In This Issue
Glee and Pawexpo 2020 at the NEC will not take place this year
Mixed plans for garden centre catering re-openings - UPDATED
The Duchess of Cambridge creates more gardening media coverage with visit to Childrens Hospice
Flaming June – phew what a scorcher!
#FloralFriday for Greenfingers supports Children's Hospice Week
June is a record for growing media – even with a week to go!
Fund created for Westland accident victims family has raised £1,645 so far
Gardenex & PetQuip members praise new member benefit from social media experts
HTA survey reveals larger retailers are importing more bedding plants than last year
Sell Online Quickly, Easily and Cost-Effectively with GrowNation
Aquatic retailers asked to sign-up for eco-friendly pond pump recycling scheme
EGO launches rear roller & mulching kits
Merchandiser/ Area representative
Plant Area Manager, Goonhavern Garden Centre, Cornwall.
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Feed me, feed me more
Grow your Own up 256% on last year
Business not quite as usual for GROEN-Direkt
Grow your Own drives up plant sales
The best of last week's
Blue Diamond report £14.4m profit from 42% increased sales of £181.6m
Royal visit sends garden centre media coverage into the stratosphere
Anything and everything being purchased for the garden
Pots are the key to lockdown gardening
Garden centre sales increase despite all other retail re-opening
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
SBM Life Science reinvents its marketing strategy and announces key appointments in Europe
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
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M4 Corridor Oxford/Buckinghamshire/Berkshire, Full-time, £21k pa
 
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Glee and Pawexpo 2020 at the NEC will not take place this year
Glee virtual forum taking place on 15 and 16 September 2020

Hyve Group have announced changes to their 2020 show calendar.  Glee and Pawexpo 2020 will offer a virtual forum this September and Glee and Pawexpo will return the the NEC on 14th-16th September 2021...


Hyve, the organiser of Glee, the UK’s leading garden and outdoor living trade show, and the co-located Pawexpo, the premium pet trade show that cares about pets, people and the industry, today announce changes to the scheduled event in 2020.

 

As a reflection on conversations between the organisers and the garden and pet retail market, Hyve made the decision that Glee and Pawexpo 2020 will not take place this year. Glee and Pawexpo will return as a live event at the NEC in 2021.

 

The team behind Glee and Pawexpo are excited to host a virtual forum for the pet and garden retail markets this autumn, taking place on 15 and 16 September 2020.  More information on this online event will be available on the website in due course.

 

‘We have been listening to both our exhibitors and visitors, and the feedback from garden retailers has been incredibly supportive of Glee and Pawexpo. That has enabled us to take a fresh approach and bring the community together through the launch of a brand-new virtual forum.” says Matthew Mein, Event Director – Glee and Pawexpo. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to provide a new platform for interactive industry discussions and product discovery. We are also looking forward to when the industry can meet again in person both at Glee at Spring Fair in February 2021, and Glee and Pawexpo 2021 taking place 14-16 September.”

 

“We’re delighted that Glee is launching a virtual forum”, says Boyd Douglas-Davies, P.R. & Communications Director, British Garden Centres Group. “We are looking forward to fully engaging with this in September. Glee is such a pivotal point in the year, missing a year was never an option for us. We wish Glee’s virtual forum every success and look forward to meeting everyone in person again in 2021.”

 

More information will be available on the website in due course. Glee and Pawexpo will continue to provide webinars, industry news and digital content that keeps the garden and pet retail community informed and connected on The Community hub.

 

For more than 45 years, the Glee exhibition has been nurturing the art of garden retail and has become the premium destination for garden and outdoor living inspiration, bringing the British, European and international markets together to the UK. Glee provides unique access to the latest products, trends and industry insights. Glee provides one platform for the entire supply chain where independent retailers, multiple retailers, garden centres, landscape designers and builder’s merchants come to source new inspiration. Glee is a brand of Hyve Group PLC. http://www.gleebirmingham.com

 

Pawexpo is co-located with Glee, the largest garden and outdoor living tradeshow in the UK. Pawexpo is a brand-new, premium national trade show that really cares about pets, people and the industry, putting the personal touch into the customer experience. As the demand for pet products continues to increase, so has the need for a national trade show to meet the growing demands of the global pet buying market. Pawexpo is a brand of Hyve Group PLC. http://www.paw-expo.com

 

Mixed plans for garden centre catering re-openings - UPDATED

A straw poll of garden centre businesses about the re-opening of their restaurants and coffee shops has revealed that half are planning to partly re-open after lockdown restrictions are relaxed on Saturday July 4th, only a few are planning a full re-opening and a third are not intending to re-open their catering operations at all for the time being.

 

"We are reopening on the 4th and will try to keep our offer as close to what it was before.  Looking at our Garden Centre takings I'm expecting demand for catering to be as high if not higher than last year..."

"It does not make economic sense for the moment, even given the extra draw to the site we know catering is to a garden centre and the resultant retail spend..."

"This is going to be harder than opening the garden centre as there are so many balls to keep up in the air at the same time. Overall we won’t be rushing..."

""I do not believe we will make any money during the first week but should at least cover our costs.  Onwards and upwards!.."


A straw poll of garden centre businesses about the re-opening of their restaurants and coffee shops has revealed that half are planning to partly re-open after lockdown restrictions are relaxed on Saturday July 4th, only a few are planning a full re-opening and a third are not intending to re-open their catering operations at all for the time being.

 

As part of the GTN Xtra Straw Poll we asked for comments about their plans and concerns.  Here they are, starting with the businesses that said they would be re-opening fully on July 4th:

 

Gerald Ingram at Planters said: "We are reopening on the 4th and will try to keep our offer as close to what it was before.  Looking at our Garden Centre takings I'm expecting demand for catering to be as high if not higher than last year.

 

"We are now building a second covered outdoor coffee shop to help take the pressure off indoors.  Indoors you will be met at the doors and taken to a table, when its quiet one member of the party may be able to order at the till point otherwise orders will be taken at the table and then as usual food delivered to a table adjacent to the one the customers are sat at.

 

"We will remove all self service elements in the first week or so.  Having said that the rest of the store and supermarkets are self service so why should restaurants be different .  The most important issue is making sure movement within the restaurant is one way and minimised.

 

"Although ppe will be provided we have found staff in the Garden Centre don’t want to wear it and don’t see the need .  Like the Garden Centre the pay point/till will be behind Perspex.

 

"The cooked food menu will be restricted but the deli will be much the same.   I think Cake sales will suffer as they are normally self service/buy with your eyes.

 

"Our mission is to keep all our staff employed and therefore we need to make sure we can deliver a similar turnover to last year.  Clearly this will be more staff intensive so we may have to lift some prices to compensate. 

 

"We will be lifting the cap on the number allowed in the garden centre from 120 to nearly 300.  But the important issue will be the feel of the centre rather than the number.

 

"It's one thing getting the restaurant open but its important it remains profitable.  At both our sites the restaurant is the most profitable part of the business."

 

Tim Goold at Henry Street: told GTN Xtra: "It is probably going to be a bit like when we re-opened the garden centre, we will play it a bit by ear as to how busy we are and where problems occur.

 

"Our initial plans are to re-open on Sat 4th. We are planning to run along the lines of how we originally operated but with only 1 counter and a socially distanced queue.  We will continue to limit the number of customers into the whole site although we will up the total number as we have more room now.  We are planning to space tables well apart so keeping the 2m rule and also we are going to take some of the plant area adjacent to restaurant to give us more room.

