Andrew Burton
2 June 2025
Running a garden centre isn't just about keeping things going and plants alive—it’s about keeping your business driving forward and thriving too. That’s where a regular business “health check” comes in. Think of it as stepping back and taking stock, just like you would when planning the next season’s layout or doing a stocktake.
There are a number of benefits in completing a health check, and the headlines are:
A Health Check lifts profits
Turnover is a key element in driving profit upwards. Garden Centre benchmarking enables owners to understand how they are performing versus industry standards. By benchmarking all departments in retail, catering and other income, this enables a business to understand how each area is performing and take action where needed to improve profits.
🌿 Avoiding Costly Surprises
Just like spotting pests in your planteria early, this can help to identify waste and issues, essentially it helps you to identify risks in your business ahead of time and this can prevent major headaches—whether it’s compliance issues, cash flow challenges, process management issues, or customer service gaps. A proactive check can protect what you’ve worked so hard to build.
🌻 A Happier, More Committed Team
Staff are the heart of any garden centre. If your team feels heard, supported, and proud of where they work, they’re more likely to stick around—and that kind of loyalty pays off. A health check helps you listen, spot any issues, helps to confirm good performance and it can help create a workplace people genuinely enjoy being part of.
Where Can You Get a Garden Centre Business Health Check?
Whilst benchmarking data can be reflected on garden centres, there’s no one-size-fits-all, and each business will have different demographics, brand recognition and space to work with. However, there are a lot of common ground starting points:
👩🌾 Use Your Own Know-How
You know your business better than anyone. Start with an internal review—look at sales patterns, staff feedback, supplier relationships, and customer satisfaction. It doesn’t have to be fancy; it just has to be honest.
🌱 Bring in a Fresh Pair of Eyes
As leading garden centres consultants, Pleydell Smithyman offer honest, trusted and unbiased advice and we spot issues you might miss or simply not be aware of. There is the angle that working with a consultant that works with over 400 garden centres gives confidence that advice is coming from experience and knowledge, but also a new perspective makes all the difference.
The benchmarking data and m² analysis that Pleydell Smithyman complete is industry leading and understands all sizes and strengths in different garden centres.
🏡 Lean on Industry Networks
Check with trade associations or garden centre buying groups. Many share information and network so you know what they are up to and what is working for them.
Final Thought:
Think of a business health check like tending to your best-selling plant—it needs regular attention, the right conditions, and sometimes a little pruning. Take the time now, and you’ll be in a stronger position for the seasons ahead.
If you would like to discuss this further you can contact Pleydell Smithyman to see how they can help at https://www.pleydellsmithyman.co.uk/contact-1