Season Launch Weekend: A Watchful Start to Spring

The Easter weekend is widely seen as the starting point for the garden season — and from experience, it often shapes what follows. A strong few days can create real momentum. A slower start can take weeks to recover from.

This year, the weather looks uncertain. Not disastrous, but not quite what the sector would hope for at such a critical moment. As ever, it leaves retailers balancing preparation with a degree of cautious optimism.

What’s encouraging is the level of readiness on the ground. Recent visits to Stewarts, Dobbies and B&Q highlighted stores that are operationally prepared — good stock positions, visible staffing, and clear, confident in-store messaging. The fundamentals are in place.

Friday trading felt measured, with much of the focus clearly on the weekend peak. Teams are planning ahead, with restocking and availability front of mind — a good sign of disciplined retail execution.

It's all in the planning, using a 90 day plan to get ready for the season is a must. We are not just talking stock, staffing or supplier alignment but store engagement, communication of the deals, marketing strategies, online store alignment, plan B? Do we have umbrellas and sunloungers in stock!!

Kerry Daley, Andy Hannan, Dave Robinson, Clive Daley

We attended Dobbies Supplier Conference in March and one of their mantras was to "be at your best when you are busiest" planning is key for this as there is alot to do before the cash starts hitting the till.

Ultimately, the next few days will come down to external factors. But when the basics are right, retailers give themselves the best possible chance to respond, whatever the conditions.