Has there ever been a crazier season for plant sales? After seven weeks of misery in March and April we’ve now seen 12 conscutive weeks where sales have been up on 2017 to put the year to date GTN Bestsellers Volume Plant Sales index at 9.5% up.
Does anyone know of another retail sector that has performed so well this year? While overall garden centre sales volumes are still trailling behind lsat year at 2% down, the mix of excellent plants, fantastic catering and ranges of furniture & BBQ’s ideally suited to the current sensational summer mean many centres are now reporting overall turnovers up on last year.
Judging by the crowds at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show and at garden centres visited this week the desire to buy plants that are looking great for instant colour shows little sign of abating, even with the threat of hosepipe bans on the horizon.
This year reminds us all of the power of plants. More than ever they are THE most important part of garden centre retailing.
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 28
