October's Garden Centre Association Barometer of Trade figures show ‘an encouraging set of figures'.

From the results entered by the GCA’s member garden centres for the month, it was revealed, when compared to October 2023, that nine of the 13 categories recorded were up.

GCA CEO, Peter Burks explains: “It’s an encouraging set of figures for the month with the significant increases on indoor categories outweighing the losses on the outdoor ones.

“Gardening and outdoor projects were clearly not on the jobs list last month, but as usual eating was, with food halls/farm shops and catering doing well. It’s also great to see a decent start to Christmas sales and another very good month for gifts.”

The best recorded category for October 2024, when compared to the same month in 2023, was food hall/farm shop at +12.2%, with catering next at +11.61% and clothing sales in third place at +9.62%.

Houseplants came in next at +8.6%, then gifts +7.39%, seeds and bulbs at +5.02%, Christmas at +2.95% and the miscellaneous category was +0.98%.

Pets & aquatics came in next and recorded +0.35%, and outdoor plants down at -3.19%. Hard landscaping was down at -6.54%, garden sundries -6.77% and furniture & BBQs at -8.96%.

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.