Garden centres saw a positive start to 2019 according to the GCA Barometer of Trade report. Houseplant and outdoor plant sales dominated.
Compared to the same month in 2018, houseplant sales were 16.96% up and outdoor plant sales were up 13.03%.
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Iain Wylie said: ?Towards the end of 2018, we saw much milder weather than we?re used to. Our customers were able to spend more time outdoors preparing for the coming season.
“This continued into January with good sales in outdoor plants and houseplants. It’s brought a positive start to the year and the expectation of a buoyant spring season.?
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Seed and bulb sales were up 5.32% and sales in garden sundries were up 9.02%.
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Sales in pets and aquatics departments were up 9.03% and hard landscaping sales were up 1.82%.
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Food hall and farm shop sales were up 4.22% and catering sales were up 10.35%. Clothing sales were down -2.91%.
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Iain added: ?Christmas sales were up 12.39%. It’s pleasing to see a double digit increase in houseplants again. The category?s resurgence continues.
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?Customers seem keen to bring some life into their homes.
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?Sales for the month were up 7.6% – a positive start to 2019!?
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The Barometer of Trade reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.
