As I write this column we ’ve just had confirmation that garden centres in England and Wales can reopen which is great news for all relate , and hopefully Scotland and Northern Ireland wo n’t be too far behind . But where does that leave us for the repose of the time of year ? What will be the ‘ novel normal ’ for 2020 and 2021 ?
by GIMA Director , Vicky Nuttall
A late account by Euromonitor International unsurprisingly predicts 2020 to be a intriguing year for household and garden retail , with some challenges trending into 2021 due to depressed incomes and housing market place in a recessive environment . On a more cocksure billet , however , they predict longer terminal figure chance in the DIY and garden products market as family shift to small projects in their home and garden .
There is no doubt that there is huge pent - up requirement for garden in the UK . My local greengrocers and supermarkets have been selling more plants and gardening product than ever . ally and family are of a sudden sharing pictures of their first time grow - your - own efforts . Online retailers have been deluge with decree ensue in have to refocus operations to fulfil need , or even cap day-after-day orders . With pure spring conditions throw into the par , frustration felt by garden centre operators has been tangible .
For suppliers , control price and saving money is decisive to retain survival . Whilst they have continued to operate to corroborate other sales event channel , they have also been working under difficult circumstances with reduced staffing due to absenteeism and furloughing . It has been gainsay for everyone , but many have already set up Covid - secure workplace with social distancing protocols in place and are operating and ready to support the sector as it re - awakens .
receive a multi - channel sale scheme will have help some suppliers , but it by no means shit up for the loss of their often substantive garden centre of attention trade and they are now waiting for the supply chain and defrayment to part flowing again . It ’s imperative that retail merchant take their duty to compensate their suppliers just as significantly as paying their staff . I ’m pleased to say that on the whole , we have seen positive open duologue between supplier and their customers , with agreed payment plan and money get down to filter through , albeit easy . permit ’s hope we also see the prominent , mellow profile retailer relieve the purse strings now centres are reopen and pre - season payment get cleared .
There ’s no doubt that the supplier / retailer interface will definitely take a different shape in the short full term . We ’ve all become experts in using digital meeting tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams . Perhaps digital saleroom and practical presentations will take the seat of traditional sales tools in the unretentive term , but we will have to hold back and see if they become more usual pattern in the prospicient terminal figure .
But what about 2021 ? In line with Euromonitor ’s anticipation of an increase in DIY and gardening projection , Scarlet Opus , a lead movement agency , also betoken that people ’s garden and outdoor spaces will become their haven of calm air ; a spot of well-being and get away . During the summer of 2020 , citizen will appreciate the emotional economic value and potential drop of their outdoor space more than ever before .
As life settles into a raw reality during 2021 , with people strapped for cash and oversea holidays see as an expensive lavishness , consumer will need outdoor space to serve well many functions and satisfy many desires . The typical holiday experience of poolside relaxation , alfresco dining , exotic escapism , risky venture and connection to nature will all have to be achieved in outside room and gardens at home . Scarlet Opus has been delivering 2021 drift content for GIMA members via a series of webinars in May and this will continue during June , where they will explore the consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic on consumer behaviour and how that translate into garden and outdoor product , colour and design trend .
Now , with the green Inner Light for the restart , the knockout work begin in earnest for garden retail merchant as they attempt to pilot societal distancing measure and finagle the safety of their stave and customer , many of whom will be in the vulnerable category . Throughout this crisis , I have to say , I ’ve been impressed but not surprise by the care and concern that both our customers and our members have shown to their staff – plow them like part of an protracted mob and taking their duty of care responsibilities seriously . It has made me proud to be work in this industry . They say a crisis brings out the serious in hoi polloi , and I desire that it has also land our industriousness together for all the right reason . Let ’s hope we can all come out this stronger and more united than ever .
For more selective information : GIMA01959 564947[email protected]www.gima.org.uk
