News


GCA’s member garden centres report a ‘very good’ start to the year


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he Garden Centre Association (GCA) Barometer of Trade


(BoT) figures for January are out and they reveal a ‘very good’ start to the year despite the wet weather. From the 13 categories garden


centres record, 10 were up when compared to January 2025 with food hall/farm shop recording +15.31% and topping the BoT, followed by clothing up +14.95%.


Garden centres report solid January sales


Peter Burks, GCA CEO, said: “Our members figures show a very good start to the year even with the constant rain, which has put a nice spring in our members steps as we look forward to spring. “It’s very good to see plants, seeds and bulbs all performing strongly this early in the year and with support from the gifts, food halls and clothing categories it has really added up to a great month. “The catering sales figure,


Seeds & bulbs came third in


representing 36% of the total sales, demonstrates how important this category is at this time of year to keep pulling those visitors in.”


January’s BoT up +14.3%, followed by giftsith +11.99% and outdoor plants in fifth with +11.01%. Catering was sixth, recording +10.07%, then garden sundries at +7.48%, followed by houseplants up by +5.62%. Pets & aquatics also poll positively for the month when compared to January 2025 at +1.24%. The categories that recorded negatively included furniture and BBQ at -7.13%.


Natural VetCare relaunches to move pet supplements into everyday care


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he latest Horticultural Trades Association’s (HTA)


Market Update shows that garden centre sales grew by 6% year-on-year in January. Tis was a solid start to the year despite exceptionally wet and cold conditions across much of the UK. However, average transaction


values rose by just 1-2%, which is below the current rate of inflation. This suggests growth was driven primarily by increased footfall rather than higher basket spend, pointing to ongoing consumer caution and tight retail margins. Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, said: “While the headline data is encouraging, it is important to note that it’s largely driven by an increase in the number of customers rather than an increase in how much each customer spends. With average transaction values rising below inflation, it’s clear customers are shopping carefully and looking for value. Businesses are seeing more people through the doors, but they are also managing tight margins in a highly cost-sensitive environment.


atural VetCare returns to the UK pet supplements


category this spring with a fully rebuilt, vet-formulated range designed to support the growing shiſt from reactive treatment to proactive, daily wellbeing. Backed by AB Agri and


Associated British Foods, the relaunch introduces a portfolio of clinically formulated supplements developed using proven ingredients at active inclusion


levels – supporting everyday use and encouraging repeat purchase behaviour across key wellbeing needs including mobility, digestion, skin, calmness and healthy ageing. The new range has been


designed to support consistent, preventative use rather than episodic problem-led purchasing – aligning with wider category trends towards daily maintenance and long-term health support. The new packaging system introduces clear, colour-coded,


Notcutts boosts Food & Beverage team with new Director appointment


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he garden centre group Notcuts has


appointed Martin Cave as Food & Beverage Director, highlighting a continued investment in the success of its 18 restaurants nationwide. Two new roles have also been created for greater support within Notcuts’ F&B team, including a Systems Coordinator and Health, Safety and Food Hygiene Coordinator. Martin Cave joins Notcutts with


a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector, with previous


4 | www.gardencentreupdate.com


roles at Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito, Grosvenor Casinos, and most recently as Operations Director at Bella Italia. At Notcutts, Cave will


oversee all kitchen and restaurant operations, driving commercial growth and expertise, inspiring menu design, and excellent customer service, maintaining Notcutts’ core values as a family- owned garden centre and restaurant group. Cave also joins Notcutts as an Executive Board Member. Speaking of his appointment,


Martin Cave said: “Through my varied career across both kitchen and front-of-house roles, I know


benefit-led navigation to simplify in-store selection and support confident purchasing decisions. The updated design helps position daily supplementation as a visible and repeatable care habit within the home – supporting basket frequency and long-term usage.


Wyevale Nurseries offers expert advice


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yevale Nurseries is providing free expert advice


this year on plants garden centres can offer customers that will both survive very wet and drought conditions. Kersten Catella, Sales Director


at Wyevale Nurseries, explained: “Underpinning our service this year is free advice on a range of trees and plants that are much more durable in the extremes of conditions we’re starting to see. We’ve evaluated trees and plants for drought and heat tolerance, as well as how well they do in wet conditions.”


GCU Spring 2026


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