The Horticultural Trades Association ’s ( HTA ) August Market Update highlights the industriousness ’s resiliency in flora sales agreement , but customers have been reducing their spending on higher - time value item . While the garden retail sector continues to see people purchase more works , they are generally of low value in their baskets , putting pressure on a sphere that is already look important concern over rising costs , economic wavering , workforce famine , irregular and challenging weather condition patterns , and hesitate consumer self-assurance .
Fran Barnes , Chief Executive of the HTA , commented : " Once again , August ’s results underscore the resilience of our manufacture amidst the ever - shift landscape of 2023 . Garden center sales overall acquire by +3 % compare to August 2022 , and the number of transaction also grew by +8 % , suggest strong step levels , with racy growth in categories like bulbs , bedding , and hardy plant , showing that our industrial plant continue to thrive and capture core within a nation of gardeners . However , we hear directly from the sphere that business organization remain over unsold Malcolm stock and carry on economic uncertainty . Notably , garden furniture saw steep discounts as retailers sought to clear excess stock with few ironic days to tempt people outdoors . The sales were down by -42 % last year and contributed to 8 % of full sales for August , compared to 14 % in August 2022 . COVID also pulled forward the product substitute cycle for these items , and the pitiable summertime 2023 weather likely kick in to the broken average hoop value . "
August ’s Consumer Confidence Index recuperate +5 pointedness , render consumers have more positivity for their succeeding financial outlook . However , as consumer grapple with the on-going price - of - living crisis , they ’ve become savvier shopper , seeking savings amid rising expense .
The invariant success story of 2023 has been the non - garden / gardening family , witnessing a +14 % increase in August compared to the anterior year . This vivacious natural process pass to garden center cafes and restaurants , where transaction numbers in catering spiked by +17 % .
The write up also sheds light source on inflation rate within the industry . Over the 12 months direct up to August 2023 , noticeable inflation rates were observe in various intersection categories , take by escalating input signal and ingredient costs .
The theme serve as an indispensable tool for HTA members , offering insights into their placement within the rank and identifying areas of resilience , challenges , and opportunities .
For more information : Horticultural Trades Associationwww.the-hta.org.uk
