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Lawn and Garden Products in the U.S., 8th Edition

Product Type: Market Research Report
Published by: Packaged Facts
Published: July 2009
Product Code: R567-783
Description
The $24 billion U.S. lawn and garden (L&G) market has held up remarkably well under the relentless pressure of an epic macroeconomic storm. While cracks in the competitive structure are beginning to appear, the L&G market has proven to be tough and adaptable. Certainly, vast opportunities exist to turn current downsides into upsides.

In our 2009 edition of the widely consulted study The U.S. Lawn and Garden Market, 8th Edition, Packaged Facts presents a comprehensive and multifaceted analysis of the current L&G market. Along with detailing the many opportunities latent in the economic crisis, this study offers an in-depth examination of competitive issues and trends, including the impact of marketer attrition, management survival strategies, the slowing of globalization, potential dealer and independent retailer resurgence, growing influence of the green movement, regulatory/political developments, and responses to drought. Also addressed are possible breakdown scenarios involving supply shortages or similar economic discontinuities.

As always, our study features numerous tables estimating current sales of L&G equipments, supplies, and services, and offers five-year sales projections. Complete and up-to-date competitive profiles are presented of major marketers, such as MTD, Toro, Deere, Husqvarna, Briggs & Stratton, Ames True Temper, Fiskars, Scotts Miracle-Gro, and TruGreen, among others. Comprehensive coverage of new product trends, a thorough analysis of the retail sector, and analytical profiles of L&G consumers are also provided.

Report Methodology

The study is based on the analysis of a wide range of primary and secondary research, including information compiled from trade journals, trade associations, company reports, government data, industry surveys, consumer polls, magazines, newspapers, websites, books, in-store inspections, and discussions with professionals. These sources have been supplemented by proprietary consumer demographic data supplied by Experian Simmons Market Research Bureau. Adding depth to our analysis is over a decade’s worth of research on the lawn and garden market conducted by Packaged Facts.

About the Author

David Cappello is a senior market analyst who in over 20 years has authored and edited scores of studies on a vast range of consumer and financial products markets. In 2000 Cappello began researching alternative energy and green economics in order to apply his understanding of market dynamics to these emerging sectors. The first result was a report on the solar power market, published in 2004 by ARS Insights. His most recent studies in these areas, published by imprints of MarketResearch.com, include Renewable Energy Investment in the United States (2007), The U.S. Solar Energy Market (2008), and Trends in Organic Lawn and Garden Products (2009).

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Executive Summary

The Overall L&G Market

Scope of Study

Areas Outside Scope

Three L&G Product Categories: Equipment, Supplies, and Services

Overall L&G Market Sales

Table 1-1: Estimated Overall Retail Sales of the U.S. Lawn and Garden Market by Category, 2002-2009 (millions of dollars)

Outlook: Market Growth

Market Projections

Table 1-2: Projected Retail Sales of the U.S. Lawn and Garden Market by Category, 2010-2014 (millions of dollars)

Major L&G Marketers

At the Retail Level: Home Centers on Top

L&G Equipment

Three Product Segments

Regulation: EPA Phase III

Watering Restrictions

L&G Equipment Sales

Table 1-3: Estimated U.S. Retail Sales of Lawn and Garden Equipment by Product Segment, 2002-2009 (millions of dollars)

Gas-Powered OPE: Combined Unit Shipments

Unit Trends: Walk-Behind Mowers

L&G Equipment Projections

Table 1-4: Projected Retail Sales of Lawn and Garden Equipment by Product Segment, 2010-2014 (millions of dollars)

Major Marketers: OPE

Major Marketers: Tools/Implements

Major Marketers: Garden Hoses

Green OPE

Retail Share

Number of OPE Owners/Purchasers: By Product Type

L&G Supplies

Fertilizers/Growth Media: Four Product Types

Pest Control Supplies: Three Product Types

Weed-and-Feed Products

L&G Supplies Sales

Table 1-5: Estimated U.S. Retail Sales of Lawn and Garden Supplies by Product Segment, 2002-2009 (millions of dollars)

The Organic Sector: Size and Growth

L&G Supplies Projections

Table 1-6: Projected Retail Sales of Lawn and Garden Supplies by Product Segment, 2010-2014 (millions of dollars)

