HTA July Market Update: Sales cool as water issues heat up
16 July 2025
Following a strong spring season for garden centres, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Market Update for June trading reveals a cooling in sales momentum as the UK entered one of its hottest Junes on record.
Garden centre sales in June 2025 dipped by 5% compared to the same month last year, marking a clear slowdown after a strong spring. The earlier spell of good weather saw many consumers investing heavily in their gardens, meaning much of the seasonal demand had already been met by the time June arrived. This contrasts with 2024, when poor spring weather pushed more gardening activity into the summer months.
Sales of gardening products felt the slowdown most sharply, falling 8% year-on-year and down 19% compared to June 2023. That said, June 2023 was an outlier, being the hottest on record and following a particularly wet spring, perfect conditions to drive garden sales.
Despite the dip in gardening-related spending, other categories held up well. Non-gardening sales proved resilient, rising by 2% on both 2024 and 2023 figures, continuing their strong performance throughout 2025. Garden centre cafés also continued to thrive, with sales up 2% from last June and an impressive 16% ahead of 2023, reflecting a steady appetite for hospitality among garden centre visitors.
June’s weather was mixed, with wet and stormy spells early in the month due to low pressure. Nevertheless, it was officially the UK’s second hottest June, with England experiencing its hottest and Wales its third hottest June since records began. Despite the heat, consumer confidence showed signs of improvement, rising two points since May 2025 to -18, marking the highest score of the year so far, though still low in historical terms.
Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, commented:
"This month’s market figures reflect a natural market slowdown following a very strong spring for retail. This comes at a time when the ever-present issue of water resilience hits the headlines, with regional water restrictions being implemented. These restrictions serve as a stark reminder of the need to take water scarcity more seriously. It is essential to invest in infrastructure that supports our ability to grow and, in turn, directly impact consumer and gardener confidence.
"As evidenced by this week’s State of the UK Climate Report, there is an urgent need for the UK to adapt to cope with future extremes, and we need to prepare for the impacts this will have on the weather we experience, from floods to drought. We urgently need to focus on water storage and distribution systems that help manage these increasingly uneven rainfall patterns. This isn’t about short-term fixes. It requires a long-term national strategy. Demand for water will only increase as our population grows and sectors that support it, such as ours, expand. Plants are thirstiest when water is scarcest, and growers can’t afford to be left high and dry.
"Water resilience must be a government priority. We urge policymakers to support those businesses ready to invest in water storage and efficiency solutions. This is not just a concern for growers, but for the health of our environment, food supply, and green spaces across the country."
The HTA continues to monitor the impact of dry conditions, is actively engaged in regional water strategies, and is part of the Environment Agency’s National Drought Group. Members can find the latest updates and water resilience advice at hta.org.uk/water
HTA members can access further insights in this month’s Market Update on our website.