In This Issue
Blue Diamond reports record first half profits of £7.6m
Delivering high sales all year round
Good start to sales in October
Winter colour fills the gaps for plants sales
Nursery spearheads broadband rollout to remote areas
RHS and Scholastic UK announce major new partnership
Evergreen Garden Care launches new UK website
Squire's donates 300 silver birches to local communities
Get down to earth...with Gardening Is Good For You
Perrywood celebrates first birthday in Sudbury
Tong to host half term charity family planting event
Spooky Half Term at Squire’s Garden Centres
Honda launches new range of cordless products plus smaller robotic mower
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Christmas knocks garden decoration sales
Add colour – get growing
Good omen for Christmas product sales
Swapping planting for painting! Alan Titchmarsh gets his green fingers into Heart Research UK's anonymous heART project
Calathea: November Houseplant of the Month
The best of last week's
Woodlodge win Choice Marketing Sundries Supplier of the Year Award - UPDATED - More photos added
Wyevale Chairman backs a strong future for independent garden centres
Neudorff signs exclusive distribution agreement with DLF Seeds
Glee’s owners rebrand as Hyve
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
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Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700






Blue Diamond reports record first half profits of £7.6m

Guernsey-based Blue Diamond's announcement on Friday of a 56% increase in first-half pre-tax profits  was coupled with an offer to sell shares...

 

Alan Roper, MD of Blue Diamond, said: “We see a significant opportunity to continue to grow profits in the short, medium and long term..."


 

The company's trading statement said profits of £7.6m in the first six months of 2019 were a record, driven by strong trading in the core business and the addition of nine centres acquired from Wyevale last year.

 

The trading statement in full:

 

"Blue Diamond, the UK's second largest operator of garden centres, has reported record profits for the first six months of 2019.

 

The Group produced a profit before tax of £7.6m, which was a 56% increase on 2018, and was the result of strong trading in both the core business and the nine garden centres purchased from Wyevale in the second half of 2018.

 

Total sales increased by 57% whilst like for like sales also grew by 12%, driven by outperforming the industry across most major categories and the generally benign weather.

 

The nine former Wyevale stores delivered average sales growth of 37% against their performance under previous ownership in 2018, with some centres achieving nearly 60% sales growth, and they contributed significantly to EBITDA. They have all received investment and have seen good improvements in their profits and standards.

 

In September, Blue Diamond completed the acquisition of seven further garden centres from Wyevale, including Bridgemere Garden Centre in Cheshire, one of the most famous and largest garden centres in the UK. These centres generated an EBITDA of £2.6m in 2018 and were purchased for just over £7.5m, plus stock, fees and taxes.

 

Alan Roper (pictured above), MD of Blue Diamond, commented, “We see a significant opportunity to continue to grow profits in the short, medium and long term from a combination of driving trade in the core business, optimising the performance of the newly-acquired 16 former Wyevale centres and the further greenfield sites we have identified.”

 

Trading has remained positive since the end of June and the Board is optimistic about the full year outcome.

 

The Group is privately owned but there is an active market in the trading of its shares. There are currently shares available to purchase from existing shareholders and any person wishing to make enquiries about becoming a shareholder in Blue Diamond should contact the Finance Director, Richard Hemans, by e-mail or telephone 01481 210285 in the first instance.*

 

https://www.bluediamond.gg/investor-relations

 

*It is the Board's policy that there be an active market in the Company's shares. The Company facilitates transactions between shareholders and third party investors but does not act as an agent of either the seller or the buyer. Any person wanting to become a shareholder must be approved by the Board."

 

Delivering high sales all year round
GTN Xtar Promotion

Baker & Taylors adult and children’s book ranges are proven to give consistently high sales all year round and especially in the autumn and winter periods...


 

Baker & Taylors adult and children’s book ranges are proven to give consistently high sales all year round and especially in the autumn and winter periods.

 

With four major autumn packages, including Christmas titles and over 30 promotions to complement our refreshed ranges, you the retailer are able to offer the consumer the choice of books to cross all genres, age ranges and price.

 

A book is a gift that offers the reader the chance to learn, develop, relax, dream and fix. We aim to give a range that will entice the consumer to explore the department to discover the perfect gift.  

  

With Baker & Taylor gift ideas, in your book displays you can find gifts for men, gifts for her and special gifts for the grandparents. And of course the children!

 

We have books that cover everything from Brexit to Unicorns and iphones.

 

 

And don’t miss out on our personalised gift books for kids – Santa’s Elf,  Santa Comes to……. have been top 5 sellers for each of the last 2 years and continue to be must haves. New this year are Santa’s Little Helper and Its Christmas – our first Christmas first words book. All exclusively available from us and supported by instore fixture programs.

 

Gift books play an important part in the indoor areas of garden centres especially at this time of year when you can find a gift for everyone.  Our tailored ranges will offer an Aladdin’s cave of surprise and choice for presents for friends, family or indeed yourself. Specially curated for you and your customers making it easier to  buy.

Step inside and see the choice, brimming with the finest books of the season for the entire family.

 

Whether its books to get you in the Christmas mood, books to inspire the adventurer in you, books to raise a smile or something to give as a gift we at Baker & Taylor have everything you need.

 

With stocking fillers and fabulous Christmas books for children too, it's all the Christmas inspiration you need.

 

 And there’s our exclusive stationery lines, complementing both the season and the gifting opportunities, ideal for day to day tasks or a perfect gift.

 

You can contact us on Client Services 01869 363500, or email Customer.Services@btol-uk.com

Good start to sales in October

A 22% increase in sales at the start of October compared to the last week of September is just what the doctor ordered as the Christmas season gets fully underway.  If this week's momentum continues through to December 25th, no snow until January please, then we could be ending the year up on sales volumes by 3%.


