Despite facing a deluge of rain across the United Kingdom , the Horticultural Trade Association ’s ( HTA ) Market Update in March 2024 study that garden centers in February 2024 remain positive , with a +6 % addition in overall garden center sales compare to the same period last year .
Fran Barnes , Chief Executive of the HTA , comment : " In February 2024 , England live extremely heavy rainfall , with the southern half of the country being hit the hard , receiving nearly 15 time the amount of rainfall liken to February 2023 . Despite this , garden centre sales consider a upgrade of 6 % compared to February 2023 and 11 % compared to February 2022 , indicating a positive start to the upcoming Spring season .
" Although some gardening categories look challenge , such as a 6 % declination in hardy plant sales and a 4 % decrease in seed sales agreement compared to the late yr , customers continued to induct in bedding plants ( up 6 % ) , bulb ( up 6 % ) , and indoor plants ( up 5 % ) in February 2024 . Gardening gross revenue in the first two months of the twelvemonth are typically small , but these figures suggest that consumer are taking a proactive approach in educate for the Spring gardening season and enhance their indoor space while waiting for the weather to ameliorate .
" Our Market Update also point a dip in consumer sureness , which fell 2 point in February 2024 due to the announcement of the UK entering a recession . However , self-confidence levels were still 18 points higher than the previous year . Notably , concern for the National Health Service ( NHS ) have outdo fiscal worries for only the 2d sentence since the onrush of the pandemic , ruminate shifting priorities amidst ongoing societal challenges .
" Besides domestic factors , global moral force continue to influence the market landscape painting . Uncertainty in the Middle East give to a surge in crude oil prices , afterward impacting fuel toll . moreover , shipping container cost remain rarified , at 82 % higher than last twelvemonth . This tally imperativeness on business sector overhead alongside rising pay bill as the National Living Wage sees upcoming rescript in April .
" front forward , the HTA is mindful of not only the potential challenges posed by unpredictable weather patterns and likely holdup in plant supply but also the impendent changes to significance from the EU with the introduction of Border Control Posts and swap off the stage of Destination check that presently happen . As spring approaches our vertex season , our members are under vast pressure to insure a steady supply of plants available within garden centre at a suitable Mary Leontyne Price period . We are still asking the government activity to keep the current on - web site expert plant checks system actively work until such a sentence when we have clarity and confidence that BCPS can effectively handle our goods . We also need to ensure that significant cost and giving medication core are not placed on our member businesses , preponderantly SMEs . Our members persist agile in adapting their strategies to voyage these dubiety effectively , but we call for to see to it they are patronise to keep Britain gardening and unripe . "
Members can read the full reputation on theHTA internet site .
For more data : Horticultural swop Associationwww.the-hta.org.uk
