Garden centre sales rise in February, but cost pressures remain
18 March 2026
This month’s Market Update report from the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) shows that UK garden centres saw a 4% rise in overall sales value in February compared with February 2025, but businesses continue to face ongoing pressures as significant profits are needed just to break even.
Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, said:
“It’s encouraging to see keen gardeners not being deterred despite one of the dullest Februarys on record. Garden centre sales rose 4% year on year, helping deliver a strong start to 2026, with sales across January and February now 5% ahead of 2025 and 6% ahead of 2024.
“However, January and February are relatively small trading months, so performance varied considerably across the country. Some centres have made a particularly strong start to the year, while others have seen more mixed trading conditions.
“Gardening sales were somewhat muted overall, up 3% versus February 2025 but still down 9% on 2024. Plants performed particularly well, with bedding up 9% and hardy plants up 6%, likely supported by the mild temperatures, which made February the ninth-warmest on record. Seeds and bulbs also sold strongly, up 10% and 14% respectively.
“Total transactions increased 4%, showing strong footfall ahead of the core gardening season. Café and restaurant sales also increased 8%, demonstrating the continuing evolution of garden centres as lifestyle destinations.
“Consumer confidence remains fragile, with NIQ’s measure falling 3 points to -19, while global uncertainties, including the conflict in Iran, are creating further potential disruption to trade and rising operating costs.
“Looking ahead, seven in ten businesses plan to invest over the next 12 months, most commonly in staff training and skill development. While some members reported profits or sales behind budget at the end of Q4 2025, the early-year sales growth is a positive signal that UK consumers are keen to garden as the spring core season approaches.”
The latest figures come in the same month as the Chancellor’s Spring Forecast and against a backdrop of wider business pressures highlighted in the HTA’s Q4 2025 Business Barometer. More than half of HTA members (54%) reported profits behind budget, while 46% said sales or order books were below expectations. Among businesses experiencing lower profits, 50% plan to slow or reduce investment, and 26% intend to reduce the range of products or services offered to manage costs.
Fran Barnes added:
“Our latest Business Barometer highlights the pressures many horticulture businesses face, particularly from rising operating costs and fragile consumer confidence. Yet it’s encouraging that many members are still planning to invest in their people and their future, with seven in ten planning staff training or skills development over the next 12 months.
“Environmental horticulture delivers enormous benefits for the UK from supporting jobs, to improving the environment, and creating greener, healthier places to live. We continue to engage with policymakers to ensure the sector has the right conditions to thrive, including water resilience, workforce support, and efficient plant trade arrangements as part of the UK-EU trade negotiations.
“Despite some businesses reporting profits or sales behind budget at the end of Q4 2025, the early-year performance is encouraging. With year-to-date sales around 5% ahead of last year, and strong footfall and plant sales in February, the outlook for the core spring season is positive. However, performance during the upcoming peak season will be key in determining the sector’s trajectory for 2026.”
HTA members can access further insights in this month’s Market Update on our website, as well as view the quarterly Business Barometers.