The Garden Centre Association (GCA) reported the sales increase in its Barometer of Trade (BoT) results for January 2012, which also revealed a 30% jump in landscaping products.
The results are compiled using member garden centre sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement.

More than 40% of those GCA members who submitted data saw sales growth during the month. Most noticeably outdoor plants sales were up by a fifth and hard landscaping was up by nearly 30%.

It was not all good news, however, as the results also revealed a 3.35% decline in overall sales, compared with January 2011.

GCA chief executive Phil Slinger said: "When looking at the results, a number of factors must be considered to put the numbers in perspective.

"In January 2011 garden centres saw strong sales as a result of the weather. Heavy snowfall affected the end of 2010, keeping many people at home during December. In January these customers ventured out.

"Also, during this winter (2011 to 2012) garden centres found bird care sales to be challenging as the weather has been generally warmer and there has been less demand for food, therefore having a negative impact on total turnover figures."

The BoT reports produced by the GCA allows the member garden centres to compare their trading positions with other GCA garden centres.

Mr Slinger added: "The retail environment remains very challenging, however members are remaining positive with many garden centres making further investment in their businesses, which are reflected in increasing footfall, customer spend and repeat business."

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.