The statuary category faced challenges in 2009 with reduced orders stemming back to fall and winter 2008 and reduced consumer demand for larger, high-ticket items. Several statuary companies say they have seen some changes occurring in the ways retailers are doing business with them, but that orders returned by and large in the fall and winter months of 2009 for the coming year.

They reported either more retailers placing early orders or about the same as last year in the fall months of 2009. The amount of orders seemed to hover around the same as last year or slightly higher.

“Orders were about the same this past fall and early winter as we saw in 2009,” says Robert Borta, vice president of marketing for Henri Studio, which also encompasses Brass Baron. “Our customers are managing their inventories more carefully than ever, so their selections are very well planned.

“Henri customers were very responsive to our innovative Early Order Program this year, and this helped more retailers to participate – including an important segment of new customers.”

Manufacturers and retailers are
hoping for a thaw in statuary
sales this spring and summer.

The Decreasing Price Point

With a poor economy gobbling up consumer discretionary dollars in 2009, the big ticket items failed to move from garden center sales floors. That’s why many retailers are now looking for lower price points, or a well-balanced mix of price points, to offer customers for 2010.

“Customers are happy that I have not increased my prices in three years and I’m keeping them the same for 2010,” says David Faibisch, owner of Bamboo Accents. “My costs have increased, so my margin is lower. In this economy, that is the new reality. But I’m happy if my products remain popular.”

Others are promoting their products as an alternative to a more expensive option. For example, Muddle Art sells a line of millstone products. “We have not wavered from our price point and we do not coupon,” explains Chris George of Muddle Art. “We price our product realistically and on target. When the consumer compares us to the competition they realize we provide an economic alternative to granite.”

Lindsey Markellos from the Pottery Patch has also seen retailers ordering more smaller and unique items over larger products. “Some people had stock left over from 2008, so they did not place orders in 2009,” she says. “Those people are now out of stock and will be reordering, but there may be people who are the same this year with holdovers from 2009 to 2010. Therefore, we’re anticipating this year to either be flat or up slightly up from last year.”

Borta says his company sees a continued trend of cast stone fountain sales at retail price points around $500. Henri is also getting lots of interest in a unique hybrid mix of cast stone fountains with bronze accents, showing water features could still be a popular item in 2010.

Manufacturing

Several statuary and garden art manufacturers produce their product in the United States or own their production facilities in other countries, which makes supply an easier issue. Few are experiencing any supply issues at all, however one had heard of issues from factories in Asia.

The factories had been worried about lack of orders for this spring, but then experienced an influx of orders toward the end of the year, causing production to run later than last year.