The last two years have been dominated by supply chain issues, in particular by the unprecedented rises in freight costs which forced the prices of garden furniture and structures into previously unseen heights. With container prices for some suppliers and centres skyrocketing to north of $20,000 for one 40-foot container, up from $1,500 in 2020, the knock-on effect on prices and supply/demand of freight added even more pressure to an already turbulent trading time. Though sales held steady due to huge demand during the pandemic, these high prices would pose a serious threat as the cost of living crisis begins to bite. 

Fortunately, the cost of freight underwent a dramatic collapse at the tail-end of 2022, falling close to 2020 prices. Although land-side transport costs are still increasing, this significant fall means some suppliers, like Ascalon Design, are able to implement major price cuts to their furniture and garden structures.

Head of Sales and Marketing at Ascalon, Minty Stokes-Rhys, says: “Going into a potentially challenging economic climate this season, we felt that the best thing we could do for our customers was to reduce our prices across the board. Thanks to the fall in freight rates and our subsequent price adjustments, many of our products have seen price decreases of between 25-30%, with some falling up to 40%, bringing them firmly back into the range of an impulse buy. 

“Several customers have asked me how we have been able to do this given the general levels of over-stocking in the industry. Although we are holding some stock brought in at higher prices, we have decided to help stimulate trade with the temptingly low prices that we can now offer, rather than holding out to recoup any of the recent excesses paid to shipping lines.”

For more information about Ascalon products, you can visit them at Spring Fair (Hall 6 C50-51), or find out more online at www.ascalon.co.uk.