More summer-like conditions over the past couple of months have helped to boost business at garden centres throughout the country. The GTN Bestsellers All Products Index reveals that summer sales have  helped to keep volumes ahead of the same period last year.

There’s no doubt that non-gardening items like furniture and barbecues have been star performers – hardly surpising as these products suffered badly in 2012. And again catering is playing a crucial role in garden centre fortunes, helping to drive footfall and income.

Let’s hope the encouraging sales figures brought on by the good weather can continue into autumn and beyond. HTA Director General, Carol Paris, had this to say on the matter.

“It’s pleasing to see the season pick up with the warmer weather resulting in improved consumer spending and consumer confidence. However, there is still some way to recovery after last year’s washout and we expect  that autumn and our ‘Plan it, Plant it Campaign’ will contribute positively for the final part of the year.”

Let us know how business at your centre is holding up. Email trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year:

• Garden Products – down 3%
• Veg-2-Gro – up 12%
• Growing Media – up 16%
• All items index – up 25%

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