DIYWEEK.net

The end of 2013 saw garden centre sales 6% above those in 2012, with December sales alone up 6%, and consumer confidence is now at its highest level for six years.
This is according to the Horticultural Trades Association's (HTA) February edition of its Market Update, published this week. It looks back at the figures from the HTA's Garden Retail Monitor, which provides a view of garden centre sales. Some of the highlights included bedding plant sales (5% up in 2013), landscaping product sales (12% up) and Christmas (7% up).

Landscaping product sales were up compared to 2012 and the HTA said this is linked to a more "active" housing market and the fact that consumers are likely to want to 'do up' their gardens with a view to increase house saleability.

Read more on this story in the next issue of DIY Week - out Friday February 21.