sales event across traditional and non - traditional categories at garden Centre across the UK were up during January ( 2020 ) concord to the Garden Centre Association ’s ( GCA ) Barometer of Trade ( BoT ) report .
Houseplant sale were up 33.01 % and out-of-door plant sale were up 14.69 % , while clothing departments saw an addition in sales of 15.99 % and catering sales were 11.28 % up compared to the same calendar month the previous year ( 2019 ) .
Iain Wylie , GCA Chief Executive , explained : “ It is great to see such a positive get-go to the year with gross sales up in the majority of traditional and non - traditional categories . The only family that saw a bead in sales was furniture and barbecues at -17.2 % , which is understandable at this clock time of twelvemonth and any increases or decreases in this family have a negligible effect on the overall figures , given the volume of out-of-door leisure time sales in January .
“ It sure was n’t barbeque weather , but we did have an remarkably mild offset to the twelvemonth atmospheric condition - wise , which meant garden centre customers were able to spend more time alfresco preparing their seam and plot for the coming time of year .
“ seeded player and bulb cut-rate sale were up 4.43 % , gross revenue in garden sundries were up 11.6 % and pet and aquatics sale were also up at 3.73 % . talent sales agreement were up 9.98 % , Christmas sales saw an increase of 2.43 % as client stocked up on items for the 2020 gay season , hard landscaping sales rose 22.13 % and food hall and farm shop sales were also up 10.09 % . ”
Overall sales for the month were up 7.69 % with a year to particular date change of 7.69 % .
Hannah Powell , Communications and HR Director at Perrywood Garden Centre , which has centres at Tiptree in Colchester and Sudbury in Suffolk , say : “ Our houseplants sales are up 42 % and outdoor plants up 18 % . After Christmas we saw antic sales of houseplants , aided by ongoing Instagram bodily function , students returning to university and homeowner replacing Christmas decorations .
“ undecomposed sellers have been basic houseplant such as Peace Lily , Spider Plants and Parlour Palms . Whilst unusual houseplant dominate Instagram and do see sales agreement , the bulk of sale is still in leisurely to wish for basics . The age of houseplant vendee is untested than those that are shopping in other departments , and we desire to translate some of their sake into growing out-of-door works when we move into the spring time of year . Our coffee shop class and restaurant sales were up 7 % , on the back of continued increment in 2019 .
“ Last January ( 2019 ) we had not yet freshen up our coffee store at our Sudbury centre and were still working on improvements following the purchase of the centre just four months previously , however , this January , we have doubled turnover rate .
“ We have tripled coffee workshop and houseplant sales and doubled gross sales in outside works and come and bulbs . The centre is proving to be a very stiff ‘ gardener ’s garden center ’ , and with a new bedding flora canopy opening in March we are feeling very affirmative about 2020 . ”
The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sale figures and ply an up - to - date trading position statement . They are made available mid - month following the end of the prior month after all fellow member garden middle have submit their outcome .
