Arching up your Sales

Published: 30 March, 2009

Arbours and Arches are always a favourite and year on year the market has seen a wide range of styles and designs. With the trend towards spending more time at home, and the gardening public being more geared up to "project gardening", 2009 could be the year of the arch and arbour. Nigel Poyner, Managing Director at Worcestershire based M&M Timber Ltd. suggests British made timber products like their Cottage Arch are the best value for money on the market thanks to the current Euro rate.

The key to successful sales are:

to have a display model prominently on view - lying on a pallet, they won't sell
products carrying a minimum 10 or 15 year guarantee
while not the biggest investment a gardener is going to make, but beware of poorly treated products, they need to be properly pressure treated
don't just have display models in your landscape area, use them amongst your plant and furniture displays and even on your café terrace

Forest Garden Ltd is set to seize on the potential this product group has for sales growth and has launched four new designs for 2009. The answer to driving sales is to make the most of your P.O.S. highlighting the benefits and lifestyle associated with each design. For example:

Forest's Cadiz Arbour

an attractive focal point even for the smaller garden
adds vertical interest, the "in" trend for gardening
provides a shady retreat from the sun's summer rays.

The Monaco Arbour Seat

seating for the whole family
trellised and rafter-style design creates the perfect home for climbing plants and hanging baskets.
can be "painted" for added style

Half Burford Arbour

a stunning addition to any garden
creates a very sociable space
provides covered seating
a real talking point for the Summer barbeque season

Garden product retailers may resist stocking timber products because they fear seeing slower moving products devalue before their eyes as they fade and age. With this in mind Grange Fencing has launched a new colourfast solution which will revolutionise the longevity of their fence panels, trellis and other timber products.

Golden Brown is:

guaranteed to last 3 times longer than other treatments
your stock maintains its value and reduces waste
added value to your customer

Make 2009 the year of arbours and arches in your outlet. Encourage your customers to visualise the product in their garden. Show customers how the arbour fits with their lifestyle, or the lifestyle they aspire to. Remove the barriers they see to making the purchase and you will see your sales grow.

Details of GIMA and their members can be found on www.gima.org.uk or call Neil Gow on 01905 381142

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