I am quietly optimistic for a number of reasons, not least due to the positive vibes from retailers reporting strong sales in Christmas, gift, and catering in the run up to the festive period.  We now all have to turn our attention back to core gardening.  Last year was one of the wettest on record which clearly impacted core sales within our industry.  However, this creates a carryover of pent-up demand from consumers who didn’t invest in new garden goods or items of leisure.  This demand, added to even an average season, could create phenomenal sales as consumers get back into their gardens.  Thus this year will be all about having stock at the right time in the right place, along with competitive consumer offers.