Karcher are set to launch a full watering range for UK garden centres next year.

This week GTN Xtra joined several garden centre buyers and principals at a preview event where the watering range was revealed together with interesting merchandising ideas and an indication of the type of consumer media support they will put behind the launch.

The range of "german engineered" watering products was well received by the garden centre teams, interested to see new competition in this market sector.  Whilst the range of products, manufactured in germany and italy, are new to the UK they are widely available across Europe, so a key learning for the Karcher team was any feedback about how some of the lines might need adapting for British gardening consumers.

"We are serious about this market and will take all of your comments on board to ensure the range delivers real value to garden centres," Karcher Sales Director Nigel Scott told the group.

The merchandising concepts revealed a different approach to traditional watering POS displays with products grouped together in terms of consumer usage and plenty of good user advice to aid purchasing decision making. "This display, with additional bays for Karcher pressure washers and the Karcher Window Vac range would be a welcome addition to our garden centres," commented Paul Cooling, Chairman of Coolings Garden Centres.

  

The success of the Window Vac gives a steer as to the likely media support for the new watering range, which will include at least £1 million on TV.  Over two years following on from launch activity on shopping TV channels, Karcher have generated sales of £80 million just for Window Vac, with product packages selling between £59.99 and £89.99.  Not bad for a market that didn't even exist three years ago.

As with the pressure washer range and Window Vac, the watering range will be distributed by Handy Distribution, with in-store merchandising support direct from Karcher.

Danny Adamson, who has joined Karcher to help them with the launch into garden watering told GTN Xtra: "As a result of these days meeting garden centre people, the whole Karcher team are so excited about the opportunity.  We are looking forward to meeting everyone at Glee."

www.karcher.co.uk

www.handydistribution.co.uk

For stocking Window Vac during the current TV campaign, contact:

Bpattle@handydistribution.co.uk