Entrepreneurs in the German landscaping industry are optimistic. Their order books are filled, and it looks like they will be for the rest of 2021. “We were able to continue our work despite Covid-19, which we’re really grateful for”, says Lutze von Wurmb, chairman of the Bundesverbandes Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau.
Last autumn, the German association for landscaping companies, Bundesverbandes Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau (BGL), conducted a survey to get insight into the mood among its members. The results showed that most members felt positive about their current economic situation. They reported that Covid-19 hadn’t changed much. In fact, some companies did better than in previous years. Around 97% of the respondents described their current economic situation as ‘satisfactory’. 94% indicated they felt positive about their economic outlook for the next five years. 10% even described their prospects as ‘excellent’.
“As an industry, we can only be delighted with these positive outcomes. Especially when you realise that the coronavirus pandemic turned 2020 into an unprecedented crisis year for society, with uncertain and dramatic developments for the national economy”, says BGL chairman Von Wurmb. “In 2020, many people invested in their quality of life at home, instead of going on holiday for example. They spent more money on their gardens. It’s led to a strong trend of residential garden maintenance, which the landscaping industry benefits from.”
Turnover increase thanks to residential gardens
Domestic gardens account for around 58% of the total turnover of the German landscaping sector, making this category the biggest earner. “Despite the general economic downturn due to Covid-19, we still think 2021 will be a good year for this specific segment” says Von Wurmb. (..)
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