Members of the Garden Centre Association have reported Christmas product sales up 11% during November 2012 compared with November 2011.
And the sales are still going strong, revealed the GCA - which represents around 200 garden centres across the UK. "Christmas sales have been strong from September," revealed GCA chairman Peter Burks, who added he expected the upward trend to continue well into December.

The Barometer of Trade results are a contrast to other retail sales reports, many of which have reported the Christmas shopping season has come later than usual this year.

"Many of our members are running catering promotions in the run up to the festivities, for example offering meals with Santa or special festive menus, and according to the BoT figures these are proving to be a hit, with catering standing at 10.04% up for this month," Mr Burks added.

For the year to date, Christmas is now up 10.46%, with catering +8.05%. Pets and aquatics also did well during November, up 9.38%, while the festive-favourite food hall and farm shop category was up 9.91%.