Garden centres across the UK report a surge in sales of furniture and outdoor plants during October, with early indications of Christmas sales also good.
The latest results Garden Centre Association's Barometer of Trade (BoT) results for October revealed a 26.82% rise in sales of furniture and barbecues compared with 2014 and outdoor plants up 17.59% for the month. Clothing was also a good seller, up 9.2%.

GCA chief executive Iain Wylie explained: "As the festive season approaches, the early indications show that Christmas sales are looking positive and there is the potential for a good season ahead. While the headline 10% increase may not be as high as other categories such as furniture and barbecues, the average sales value for the Christmas category is seven times greater and the value of the increase is three times as great.

"It's interesting to see sales of furniture and barbecues up at this time of the year. Because of the season we expect people to be purchasing items such as fire pits, outdoor heating and lighting and cosier seating so they can still enjoy their gardens before the very bitter weather sets in.

"Strong outdoor plant figures show people have potentially been busy preparing their plots with plants ideal for colder weather and that produce some much needed winter colour such as shrubs and evergreens.

"Clothing has been one of the top selling categories for the past few months, which is proving how garden centres are becoming real destinations with an increasingly diverse product range."

For the month of October, the overall garden centre performance was up by 11%, with a year-to-date change of 7.5%.

Sales in catering were 14.48% up compared with the same month in 2014, whist food hall and farm shop sales were 11.51% up. Sales in gifts were up 9.74%.

The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures from GCA's members, and provide an up-to-date trading position statement.