 

"We are planning a one way system in and out and also for food service keeping staff 2m apart from each other as well as screen to separate counter staff from customers.  We will run a reduced menu to start with. Again this means the kitchen staff can be 2m apart from each other

 

"Having had the experience of running the garden centre for 6 weeks now we think we can cope and that our customers are now used to one way systems / queuing etc.  The difficulty will be a new group of staff coming in who are not used to it.

 

"It will be a case of see how it goes and tweak things where problems arise.  Oh joy another weekend at work!

 

"I think as an industry we have managed to adapt pretty quickly and have weathered the storm, however it is hard to gauge what the long term impact is going to be.  Will people / government have run out of money by Christmas?"

 

James Debbage at Green Pastures in Norfolk reported: "We will be opening our restaurant from 4th July on a full table service basis.

 

"We will of course be distancing our internal seating but we are now extending our outdoor seating area out into the planteria canopy, creating a mixture of dining and outdoor plant displays which we are hoping will give it more of a unique and relaxed feel compared to the other local dining establishments. We will be heavily pushing alfresco dining over the next few weeks!

 

"We will be encouraging all diners to book in advance but we want try and still be flexible to allow casual coffee and cake visits if we can. We are now installing public WIFI at long last so we can run an app which will allow diners to order and pay online to reduce contact with waiting staff.

 

"Our breakfast menu remains the same but we have revised our lunchtime menus; partly to fit our revised staff structure but also so we can explore some new ideas that we’ve been wanting to try!"

 

At the opposite end of the spectrum are the centres who've told us they are not re-opening for the time being:

 

Neil Gow at Fresh@Burcot stated: "We will not be re-opening Cafe Fresh on the 4th July.  Given the size and nature of our operation we do not see it would be economically viable to trade.

 

"The guidance/rules for ‘safe’ trading would mean we would have so few covers we could operate, even on a decent day of weather when we could use The Lawn, that we could not take enough to justify costs.

 

"The increased overheads of additional staff and implementation of safety methods would add to the non profit trading situation.  We do not see how we could make sufficient alterations to the kitchen and prep areas for ‘safe’ working within the guidelines without such radical change to our menu that the success of Cafe Fresh would be compromised.

 

"Then while we know customers want Cafe Fresh back, are they really going to use it? Do people really want to come out and socialise, yes, but do they want to sit in an environment with others around them even at social distance? Can we afford to have two customers taking up a table and chairs for two hours while they catch up on their lives of the past 15 weeks over two cups of tea and a slice of cake spending less than £10?

 

"It does not make economic sense for the moment, even given the extra draw to the site we know catering is to a garden centre and the resultant retail spend."

 

Andy Bunker at Altons told us: "I can answer in one simple word that’s NO – not in any way shape of form will be offering catering at present.

 

"Reasons being all the time we are running with restrictions on customer numbers coming in it does not make any sense at all to have a good percentage just sitting in the restaurant, especially during summer where many customers want to rest from the heat.

 

"In fairness our catering is not as big as some of our fellow Tillington members and I can understand their desperation to get catering going asap.  Even then I would still question potential restaurant customers against potential big ticket sales of furniture, BBQ's and plants versus parking spaces.

 

"With sales of all the above still very strong we are channeling all of our efforts in to these areas and will be for the foreseeable future.

 

"All of our staff have been informed of this and been told this will be reviewed in August."

 

Caroline Owen at Scotsdales, also a Tillington member,  said: "Currently we are not planning on opening our cafes on the 4th July or within the next couple of weeks.

 

"We will of course keep this under review and watch with interest how the High Street, the pubs and other garden centres are working before we reopen.

 

"This is partly because we do not have a catering manager to run the café at Shelford at the current time."

 

And in Sheffield, Neil Grant at Ferndale Garden Centre reports that they also won't be rushing into re-opening their restaurant: "We are planning the reopening now but will not be opening on the 4th & probably for some days afterwards.

 

"With spacing we will have cut down the covers and expect to only start with a fraction, possibly about 25% of our normal 190 indoor covers. We will be using outside and considering taking over a section of the plant area to put more covers outside. Not sure about table booking yet.

 

"We really feel we want to get the hang of a few before adding more covers. Even though our kitchen is bigger than most moving around it has other spacing issues like people crossing over.

 

"Queuing is another issue we haven’t bottomed yet either.

 

"We are reducing the menu offer to the most popular lines and the simplest to do to reduce the numbers in thee kitchen.  This is going to be harder than opening the garden centre as there are so many balls to keep up in the air at the same time. Overall we won’t be rushing."

 

The majority of garden centre businesses we contacted are however planning to partly re-open their catering operations, on or near July 4th.

 

Alan Roper says that Blue Diamond will be: "Opening 12 of the 42 restaurants in week one then the rest over the following 2 weeks. If the opening weekend goes well in terms of staff coping with the new full table service system and the customers flocking back in then we will accelerate the rollout. We will be operating inside and out.

 

"It’s a full table service that people can book but no pre-booking required. Customers can pay and order from their mobile devices at the table if they wish."

 

British Garden Centres are also re-opening some of their restaurants to test the water before rolling out across the group.

 

Dobbies will be making an official statement on July 1st but in the meantime a Dobbies spokesperson said: "“We are currently working on our plans to reopen our restaurants in Northern Ireland (3 July), England (4 July) and Wales (13 July) which will include dining in our indoor and outdoor seating areas. In Scotland, our outdoor seating areas will open on 6 July, with full opening planned for 15 July.

 

“Social distancing measures will be in place and we will be following guidelines outlined by Government.”

 

David Yardley at Klondyke Strikes told GTN Xtra: "We have had lots of discussions around the reopening of restaurants and given the different sizes of operations we have there is probably not going to be a one size fits all solution for this.

 

"We are going to re-open one site at High Legh the week of the 6th July and test out our systems there before rolling this out to the other centres.

 

"It will be a table service option we go with as we do call to order service at the moment anyway. Once we are open we will then review what has worked and what hasn’t and be able to adjust as necessary. There isn’t the same urgency to get restaurants open as there was with retail but we do see it as being important to do so."

 

At Baytree Garden Centre they have erected a marquee outside the restaurant and will be offering an outside table service experience to start with.

 

Tam Woodhouse at Millbrook is also focussing on outside catering to start with: "We are not opening whole operation straight away.

 

We will focus on outside barista and burger bar first. Then on inside. We are a counter operation and I am loathe to completely change this to table service so working on how this system will work. 

 

We're aiming for outside from 6th or 8th July and then will see how it goes. Staplehurst will follow and who knows when Crowborough will be able to operate as the space is so small."

 

Paul Cooling at Coolings Green & Pleasant is also re-opening their Nature Trail alongside a modified cafe service: "At Coolings Green & Pleasant, we will be re-opening the Nature Trail on Saturday to annual pass holders only as a “trial run” to a limit of just 100 people during the day. We normally expect 3-400 at this time of year.

 

"We will also be opening Blueberry Café with a greeter who will take people to their numbered table and explain the process.  On the recently cleaned table there will be a reduced selection, cold food only, on an A4 paper menu and a disposable pencil for marking the choices on the paper, which is then taken to the, socially distanced, till point for ordering and payment.  The order will then be brought to the table.

 

"Tables have been spaced but we can still accommodate 50 inside and 44 outside, less than half the usual capacity.

 

"We believe this to be the most efficient process for our situation and realise that we will most likely need to adapt at the end of the day and the following day and the day after that.

 

"I do not believe we will make any money during the first week but should at least cover our costs.  Onwards and upwards!"

 

At Perrywood, Simon Bourne reports: "Yes, we are opening from Monday 6th. Booking only and lunch time only for at least the first week. Everything will be table service and we have reduced the menu to make it easier in the kitchen with social distancing. I am expecting a big demand!

