After exceptionally difficult weather conditions in December which are likely to challenge the success of this year's lawn care category, retailers are being urged to provide additional support and reassurance to customers.
With the final month of 2015 officially declared the warmest on record and the wettest in more than a hundred years, consumers are expected to return to their gardens with a degree of uncertainty.

However, DLF/Johnsons Lawn Seed consumer manager Guy Jenkins says these conditions could still provide an opportunity to demonstrate product knowledge and engender increased customer loyalty.

"We need to reassure garden centre customers that they can carry on investing in lawn care as normal," he said. "There's bound to be more than a small amount of trepidation - especially in the north, in flood-affected areas, and where there has been snow on the ground.

"Other scare stories regarding cold weather yet to come may also have an effect, causing many customers to think much more carefully about when or even if they can start sowing.

"During periods of consumer uncertainty like this, it's essential that problem-solving products are pushed to the front of the shelf."

The company says there are many other basic dos and don'ts associated with the merchandising of lawn care.

For instance, do make it easy for customers to tell the difference between similar products, for example, by highlighting a product using visual recommendation, double facing products, and price promotions.

Don't assume customers know how to care for their lawn, but don't condescend either - ideally, have shop floor staff on hand with reliable product knowledge, and when they aren't around, POS showing relevant advice can also be invaluable.