Stop and Go

The economy may slow early in 2024 before accelerating into 2025.

Data from Garden Center magazine’s 2023 State of the Industry Report reveal that well over 80% of participating independent garden centers turned a profit in 2022 and expected the same for 2023. Respondents attributed their success to several factors, including strong 2023 spring sales and an increasing customer base. Still, reporting IGCs were also battling challenges including staffing and inflation. And those challenges are likely to persist, according to Curtis Dubay, chief economist in the Economic Policy Division at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.