Magazine

Customer experiences in online garden retail

E-commerce in the gardening sector is also gaining ground. But what about the customer experience?

The garden as a private paradise

A conversation with trend hunter Manuel Rucar about the return of color and other current developments in the garden industry.

"Leisure and recreation are more important than ever"

Oliver Mathys, Green Sector Marketing Consultant, talks to us in an interview about how companies are adapting to consumer needs and where the sector needs to go.

"The trend towards outdoor cooking continues unabated"

Harry Soo talks with us about the upcoming trends and what he likes about spoga+gafa.

"The most important thing about barbecues is the conviviality".

Jannik Vinke is a boy from the Onsabrück region who has been passionate about barbecuing for many years! In the interview, he reveals what he finds most important about barbecuing and what is special about spoga+gafa.

"Terrace and garden have become a second living room"

The Cologne design journalist and trend researcher Frank A. Reinhardt (FAR.consulting) is a trend expert in the field of living and furnishing. As a jury member of design awards and as a speaker at various industry forums, he has been passing on his knowledge to interested trade visitors at spoga+gafa for years.

Immediacy: Challenge for the garden trade

Digital technologies make it possible to fulfil many customer requirements directly. The expectations have grown as a result and the so-called "immediacy" often prevails.

Outdoor furniture: old becomes new

Furniture for the terrace or balcony is increasingly being made from recycled materials. This looks good and saves resources.

POS design in times of Corona

How does the POS have to be designed so that it also works in times of Corona? And how does one address particularly the younger target groups expediently?

Interior trends 2021: more living outdoors

Which trends will influence outdoor design in 2021? A look at current developments in living.

Modular design webshop

More and more garden centres are planning to set up their own webshop. This can be accomplished amazingly fast and at little cost.

Gardens of the Year 2021

Where are the most beautiful private gardens in the German-speaking world? The Gardens of the Year competition provides a current overview.

Green in the office

Current changes in the world of work offer new opportunities for the gardening industry.

Hybrid trade

Momentum for the garden centre of the future

The digital change is not only boosting the eCommerce in the garden trade. It is also lending the stationary business new momentum.

Plants per click

Blooming outlooks for eCommerce

eCommerce has also long since hit the garden industry by storm. Even plants are purchased more and more frequently online. Dealers can impress on the Internet with good ideas and top service.

More than recycling

The green industry is becoming greener

The theme sustainability has not just been playing a growing role in the garden industry since Fridays for Future.

Meet Our Visitors with Ralf (Bob) Mechlinski, Cologne Grill & BBQ Academy, MEAT IN Magazin

We talked to him about the current situation in the BBQ industry and the upcoming spoga+gafa.

Meet Our Visitors with Klára Biza: Former Chief Editor of "Kertészet és Szölészet" (Garden and Viticulture, weekly magazine) and "Kertbarát Magazin" (magazine for garden enthusiasts)

We talked to her about the next spoga+gafa and the topic of sustainability.

Meet Our Visitors with Paul Smith, Buying Director, Chessington Garden Centre UK

The Chessington Garden Centre UK has everything the green heart desires: Outdoor Living, Outdoor Cooking and Outdoor Gardening. We spoke to Paul Smith about how important spoga+gafa is for him and his team.

Water march: Eco-friendly irrigation in the sustainable garden

The last two years went down in history as drought summers. There is too little rain in extensive parts of Germany in 2020 as well. Efficient water management thus plays an increasingly important role in gardens.

"Meet Our Visitors" with Zoltán Mihalik, Sales and Marketing Manager at Lyra Florae Kft. and proprietor of Terasz Dekor

We talked to him about the latest trends and the upcoming spoga+gafa.

Current outdoor furniture trends

As the largest garden trade fair in the world, spoga+gafa always keeps a close eye on new outdoor trends. We are taking a look at the current outdoor furniture design.

"Meet Our Visitors" with Mirosław Łakomiec, President of PSCO

The Polish Garden Centers Association (PSCO) promotes the development of greenery and horticultural culture. We talked to president Mirosław Łakomiec about the current situation in Poland and the upcoming spoga+gafa.

Living gardens: BGL is asserting itself

Nobody can say when exactly stone gardens started becoming popular. All of a sudden it became noticeable that more and more private green spaces were being replaced by grey gravel. However, resistance has been rising its head for some time already...

spoga+gafa 2021: New date supports the BBQ industry

spoga+gafa is the largest trade fair for grills & BBQs worldwide. We spoke with the Director, Stefan Lohrberg, about the advantages the new trade fair date brings the industry.

