The 2014 HTA Garden Market Retail Analysis, published this week, shows that the market was slightly down in 2013 with plant sales hardest hit due to the very cold March and April weather.
Changes in the number and size of gardens and the levels of home ownership are identified as key factors that will impact the market over the coming years.
The report identifies that there has been a continuing fall in the number and percentage of people reporting that they have gardens. Around 1.5 million fewer people now claim to have a garden or allotment now than in 2007, with around 40% of this fall attributable to changes in Greater London.
A fall in home ownership is now very significant among under 35s versus historic levels back to 1987. Renters tend to spend around 55% of the amount that home owners do on gardens. It was levels of increasing home ownership through the late 80s and early 90s that helped fuel the Ground Force ‘boom’ in garden spending. As these consumers continue to enjoy gardening, opportunities may emerge for providing products and services to enable them to continue to enjoy gardening into old age.
The report also looks at what falling levels of home ownership among the under 35s today could mean for garden spending in 10 and 20 years time. The projected fall in spending among the 35-64s in 10 years time attributable to falling home ownership equates to approximately 2% of market value, rising to approximately 6% of market value in 20 years.
The report is available to purchase for £395 for HTA members and £795 for non-members. Members who purchased the 2013 report will receive a discount.
For more details of the report and to download a free executive summary please visit http://www.the-hta.org.uk/marketinformation