January's Barometer of Trade figures released by the Garden Centre Association reveal members recorded ‘a steady start to the year’ with the year-to-date variance up +3.82%.

When likened to January 2024, the results from GCA garden centres for the month showed eight of the 13 categories performed positively with catering in the top spot at +13.16%.

GCA CEO, Peter Burks, says: “Our member garden centres saw a steady start to the year, with catering once again taking the lead and the non-gardening departments doing very well too.

“Clothing came in second, up +11.37%, and food hall/farmshop came next with +7.61. It was, however, a disappointing month for outdoor plant sales, down by -10.69%, but good to see seeds and bulbs getting the year off to a strong start in fourth position at +5.3%.”

The fifth best performing category recorded for January 2025, when compared to the same month in 2024, was miscellaneous at +4.74%, then came gifts with +4.85% and houseplants at +1.59%.

Pets & aquatics came in after this up +0.97%, then garden sundries showing -3.77% and Christmas at -7.69%.

Bringing up the rear were outdoor plants at -10.69%, hard landscaping -11.6% and furniture & BBQs with -16.12%.

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 allows members to compare their trading positions with other centres.