In This Issue
Greenkey embarks on ambitious decorative range launch 
Oak category shows considerable potential
Diddly Squat Farm and Blue Diamond Garden Centres unveil new and exclusive garden gifting collection
Multi-award-winning SealStop stars in the Dragons' Den
LOHAS Fertiliser wins 2026 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund
HEX Living Golf Day raises £6,600 for A Child of Mine
Autumn Budget must recognise 'green growth' businesses
LOFA charity lunch returns to support Greenfingers
GCA garden centres asked to vote for their Associate Member of the Year 2026
What it means to win a Glee New Product Award
Meadow View celebrates Glee award win
Pitching shortlisted products to award judges
Taylors Bulbs delighted to win National Garden Scheme Centenary product of the Year award 
Hat-trick of Glee for Monty Miracle 
Get your copy of GTN Xtra
British Garden Centres marks five years of the Family Card with a major group-wide upgrade
Launch of industry-wide employee survey across horticulture and landscaping
WD-40 Company launches first Water Based Degreaser
APL garden awarded Platinum and Best Showcase Garden at BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair
Manchester garden designer wins Best Beautiful Border at BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair
Pleydell Smithyman strengthens planning team
Prosper Garden Centre Buying Group welcomes Bell Plantation GC
North Norfolk is the best place for gardeners to live
AIPH World Green City Awards 2026 Winners set to be revealed in Bari
Tickets now on sale for Poinsettia Conference 2026
The best of last week's
Dobbies reports strong progress with revenue up by 10%
Zero-Hours Reform: Why smarter workforce planning could become essential for garden centres
Berry & Bird Garden Tools make debut at Glee
Forty new products launched as Garland strengthens customer support
Greenkey launches Happy Havens Wildlife Habitats
Henry Bell heads up category expansion at Botany Bay
Greenfingers celebrates Floral Thursday at Glee with £3,580 raised in Floral FUNdraising
Revealed: GTN's Greatest Garden Centre Restaurant and Food Hall Team Awards
Send us your news and great ideas

Contact us with your news.

Email trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 07973 504214

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Dobbies reports strong progress with revenue up by 10%

Dobbies Garden Centres Group Limited has filed its annual accounts for the year to 1 March 2026.

 

Dobbies has reported an EBITDA profit of £0.5m in FY26, a significant year on year improvement. Our key financial measures all improved this year, indicating the success of the first full year of Dobbies' growth strategy. 

  • Revenue increased by 10% to £221.8m (FY25: £201m);
  • Customer footfall increased;
  • Average Transaction Value grew;
  • Margin increased by 200 bps; 
  • The combination of the increase in revenue and the improved margin rate led to a 15% increase in Gross Margin; while 
  • other income grew 16% to £9.9m, reflecting the continued success of Dobbies' concession partner network.

The growth strategy has focused on improving and extending product ranges, refurbishing stores, enhancing restaurant menus and improving the overall customer proposition. During the year, Dobbies invested £4m in refurbishing seven stores and introduced a new £1.5m Foodhall concept across the estate. Both initiatives performed ahead of expectations, supporting customer engagement and commercial performance.

 

Customer metrics also strengthened during FY26. Net Promoter Score (NPS) increased, reflecting improvements to stores and restaurants, while the Club Plus loyalty programme continued to attract new members and encourage more frequent visits through exclusive offers, discounts and free hot drinks.

 

David Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of Dobbies, said: "I am delighted with the progress the business has made this year. 

 

"We have made positive improvements against our key metrics, and we have remained focused on the areas that matter most to our customers - our stores, plants and product ranges, restaurants and overall experience. That focus has delivered improved performance and a return to profitability.

 

"Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we are seeing more people visit our stores more often to shop, dine and take part in events and community activities.  Our customers donated £235,000 to our partner charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK, following the launch of our new community partnership during the year.  

 

“These results would not be possible without the commitment of our colleagues, who have worked tirelessly to deliver a fantastic experience to our customers.  I would like to thank them for their hard work. 

 

“I would also like to thank our concession partners and suppliers, who have supported Dobbies through this stage of its growth and whose ongoing support has made an important contribution to our progress this year.

 

"Looking ahead to FY27, we are continuing to see a year on year improvement in our key metrics and progress against our strategic plan.  We are continuing to invest in our estate with redevelopment plans underway in our Galton, Woodbridge and Lisburn garden centres.  This illustrates the potential of this great business and I remain excited for the future."

 

GTN Editor Trevor Pfeiffer will be interviewing David Robinson at Glee on Wednesday 9th September, join us at 11:30am on Centre Stage to find out more...

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Del.icio.us Digg | Comment (0)
Comment
Name:*

Email Address:*

Comment:*