GARDEN CARTS AND WHEELBARROWS MARKET SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2023 - 2030)

The global Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows market size was valued at US$ 2.78 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 4.47 billion by 2030, grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% from 2023 to 2030.

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.

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% of the market share in 2022. 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 38% of the market share in 2022. 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 be the fastest-growing market 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

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 millennials 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.
• 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.
• Launch of New Products with Enhanced Features: Manufacturers launching new products with added features and abilities has led to rising consumer interest and upgrades, boosting market growth. For instance, products with higher weight capacities allow transport of heavier loads. The integration of two or even four wheel drive mechanisms provides greater maneuverability. Similarly, the addition of convertible hitch carts allows hauling behind lawn tractors and ATVs. Pneumatic tires and padded ergonomic handles also make carts and wheelbarrows easier to use. Such innovations that improve efficiency and user comfort are driving replacement purchases among end-users across the residential and commercial segments.
• Growth of Online Sales Channels: The expansion of e-commerce has provided greater visibility, convenience and options for consumers to research and purchase wheelbarrows and carts online. Amazon and other online retailers have gained significant popularity for home/garden tools and equipment in recent years. Their wide assortment, easy price comparisons and doorstep delivery make online purchasing very appealing to time-pressed consumers. Many manufacturers are also retailing through their proprietary websites. The growth in online sales channels is making garden carts and wheelbarrows more accessible to consumers, contributing to market growth.

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.
• 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.
• Rental Services for Equipment: Providing rental services for garden carts and wheelbarrows is an attractive opportunity especially in metropolitan areas where ownership is low but many households occasionally need such equipment. Renting allows flexibility and eliminates storage needs when not in use. Rental services can also cater to landscaping companies that want to avoid large capital investments and have fluctuating project-based needs. Companies can leverage partnerships with home improvement retailers to make their rental service more accessible to consumers. The rental market potential remains largely untapped and presents an opportunity for revenue generation.
• Expanding Reach in Emerging Economies: Emerging markets in Asia, Latin America and Middle East present massive untapped potential for garden cart and wheelbarrow sales. Rapid urbanization in these regions has led to growth of residential communities with outdoor spaces. Rising disposable incomes also allow increased spending on gardening and landscaping products. Large populations coupled with low existing penetration of garden carts and wheelbarrows make these very attractive markets for manufacturers to enter and build a strong customer base. Local partnerships and custom models suited for regional user needs and conditions can aid market development in emerging economies.

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.
• 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.
• Growing Adoption of Ergonomic Designs: Companies are focused on introducing ergonomic enhancements like padded grips, adjustable handles and lightweight materials to reduce fatigue and strain on users. Height adjustable handles allow both short and tall users to work comfortably. The integration of wheels that swivel easily makes maneuverability easier on wrists. Padded grips and low effort steering reduce hand and arm strain. Such ergonomic improvements make repetitive garden work less tiring. The growing trend towards human-centric design provides a superior user experience and is an important factor influencing buying decisions.
• Development of Models Specific to User Types: An increasing trend is the launch of models designed for different user segments like women, elderly and physically challenged users. These incorporate customized features like lighter weight, smaller size, low scoop height and specialized handle designs for easier steering and control. User-specific models enable better adoption among demographic segments with lower physical strength and stamina. They expand the target audience and provide manufacturers with lucrative segment opportunities for growth. The strong trend of user-centered design tailored to the needs of diverse customer demographics will continue.

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.
• 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.
• Seasonal Demand and Weather Dependency: Demand for garden carts and wheelbarrows is highly influenced by seasonal purchasing patterns. Sales peak during spring and summer months when gardening activities are at their highest. Colder and wetter weather on the other hand sees demand plummeting as outdoor work reduces substantially. This inherent seasonality and weather dependency leads to fluctuations in sales and intermittent overcapacity issues for manufacturers. The seasonal variation in demand makes it difficult to accurately forecast production volumes and maintain steady growth.

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 PartyMayor, a supplier of wheelbarrows, yard carts and other utility vehicles across Canada.
• In March 2021, Target announced a deal to acquire gardening equipment firm Wheeleez to expand its offering of garden carts and wheelbarrows.

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

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.