Handful of Companies Dominate

Scotts Miracle-Gro

Spectrum Brands

Organic L&G Marketers

Retail Share

Number of Purchasers: By Supplies Product Type

Professional Lawncare Services

Lawncare Operators (LCOs)

LCO Appeal

Lawn Care Operator Sales

Table 1-7: Estimated Sales of Lawn Care Operators, 2002-2009 (millions of dollars)

Lawn Care Operator Projections

Table 1-8: Projected Sales of Professional Lawncare Services, 2010-2014 (millions of dollars)

Most LCOs are Small Independents

Leading Marketers

Organic and IPM LCOs

Estimated Number of LCO Users




Chapter 2: The Overall Market

Overview

Scope of Study

Areas Outside Scope

Products/Services

Three L&G Product Categories: Equipment, Supplies, and Services

Government Regulation

The EPA

EPA and OPE

EPA and Pest Control

At the State Level

At the Local Level

Market Size, Growth and Composition

Overview

Overall L&G Market Sales

Table 2-1: Estimated Overall Retail Sales of the U.S. Lawn and Garden Market, by Category, 2002-2009 (millions of dollars)

Sales and Growth by Category

Share by Category

L&G Retail Share

Table 2-2: Estimated Retail Share of U.S. Lawn and Garden Sales by Outlet Type, 2009

Seasonality

Regionality

Factors in Future Growth

Housing

Sales of New/Existing Homes

Table 2-3: Sales of New and Existing Homes, 2000-2009 (in thousands)

Housing Starts

Table 2-4: U.S. Housing Starts, 2000-2009 (in millions)

Home Prices

Mortgage Rates

Glut and Foreclosures

Housing and the L&G Market

The Economy

Breakdown

L&G and the Economy

Supply Shortages?

Globalization and the Dollar

Changes Loom

Age Demographics

Aging Boomers

Table 2-5: U.S. Population, by Age Group, 2000-2010 (in millions)

The Next Generation

Climate

Climate Change

Drought

Regulation

Garden Lifestyles

Waning Affluence

Cocooning

Green L&G

Challenge and Opportunity

Green L&G Concepts

Edible Yards

Food Gardening

Opportunities in Food Gardens

Projected Market Growth

Overview

Market Projections

Table 2-6: Projected Retail Sales of the U.S. Lawn and Garden Market by Category, 2010-2014 (millions of dollars)

Projections by Category

The Marketers

Size of Marketers

Generalists vs. Specialists

U.S. vs. Foreign Ownership

Major L&G Marketers: Overview

Major Marketers: Equipment

Major Marketers: Supplies

Major Marketers: Services

Distribution and Retail

Distribution Patterns: Direct vs. Intermediary

Distributors Still Play Vital Role

Regular Distribution Channels: Equipment/Supplies

Anomalous Distribution: OPE Dealers and Lawn Services

At the Retail Level: Home Centers on Top

Home Depot

Lowe’s Companies

Wal-Mart

Sears Holdings Co.

Target

Garden Centers/Nurseries

Hardware Stores

Other Retail Venues

Direct Sales




Chapter 3: Lawn and Garden Equipment

Overview

Three Product Segments

Government Regulation

OPE Focus

CPSC, EPA, CARB

Air Pollution Emissions Regulations

EPA Phase III

Note on CARB

“Durability” Requirements

Leaf Blower Restrictions

Yard Waste Restrictions

Watering Restrictions

Market Size, Growth, and Composition

L&G Equipment Sales

Analysis: Equipment Growth Trends

Table 3-1: Estimated U.S. Retail Sales of Lawn and Garden Equipment by Product Segment, 2002-2009 (millions of dollars)

OPE: Sales Trends

Tools/Implements: Sales Trends

Watering/Spraying Equipment: Sales Trends

Equipment Segment Shares

Gas-Powered OPE: Combined Unit Shipments

Gas-Powered OPE: Unit Share by Product Type

Table 3-2: Share of Gas-Powered Outdoor Power Equipment Shipments by Product Type, 2008

