Sales drop in latest HTA figures
Café and restaurant sales were up by 6%.
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) ’s monthly Market Update report showed that overall garden centre sales, including catering, fell by 3% in value in April 2026 compared to an exceptional April 2025. However, sales remained 22% ahead of April 2024. Consumer confidence also fell for a third consecutive month to -25 overall.
While weaker consumer confidence saw fewer customers visiting garden centres, with transactions down by 7%, last month's warm and sunny weather helped offset spending. The UK's seventh-hottest April on record prompted those who did visit a garden centre to reach into their pockets, as average transaction values rose by 3% to £32.78 excluding VAT, while café and restaurant sales were up by 6%.
‘A pivotal moment’
Fran Barnes, chief executive of the HTA, said: “As the sector looks ahead to the peak trading period this is a pivotal moment in the gardening calendar. April’s warm, sunny weather provided ideal gardening conditions, but the latest figures show many consumers remain cautious as wider cost pressures continue to bite.
“Garden centres remain a good barometer of consumer sentiment. While footfall is down, those who do visit are still willing to spend, with average transaction values rising by 3% and café and restaurant sales increasing by 6%. This reinforces the role garden centres play as social, lifestyle and wellbeing destinations, alongside their retail offer.”
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