 

A 22% increase in sales at the start of October compared to the last week of September is just what the doctor ordered as the Christmas season gets fully underway.  If this week's momentum continues through to December 25th, no snow until January please, then we could be ending the year up on sales volumes by 3%.

 

Encouragingly plants and growing media sales also saw good increases so it’s not just Christmas that people are coming into centres for.  The opportunity is as ever to make the most of the footfall increases and make the most by selling gardening, gift and catering while they are there to enhance the customer experience.

 

Of course, you’ll all be using the GTN Bestsellers charts to make sure the most wanted items are in the most prominent hotspots!  Send us your photos of Bestsellers hotspots that make the most of your increased Christmas footfall: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk.

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 40:

  • Garden Products Top 50 – down 1%
  • Growing Media Top 50 – down 34%
  • Wild Bird Care Top 50 – static 0%
  • Christmas Top 50 – up 5%
  • All Plants index – up 10%
  • All Items index - up 2%

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 

 
Winter colour fills the gaps for plants sales

The best start to October since 2016 was just what we all needed after a relatively tough summer and early autumn for plant sales. Gardeners have at last started to clear away their summer bedding and are buying and planting for winter colour to fill the gaps...


The best start to October since 2016 was just what we all needed after a relatively tough summer and early autumn for plant sales. Gardeners have at last started to clear away their summer bedding and are buying and planting for winter colour to fill the gaps.

  • Cyclamen sales grew by over 50% week on week as they continued to be the most popular plant for instant colour.
  • Pansies outsold Violas by only a small number this week, but Violas are seeing huge growth year on year; up by almost 200% on the same week last year.
  • Ornamental Cabbage, that great addition of colour and shape into a winter border, were the highest chart climber, up 25 places to No 24.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Nursery spearheads broadband rollout to remote areas

 

A flagship ‘Community Fibre Partnership’ between Cornwall’s Burncoose Nurseries, Openreach, Cornwall Council and private funders is to blaze a trail for the rollout of full fibre broadband to remote and rural businesses in 13 locations across the UK. 


 

WATCH THE VIDEO CASE STUDY HERE

 

A flagship ‘Community Fibre Partnership’ between Cornwall’s Burncoose Nurseries, Openreach, Cornwall Council and private funders is to blaze a trail for the rollout of full fibre broadband to remote and rural businesses in 13 locations across the UK.

 

The move comes after The Chancellor, Sajid Javiid, announced a £5billion rollout of full fibre, 5g and other giga-bit capable networks, at The Conservative Party conference, to 20% of the hardest to reach parts of the country. 

 

The rollout will be made more possible thanks to some of the innovative engineering used at Burncoose Nurseries and Estate by Openreach to install full fibre broadband in its stunning location near Redruth, Cornwall, which is paving the way for other rural communities to get fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP).

 

Burncoose is the fourth biggest plant mail order business in the UK, winning 24 gold medals at Chelsea, with much of its recent growth driven by the introduction of online mail order. 

 

Established in 1984 by Charles Williams, it began life by exhibiting and taking written orders at numerous flower shows throughout the UK. A pioneering move online 21 years ago, when Burncoose created its first website, transformed the business.  Today over 80% of the business is online with 1.5 million visitors to the website each year, drawn to the extraordinary range of over 4,000 different varieties of ornamental trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants.

 

Despite slow broadband speeds due to its remote location, online orders grew by almost 46% per year in the last 10 years, with a surge in the last four years as the website expanded its content to give customers detailed and practical and pictorial advice on growing their plants.  

 

But as office staff at Burncoose struggled with connections of 1.25 mbps, the process of expansion had become a nightmare. 

 

Burncoose Nurseries had added over 40,000 photographs to its website in a decade. This exercise had been a time consuming and expensive challenge not experienced by competitors. Discerning gardeners like to make telephone contact with their suppliers to discuss their potential plant purchases but Burncoose’s staff struggled to access the information online to answer enquiries because speeds were so much slower than that of their customers. This at times made staff feel that they came across as inept and unprofessional. Even tracking a parcel after dispatch was a slow and frustrating business.

 

A fast broadband connection had become business critical for the business to continue to grow. So in April 2017 the community began discussions with Openreach to consider installation of fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) or “full-fibre” technology onsite.  Full-fibre broadband connections can deliver download speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second - enough bandwidth for a family of four to all stream ultra HD or 4k quality movies or TV simultaneously, without interruptions, waiting or buffering. With these speeds, downloading a typical HD film takes less time than it takes to make a cup of tea.

 

The funding was agreed through a combination of private funding, funding from Openreach and local grant scheme run by Cornwall Council.  The design/contract negotiation period took six months then the build, which took eleven months, involved connecting and extending fibreoptic cables from Openreach’s local node point to the Burncoose site.  This wasn’t without its problems as the cables needed to be installed on a main road involving road closures adding a three-month delay.

 

The initiative will benefit a “business cluster” beyond the nursery itself: Burncoose Nurseries is part of a micro-community which includes Burncoose House, a spectacular wedding and holiday venue completely reliant on online bookings; a building company, KPK Builders employing over 30 people, and several homes and businesses.  There are around 70 people employed in businesses on the Burncoose Estate.

 

These businesses on the Estate are now reaping the benefits of full fibre.  Horticultural enthusiasts can now find all the information they need online, meaning that the phones no longer need to be manned by plant specialists.  The connection is resilient in inevitable winter storms and even the phone lines are clearer with no drop-outs or interference. KPK Builders has opened a new maintenance division and entrepreneur Ellie Bradshaw has just launched Wild Life Botanicals, a new range of low-alcohol, high end sparkling drinks from a converted barn on the Estate.  And at Burncoose House, guests hiring the property for weddings, events or holidays now enjoy Georgian splendour with 21st century connectivity in the spectacular Cornish countryside.  And the success of these businesses means more jobs for local people, which is great news for this part of Cornwall where wages are still well below the national average.