Green architecture: building for the climate

Green houses could be an answer to climate change. New projects around the world show how.

"Meet Our Visitors" with Adrian Ziörjen, Managing Director Garten Center Säriswil

On 01.01.2010, the former branch of Aebi Kaderli AG was sold to the company Arbasta AG. This was the foundation stone of Garten Center Säriswil.

"Meet our visitors" with Alexander Kremer, Executive Director, Garten-Center Kremer GmbH

Green excursion destination: The new Naturgartencenter Kremer has been open in all areas for customers at its main location in Lennestadt since 2 June.

Hurray, Tina has arrived! - the garden shed of the project garden has been put up

The project garden of spoga+gafa is gradually taking on its ultimate form: The garden shed has now also been erected. The garden blogger, Beatrice Degenhart, showed it to us.

Talking to: Fabian Keck, Executive Assistant, Hartman Outdoor Products Germany GmbH

"We are specialists in the garden furniture segment and have long been interested in the question of how we can design our furniture to be 'more sustainable'."

"Meet our visitors" with Johannes Jäger, Executive Director of the furniture store Jäger, www.jaeger-birkenau.de

The Corona crisis is also facing family businesses with special tasks. We spoke to Johannes Jäger, Executive Director of the furniture store Jäger.

"Meet Our Visitors" with Christian Dinger, Managing Partner of Dinger’s Gartencenter Köln GmbH & Co. KG

Catrin and Christian Dinger are fourth-generation gardeners. Dinger‘s Gartencenter was the first garden centre in Europe following the American example.

"Meet Our Visitors" with Jens Westerwelle, Managing Director Procurement, VME

The Corona crisis is currently also presenting procurement with huge challenges. We spoke about this with Jens Westerwelle, Managing Director Procurement with Möbelverband Einrichtungspartnerring VME.

"Meet Our Visitors" with Martina Mensing-Meckelburg, President of VDG e.V.

The corona crisis is also currently posing challenges for German garden centres. We spoke to Martina Mensing-Meckelburg, President of the VDG e.V.

„Meet Our Visitors“ with Jürgen Schuster, Managing Director of Garten-und-Freizeit.de

As the leading German online shop for high quality garden and leisure furniture, Garten-und-Freizeit.de has a head start on many companies when it comes to digitalisation.

„Meet Our Visitors“ with Mag. Gerald Socher, managing director of GIGA International

Especially in times of crisis, members can profit from the strengths and advantages of agile associations. GIGA International has demonstrated this.

Outdoor kitchens: variety for every taste

Outdoor kitchens are trendy and are becoming more and more versatile. About the new desire for outdoor cooking.

"The young generation wants pull now, and not push"

What long-term effects will the corona crisis have on the stationary trade? How can the green industry address young consumers? We talked with Florian Topf from OPUS Marketing about this.

POS: "Many things have to be self-explanatory at present"

The Corona crisis is currently presenting the stationary retail trade with huge challenges. POS design as a whole plays a subordinate role compared to this theme this year. We spoke with an expert about this.

Green concepts: Sustainable logistics

What effects does the theme sustainability have on the transport concepts of the green industry? Taking a look at current examples.

Diversity is called for: Plant selection for the sustainable garden

Sage, dahlias, savoury, yarrow, butterfly bush... the new spoga+gafa garden is gradually filling up and is getting green. But which plants turn it into a sustainable project?

Coronavirus crisis: Safety comes first in the gardening industry

The green sector in Germany is reacting to the current exceptional situation with joint measures. Diy stores and garden centers protect employees and customers.

3 questions for: Beatrice Degenhart (garden blogger)

The focus at spoga+gafa 2020 is on sustainable gardens. However, the theme will already be examined intensively and very practically in Cologne months before the trade fair in September: we are creating our own project garden.

Corona crisis: EDRA against the closure of DIY stores

The European DIY stores association is underlining the fact that DIY stores must also be classified as indispensable retail outlets during the current Corona crisis.

Bee-friendly - a garden for insects

The discussions of the last years on insect and bee protection are now starting to have an impact: The theme biodiversity is playing an important role for more and more garden owners also in one's own green space.

FYTA: Smart plant sensor coming soon

People and plants don’t talk the same language. That is why the communications are rather difficult. The company FYTA is striving to change this. With a smart sensor and the respective app, they intend to lend room plants a voice.

Sustainable gardens: State Garden Show Ingolstadt 2020

What makes our cities worth living? The Ingolstadt State Garden Show answers this question with sustainable garden concepts.

Create by Obi: Do it yourself at the POS

The DIY retail chain Obi motivates people to individually design their balcony - directly at the POS.

