HTA Market Update

Steady September for garden centres as autumn planting begins

September saw strong growth thanks to positive footfall and promising early indications of autumn gardening

Horticulture

Read More: Garden Centres HTA market update

22 October 2025

According to the October Market Update from the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), garden centers had a slight but consistent increase in sales in September 2025.

Despite being one of the sector’s slowest sales months, September saw strong growth thanks to positive footfall and promising early indications of autumn gardening.

Sales volumes increased by +4%, which was marginally faster than value growth. This indicates that although garden centers continue to draw a consistent stream of customers, they are generally selecting lower-priced items.

“September was a steady month for garden centres, with growth in line with expectations for the time of year. Whilst our report is an average across the sector, we do know that performance varies significantly between retailers due to September being one of the smallest trading months for garden centres,” Fran Barnes, chief executive of the HTA, said.

He believes that gardening categories remained generally stable, with overall growth of just 1% year on year, slightly down from 2023. Live plant sales increased in 2024, while hardy plant sales were almost 10% lower than two years ago.

However, bulbs and seeds performed particularly well, rising 7–8% from the previous year and 17% ahead of 2023. This reflects strong demand for autumn planting, supported by warmer, wetter weather that created optimal growing conditions..

Barnes added: “year-to-date sales remain comfortably ahead of previous years, at +10% higher than in 2024 and +11% ahead of 2023, putting garden centres in a strong position as we move into the crucial Christmas trading period.”

According to him, due to rising business costs, companies typically need year-to-date growth of 10–15% just to maintain profitability, yet many still face significant pressure on their margins.

The Autumn Budget submission calls for urgent support for garden center businesses. This includes reforms to business rates, improved access to investment allowances, and policies that encourage members to develop green skills. These measures are essential to help garden centers grow both in size and sustainability and to ensure the future of these vital enterprises.