 

 

Charles Williams said, “Burncoose is delighted to help promote this long overdue improvement in rural broadband access to 10 separate private business addresses in our small business cluster.

 

We now have broadband speeds of 70Mbps and can deal with our existing customers, business rivals and new business on an equal footing to our competitors. We all see this as a hugely important step forward in enabling our businesses to prosper and grow in the countryside.”

 

Based on the success of the Burncoose and the Cornwall initiative, Openreach announced [on Friday, October 4] the rollout of a full fibre broadband pilot to 13 more rural communities, with the senior team at Openreach, including Clive Selley, CEO, Openreach, visiting Burncoose to see how it had positively impacted the local community there. 

 

Openreach have also created a video to tell the story of Burncoose and its broadband journey and a case study has been included in the Openreach shareholders report.

 

The Burncoose Estate may once have been at the heart of the industrial revolution in Cornwall, but it now finds itself at the forefront of the digital revolution with telecommunications infrastructure which will future proof connections for the businesses there for years to come.

 
RHS and Scholastic UK announce major new partnership

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced a major new partnership with Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books...


The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced a major new partnership with Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books.

 

The deal encompasses a wide range of children’s publications, including sticker and activity books, handbooks, illustrated non-fiction, board and colouring books, annuals, e-books and journals. All the publications will make use of the vast range of expertise available to the UK’s favourite gardening charity as well as drawing on its work with families, schools and children, to offer entertaining, informative and beautifully illustrated books that will help to advance the RHS mission: Inspiring everyone to grow.

 

This announcement coincides with the arrival of a new RHS style guide for children’s products encompassing four styles – the bold and sassy Home Grown and I Bug You and the traditional and timeless Flower Power and Trees & Leaves – and the timing could not be better. Both the Scholastic deal and the new children’s artwork herald a major push for the RHS licensing programme into children’s products.

 

The new range of children’s titles for ages four and up, which launches in spring 2020, will be available in bookshops and supermarkets as well as garden centres and online.

 

 

Elizabeth Scoggins, Non Fiction and Licensing Publisher, Scholastic UK, says: “The RHS is one of the best-loved and most respected of heritage brands, with an unmatched reputation in gardening. We are delighted to be working with the UK’s favourite gardening charity as it brings its expertise and love for gardening to a range of publications that we are sure will be enthusiastically received by children and families alike.”

 

Cathy Snow, RHS Licensing Manager, says: “The RHS has always had a strong reach to children, families and schools, but its licensing programme had not reflected that – until now. This agreement with an internationally respected publisher, along with our new children’s style guides, positions the RHS perfectly to start to deliver dedicated, high-quality output to children across the UK.”

Evergreen Garden Care launches new UK website

Evergreen Garden Care, the company behind Miracle-Gro and Roundup, has launched a new UK website as part of the company’s international refresh of its digital platforms...


 

Evergreen Garden Care, the company behind Miracle-Gro and Roundup, has launched a new UK website as part of the company’s international refresh of its digital platforms.

 

The LovetheGarden website has been built on the same platform as its international counterparts, creating a consistent International website presence which combines both shared and local content.

 

The look of the new website has also been given a sleek and modern refresh and offers improved user experience thanks to its mobile optimised web design.

 

With over 600 of articles, the new website is a hub for any keen gardener or gardening amateur and includes helpful tips and advice on how best to care for your outdoor and indoor space. The new categorisation of articles has helped to aid users by breaking articles into relevant topics, so users can find the help or inspiration they need with ease, whether that be how to look after indoor plants or how to create a small garden.

 

Headed up by Joanna Weston, Group Head of Digital Marketing, the project took six months and has already seen some great results with a 29% reduction in bounce rate year on year.

 

Speaking of the new website, UK Digital Marketing Manager, Frode Hernes said, “As 50% of website traffic comes from mobile users, we really wanted to optimise the mobile website to provide a better experience for users. With the new website, I think we have achieved this, as well as producing a more consistent brand across all the countries we operate in.

 

“We have already received some positive feedback to the changes and are looking forward to developing our digital platform more in the coming months.”

 

Why not take a look for yourself at www.lovethegarden.com 

 
Squire's donates 300 silver birches to local communities

Squire’s Garden Centres is to donate 300 silver birch trees to local parks and green spaces....


Squire’s Garden Centres is to donate 300 silver birch trees to local parks and green spaces. 

 

It’s part of the group’s ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign in September, where they pledged to donate 5p for every plant sold towards trees to the local community.

 

Sarah Squire, Squire’s chairman, said: “The silver birch is a stunning native tree, which is great for the environment and for wildlife too, so I’m very pleased that we will be donating 300 of them to parks and green spaces across the south-east. We are working closely with local councils who will plant the young trees in February next year to make our community spaces even more attractive.”

 

Some of the places where the trees will be planted include Priory Park in Reigate, Stoke Recreation Ground in Guildford, Ifield Millpond in Crawley, Hickleys Corner in Farnham, Homewood Park in Chertsey.

Get down to earth...with Gardening Is Good For You

It’s all change in the garden this month as autumn colour and falling foliage transforms trees, shrubs and borders. It’s a wonderful sight that brings the gardening year to a spectacular end. Keep gardeners active with the ‘Gardening is Good for You!’ campaign, supported by National Garden Gift Vouchers.

 

Pictured: Planting a winter pot - skimmia heather gaultheria © Adam Pasco Media


 

It’s all change in the garden this month as autumn colour and falling foliage transforms trees, shrubs and borders. It’s a wonderful sight that brings the gardening year to a spectacular end.

