Report Summary

Period covered: 06 April – 03 May 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 best performing retail category in April, with sales rising xx% year-on-year, helped by the sunniest April since on record and late timing of Easter.

Combined sales of DIY and Gardening rose by xx% YoY across March and April, underscoring robust consumer demand in the category.

Additionally, positive spillovers from the stamp duty rush in Q1 2025 are likely to have boosted DIY and gardening, as newly moved households start improvement projects.

Retailers' strength persist against a backdrop of rising taxes, operational costs and macroeconomic uncertainty. However, it is likely that growth will slow throughout the rest of the year as these pressure start to squeeze margins and consumer budgets.

Sunniest April on record help boost sales

The sunniest April since records began coupled with Easter falling in the April trading period this year, compared to a March a year ago, resulted in many households taking the opportunity to tackle home makeovers and gardening tasks that had been on hold.

The favourable weather had clear influences on consumer behaviour, with many seizing the opportunity enhance their gardens and host outdoor gatherings. Reflected in rising sales of live plants, seeds, BBQs and other seasonal products.

Additionally, Footfall rose by xx% in April 2025 compared to last year across all UK retail destinations, driven by a xx% uplift in retail park activity

Big-ticket spending boosted by Stamp Duty rush

Spillover effects from the mini housing market boom in March, driven by changes to stamp duty from April led to those new homeowners to invest in their properties. Fueling demand for home improvement goods

Retailers cited strong sales in categories such as lighting, flooring, and kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Big-ticket DIY categories also benefited from this trend.

However, there are signs that the boost from house movers may slow as The RICS April survey recorded further weakening in both buyer enquiries and agreed sales, as a result of macroeconomic uncertainty, impacting sentiment.

Garden centre sales continue positive momentum

Overall garden centre sales value in April followed the strong performance in March as they rose xx% year-on-year, driven by BBQs and bedding plants which increased by +xx% and +xx%, respectively.

Similarly, non-gardening sales rose by xx%, supported by a strong catering performance, underpinned by increased footfall driven by the sunniest April since records began. (HTA)

Consumers continue to weather headwinds as the number of transactions and average transaction value (Garden store) both increased by xx% compared to the previous year.

Despite a slow start to the year, the average retailer within the entire sector were ahead of budget in Q1 2025, demonstrating the robustness of the Gardening sector. However,  businesses remain cautious due to economic headwinds in the form of rising costs, drought risks and stretched consumer budgets which may dampen sectoral growth.

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DIY & Gardening sales improved