The UK garden centre industry is experiencing a period of rapid change and growth, with trends in consumer behaviour, business operations, and digital marketing all shaping the sector’s future.
This conversation with Peter Burks, Chief Executive of the Garden Centre Association (GCA), offers valuable insights into what’s happening right now.
Current landscape of UK garden centres
Garden centres are seeing strong trading in 2025, with good weather boosting footfall and sales. This has created both opportunities and challenges. Peak trading typically runs from March to June, and businesses still rely heavily on a few weeks of favourable weather.
Nurseries and suppliers are working hard to keep up with demand, and operational efficiency has never been more important.
Creative campaigns and community engagement
More garden centres are leaning into brand storytelling and local engagement. Branded merchandise, local collaborations, and promotional events are becoming more common. Some are partnering with community projects, hosting events with local suppliers, and using social media to build deeper connections with their audience.
Key industry trends in 2025
Sustainability is a growing focus across the sector, with centres making conscious efforts to source responsibly and reduce their environmental impact. Social media and digital marketing are playing a bigger role than ever, while rising operational costs are pushing businesses to become more efficient.
Industry consolidation through mergers and acquisitions is also reshaping the landscape.
Digital marketing and paid media opportunities
Garden centres are starting to embrace digital marketing in a more structured way. Social media is now part of the GCA’s official inspection criteria, and many centres are running Facebook event ads to drive seasonal footfall.
Authentic, user-generated content is performing especially well, and combining paid and organic strategies is proving effective. Centres are also beginning to capture in-store data to inform online targeting and customer communications.
The role of destination retail
Garden centres aren’t just about plants anymore. Cafes and restaurants are a major driver of visits, with over 148 million garden centre café visits recorded in 2024. Family-friendly activities and events are helping broaden their appeal, and the overall experience is becoming just as important as the products on offer.
A strong community presence helps drive repeat visits and supports long-term reputation.
Managing costs and operational efficiency
With rising wages, insurance costs, and supplier pressures, garden centres are looking for smart ways to boost profitability. Rather than relying purely on cost-cutting, many are reviewing staffing and processes to improve margins. Centres are also experimenting with in-store merchandising and upsell opportunities to increase basket size while maintaining high standards of service.
Sustainability and environmental impact
Sustainability is moving from a nice-to-have to a business priority. Centres are promoting environmentally responsible products, reducing plastic usage, and educating customers about biodiversity and sustainable gardening practices. These efforts are now being measured as part of the GCA’s annual inspections, making them a core part of business strategy.
Ecommerce: challenges and opportunities
The role of ecommerce remains mixed across the sector. While some garden centres are using click-and-collect and local delivery for bulky products like compost or furniture, full-scale online retail, especially for plants, is still limited.
However, hybrid approaches are gaining popularity, with many centres using their websites to support in-store footfall rather than replace it.
Moving forward
The garden centre industry continues to evolve. Success in 2025 and beyond will depend on finding the right balance between digital innovation and personal, community-driven experiences.
From using first-party data to improve targeting, to investing in print and events that draw people in, the most successful garden centres will be those that combine tradition with a forward-thinking approach.
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