In This Issue
Joe Swift opens The Plant Room by Camden Garden Centre in Richmond
Little Dobbies brings Garden Centre Christmas and houseplants to Richmond High Street
On Point with new sales innovation from Onduline
October sets new records for sales
Lincs plant centre sold to investment group
Autumn planting increase is here to stay
GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards are back
AMES UK invest in new production facility
Third little dobbies store opened in London
Bents tackle energy supply with solar solution
MP visits Pengelly Garden Centre
UK decking brand reports turnover rise and USA expansion
GTN October 2021 Issue available on-line
Garden Project Manager – Greenfingers Charity
Get your copy of GTN Xtra
Family-owned Highfield Garden World raises the roof
Marriages topple RHS from the No 1 Wild Bird care spot
Petrol shortages take effect on garden product sales
AMES UK recognised for support of their workforce
Christmas 5% down in October
Dobbies spreads festive joy this Christmas
Still much more autumn gardening growing on
Cherry Lane to host its first sensory Santa event
Spring Fair hosts Halloween tea for Retail Trust residents
A fruity half term for Veg-2-Gro sales
The best of last week's
Gates becomes 50th garden centre to install WinRetail
The Gardens Group aglow with new Christmas displays
Sales of furniture and BBQ top BoT for fourth month running
The Greenfingers Charity team is expanding
Popcorn Kitchen prioritises premium garden centres
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
Pets at Home CEO Peter Pritchard to step down
Eco pet firm secures funding from US garden firm
Pets costing the UK £4.5bn a year
Situations Vacant
Garden Project Manager – Greenfingers Charity
Salary: Negotiable
 
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Sales of furniture and BBQ top BoT for fourth month running

 

The GCA Barometer of Trade reveals furniture and BBQ sales continued to remain strong and were up by 58.27% year-to-date according to its recently released figures for September.

 

Proving demand didn’t slow during the month, the report shows a year-to-date increase in 12 out of 13 categories.

 

GCA Chief Executive, Iain Wylie explains: “Our members’ September figures remained consistent. Once again, BBQ and furniture sales topped our BoT report. Normally at this time of year we’d be packing up our outdoor spaces and preparing for cosy entertaining indoors, but the late Indian Summer allowed people to continue enjoying their outdoor living spaces.

 

“We’ve embraced alfresco living as a nation, post-lockdowns, and even if there is a chill in the air and it’s dark, dining is now accompanied with twinkling lights, throws and firepits. Social occasions outdoors with friends and family no longer seem unusual. Of course, demand for staycations has also continued to be a contributing factor for boosting the need for outdoor accoutrements, whether for homes or holiday lets.

 

“Catering also remains steady despite continuing to face some difficulties. We’re confident our members’ cafés and restaurants will once again become social hubs of their garden centres this autumn, as visitors opt for warming beverages and a bite to eat while shopping and enjoying being amongst the greenery.”

 

The year-to-date figure for catering is up at 3.1%, although this still needs to be tempered against last year’s events.

 

Iain adds: “As the nation’s gardeners prepared for autumn planting in September, outdoor plants remained favourites with sales up 42.54% year-to-date. Similarly, houseplants were also up at 40.36%. This demand may be due in part to the impact of the first autumn-based Chelsea Flower Show in September, where experts showcased ideas that can be implemented regardless of the size of space available. The buzz around the event encouraged novice gardeners to help keep up the hobby and has also helped reinvigorate those who have been gardening for years.

 

“As the nights grew darker earlier and the leaves started to change outside, September was also the perfect time of year for bringing some much-needed greenery and colour indoors using houseplants. They’re great accessories and provide a dose of Vitamin G – ideal for boosting mental health and wellbeing.”

 

The remaining categories that performed well, year-to-date, in September were gift sales up 37.56%, clothing up 33.91%, food hall/farm shop up 32.37%, hard landscaping up 32.03%, garden sundries up 27.24%, pets and aquatics up 23.93%, as well as seeds and bulbs up 11.4%.

 

Iain continues: “We’re thrilled that this month’s figures have remained steady. Many members started October by unveiling their festive displays to meet demand and we’re anticipating a buoyant Christmas sales period.”

 

Overall sales in September were down for the month by -0.29% when comparing 2020 with 2021.

 

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.

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