of the UK gardening market in 2018 was valued at £4.6 billion, with the growth forecast predicting a 3.7% increase for 2019, taking the value to £4.8 billion. 2020 is earmarked to just nudge the £5 billion mark at £4.9 billion. But what’s driving this growth? According to retail experts, garden retail remains strong as it provides a ‘lighthouse’ in the fog of uncertain times. Consumer confidence may be low, but this is driving them to improve their homes and gardens for that
instant endorphin hit; a trend that can be seen amongst the ‘traditional’ demographic as well as the highly influential millennial market. Gardening also complements core consumer trends such as the need for more environmental products, as well as suiting more modern lifestyles. The latter of which is best demonstrated by the rise in products that are efficient and help to save time. The traditional lawn mower being a case in point, as its popularity wanes thanks to the increase in automated systems, such as robotic lawn mowers. Automated watering systems also continue to flourish under this new consumer demand The health and wellness trend is also affecting gardening, as consumers look for organic or GYO alternatives to traditional supermarket fare. This trend is also shaping the anti-plastic movement within garden retail, with the humble pot being the first to reinvent itself. Moreover, consumers’ interest in healthier lifestyles is favouring growing media and horticulture. Conscious and vegan gardening is also taking off and is expected
GIMA Awards judging panel confirmed GTN editor Neil Pope will again be one of the judges of the GIMA Awards 2019, joining an esteemed group of industry professionals for judging day at Warwick Racecourse on June 19. The judges are: Andy Smith, Head of Buying, Klondyke Group; Tammy Woodhouse, Managing Director, Millbrook Garden Company; Christopher Ray, Outdoor Category Manager, B&Q; Adrienne Wild, Gardening Editor & Columnist, Sunday People and Woman’s Weekly; Sharon McNair, Commercial Director, Tong Garden Centre; Lucy Hall, Editor, BBC Gardeners World Magazine; Neil Pope, Editor, Garden Trade News; Stuart Whalley, Blue Diamond’s Head of Product Development: and Mary Bunting, QVC’s Home and Seasonal Buyer.
22 June 2019
to become more relevant over the forecast period. However, as an industry we need to be mindful of how quickly things can change. Whilst home improvement and garden retailers remain the dominant retail channel for gardening products, due to the consumers’ preference for store-based sales, it is becoming increasingly easy to find gardening products sold through various retail channels. Discounters are focusing on offering good quality gardening products at a low price, whilst the internet continues to appeal to a mass market, including the heavily emerging millennial market. With discounters and internet sales leading the race for fastest growing distribution channels in the last 12 months, it’s safe to say they are the ones that will impact garden centres the most if we don’t stay ahead of the curve. It’s this need to ‘stay ahead of the curve’ that has led to GIMA introducing a new Future Trends service. This new service – launching shortly in partnership with a leading trend agency – will provide members with the necessary information to support the product and marketing development, in turn, allowing us an in industry to drive the market forward through proactive trend led innovation. For now, let’s give ourselves a pat on the back. 2019 has started incredibly well so let’s keep riding this wave to see just how much we can achieve. 4GIMA is here to hear the thoughts and experiences of its members, and would also love to hear from non-members also. Please share your experiences by emailing info@gima.org.uk
www.gardentradenews.co.uk
Vernon Kay to host 2019 GIMA Awards It has been confirmed that Vernon Kay, star of TV and radio, will host the 39th annual GIMA Awards. Vernon has had a varied career, starting in the world of modelling before moving into TV with the hugely popular Channel 4 show, T4. From here, Vernon’s star continued to rise. He presented his own Radio 1 weekend show for six years, before moving to Radio X. Vernon’s TV CV includes All Star Family Fortunes, Splash!, ITV’s Beat The Star, Just the Two of Us (which he hosted alongside his wife, Tess Daly), as well as leading the NFL Highlights coverage for Channel 4 and Sky Sports, and hosting Formula E for Discovery. GIMA Director Vicky Nuttall said: “The GIMA awards are considered by many as the social event of the year for the garden retail sector. The awards are a fabulous night of entertainment, networking and celebrating the amazing efforts our supplier members undertake to create exciting product innovation and market-leading services. I’m so pleased that Vernon Kay will be able to join us. He is a well known face (and voice!) so am sure those attending this year’s awards will be excited to see him take to the stage. Vernon will certainly provide a fun and entertaining element to the night. We look forward to seeing him – and all the garden retail industry – in just a few weeks.” Vernon will host the awards ceremony, sponsored by Glee, entries for which are now closed. The winners will be announced at the GIMA Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 4th July, once more held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport South Wales. To find out more about how to book one of the few remaining seats at the GIMA awards 2019 visit http://gima.org.uk/gima-awards/.