Garden work made easier and healthier

Lawn mowing, weeding and digging – garden work is not exactly easy on the back and joints. The new generation of garden tools are about to change all that.

Indoor gardening deco trend

People, who don't have their own garden, mustn't do without greenery. Indoor gardening has developed into the practical deco trend with plants and herbs.

Gardens of the Year 2020

The current highlights in garden design were distinguished at the award ceremony of Gardens of the Year 2020.

Climate change: BHB supports reforestation

Sustainability is an important theme for the BHB - the Trade Association for Home Improvement, Construction & Gardening e.V. Which is why it plans to plant 200,000 trees - not just anywhere in the world, but indeed here in Germany.

Natural living – inside and outdoors

Living is increasingly moving outdoors while nature is conquering the house. Both could be seen at the last imm cologne.

Higher quality: Interview with BBQ Blogger Camillo Tomanek

Camillo Tomanek is well-networked on the scene with his blog Don Caruso BBQ. We spoke to the 2008 World Champion Grill Master about the last spoga+gafa and future-looking developments within the BBQ industry.

POS design for Easter: Don't just place your bets on the classics!

As soon as Christmas is over, the green industry already sets its sights on Easter, the next seasonal business. We talked to a Marketing and Sales Consultant about the start of the new garden year.

The garden as sustainable space

"Sustainable gardens" is the focal theme of spoga+gafa 2020. In the scope of various events, lectures and on special exhibition areas it is to be demonstrated how a garden can be designed in a resource-saving and eco-friendly manner.

Outdoor furniture: New purism in the open air

Consciously doing without is currently also an ongoing trend in the outdoor furniture sector. New collections have an air of elegant minimalism.

For more green in the cities

The next storm or another hot summer can't be stopped, but we can ensure that our cities are better prepared for them in future. Many organisations and initiatives are currently campaigning for this.

Interview with Thomas Holzportz

Thomas Holzportz regularly publishes articles on barbecuing in his blog called baconzumsteak.de. We spoke to him about the latest developments on the BBQ scene and about sustainable meat consumption.

“One has to earn respect and recognition”

Martina Mensing-Meckelburg has been President of the German Garden Centre Association (Verbands Deutscher Garten-Center – VDG) for four years. We spoke to her about her tasks.

Prolonged drought: Focus on irrigation

After the drought summer last year, it has also been extraordinarily dry in many regions this spring. Hence, devices and automatic systems for irrigating the garden are particularly coming under focus in 2020.

Green office: Added value with plants

Plants improve the work climate. This recognition is not new, but it is one that is gaining in topicality again.

Without the garden there would be no art

Art connoisseur Roland Doschka is convinced that nature and gardens have influenced artists throughout the ages. He, on the other hand, allowed himself to be inspired by the work of famous painters when creating his garden.

"Laypersons have a better command of the social channels than companies"

The intention behind Silvia Appel's various social media channels is to enthuse people for living with plants. The 33-year-old woman from Würzburg/Germany has been active on the web under the name "Garten Fräulein" (Garden Miss) for six years already.

Christmas time: You can't satisfy every single customer

Especially during the pre-Christmas season a good POS design and appealing online marketing is very important. We discussed the topic with Oliver Mathys.

The largest collection of roses in the world

The small city of Sangerhausen is located on the mountain slopes of Südharz, Germany. Every summer a sea of millions of blossoms await the visitors there, because this is where the largest collection of roses in the world is at home.

Huge treasure trove for innovative ideas

On his tours around spoga+gafa 2019, Oliver Mathys was once again able to discover new ideas for the design of the POS. The marketing and sales consultant was also responsible for the realisation of the POS Green Solution Islands this year.

spoga+gafa 2019: Trends for outdoor furniture

From 1 to 3 September, the latest trends and topics for garden furniture and decoration were on show at spoga+gafa. An overview of new products for the upcoming outdoor season.

Successful spoga+gafa 2019

After three successful days, spoga+gafa 2019 came to a close on 3 September after recording an extremely positive result and an increased number of visitors. A good 40,000 trade visitors underlined the international significance of the trade fair.

New market research study on city gardening

The new “City Gardening” market research study was presented on the second day of the spoga+gafa garden trade fair. The study surveyed more than 1,000 city gardeners and gathered relevant market data on the topic.

Trendshow Outdoor Lifestyle

As the largest garden trade fair in the world, spoga+gafa presents the latest developments in outdoor design. One of the highlights of this year's fair is the Trendshow Outdoor Furniture & Decoration.

