Our members saw sales of clothing and catering soar while
fluctuating weather saw plant sales rise and fall during March (2015) according
to our Barometer of Trade (BoT) results.
Houseplants were up 5.50% while sales of outdoor plants fell
-13.76%. Clothing sales were up 9.16% compared with the same month in 2014 and
catering was up 5.87%.
This time last year we experienced some fantastic weather, which
led to some impressive sales figures at the garden centres. It was always going
to be tough to beat this year as the great British weather is so unpredictable
so we have seen sales of plants rise and fall throughout the month.
When our traditional categories are being affected like this it’s
great to see sales of our non-traditional categories pick up the pace. Despite
the rain it looks like garden centre customers made sure they were kitted out
in the latest gear and stopped off at cafés and restaurants during their visits
for a spot of lunch, dinner or a cuppa and cake.
During the month food hall and farm shop sales reached 2.88% up.
Ben Thompson, Director at Garsons Esher and Titchfield, said:
“Catering continues to grow at our Titchfield centre, where our restaurant was
refurbished just over a year ago. March sales were up, restaurant sales achieved
a 16% growth year on year for 2014 to 15.
“The improved offer has driven site visitor numbers up, with
general food and butchery sales performing very well also.”
Our BoT results are the only official trading figures to be
released.
The reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an
up-to-date trading position statement.
This allows members to compare their trading positions with other
centres.
Tammy Woodhouse, Managing Director at Millbrook Garden Centres,
said: “We have actively targeted to grow our clothing sales this year having
seen some good growth last year. We benchmarked ourselves against other similar
sized centres using the BoT and realised there were opportunities out there.
Using the BoT we then contacted these centres, for example St Peter’s in
Worcestershire.
“They shared with us the suppliers and sales they were getting
from each area. Using this information and working with AIS we have introduced
new clothing ranges and given this area more space which has resulted in
increased sales.
“This is the strength of the GCA and the BOT to learn and share
information to grow our own centres and this is a great example of this in
action.”
St Peter’s Garden Centre saw sales of clothing rise 32.26% during
March.
Dennis Espley, Managing Director at Squires Garden Centre, said:
“It was a disappointing month in all gardening categories, particularly
sundries, trees and shrubs. There was encouraging interest in furniture and
BBQs, particularly when there was a sunny day. Catering and gifts performed
well, particularly on Mother’s Day weekend. Fortunately trading since Easter
Monday has been excellent.”
Our BoT results are made available mid-month following the end of
the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.
Julian Winfield, Chief Executive at Haskins Garden Centres, said:
“Plant sales in March were ok. Looking at our largest centre, Haskins Ferndown,
they were down 10%, but the weather last year was better. However, if you look
at our average plant sales over the last five years, Ferndown were down 4% and
substantially down on sales in 2011, which suggests the trend is down.
“It is still early and I am encouraged with what has happened so
far after a good gardening season last year, but we never know until mid-June.”
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