January’s Barometer of Trade (BoT) figures released by the Garden Centre Association (GCA) today (January 24, 2025) reveal members recorded ‘a steady start to the year’ with the year-to-date variance up +3.82%.
When likened to January 2024, the results from GCA garden centres for the month showed eight of the 13 categories performed positively with catering in the top spot at +13.16%.
GCA CEO, Peter Burks, says: “Our member garden centres saw a steady start to the year, with catering once again taking the lead and the non-gardening departments doing very well too.
“Clothing came in second, up +11.37%, and food hall/farmshop came next with +7.61. It was, however, a disappointing month for outdoor plant sales, down by -10.69%, but good to see seeds and bulbs getting the year off to a strong start in fourth position at +5.3%.”
The fifth best performing category recorded for January 2025, when compared to the same month in 2024, was miscellaneous at +4.74%, then came gifts with +4.85% and houseplants at +1.59%.
Pets & aquatics came in after this up +0.97%, then garden sundries showing -3.77% and Christmas at -7.69%.
Bringing up the rear were outdoor plants at -10.69%, hard landscaping -11.6% and furniture & BBQs with -16.12%.
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 allows members to compare their trading positions with other centres.
The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide.
Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.
For further information, please go to www.gca.org.uk.
