Swindon's Garden Trading has reported a +95% YoY rise in Q1 retail sales, marking its strongest start to the year since the brand was founded.
The home and garden business saw triple-digit growth in both January and March, building on similar performance in the previous quarter and signalling record-breaking momentum heading into 2025.
This growth follows significant improvements across marketing, brand, and customer retention strategies, all contributing to a surge in customer activity, says Garden Trading: "The number of active customers is now +60% higher than the same period last year. Customer acquisition is up +20%, but the real success story lies in customer reactivation – up a remarkable +136% – thanks to a new, highly personalised letter campaign which has re-engaged lapsed customers at scale."
MD Richard Bell continues: “We’ve placed a strong focus on aligning product strategy to increasing customer value – and it’s paying off. Honest and frank communication has invited customers to reappraise the brand. There’s a lot of latent affection for Garden Trading, and now that we have service levels to match our aspirational products and imagery, they are coming back.”
A core driver behind the uplift is the brand’s evolving product range. More than a third (35%) of Q1 sales came from lines launched in the past 12 months, underlining the appetite for newness. "Furniture has been a major success story, with sales up +240% – particularly in kitchen and dining, living room, and chairs and stools," states the business. "Garden furniture has performed even more strongly, up +370%, with stand-outs including sofa sets, outdoor dining tables and benches."
Across key categories, performance remains strong, adds Garden Trading: Garden was up +115% (planters and storage leading the way); Home was up +75% (led by textiles, kitchen accessories and decorative pots); and Lighting up +55% (led by outdoor lighting, glass pendants and table lamps).
“Customers are responding not just to the quality of our product, but to the clarity of our message,” says Richard. “The brand feels stronger, sharper and more focused – and that’s being reflected in the numbers.”
Wholesale also continues to play a vital role in the business, says Garden Trading, delivering consistent growth and reinforcing the business' position as "a trusted supplier in the home and garden sector".
