Christmas sales begin well in garden centres reports trade body GCA

Overall September sales were up 9.3 per cent according to figures from 60 Garden Centre Association centres. But year to date returns are 4.3 per cent down.
 

                    September             Year to date (per cent)
Houseplants           8.6                        -3
Outdoor plants       3.6                        -13
Seeds and bulbs     -8.5                      -8.7
Sundries                9.2                       -7.5
Furniture and bbqs 10                         -10.5
Pets and aquatics   19.5                       1.2
Gifts                      8.2                        3.8
Christmas              17                         -2
Hard landscaping    13                         -7
Food                      12                         0.3
Clothing                 8.8                        6.2
Catering                 5                           8.1
Overall                   9.3                        -4.3