Stax Trade Centres is hoping to attract more garden centres, as it aims to increase its penetration of the gardening market.
Joint managing director David Hibbert commented: “We have seen an upturn this summer. The warm weather has encouraged the traditional gardening market into the garden, prompting more trips to the garden centre. We are also seeing the growth of more leisure shopping as consumers head to the garden centres as part of a day out. As a result, we are showing strong gardening sales, especially in well-known brands including Scotts, Bayer, Town & Country, Hozelock, Rentokil, Vitax, STV and Pagoda.”
The gardening market is estimated to be in excess of £5bn per annum (HTA data) and Mr Hibbert believes it will increase.
“As we see ever-increasing signs of economic recovery, we believe that garden centres will thrive. This year we are exhibiting once again at GLEE and taking a bigger stand in hall 5 (5E31). We will be exhibiting our own brands: Ambassador, the range of quality garden tools; Glenwear, the new range of workwear and clothing; and a selection of SupaGarden, our popular value brand.
“Going forward, we plan to work hand in hand with independent garden centres across the country by offering them the right mix of products, at the right terms, to help them capitalise on market growth.
“We have invested recently in improving our online ordering system and our team of dedicated representatives can offer garden centres assistance reviewing ranges, provide merchandising and marketing support and help new customers with a range of new stockist deals.”
