GTN’s analyst Trevor Pfeiffer (MD of The Garden Communication & Media Company) believes December increases in seed and bulb sales posted by GCA members were the result of increased footfall as a result of Christmas visits and the ‘extra’ week-end garden centres had in December.

The GCA’s Barometer of Trade report showed a 20.33% increase in seed and bulb sales in December compared to the same month in 2014.

“The real story for December is Christmas trading and the increased trade generated by catering,” he said. Catering was 17.41% up overall –  and food hall and farm shop sales were 20.96% up.

Simon Bourne, manager at Perrywood Garden Centre in Tiptree, Essex, said: “December 2015 was a fantastic month and followed the trend of previous months in being record breaking. We had our second busiest trading day of the year on Saturday, December 5, which was our best ever Saturday.

 “Overall sales in the garden centre were up 15% compared to December 2014 and it was our busiest December by a long way. Outdoor plants were up 10% and indoor plants were up 46%. Christmas products were a huge success and were 23% up for the period September to December compared to the previous year. The coffee shop also had a really positive month and finished 22% up compared to the same period last year.”

Ben Thompson, Director at Garsons Garden Centre, which has centres in Surrey and Titchfield, said: “Following our site redevelopment at Garsons Esher, which included a new restaurant (pictured above), catering traded 86% up during the month of December.

 “Catering at Garsons Titchfield showed growth of 14% year-on-year for the month of December. Christmas sales performed well at both stores likewise, along with giftware.”