August's Garden Centre Association  Barometer of Trade (BoT) is out this week and it reveals nearly all categories performed well – with bulb sales having a strong start.

Eleven of the 13 categories recorded by member garden centres were reported as being positive, when compared to 2024, with gifts leading the way at +10.1%.

GCA CEO, Peter Burks, says: “We’ve a very encouraging set of sales figures for August after a slight lull in the hot summer months. Bulb sales have started very strongly, which has helped to kickstart the autumn gardening season nicely.

“Once again, it’s great to see almost all the categories performing very well, which demonstrates the wide appeal of the modern garden centre offer. Early feedback from September suggests this gardening trend is continuing too. The percentage variance on last year was also very positive at +6.71%.”

Catering sales came second in August, when compared to the same month in 2024, and were up at +9.16%, followed by seeds & bulbs at +9.25%. Clothing at +8.63% came next and then furniture & BBQs at +7.86%.

The food hall/farm shop category recorded an uptick of +7.17%, with houseplants in seventh place at +4.88% and then garden sundries at +4.76%.

Holding its own, in ninth, is the outdoor plants category at +4.63%, followed by Christmas +4.24% and pets & aquatics, also up, by +3.91%.

The two categories from the 13 that recorded negative results were miscellaneous at -4.45% and hard landscaping at -6.39%.

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.