The UK’s GCA reveals trading results for November

Added on 21 December 2023

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The UK’s GCA reveals trading results for November

Photo: GCA CEO Peter Burks. Courtesy of AIPH

Garden centre members of the UK’s Garden Centre Association (GCA) have revealed their trading results for November in the organisation’s latest Barometer of Trade (BoT) report – with catering in poll position.

The figures show a year-to-date variance of 2.38 per cent and that 11 of the GCA’s 13 categories, recorded by member garden centres, saw an uplift during the month.

Chief Executive of the GCA, Peter Burks says: “Sales were once again very encouraging for our GCA members in November with an average turnover increase of 5.36 per cent, compared to November 2022, in a month where the weather was really most unpleasant. The trend for customers coming in for the restaurants and food halls continued in November, suggesting we are on course for a strong December.”

The best category in November, excluding the miscellaneous section, was catering, up at +16.83 pere cent, followed by furniture & BBQs +12.02 per cent, then food hall/farm shop, which was +11.58 per cent, pet & aquatics +10.1 per cent, clothing +8.39 per cent, gifts +5.19 per cent and Christmas up +2.62 per cent.