GTN Bestsellers garden centre Epos data analysis of volume sales over the Easter fortnight reveals that total volume sales were 11% down on Easter 2022 but 4% up on Easter 2019 and 44% up on Easter 2018 when we experienced the “Beast from the East.”

Within those total sales volumes, plant sales were down on Easter 2022 and 2019 by 21% and 15%, but up on 2018 by 45%.

The problem with comparing Easter sales is that it moves around so much; from late March in 2018 to the end of April in 2019. As Easter this year was one week earlier than in 2022 we won’t be able to see a true year on year trading comparison.

The current year to date GTN Bestsellers All Products Index, at the end of week ending Sunday 16^th April 2023 is down 1.7% on 2022 but up 19% vs 2019.  That fits well with reports that footfall and restaurant sales have been good.  The cold and wet weather has, however had a bigger effect on plant sales.

To date plant sales volumes are running at 11.6% down on 2022.  Thankfully this year’s weather has not been as bad as 2018; the GTN Bestsellers All Plants index is currently 43% higher than 2018.

Those with good memories and records will recall that even after the disastrous Spring of 2018, sales volumes recovered to be 8% up on 2017 by the year end for All Plants and only 1% down on 2017 for All Products Sales volumes.

As can be seen from the week by week All Products Index tracking, below, this years sales are moving in the right direction but there are some big weeks to be hit.  Let’s hope that current cold snap really is that last and that summer can start properly in time for the Coronation weekend and all the opportunities that brings.

With the long May bank holiday in mind, here is the current Top 10 Coronation Bestsellers in garden centres:

See photos of Coronation displays we saw at St Peters in Worcester and at Cooks Stourport last week.  Please send us photos of your Coronation displays and sales ideas so we can add them to GTN Xtra: e-mail to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk