This year’s late Easter and the need for a distraction from Brexit could bode well for the garden industry, says the HTA.

Martin Simmons, HTA director of operations, said the figures that members reported for last year, with particularly strong growth in December, were encouraging in the approach to an uncertain economic period this Spring. “In the past the garden industry has always shown some resilience to economic uncertainty. With a later Mother’s Day and Easter this year, and therefore the chance of better weather, there’s a possibility that consumers will want a distraction from Brexit, and a spend on garden plants and products represents a relatively low proportion of disposable income that members of the public may be keen to make.”

Garden Centre sales were up by just three percent in 2018 compared to 2017, according to the latest issue of HTA Market Update.

Houseplants continue to increase in popularity with sales up 15% year on year. Christmas categories saw strong growth, with December 2018 sales 9% up on December 2017.

In November, for the first time in two years, average pay growth overtook the inflation rate. In December, inflation continued to fall whilst pay growth remained stable. This is a more positive position for consumers who then have more disposable income to spend on their gardens.

Among the challenges ahead highlighted in the update are continuing concerns over Brexit deals and the UK’s economic situation, with consumers less confident and looking to save more.

The January edition of HTA Market Update is available for members to download from the HTA website. It looks at garden centre sales, overall market performance, trends and the plastics issue in the garden industry.