All Consumer Mowers: Unit Shipments

All Consumer Mowers: Unit Share

Gas-Powered Portable OPE: Combined Unit Shipments

Portable OPE: Unit Share by Product Type

Unit Trends: Walk-Behind Mowers

Unit Trends: Lawn Tractors

Unit Trends: Garden Tractors

Unit Trends: Riding (Zero-Turn) Mowers

Unit Trends: Tillers

Unit Trends: Snow throwers

Unit Trends: Trimmers

Unit Trends: Handheld Leaf Blowers

Unit Trends: Chainsaws

Electric OPE Share

Tools/Implements: Ownership

Watering/Spraying Equipment: Guesstimated Shares

Factors in Future Growth

Introductory Note

Factors in OPE Growth

The Economy

Demographics

Climate

Regulation

New Products

Factors in Tools/Implements Growth

Factors in Watering/Spraying Equipment Growth

L&G Equipment: Projections

Category Projections

Table 3-3: Projected Retail Sales of Lawn and Garden Equipment by Product Segment, 2010-2014 (millions of dollars)

Projections by Segment

The Marketers

Size and Types of Marketers

Manufacturing and Sourcing

Many Marketers Have Deep Historical Roots

U.S. vs. Foreign Marketers

Most OPE Marketers Have Diversified Interests

OPE Majors

Marketers: Portable OPE

Marketers: Electric OPE

Tiller Marketers

Crossover Mower/Tractor Marketers

Major/Minor Marketers: Tools/Implements

Reel Mower Marketers

Wheeled Implements Marketers

Composter Marketers

Major/Minor Marketers: Watering/Spraying Equipment

Table 3-4: Selected List of Lawn and Garden Equipment Marketers and Their Brands, 2009

The Competitive Situation

Continuity and Change

Economic Pressure

Attrition and Absorption

M&A Activity

Alliances/Partnerships

Consolidation Speculation

Consequences of Globalization

Globalization Slows

Traditional Strategies

Competition in OPE

Competition in Tools

Competition in Watering Equipment

Competitive Profiles: Major Equipment Marketers

MTD Products

Overview

A Family Business

OPE Brand Lines

Private Label

GardenWay: Into Tools—Then Supplies!

Cracks in Distribution Strategy

The Jenn Feng/McCulloch Saga

Last Snow blower in Canada

New Product Activity

New Partnership

The Toro Company

Company Overview

Sales Trends

Response to Slowdown

Two Divisions

Professional Division

Residential Division

International Sales

Residential Brand Lines

Toro Brand Residential Mowers

Toro Brand Residential Portable, Other OPE

Lawn-Boy

Residential Watering Equipment

Betting on Water Conservation

And Farming?

New Product Activity

Pollution Fine

CATT

Husqvarna AB

Company Overview

Electrolux Spin-Off

Consumer Products

U.S. Operations

Poulan/Weed Eater

Professional Products Reorganized

Acquisitions

Komatsu Zenoah (RedMax)

Dixon Industries

Gardena

Jenn Feng (McCulloch)

Unique Dealer Strategy

New Product Activity

The Automower: A Robotic Solar Hybrid

Deere & Co

Overview

Sales Trends

Commercial & Consumer Equipment Segment

C&C Sales Trends

Expanding Parts Distribution

The Stihl Deal

Dealer Wars Die Down

John Deere Landscapes

New Product Activity

Kudos

Briggs & Stratton Corp.

Company Overview

Business Segments

Yard Power Products Group: Brands

U.S. Manufacturing

Vertical Integration Strategy

Sales Trends

Engines vs. Power Products

Dominance in Engines

Marketer Acquisitions

Simplicity

Murray

“Made in America” vs. China

B&S, Snapper, and Sears

New Products Focus on Snapper

Ames-True Temper

Company Overview

Extensive Brand Portfolio

Ownership

Sales Trends

Is Something Amiss?

Legacy Issues

Old and New Days

Brief Competitive Profiles: L&G Equipment Marketers

Black & Decker

Homelite

Schiller Grounds Care, Inc.

Country Home Products

Stihl

Tecumseh

Fiskars Corp.

Corona Clipper

Tekni-Plex, Inc.

Teknor Apex Co

L.R. Nelson

Bosch Group

Rain Bird Corp.

Melnor, Inc.

