Patio Containers In Chicago: Garden Retail Report
It is fairly clear that many in this industry believe patio containers are important SKUs because the consumer wants the convenience of buying plant décor that can be taken home and set in place. There are thousands of recipes being offered by breeders and brokers so the choice of looks is unlimited.
Unfortunately, many of the recipes do not grow well together or flower at the same time making the patio pots, in many cases, unsalable.
While visiting the Chicago market in May and June, I was impressed with the huge array of patio containers and the number of consumer retail price points to choose from at The Home Depot. The selection at The Home Depot provided by Masterpiece Floral and Grand Flowers was the most extensive relative to sizes and consumer choice that we have seen at garden centers across the country.
It was also impressive to see all recipes flowering together, which is highly unusual and creates really compelling displays. One has to believe the sell-through is well above the average. The containers were exceptionally well merchandised, primarily on the outdoor aprons and the end caps inside.
Sizes and Retail Prices, Patio Pots | ||
Description | Size | Retail Price |
Infinity | 6.5-inch | 6.98 |
Summer Planter | 8-inch | 5.98 |
Infinity | 10-inch | 9.98 |
Drop ‘n’ Bloom | 10-inch | 14.98 |
Color Bowl | 12-inch | 14.98 |
Geranium Patio | 12-inch | 14.98 |
Combination | 15-inch | 16.98 |
Patio Combo | 13-inch | 19.98 |
Perennial Combo | 12-inch | 19.98 |
Combination | 14-inch | 24.98 |
Window Box | 30-inch | 24.98 |
Digitalis Patio | 12-inch | 24.98 |
Window Box | 30-inch | 24.98 |
Proven Winners Combo | 14-inch | 24.98 |
Wicker Window Box | 20-inch | 29.98 |
Patio Combo | 16-inch | 44.98 |
Doubles Handles | 20-inch | 59.98 |
Double Rim | 18-inch | 79.98 |
Patio Urn | 16-inch | 79.98 |
Patio Bowl | 24-inch | 79.98 |
Two Tier Planter | 16-inch | 79.98 |
Tall & Skinny | 18-inch | 129.00 |
This was a really well-thought-out patio container marketing program with a variance of retail price points, container sizes, container styles and a large assortment of plant recipes that had many different looks. The product mix even contained two perennial SKUs.