Last month I ran a quick poll asking my network of professionals in garden retail what their biggest challenge is right now – what’s keeping them up at night? Over half of you—51%—said staff shortages. And honestly, that lines up with what I’ve been seeing and hearing across the industry.
Garden centres are busy. Spring’s here, customers are out in force, and there’s a real buzz around gardening and outdoor projects. But behind the scenes, teams are stretched thin. There simply aren’t enough people on the ground—and even fewer with the kind of horticultural knowledge that customers are really after.
It’s Not Just About Hiring More People (pardon the pun)
The problem isn’t just numbers. It’s about finding the right people—those who actually know their stuff and can talk with confidence about plants, compost, and care. That kind of knowledge doesn’t just appear, and it’s getting harder to find. And for some businesses, even if they do find someone great, they just can’t afford to hire right now.
National Insurance & Rising Costs Are Making It Worse
As of April 2025, employer National Insurance rose from 13.8% to 15%, and the threshold is dropping. That’s a tough hit—especially for independents. Across the retail sector, it means billions in extra costs. For horticulture alone, the HTA estimates an extra £134 million in pressure.
So now we’ve got a situation where garden centres need more people to keep up with demand—but rising costs are forcing them to freeze or cut hiring. It’s a lose-lose.
The Bigger Picture
Garden centres are more than just shops. They’re places where people go for advice, ideas, and a bit of calm. But when teams are short-staffed or burnt out, that experience starts to slip.
I don’t have all the answers—but I do think it’s worth talking about. If you’re in garden retail, how are you handling the staffing challenge? Have you been able to bring in the right people? Or are you having to compromise just to stay afloat?
Would really like to hear your take—especially if you were one of the 51%.
