As we went into Lockdown 2 it was plants, growing media, and wildlife and wild bird care that performed best versus last year – up on last year’s sales for the same week by 41%, 76% and 23% respectively. According to the GTN Bestsellers Epos data, Christmas sales volumes were the sector worst hit, down 8% on last year.
All that gardening activity, possibly in preparation for lockdown, meant total volume sales for the week were up overall by 11%. Thank goodness for being allowed to stay open and thank goodness for continued high levels of gardening activity, even as we move into November.
With social distancing and general adherence to the lockdown with people NOT going out for non-essential shopping, Christmas sales present an even bigger challenge than normal. That’s why the team at GTN are putting together plans to bring back The Greatest Christmas Awards this year. Watch out for details in GTN Xtra and the November printed magazine issue of GTN.
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 45
- Garden Products Top 50 – down 30%
- Growing Media Top 50 – up 76%
- Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 58%
- Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – up 23%
- Christmas Top 50 – down 8%
GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 45
- All Plants with Barcode index – up 41%
- All Items with Barcode index – up 11%
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a year’s subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.