An overview: The event programme of spoga+gafa 2019

From 1 to 3 September the world's largest garden fair presented the current trends and theme worlds of the green industry in Cologne. In addition, once again 2019 a comprehensive event programme was offered. Here a few of the highlights:

3 questions for: Sonja Koschani (WD-40 Company)

The blue and yellow can with a red cap is well-known all over the world: The products of the WD-40 Company are sold in over 188 countries. The company is of course on board again at this year's garden fair, spoga+gafa.

Highlights of spoga+gafa: Interview with Stefan Lohrberg

As the largest garden trade fair in the world, spoga+gafa will be presenting all the new products for outdoor living from 30 May to 1 June. We talked to Stefan Lohrberg, Director of spoga+gafa, about the trade fair highlights and current developments in the industry.

Simply get inspired ...

"Wellness in Nature”, “Kids Garden”, “Flower Power”, “My Tiny Coffee Shop” and “City Gardening” – these are the themes of the POS Green Solution Islands at this year's spoga+gafa. Have a look and get inspired!

Practical Garden Day at spoga+gafa

spoga+gafa 2019 is presenting a special offer for landscape gardeners and the executing companies: The Practical Garden Day on 2 September addresses the theme planning and building for 50+.

IVG Power Place Akku & Power Place City Gardening

On the theme islands of spoga+gafa 2019 in hall 6, everything revolves around innovative and smart technologies for the garden, as well as new products for the patio and balcony. In addition to product presentations, there are also informative lectures.

Trendshow at spoga+gafa: Interview with Susanne Brandherm

Together with her office brandherm + krumrey Susanne Brandherm is the curator of this year's Trendshow at spoga+gafa. We talked to her about basic developments in outdoor design and her expectations for future trends.

3 questions for: Nicole Espey (BSI)

Nicole Espey has been Executive Director of the German Association of the Sporting Goods Industry (Bundesverband der Deutschen Sportartikel-Industrie – BSI) since 2014. The association is patron of spoga+gafa and spoga horse in Cologne.

Register now: Event highlights at spoga+gafa 2019

This year, too, an exciting event programme will be offered at and around the international garden trade fair in Cologne. Prior registration is required for some events. Here is an overview with direct links to registration.

Exciting and topical: Lectures and talks in the Garden Café Forum

spoga+gafa is also being accompanied by a diversified supporting programme in 2019. In the Garden Café Forum, exciting lectures and discussion rounds on current themes and issues of the green industry await the trade fair visitors.

There is great potential in pop-up stores

In May 2019, a hagebau DIY shop opened up a pop-up store in the city centre of Mülheim in Germany and presented a selected assortment of DIY products for a period of 90 days. The Executive Director, Timo Buhren, is presenting the project at this year's BHB GardenSummit.

Growing potential: new products for the contract business

As the largest garden fair in the world, the upcoming spoga+gafa will be showcasing a wide range of outdoor furniture and accessories - including numerous new products for the contract business.

“Eating has become one of the most important distinguishing features”

In October BEEF! is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The first food and lifestyle magazine for men was developed by Jan Spielhagen in 2009. He is still the Chief Editor of the successful publication today.

New survey on city gardening

Which special needs do big city dwellers have when gardening in urban spaces? Together the IFH Cologne, spoga+gafa is addressing this issue. We spoke to Jens-Peter Gödde from IFH about the new survey, "City Gardening".

City Gardening: furniture and accessories

In summer, city residents are drawn back outdoors. Every tiny outdoor space is used for relaxing in the open air. Exhibitors of spoga+gafa are offering new furniture and accessories for City Gardening.

SizzleBrothers – "Feuer und Flamme am Grill"

The BBQ/grill blog by the SizzleBrothers is online since 2015. Since then, the three friends from Hanover, Germany have been sharing new grilling recipes, instructions and tests with their ever-growing fan community every week.

City Gardening: The focus is on fun

A few years ago only a few people planted flowers and plants on tree slices or wasteland in urban districts. Today, more and more city dwellers are turning their immediate living environments into green spaces.

City Gardening: Barbeque on the balcony

Summertime is barbecue time - even on the balcony or the roof terrace. Exhibitors of spoga+gafa show how the best of the barbecue can be made in the city.

Green solutions: recycling in outdoor design

Current discussions revolve around the avoidance of plastic or closed material cycles. Exhibitors of spoga+gafa have been focusing on recycling and sustainable production processes for some time.

The entire world of the garden: A look at the spoga+gafa 2019

The largest garden fair in the world scores this year not only with a unique exhibition offer, but also with a tremendous depth. The emphasis is being placed on City Gardening.

