Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Garden Centre Group blooms as buyers circle

Tuesday 04 October 2011 10:00 BST
Comments

More favourable weather and a stronger focus on plants has helped the Garden Centre Group return to sales growth this year after its profits tumbled in 2010. The 130-store retailer, which is up for sale for as much as £300m, has increased sales by 7 per cent this year, lifted by a storming performance during April's heatwave.

Private equity firms, Morrisons and Tesco – which owns the Dobbies garden centre chain – have requested sale documents for the Garden Centre Group, formerly called Wyevale. Its property has been valued at about £300m. But its profits fell to just £860,000 in 2010, down from £13.2m the year before. Unfavourable weather, notably December's snow, contributed to flat like-for-like sales.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in