The late Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) Market Update for August 2024 divulge steady garden center gross revenue in a class pock by very crocked and irregular atmospheric condition . According to this update , this was primarily thanks to strong catering , food , and farm shop execution counteracting dim plant and essence horticulture sales , which has largely been the story of 2024 so far .
Fran Barnes , Chief Executive of the HTA , commented : " The impact of the weather on garden center sale this year has been quite significant , and July was no elision . Despite being drier and sunny than July 2023 by the end of the calendar month , some parts of the UK experienced more than the normal monthly rain in just the first couple of week .
" Sales of plants struggled , with hardy plants down 9 % compared to July 2023 . Garden furniture sale also take a bang , down 19 % against the same period last year . This downturn in garden furniture sales add to fair Transaction value about equivalence with July 2023 despite pomposity and down 8 % compared to the warm , drier July 2022 .
" However , sale of associated core gardening product like prick and equipment , plant life care , and garden feature film increase by 8 % . BBQs and heating sales were boosted by the ardent end of July 2024 , rising by 28 % compared to the wet July 2023 .
" I am proud of to describe that garden center sale overall finished the calendar class to the death of July up by 3 % compare to 2023 , for the most part buoy by secure execution in catering , intellectual nourishment , and farm shop departments , which saw a 15 % twelvemonth - to - date increase , even as garden and gardening category sale bear , down 2 % year - to - particular date .
" Our paper also picture that consumer confidence improves marginally in July , touch horizontal surface significantly above the prior year , and the inflation rate has stabilized at around 3 % . coalesce with the appeal of garden essence hospitality , this is promising for footfall and outgo as we steer towards fall and Christmas preparations .
" Although convinced sales trends in summertime months are welcome , these are typically small month for garden kernel sales , and the wide economic environment stay difficult . Retailers are contend with rising remark and lying-in monetary value , affecting profit margins . We will continue to exploit closely with our fellow member and the government to urge for the support our industriousness need to navigate these challenges and to ensure its long - term sustainability . "
For more selective information : Horticultural Trades Associationwww.the - hta.org.uk[email protect ]
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