Just after Mother’s Day, nine Dutch bulb growers visited London to study the ornamentals market there. If they had to draw one conclusion after their visit, the members of the youth organisation of trade association KAVB would say that there is a market for almost every quality grade; there are great differences between the London supermarkets, DIY stores and wholesalers.
From dried-out hyacinths to super-sleek XL tulips: there was a lot to see during the intensive tour of London the entrepreneurs were on, guided by marketeers Carl and Ward Schoutsen of ConsumerView. Growers were especially curious about the offering, the pricing and the presentation.
The bus took the group directly from Luton airport to Aylett Garden Centre, a large garden centre just outside London. The greenhouses also include trays of plugged plants. “Since Covid, the British, too, have massively taken to home-growing their own plants,” explained garden-centre employee Marcus Cousins. It turns out that British customers mainly buy outdoor plants. Although Covid has changed this somewhat, indoor plants are really less popular. “At the first ray of sun, the Brits head out,” added Carl Schoutsen.