 

Keep gardeners active with the ‘Gardening is Good for You!’ campaign, supported by National Garden Gift Vouchers.

 

Autumn is a busy season, with plenty to tempt us outside. There’s summer bedding to clear away, border perennials to cut down, veg plots to clear, and leaves to collect and convert into valuable leafmould to use for mulching and feeding the soil.

 

Gardening throughout the year brings with it many benefits, like keeping us active in the fresh air, while direct contact with soil has been shown to be valuable to our mental health and wellbeing. Research has demonstrated the value of ‘earthing’ or ‘grounding’ in the alleviation of health problems, relieving stress, and improving our mood and restful sleep.

 

Research around the world continues to highlight the many benefits of gardening, and although the benefits of direct contact with soil and friendly bacteria aren’t yet fully understood they indicate what many people believe … gardening is great therapy!

DID YOU KNOW?

Some friendly bacteria found in the soil may act on our brain like antidepressants. Research on mice by University College London and Bristol University found that a common soil bacteria acts on brain cells to stimulate production of the ‘happy chemical’ serotonin, altering mood in a similar way to antidepressants.

PLANTS OF THE MOMENT: AUTUMN PLANTING

Autumn is a good time for planning and planting, establishing plants into warm soil before the onset of winter. Help customers to choose plants suited to their soil, site and conditions.

 

Large patio pots, tubs, troughs and baskets can also be planted with a selection of evergreen, flowering and berrying plants to provide colour and interest over the cold winter months ahead.

 

Many bare-rooted plants are only available from the autumn offering great value for hedging and planting projects.

 

Seasonal favourites include:

  • Skimmia varieties eg Skimmia ‘Magic Marlot’
  • Gaultheria mucronata
  • Cyclamen hederifolium AGM
  • Mahonia ‘Charity’ and ‘Winter Sun’ AGM
  • Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ and ‘Charles Lamont’ AGM
  • Autumn Flowering Camellia eg C. sasanqua ‘Narumigata’ AGM
  • Callicarpa ‘Profusion’ AGM
  • Dogwood varieties (Cornus)
  • Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’ AGM
  • Heathers

For further information go to www.hta.org.uk/gardeningisgoodforyou or contact media.office@hta.org.uk

 

Pictured: Planting a winter pot - skimmia heather gaultheria © Adam Pasco Media

 
Perrywood celebrates first birthday in Sudbury

A garden centre which was saved from uncertainty last year has celebrated its first anniversary. Since Perrywood took over the Newton Road site in Sudbury from Wyevale Garden Centres they have created 13 more jobs, and increased contractual hours for nine of the ex-Wyevale team. There are now 34 employees in total...


 

A garden centre which was saved from uncertainty last year has celebrated its first anniversary.

 

Perrywood Sudbury was bought from Wyevale by the directors of Essex-based Perrywood Garden Centre, and had its first day of trading on 25 September 2018.

 

Since Perrywood took over the Newton Road site, they have created 13 more jobs, and increased contractual hours for nine of the ex-Wyevale team. There are now 34 employees in total.

 

During the last year the team has turned the centre around. It has focused on improving the offering and bringing a Perrywood feel to the store with ‘how-to’ leaflets, houseplants at the front of the store and more stock including new and improved ranges of bird care, gloves, tools, indoor and outdoor plants (including plants from the Perrywood Grown range) and pots.

 

They invested more than £100k in a new kitchen and coffee shop, reopening it as a destination for customers looking for home-cooked breakfasts, soup, hot lunches freshly made sandwiches, cakes and of course Perrywood’s famous scones.

 

To help celebrate its first birthday, staff will be hosting a week of in-store promotions and social media competitions. This will include free tea or coffee when buying any food in the coffee shop on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September.

 

Simon Bourne, Retail Director at Perrywood, says: “We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating our first year in Sudbury.

 

“The community has been so welcoming to us and has really supported us since we took over. We have some regular and very loyal customers so we hope to see as many as possible in store to help us celebrate.

 

“The high street is not an easy environment for retailers at the moment but we believe our fabulous, hardworking and knowledgeable staff, high quality plants and inspiring visual merchandising, have helped us buck the trend.”

 

Perrywood has more than 30 years’ experience running its award-winning Tiptree garden centre, which comprises of a plant production nursery, gift and home shop and 260-seater coffee shop and restaurant. As a £10m turnover business, the company employs 164 staff and is ranked at number three in the Garden Centre Association (GCA) league table of UK garden centres.

 

As a business, Perrywood is committed to supporting charities and the local community. During 2018, Perrywood Tiptree donated more than £26,000 to charities.

Garden Centre Manager Steve and Plant Area Expert Jane from Perrywood Sudbury recently took part in a sponsored skydive, raising £1035 for Colchester Hospital which was matched by Perrywood. In addition, the store has donated hundreds of pounds worth of gift vouchers, plants and products to local schools, charities and community groups – such as Sudbury in Bloom.

Tong to host half term charity family planting event

Tong Garden Centre is hosting a charity bulb planting event during the October half term holiday. The centre is teaming up with Taylors Bulbs to host family friendly daffodil planting sessions from 28th October to 1st November...


 

Tong Garden Centre is hosting a charity bulb planting event during the October half term holiday. The centre is teaming up with Taylors Bulbs to host family friendly daffodil planting sessions from 28th October to 1st November. 

 

Taylors Bulbs ‘Little Daffodils' is a nationwide initiative that has been launched to raise money for the horticultural charity, Greenfingers by encouraging children to love growing and gardening.

 

Tong's Head of Marketing, Jo Dales is excited about the pop up planting sessions: "The community is central to everything that we do here at Tong, so we're delighted to help Taylors Bulbs raise funds for Greenfingers to create beautiful, outdoor spaces for children who spend time in hospices to enjoy.

