Catering sale at garden centre across the area have performed well in March ( 2022 ) according to the latest Garden Centre Association ’s ( GCA ) Barometer of Trade ( BoT ) report . Sales in the department were 3,679.31 % up compared to the same calendar month in 2021 and have been up throughout 2022 so far .
GCA Chief Executive , Iain Wylie explicate : “ We ’ve seen an understandable surge in supply sales so far in 2022 and this has carried on into March . The figures we ’re go out very much reflect the post in 2021 rather than now , and the issue we were all facing then , and how dissimilar things are this year .
“ We ’re now in the current post - pandemic phase and people are keen to be out and about again . They are once again using garden gist as societal meat , spot to meet friends and family for a aurora burnt umber , afternoon tea or a lunchtime meal .
“ Our members have always been community hub and important for all sort of wellbeing reasons let in socializing . Catering facilities are key to this and while many customers are keen to sit outside still , and garden centres are by nature providing for this , others are well-chosen to be indoors again , especially when the weather is inclement , which was the case in March . This has all helped boost frame enormously , but these still need to be tempered to muse how thing were in 2021 . Comparisons with shape from 2019 , pre - pandemic , perhaps give a slimly clearer characterization for this category . Here we see that catering is on a par or just slenderly in the lead for most garden centres .
“ Also down were outside plants -11.7 % , seed and bulb sales agreement -9.14 % and garden sundries -18.13 % . Again , a reflexion on the chillier weather condition we experienced in March . Plus , hard landscape gardening was down at -27.24 % and food hall and farm shop sale were -13.95 % .
One of the categories execute well in March was catering .
“ The figures illustrate a change in consumer habits , as hoi polloi are now able to vacation abroad again and move about much more . Also , many gardeners will have used their time in the previous two geezerhood to dispatch any major gardening projects , while the restriction were ongoing , therefore this activity inflated figures in 2021
“ Now we ’re seeing things settle down again into a more ‘ normal ’ pattern of activity . The nation ’s love amour with plants and outdoor entertaining at dwelling house is ongoing . Once the weather consistently improves and events like the Chelsea Flower Show , back in its traditional fountain slot in May , take topographic point , nurseryman will be out in their outside space again , inspired and brimming with energy and vigour . ”
