Report Summary

Period covered: 02 February – 01 March 2025

3 minute read

Note: This report summary is one or two months behind the current month as standard reporting practice. The content is indicative only and incomplete with certain data undisclosed. Become a member to access this data or take out a free 30 day membership trial now.

DIY & Gardening Sales

DIY and Gardening was the weakest-performing retail category in February, with sales falling xx% year-on-year, reflecting continued caution around big-ticket spending and subdued garden activity.

Persistent cold and wet weather delayed seasonal planting, while squeezed household budgets limited discretionary project spend.

With a 12-month average decline of nearly xx%, the category remains structurally challenged ahead of the crucial spring trading period. Several factors contributed to this performance. Key factors that influenced this performance include:

Weather dampens Gardening demand

Unseasonably poor weather continued to suppress gardening activity in February, delaying early planting and discouraging footfall at garden centres. According to the Met Office, the UK experienced average temperatures nearly xx°C lower than in February 2024, with much of the month remaining cold, grey, and unsettled. Rain and flooding further disrupted outdoor activity, particularly in the southern and western regions.

Big-ticket spending remains constrained

Consumer appetite for large-scale home improvement projects remained subdued amid continued financial caution. The softness in big-ticket spend is closely tied to a sluggish housing market. The RICS February survey recorded a drop in both buyer enquiries and agreed sales, reflecting affordability constraints and uncertainty over interest rates.

Garden centre sales: a mixed bag

Overall garden centre sales fell xx% year-on-year in February, though gardening-specific categories like seeds, live plants, and garden care declined by xx%, extending the slow start seen in January (HTA).

In contrast, non-gardening sales rose by xx%, supported by strong catering performance, which surpassed live plants for the first time and became the largest turnover contributor for the month.

Economic uncertainty weighs on DIY

Macroeconomic pressures further compounded weak demand. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) downgraded UK GDP growth for 2025 to just xx% from a previous forecast of xx%, citing structural challenges and persistent inflationary pressures. GDP per capita declined in both 2023 and 2024 and is expected to rise by just xx% this year.

This sluggish growth, combined with high borrowing costs and a soft housing market, is discouraging major DIY investment—particularly those linked to house moves or long-term renovation planning.

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DIY & Gardening sales declined