Garden power products have had a tough year after a strong 2010, according to the latest figures from GfK.
2010 enjoyed an extended season thanks to longer periods of drier weather, while sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup helped drive sales of garden-related products as consumers looked to transform their gardens into entertainment spaces.

The garden power sector in 2011 has reported volume declines of 8% (year to date), but price increases have driven value growth to just under 1%, particularly within lawnmowers and blow vacs.

The year started off strongly with the extra bank holiday and Royal Wedding, said GfK, but this drive in sales wasn't maintained as the weather failed to live up to 2010.

The value growth in lawnmowers has come through the rotary category, said the company, as consumers have moved away from hover offerings. This is despite rotary products commanding a much higher price point (44% higher), as consumers perhaps try to get a longer life-span out of their purchases.

The only category in garden power products not to suffer volume declines in 2011 is grass shears, as talk in the industry suggests consumers are turning away from decking and back to lawns, hence the growth in lawn-related products. This trend has also been seen within garden hand tools, said GfK.