In This Issue
Dobbies buy Johnsons of Boston
Best Easter fortnight since 2012 - GTN Bestsellers exclusive analysis
Iglu 360 is the perfect outdoor dining experience for garden centres
Partnership blooms as 'Caulders at Scotmid' springs up
Easter sales records, reports GTN Bestsellers
Dobbies announces ‘Not Your Average Gardener’ awards
Industry help gets horti education unit back up and running
If plants are in stock they are selling
RHS and BBC launch ‘grow and show’ competition
Deco-Pak marathon Mar-CHING for Garden Re-Leaf Day
New rules allowing socialising in gardens deliver strong boost to garden centre sales
Squire’s financial results encouraging despite challenges
Large Fire at Longacres Shepperton - UPDATED
Nicholas Marshall returns... again
Jumping for joy as Cardwell Garden Centre re-opens
Gardening voted as one of the most popular pastimes
Bents announces fundraising total and welcomes new charity
Lawns and gardening promote better mental health
Desch Plantpak presents: Colour Your Story, autumn/winter
Inside Outside... A New Beginning for the garden market - Read GTN's March Issue on-line now
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Planters announce closure for Duke of Edinburgh's funeral
Gaps on shelves as sales stay high
Zoo proposal for former garden centre rejected
50% more veg being grown
One million take part in record-breaking RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
Growing Media up by 109%
Watch Your Back! returns with new scheme designed to keep everyone in horticulture sun protected.
Buckingham Palace Garden to open to visitors
RHS and Ulster Weavers announce new kitchen textiles range
Wildflowers for The Queen - a celebration of wildflower meadows
The best of last week's
Easter thank you to growers, manufacturers & distributors from British Garden Centres
Derek Bunker adds his thanks to suppliers for "their efforts throughout this amazing period in garden centre history"
East Yorkshire garden centre sells for £1.5m
Garden Centres re-open in Scotland... and it snows!
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Squires Badshot Lea - Christmas 2020
Perrywood at Christmas 2020 - with correct photo gallery now...
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
Vital to launch educational Pet Club
Dog theft increases by 19% during lockdown
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Email trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 07973 504214

 

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New rules allowing socialising in gardens deliver strong boost to garden centre sales

 

The Horticultural Trades Association’s Market Update report for April shows that nationally garden centre sales were up 97% in March compared with March 2020 when there were nine days fewer trading time due to the closure of garden centres during the first lockdown.  

 

However, comparing this data to March 2019 shows that overall garden centre sales are well ahead of a more typical year too, with March 2021 sales 56% up on March 2019. This is despite the continued closure of catering outlets, and of garden centres in the devolved nations.  

 

In what is usually a quiet month for outdoor leisure, March 2021 saw exceptional sales of garden furniture, BBQs and heating and garden features and structures, as consumers looked to prepare their gardens for hosting social gatherings once lockdown restrictions are eased. As a result, Average Transaction Values were up 45% on March 2020 and up 77% on March 2019 to £36.58.  

 

Sales of plants, plant care and garden tools remain strong as consumers face another Spring of restrictions and more leisure time at home. 

 

Anecdotal evidence from HTA members across the UK suggests the Easter Bank Holiday weekend will have seen April get off to a similarly strong start. 

 

Helen MacDonald, of Merryhatton Garden Centre and HTA Council representative for Scotland said: “Despite it being an icy cold Bank Holiday Monday our first customers were waiting for the gate to open at 9am and customers told us they are overjoyed to be able to visit, with some even saying that they’ve been counting down the days until they could come to the garden centre again! The checkouts were constantly busy all day, with the majority of purchases being plants and garden care. 

 

Nicola Pugh, of Pugh’s Garden Centres and HTA Council representative for Wales, said: “It’s an unbelievable position to find ourselves in and we are having record daily sales, but there is clearly high demand across the industry and a lot of pressure on the supply chain. As fast as we are ordering in stock, shelves are emptying. We are very grateful to be back open.”

 

John Shannon, of Inver Garden Centre and HTA Council representative for Northern Ireland, said: “We were able to offer click and collect over the Easter Bank Holiday and it has been very successful.   We have had very few problems, with customers all more than happy to come and collect and to pay over the telephone with debit/credit card.”  

 

Fiona Dean, of Ravensworth Nurseries and HTA Council representative for Yorkshire and the North East, said: “Over Easter our biggest sellers were added value for instant colour, such as hanging baskets and filled planters - we could hardly keep up with those - and seeds, lots of seeds, both veg and flowers.” 

 

The Market Update report discusses other factors affecting the state of trade, including encouraging improvements to consumer ratings of financial confidence, and falling inflation and unemployment levels.  

 

The report is available for HTA members to download now: https://bit.ly/3mpy0G1 

 

 

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