 

"In the first week we will be open for lunch service only, and all customers will have to book in advance. The booking system is not up and running just yet, so please don’t contact us to try and book.

 

"After the first week we aim to begin to scale up operations and add in other dining opportunities such as breakfast and of course our much loved Coffee & Cake, or Scone!.

 

"We are busy working out many of the finer details, which are focused on team and customer safety, as well as ensuring that everyone has a great experience. This is similar to the approach we took in reopening the garden centre, which worked really well.

 

"Once the Restaurant is open, we will continue to offer a takeaway service, cake and scones only from the marquee in the car park. We will remove the pre-order options.

 

"The Perrywood Sudbury Coffee Shop will open again in mid-August.

 

"Garden Centre trade continues to be very strong. I still have no idea how long it can continue."

 

Mike Burks at The Gardens Group where garden centre sales are still very buoyant is planning to re-open restaurants but in a limited way from the 6th. "We need to find out how to do it before we get into a season where the outdoor space can't be relied on.

 

We are using a different space at Castle Gardens because the small rooms of the existing restaurant aren't great with social distancing.  We'll be starting with coffees, teas, cakes, cold drinks, ice creams etc and then making sure the systems work before we introduce lunches and breakfasts.

 

We'll have limited indoor space and expanded outdoor space.  There will be booking at Brimsmore and Poundbury and for the inside spaces at Castle."

 

Finally we received some comment from garden centres in Wales who are still awaiting news of when they can plan for re-opening of their restaurants:

 

Martin Davies at Raglan told us: "No news on our restaurant opening here in Wales, we are certainly behind the curve when it comes to the hospitality sector. Just waiting for a green light.

 

"Trade despite the rain squalls was good today as it has been since re-opening. Even though this is the first weekend for town centre shops to perhaps take some trade away from us, customers numbers were well up."

 

And in North Wales, Justin Williams at Fron Goch said: "Wales has not announced any dates or criteria yet so we are in the dark a bit but will watch others eagerly. We do hope to continue with self service though but yet to discuss with our local authority."

 

Yesterday, Charlie Groves from Groves in Bridport told GTN Xtra: "Up until now the increased retail sales have been making up for the catering sales so I haven’t been desperate to open from a financial point of view however as gardening has now slowed the need to get the restaurant reopened has become more apparent.

 

"We have quite a lot of work to do to get Ivy House back open for catering. We have been using it as a garden furniture showroom so we now have to get all of the furniture back into our shop.

 

"To give us a bit of extra time and a softer opening we have decided to open on Monday the 13th.

 

"We have ample outdoor space and we are intending on using this to our full advantage. We will be changing to full table service. This will stop queues at the counter and allow us to control where customers sit to improve social distancing. We will also be opening a standalone coffee and snack shed that will offer the customer an opportunity to get quick bites without having to use the full table service. This will be entirely outdoor seating so will be very weather dependant.

"We are hoping that the large amount of outdoor seating and the spacious, airy interior of Ivy House will give people the confidence to return and give us an advantage over a lot of the local, smaller establishments."

 

Would you like to add to our Catering Re-Opening Straw Poll?  Are you planning to fully re-open catering, partly re-open catering or not at all for the time being? If you are re-opening, will that be inside or outside? Will you be running a table booking system to allow you to manage customer flow more easily?

 

Please either use the comments link below or send your reply to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk and we'll add your comments to the story.

 

The Duchess of Cambridge creates more gardening media coverage with visit to Childrens Hospice

Last week The Duchess of Cambridge joined families from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) to plant a garden at The Nook, one of EACH’s purpose-built hospices near Norwich and media coverage of gardening and garden centres went into orbit again...


Read more and see pictures from the royal visit

Last week The Duchess of Cambridge joined families from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) to plant a garden at The Nook, one of EACH’s purpose-built hospices near Norwich and media coverage of gardening and garden centres went into orbit again.

 

Marking the end of Children’s Hospice Week, The Duchess met with staff from EACH’s care and facilities teams to thank them for the incredible work that they do. Children’s Hospice Week 2020 is organised by the UK charity Together for Short Lives and aims to celebrate and raise vital funds for the UK’s 54 children’s hospices.

 

Using plants bought during her visit to Fakenham Garden Centre the previous week, The Duchess worked alongside an EACH volunteer gardener, staff and two families to help create a space that would provide enjoyment for children and families, using sensory plants such as lavender, bay and rosemary. The garden also contains strawberry plants, herbs, geraniums and hydrangeas in a calming lilac colour scheme.

 

In a message from The Duchess about Children’s Hospice Week, she said:

 

“This Children’s Hospice Week, I’d like to thank the amazing staff for all the work that you do in

children’s hospices around the UK. The care and the nurture that you provide children and families in the most unimaginable circumstances is just awe inspiring.

 

“I’d also like to pay tribute to all those families out there who are caring for and looking after a child with a life limiting illness. You do the most extraordinary job and I know it’s particularly hard at the moment so my thoughts go out to you all.”

 

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk and supports their families. Their care service includes specialist nursing care, symptom management nursing, short breaks, wellbeing activities, therapies, counselling and volunteer services in the family home; all meeting the individual needs of the child, young person and whole family.

 

Throughout the pandemic the charity has continued to deliver end of life and emergency crisis care as well as bereavement support. They have also adapted their services to support families by phone and online.

 

The Duchess has been Royal Patron of EACH since 2012 and attended the official opening of The Nook in November last year. Last week she joined The Duchess of Cornwall in a call with their

children’s hospice patronages to mark the start of Children’s Hospice Week 2020.

Flaming June – phew what a scorcher!

Garden centre volume sales for June are up year on year, with a week of sales data still to add.  After just three weeks the GTN Bestsellers All Sales Index shows total volume sales to be 5% ahead of the whole month last year...


Garden centre volume sales for June are up year on year, with a week of sales data still to add.  After just three weeks the GTN Bestsellers All Sales Index shows total volume sales to be 5% ahead of the whole month last year.

 

And that’s happened despite all other retail opening on the 15th June.  Many people were fearful of the effect all other retail would have on garden centre sales, but actually, more people being out and about shopping has resulted in increased socially distanced footfall and sales.

 

With garden centres being regarded as the most safe places to shop, perhaps this increase in sales can continue through July and into August, provided there are supplies of plants and products.  Well done to all who are getting products through to garden centres.  If garden centres have it in stock this summer, they are very likely to sell it.  Keep up the great work!

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 25

•           Garden Products Top 50 – up 49%

•           Growing Media Top 50 – up 55%

•           Wild Bird Care Top 50 – up 4%

•           Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 256%

 

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 25

•           All Plants with Barcode index – up 41%

•           All Items with Barcode index – up 39%

 

See the full GTN Bestsellers analysis and charts in the GTN Bestsellers printed newsletter each week.  To subscribe for only £145 a year use this link.

 
#FloralFriday for Greenfingers supports Children's Hospice Week

 

 

Greenfingers Charity supporters across the UK took part in the thirteenth #FloralFriday to highlight the work it does in children’s hospices across the UK...


Read more and see GTN Xtra's gallery of #FloralFriday pics

Stars of the week were Anne Marie Powell and David Domoney who both kindly featured #FloralFriday in their social media live broadcasts on Friday.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB5b0fApot-/ is the link to Anne Maries IGTV post and you can click here to watch David's Facebook Live event

 

See GTN Xtra's gallery of a selection of the #FloralFriday posts for this week below.

 

There is no doubt that we have all felt the benefits of gardening and spending time outside in the fresh air as we navigated through a world in lockdown.  Whilst this additional engagement with gardening can only be good for our industry, going forward, this message will help Greenfingers Charity as it faces a challenging road ahead. 

