The Garden Centre Association’s July Barometer of Trade (BoT) figures reveal some positive results for the month.

Nine of the recorded 13 categories, when compared to July 2023, were up, according to data submitted by the GCA’s member garden centres.

Peter Burks, GCA CEO, says: “July was a much more encouraging month for our members with a decent increase in sales over July last year. It was great to see a good increase in furniture and BBQ sales after a long period of negative figures.

“Good also to see hardy plants producing a nice increase, which I hear has carried on into August. It certainly looks like it was a month when people actually got into their gardens, as hard landscaping was up almost 9% and garden sundries up more than 10%.

“Our smaller centres did particularly well with the Local Garden Centre category enjoying an increase of more than 10% compared to last year.”

The top performing category was clothing at +11.47%, when compared to the same month in 2023, with garden sundries next at +10.73, and hard landscaping in third position at +8.76%.

Catering came in next at +7.11%, then furniture & BBQ at +6.04%, the miscellaneous category came in at +5.09% and food hall/farm shop +4.81%. Seeds & bulbs was +4.8% and outdoor plants at +4.2%.

Gifts was -0.35% and houseplants at -2.71%, pets & aquatics -4.73% and understandably Christmas at the rear at -21.05%.

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 allows members to compare their trading positions with other centres.