GARDEN CARTS AND WHEELBARROWS MARKET ANALYSIS

The Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows market size is valued at US$ 2.84 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 4.61 Billion by 2031, grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% from 2024 to 2031

Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows Market Regional Insights

• North America is expected to be the largest market for Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows Market during the forecast period, accounting for over 32.4% of the market share in 2023. The growth of the market in North America is attributed to the high adoption of gardening as a recreational activity and robust demand from the landscaping industry.
• The Asia Pacific market is expected to be the second-largest market for Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows Market, accounting for over 37.6% of the market share in 2023. The growth of the market in is attributed to rapid urbanization and expanding middle class population in emerging economies like India and China.
• The Middle East & Africa market is expected to grow for Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows Market, with a CAGR of over 9% during the forecast period. The growth of the market in Middle East & Africa is attributed to increasing construction of large residential properties and villas creating substantial demand for gardening/landscaping equipment.

Figure 1. Global Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows Market Share (%), by Region, 2023

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Analyst Viewpoint

The garden carts and wheelbarrows market is expected to witness steady growth in the North America region over the forecast period. Increased residential and commercial construction activities along with rising home improvement and remodeling projects are the major factors driving the demand for garden carts and wheelbarrows in North America. Europe is also expected to hold a significant share in the global market due to high focus on urban gardening and backyard beautification in countries like Germany, France, and Italy. However, high equipment and raw material costs may restrict market growth to some extent in developed regions of North America and Europe. The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to provide lucrative opportunities for garden carts and wheelbarrows manufacturers over the next few years. Rapid urbanization, growth in gardening as a hobby, and rising disposable incomes are projected to boost market demand in Asia Pacific countries like China, India, and Japan. The Latin America garden carts and wheelbarrows market is anticipated to witness steady growth. Increased government investments to promote urban forestry and expand green spaces are projected to drive the market. The Middle East and Africa region represents untapped potential, especially GCC countries witnessing strong infrastructure growth. However, supply chain and logistics challenges remain a key restraint in these emerging regions. Overall, North America and Europe are expected to continue

Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows Market Drivers:

• Increasing DIY Activities and Gardening Hobby: The increasing interest in DIY and gardening as a hobby has been a major driver for the garden carts and wheelbarrows market. With more people taking up gardening and landscaping projects at home, the demand for equipment like wheelbarrows and carts has risen significantly. The COVID-19 pandemic further fueled this trend, as people spent more time at home and took up gardening to pass time. Gardening has been shown to have therapeutic benefits and help alleviate anxiety and stress. More millennial are also getting into gardening and want tools that can help them easily transport soil, mulch, plants etc. around their garden. This growing interest and time spent on gardening is expected to continue driving sales of wheelbarrows and garden carts.
• Instance: According to a study by the Council for Research and Innovation in Agriculture, Hydrology and Earth Sciences of the Netherlands in 2021, approximately 75% of Dutch households set up some form of vegetable garden during the lockdown to meet their daily produce need. This shows people’s inclination towards gardening influenced by the ‘grow-your-own’ philosophy.
• Growth in Landscaping Industry: The landscaping industry has witnessed steady growth in recent years, creating substantial demand for garden carts and wheelbarrows. With rising disposable incomes, both residential and commercial establishments are investing heavily in outdoor landscaping and gardens. Multi-million dollar contracts are being awarded for landscaping office parks, business complexes, shopping malls etc. The use of professional landscapers is also growing significantly among residential homeowners. Landscapers require sturdy and high-capacity wheelbarrows and carts to transport all materials efficiently. They also need models that can withstand rugged use on a jobsite. The robust growth projected in the landscaping industry globally is expected to drive the garden carts and wheelbarrows market.
• Instance: The landscaping industry has seen significant growth over the past few years and this trend is expected to continue into the future. As more homeowners invest in outdoor living and entertainment spaces, the demand for professional landscaping services keeps rising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the landscape services industry is projected to increase by 12% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows Market Opportunities:

• Development of Smart Technology Integrated Models: The integration of smart technologies like IoT and sensors is a key opportunity that can add more value to garden carts and wheelbarrows. Interactive displays can provide data like weight being hauled, tipping alerts, maintenance notifications etc. GPS can help track carts at large worksites and prevent theft. Smart wheelbarrows are also being developed that can measure moisture or nutrient levels in soil. Leveraging such technologies can put garden carts and wheelbarrows at par with other smart gardening products and significantly enhance productivity and user experience. This can open up new revenue opportunities for manufacturers.
• Instance: The adoption of IoT-based monitoring solutions is also promoting sustainability efforts. For example, sensor enabled carts and wheelbarrows can monitor soil moisture levels and automatically trigger micro-irrigation systems based on prespecified thresholds. This aids in optimizing water usage for landscaping and agricultural applications according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Overall, the increasing smart technology integrations are expected to drive new innovations, enhance user convenience and promote eco-friendliness - all factors that will likely contribute to continuous market expansion in the coming years according to industry experts.
• Customization for Specific End-use Industries: There is rising scope for customization of garden carts and wheelbarrows as per the unique needs of different end-use industries. Personalization for landscapers, farmers, nursery owners etc. based on the type of materials handled, terrain and typical loads can make carts and wheelbarrows much more suitable for specific applications. Customizable features like attachments, dumping mechanism, wheel type and load capacity can allow manufacturers to charge a premium for such tailored models. This can help them tap into lucrative industry-specific market segments.
• Instance: For example, the landscaping and property maintenance industries commonly deal with loads like soil, mulch, gravel, plants and other landscaping materials. A cart or wheelbarrow tailored for these types of goods, with features like sturdier construction to handle heavier loads or dump beds for easy unloading, would add great value. The construction industry likewise handles a wide variety of building supplies and debris.

Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows Market Trends:

• Introduction of New Composite Materials: Manufacturers are increasingly utilizing new composite materials like carbon fiber, high-density polyethylene, fiberglass etc. to construct garden cart and wheelbarrow bodies. These provide benefits like being rustproof, lighter weight for easier maneuverability, higher durability and increased load capacity compared to traditional metal/steel bodies. Composite materials also enable colorful and contemporary designs to attract consumers. Their high strength and weather resistance make carts and wheelbarrows more suited for heavy-duty outdoor tasks. The rising availability of models made from composite materials is a key trend in the market.
• Instance In 2022 leading garden tool company Beard stated that the proportion of their wheelbarrows and carts made from durable polypropylene composite materials increased from 15% to over 30% between 2020-2022 (Source: Beard Company Sustainability Report 2022). The report indicated that the composite models had significantly higher customer satisfaction ratings versus steel and were less likely to need repair or replacement. The company projected composite material usage would continue growing in the next few years as new formulations become available.
• Multi-functionality and Customization: Increasing consumer demand for multi-functionality and customization is an important trend. Products with interchangeable beds, attachments and converters allow using the same cart or wheelbarrow for different gardening tasks like hauling dirt, compost, mulch etc. Customization like increased load capacity, storage bins, and design personalization also make products more tailored for individual consumer needs. Manufacturers are responding by providing more modular and configurable options. The ability to utilize one product for diverse gardening applications provides better value to consumers and drives purchases.
• Instance As cited by the Garden Tools Manufacturers Association annual industry survey, nearly 55% of consumers reported seeking multi-functional garden tools in 2021. An additional 45% stated a preference for customizable products according to their needs and tastes. This shift reflects the need for more versatile products that can adapt to various tasks over their useful lifetime, as well as personal preferences towards unique ownership experiences.

Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows Market Restraints:

• High Competition and Presence of Alternatives: The garden cart and wheelbarrow market faces stiff competition from existing players offering similar product specifications and features. New entrants also consistently keep entering the market. This high rivalry limits individual company profits and market consolidation. Furthermore, alternatives like heavy-duty plastic tubs, sleds and tractor hitches allow cost-conscious consumers and small operations to haul loads without investing in carts and wheelbarrows. The easy availability of substitutes limits the adoption of carts and wheelbarrows primarily to professional landscapers and discerning residential users.
• Counterbalance: By focusing on innovative design and product differentiation, manufacturers can create unique garden carts and wheelbarrows that offer specific benefits over alternatives. Features such as improved ergonomics, multi-functionality, durability, and aesthetics can make a product stand out in a competitive market.
• Raw Material and Production Costs: Volatile prices of raw materials like steel, iron, aluminum and plastics add to production costs and squeeze profit margins for manufacturers. High labor costs in production facilities also add to overheads. At the same time, competitive pressures regulate the price points for carts and wheelbarrows, limiting the ability to pass on increased costs to consumers. The inflationary pressures on input costs and rising freight/transportation charges are key factors constraining the growth of producers in the garden carts and wheelbarrows market.
• Counterbalance: Research and test alternative materials that are more cost-effective yet still maintain product quality and durability. For example, use recycled or composite materials where feasible to reduce reliance on more expensive or fluctuating raw material markets

Recent Developments

New product launches

• In March 2022, Gorilla Carts launched the new Gorilla Cart GOR1011-COM, a commercial-grade steel utility cart with oversized pneumatic tires for rugged terrain.
• In January 2021, Worx unveiled the Wheelbarrow WG050 featuring an ergonomic design and foam grip for easy maneuverability.
• In April 2022, AMES Companies, Inc. introduced the dual-wheel Ames True Temper 10 cu. ft. contractor wheelbarrow designed for heavy-duty construction use.

Acquisition and partnerships

• In October 2019, QVC partnered with Radio Flyer to market their wheelbarrows and yard carts through livestream shopping channels.
• In December 2020, Canadian Tire acquired Party Mayor, a supplier of wheelbarrows, yard carts and other utility vehicles across Canada.

Figure 2. Global Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows Market Share (%), by Product Type, 2023

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Top companies in Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows Market

• The Gorilla Carts
• Mac Sports
• Polar Trailer
• Radio Flyer
• Rubbermaid Commercial Products
• Suncast Corporation
• WORX
• Ace Hardware
• Costco
• Home Depot
• Lowes
• Menards
• Northern Tool + Equipment
• QVC
• Sam's Club
• Target
• Tractor Supply Co.
• Walmart
• Wayfair
• Amazon

Definition: Garden carts and wheelbarrows refer to equipment used for hauling and transporting heavy materials efficiently in gardens, nurseries, farms, construction sites etc. They typically consist of a deep receptacle or bucket mounted on two or four wheels and two handles at the end for steering. The user tilts the cart backwards and uses the wheelbarrow design as a lever to move and lift heavy loads with minimal human effort.

Garden carts and wheelbarrows are equipment used for transporting loads in gardens, landscapes, farms, nurseries etc. They provide an efficient and convenient means to haul soil, compost, plants, tools etc. around outdoor spaces. Their key advantage is the ability to move heavy loads with minimal human effort using the wheelbarrow design and leveraging principles of physics. The growing DIY and gardening culture is contributing significantly to the growth of the garden carts and wheelbarrows market globally.

The Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows Market is segmented by product type, material type, wheel type, capacity, end-use and region. By product type, the market is segmented into traditional wheelbarrows, garden carts, front wheel barrows, steel wheelbarrows etc. Garden carts are expected to be the fastest growing segment owing to their versatility, larger load capacity and vast range of designs suiting different applications.