The late HTA Market Update for February 2025 foreground a interracial performance for UK garden centers . Overall sale were down 1 % equate to February 2024 but up 3 % from February 2023 . It ’s authoritative to note that February 2024 included an supererogatory trading daytime due to the leap year , which slightly affects the compare with February 2025 .
February 2025 continued to exhibit a stark watershed between dissimilar areas of the garden midpoint . Gardening categories continued to underachieve , with sales down 10 % compared to February 2024 , consistent with the sluggish start watch in January . In direct contrast , non - gardening categories generally performed better than in previous long time , even without the influence of catering categories . sale in non - gardening , turn out catering , were up 2 % from February 2024 and 7 % from February 2023 .
Catering sales , while steady , are showing mansion of slowed growth . notwithstanding , catering has become an essential revenue stream for many garden centers , surpassing lively flora for the first time in the last four years in February 2025 , follow coherent growing over the retiring four years . The share of catering sales in February has increased every year since 2023 , rising from a 15 % portion in February 2022 . A unexampled section in the Market Update introduces monthly turnover shares by dissimilar garden center category , offering context for change and their signification .
Other categories mostly expose stableness year - on - yr , except for outdoor bread and butter , which has seen a decline in its ploughshare during February in late years .
In March 2025 , unrecorded plants , bulb , and seeds are expected to tame the largest monthly share . It will be interesting to see how catering performs compared to other horticulture category , such as garden care and garden containers and body structure .
Consumer sureness rose by two points from January 2025 , with all self-confidence measure improving . However , ongoing economic pressure , including inflation , rising utility bills , and the cost - of - bread and butter crisis , cover to impact consumer expenditure , run many to prioritize save over disbursement . Additionally , assorted atmospheric condition in February , with median UK temperature almost 2 ° one C lower than in February 2024 , detain many consumer ' purchases of live flora , as they hold off until quick temperature arrive .
Fran Barnes , Chief Executive of the HTA , commented : " February ’s functioning highlights the difficultness posed by cold weather and conservative consumer spending . Gardening category have skin due to limited works purchase , but non - gardening family are read positive maturation . The diversification of garden heart and soul , particularly with catering as a revenue driver , has help prolong business through seasonal fluctuations .
" Though gardening sale have started the year easy , we do it that demand for horticulture products remains strong , and there are encourage augury as we approach spring . The end of February bring a boost , and warmer weather will be crucial in unlocking further demand as we move into March and beyond . For garden inwardness , the increase in consumer confidence and the continued growth in non - gardening sales will put up a substantial foundation upon which to build . However , the critical period for gardening products lie ahead , and businesses desire for more settled conditions to maximise that potential difference .
" The Chancellor ’s Spring Forecast on March 26 will be an important moment for businesses across the UK , include garden centers . We are calling on the politics for measurement to ease economical pressure on our members . With the wait strong requirement for horticulture products , appropriate economic documentation could be full of life as we come in the spring and summer month .
" The HTA persist attached to providing members with perceptivity and resources to help them make informed decisions and accommodate to ongoing economic challenge . "
For more information : Horticultural Trades Association[email protected]www.hta.org.uk
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