Garden centres account for only 10% of the outdoor leisure market, according to the Leisure & Outdoor Furniture Association (LOFA).

The latest release of LOFA’s annual research suggests that online retailers are now taking the lion’s share at 27%, with department stores (24%) and DIY stores (23%) close behind.

However, the data also reveals that more than half of purchasers research products before they buy – and 42% of these go to a garden centre.

LOFA says the outdoor furniture market grew by 18% last year to £1.15bn, with LOFA members outperforming the category as a whole, 36% ahead of the previous year. Members’ barbecue sales were up 12%.