November's Garden Centre Association (GCA) Barometer of Trade (BoT) reveal ‘strong growth’ of +9.04% when compared to the same month in 2024 – with the year-to-date figure up +8.18% too (December 19, 2025).
From the 13 categories recorded by garden centres, 11 were positive, when likened to November 2024 with seeds & bulbs in pole position at +15.04% followed by clothing at +14.62%.
Peter Burks, GCA Chief Executive explains: “The penultimate month of the year has once again showed strong growth for our members despite the significantly wetter month than last year.
“It’s great to see strong increases across the board with seeds & bulbs leading the way and clothing just behind. Were our customers buying warm waterproof clothing so that they could head out to do some gardening?
“It’s also good to see food halls/farm shops and catering still performing strongly. The only disappointing departments were houseplants and hard landscaping with perhaps the weather having an effect here.”
Outdoor plants came in third place at +11.59%, followed by catering at +11.25% and food hall/farm shop at +11.24%.
Christmas was sixth at +8.58%, then furniture & BBQs at 8.22%, garden sundries came next at +7.66%, then the gifts category recorded an upturn of +7.56% and pets & aquatics was also up at +4.1%.
The categories that recorded negatively, when likened with November 2024, where houseplants with -0.85% and hard landscaping at -21.76%.
The GCA’s BoT reports covering 13 categories are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.
The BoT allows members to compare their trading positions with other centres.
The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide.
Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.
Tickets for the GCA’s 2026 Annual Conference are now on sale via the members’ section on the body’s website or via https://gca.digitickets.co.uk/.
For further information, please go to www.gca.org.uk.
