The strong garden centre sales of recent months continued into July, according to new figures from The Garden Centre Association (GCA).
The ongoing strength of trade means that, year to date, GCA members' sales are now up 9%.

Will Armitage, chairman of the GCA, explained: "The hot weather experienced last month saw a slight decrease in sales in more traditional categories such as outdoor plants and garden sundries. However, many non-traditional categories saw increases.

"As people start looking towards autumn and planting for spring we expect the more traditional areas to pick up again during the next couple of months."

The best performing categories in July were hard landscaping, with sales 21% up on July 2013, clothing, up 13%, and catering, up 12%. Other categories that saw increases during the month were gifts, up 10%, and pets, up 4%.

"Food hall/farm shop sales have also performed well throughout the year," said Mr Armitage, "with the year-to-date figure standing at 5.09% up."

At GCA member Garsons Titchfield, director Clare James commented: "The good weather throughout July has meant increased customer numbers across the centre.

"In addition to this, our butchery counter has also brought in a number of new customers, who have then been tempted to purchase from our large range of chilled, frozen and grocery products.

"We have seen increased sales on meat pies, alcohol from a range of local suppliers and general grocery products, such as cold drinks and confectionery."