 

The charity’s work planning and designing gardens for life-limited children and families who spend time in hospices has continued over the last few months. Just as soon as it is safe to do so, the team at Greenfingers is very much looking forward to more gardens in hospices becoming a reality this year.

 

Please help Greenfingers Charity remain in the hearts and minds of its industry friends and garden lovers by taking part in #FloralFriday.  With your support the charity will be able to continue to make a difference to thousands of life-limited children, their families, and their carers every year.

 

Taking part in #FloralFriday is so easy to do and doesn’t have to cost you a penny…though every penny, or pound does help!! Here’s what you need to do…

  • Post a floral ‘selfie’ or a photo of your garden or favourite Flower on social media
  • Use the hashtags #FloralFriday #HortIndustry
  • Tag @GreenfingersCharity  
  • If you can, make a donation to support the work of Greenfingers Charity by texting FLORALFRIDAY to 70085 to donate £5 or FLORALFRIDAYTEN to 70085 to donate £10.
  • Nominate a friend(s) to do the same

To find out more about Greenfingers gardens in the planning stages and other ways you can help the charity contact Director of Fundraising and Communications Linda Petrons by emailing Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or calling 07908 221240. 

June is a record for growing media – even with a week to go!

June sales of Growing Media have already set a new record for the month, and there’s still a week of sales data to go! Last week’s sales were 55% up on the same week last year reducing the overall year to date deficit for sales while centres were open to 22%.

 

Last week saw the most new entries into the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart we’ve seen for a long time:

  • Melcourt All-Purpose Peat-Free Compost 50 litres was the highest new entry at No 26...

June sales of Growing Media have already set a new record for the month, and there’s still a week of sales data to go! Last week’s sales were 55% up on the same week last year reducing the overall year to date deficit for sales while centres were open to 22%.

 

Last week saw the most new entries into the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart we’ve seen for a long time:

  • Melcourt All-Purpose Peat-Free Compost 50 litres was the highest new entry at No 26.
  • Melcourt SylvaGrow Peat Free Multipurpose 50 litres debuted at No 29.
  • Westland Rose Planting & Potting Mix Bag 25 litres came in at No 35.
  • Westland West+ Multi-Purpose Compost & 4 Month Feed 120 litre Bale is new at No 41.
  • Melcourt SylvaGrow Farmyard Manure 50 litres joins the Top 50 at No 43.
  • Westland Weed Stop Decorative Ground Cover 90 litres enters at No 45.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Fund created for Westland accident victims family has raised £1,645 so far

Ayrshire garden centre owner, Michael Hayes of Hayes Garden Land in Symington has set up a JustGiving page to raise money for the family of Philip Moore who died after a tragic accident at Westlands Dungannon factory.  The appeal has raised £1,645 so far and as a result Michael has reset the target to £5,000...


Ayrshire garden centre owner, Michael Hayes of Hayes Garden Land in Symington has set up a JustGiving page to raise money for the family of Philip Moore who died after a tragic accident at Westlands Dungannon factory.  The appeal has raised £1,645 so far and as a result Michael has reset the target to £5,000.

 

"Weʼre raising £5,000 to help the wife & young child of a man accidently killed in our Garden Centre industry and show we care," writes Michael on the JustGiving page.  "An Irish man recently lost his life whilst working to supply our industry. He leaves a wife and young Child and although no amount of money will heal their loss, we are honoured to show our appreciation of his endeavours. The Growers and Retailers of the Garden Centre Industry of the UK and Eire thank you."

 

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/westland-tragedy

Gardenex & PetQuip members praise new member benefit from social media experts

Garden and pet product suppliers are being offered the chance to grow their social media presence, thanks to a new service organised by Gardenex and PetQuip...


Garden and pet product suppliers are being offered the chance to grow their social media presence, thanks to a new service organised by Gardenex and PetQuip.

 

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have become increasingly important in times of remote working and self-isolation, but often companies don’t have the time, manpower or expertise to take advantage of social media platforms.

 

To help their members reap the benefits of targeted social media activity, Gardenex and PetQuip have teamed up with multi-disciplinary digital firm Elda Digital Creatives.

 

Elda can provide members with a 50% discount on their social media management, digital marketing and web design services. The firm will create an active presence for companies on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, with analytics to understand how the platforms are working for each client.

 

PetQuip member Judges Choice is already feeling the benefits of the service provided by Elda. The company’s Stu Walker said: “At a time when social media is key to reaching the millions of consumers stuck indoors, we were thrilled to see the new service offered by PetQuip and we weren't disappointed. Elda DC has been professional, helpful and innovative.  The team knew immediately how to convey our messages and we can't thank them, and PetQuip, enough for this service.”

 

Here’s a look at what Elda can offer Gardenex and PetQuip members:

 

Facebook: Fully manage a Facebook account, increasing numbers across the board and engaging with customers via the Messenger platform. Elda will post relevant and interesting content and link the Facebook page to all of the other social media accounts.

 

Twitter: Fully manage a Twitter account, posting daily and actively engaging with customers, influencers and those in similar industries. Elda will start, promote, manage and continue ‘the conversation’, boosting engagement and impression numbers, profile and website visits.

 

Instagram: Create engaging, relevant posts on Instagram with the view to maximising exposure to as many different people as possible. Elda’s in-house design team will create the content, linking everything back to the client’s website and or other social platforms, product information, images and wider industry posting which will create publicity.

 

To find out more about how this service can help your business, visit www.eldadc.com.

 

Gardenex and PetQuip members can access the discounted service by emailing hello@eldadc.com, stating their company name and Gardenex or PetQuip membership number.

 

Please contact Gardenex and PetQuip if you would like to benefit from membership of the association or require any further advice and assistance on: 

Email: info@gardenex.com; info@petquip.com

Websites: www.gardenex.com; www.petquip.com

HTA survey reveals larger retailers are importing more bedding plants than last year

A new HTA industry survey reveals that over half of British ornamental growers (52%) expect a further downturn in sales from June to August as they have not been able to plant crops during lockdown, and this is now resulting in increased imports.

  • 65% of larger retailers surveyed are importing more bedding plants than last year, almost half are importing more hardy nursery stock and 4 in 10 more herbaceous perennials.
  • Almost three quarters of retailers in the survey (72%) said that they were currently unable to get the stock of bedding plants their business needs from UK growers...

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is calling for the UK Government to address the growing need to support UK horticulture and with it, support a green economic revival post-COVID-19. A new HTA industry survey reveals that over half of British ornamental growers (52%) expect a further downturn in sales from June to August as they have not been able to plant crops during lockdown, and this is now resulting in increased imports.

 

Historically as little as 10% of bedding plants were imported during the peak trading season - when 60% of sales are typically made between March and May in the UK. Due to the pandemic lockdown, the latest HTA survey shows this figure has spiked significantly - 65% of larger retailers surveyed stated they were importing more bedding plants, with almost half of these retailers stating increased imports of hardy nursery stock (HNS) and around 4 in 10 are importing more herbaceous perennials. Plants such as geraniums, osteospermum, petunia, hostas, ferns and clematis have all seen large rises in importation.

 

The British Garden Centres group, which has the second largest number of stores in the UK, traditionally sources its plants from growers within the UK and, throughout the year, sources less than 20% from overseas. However, to meet demand in the last month, they have had to turn to Europe for nearly 60% of their plants.

 

There has also been a rise in the number of retailers having to import plants from other countries which typically include the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, France and Ireland.

 

Almost three quarters of retailers in the survey (72%) said that they were currently unable to get the stock of bedding plants their business needs from UK growers.

