People were planning for barbecues and improving their outdoor living spaces in June, according to the Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade results for the month.

The best performing category was barbecues and furniture with sales up 36.24% in comparison to June 2012.

Peter Burks, Chairman of the GCA, explained: “The good sales we saw in May continued into June with outdoor living products being the best performers. Sales of hard landscaping were also up 34.67%.

“Outdoor plants were up 29.24%, garden sundries 23.46%, seeds and bulbs 19.82%, food hall and farm shop 11.58% and catering 6.79%.

“It is really positive that we had yet another strong month following a good April and May and it is definitely a step in the right direction to helping our members make up for the losses they had earlier in the year. The overall year to date figures, calculated at the end of June, stand at 1.6% up.”

The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement.

David Little, Managing Director of Poplars Garden Centre in Bedfordshire, said: “Sales of garden furniture and barbecue accessories have been particularly strong thanks to the weather.

“Our customers have been able to enjoy some outdoor living now that summer has finally arrived. Hartman weave sets in particular have sold through very quickly and I wish I’d ordered more. Sales of parasols and bases have also been very strong and if this great weather continues we should clear our remaining stock pretty quickly.

 I’m afraid we are still losing sales of barbecues to the internet for the considered purchase, however sales are steady to customers that want a barbecue right away. What is clear is that a few weeks of good weather and a reasonable forecast for the weeks ahead and customers are happy to invest in this category.”

The BoT reports produced by the GCA allow member garden centres to compare their trading positions with other centres.