The Q1 issue of HTA Market Update, published this week, reveals healthy garden centre sales performance for the last quarter of 2014, with overall 2014 sales exceeding those in 2013. 

Weather had less of an influence on garden centre sales as the greatest drive can be seen coming from Christmas stock and gifts.

In comparison to the last quarter of 2013; average garden retail sales were higher in the same quarter in 2014.  November sales were 15% higher than in November 2013. Overall yearly garden centre sales ended 2014 up by 11% on 2013. The greatest drivers for garden centre sales in Q4 2014 were Christmas products and Gifts & Lifestyle products. In the Christmas category alone, average garden centre sales were up 24% in November 2014 compared to the previous year. This trend continued into December and shows how the Christmas category influences garden centre sales.

The HTA Market Update report, which is now published quarterly, monitors changes that would impact garden centre sales. The feature in this issue looks at consumer behaviours and technology. It provides some of the latest facts, figures and trends in technology, and in particular how it’s affecting shopping among consumers aged over 45, who tend to spend the most on gardening.

Download HTA Market Update here:  http://www.the-hta.org.uk/file.php?fileid=2756