In This Issue
Easter volume sales down on 2022 but up on pre-covid levels
GCA opens applications for 2023 Rising Stars programme
Forest Garden awarded King's Award for Enterprise
Dog Rocks supplier achieves King’s Award for Enterprise
Roses fit for a King!
Little dobbies Cheltenham set to open this Thursday
All the latest updates from Glee 2023
Wet March dampens GCA’s BoT figures
Gardening industry shows resilience during the wettest month in over 40 years
LANDSCAPE partners with LOFA & SOLEX for second year
Bents donates over £23k to Manchester Mind
GARDENA raises over £4,200 for Greenfingers
New product team at AMES UK brings innovation to fore
Positive results for Squire's in a challenging climate
Yorkshire garden centre group launches new concessions
Old Railway Line relaunches membership to inspire young gardeners
Environmental Horticulture Strategy motion tabled in Scottish Parliament
College students tour Wyevale Nurseries
Awards Special Issue of GTN - GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards - Garden Centre Association Awards - Read on-line now
Get your copy of GTN Xtra
HTA reaction to delay of Scottish deposit return scheme
RHS endorses new gardening caddy bag from Genus Gardenwear
Cost of living crisis sees DIY boom continue
BHETA to partner with Glee at BHETA BIRA village
The best of last week's
Boyd Douglas-Davies to leave British Garden Centres
Blue Diamond buys Beckworth Emporium
Garden centre car parks and tills busy this weekend
British brilliance features in USA Garden Center magazine
In numbers: Garden Re-Leaf 2023
Treadstone gloves made from recycled bottles hit market
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
Interview with Evergreen Garden Care's new MD Colin Stephens in the latest edition of GTN, read on-line here
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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Gardening industry shows resilience during the wettest month in over 40 years

 

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has released its monthly Market Update report, which provides an overview of the state of the gardening industry in March 2023. Despite the challenging weather conditions caused by excessive rainfall, the report highlights the industry’s resilience in the face of decreased sales in the gardening categories.

 

The report notes that although garden centre sales were down by 28% compared to March 2022, catering sales increased by 15%, making it the primary subcategory to show growth, with food and farm shop items also seeing an increase.

 

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has released its monthly Market Update report, which provides an overview of the state of the gardening industry in March 2023. Despite the challenging weather conditions caused by excessive rainfall, the report highlights the industry’s resilience in the face of decreased sales in the gardening categories. The report notes that although garden centre sales were down by 28% compared to March 2022, catering sales increased by 15%, making it the primary subcategory to show growth, with food and farm shop items also seeing an increase.

 

Whilst personal finances continue to dominate consumer concerns, the report suggests that consumers are opting for smaller treats in cafes and restaurants but in higher numbers. The market update encourages businesses to be optimistic and take advantage of this growth area, bringing new visitors into garden centres.

 

Fran Barnes, HTA Chief Executive, said, "Garden centres continue to be popular destinations for socialising and leisure activities, as evidenced by the strong performance of catering sales. While we understand that the excessive rainfall may have temporarily reduced consumer appetite for gardening, we are encouraged that the diverse range of offerings in our garden centres can entice visitors back and, as the weather improves, will inspire them to start thinking about their gardens too."

 

As we move towards the typically drier months and the peak time for gardening, the HTA is also aware of the need to conserve water and use it responsibly. The report contains a note of caution that businesses should not be fooled by the extremely wet weather in March as it followed the driest February in 30 years, and we have not fully recovered the water deficit. The Met Office also forecasts an increased likelihood of a dry April-June period. The HTA is supporting their members with advice on water usage, such as filling as much storage capacity as possible, using water responsibly, encouraging customers to do the same, and investing in infrastructure for water recapture where possible. As well as signposts to supporting articles in the report, the HTA also has several helpful resources on its website and hopes that the government can support the sector in addressing the issue of water scarcity, which poses a significant threat to HTA member businesses and the wider gardening industry.

 

Overall, the industry remains optimistic and looks forward to taking advantage of the upcoming peak gardening season. And, despite the dip in sales in March, the horticultural sector is poised for growth and remains a vital part of the UK’s economy and underpins half of the government’s 25-year Environment Plan.

 

The report is available to members on the HTA website.

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

Email Address:*

Comment:*