In This Issue
Wyevale Garden Centres agrees sale of two garden centres - Barnett Hill and Seven Hills
Michael Cooling dies
Newspan starts work on major Tong GC development
February sets new sales records for garden centres
Chief Executive sought for Brechin Garden Centre
72% up year on year for February plant sales!
Bathgate offers a point of difference for growing media
Eco Friendly? TMD has it in the bag!
Bord na Móna announces increased UK focus for 2019
NEUDORFF – supporting retailers throughout 2019
Getting the season started with the Garden Press Event
David Domoney promotes LOFA Assured
Wyevale Nurseries phases in recyclable plant pots
HTA report highlights how technology is shaping consumer behaviour
Wood burning expertise comes to BBQ's
Zest 4 Leisure announces its charity of the year
2019 off to a good start with strong growth
Greenfingers supporters are ‘winging it!’
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Steady as she goes for Garden Products in February
February Veg-2-Gro sales in long term decline
Five years of growth for Growing Media in February
Wild Bird Care sales up by 10% in February
Top-level speakers will provide topical advice at international trade event
Royal Horticultural Society celebrates Edible Britain for National Gardening Week 2019
Mother’s Day Planting Weekend at Squire’s
RHS announces endorsement for Agralan pest prevention products
The best of last week's
Centres stock up on plants and growing media pre-Brexit and Easter
New farm shop and garden centre planned for Chudleigh
Sarah Squire takes over from dad as chairman
Locals split over plans to modernise mid-Devon garden centre
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
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Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700






HTA report highlights how technology is shaping consumer behaviour
 

A new HTA Market Information report, published today, looks at how technology is shaping consumer behaviour, the supply chain and the future of garden retail.

 

Three quarters of all British adults (aged 16+) now own a smartphone1. This includes 69% of 55-64 year olds, which is predicted to rise to 95% by 20301. An on-the-go mindset and a dislike for delay means consumers want to carry out activities on their own terms, unconstrained by time or location. 43% British adults say they’ve accessed the internet on their mobile whilst travelling2.  More people are looking online as their first port of call for information, advice and purchases, with ‘Home and Garden’ categories seeing year on year growth of 13% in mobile searches in the last quarter of 20183.

 

Consumers are spending 3 hours a day on social media, where we’re seeing an increase in ‘buy now’ and ‘learn more’ buttons appearing on these sites.It’s never been more important to ‘be’ where your customers are. Consumers are looking online for advice, and there are opportunities for the garden industry to position themselves here as the experts.

 

The new report explores the functionality of mobile apps and the availability of information online. It looks at voice search and auto-replenishment tools, using smart home assistants including Amazon’s Alexa and Siri. It highlights how the industry can compete with ‘Titan’ brands by using their non-titan credentials, and includes a focus on automation, both within the workplace and through the supply chain.

 

The report covers a range of areas where technology is likely to affect the garden market immediately and in the next few years, with considerations and steps and steps the industry can take to make sure their business stays as competitive as possible.  

 

Josh McBain, Consultancy Director at Foresight Factory comments,  “The themes outlined in this report will help businesses explore how customer demand is changing and the sorts of competition that will be entering the market. For even innovations in far-off adjacent sectors can still shape what your customers want and expect. Indeed, an amazing service provided at one retailer raises the bar for retailers everywhere. Consequently, understanding and adapting to the changes on the horizon has never been more crucial. This report will give you the ability to start doing just that.”

 

This special feature on technology is now available free for HTA members to download from the HTA website, by logging in and then going to the Market Information pages at https://hta.org.uk/learn-develop/market-information/special-features.html

 

Sources: 1 = FF Online, Foresight Factory. 2 = TGI survey, Kantar Media. 3 = The British Retail Consortium (BRC)

 

For a copy of the report please contact the HTA Media Office.

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