The eleventh Viridea-branded Garden Centre was inaugurated on Saturday, February 28, and Sunday, March 1, in Carate Brianza (MB). Situated approximately 30 km from Milan, this location—the 8th in Lombardy and 1st in the Brianza area—offers over 7,000 sqm of retail space and a 2,600 sqm outdoor nursery.

During the opening weekend, the new store saw an extremely high turnout, with over 26,000 visitors. This new opening, following the 2021 acquisition of the Legnaia store in Tuscany, represents a significant milestone for the Italian chain, which has been a benchmark for the national gardening sector for 29 years.

With a sales floor exceeding 7,000 sqm and a total site area of over 46,000 sqm, the new Viridea Garden Center features its signature, well-established product range. This includes plants and gardening supplies, home decor, DIY items, outdoor furniture, and pet care products. The offering is completed by a large Christmas department, featuring an authentic Christmas market open every year from mid-October until the end of January.

Alongside the sales area—which includes 2,600 sqm of outdoor nursery space—the new garden center features a 16,000 sqm external area dedicated to hospitality and leisure. This space, which is open for families to enjoy freely, includes a park complete with a pond and a playground.

In light of the new opening, over 50 new positions have been filled—including sales staff and department managers—bringing the company’s total headcount to 620 employees.

“We are proud and delighted to inaugurate the new Viridea Garden Center in Carate Brianza, the eleventh store in our network, which marks a fundamental milestone in the evolution of our project dedicated to nature, the home, and people’s well-being,” comments Stefano Rappo, Sole Director of Viridea. “This new facility represents a significant step forward compared to our previous ones: a grand hall will welcome visitors like a true town square, filled with plants, sounds, and colors, designed to offer an immersive experience from the moment they enter. All the materials used represent the most advanced technological solutions available today and are approximately 90% recyclable, confirming Viridea’s concrete commitment to environmental sustainability. A project of this magnitude was only possible thanks to the dedication of extraordinary people who pour their hearts and souls into their work—starting with our colleagues, who bring passion, professionalism, and expertise to their roles every day. We are also particularly proud that a large portion of our new staff comes from the surrounding area, strengthening our bond with the local community and contributing to regional employment growth. We are grateful to all the institutions and local organizations for the cooperation and support shown during every phase of the project: this constant and constructive dialogue has allowed us to create a space that aims to be a point of reference not only for commerce but also for social life, capable of meeting the evolving needs of individuals and families. Viridea Carate Brianza represents a new way of experiencing the Garden Center for us: a place where nature, innovation, and community come together.”

Viridea is an Italian garden center chain founded in 1997. In 2025, Viridea-branded garden centers welcomed a total of over 7.7 million visitors, recording a turnover of €89.5 million, a 3% increase compared to the previous year.