Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
According to a survey from John Deere, 44% of millennials aspire to have their lawns thrive, putting more time and effort into lawn care, whereas 37% of older generations plan to do the same. As the temperature rises and home improvement retailers bring in lawn care products, now is the time to think about how to make your store a green thumb destination.
The same John Deere survey says although millennials care more about their lawns, they are not as well-versed as older generations. To help alleviate the stress of stocking your lawn care category, here are two types of products to help all generations take care of their lawns.
Battery-Powered Mania
With consumer sentiment switching to battery-powered everything, having multiple options is key to reaching every customer wanting to make the switch. EGO has been producing electric lawn care tools for years. Recently, its Power+ 21” Mower has been popular among those switching to batteries. In addition to new brands coming onto the market, legacy hardware brands are now offering electric options to their corded or gas-powered tools. The Dewalt 20V MAX Brushless Cordless Edger is a great option for those looking for a budget electric lawn tool, plus, like with many brands, its batteries are compatible across its tool line. For shrub maintenance, the Makita 18V LXT® Lithium‑Ion Cordless 24″ Hedge Trimmer is another great option for those already using the Makita system.
Lawn Automation
As technology worldwide improves, more consumers are looking for ways to automate aspects of their lives. Lawn care has traditionally been time consuming; mowing, weeding, edging and watering the lawn can take hours. By selling items that make those tasks easier, you’re helping customers save time and giving them the ability to work on other tasks. The Premium Hose End Timer from Rain Bird hooks onto a traditional water spout and lets users set times when they want to water their lawns. Another product to stock that can help customers automate their lawn care may seem like a gimmick but can save large amounts of time—the optimow® 50H Robotic Lawn Mower from Green Works Tools. Robotic lawn mowers are becoming increasingly popular, as it is similar to an indoor robotic vacuum. With the ability to mow up to 1/2 an acre, this lawn robot is a great choice for customers with small- to medium-sized yards.
