US Demand for Power Lawn and Garden Equipment to Reach $9.7 Billion in 2013

Power lawn and garden equipment demand in the US is forecast to rise 2.7 percent annually through 2013, reaching $9.7 billion.  Although gains are expected to be sluggish in the short term, the housing market is expected to recover by 2013, creating opportunities in the consumer market.  In addition, a positive outlook for the landscaping industry will provide opportunities.  Product innovations, which are being driven by consumer demand for equipment that is easier to use, more efficient, and with additional safety features and lighter weight, will also spur value gains.  However, gains will be limited by continuing struggles in the golf industry, where the total number of courses is expected to decline.  These and other trends, including market share and product segmentation, are presented in Power Lawn & Garden Equipment, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm.

The residential market dominates power lawn and garden equipment sales, representing 62 percent of the total in 2008.  In addition to benefitting from the turnaround in housing completions, gains in the residential market will be boosted by solid growth in disposable income levels.  Opportunities in the commercial market will be strongest in the landscaping industry. The number of professional landscaping firms will continue to rise, benefitting from an aging US population. 

Lawnmowers will continue to be the largest product segment, due to their wide use in both residential and commercial applications.  Lawnmowers will be among the fastest growing products through 2013, benefitting from recovery in the housing market.  Turf and grounds equipment is expected to post gains due to the continued growth in the number of professional landscapers.

In the short term, replacement sales will be the key driver of demand, especially in the residential market.  Therefore, it is increasingly important for manufacturers to offer new product enhancements as a means of stimulating replacement demand for existing equipment.  Otherwise, consumers will keep their existing equipment until it is no longer operable.  Strong marketing is also important, as consumers will need to become aware of new products in order to be enticed into trading up.  

The Freedonia Group is a leading international business research company, founded in 1985, that publishes more than 100 industry research studies annually. This industry analysis provides an unbiased outlook and a reliable assessment of an industry and includes product segmentation and demand forecasts, industry trends, demand history, threats and opportunities, competitive strategies, market share determinations and company profiles.