The April 2019 issue of HTA Market Update, published this week, reports that nationally, garden centre sales recovered well from last March, which saw the UK hit with two large bouts of snow and quashed Mother’s Day sales.

This year, the first half of March the UK was met with spells of particularly wet and windy weather brought by storms Freya and Gareth, contributing to the wettest March since 1994. In contrast, the second half of March turned mild and settled, recording the tenth warmest March on record since they began in 1910.

HTA Director of Membership, Martin Simmons comments "It's very encouraging to see that the strong start to the gardening season in February has continued through in to March with garden centre sales up 37% year to date compared with 2018. In weather terms last year, snow impacted Mother's Day sales strongly, but this March couldn't have be more different. Whilst consumer confidence has dropped 6 points compared to last March due to continued concerns over the UK's economic situation, the garden industry is performing well as consumers retreat to the home. Encouraged by great weather, people still want to enjoy their gardens."

The report shows that comparing March 2019 vs March 2018 sales were up a significant 52%. The rolling year to March 2019 vs 2018 shows sales up by 13%. Calendar year to March 2019 vs 2018 sales are up by 37%.

The April edition of HTA Market Update is now available free for members to download from the HTA website, by logging in and then going to the Market Information pages at https://hta.org.uk/learn-develop/market-information.html This issue looks at garden centre sales, overall market performance and contains a section on trends and sustainability.