Steady growth for OPE is in the forecast

Demand for power lawn and garden equipment in the United States is expected to rise 3.2% per year to $11.7 billion in 2019. 

That’s one of the forecasts from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.

Through 2019, gains will be supported by accelerating growth in the single-family housing stock and the number of landscaping establishments, which will result in increased demand for both consumer and commercial grade equipment.  Sales will also benefit from ongoing technological innovations, including improvements to battery-powered products that allow for longer run times and faster recharging.

The residential market accounts for the majority of power lawn and garden equipment sales.  Gains will primarily stem from expansion of the market as the housing stock increases.  Gains in the commercial market are expected to outpace those in the residential market, driven by accelerating growth in the number of landscaping establishments as more homes and businesses outsource these services. However, growth in the commercial market will be restrained to a degree by weakness in the golf industry as the net number of golf courses continues to decline. 

Sales of consumer grade lawnmowers will benefit from the expansion in the housing stock, supporting demand for both new and replacement lawnmowers.  Value gains will be boosted by growing consumer interest in higher end models, such as riding mowers, electric types, and those that feature self-propulsion.  According to analyst Katherine Brink, “Although robotic lawnmowers are expected to remain a niche product in the residential market through the forecast period, sales will triple through 2019 as the number of product offerings increases and prices begin to come down.” 

Freedonia laid out its forecast and trends in a report called “Power Lawn & Garden Equipment.”