Wet weather throughout June affected sales in garden centres across the country according to the latest Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade report.

Catering was the only category with positive sales at 5.83% up compared to the same month last year (2021).

GCA Chief Executive, Iain Wylie explains: “June was a bit of a washout across the country, which really effected sales across our member’s garden centres. Catering was the only category with positive sales for the month, however, this is because it is still making up for losses during the pandemic.

“We had hoped that the extended Bank Holiday weekend for the Platinum Jubilee would make up for the loss of the normally busy May Bank Holiday and while the weather was good, centres were relatively quiet on the Saturday and Sunday as people join in with street parties and other celebrations, rather than getting out and doing some gardening.

“It was generally difficult for gardeners to get out onto their plots during the month due to the weather and sales in traditional categories show this. Sales in outdoor plants were down -22.39%. Seed and bulb sales were down -7.96% and houseplant sales were down -13.67%.”

Sales in garden sundries were down -26.31%, furniture and barbecue sales were down -11.86% and pets and aquatics sales were down -13.85%.

Hard landscaping sales were down -33.05%, food hall and farm shop sales were down -10.23% and clothing sales were down -10.02%.

Overall sales for the month were down -16.3% with a year-to-date variance of -0.52%.

The GCA BoT reports 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 reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.