Garden centres see bird seed sales fly in cold snap

01/25/2010 (2 h 57 m ago)

• Winter weather boosts demand for bird feed at Garden Centre Group • Sales of real Christmas trees also up at Lloyds-owned chain Demand for bird seed from householders eager to help wildlife during the winter snow storms and strong sales of real Christmas trees helped the Garden Centre Group post a jump in Christmas profits. As the harsh December weather sparked warnings that many small birds faced starvation, the chain of 121 garden centres said "wild bird sales" rose 8% in the five weeks to December 27. It credited a new range of RSPB bird food and the lack of food available because of the cold snap. The chain, which was once Wyevale Garden Centres, also posted a 7% rise in sales of Christmas trees and said that it managed to meet demand despite an overall shortage. Overall, gross profits rose 17% to £14m after what was a termed a "terrific" Christmas for the company, which is now owned by a consortium of investors led by Lloyds Banking Group. The group's centres – which include Blooms, Woodlands and Wyevale outlets – pulled in more punters to their restaurants after it introduced more "home-cooked fare". Restaurant sales rose 10% as the chain sold more than 150,000 home-made mince pies. Total Christmas sales were £26m, a similar level to a year earlier, but margins improved significantly as Garden Centre Group highlighted tighter stock control. Retail industry Weather Birds Lloyds Banking Group Gardens Katie Allen guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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