Retail development In 2023, economic circumstances were challenging and fewer plants were sold. Retailers were under pressure, and many organisations restructured and reconsidered their positioning as consumer confidence fell. We will keep a close eye on market developments and take appropriate action to be futureproof. Past During the COVID-19 pandemic, greenery played an important role in enhancing our living and working environments. This led to a significant increase in the demand for plants, and there were supply challenges. We thought this would become the new normal. But then the costs of raw materials, production, energy, transport and labour rose sharply and consumer prices increased. Inflation went up across Europe, which — combined with geopolitical turmoil — caused consumer confidence to plummet. Retail sales declined and overall returns were under pressure throughout the supply chain. At the same time, retailers invested heavily in their online presence, AI, data analytics and automation. The aim was to improve operational efficiency while responding more effectively to changing consumer behaviour. These developments led to a transformation in the retail sector: flexibility, adaptability and digital innovation became critical to success. Present To strengthen their competitive position, retailers are reorganising and repositioning. They are promising consumers that prices will not rise further and will even significantly drop thanks to cost-out programmes. This maximises pressure upstream in the supply chain to eliminate waste and further enhance efficiency. 18
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