We had cause to visit a well known nation-wide merchant's today to grab some items we needed to address a problem at a site. While loading, I happened to see a large Banner strung across the wire fencing announcing a 'new' Landscaping Brochure.
However, on turning around I was presented with this 'Hard Landscape Display' area (presumably displaying Marshall's and other products), also being used for staff parking.. :
Totally unloved, taken over by weeds and Buddleja. What does this say to prospective purchasers, landscapers &clients - that they don't care ? This is not unique, I could name and shame a few other depots that also exhibit the same "care".
I do not know who funds the initial build of these display areas, but if I were a Product Supplier I would be mortified....
Take a look the next time you visit your local depot and see how your industry is represented.
What do you think ?
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Replies
your spot on Gary
all the hard landscaping displays I see now what got build over the last 4 - 5 years at both national and local merchants across the north west have either been removed or are in a similar state to your photo
what most merchants have been changing to in my area are vertical displays with just under 1m2 on each display board with 2 different contrasting products on top of each other hanging on a steel frame in the shape of a Z
these are manufactured by Marshalls and branded to suit each merchants and they do look very good and still look good a few years down the line too, they take up much less space in the merchants yard than a hard landscaping display would, they don't get weeds growing on them and can be replaced with new product boards quite easily
so I think I am right in saying the days have gone of seeing the product laid out like you would in your garden instead choosing what your require out of the brochure and from the display boards or samples - it works for me :-)
I've seen some similar, displayed on a "slant frame" at a couple of BM's where space is tight but can not remember seeing locally the types in your photo. Maybe, there is a roll-out coming South....?
I can see they would be easier to update and 'maintain' where there is no interest in the presentation element from the depot. If so, they should fully remove the "laid" displays as soon as possible.
Built this for my local Buildbase - as display of Bradstone paving with local bricks typical to the area. Have to admit the plants have died in the heat and lack of watering so need to replace. They also have Bradstone vertical displays to compliment. Some companies see the benefit. Looks at London Stone's new display being built - amazing!
Looks good Craig...and encouraging to see a BM using Landscapers to show what they do best :-)
I think London Stone have set very high standards in displaying products at their West London Showroom and at the Southern Showroom ( which is still under construction ).
i wandered through london stones new display garden today, and to be honest, it is a big investment and will look tired in a few years, but if a customer asks where can i see the product... well, i'll be sending them along to the coolings green and pleasant and another firm local to me who have a good dispay garden.
other than that i give people the paving catalogues and samples, the pictures in a paving catalogue are always fresh and never covered in dust or bird poop.
if you hadn't pointed out the pic was a display garden, i expect i would just have walked past with another glance.
I was typing a similar reply Gary, the brochures are top notch theses days, link that with a product sample laid out at the customers home and they can totally visualise what they will be getting rather than having an idea in their head from walking on a display at a merchants and forgetting what it was like as soon as they arrive home
there is no doubt about it the display being constructed by London Stone is fantastic but a couple of years down the line when a few of products are discontinued it can soon become yesterdays idea, dated and tired looking
lets hope I am proven wrong
Curious, why do you think it will become tired ?
I suspect they will update the displays with new products seeing as though it is one of their main sales aids...and it is the 'only' product they sell (unlike a BM). However, I do like the LS Display Packs which allows the product to be shown by the Designer/Contractor at the client's home.
Stuart Diprose Land-Scape.co.uk said:
Think the displays help with walk in traffic.
Would always visit a potential client with catalogue and follow up with samples.
As for looking tired - suspect London Stone and have had the discussion with Buildbase will update, add, modify over time to keep on trend!
Gary, was an excellent opportunity to build it for them and nice to be asked; l was asked because of my Bradstone Assured status and l buy almost all my materials from them so have a good relationship. Work was completed for free but they recommend me to customers who ask and have put up a sign above the display with all my details.
The London Stone display pack is excellent - asked Bradstone about getting one - they said it was unfeasible for their amount of products but would put me together some samples if l wanted. I didn't take it further as samples get delivered quickly.
just weathering, dirt, foot traffic, birdlime, plants getting old and woody etc. that lovely crisp render/k rend or whatever it is on the raised beds, just loves to show stains. if they are selling enough material on the back of the garden then they can renew displays, but it will be interesting to see how it works - intentions are one thing, the real world is something else.
They will be in a very exclusive club if they manage to keep it looking 'garden fresh' - and i do hope they manage to do it
i would imagine everything has stain stop on it, lets see how it works!
Gary RK said:
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