Scotts Miracle-Gro in the US has announced 8.6% year-on-year revenue growth for the third quarter of the year, despite consumer business that was “behind original expectations” in its home market and a 6% drop in its European business (which includes the UK).

Europe consumer turnover fell to $222.9 million but was flat when excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates.

The company is in the process of selling its European and Australian businesses to Exponent Private Equity LLP in a deal expected to be completed this autumn.

Overall revenue of $1.08B included US consumer sales up by 5% with a 20% increase in profit. ‘Other’ segment sales increased by 36%, driven by acquisitions and organic growth in the Hawthorne Gardening Company subsidiary, which saw sales growth of 21% in the quarter.

On a positive note, CEO Jim Hagedorn (right) reported a strong start to August, with US garden centres and hardware stores – accounting for almost two-thirds of sales – up more than 4% with gains in nearly every major product category. “Clearly, we’ve seen challenges in the mass retail market this year due to tighter inventory management and changes in merchandising strategies,” he explained. “That said, we remain encouraged by the success of our new product launches this year and by the fact that consumers remained engaged in lawn and garden activities and continued to seek out our brands.”