The UK garden industry is well placed to be an locomotive engine of ‘ green economic increase ’ says the Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) , as it issue positive manufacture monthly sales figures ( up 25 % v Sept 19 ) and a Modern consumer vogue psychoanalysis report detail changing consumer demeanor and how they ’re here to stay . However , keeping garden centres open in the consequence of further restrictions is key to keeping this economic recovery and outgrowth agendum and fend for physical and mental health wellbeing .
The HTA ’s Consumer Trends and the Opportunities for Garden Businesses post - COVID report depict how the commonwealth has adjusted to steps taken by government to manoeuvre people through the pandemic , with vexation for wellness and well-being and high levels of anxiousness seeing multitude wanting to reconnect with nature and personal connexion with domestic garden fortify as consumer realize the welfare and embossment they have offer during the crisis .
As the pandemic carry on to stupefy a threat , consumer ' desire to be more self - sufficient , to make ‘ healthy habitat ’ and make ‘ greenish ’ home improvement drive consumers ' attitudes and behaviour .
Looking to the Christmas period , the October Market Update also evoke potential after months of uncertainness .
Garden centre sales show stiff growth in September , with sales up 25 % nationally equate with September 2019 . This was drive by sales of garden / horticulture class , peculiarly plants , seed , tools and equipment . Indoor living and homewares and gifting categories are up 16 % and 8 % respectively on September 2019 .
Christmas is the second busiest time of the twelvemonth for garden midpoint and Christmas sales are 21 % up on September 2019 , indicating consumers are shopping early on for Christmas .
Together with datum demo consumer authority to visit garden Centre remains gamey and around three quarters of British grownup overall say they palpate sure-footed in visiting , the chances of the good Christmas people so urgently want and want look promising .
“ We are reminded however as the pandemic continues that this positive and opportune moment sit around on fragile soil . invariant changes to restrictions by politics mean that we must continue to do all we can to assure garden centres and their tie in hospitality offers can remain open , for example , and for retailers to assure customers that the garden nerve center stay one of the safe and satisfying retail / leisure time destinations , particularly as we go up the festive full point . ”
HTA Market Update and Trends & chance post - COVID are available free for members to download from the HTA web site , by sign in and visiting the Market Updatepageand the Trends reportpage .
Sources : HTA Garden Retail Monitor , HTA Market Update October 2020,Trends & opportunities post - COVID -HTA Market Information October 2020
For more information : Horticultural Trades AssociationHorticulture House19 in high spirits StreetThealeReadingWest BerkshireRG7 5AHT : +44 ( 0)118 930 3132Fax : +44 ( 0)118 932 3453NGGV : +44 ( 0)118 930 2092www.the-hta.org.uk
