Ukrainians are flocking to their gardens: “Epicenter” reports a rise in sales of gardening supplies
27 April 13:21
At the “Epicenter” chain, sales of certain gardening tools have increased severalfold this year, with the strongest growth seen in products related to resource efficiency and self-sufficient household management, according to the “Epicenter” press service, as reported by "Komersant Ukrainian".
“Seeds, seedlings, greenhouses, and hotbeds have become not only tools for growing produce but also a means of psychological stability. Amid a full-scale war, an energy crisis, and an unstable economic situation, Ukrainians are increasingly turning to gardening, viewing it as a form of stress relief. Even in urban settings, there is a rise in ‘balcony gardening,’ where people grow vegetables and flowers in small spaces,” comments Svitlana Lisanti, director of the “Garden” division at Epicenter.
As the retail chain noted, in addition to the growth in demand, its structure has also changed significantly. In particular, the “do-it-yourself” trend has gained traction—due to limited access to professional services, Ukrainians are increasingly tending to their plots on their own.
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Among gardening tools, branch shredders are becoming increasingly popular. For example, sales of pruning shears and cordless saws have increased more than fivefold this year during periods of high demand. This is because Ukrainians are increasingly processing plant waste for further use: heating buildings or mulching soil. There is also increased demand for tillers (131%), drip irrigation systems (87%), and greenhouses (44%).
Amid the energy crisis, sales of strategic goods—gas burners, cylinders, and portable stoves that provide autonomy during power outages—have nearly tripled. In regions affected by destruction, demand for plastic sheeting, tarps, and other materials for temporary housing restoration has risen to 48%.
Charitable initiatives aimed at supporting internally displaced persons and farmers affected by the hostilities have become a separate driver of sales growth, the network notes. Typically, such purchases are made in large quantities. As a result, there has been a significant increase in demand for potting mixes (31%), professional fertilizers (33.7%), and seeds (60%).
At the same time, the report notes that in recent years, shoppers have become more frugal and rational: they carefully plan their purchases, compare prices across different channels, and avoid unnecessary expenses. However, saving money does not mean sacrificing quality—consumers are increasingly choosing products with a better balance of price and durability. Thus, a model of “smart consumption” is emerging, where every hryvnia spent has a practical justification.
The Epicenter Group of Companies is an omnichannel ecosystem that unites the Epicenter and Nova Linia retail chains, the epicentrk.ua online store, the Epicenter-Agro agricultural holding, Epicenter Ceramic Corporation ceramic tile manufacturing plants, the Osmoloda woodworking enterprise, and logistics facilities. As of early 2026, the retailer’s network comprises 72 shopping centers in Ukraine.
According to the Unified State Register of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs, the co-founders of Epicenter K LLC are Oleksandr Hereha (51.3%), Halyna Hereha (47.97%), and Tetiana Surzhik (0.73%).
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