HOUSEPLANTS were the best sellers for a second month in a row (September, 2019) at garden centres across the country according to the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade report.
 
Sales were up 12.34% compared to the same month last year (2018).
 
Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, said: “The trend for houseplants doesn’t look like it’s going away any time soon, and after a positive August, it’s great to see that sales in this department remained up for September as well.
 
“Now is the perfect time of year for bringing some much needed colour indoors, so it’s no surprise people are doing this with houseplants. They have become key home accessories, bought to emphasise a look or to make a statement, and they help purify the air in addition to adding freshness and life to a room for much longer than cut flowers do.
 
“Sales in outdoor plants were down -6.16% and seed and bulb sales were down -7.1%, due in no small part to the unfavourable weather during the second half of the month. Garden sundries sales were also down -4.67%.”
 
Gift sales were down -1.51% for the month.
 
Iain added: “Furniture and barbecue sales were up 10.4% during the month as garden centres cleared their stock ready for the new autumn/winter season.
 
“Pets and aquatics sales were up 0.44% and hard landscaping sales were up 5.23%. Food hall and farm shop sales were up 2.24%, clothing was up 0.17% and catering was up 5.06%.”
 
Overall sales for the month were down -0.62% with a year to date change of 5.88%.
 
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 reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.
 
The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.
 
For further information, please call 01244 952170. Alternatively, please visit www.gca.org.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/pages/GardenCentreAssociation or follow the organisation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GC_Association.