Root-Lowell Mfg. Co

New Product Trends: OPE

Engine Trends

Crossover OPE

Zero-Turn Riders

ZT Advances

Robot and Solar Mowers

Snow Blower Trends

Portable OPE Trends

Focus: Green OPE

Efficiency

Alternative Fuels

Ethanol

Biodiesel

Propane

Natural Gas

Electric OPE

Electric Mowers

Focus: Neuton

Battery Advances

Non-Fuel Powered

New Product Trends: Tools and Watering

Proliferation

Ergonomic Innovation

Miscellaneous Tools/Implements Trends

Watering Equipment Trends

Table 3-5: Selected New Product Introductions, L&G Equipment, 2008-2009

Distribution/Retail

Distribution Patterns

Retail Share

Home Centers vs. OPE Dealers

OPE Dealer Strategies

Dealer Diversification

Dealers on the Upswing

Profile: Tractor Supply Co

The Consumer

Explanatory Note

Number of Owners: All L&G Equipment

Number of OPE Owners/Purchasers: By Product Type

Table 3-6: Outdoor Power Equipment: Number of Households Owning and Recently Purchasing by Product Type, 2008 (millions of households)

Factors Favoring Ownership: OPE

Women and OPE Purchasing

Walk-Behind Mower Owners

Riding Mower and Garden Tractor Owners

Tiller Owners

Snow blower Owners

String Trimmer Owners

Hedge and Yard Trimmer Owners

Blower Owners

Factors Favoring Ownership: By OPE Brand

Tools/Implements: Number of Owners by Product Type

Table 3-7: Tools/Implements: Number of Households Owning and Recently Purchasing by Product Type, 2008 (millions of adult-headed households)

Factors Favoring Ownership: Tools/Implements

Table 3-8(a): Demographic Characteristics Favoring Ownership of Outdoor Power Equipment by Product Type, 2008

Table 3-8(b): Demographic Characteristics Favoring Ownership of Outdoor Power Equipment by Product Type, 2008

Table 3-9(a): Demographic Characteristics Favoring Ownership of Tools/Implements by Product Type, 2008

Table 3-9(b): Demographic Characteristics Favoring Ownership of Tools/Implements by Product Type, 2008

Table 3-10(a): Demographic Characteristics Favoring Ownership of OPE by Brand, 2008

Table 3-10(b): Demographic Characteristics Favoring Ownership of OPE by Brand, 2008

Table 3-10(c): Demographic Characteristics Favoring Ownership of OPE by Brand, 2008




Chapter 4: Lawn and Garden Supplies

The Products

Two Product Segments

Fertilizers/Growth Media: Four Product Types

Fertilizers: Supplements, Not Foods

Fertilizer Forms/Terminology

Growth Media

Pest Control Supplies: Three Product Types

Weed-and-Feed Products

Government Regulation

Pesticides: Federal Regulation

Pesticide Registration

Labeling: Pesticides and Fertilizers

FQPA and the EPA Pesticide Review

Continuous Review

Critics Urge New Regulatory Philosophy

Fertilizer Restrictions/Bans

Market Size, Growth, and Composition

L&G Supplies Sales

Table 4-1: Estimated U.S. Retail Sales of Lawn and Garden Supplies by Product Segment, 2002-2009 (millions of dollars)

Segment Share: F/GM vs. Pesticide Products

Analysis: Growth by Segment

The Organic Sector: Size and Growth

Table 4-2: Retail Sales of Organic L&G Products, Market Size and Growth, 2003-2009 (millions of dollars)

Popularity of Supplies: By Product Type

Retail Share

Regionality

Factors in Future Growth

Introductory Note

Factors in Overall Supplies Growth

Economy/Housing

Fertilizer Prices

Age Demographics

Regulation

Climate

Factors in Organic Supplies Growth

Pricing Factors

Supply Factors

Climate Factors

Age Demographic Factors

Cultural Factors

Market Factors

Education and Labor Factors

L&G Supplies: Projections

Category Projections

Table 4-3: Projected Retail Sales of Lawn and Garden Supplies by Product Segment, 2010-2014 (millions of dollars)

