February 2024
GCA BoT Report. The Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade (BoT) report for January 2024 indicates a positive beginning to the new year, with hard landscaping taking the lead in sales. The report, based on figures from GCA member garden centres, reveals encouraging results, with overall sales up by +3.19% compared to the same month in 2023.
Peter Burks, CEO of GCA, commented, “Our BoT for January shows an encouraging result for the first month of the year, with sales overall up a touch at +3.19%. Clearly, garden centre customers were out in their gardens doing projects, as our hard landscaping category posted the largest increase on last year, and hardy plants, seeds, and bulbs, and garden sundries also recorded good positive increases.”
Hard landscaping experienced a significant surge, up by +29.07% compared to January 2023. Catering followed at +12.55%, excluding the miscellaneous category, which showed an increase of +19.18%. Outdoor plants were up by +11.26%. Other noteworthy categories included seeds and bulbs (+9.54%), food hall/farm shop (+6.13%), and garden sundries (+7.3%).
Clothing demonstrated a positive return in January with a +5.14% increase compared to the same month last year. Pets and aquatics also performed well at +4.29%, while gifts showed a modest increase at +0.07%.
However, furniture & BBQs reported the lowest performance, recording a -10.5% figure. Houseplants were down by -9.56%, and Christmas-related items decreased by -5.72%.
The GCA BoT reports, compiled using actual sales figures, provide an up-to-date trading position statement. Released mid-month following the end of the prior month, these reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other garden centres.
The GCA, representing over 200 garden centres nationwide, supports its members in achieving high standards in customer service, plant quality, and reliability through information sharing and inspection programs.
For additional information, please visit www.gca.org.uk.