Our
Barometer of Trade (BoT) results for May have
revealed that our member garden centres saw catering sales rise.
Compared
to the same time last year (2014) sales in catering departments were up 14.46%.
It’s
great news that catering sales were on the up during May. Garden centres have
so much more to offer than just plants these days and people often make a
family day out of visiting their local centre as there’s something for
everyone.
They
can browse the plants, pick up gifts and clothes, let the kids play in the play
area and have a hearty lunch or dinner.
The second best performer for the month was outdoor plants, which was 13.96%
up.
Simon
Bourne, Garden Centre Manager at Perrywood Garden Centre and Nurseries Ltd in
Essex, said: “May was a really great month for us and was in fact our best ever
month in the garden centre and in the coffee shop. Sales were up 18% for the
garden centre on last year and up 24% in the coffee shop. Plant sales in May
were fantastic and were up 21% on last year.
“As
always the weather drives our sales and the higher than average rain fall and
lower temperatures has actually helped this time around. The rain has fallen in
short sharp spells that have kept plants looking fresh but dry spells in
between have allowed gardeners to get out and do things.
“The
lower temperatures have meant that people haven’t headed to the coast/park/pub
beer garden and although it has been colder we have had quite a bit of sunshine
which has been perfect for spending a day doing work in the garden.
“The
Chelsea week always gives us a lift and this year was very strong and the week
after that was half term which again was exceptionally busy. There seems to be
confidence from customers to spend more this season with larger plants as well
as leisure lines selling well.”
During the month sales of houseplants were up 13.55% and furniture
and barbecues did well at 10.3% up.
Katie
Eckley, Manager at The Old Railway Line Garden Centre in Wales, said: “May was
very good for us, the weather was bright enough to keep bringing people out,
although those few late chilly evenings were a bit worrying.
“Overall
we were 16% up on last year. The restaurant is still seeing growth at 10% up
for May. It had a very busy half term with our ‘Wild Wednesday’ event running,
bringing in over 100 children and the famous Hay Festival runs for 10 days
bringing in lots of tourists, keeping the place full of families.
“Outdoor
living is doing extremely well for us, it was over 80% up for May compared to
last year. We just hope we can keep it up as suppliers stock levels are getting
low now. Outdoor plants had a cracking month at 15% up, we are very happy with
this level of growth for a department that we haven’t made any bigger, just
worked it harder and turned stock over quickly.
“Houseplants
are doing well for the year so far but May was about on par with last year.”
Garden
centres also reported a rise of 9.54% in pets and aquatics departments.
Monkton
Elm Garden & Pet Centre’s new Elm Tree restaurant saw positive growth in
its first full month of trading since opening in April.
Managing
Director, Mike Lind, said: “Catering Sales for May were up 48.6% on 2014, with
good performances in both hot and cold food sales from the new deli island and
open-kitchen carvery. Hot drinks sales performed exceptionally well with our
new coffee lounge sales confirming that if you offer good quality tea and
coffee customers will visit.”
Food
hall/farm shop sales were up 8.18%. Clothing sales were 9.08% up compared to
the same time last year.
Our BoT results are the only official GCA trading figures to be
released.
The reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an
up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month
following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have
submitted their results.
The reports allow you to compare trading positions with other
centres.
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