Garden centre’s sales bloom as demand soars

A Pershore garden centre and nursery saw the biggest sales month in its history as demand for plants soared across the country.

Pershore College Garden Centre and Nursery took sales worth more than £78,000 in April – the highest sales figure since its records began.

Retail sales at the garden centre rose 15% but the biggest rise came in trade sales at the nursery.

The nursery saw a 61% increase in sales as garden centres around the region bought stock from Pershore in a race to meet demand from their own customers.

The record-breaking figures come as people continue to spend more time at home and are looking to spruce up their gardens for the summer ahead.

Trees and hedging have been in huge demand from the general public, with many garden centres selling all of their stock in recent months, and Pershore was left with only around 30% of the trees usually left for potting for sales throughout the summer.

The garden centre and nursery are based on site at Pershore College, which is part of college group WCG.

Students at the college have been helping Pershore College Garden Centre and Nursery to meet the high demand by supporting on site by potting, pruning and maintaining stock.

Josh Egan-Wyer, Pershore College Garden Centre and Nursery manager, said: “It’s been a really busy year for us, we’ve seen demand like never before and have worked hard to ensure we can meet that demand.

“April has been the biggest sales month in our history and it is more than 40% up from our 2019 figures, which is great because every purchase made helps to support students at the college.

“The largest sales increase has been in our trade offering at the nursery. We’ve regularly been sending out large orders to other garden centres around the country which are wanting stock, as more people look to invest more time and money in their gardens.

“While we’re not expecting sales to stay at a record level each month for the rest of the year, it does look like the industry is in line for a really strong autumn. The demand in particular for hedges, shrubs and trees is going to continue through to the end of the year.

“It’s been great to have the students with us on site too and give them the opportunities to gain vital work experience, which will prepare them to go out into the world of work after completing their studies.”

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