Concentrated overview of the garden and leisure market

Spoga+Gafa, in Cologne from 2 to 4 September 2012, is again taking shape with the claim to be the leading international fair for the garden and leisure sector. In the conviction of Katharina C. Hamma, COO of Koelnmesse (pictured), “No other event illustrates the entire market in such breadth, or brings together all the market participants from both home and abroad in such concentrated form.” The traditionally strongest product group is provided by the furniture and lifestyle segment, which is incorporated in the garden living segment. The grill and barbecue category also belongs here. Premium-class manufacturers of garden furniture have their own special segment known as “garden unique”. The garden care segment shows everything that is necessary to keep the green in the garden growing and healthy. This is where the suppliers of soils and fertilizers, garden tools and powered equipment are located. Products that are required for laying out a garden form the “garden creation” segment of the fair. This includes plants and pond technology, as well as summerhouses, lighting and hand tools. Discount-level garden products are represented in the “garden basic” segment. An international public is expected at the Garden Centre Day on the Sunday of the fair, since this will be the conclusion of the International Garden Centre Congress being held beforehand in Bonn, near Cologne. Hamma also announced that the fair is going back to its original opening times “at the special request of the industry”. It will be open 9 am – 6 pm on the Sunday and Monday, and 9 am – 5 pm on the Tuesday. Download: