UK Ecology

The total UK consumer market for gardening products was estimated at £4,950 million in 2005 at RSP. In the three years from 2003 to 2005 ODS is estimating that the market grew by 9%.

Table. Size of UK Gardening Market by Sector, 2004-2006 (est.)

£ million	2004	2005	2006**
Total Gardening Products	8,145	8,570	8,945
- Consumer Gardening Market*	4,745	4,950	5,105
- Professional / Municipal Market	3,400	3,620	3,840

* RSP (Retail Selling Prices) - ** estimate

Since 1991 the total UK Garden Products market has more than doubled. The market has continued to perform ahead of general economic growth, buoyed by extensive media coverage, increased use of the garden as a leisure space (boosting sales in the garden leisure products sector in particular) and the significant increase in population of the over 50s demographic - the main market for gardening products.

Table. UK Population by Age Group, 1995, 2005, 2015 (est.)

Age Group (millions)	1995	2005	2015
0-24 Years	18.395	18.255	18.070
25-44 Years	16.930	16.405	15.915
45-54 Years	7.605	8.125	8.810
55-64 Years	6.740	7.290	7.745
65-74 Years	4.990	5.150	5.955
75+ Years	4.460	4.650	4.900

Table. Average Weekly Expenditure on Recreational Items and Equipment by UK Households Headed by Adults Aged 50 Years or More - 2002/03

Recreational Sector	Ages 65-74	Ages 75+
Games, Toys, Hobbies	£0.90	£0.30
Computer Software & Games	-	-
Sports & Camping Equipment	£0.20	-
Horticultural & Gardening goods	£2.70	£1.80
Pets and Pet Food	£2.10	£1.00

Source: Family Spending Survey Office for National Statistics

After a relatively good spring and summer in 2002 that helped sales (much of the sector's sales are concentrated in the period March to June, double the rest of year), from 2003 there has been a noticeable slowdown in growth. In 2006, ODS expects growth of approximately 3%, above OECD estimates for UK GDP growth of between 1.75% to 2% but far below the average of the last decade.

Table. Size of UK Consumer Gardening Products Market by Segment at RSP, 2006 (est.)

£ million RSP*	2006**
Garden Buildings	730
BBQ & Garden Furniture	835
Paving, Light / Heat, Fencing, Decorations	380
Garden Seeds, Plants & Trees (Greenstock)	1,675
Chemicals, Fertilizers, Pest & Weed Control	585
Lawnmowers & Garden Power Tools	660
Hand Tools / Gardening Aids	105
Water Management & Pond equipment	110
Total	5,080

* RSP (Retail Selling Prices) - ** estimate

UK Gardening Aids and Equipment Market Size

The UK consumer market for Gardening Equipment was estimated to have been worth £860 million at retail selling prices in 2005, a 2.4% increase on the previous year. The sector 'Garden Equipment' includes: lawn mowers, power tools, hand tools, water management equipment (mainly irrigation but also including pond maintenance equipment) and 'gardening aids' (such as plant ties, mesh and netting trellises, gloves etc.). Several major brands dominate the lawn mower, power tools and water management segments. Brand awareness is relatively high, and technological barriers make it difficult for new competitors to enter the market. The market for hand tools used to be this way but is becoming ever more fragmented as low-cost products erode the market base of long established suppliers. There has been a trend towards higher-quality products in recent years. Higher disposable incomes have been encouraging consumers to trade up and, while gardening may be a hobby, gardeners are still keen to have products that will save them manual effort and time. It is anticipated that growth in the garden equipment market will be at a modest rate, with total value increasing by 1.7% between 2005 and 2006. The sectors of power tools and equipment and of water management equipment are forecast to see the best growth rates.

Table. UK Consumer Gardening Equipment Market by Value by Segment at RSP, 2004-2006 (est.)

£ million RSP*	2004	2005	2006**
Lawn Mowers	340	348	354
Power Tools	297	302	306
Hand Tools	76	77	76
Gardening Aids and Sundries	27	28	29
Water Systems (Irrigation)	83	86	90
Water Gardening Equipment	17	19	20
Total	840	860	875

* RSP - Retail Selling Prices - ** estimate