 

While UK-grown supply of HNS and herbaceous perennials presented less of an issue - around 8 in 10 retailers surveyed stated they can get sufficient stock - 51% of garden centres overall said they were importing more bedding plants while 39% indicated they were importing more HNS and 38% said more herbaceous perennials imports.

 

The industry plays an essential role in safeguarding plant health as well as strengthening the UK’s biosecurity programme. A strong horticultural sector has been identified as vital to delivering the Government’s 25-year Environmental Plan. A weakened industry will result in Britain becoming more reliant on imports, undermining the strong regulatory and industry voluntary approach taken to managing plant health and biosecurity in this country. It risks letting in devastating pests and diseases that the UK has been committed to keeping at bay, such as Xylella fastidiosa, emerald ash borer and Asian long-horn beetle.


No other industry has faced the seasonality and perishability of the plant growers’ sector during the lockdown period, which has resulted in the £1.3bn British nursery market disposing of hundreds of tonnes of plants over the last few months.

 

While the decision to re-open garden centres last month was welcome, many of these businesses have been left without financial support as they were unable to access government grant schemes. The HTA is calling for a UK grant aid scheme along the lines of the one put in place by the Dutch government. It is also believed that the current availability of European stock  is due to factors such as early intervention by the Dutch government of €600m to support their industry, allowing confidence to continue growing, and the fact that garden centres in the Netherlands and Germany remained open during lockdown.

 

Over the last decade, the Government, the HTA and others in the industry have been working together to strengthen the UK’s biosecurity, which protects plants that grow in our gardens and in the countryside and is regarded as essential to the conservation of the country’s natural environment as well as our food security.

 

James Barnes, Chairman of the HTA, comments: “Horticulture is more than just gardening; it resonates throughout nature and the landscape we all have around us. It is essential in supporting half of the policies within the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and underwrites many of the nation’s wider ambitions for climate change.

 

“While imports are always a part of our industry, UK garden centres have a strong track record of sourcing British plants, but the pressures of COVID-19 has forced many to look abroad. Now, more than ever, we need to build domestic production, to provide resilience that comes with a strong UK based horticultural industry. We need the Westminster and devolved governments to support our industry, as the Dutch Government has done for theirs.

 

“The UK can’t afford to offshore its environmental responsibilities. We have the potential in the UK in a post COVID-19, post-Brexit world to become leaders in this field - to green our economy in science and research, in horticultural production and in environmental control systems – the ornamental horticulture industry is uniquely placed to lead this revival”.

 

Adam Frost, presenter and garden designer, comments: “I have been doing a great deal of soul searching lately and there has never been a more important or relevant time than now for people to connect with nature. We are asking the Government to recognise the significance of gardening in the natural world and the vital role that those working in the horticulture sector have on our wider environment around us.

 

“By supporting our UK growers, we are not only nurturing our health and wellbeing over this critical period but we will be safeguarding our plants and protecting the resources that are so essential to our environment for years to come. We also need to protect the valuable experience and knowledge of the people that form the backbone of this industry.”

  • 65% of larger retailers surveyed are importing more bedding plants than last year, almost half are importing more hardy nursery stock and 4 in 10 more herbaceous perennials.
  • Almost three quarters of retailers in the survey (72%) said that they were currently unable to get the stock of bedding plants their business needs from UK growers.
  • The UK’s horticulture industry is supporting 50% of the policy goals in the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan – it’s better to develop a green economy here than UK offshoring its environmental responsibilities and opportunities.
  • Urban green spaces, which include our parks and gardens, removed 28.6 kilotonnes of airborne pollutants in 2015, while vegetation removed an estimated 28 million tonnes (CO2 equivalent) of carbon gases in 2017.
  • A weakened horticultural industry will result in Britain becoming more reliant on imports, with the risks of devastating pests and diseases such as Xylella fastidiosa, undermining the regulatory and industry voluntary approach that has worked so well.
  • £7.4 billion is projected to be the total cost of ash dieback in Britain over the next 10 years, an example of a disease that has been introduced and that 47 tree pests not yet established in the UK are capable of causing at least £1 billion worth of damage if they are introduced.

 

Sell Online Quickly, Easily and Cost-Effectively with GrowNation

GrowNation has announced a new series of service tiers to help garden centres get online with the features and pricing structure that best suits their individual needs...


GrowNation (grownation.co.uk) has announced a new series of service tiers to help garden centres get online with the features and pricing structure that best suits their individual needs.

 

The new Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers allow customers to choose the precise level of customisation, support and features that they need for their online store.

 

Steve Meleka, Managing Director of ConnectNation, (who own the GrowNation brand), said: "Many garden centres now realise the importance of being able to trade online, but lack the time and expertise in-house to get themselves set up.

Our team can simplify the process by completing most of the work required according to each centre's unique specifications. 

 

"Ongoing support from a dedicated account manager will then help them make the most of their new online sales channel.  Done properly, online can significantly increase sales among new and different audiences, sales that would otherwise be lost."

 

Customers can expect different levels of support and rates of commission across the tiers, ranging from basic email support and access to supplier product lists to fully-managed product CSVs, payment processing setup assistance and a dedicated account manager.

 

The team are also preparing for the possibility that Christmas sales volumes will be threatened should social distancing measures still be in force later in the year. A number of new features designed to mitigate this risk - both in-store and online - will be announced over the coming days and weeks.

 

The GrowNation (grownation.co.uk) platform is one of a series of marketplaces from ConnectNation Ltd, a company formed to help address some of the unique business challenges posed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

 

ConnectNation was founded by a group of colleagues with specialisms in marketing (including in the horticulture sector), CRM platform design & integration, business analysis, social media management and ecommerce website development.

The company is currently working with the award-winning ecommerce platform and digital marketing company, Visualsoft. Their VSCommerce platform underpins the GrowNation service, making it possible to rapidly deploy websites to allow garden centres to start selling online quickly. See: www.visualsoft.co.uk

 
Aquatic retailers asked to sign-up for eco-friendly pond pump recycling scheme

Blagdon has launched its new Amphibious IQ scrappage scheme offering consumers £25 off an energy-efficient pond pump when they trade in their old one for recycling...


Aquatic retailers are being invited to sign up for a pond pump recycling scheme to help encourage a more eco-friendly and energy saving approach to pond keeping.

 

Blagdon has launched its new Amphibious IQ scrappage scheme offering consumers £25 off an energy-efficient pond pump when they trade in their old one for recycling.

 

Andrew Paxton, who is the Development Manager at Blagdon, says: “We’re hoping as many stores, whether they are stand-alone outlets or part of garden centres, will join in with our eco-friendly, money-saving, recycling scheme offering pond keepers wishing to upgrade their old pumps our new eco-friendly Amphibious IQ Filter & Waterfall pump at a reduced price.

 

“It is the best adjustable pond pump for filters and waterfalls and offers a whole raft of benefits for pond keepers. Our instore scrappage scheme is designed to encourage people to recycle rather than throw away the old pump they have when it becomes superfluous or faulty. The initiative aims to help pond keepers replace and recycle their old pump for a more energy efficient one and, via our resellers, we will accept any old, faulty or inefficient pump they may have.

 

“We will also be helping to upgrade people to a more environmentally-sound product that is economical and energy efficient to run, so better for their pockets and the natural world around them.

 

“Suitable for waterfalls and filters, the Amphibious IQ combines low maintenance with high performance, and, using its digital motor technology, consumes around 30% less energy than similarly priced pumps. It employs digital motor technology for ease of use and pump protection, combined with variable wattage, ensuring it is flexible to use and promoting further money saving.”

