Hot weather gives UK plant sales a boost

GCA CEO, Peter Burks.

The UK’s Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade (BoT) figures for June 2023 have shown a ‘massive’ boost in sales of outdoor plants, garden sundries and hard landscaping.

GCA member garden centres recorded outdoor plant sales were up by 27.08 per cent last month when compared to June 2022, garden sundries were up by 14.14 per cent and hard landscaping leapt up 9.95 per cent.

Chief Executive of the GCA, Peter Burks, says: “The good weather extended the gardening season very nicely, giving plants a massive increase in sales and garden sundries and hard landscaping a very nice late season boost too.

“The hot weather slowed up members’ restaurants’ growth but catering remains very positive, up by 15.97 per cent. It’s nice to see that furniture & BBQ sales were up at last, at 12.27 per cent.

“Some of this was due to the good weather and people starting to entertain in their gardens again, but also many members had price reductions in this category during June and this helped to bring positive sales. It’s also great to see all areas and turnover bands now in the positive year-to-date. Overall sales for the month, across all members, came in at 15.47 per cent with a year-to-date variance of 0.8 per cent.”

June’s BoT results also revealed sales of seeds & bulbs were up 13.65 per cent, clothing was up 12.79 pere cent, food hall & farm shops sales also came in positively for the month at 10.84 per cent.

Pets & aquatics sales were up 1.47 per cent and the only category in the 13, which the GCA records each month from members, that was down for June, was gifts at -0.5 per cent.

The GCA 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 allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

The GCA represents garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For further information, please visit www.gca.org.uk