Britain ’s love affair with garden was confirmed as newfangled research conducted by the Horticultural Trades Association ( HTA ) found that almost three million gardeners sprung up this year as a result of lockdown . A raw younger face of gardening has also been identified with almost half ( 49 % ) of the new green thumb fan aged under 45 .
These new shoppers are identified as ‘ Convenience Gardening ’ and ‘ Family Focus ’ gardener who are using their garden as places to relax and delight with the kinsperson and develop their own .
The HTA Garden Retail Monitor reports that sales of horticulture products were up 34 % , 17 % and 19 % in June , July and August respectively in UK garden centres , compared with the same menses last class . client were spending more as Average Transaction Values increase by 35 % . This was driven by drop on gardening projects and as consumers looked to make their garden a place to enjoy with the family , in some case as a ‘ holiday at home ’ .
The strong performance reflects public confidence in garden centres as a safe place to inflict . Consumer tracking by HTA at the start of September found that in relation to Covid-19 , three quarter ( 75 % ) of mass across all age groups were either ‘ very confident ’ or ‘ positive ’ in visiting a garden centre .
With many the great unwashed knead from rest home , on furlough or base - school children , there has been a considerable increase in garden centres sales during the week .
2020 has also seen a big upsurge in the proportion of people growing plants , trees and heyday as well as spring up their own fruit and vegetables . increase in August was driven by more people garden and the increased leisure time time spent in the garden ; gross revenue survive up in bedding works ( 29 % ) , seeds ( 59 % ) and horticulture equipment ( 51 % ) and garden leisure category were higher than August 2019 .
James Barnes , HTA Chairman tell : “ As a sector , horticulture has react speedily to accommodate to the COVID-19 crisis . tremendous effort has go into providing safe retailing environment for customers inspired by lockdown to get into their garden and HTA members responded very positively to the Safe Trading Guidance we allow for .
“ These strong digit propose the action mechanism they took has facilitate a large proportion of the public to feel garden centres are safer places to visit . However , we have it off there continues to be challenges in the provision mountain range as well ensue from COVID lockdown and are work out with Government on a gardening strategy which better recognises the socio - economic and environmental benefits the industry brings ” .
For more informationHorticultural Trades AssociationHorticulture House19 High StreetThealeReadingWest BerkshireRG7 5AHT : +44 ( 0)118 930 3132Fax : +44 ( 0)118 932 3453NGGV : +44 ( 0)118 930 2092www.the-hta.org.uk