City gardening isn’t just a topic for “environmentalists” anymore

Konni van Delft has been working as a freelance visual merchandiser since 1986. She advises garden centres and DIY stores throughout Europe. We spoke with her about the current trends in POS design.

Groundbreaking platform: The “Trendshow Outdoor Furniture & Decoration”

Global megatrends significantly shape our lives and living. The influence of topics such as urbanization or sustainability on the latest outdoor design is demonstrated by the "Trendshow Outdoor Furniture & Decoration" at the upcoming spoga+gafa.

Special experience: BBQ and Concept stores

With the increasing popularity of BBQ, the demands of consumers have also increased. Therefore, special store concepts are countering the growing online trade with an extraordinary shopping experience.

City Gardening: New focus of spoga+gafa

The increased urbanisation is one of the global mega trends of our era: More and more people are moving to the city. Hence, spoga+gafa is setting a new main focus with "City Gardening".

Are there alternatives to peat?

Substrate manufacturers, environmentalists and consumers have been dealing with the issue of peat for years. There is a great deal of commitment to find sustainable alternatives for gardening.

In the garden with: Erwin Meier-Honegger (Ernst Meier AG)

Erwin Meier-Honegger and his sister manage the Swiss family business Ernst Meier AG with one of the most innovative garden centres in Europe.

Strengthening and protecting box trees

The box tree (buxus) is extremely popular among garden owners. However, at the moment it has developed into a problem case in many places.

Outdoor Kitchen: Gas grills are particularly popular

The assortment of grill products was one of the growth drivers of the green industry once again in 2018. The summer with its record temperatures also played a significant role here.

"DIY stores must continue to hone their stationary profile"

Since December 2018, the ‘Handelsverband Heimwerken, Bauen und Garten – BHB’ has a new executive spokesman: Dr. Ralf Bartsch.

How digital is the green industry?

Hardly any other development in recent years has confronted companies with such major challenges as digitalisation. The technical progress in this area is often so fast that many have a hard time keeping up.

“One should always have a plan B for the summer”

Oliver Mathys is an acknowledged market expert and networker of the green industry. He develops sales concepts for garden centres and DIY stores and supports them with the implementation thereof throughout the whole of Europe. We talked to him about his ideas for POS design in the summer and about what garden centres should definitely pay attention to during these months.

In the garden with: Volker Püschel

Volker Püschel won the “Garden of the Year 2019” competition with a house garden designed by him. We talked with the landscape architect about his award-winning project, enchanted ruins as a design element and today’s demands on garden planning.

3 questions for: Jürg Zwahlen (Birchmeier Sprühtechnik AG)

The extensive product assortment of Birchmeier AG extends from small hand spray devices to spray systems for carrying on the back or on carts and is used worldwide in the house or garden, in agriculture, in the most varied trades and in industry.

Natural air conditioning: plants on facades and on roofs

The cities are growing all over the world. This not only increases the population, but also the density of the development. Greened façades and roofs can help to improve the climate and air quality in urban areas. Current projects therefore allow plants to grow on and on houses.

In the garden with: Armin Rehberg (Landgard eG)

Armin Rehberg has been the CEO of Landgard, Germany’s largest marketing producer cooperative for flowers and plants, fruit and vegetables, since mid-2013.

“The growth rate of the cordless garden appliances is over 50 percent”

From pruning shears to chainsaws, through to robotic lawnmowers or ride-on mowers – the specialised department “Garden and Lawn Care Appliances” of the Industrieverband Garten (IVG) e.V. (Industry Garden Association) unites all of the manufacturers of products that are needed for the care of a beautiful garden.

Durable quality: weatherproof materials for outdoor furniture

Last summer has shown what effects climate change can have. Manufacturers of outdoor furniture are adapting to such climatic changes with particularly durable materials.

In the garden with: John W. Herbert (European Retail Association)

John. W. Herbert, general secretary of the European Retail Association (EDRA), is the “elder statesman” in the DIY landscape. For 35 years he has been in charge of leading positions in German and international DIY companies as well as in national and international DIY associations.

Indoor Farming: herb gardens in the kitchen

Especially in winter, we long for something green in our own four walls. So why not plant a herb garden in the kitchen? “Indoor Farming” is the urban trend towards self-sufficiency in herbs and vegetables.

Garden of the Year 2019

From gardens with ruins, to grass gardens with a pool, through to the small city oasis with a circular lawn – the gardens of the year voted at Schloss Dyck in Rhineland on 8 February show the wide spectrum of current garden design and give an insight into present trends.