HTA optimistic about Christmas sales

According to the group, around 20 million presents bought from garden centres or similar establishments have been given out in the past year and bosses at the organisation are hopeful the winter holiday will prove to be lucrative for those in the trade.

The garden retail sector has improved by seven per cent in the first six months of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010.

However, following bumper sales in April when trade was up by 23 per cent, activity has plummeted in the past few months as financial constraints appeared to take hold.

Now, HTA market information manager David Denny believes the second half of the year brings “much potential” for garden retailers to boost sales once again.

“Strong in-store promotions of gardening related gifts will appeal to shoppers, especially women,” he commented.

One person who may appreciate a gift that can aid his new-found love of gardening is former Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, who told the London Evening Standard that he has got into the pastime recently