Houseplants and catering cut-rate sale were up at garden inwardness across the United Kingdom during May ( 2019 ) according to the Garden Centre Association ’s ( GCA ) Barometer of Trade ( BoT ) paper , similar sentiment were repeat in the HTA Market Update .
Sales in houseplant were up 17.41 % and catering was up 10.6 % compare to the same calendar month last twelvemonth ( 2018 ) .
compare to the Easter heatwave in April , the UK experience much milder weather in May , peculiarly towards the close of the calendar month with rain affect the last Bank Holiday Weekend . This meant client had to enjoy leafage and flowers indoors instead , causing the upgrade in houseplant sales .
out-of-door plant sale were down -14.2 % and germ and bulbs down -3.83 % due to the time of year . Garden sundries sale were also down -6.55 % and after a bustle of sales during the April heatwave , sales in furniture and barbeque were down -14.03 % this month . Hard landscaping sale were down -4.55 % and food Radclyffe Hall and farm shop sales were down -0.57 % .
Matthew Bent , Managing Director at Bents Garden & Home , said : “ May 2019 has been a complete contrast to last year , with extraneous sale typically reflecting the wretched weather that was a constant throughout the calendar month .
“ client were definitely focusing on the interior rather than out and we ’ve seen the style for houseplants carry on . Green foliage is really leading the fashion this year , cacti and succulents are still stiff and bonsais are establish a resurgence . "
Overall sales event for the calendar month were down -6.62 % with a year to date alteration of 9.13 % .
Mike Lind , Managing Director at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre and our Chairman , said : “ May for sure march how well GCA members have adapt their businesses over the last few years to understate the impact on patronage of un - favourable weather or other factor . "
The HTA ’s Market Update also showed that houseplant cut-rate sale remained strong in May , but gross sales of garden and out-of-door ranges suffered in the cockeyed weather condition . A wetter and cooler May mean garden centre gross sales were down on last year for the calendar month of May , however a strong starting to 2019 means sales remain up for year to May comparisons .
