Garden Centres in Scotland opened last Friday and they have experienced similar re-opening experiences as centres in England and Wales.
Colin Barrie at Caulders told GTN Xtra: “Yes, we are seeing the same pattern as experienced by garden centres throughout the rest of the UK: Record sales on top of record sales and that’s even without our restaurant sales figures. It’s completely unpredictable and unprecedented, however it is a very welcome recovery from such a difficult time.
“Stock levels are low in all departments, however our suppliers have been doing their very best and we appreciate the situation that they too are in.
“We have decent stock levels within our business at present, but I’m sure these will disappear pretty quickly. Who know’s what the rest of the summer will bring!”
John Stevenson at Torwood Garden Centre said: “We went with a soft opening on Thursday. It was busy. Friday was official opening, very busy. Saturday was very, very busy in fact best takings ever, and that includes previous best with cafe/full day trading and unrestricted areas.
“We are doing 6 days 10-3:30 for customers to allow us to water, re stock and importantly sort deliveries to shielding customers. Our staff situation is down 25% due to shielding/family care issues and means at the moment we can't open 7days.
“Sunday we were closed to customers although our road to the centre was a constant stream of cars looking for us to be open. Some staff were in watering and stocking.
“The weather has been exceptional, sunny and warm. Furniture sales were through the roof and now we have mostly run out especially relaxers and corner sets. Luckily, we had taken preseason delivery from Glencrest however another supplier had cancelled our order when we postponed the original delivery date. Glencrest have topped up but now run out.
“Plant sales are very good and although stock is in short supply our local bedding suppliers have kept us stocked. We kept good faith with them, taking stock right through lock down as we never closed completely doing deliveries then latterly also click and collect.
“Originally only family worked, then plant staff came back off furlough to help and then all garden centre staff available for the last couple of weeks and now some cafe staff are assisting with watering and customer help. Our staff have been superb!
“My wife and Jamie's wife have been in every day and we couldn't have done it without them. Probably the hardest 10 weeks in my over 40 years of working but so glad to be doing it where so many businesses cannot.”
Ken Cox at Glendoick Garden Centre reports: “Trade has been good with a high average transaction value. Plants, compost and furniture.
“There is a serious shortage of stock as the English and Welsh centres took it all when they opened.
“We ran out of bedding on Saturday and had two days without any. I think we would have been 100% up if we'd had that.
“Clothing, gift and foodhall are not showing many sales. It is all about gardening.
“Our centre is very adaptable to distancing and a one-way system and it all works very well.
“We were very well stocked up so we don't need much replenishing. Compost is running low but we have some more on order”