Strong food theme reflected in GCA's October BoT figures

THE Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Barometer of Trade (BoT) figures for October reveal a ‘strong food theme’ at member garden centres. Eight of the GCA’s 13 categories saw an uplift during the month, as recorded by member centres, and the figures also revealed a positive year-to-date variance of +2.27%.

Peter Burks, Chief Executive of the GCA, explains:“Catering continued to be the strongest performing category in our member garden centres during October with plant sales understandably struggling, given the very wet weather. But overall, an encouraging, albeit small, increase in sales.

“The strong food theme continued with food halls and farm shops up by 8.33% and it’s great to see a decent increase in Christmas sales, which we hear is continuing into November.”

The best category in October was catering, up at +12.97%, followed by the miscellaneous, other items category up at +12.57%, food hall/farm shop which was +8.33%, clothing at +7.07% and Christmas up at +4.78%.

Pet and aquatics also performed well at +3.02% when compared to October 2022, so did garden sundries at +2.97% and hard landscaping at +2.08, but according to October’s BoT results, furniture and BBQ sales were down by -29.03%, houseplants down by -7.64% and outdoor plants down -4.78%. Also recording a negative figure were seeds and bulbs -0.41% and gifts -0.06%.

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.

For further information, please visit: www.gca.org.uk.

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