 

The other benefits of the Amphibious IQ include:

• Motor Protection System – if the pump detects the motor is clogged or jammed the motor protection system will pause and display, motor jammed, clean impeller, clean rotor. When the clogging has been removed the pump can safely restart.
• Run Dry Protection System – if the pump detects it has run out of water, it will pause and display, water low, add water. When water has been added, the pump will safely restart.
• Flexible Power Usage Control & Display – with the touch of a button the user can stop, start, increase or decrease power and flow, thereby allowing for optimum performance and maximum energy saving. Reducing the power during the winter or other times when not in high use, can lower power consumption, save money and reduce wear to the pump workings. A clear, visible digital display will show the current power consumption, but also will alert the user to specific problems that might occur such as low water, preventing run-dry damage and inform the user what to do to fix the issue.
• Soft Start – when the pump is turned on, the flow will slowly increase to its pre-set position. This helps to reduce the wear on the pump while decreasing stress to the pipework and filters fitted to the system.


“The Amphibious IQ can be placed any way up while submerged in the pond. Its casing has equally distributed holes all the way around, which ensures an even flow of water to the pump, so, if debris creates a partial blockage, the pump will continue to work. The impeller also has clear housing, making it easy to check for possible blockages or damage without having to undo it. With a three-year guarantee, the Amphibious IQ pack contains a pump, controller, hose tails and a complete set of fittings.”

 

The Amphibious IQ comes in four sizes, depending on pond size:

Amphibious IQ 2250-4500 – SSP £174.99
Amphibious IQ 3000-6000 – SSP £189.99
Amphibious IQ 4500-9000 – SSP £224.99
Amphibious IQ 6000-12000 – SSP £249.99

 

Blagdon is part of Interpet Ltd’s group of brands. Interpet offers one of the largest pet and aquatic ranges in the UK, including products from the Interpet, Blagdon, Kent Marine, Mikki, Nylabone, PetLove, Kaytee, Four Paws and Interpet Publishing brands.

Amphibious IQ scrappage scheme is available for current and potential Blagdon stockists to sign-up to now and for consumers to use from now onwards.

 

For more information, please visit www.blagdonwatergardening.co.uk or to become a Blagdon stockist, please email SalesEmail@interpet.co.uk.

EGO launches rear roller & mulching kits

 

EGO has added two brand new attachments for its battery-powered mowers.  A new Rear Roller Kit helps gardening and landscaping pros obtain sought after stripes.  A new mulching kit helps to keep customers’ lawns healthier.


EGO has added two brand new attachments for its battery-powered mowers.  A new Rear Roller Kit helps gardening and landscaping pros obtain sought after stripes.  A new mulching kit helps to keep customers’ lawns healthier.

With the addition of new Rear Roller and Mulching kits, EGO’s landscaping, grounds care and gardening professionals can now look after the health of their lawn and achieve a professional finish with picture-perfect stripes.

 

Rear Roller Kit (AR1700/AR1900)

Weighing around 8KG and featuring an innovative design that easily clips over the rear wheel axle of EGO’s LM1700E, LM1700E-SP and LM1900E-SP battery powered mowers, the steel Rear Roller Kit provides the ideal amount of power and weight to help achieve pristine and uniform stripes across a lawn.

 

The Rear Roller Kit is available in two sizes and is compatible with EGO’s best-selling LM1700E, LM1700E-SP and LM1900E-SP mowers.

 

Mulching Kit (ABP1700/ABP1900)

EGO has also released a brand-new mulching kit to help professionals keep lawns healthy.

 

Featuring a factory-sharpened steel blade and a mulching plug, EGO’s Mulching Kit helps to deliver optimum cutting performance to achieve a reliable, clean cut lawn. Compatible with the LM1700E, LM1700E-SP and LM1900E-SP mowers, the mulching kit is a fantastic way to keep lawns healthy all year round.

 

The Mulching Kit works by double-cutting the grass, making it easy to create and distribute mulch. Whether professionals are looking to rejuvenate a lawn by providing additional nutrients, or to manage weeds and pests, EGO’s Power+ Mulching Kit is the perfect must-have addition for professional mowing.

 

Available now, the rear roller (AR1700) retails at £49.99 and (AR1900) at £57.99 with the mulching kit (ABP1700) at £34.99 and (ABP1900) at £37.99.

 
Merchandiser/ Area representative
M4 Corridor Oxford/Buckinghamshire/Berkshire, Full-time, £21k pa

We are currently seeking a hard-working, dedicated full time merchandiser/area representative to merchandise our dedicated In-store TV display stands. Previous merchandising experience is preferable, as is some experience of customer service, although full training will be given.

 

You will be responsible for approximately 60 customers who will need visiting every 4-6 weeks. These customers are a mixture of garden centres, High Street retailers and out of town retailers.

 

The work can be physical.

 

This vacancy would suit a person with experience of FMCG.

 

Sales or merchandising experience in the Garden Centre retail sector a distinct advantage.

 

You will be confident, have a smart appearance with the ability to develop good customer relationships.

 

The candidate should hold a full clean driving licence. Some overnight stays will be required as well as visits to our head office in Lincolnshire every 3-4 weeks.

 

Company van, telephone and laptop provided. Company Pension Scheme also offered.

 

Starting salary in the region of £21,000 with a potential increase after completion of successful 3-month trial period.

 

Apply in the first instance along with your CV to Sally Ginever Sally.Ginever@creativeproducts.ltd.uk

 

 
Plant Area Manager, Goonhavern Garden Centre, Cornwall.
Full time, permanent, £21k - £24k depending on experience

This is a new position for our independent garden centre as we are in need of someone to manage and maintain the plant area department. Over the past few years, we have expanded and successfully installed a covered canopy in our plant area and subsequently seen an increase in sales. We are now looking for someone to assist the garden centre manager in the day to day running of the plant area and take our garden centre to the next level.


We are looking for someone enthusiastic about horticulture but most importantly has a passion and knowledge of retail and customer service. They will need to lead the plant area staff and bring them together as a team to create outstanding displays and drive sales.


Main responsibilities will include:
• Managing the plant area department team
• Plant buying
• Waste management
• Responsible for health and safety within the plant area and for COSHH
• Managing all outdoor displays, labelling and point of sale
• Stock control - responsible for stock taking all goods using the EPOS system
• Liaising with the garden centre manager to create plant promotions and plant based 'events'

 

Qualifications & Experience Required:
• Must have previous garden centre experience
• Excellent leadership skills
• LEAN management awareness
• Exceptional plant /horticultural knowledge
• Commercial awareness
• Previous plant buying experience
• Knowledge of EPOS systems and stock control
• Excellent IT skills

 

Salary: £21,000 - £24,000 depending on experience


FULL TIME, PERMANENT.

 

Please apply in writing with a CV and covering letter to manager@goonhaverngardencentre.com

 

Goonhavern Garden Centre
Newquay Road
TRURO
Cornwall
TR4 9QQ


www.cornwallgardenshop.com

 
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Feed me, feed me more

Growing activity is heading for an all time high and that is driving sales of garden products, particularly core growing products up week on week and almost 50% up on the same week last year...

 


Growing activity is heading for an all time high and that is driving sales of garden products, particularly core growing products up week on week and almost 50% up on the same week last year. When we publish next weeks GTN Bestsellers analysis we will be reporting on a record June.

 

Plant feed products were the winners last week with six of the Top 10 Bestsellers, accounting for 36% of the total GTN Garden Products Top 50 sales volume.

  • Tomorite holds onto the No 1 Bestseller spot.
  • Doff Affordable Excellence Tomato Feed 400ml + 20% Free is a high flying new entry at No 3.
  • Gardman’s 10 litre Watering Can was the highest chart climber, up 27 places to No 23.
  • On the back of TV programmes featuring vertical gardening, USP Wonderwall Vertical Garden Planter with 3-pockets re-entered the GTN chart at a record high of No 4.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
Grow your Own up 256% on last year

The continued availability of Veg 2 Gro plants, combined with great weather, more TV coverage than usual and a seemingly insatiable desire to grow you own saw sales of Veg 2 Gro soar to a level 256% higher than the same week last year...


The continued availability of Veg 2 Gro plants, combined with great weather, more TV coverage than usual and a seemingly insatiable desire to grow you own saw sales of Veg 2 Gro soar to a level 256% higher than the same week last year. Sales were almost at the levels normally seen in late April in a “normal” year.

  • Quantil Cucumber F1 8cm holds onto the No 1 spot.
  • Quantil Strawberry Florence 8.5cm re-enters at No 2.
  • Quantil Tomato Tumbling Red Tom 8cm moves up seven places to No 3.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
Business not quite as usual for GROEN-Direkt

This year, to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines, GROEN-Direkt are organising an Autumn Showroom...


The end of August is when GROEN-Direkt traditionally kicks off the garden plant autumn season with its Autumn Fair.

 

This year, to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines, GROEN-Direkt are organising an Autumn Showroom.

 

From Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 August this single-sample presentation will be accessible by appointment to enable garden plant buyers and traders to physically inspect our range of plants. Appointments can be made at www.groen-direkt.nl/agenda from 10 July onwards. So business, but not quite as usual in August!

Autumn Showroom

At our Autumn Showroom you will be able to see, feel and smell a wide range of garden plants yourself. The extra room that is now available for 30% more sample batches offers the individual growers plenty of opportunity to present their ranges. An impressive total of 5,500 samples will be on show – not in layers as usual, but one plant of each batch. The Autumn Showroom will also include novelties and sales concepts, ‘Extra Products’ and an attractive Christmas tree presentation. Orders can be easily placed via the standard ordering app on your tablet or mobile phone.

By appointment
GROEN-Direkt’s Autumn Showroom at Noorwegenlaan 37, 2391 PW Hazerswoude, the Netherlands (ITC site), will be accessible by appointment only, so arrange your visit on time via www.groen-direkt.nl/agenda (from 10 July onwards). Visits will be scheduled in time slots to regulate the number of visitors on each day. For the latest information on our Autumn Showroom see our website, and follow all developments via our LinkedIn company page and our Twitter account.

Webshop

You can also buy garden plants any time via our webshop, where you can view and order from a clear survey of our entire range. The range and the photos accompanying the products are updated every week. A login code can be easily obtained via our website.

More information
For more information on GROEN-Direkt, our sample fairs and our webshop, go to www.groen-direkt.nl or call +31 (0)172 21 15 76.

 
Grow your Own drives up plant sales

Veg, fruit and herb plants made up 13% of all plant sales last week making up a large proportion of the 41% increase in plant sales for the week compared to last year...


Veg, fruit and herb plants made up 13% of all plant sales last week making up a large proportion of the 41% increase in plant sales for the week compared to last year.

  • Tomato plant sales grew week on week by 27% to move up 5 places to No 7.
  • Strawberry plants saw an 85% increase to move up to No 15.
  • Bean plant sales grew by 66% to be the highest chart re-entry at No 34.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
The best of last week's

If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...


 
Blue Diamond report £14.4m profit from 42% increased sales of £181.6m

"Success is delivered by being strategically ahead of your competitors and ensuring that you position yourself through qualitative points of difference to be the first and most loyal choice of your customer. Blue Diamond operates to that standard..."


Blue Diamond Garden Centres have published their Report and Accounts for 2019 with headline numbers of turnover up 42% to £181.6m and profits before tax up by £3.5m to £14.4m.

 

In his managing Directors Report, Alan Roper explains: "Within this figure restaurant sales grew from £22.6m to £34.4m in 2019. Restaurant sales grew 7% on a like-for-like basis. Due to acquisitions restaurant sales have more than doubled over the past two years from £16m in 2017 to £34.4m in 2019.


"In September 2019 we acquired a further seven Wyevale sites, which generated £5.1m sales in the last quarter. These sites, which historically generated £18.5m of turnover, have the potential to reach sales of £30m over the next five years."

 

After the turmoil of the COVID-19 crisis Simon Burke, Chairman of Blue Diamond reported: "It is difficult to provide commentary on our prospects without engaging in guesswork. Many factors, including the future of restaurants, the duration of social distancing measures, the overall state of the economy, and our old acquaintance the outcome of the Brexit process, are all factors which will affect our business but which are impossible to predict.


"However, I do expect the coming months to be challenging for us. We will have much work to do to get the business back on a firm footing, from which it can resume its growth story. Debt reduction and a strong capital base will be our priority, and so cash conservation will be a key theme for some time to come.


"What we have seen, however, is the resilience of the Blue Diamond business in the face of a very severe shock, its ability to draw customers even in a difficult environment, and the energy and enterprise of the team to respond creatively to the challenges they have faced.


"These factors give me confidence that we will weather whatever lies in store for us, and do what it takes to ensure that Blue Diamond will come out the other end strong and prosperous once more."

Alan adds: "We have a pipeline of growth projects stretching over a 3- to 4-year period, which will generate a further £89m turnover. The sixteen former Wyevale sites will generate a further £57m turnover so there is enough existing realisable opportunity for the Group to reach £326m over the years to come.


"Success is delivered by being strategically ahead of your competitors and ensuring that you position yourself through qualitative points of difference to be the first and most loyal choice of your customer. Blue Diamond operates to that standard. I thank my team for choosing to be a part of this successful journey and to whom we owe our success."

 

Read the full report using this link

 

 
Royal visit sends garden centre media coverage into the stratosphere

The Duchess of Cambridge chose her local garden centre, Fakenham Garden Centre, as her first choice for an official visit last week and as a result media coverage of UK garden centres has spread world wide.

 

"We've had phone calls from media outlets as far afield as the USA and Australia since the visit and plenty of enquiries to ask what items were purchased..."


The Duchess of Cambridge chose her local garden centre, Fakenham Garden Centre, as her first choice for an official visit last week and as a result media coverage of UK garden centres has spread world wide.

 

The visit to the centre on Thursday afternoon was planned a few days ahead but the staff were not informed until an hour before.  General Manager Nick Haydon told GTN Xtra: "We were trading normally on a grey day and the sun came out on cue just before 2:00pm."

 

The Duchess, who has shopped at the centre before, spoke with owners Martin and Jenny Turner, some staff members, and then spent some time speaking with customers before doing some shopping for herself and a local hospice.

 

"We've had phone calls from media outlets as far afield as the USA and Australia since the visit and plenty of enquiries to ask what items were purchased." added Nick.

 

"After plenty of bad days during the period when we were closed this was most definitely a good day.  Quite a few of fellow Choice Marketing Group members are very jealous about the amount of media coverage we've had.  There have defiantly been a few more customers in the centre since Friday."

 

Coverage of the Royal Visit, which was embargoed until Friday lunchtime, has been seen in publications as diverse as Harpers Bazaar, Hello!, Regalfille, Dress like a Duchess, many local newspapers from the Central Fife Times to the South Wales Argus and most national newspapers including making the front page of The Sun and The Times.

 

With all the media coverage during closure and then about re-opening, garden centres have certainly been high on the news agenda this year.  Even today the Huff Post is suggesting a visit to the garden centre as one of their "It's A Scorcher! 11 Things To Do In The Sunshine After Work."

