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Trend Report AMES Companies and the latest in consumer gardening 

The AMES Companies, through its iconic brands such as Apta and Easy Fountain, continues to lead the charge in addressing the latest consumer gardening trends. With innovative introductions like the Apta Signature collection and Easy Fountains solar and solar hybrid water features, AMES is perfectly positioned to meet the evolving demands of gardening enthusiasts. 

These trends reflect a cultural shift towards creating personalised, multifunctional, and wellness-focused outdoor spaces, blending style with sustainability. Gardening for wellness and mindfulness Gardening has long been celebrated for its therapeutic benefits, and this mindset continues to resonate deeply with consumers. 

As awareness of mental health grows, outdoor spaces are being transformed into sanctuaries for relaxation and mindfulness. Easy Fountains solar and solar hybrid water features bring a soothing presence to these spaces, their gentle cascades of water masking urban noise and promoting a sense of calm. The benefits of gardening extend beyond mental health, encompassing physical wellbeing as well. Digging into the earth stirs up beneficial microbes in the soil, and inhaling these microbes has been shown to stimulate serotonin production in the brain. This natural process promotes relaxation and happiness, reinforcing the holistic health benefits of gardening. With this knowledge, it is clear that gardeners should have the right tools for the job. 

AMES' dedication to quality and durability ensures that gardeners are equipped to fully embrace the physical and emotional rewards of their efforts. 

Adapting to smaller, flexible spaces 

The trend for smaller, flexible spaces reflects the realities of urban living, where compact homes and balconies are increasingly common. The average UK house is now much smaller than it used to be, with new build gardens typically measuring just 255m2. In London, this figure drops dramatically, with outdoor spaces averaging only 144m2 if properties are lucky enough to have a garden at all. Adding to this, the UK government has set out new targets to build 1.5 million new homes in the next five years, meaning smaller footprint for our lives will become even more prevalent. 

Consumers are finding innovative ways to adapt, turning even the smallest areas into multifunctional havens. The Apta Signature collection speaks directly to this need, offering a curated range of pots that are not only stylish but also versatile. These pots enable gardeners to personalise their planting schemes, bringing vibrancy and sophistication to their spaces. 

Likewise, Easy Fountains lightweight and portable designs allow for effortless reconfiguration, making them ideal for small-scale gardening projects as much as they suit larger garden spaces that call for impactful, statement designs. Together these range including designs that crossover from pots to water features for a truly cohesive look enhance the growing popularity of balcony and container gardening, where creativity thrives despite limited square footage. 

Sustainability and the circular economy 

Sustainability continues to be a key driver of consumer purchasing decisions, influencing the choices of environmentally conscious gardeners and shaping the strategies of forward-thinking brands. A growing emphasis on the circular economy is encouraging businesses to explore innovative ways to reduce waste and extend the lifecycle of their products. Brands like Apta are leading the way by incorporating recycled and upcycled materials into its designs, ensuring its offerings align with the values of eco-aware consumers. 

This commitment to sustainability is further reinforced by AMES enduring reputation for quality and durability. AMES Tools exemplify this ethos by providing products designed to last, highlighted by their 10-year guarantee. This approach not only supports waste reduction through the promotion of long-lasting items but also fosters consumer trust. 

By investing in durable, reliable tools, gardeners are encouraged to adopt a more sustainable approach, reducing the need for frequent replacements and contributing to a greener future. Affordable Updates with High ImpactRecent data by GfK has identified a shift in consumer priorities. With budgets tightened there is a renewed focus on affordable solutions that deliver maximum impact. Large-scale landscaping projects many of which were undertaken during lockdown and big-ticket expenditure are increasingly being replaced by smaller, more manageable investments that offer both aesthetic and emotional rewards. 

The Apta Signature collection reflects this change in consumer behaviour, offering a range of stylish, high-impact pots that transform garden spaces with minimal expenditure. These versatile additions allow homeowners to refresh their outdoor areas effortlessly throughout the season, with lots of smaller purchases adding up to something much bigger and a unified look that echoes how we decorate and dress our indoor rooms. 

Meanwhile, Easy Fountains solar water features provide a sustainable and elegant option for enhancing outdoor spaces, creating a focal point and source of natural sound. These eco-friendly designs blend functionality with beauty, delivering a serene and tranquil atmosphere while keeping energy consumption low thanks to the solar power source. Inspiration and aspiration within garden retail Garden centres continue to be a source of inspiration for many, drawing shoppers who seek ideas and aspirations for their own outdoor spaces. 

The AMES Companies understands this dynamic, creating products that evoke aspirational lifestyles while remaining accessible. 

Displays that pair products from across the full AMES portfolio such as Apta Pots and Kelkay horticultural grits and growing media create the ultimate potting bench. Similarly, Easy Fountain displays integrate aggregates and water features to create realistic garden sets. These displays are becoming increasingly important as the trend of outdoor rooms has gained momentum, with consumers increasingly treating their gardens as extensions of their homes.

The Apta Signature collection, with its emphasis on design-led aesthetics and collectible design, and Easy Fountains tranquil water features play a pivotal role in realising this vision, bridging the gap between indoors and outdoors, whilst helping retailers to increase the average basket spend as shoppers are enticed to buy the look. By making it easy for consumers to realise the proposed end-look, retailers are likely to see shoppers purchase more than they originally came in for, as the why not mentality drives up sales. The AMES Companies commitment to innovation

 The AMES Companies' dedication to addressing these trends is evident in its innovative product offerings. By focusing on mental wellbeing, adaptability for small spaces, sustainability, and aspirational design, AMES empowers consumers to create outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and meaningful. Whether its through the versatility of Apta's designs or the calming presence of Easy Fountains water features, AMES remains a trusted leader in the gardening market, inspiring gardeners to transform their spaces into true extensions of their personal lifestyles.

Find out more To find out more about how the AMES Companies is creating new trend-led sales opportunities within garden retail across its full family of brands, please visit HYPERLINK http//www.ames-uk.comwww.ames-uk.com.

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