The strong year for garden centre sales across the country continued in July, with year-to-date comparisons up on last year for all of the product categories reported.

Despite the more unsettled weather this July, garden centre sales continued to experience significant growth and are up by 17% on 2018 for July, and up by 11% on the calendar year from January to July comparisons.

HTA director of membership Martin Simmons said both indoor and outdoor plants lead healthy July garden centre performances and a continued strong year. “Houseplant sales have seen exceptional growth - up by 45% compared to July 2018. Hardy plants sales were up by 25%. Non-garden categories like gifting and pets, also performed well in July,” Simmons reported

Weather reports show that July 2019 was considerably wetter and not as sunny as July of last year across most of the UK, despite being the eighth warmest July on record. Rainfall was extremely variable across the country with below-average rainfall over most of Wales and the south-west, but more than twice the normal amount in the North and Midlands.

The overall consumer confidence index score increased two points to -11 in July, one point lower than July of last year. Concerns over the UK's economic situation remain, but as the country's political future remains in limbo, ratings of personal financial situation and making major purchases are showing signs of improving.

The August issue of HTA Market Update (which is free for members to download from the HTA website) looks at garden centre sales, overall market performance and contains a topical feature looking at where consumers get their ideas to improve their gardens and outdoor space.