 
Anything and everything being purchased for the garden

It really does seem that people are buying anything and everything they can to enjoy their garden during the crisis.  Let’s hope suppliers and growers can keep up the great work so that the garden centre shopping experience can continue to be safe and satisfying...

 


Core gardening continues to be the driver for purchases at garden centres since re-opening.  Garden Product sales are 41% up since May 13th, Growing Media sales up by 60% and Veg 2 Gro sales up by 42% in an overall mix of sales that are 13% up on volume.

 

Plant sales volumes since re-opening are only showing an increase of 6% but the variety of plants being purchased is at an all time high, probably due to a lack of bedding plants.  During the second week of June this year, GTN Bestsellers recorded sales of 390 different genus/types of plants, up by 29% on the same week last year.

 

It really does seem that people are buying anything and everything they can to enjoy their garden during the crisis.  Let’s hope suppliers and growers can keep up the great work so that the garden centre shopping experience can continue to be safe and satisfying.

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 24

•           Garden Products Top 50 – up 45%

•           Growing Media Top 50 – up 45%

•           Wild Bird Care Top 50 – up 15%

•           Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 125%

 

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 24

•           All Plants with Barcode index – up 65%

•           All Items with Barcode index – up 34%

 

To see the full GTN Bestsellers Charts each week and use them to maximise your sales, buy a subscription for only £145.00 using this link.

 
Pots are the key to lockdown gardening

During the second week of June this year sale of pots and pot feet in the GTN Top 50 were 175% higher than last year...


 

While Garden Products are running at 41% up year on year since re-opening the significantly higher increases in sales of Pot and Pot feet illustrate a key shift in the way people are gardening during the crisis.

 

During the second week of June this year sale of pots and pot feet in the GTN Top 50 were 175% higher than last year.  Pots and pot feet lines accounted for 25% of the total Top 50 volume.

  • The Deroma Cotto Garden Sun Azalea Pot 21cm from Apta was the highest new entry for the week at No 10.
  • Woodlodge’s Spang Pot 3 inch re-entered at No 13 after a 116% sales increase.
  • Smart Solar’s Eureka! Firefly Lantern Large climbed 23 places up the chart, perhaps indicating that thoughts and spending are heading towards garden decoration ready for long summer nights.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 

 
Garden centre sales increase despite all other retail re-opening

Top line analysis of the GTN Bestsellers Epos data for the week starting Monday 15th June, the date when all of retail was allowed to re-open, shows an increase in volume sales of 6% on the previous week and an increase of 39% on the same week last year...

 


Top line analysis of the GTN Bestsellers Epos data for the week starting Monday 15th June, the date when all of retail was allowed to re-open, shows an increase in volume sales of 6% on the previous week and an increase of 39% on the same week last year.

 

Garden products were one of the sectors to boom with sales of the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 Garden Products chart showing an 11% increase week on week and a 48% increase in volumes year on year.

 

Driving a lot of those sales will be new gardeners growing their own veg at home.  Last week, when normally the veg 2 gro season would be starting to dwindle, saw a 256% increase in sales volumes compared to the same week last year.

 

"We've had people come to the centre not realising we've been open since the middle of May," one garden centre told GTN Xtra, "it's as though a lot of people have only now just started thinking about shopping at all."

 

See the full GTN Bestsellers analysis and charts in the GTN Bestsellers printed newsletter each week.  To subscribe for only £145 a year use this link.

 
 
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m...


Read more and see GTN Xtras photo tour of the new centre

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m.

 

The new centre boasts a retail space of 11,813 sq.m., including an outdoor plant area and 440-seat restaurant complete with a newly installed pizza oven. Additional space has also been created to accommodate 170 restaurant guests on an outdoor patio.

 

Up to 70 new jobs have been created to accommodate the centre's expansion. Car parking has increased to 346 spaces.  See GTN Xtra's photo tour of the new centre below.

 

Chief executive Julian Winfield said the Snowhill team worked tirelessly to ensure the centre was able to remain open for the majority of the project, with minimal disruption.

 

“We can't wait to receive our customers' feedback on our new and improved facilities,” he added. “Over the years, we have built a loyal customer following and we are proud to be able to give back to them in this way with our new expanded centre.”

 

Haskins acquired the Snowhill site in 2003, inheriting a number of ageing buildings.

 

Haskins also has centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone in West Sussex. The family business recently acquired Forest Lodge Garden Centre, Bird World and Garden Style in Farnham.

 

Pictured (left to right): Julian Winfield, Jamie Haskins, Ally Haskins (married to Jamie) and Warren Haskins, the group's chairman. 

 

The opening event was attended by the current GCA Chairman Mike Burks and three past Chairs; Warren Haskins, Sue Allen and Julian Winfield.

 

 

 
SBM Life Science reinvents its marketing strategy and announces key appointments in Europe

To meet the demands of the transforming gardening market, SBM Life Science is restructuring the European Marketing Department with the creation of 4 Marketing Centres of Excellence...


To meet the demands of the transforming gardening market, SBM Life Science is restructuring the European Marketing Department with the creation of 4 Marketing Centres of Excellence, two in France, one in Germany and one in the United Kingdom. This re-organisation will position SBM as close as possible to consumers and markets, enabling the group to benefit from the strong expertise of these countries and share consistent good practice at a European level.

SBM Life Science in the UK is home to well-loved Brands: Baby Bio, Job Done, Maxicrop, Phostrogen, Provanto, Protect Home, Solabiol, and Toprose. The group aims to reinvent the consumer experience through a differentiating, engaging and more emotional approach, without compromising on the quality and effectiveness of products and solutions.

This new European strategy finds its roots in the key expectations of consumers, and will bring it to life with the creation of 4 focused universes:

ð Nourish: cultivate your natural nourishing garden

ð Beautify: a nice flourishing green space to enjoy

ð Maintain: a clean and neat area to rest

ð Defend: protect against pests

To deliver the new strategy, SBM Life Science announces major appointments in its European Marketing teams:

  • Laurent Davier will join as Head of Marketing for the Europe Region from July 1st. Laurent has over 20 years’ experience in the Home & Garden industry and is an experienced leader in Marketing and In Store Consumer Offers, with many diverse roles held at Botanic, the pioneering Garden Retailer in France.
  • James Ramnought as Head of Marketing for North West Europe (United Kingdom / Benelux) and Head of Centre of Excellence - Maintain. James joins with a strong background in sales and marketing positions for global organisations, most recently from the garden tools division of Bosch with a focus on the consumer experience of products.
  • Almut Niederfeld as Head of Marketing DACH (Deutschland /Austria /Switzerland) and Head of Centre of Excellence - Beautify. Almut held various Marketing Manager positions in different businesses for 25 years. She is an experienced leader with a deep knowledge of the garden market most recently for Westland Germany.
  • Joël Derrien as Marketing Manager for France and Head of Centre of Excellence - Nourish & Defend. Joël is a passionate about gardening and has over 25 years of experience in Marketing Manager positions, for FMCG companies such as Danone, Campbell, McCormick, Mondelez and Saint Mamet during the last 8 years.

“We are delighted to welcome Laurent to the SBM Life Science European Leadership Team, whose contribution will be key to our development in Europe. He brings us his deep understanding of our market, together with a great customer orientation, allowing us to go even further in our consumer approach. Surrounded by Almut, James and Joël, whose complementary skills and expertise are a major asset for the company, the marketing team will be able to spread our brands and offer solutions adapted to the changing needs of our customers," announces Matthieu Schmidt, Head of Europe Region.

 
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts...


Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

 

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

 

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for this week are here


Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care Products chart for this week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro chart for this week are here

 

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

 

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £100m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

For further information contact karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.