The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) reported strong Christmas sales for garden centres. The organisation’s Garden Retail Monitor shows overall sales figures in the last four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve up on 2020 by between 10% and 20%.

Christmas ranges were up 15% on 2020 and 23% on 2019. Gift ranges were up 7% and 12% on 2020 and 2019 respectively. Catering showed a strong recovery on 2020 where much of the country was affected by tier 3 restrictions which closed their cafes and restaurants. Garden centre catering sales were up 52% for the period compared with 2020, however this is down 41% on 2019, which reflects the ongoing impact of the pandemic on hospitality.

While gardening sales were down by 3% on 2020 these categories were up 38% on 2019, reflecting a sustained interest in gardening as a leisure pursuit in the UK.