The Royal Botanic Gardens and Sproutl partner up
Curated online gardening marketplace Sproutl has announced that it will form a strategic partnership with plant science institution, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew).
By combining Sproutl’s technology platform with Kew’s vast scientific and horticultural expertise, the partnership will bring Kew plants directly into people’s homes for the first time.
Alongside Sproutl becoming an official stockist of Kew’s merchandise and brand partners’ products, the partnership will include the launch of co-curated ‘Kew X Sproutl collections’ later this summer.
During the pandemic, the number of gardeners in the UK rose by three million. Nearly half of these new gardeners are under forty-five and are therefore digital natives. The partnership between a tech startup and the world’s most famous science and horticulture institution, will bring Kew directly to both lovers and visitors of the gardens as well as a new and rapidly expanding demographic of younger gardeners.
The renaissance in gardening in the UK shows no signs of slowing either, with outdoor plant sales in 2021 up 39% on the previous year and 29% up on 2019. And it’s not just outdoor planting – in 2021 houseplant sales were 29% higher than in 2020 and 50% up on 2019. Sproutl reports that most UK consumers have purchased a garden product in the last 12 months.
Anni Noel-Johnson, CEO & co-founder, Sproutl, comments: “Sproutl is so proud to be partnering with RBG, Kew. This partnership is the perfect marriage of a tech startup with the world’s most famous science and horticulture institution. This will allow Sproutl customers to access Kew’s branded products and help introduce a new audience to Kew. We are also excited to be launching new co-curated Kew x Sproutl collections later in the year.”
Quincy Leon, head of licensing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, comments: “We are delighted to be partnering with a dynamic and exciting new startup like Sproutl.”
Sproutl was created in 2021 to take the pain out of online selling for horticultural suppliers and integrates with their systems. Sproutl manages logistics, packaging sourcing, delivery, online marketing, and customer services. Allowing independent local garden centres, shops and nurseries to effortlessly develop their online presence and reach new national audiences. Customers can sign up to be the first to receive updates on the new Kew X Sproutl Collection.