 

"There's no need to book. Simply head over to the plant area any time between 11am and 3pm on Monday 28th October to Friday 1stNovember inclusive and one of our plant team will give you everything you need to plant your daffodils."

 

The cost is £1.50 and all funds raised will also go to Greenfingers.

 

Adam Taylor, one of the fourth generation of the Taylor family, said: "We want to create a really special event to mark our centenary year, and, particularly as we are a family business, we know the importance and the joy of engaging the next generation with growing. My dream is that tens of thousands of children get a chance to plant bulbs this autumn through the ‘Little Daffodils' initiative and then watch them flower next spring, experiencing one of the delights of gardening."

 

Tong Garden Centre is one of 150 garden centres nationwide who are supporting the fundraising initiative.

 

Pictured (left to right): Andrew Brown, Colin Wood, and Jamie Maxwell.

Spooky Half Term at Squire’s Garden Centres

Things are getting a bit spooky at Squire’s Garden Centres this October Half Term! From Monday 28th October* to Friday 1st November children can come and paint a bat tealight holder, create a scratch art mask, or take part in a ghost pursuit around the garden centre...


 

Things are getting a bit spooky at Squire’s Garden Centres this October Half Term! From Monday 28th October* to Friday 1st November children can come and paint a bat tealight holder, create a scratch art mask, or take part in a ghost pursuit around the garden centre!

  • Paint a ceramic bat tealight holder (£5.75) - includes a complimentary LED tealight.
  • Create a Halloween scratch art mask (£2) - a must-have spooky item for trick-or-treating!
  • Ghost pursuit around the garden centre (FREE) - discover the creepy word and have the chance to win a prize!

So keep your little ghouls entertained this October Half Term by bringing them to Squire’s Garden Centres.

 

Their popular Create & Grow activities are on from 10am to 4pm and there’s no need to book, simply turn up on the day. Fancy dress is very welcome too!

 
Honda launches new range of cordless products plus smaller robotic mower

Honda is set to herald in a ‘New age of cutting’ for the 2020 season, with several new and updated products across five categories in its Lawn & Garden machinery range.


Honda is set to herald in a ‘New age of cutting’ for the 2020 season, with several new and updated products across five categories in its Lawn & Garden machinery range.

Most significantly, Honda will enter the cordless lawn mower market with the launch of two all-new premium models building on its renowned class-leading IZY platform.

Carrying over the same qualities, build standards and traditional styling as IZY, the HRG416XB and HRG466XB ‘IZY-ON’ models will deliver exceptional performance even in demanding conditions, offering 4.5Nm and 6Nm of torque respectively. Both will feature a new brushless motor design, for optimum efficiency and contributing to noise ratings of just 91dB(A). The larger HRG466 model will also offer integrated on-off selective mulching – a first in the cordless lawn mower market.

Providing the power for the new cordless models will be a choice of three batteries – 4Ah, 6Ah and 9Ah – which make up the ‘Universal Battery System’ for Honda cordless products. Featuring class-leading ‘Thermo-Smart’ control technology to keep the battery cool even in demanding conditions and over long periods of use, these units offer high performance and long life, with the professional-grade 9Ah version capable of delivering up to 45A of current for heavy garden work, and fully weatherproof to the IP56 standard.

Steve Morris, Head of Product Products at Honda (UK) comments: “Lawn mowers are absolutely core to the Honda Lawn & Garden business, it’s what we’re famous for, and after more than 40 years in the market we continue to set the standard. With customers increasingly moving towards cordless products and battery technology now so advanced that it offers no compromise compared to petrol-power, it’s a natural fit for us to introduce premium cordless models alongside our revered petrol and ro

Continuing on a similar theme, the 2020 season will also see Honda introduce a new range of cordless handhelds consisting of a hedgetrimmer, brushcutter and leaf blower. Using the same choice of three batteries available in Honda’s forthcoming cordless lawn mower range, the new handhelds will offer the power and performance more associated with petrol-power, but with additional convenience, ease of use and comfort. The new handheld range will extend the application of the universal battery system. 

Honda’s move into the cordless Lawn & Garden market comes at a time of a continued shift of customer preference towards cordless products, thanks largely to developments in battery technology. Nonetheless, Honda remains committed to their petrol models, seeing them as a core part of their line-up, with the new cordless range now offering customers the widest possible choice based upon their requirements and preferences.

2020 will also see two new additions to Honda’s robotic mower line-up, Miimo, with the introduction of the HRM40 and HRM40 Live. Designed for smaller gardens of up to 400 square metres, the new model will feature several new intelligent features for enhanced convenience, usability and connectivity. The ‘Live’ version offers full smartphone connectivity through an app, voice control via Alexa and adapts automatically to weather conditions. Installing all-new Miimo couldn’t be easier, with a four-step process compared to nine steps for a typical competitor model. Honda’s ‘Map & Mow’ technology eliminates the need for the customer to install the guide wire, set mowing start points and home position, or to set its cutting schedule. The docking station is also very simple to install, with the power cable conveniently encased in a tube and out of the way.

Updates to Honda’s petrol-powered line up

Honda’s lawn tractor models will also get a refresh for 2020, with new engines in the form of the GCV530 and commercial-grade GXV690, and a wide range of new features for enhanced convenience and comfort. Among the latest additions are a speed hold system, a full colour LCD display, a USB port and device holder.

That isn’t all! Honda continues to bring innovation to its revered IZY range, famed for being lightweight, robust and versatile and packed with technology. For next season the line-up of nine petrol models with a choice of three different cutter deck sizes will be powered by the latest four-stroke Honda GCV engines – the GCVx145 for 41cm and 46cm models, and the larger GCVx170 for 53cm models, offering improved efficiency and Auto Choke for easier starting.

