The Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade (BoT) for April has revealed members had another wonderful’ month – with the year-to-date increase now at +12.28% (2025).
Data from GCA garden centres show all 13 categories logged saw a positive increase, when compared to April 2024, with plant sales and core gardening categories in top slots.
GCA Chief Executive, Peter Burks, says: “After March’s buoyant statistics, it’s great to report another wonderful set of figures for April too. They confirm all that we are seeing in members’ garden centres on the shop floor.
“Once again, every category showed a positive increase in the month when compared to last year and it is great that plants and gardening are continuing to be strong, with outdoor plant sales easily the biggest category financially.
“It is also good to see customers are still shopping all departments too including food and catering. We’ve a healthy year-to-date increase as well, which is now at + 12.28%. Long may this continue!
“The good weather, coupled with a warm Easter weekend pretty much nationwide, has helped boost furniture & BBQ sales this month too, they came in at +42.27% when compared to the April 2024.
“Meanwhile, another ‘growth’ area was outdoor plants at +34.81%. Garden sundries came next in our April BoT and, when compared to last year, it was up by +27.27%, followed by the food hall/farm shop category at +16.92%, then hard landscaping with +12.29% and gifts at 10.76%. Next was seeds and bulbs at +8.93%.
“Catering posted a +7.92% increase in April, with clothing up by +5.38%, followed by houseplants at +5.21% and then pets & aquatics at +2.83%.
“Our miscellaneous category was also up at +7.36%, when compared to the same month in 2024.”
The GCA’s 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.
Tickets for the GCA’s 2026 Annual Conference go on sale on July 1, 2025.
