Stihl aims to start selling cordless gardening products through garden centres and other non-specialist retailers later this year.

Stihl tools are currently available only though the company’s approved dealer network.

In a letter to approved dealersa, Stihl UK’s MD Robin Lennie said the change was needed to remain competitive in an expanding cordless tools market.

"STIHL and VIKING approved dealers will always be our primary route to market,” Lennie said, “ but as demand for cordless products accelerates it is vital that we are positioned to reach all customer groups. Next year [2017] we will begin discussions with prospective retail partners in urban locations, such as garden centres and hardware stores.”

Retailers will be hand-picked to ensure they can match Stihl’s customer service requirements and will be allowed to offer only a limited product range of electric and battery powered products and related accessories tailored for domestic use.

“They will be required to offer PDI and product handover and most importantly, their contract will prevent them from selling petrol-powered tools, “ Lennie continued. “Indeed we expect that some of our existing Approved Dealers will wish to open additional outlets which are focussed on cordless and electric tools and we look forward to planning these developments in the future."

The letter says no official dates are planned.