Projections by Segment

The Marketers

Size and Types of Marketers

Conventional vs. Organic/Natural Marketers

Handful of Companies Dominate

Scotts Miracle-Gro

Spectrum Brands

Second-Tier Marketers: Fertilizers, Plant Food, and Potting Soil

Top Marketers in Minor F/GM Segments

Second-Tier Marketers: Pesticides

Professional Supplies Marketers

Global Chemical Giants

Organic L&G Marketers

Table 4-4: Selected List of U.S. Lawn and Garden Supplies Marketers, 2009

The Competitive Situation

F/GM Competition

Quasi-Monopoly and Its Discontents

The Organic Threat to SMG

Pesticides Competition

Traditional Strategies

Competitive Profiles: Major L&G Supplies Marketers

Scotts Miracle-Gro

Overview

Retail Concentration

The Expansive SMG Spectrum

Sales Trends

Business Segments: Sales

The Global Consumer Segment

North American vs. International Consumer Sales

SMG Brand Lines

New Products

Scotts and Advertising

Scotts and Debt

Scotts and Pricing

Regional Grand Strategy

Sales Force and Distribution Trends

New Promotions

Extending Retail Reach

Scotts and Organic F/GM

Smith & Hawken

Scotts and the Spectrum Absorption

Outlook

Spectrum Brands

Company Overview

Bankruptcy

Home and Garden Liquidation

Retains Pesticides

Brief Competitive Profiles: L&G Supplies Marketers

Central Garden and Pet

Green Light Co

Easy Gardener Products

Bonide Products

Woodstream Corp.

Sun Gro Horticulture

Espoma

TerraCycle

Schultz Co

New Product Trends

Trends: Synthetic Supplies

Combo Products: F/GM

Combo Products: Pesticides

Moisture Control

Maximum or Fortified Strength

Convenience

Specific-Application Products

Stabilized Nitrogen

Fire Ant Killers

Trends: Organic Supplies

Compost

Table 4-5: Selected Marketers of Compost, 2009

Compost Tea

Table 4-6: Selected Marketers of Compost Tea, 2009

Documenting Compost Benefits

Advancing Compost Technology

Compost Problems

Organic Fertilizer Blends

Hybrid Fertilizers

Trendy Ingredients: Menefee Humates

Ascophyllum Nosodum

Fish Hydrolysate

Encapsulated Gypsum

Biochar (“Terra Preta”)

Corn Gluten

Bio-Controls

Neem

Table 4-7: Selected Marketers of Neem Products, 2009

Karanja Oil

Distribution and Retail

Distribution Patterns

Wide Range of Retail Outlets

Retail Share

Garden Centers/Nurseries

Expanding Organic/Natural Retail Presence

Greening GC/Ns

Focus: Specialty Organic/Natural Stores

Cooperative Buying Groups

Urban Outfitters/Terrain

The Consumer

Overview

Number of Purchasers: By Supplies Product Type

Factors Favoring Purchase: L&G Supplies

Organic Supplies: Anomalous Profiles

Regionality of Purchasing

Natural/Organic L&G Users

Table 4-8(a): Demographic Characteristics Favoring Ownership of Lawn and Garden Supplies by Product Type, 2008

Table 4-8(b): Demographic Characteristics Favoring Ownership of Lawn and Garden Supplies by Product Type, 2008




Chapter 5: Professional Lawncare Services

Professional Services

Focus on Treatment

Lawncare Operators (LCOs)

The Standard Treatment Program

Customized Programs

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Natural/Organic Treatment Programs

Enhanced Services

Fungicide Treatments

Prices for Programs

Market Size and Growth

Lawn Care Operator Sales

Table 5-1: Estimated Sales of Lawn Care Operators, 2002-2009 (millions of dollars)

Analysis: LCO Growth Trends

Factors in Future Growth

Introductory Note

The Housing Bust

Slowing Economy

Gas Prices

Aging Baby Boomers

Canada Trends

IPM Adaptation

U.S. LCOs Stand Pat

RISE and Project Evergreen

Immigrant Labor

Weather

Expanding Services

Management Challenges

Software and Marketing

Consolidation Scenario

Incorporating Alternative Techniques

Professional Lawncare Services: Projections

Category Projections

Table 5-2: Projected Sales of Professional Lawncare Services, 2010-2014 (millions of dollars)

The Marketers

Most are Small Independents

Leading Marketers

Competitive Profile: ServiceMaster

Overview

Acquired by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice

TruGreen

TruGreen LawnCare Options

Brief History

Consumer Complaints

A Grand Makeover

Targeted Lawn Care SM

Brief Competitive Profiles

Scotts LawnService

Weed Man

Lawn Doctor

NaturaLawn

Focus: Organic LCOs

Numbers Rising

Organic LCOs: Different Approaches

The Future of Organic LCOs

The Consumer

Estimated Number of LCO Users

Service Users Display Strong Upscale Profile




Appendix: Addresses of Selected Marketers

Ordering and More Information
Price and Delivery Options



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