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Growth fuels optimism in retail garden sector

September 9, 2013  By Canadian Garden Centre & Nursery


Sept. 9, 2013, Toronto — It may be nearing the end of Canada's growing and gardening season, but as homeowners prepare to winterize their vegetable and flower gardens, garden centres are busy planning for what they expect to be a strong 2014 season.

That optimism is fueled by modest growth in the sector this year over 2012. According to Statistics Canada, there was a 1.6 per cent increase in sales of lawn and garden products, equipment and plants over the last year.

Retailers and consumers can also be buoyed by a 13 per cent increase in wholesale inventory, which could lead to good deals in the coming months.

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"We had a great spring for getting gardens planted and making our yards look good," said Tony DiGiovanni, executive director of Landscape Ontario. "We have such a limited opportunity to enjoy time outside in warm weather that it is encouraging to see that retail sales indicate people are looking after their outdoors. We have high expectations that the modest performance this year will continue to improve in 2014."

Next month garden centre operators and landscape professionals will have their first opportunity to see what will be inspiring consumers in 2014 at Landscape Ontario's Garden & Floral Expo 2013.

Expo runs Oct. 23 and 24 at the Toronto Congress Centre and attracts more than 1,500 lawn and garden industry insiders. To register for Expo or one of its associated events, visit www.loexpo.ca.

You can also follow Garden & Floral Expo (@LOexpo) and Landscape Ontario (@LOevents) on Twitter for updates about Expo.


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