Finally, Honda has added a new model with extra power to its 4-stroke brushcutter range – the UMK450 - designed to suit the needs of professional and semi-professional users. The new UMK450 features a 47.9cc power unit and has three version available including the UMK450LE with a D-loop handle, the UMK450UE with a bike-type handlebar, and the UMK450XE with a bike-type handlebar and full anti-vibration mounts. The UMK450XE is a professional version with a new frame and handlebar design, to improve handling and operator comfort during longer working periods.

The UMK450 is powered by Honda’s GX50 4-stroke engine producing 2hp and with plenty of torque to maintain constant engine and cutting speed, even in heavier working conditions.

The new models will be available from Honda’s Authorised Dealer Network ready for the start of 2020 season. For further information please visit www.honda.co.uk/lawn-and-garden

See GTN Xtra's photos from last weeks Press Launch below

 
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Christmas knocks garden decoration sales

Garden Products suffered from their usual opening of Christmas blues this week.  Despite plant sales and growing media sales going up the increase in footfall and sales generated by Christmas openings didn’t materialise in any overall increase for Garden Products...


Garden Products suffered from their usual opening of Christmas blues this week.  Despite plant sales and growing media sales going up the increase in footfall and sales generated by Christmas openings didn’t materialise in any overall increase for Garden Products.

 

That said, 32 out of the Top 50 lines in the GTN Chart increased their sales week on week and most of those were core gardening lines, so it’s probably the more decorative gardening lines that have suffered when Christmas decorations go on sale.

  • Tildenet’s Weed Block Mat Bulk Roll 1x100m is the highest re-entry in the chart, back in at No 4.
  • Choice Marketing Supplier of the Year, Woodlodge’s Terracotta Pot, 14cm, are the highest new entry for the week at No 7.
  • Gardman Frostgard 17gsm 8m x 1.5m roll, a perennial winter season bestseller makes it’s first showing of the year at No 16.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
Add colour – get growing

Growing activity picked up for the first week of October showing us that there is still plenty of interest in getting out and preparing the garden for next year  and as can be seen from our plants chart adding colour to the garden for autumn and winter. Volume sales for Growing Media increased by almost 23%...


Growing activity picked up for the first week of October showing us that there is still plenty of interest in getting out and preparing the garden for next year  and as can be seen from our plants chart adding colour to the garden for autumn and winter. Volume sales for Growing Media increased by almost 23%

  • All of the Top five bestselling lines increased their sales week on week, with Westland’s New Horizon All Plant Compost 60 litres increasing sales by 188%.
  • The popularity of small bags of compost, perhaps bought to fill pots as opposed to adding to beds and borders, is emphasised by a 210% increase for Evergreen Garden Care’s Miracle-Gro All Purpose Compost, 40litres.
  • After rose sales increased by 120% this week (see the GTN Plants Chart) it’s good to see that Westland Gro-Sure Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost & 4 Month Feed, 50 litres, was the highest re-entry at No 32.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
Good omen for Christmas product sales

After the dreary end to September, the first week of October saw Christmas sales soar by almost 200% and were on a par with 2017 levels for early October...


After the dreary end to September, the first week of October saw Christmas sales soar by almost 200% and were on a par with 2017 levels for early October. 

 

That’s a good omen as 2017 was the highest Christmas for sales volumes that we’ve ever recorded from the GTN Bestsellers Epos data.  Could we be on for another bumper season?

  • Christmas chocolates fare well again even though the Lindt Teddy bear drops to No 2. 
  • The Lindt Mini Advent calendar and the Lindt mini snowmen are both new entries in the GTN Christmas Top 50.
  • Kaemingk’s Owl Glass Bauble 6cm is the highest new entry for the week, in at No 7.
  • Two Kings and Queens Christmas Doormats from Smart Garden Products are high placed new entries this week too at No’s 10 & 11.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Swapping planting for painting! Alan Titchmarsh gets his green fingers into Heart Research UK's anonymous heART project

Alan Titchmarsh has donated a piece of original artwork to Heart Research UK’s ‘anonymous heART project’, a fundraising campaign featuring A5 artwork created anonymously by artists, celebs and creative Heart Research UK supporters...


Alan Titchmarsh has donated a piece of original artwork to Heart Research UK’s ‘anonymous heART project’, a fundraising campaign featuring A5 artwork created anonymously by artists, celebs and creative Heart Research UK supporters.

 

Alan is well-known for his love of art and creation of masterpieces in the garden. He first sowed the seeds of his success in appearances on television programmes as a gardening expert and went on to cement himself as a household name on the acclaimed BBC series’ Gardeners World and Ground Force. Alan continues to flex his green fingers in his own private garden, in which he explores his love of line, form, scale, perspective and colour.

 

To spot Alan’s spooky piece, you’ll need to use your magic powers. Grabbing his horticulturally inspired artwork in time for Halloween will be quite the trick, and we’re sure you’ll fall under its spell.

 

Other big names, bringing you one-of-a-kind pieces of art, include Paul Insect, Robert Smith (The Cure), Zoë Wanamaker CBE, Keith Lemon and Vic Reeves.

 

The artwork will be auctioned on eBay from the 4th - 13th October 2019. To add an additional twist, although the list of creators will be available to all bidders, the artist of each individual piece will be kept anonymous until after the auction is over. You’ll have to rely on your keen eye for detail if you want to walk away with a blooming masterpiece for a bargain price.

 

The auction is open to everyone, and all the money raised will fund Heart Research UK’s pioneering medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

 

Alan Titchmarsh, said: “Anything that helps to further the understanding and prevention of heart disease gets my vote.

I am never pleased with my artwork, but it was fun!

