November BoT shows ‘strong growth’
Our November Barometer of Trade (BoT) out today reveals ‘strong growth’ of +9.04% when compared to the same month in 2024 – with the year-to-date figure up +8.18% too (December 19, 2025).
From the 13 categories recorded by member garden centres, 11 were positive, when likened to November 2024 with seeds & bulbs in pole position at +15.04% followed by clothing at +14.62%.
Wetter month
Peter Burks, our Chief Executive explains: “The penultimate month of the year has once again showed strong growth for our members despite the significantly wetter month than last year.
“It’s great to see strong increases across the board with seeds & bulbs leading the way and clothing just behind. Were our customers buying warm waterproof clothing so that they could head out to do some gardening?
Performing strongly
“It’s also good to see food halls/farm shops and catering still performing strongly. The only disappointing departments were houseplants and hard landscaping with perhaps the weather having an effect here.”
Outdoor plants came in third place at +11.59%, followed by catering at +11.25% and food hall/farm shop at +11.24%.
Christmas was sixth at +8.58%, then furniture & BBQs at 8.22%, garden sundries came next at +7.66%, then the gifts category recorded an upturn of +7.56% and pets & aquatics was also up at +4.1%.
Two categories down
The categories that recorded negatively, when likened with November 2024, where houseplants with -0.85% and hard landscaping at -21.76%.