Continuing growth for garden centres

The 30 biggest German garden centre operators have increased their total number of outlets over the past twelve months by 4.2 per cent. 85 new garden centres were added between August 2003 and July 2004, bringing the total to 2 110 stores at home and abroad. This means that the increase in the number of outlets is slightly higher than the rate of growth for retail area at 4.0 per cent. The statistics for this branch published by Dähne Verlag and its German internet service PETonline reveal a number of changes, including shifts in the sales area league table. Here Hornbach has ousted Hagebau from third position as a result of a disproportionate amount of growth in its retail space.