 

Raising the profile, and encouraging the support of research against heart disease is vital. How else are we going to conquer it?”

 

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “The art auction is an easy, quirky way to offer support that has attracted contributions from celebrities who, like Alan Titchmarsh, are dedicated to tackling heart disease with Heart Research UK.

 

“We’ve been overwhelmed with the number and scope of the donations but the important factor is that only HRUK knows who created each artwork.  Imagine the delight when you’ve bought your favourite and find out the famous name on the back.”

 

Link to the eBay auction - https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/heartresearchuk_shop

 
Calathea: November Houseplant of the Month

Calathea is characterised by the fabulous markings on the leaves and the rich choice of leaf shapes, from round and oval to spear-shaped...


 
Calathea is characterised by the fabulous markings on the leaves and the rich choice of leaf shapes, from round and oval to spear-shaped.
 
Those leaves not only have air-purifying properties, but also join in your daily routine thanks to their day and night rhythm. There is a kind of joint between the leaf and the stem that allows movement. When it gets dark the leaves close, and if it’s quiet enough you can hear the rustling of the closing leaves. When it gets light they unfold again. 
 
Origin 
Calathea grows in tropical rainforests in warm and damp conditions. It particularly thrives there in sheltered spots without too much light, around forest giants that filter the light. 
 
Calathea assortment 
There are many different Calatheas. There are a few species that are sold as flowering plants, of which C. crocata - with orange flowers - is the best-known with cultivars such as Tassmania and Candela. Other flowering Calatheas are C. warscewiczii (white) and C. ‘Bicajoux’ (pink). The other Calatheas are stunning decorative foliage plants with unusual leaf markings and colours. Many species feature a claret-coloured back to the leaf. C. lancifolia and C. makoyana have been known for a long time; more recent varieties are C. rufibarba, C. zebrina and C. orbifolia. Calathea is available in sizes ranging from small compact plant to potted giant.
 
Thejoyofplants.co.uk is an initiative of The Flower Council of Holland and lets consumers experience that you feel better with plants around you.
 
The best of last week's

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


 
Woodlodge win Choice Marketing Sundries Supplier of the Year Award - UPDATED - More photos added

Woodlodge won the Choice Marketing Sundries Supplier of the Year Award, presented at the Choice Annual Trade Show and Dinner, held last night, with awards also won by History & Heraldry and Allensmore Nurseries...


Woodlodge won the Choice Marketing Sundries Supplier of the Year Award, presented at the Choice Annual Trade Show and Dinner, held last night at the Jury's Inn Hinkley Island Hotel.

 

History & Heraldry won the award for Home and Gift Supplier of the Year and Allensmore Nurseries won the Best Plants Supplier Award.

The Choice Marketing Group now represents £145m annual turnover.  "We will be looking to add more centres next year," said Choice CEO Michelle de Lavis-Trafford at the dinner.

 

See GTN Xtra's photos from the Trade Show and Dinner below:

 

 

 
Wyevale Chairman backs a strong future for independent garden centres

"I see a vibrant future for the independents. I think this is a sector in 20 years time that will still have a strong independent core within it."  Justin King, Chairman Wyevale Garden Centres...

 


In an interview published in the October issue of GTN, Justin KIng, Chairman of Wyevale Garden Centres and one time CEO of Sainsburys said: “I'm not one of the doomsayers about the so-called High Street, I believe that the reports of the death of the High Street have been exaggerated.  I do I like the channel that is garden centres, because in many ways it already is and has moved itself towards what all retail has to think about.

 

“Retail can never be just about having physical shops where people buy stuff.  The garden centre industry has naturally moved towards being a destination. It's never been purely just about buying stuff, it's always been an experience for the senses. I was amazed when I came to Wyevale that some of our garden centres had coach parks because people took day trips to them and there are not many retail channels that do that. That tells you they're occupying a piece of space that's beyond just selling stuff it is a day out, it is entertainment, it is an experience of the senses. Some of them at Wyevale were both before and during my time improving the food, improving the concession offering and of course that's what some of the very big operators have done and indeed the sites the bought from Wyevale are the ones that best fit their platform to do that.

 

“But this is also an industry where I see a long and vibrant future for independent operators. I do, feel that way for retail more generally too.  Although you hear news about shops closing down there are many new shops opening on High Streets up and down the country today, pretty much as ever there have been, and garden centres are a perfectly suited sector for a vocational business run by a family, perhaps a small group of friends, maybe a small chain of two or three locally. And it is a truly local business. I can't even plant the same plants from one end of my garden to the other as they are  on different soil. So, we know this is a local business where local knowledge and expert knowledge plays a part.  I see a vibrant future for the chains, I think they'll keep growing if they keep doing a great job. I also see a vibrant future for the independents as well. I think this is a sector in 20 years time that will still have a strong independent core within it.

 

“The direction of travel in all retail will see some consolidation because size does matter and it matters because there are a lot of things that you can do better for customers with size.  But whenever I talk at retail conferences, I always say that if you don't have size, then you need to be better. If you are small you've got to be more fleet of foot, more focused on your customers at a local level, more prepared to take risky and local decisions and this is a sector that lends itself to that perfectly.  Both will thrive."

 

In the same issue of GTN, Wyevale Garden Centres CEO, Anthony Jones thanked all of his Wyevale colleagues:  “We'd like to record our thanks to all of our amazing colleagues who have helped deliver everything and we're immensely proud of everything they've done in what are quite challenging circumstances. To deliver all the things that they did at the same time to trade the business well, whilst reducing it back in scale in the context of a quite complex sale process was a testament to them all. I'm very proud of them.

 

“Glee was fantastic. And to be honest, I'm humbled by the reception I got to be honest. Many of our buyers, as well as our suppliers, were quite complimentary about the process. It was nice for me to go back to Syon and pass on those kind words onto our team.”

