The positive start to 2019 continued into February (2019) as garden centres across the UK saw outdoor plant sales soar according to our Barometer of Trade (BoT) report.
Sales in outdoor plants were up 61.1% compared to the same month the previous year (2018).
This year’s sales figures just prove what a difference the weather can make. In February 2018 the country was greeted by the Beast from the East followed by an early Easter washout, which made for a very miserable start to the year, however this year the weather has been much milder, with only a dusting of snow very early on in the month.
Gardeners have been able to get on with readying their plots for the season. They’ve also been working on hard landscaping as sales are up 58.79% compared to last year.
Christmas sales were also up 54.92% during February and furniture and barbecue sales were up 33.61%.
Sales in garden sundries were up 29.66%, seed and bulb sales were up 24.5% and houseplant sales were up 16.96%.
So far the start to the year has been very positive. Both retailers and suppliers will be mindful of the big figures that came last year when the weather improved in May. Those figures will be difficult to beat.
The GCA's BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.
The BoT reports allows members to compare their trading positions with other centres.
Garden Centre Association