With as many as 50,000 outlets in the UK selling gardening goods, how can retailers enhance their attractiveness to consumers?

How do DIY shed gardens centres fair against the ever-growing specialist garden centres?

Growing stock accounts for the largest proportion of consumer expenditure on garden products. How have these and other garden products been influenced by the 'Charlie Dimmock' effect?

Mintel last examined the garden products retailing sector in 1999, and this update reinforces some of the trends which were starting to be observed then. For example, the growth of large destination garden centres has continued, as has the consolidation of the sector, which is dominated by one large group, Wyevale. Garden centres are still largely independent, however, despite the growth of multiple chains over the past five or six years.

The garden products retailing sector is heavily influenced by the weather, which determines what and whether consumers are able to plant growing stock, and how much time they are able to spend in their garden, for gardening or leisure purposes.

This report will look at the growth of the multiple chains, and whether their strategy has been affected by stiffer competition from DIY sheds. It will also examine in some detail the range of facilities now on offer at the leading independent garden centres. The report includes research focusing on where consumers go for their garden products, and what influences their choice of venue. Research among trade respondents covers the sales picture in 2000, the likely prospects for 2001, and the perceived threat of DIY sheds and their pricing, among other things.

Other recent Mintel reports of relevance include:

- Impact of the Media on DIY and Gardening, Leisure Intelligence, March 2001

- Gardening Review, Leisure Intelligence, September 2000

- Home Interest and Gardening Magazines, Market Intelligence, June 2000.

If you want more details about this particular report, please contact the Mintel information team on +44 (0)20 7606 6000 or email them at info@mintel.com.