The landscaping market - France (2024)

The global landscaping market was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many companies initially suspending or slowing down their operations. Despite this setback, demand for landscaping services shifted towards customization, eco-friendly options and improved outdoor comfort thanks to features such as heated terraces and advanced lighting systems. The French market, in particular, saw sales grow by more than 13% to almost 5.9 billion euros. However, the pandemic caused an estimated 40% drop in sales for the first half of 2020 compared with the second half of 2019. Investments in the sector increased, indicating a focus on recovery and environmental responsibility, with a 30% rise in investments, totaling 415 million euros.

Public demand for urban green spaces continues to grow, not least because of benefits such as pollution reduction and social cohesion, even though 8 out of 10 French people feel that cities lack greenery. In terms of market structure, the landscaping sector is characterized by a large number of small businesses, 64.5% of which are independent entities with no employees, while companies with more than 5 employees account for over half of total market sales. The profession requires a certain level of training, with around 85% of graduates and an apprenticeship rate of 11% among employees.

Despite the challenges, the outlook for the industry remains optimistic, with continued growth driven by an increased appreciation of outdoor living spaces and environmental considerations.

Growing demand reflects a thriving French landscaping market

The French landscaping market experienced dynamic growth, celebrating an increase in demand in its various segments. With an impressive growth rate that more than doubled the world average, the market rose from 5.25 to 5.4 billion euros to around 5.9 billion euros. This represents a jump in sales of over 13%, mainly divided between public contracts, private contracts and major private contracts. Households make up a significant proportion of this booming market, with almost 63% of private households in France owning a garden, 58% of which are private and 5% shared. This inclusion is further extended by the provision of gardens or terraces to around 70% of households, suggesting a potential audience of 15 to 20 million households for garden-related furnishing and landscaping services.

The vitality of the market is also reflected in the variety of requests. More than eight out of ten people surveyed said they called on professional services for gardening work at least once a year. Tree and hedge maintenance is the most frequently outsourced landscaping job. What's more, despite the seasonal nature of the sector, with spring being the season when sales are highest, consumer interest remains sustained throughout the year.

An analysis of consumer trends in 2020-2021 depicts changing preferences, with custom additions, water features, heated terraces and the stylish integration of sustainable outdoor furniture such as teak, metal and glass high on wish lists. While the Covid-19 pandemic undeniably caused disruption, bringing business to a temporary halt for around 71% of landscaping companies, recovery is on the horizon.

It is encouraging to note that investment has not fallen off, with companies spending 415 million euros on developing the sector, representing a 30% increase on last year's figures

that's 30% more than in 2016 and represents around 7% of their cumulative sales. In essence, the French landscaping market reveals a dynamic ecosystem enriched by environmental awareness, an expanding customer base and a resilient response to economic challenges. With a significant proportion of the population engaged in garden culture, and a demonstrated willingness on the part of homeowners to invest in the upkeep and improvement of their outdoor spaces, the market is poised to maintain its upward trajectory in the years ahead.

Key players in the landscaping and gardening supplies market

The landscaping and gardening supplies market is characterized by a dynamic mix of companies specializing in various aspects of the beautification and maintenance of outdoor spaces. Among these players, a few stand out for their specialization and market penetration.

• Sauvaje (Greendeco) is a name associated with sophisticated landscaping solutions. Positioned as a company that responds to bespoke landscaping needs, Greendeco has helped bring to life outdoor spaces that resonate with harmony and elegance, harmoniously blending nature and artistic design.
• Daniel Moquet has made its mark on the market with a solid approach to landscaping driveways and outdoor spaces. The company's signature is based on the creation of functional and aesthetic surfaces that link the different areas of a garden or outdoor landscape, adding coherence to the overall landscape design.
• Le Blanc Paysage-Piscine offers dual expertise in landscaping and pool installation, occupying a niche segment of the market. By focusing on the integration of water features into gardens, Le Blanc Paysage-Piscine has established itself as a benchmark for those seeking to add the tranquility of water features to their outdoor spaces.
• Lantana Paysage is a dynamic entity with a holistic approach to landscaping. Its portfolio includes a variety of services and large-scale projects that demonstrate its landscaping skills, with a particular emphasis on sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices.
• Maillard Paysage is renowned for its attentive approach to creating and maintaining green spaces that reflect the unique preferences of its customers. From private gardens to corporate outdoor spaces, Maillard Paysage demonstrates versatility and dedication to landscape beauty and functionality.
• Ginkgo Green Spaces focuses on introducing a piece of nature into urban spaces. They specialize in creating refreshing green zones that enhance the ecological value and visual appeal of urban spaces, contributing to the overall improvement of metropolitan living environments.
• Meanwhile, the garden furniture and supplies segment is dominated by heavyweights such as Jardiland, Truffaut and Leroy Mer lin, each of which offers a comprehensive range of products for the gardening and outdoor furnishings market. Their extensive networks and customer-focused services have made them leaders in supplying the essentials for gardening enthusiasts and landscaping professionals.
• Villaverde completes this list by merging the offerings of a typical garden center with the versatility of a larger retailer, offering customers a one-stop experience for all their gardening and outdoor needs.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 27/05/2024

Summary and extracts

List of charts presented in this market study

• Growth in the landscaping market
• Overall sales in the landscaping sector
• Sales by customer
• France's favorite garden materials
• Trends in google searches for "landscaper" and "gardener
• Breakdown of investments by type of purchase
• Evolution of the share of investment in landscape sector sales
• Evolution of the share of investments dedicated to CSR
• Share of annual garden sales by month
• Evolution of interest in the term "garden furniture"
• Size of the global landscaping market
• Breakdown of landscaping sales
• Market breakdown by company size
• Breakdown of jobs by gender
• Breakdown of sales by customer and company size
• Poll: "Do you think there are enough green spaces downtown?"
• Poll: "Which places do you think lack greenery?"
• Percentage of French people with a garden and/or terrace
• Why do the French use their gardens?
• Breakdown of gardening services entrusted to a professional
• Poll: "How often do you use landscaping or design services for your garden?"
• Is looking after your garden a hassle or a pleasure?
• Breakdown of companies by year of creation
• Short-term recruitment outlook for landscape sector entrepreneurs
• Hiring difficulties
• Recruitment difficulties for permanent staff