GCA: July ‘a very pleasing month’
Food hall and farm shop was up by 7.52%, while catering increased by 6.86%.
Garden Centre Association (GCA) members enjoyed a strong trading performance during July with overall sales increasing by 10.66% compared to July 2025, according to the industry body’s latest Barometer of Trade figures. Despite intense heat and water restrictions in nearly all areas, garden centres nationwide delivered strong trading figures and exceeded expectations, while the year-to-date performance also remained positive.
The strongest performing category during July was furniture and barbecues, which rose by 27.76%. Food hall and farm shop, meanwhile, was up by 7.52%, while catering increased by 6.86%.
'The food offering brought in good numbers'
Peter Burks, chief executive officer of the GCA, said: “Despite the terrific heat and temporary use water orders, our members had a very strong month sales wise when compared to July 2025 – much to most people’s surprise and pleasure.
“It was great to see strong plant sales, as customers were looking for fresh colourful replacements for those lost in the heat. However, while plant sales were certainly up, so were the costs for caring for them in both watering and wastage.
“Furniture as expected had a very strong month and it’s great to see the food offering also brought in good numbers. All in all, a very pleasing month.”
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