Dobbies Garden Centres is seeing record sales of 'Grow Your Own' produce as customers look to save money and eat more healthily during the recession.
The 24-strong chain, with stores across England and Scotland, has achieved £1m in sales of its Grow Your Own range this year to date. This marks
an 82% increase in like-for-like sales against the same period in 2008. More than 100,000 tomato plants have been sold in the last two months alone.
The figures follow the company's recent annual financial results, which showed sales of £97m, a 12% rise, while Easter 2009 trade was up 73% on last year, thanks to the later date and warm weather.
Dobbies chief executive James Barnes says the strong sales support Dobbies' immediate expansion plans. The company has an application in progress for a new £8.5million centre in Aberdeen, due to open in Spring 2010. A new store at Shepton Mallet,
 
Somerset, the first redevelopment of a Tesco store into a modern garden centre, will open in June this year.
"Exceptional Grow Your Own sales have helped us achieve a strong start to 2009. This provides us with a firm foundation upon which to further expand the business," says Barnes. "We have responded to the surge in demand for Grow Your Own by complimenting new product with demonstrations, workshops and presentations to our customers and local schools. We have plans to expand the range which provides customers with real value for money while building on the rise of environmental consciousness."
The Grow Your Own range consists of salad and vegetables, herbs, soft fruits and fruit trees with new 'ready to go' products set to be introduced including pre-planted strawberry and herb jars and strawberry hanging baskets.
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