Gardening sales have got off to a great start for 2018. Ok, so we are only two weeks in and the weather could turn against us but at this stage of the year any indication that gardening activity and interest is on the up is good news.

After only two weeks our GTN Bestsellers All Products index is running at 12% up but most importantly, plant sales volumes are 30% up after two weeks, Growing Media Top 50 sales are up 74% and even Top 50 Garden Product sales, which were consistently down last year, are currently 22% up.

Let’s hope, after all the snow in December we have a short continuation of winter and that spring comes early.

As Derek Bunker told GTN this week “after Christmas the whole of the UK garden centre industry should start wishing everyone a Happy Spring!”  What a great idea Derek, and with all the Primula and pre-planted Narcissus sold last week a Happy Spring is what customers are looking for too.

Do you agree with Derek about wishing customers "Happy Spring"?  What ideas could we develop across garden centre retailing to make the most of the idea?  Let us know using the comments link below or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year...
Garden Products - up 43%
Growing Media - up 168%
Wild Bird Care - down 15%
Veg-2-Gro - up 18%
All Plants Index - up 74%
All Items Index - up 34%

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