LOFA has commissioned retail and shopper specialist agency, Shoppercentric, to run a ground-breaking market research project to explore the UK outdoor living market.

The study, which was announced at SOLEX today, will combine a large quantitative study to provide a robust overview of the market, profiling purchasers and the context around the purchase, with detailed qualitative exploration of the shopping process. 

LOFA is looking forward to uncovering insights which show how its members’ product purchasers plan for, and shop for, outdoor furniture and barbecues, what inspires them, what hinders them and what ultimately drives a sale.

"We're spending a significant amount of money on qualitative and quantative research," said LOFA chairman Paul Bevington (pictured)  today. 

"It will be the first independent research project on outdoor living, something that has been asked for by the trade. We felt as the trade association, it was our responsibility to carry out the research.

"We've had five years of not knowing what the next year is going to look like. This research will hopefully give our members sound information on which they can confidently base their future plans on."

The study will take place in July and August 2013, with results expected from September onwards.