New Garden Centre Association chief executive Peter Burks backs an upbeat economic forecast from the recent GCA conference by economist Roger Martin-Fagg.From a well-known garden retail family, Burks looks forward to the 2023 season as one that will see the sector return to normal.The former Sanders, Wyevale and Blue Diamond manager speaks about how in recent weeks for the first time members are seeing an increase in trade compared to 12 months ago. Catering inflation has driven prices up and volumes are down, but if you can make more money out of fewer customers that's good for a while. However, given good weather in 2023, customers will get used to any price rises and will come to the garden centre to shop as much as ever:"I think from a garden centre point of view, from all my time in the industry, weather plays a far bigger role than any other outside influence."If you give everybody a chance to get used to the cost of energy and those sorts of things then I think people will still come to garden centres."He also tells of his admiration for the nimbleness of independents and says the breaking up of Wyevale was good for small suppliers.Conference growers heard feedback on best practice from GCA inspectors and Burks encourages garden retailers to see their presentations which are now.Sustainability was a big focus of the conference and, Burks says, response has been "variable" but becoming more sustainable is "not optional". Peat is a good example of how garden centres are set to meet Government targets for ending bagged sales by 2024. Professor Dave Goulson argued garden centres should not sell chemical sprays and Burks says setting your garden up properly means they can be used minimally and only some safe pesticides should be stocked.a Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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