The Horticultural Trades Association has released its monthly Market Update for October , which depict a slowdown in sales , speculate the challenging trading surround for the sphere . Garden center sales in October 2024 were down by -6 % compared to October 2023 , and omit catering , this posture at -9 % . Whilst October is traditionally a smaller month in the annual garden centre calendar , lead approximately 7 % of total sales , this class show significant variation among retailer , influenced by the timing of Christmas department openings and clearance of garden piece of furniture stocks .
Fran Barnes , Chief Executive of the HTA , commented : " The unseasonably thudding atmospheric condition discouraged plant purchase , with electric light sale down -6 % , a pertain trend during a crucial fall planting full stop . This is reflected across the garden nub , with center garden and gardening categories experiencing a -14 % decline in sale compare to October 2023 . The Chancellor ’s Autumn Budget has compounded the challenging trading environment for HTA penis — gain in employer National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage , as well as other tax changes , place extra financial insistency on byplay . The HTA ’s recent Member Survey evidence the impingement , with 66 % of members account the need to increase prices and 40 % indicating they will postpone or reduce occupation investment . We are pose these findings to the government activity and urging a pause on the implementation of these change until there has been reference with the industry to understand the full impacts on our members ' occupation and the industry ’s growth ambitions .
" This is an important time of year for our garden centers , and we are promote to see that Christmas gross revenue began powerfully , up +5 % on October 2023 . frail consumer confidence , which dipped by -1 point from September to October , possibly encouraging earlier festal spending to spread the toll . Additionally , garden center cafes and restaurants reported a +4 % increment in transaction numbers compare to October 2023 . This performance will provide critical cash stream to support businesses through the quieter winter month beforehand of the 2025 gardening season , " Barnes conclude .
For more information : Horticultural Trades Associationwww.hta.org.uk
Frontpage photo : © Altitudevs | Dreamstime
