2012 may turn out to have been a defining year for the garden and leisure industry in  the UK.  Against a background of national and international events that helped to  raise the standing of the British flag, the gardening industry has had to cope with the dual problems of difficult economic conditions and a weather pattern that proved to be one of the worst on record.

To combat these setbacks, 2013 could well prove to be the year when individual companies determine to put even more effort into making the most of their  sales potential through carefully scrutinised product portfolios, enhanced marketing techniques  and new market targets.

There is little we can do about the vagaries of the British climate but much that can be done to ensure that we either produce or stock items to suit changing conditions.

More suppliers may also be persuaded to look further afield for their business. The recent revival of the US market and its avoidance of the so-called 'fiscal cliff' is one such potential market; similar opportunities exist in many other countries. Sales opportunities like these, beyond our home market, make it paramount that UK suppliers at least consider investigating overseas markets as part of their sales and marketing plan for 2013 and beyond.

2012 may not have been your year but there is still new business to be seized  in 2013 – and to help suppliers to do so, Gardenex and PetQuip have secured even greater government support for this year's programme of export initiatives.