In its July Market Update , the Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) reports that challenging trading conditions for garden centers carry on in June 2024 . Despite a general improvement in consumer confidence , ongoing untoward wet atmospheric condition significantly dissemble sale in core gardening family .
Fran Barnes , Chief Executive of the HTA , commented : " In June 2024 , we saw a 3 % decrease in garden centre sales compared to June 2023 . The sorry weather has been a common idea for 2024 . Sunshine hours in June , which are always critical to sales event performance , were at just 72 % of the spirit level for June 2023 — years that also saw rain growth compared to 2023 , take a crap for challenging trading in garden family . There is n’t anything that we can do as the HTA to vary the conditions , but what we can and are move to do is defend the importance of our sector to the unexampled government to ensure they put in place policies and regularization that will help mitigate the upshot of this volatile atmospheric condition and involve that they review the support available to SMEs to conform to our ever - changing climate .
" Sales in core horticulture ranges and industrial plant always bear the brunt of poor weather , and we are construe that after the first six months of the year , cut-rate sale of bedding plants are down 2 % compared with the first six months of 2023 , with hardy plants and tree down 7 % . Specifically , bedding plants see an 11 % drop in sales in June , while hardy plants and tree have a 7 % decline . Garden piece of furniture sale were also notably impacted , falling by 38 % equate to June 2023 , with the summer scent of barbecue significantly absent -5 % .
" In dividing line , indoor ranges and non - gardening categories continue to perform powerfully . Catering sales surged by 16 % year - on - year , solid food and farm shop sales increased by 22 % , and wild bird care saw a pregnant boost , with sales up by 23 % .
" Consumer confidence in June 2024 improved for the third sequent calendar month , reach out -14 , the highest grudge since November 2021 . This increase is attribute to a falling inflation rate and a more optimistic horizon of the country ’s general economic situation .
" While the adverse atmospheric condition has doubtless impacted our magnetic core gardening sales , the robust performance of indoor and non - gardening categories shows that garden centre remain a vital name and address for consumer . We are optimistic that the uprise consumer confidence and strategic focusing on upcoming seasonal ranges will bolster gross revenue in the coming month . With secure weather finally being forecast and multitude keen to spend more time outdoors in their gardens , there is conservative optimism about recover some of the lost terra firma . We hope that the July weather condition improves importantly . "
For more informationHorticultural Trades Associationwww.the - hta.org.uk[email protected ]