 

Read the full interviews in your October issue of GTN, send an e-mail to karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk if you'd like to receive a regular copy, or read the on-line version via this link

 

 
Neudorff signs exclusive distribution agreement with DLF Seeds

It is the start of a new era for Neudorff as natural gardening leader signs exclusive distribution agreement with DLF Seeds...


DLF Seeds, owner of the Johnsons Lawn Seed brand, is to exclusively distribute Neudorff’s leading natural gardening product portfolio in UK, with immediate effect.

 

The exclusive agreement will ensure an uninterrupted supply of Neudorff’s extensive range of environmentally friendly gardening products throughout the UK by DLF Seeds, while the Republic of Ireland will continue to be serviced by Unichem Ireland.


Neudorff, a German pioneer of natural, safe and effective garden products, first entered the UK market in 2012 with the aim of bringing eco-friendly pest control and plant care products to consumers who are increasingly demanding chemical-free gardening solutions. The company, founded in 1854, now has a significant presence in over 20 countries and its extensive range is firmly established at retail outlets across the UK.

 

Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Consumer Manager, Guy Jenkins, and Neudorff UK’s Managing Director, Jude Beharall, said: “DLF Seeds, owner of Johnsons Lawn Seed, is the perfect partner for Neudorff and this exclusive new agreement will empower Johnsons’ extensive distribution network to strengthen the Neudorff brand throughout the UK. Both companies share similar values, upholding rigorous standards, and pioneering the development of environmentally friendly products that meet the needs of consumers who are increasingly seeking effective, safe and natural gardening solutions.”


Over the past seven years, Neudorff’s extensive portfolio and instantly recognisable branding has driven expansion of the rapidly growing category for natural, organic and vegan gardening products at retail outlets nationwide. Both Neudorff and DLF Seeds are pioneers in their fields, channeling significant investment into in-house research and development to bring the most innovative products to market.

 

Neudorff’s portfolio of 25 products includes natural plant protection products, fertilisers, weedkillers, lawncare, repellents, garden cleaning and vegan-approved gardening solutions. The range perfectly compliments Johnsons Lawn Seeds’ extensive line-up of market-leading lawn seed and fertiliser.

 

To find out more about Johnsons Lawn Seed products please visit www.johnsonslawnseed.com/product-range.aspx or for more information about Neudorff’s leading natural gardening portfolio, visit www.neudorff.co.uk

 
Glee’s owners rebrand as Hyve

Owners of Glee, the UK’s leading garden retail exhibition, ITE Group plc has announced a name change and new brand identity which will mark a new chapter of business growth and development for the UK’s leading annual garden trade event, as well as the newly launched Pawexpo exhibition, which will present a fresh look at pet retailing...


Owners of Glee, the UK’s leading garden retail exhibition, ITE Group plc has announced a name change and new brand identity which will mark a new chapter of business growth and development for the UK’s leading annual garden trade event, as well as the newly launched Pawexpo exhibition, which will present a fresh look at pet retailing.

 

The move from ITE Group plc to Hyve Group plc is reflective of the evolution of the Group’s business resulting from its Transformation and Growth programme (TAG) announced in May 2017 and now nearing completion.  The Group’s vision, enabled through the TAG programme, is to create the world’s leading portfolio of content-driven, must-attend events delivering an outstanding experience and ROI for customers. Through the TAG investment, the business has built a dynamic scalable platform, improved processes and enhanced systems, and completed the acquisition of the Ascential Events Exhibitions portfolio last year.

 

Glee and Pawexpo’s Event Director, Matthew Mein, said: “Over the last few years the garden retail sector has demonstrated its tenacity and passion for developing our industry. Glee has provided an unrivalled annual platform for furthering this growth through networking and educational opportunities. The move to Hyve enables us to build on this, supported by a wider business that fully understands the vital role exhibitions have to play, and has a proven track record of launching successful market leading events.  This is especially timely as we bring Pawexpo to the market in 2020. Offering a dynamic look at pet retailing, this new event will provide pet buyers and retailers with the products, energy, creativity and business support that they need to offer a more comprehensive and future facing pet offering, all presented under one roof where sharing experiences and networking will shape the content.  Being able to bring the show to the Hyve ‘family’ is an exciting prospect, and we look forward to sharing further details soon.”

 

Introduction to Hyve Group plc

Hyve Group plc is a next generation global events business with a mission to create unmissable events, where customers from all corners of the globe share extraordinary moments and shape industry innovation. Hyve Group is a fundamentally different business and has transformed into:

  • global presence not purely focused on emerging markets
  • centralised operating model not a decentralised federal organisation
  • A premium product business not a geographic market-share led company
  • A Group of market-leading events rather than a broad portfolio of mixed quality

 

Unveiling Hyve Group plc, Mark Shashoua, CEO, said:

“We launch our new brand identity, Hyve, to move us into the future, with a clear vision, well defined strategy and a renewed energy. We have transformed the Group into a next generation global events business, and our new name is a better reflection of who we are now and captures our ambitions for our future.

 

Since taking the helm in 2016, the Group has fundamentally changed from a portfolio of decentralised, emerging markets events into a global business, focused on running market-leading events, wherever they may be in the world.

 

We are now in a better position than ever before. Following four years of decline, FY18 was the second consecutive year of like-for-like growth, including double-digit growth from our Top 10 events, and was the first year of growth in both volume and yield since 2014.

 

As Hyve, we are on a mission to deliver unmissable events. We believe our model gives us a distinctive competitive edge as customer needs evolve and we aspire to set the standard for our industry.”

 
 
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 2017 as well as 2018 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 Christmas Products 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 £120m.

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.