We know the demographics of our customers but buyer behaviour is a little more tricky to pin down. However, if there is one thing we are sure of here at Lazy Susan, it is that when the sun shines, many of us will buy new garden furniture. The two go hand-in-hand like strawberry sales during Wimbledon!
During the pandemic, we had to adapt to spending more time at home, and with that came a greater appreciation of the physical, mental and emotional value we can derive from our outdoor spaces, no matter how big or small that plot may be.
This is a trend that we know we'll see continue into summer 2023, and that desire to “beautify” our gardens so we can make the most of the time we spend in them is, fortunately for us, a bug we as consumers don’t want to shake.
We're seeking to create spaces we can relax in and unwind, and the furniture we put out there is essential for us to do that.
As a part of the wider industry, we have been part of the significant strides in the UK towards better materials, designs and functionality in outdoor furniture.
As consumers we shop smarter now too, taking the time to research which material best suits the UK climate, which style of furniture works best with our homes and gardens and what types of furniture will best fit in terms of function.
It makes sense that we look to make those purchases when the weather is warm and the sun is shining. That’s when we get outside and can start to really think about what it was we need. Get a feel for what’s missing or what we can add to use the space better.
Here at Lazy Susan, our sales spike dramatically during the summer months but even more so when the weather is warm and sunny. If the forecast is sunny on a weekend, then we know that our warehouse will be extremely busy packing pallets the following week!
But is the summertime the best time to buy new garden furniture though?
That is what we intend to answer for you in this article. Now, of course, we can’t speak for the industry as a whole. We can only present the facts as we see them and tell you when we think the best time of year is to buy and why. In reality, the best time to buy is when you have the money to spend, the time to accept the delivery and the requirement for new garden furniture.
There are advantages and disadvantages to buying in each season though, such as stock levels, service quality, delivery lead times, cost, savings, etc, and that is what we want to focus on in this blog post. After all, the best purchase decisions are made when it is an informed purchase.
Is winter the best time to buy new garden furniture?
The fact we associate garden furniture with sunshine and we’re more inclined to purchase in summer doesn’t mean we can’t buy it online out of season from dedicated retailers such as Lazy Susan. The Home/DIY superstores may only have it in stock for the summer but for us it is all year.
In winter, of course, our sales drop dramatically. Mind there is no rest for the team as they’re focussed on the upcoming summer season. It is the perfect opportunity for us to review and plan for the following summer, make improvements to products, processes and systems. That said, ordering new garden furniture out of season can be a savvy move.
For the UK garden furniture and wider garden products industry, we generally follow the meteorological calendar, so our winter season generally runs from the start of December to the end of February. Of course, as we sit and draft this article in March there is snow on the ground, so it is more of a guide to what we are doing as a business rather than what Mother Nature is doing.
When there is snow on the ground, we won’t be spending any real quality time in our gardens, but it is a good time to start any planning in terms of improvements we want to make to them. If you’re in the market for new garden furniture, then whilst many don’t buy in winter, it is a great time to research. This is definitely reflected in consumer behaviour, as whilst we don’t see large sales volumes at Lazy Susan, we do see a significant increase in Sample Swatch orders, newsletter registrations and social media followers.
Is spring the best time to purchase new garden furniture?
Spring is what we call our pre-season, and it runs from the beginning of March until the end of May. The January blues are behind as the daffodils start to bloom, and the milder weather means we start looking at spring cleaning our gardens and home improvement.
With that comes an increase in sales from the savvy shoppers who buy now to beat the summer rush and get their new garden furniture delivered, assembled and ready for the first BBQ.
You are likely to find a sale bargain at this time of year as the industry is looking to kick start the summer season and gearing up to launch our new products. See details of our "get set for spring" promotion at the bottom of this page.
Here at Lazy Susan, if you’ve spent the winter months planning and researching home and garden improvements, then we say get your order in nice and early. Take advantage of our spring promo and bundle deals to grab a bargain. You’re more likely to find what you want in stock and it can be on your patio ready to use!
Is summer the best time to purchase new garden furniture?
Traditionally our peak summer season would cover June, July and August but we often find it runs more until the end of September and then things slow down. And we understand why people purchase at this time of year. Shopping is such an emotive and psychological thing - it's not called retail therapy for nothing!
However, the downside of purchasing during the peak summer season is that everyone else is doing it too. Lead times could be longer due to high demand or low stock in our warehouse. If the weather is nice then we will be busy.
Of course, we forecast for this and will hold a large amount of stock in the warehouse of our best-selling ranges such as our June, Catherine, Alice or Mia. But our advice is always to shop early if you can.
The big advantage of buying in the summer is that you have the perfect warm sunny weather to set it up on your patio though. Order in the off-season and you may have to pop those boxes in the garage or shed until things warm up.
Is autumn the best time to purchase new garden furniture?
Our summer season will draw to a close around the end of September and sales will slow down as the weather turns and the nights start to draw in. This is also when you’ll start seeing promotions such as end-of-season sales, Cyber Monday and Black Friday, etc.
If you want to grab a bargain, then the end of the season is often the time to do it. The downside is it is often the pieces or sets that have been discontinued or haven’t sold as well.
For example, if there’s a specific set or item of furniture you want from our collection, then you’re taking a risk leaving it until autumn. It could be sold out by the time summer is over.
When is the best time to buy new garden furniture from Lazy Susan?
In our opinion, the best time to buy new garden furniture is in the spring. Pre-season is when we will have our best-selling garden furniture in stock, we can despatch it quickly and it will be delivered with time for you to get it set up on your patio and ready for when the weather warms up.
But, as we stressed at the start, that has to work for you. At Lazy Susan we follow a seasonal calendar but sell patio furniture all year round, so when you’re ready to order, you can order from us.
We generally don’t do big end-of-season sales as our collection is designed to last for many years not be the latest fad. Our bundle deals are available all year round and we offer regular promotions and discount codes such as the spring promo below and when you sign up for our newsletter. We also have our popular clearance section where you’ll find our garden furniture at reduced prices.
Whichever season you choose to purchase new garden furniture, there will be advantages and disadvantages. The best advice we can give is to never settle for second best. Get the garden furniture set you really want and will best fit with how you like to use your outdoor space.
We regularly see people buy a sale item that is not what they need. Maybe they’ll think they can get away with a 4-seater instead of a 6 or an outdoor sofa instead of a dining-style garden table because they’re in the end-of-summer sale. Only to find them replacing it with what they actually wanted the following year.
To get the best garden furniture for how you like to spend time in your garden and that will fit with the style of your home, shop around and do some research. Starting the buying process now (in spring pre-season) means you are shopping from the full range, there’s much greater choice and availability, and you can make a more informed buying decision.