In This Issue
Glee New Product Awards, hosted by GTN - The Winners
Let’s celebrate #FloralFriday tomorrow, Friday 18th September for Greenfingers
Grow your card sales the easy way ...
Garland continues its new product launch policy by adding 54 items for next season
Campingaz® New Gas Barbecue Collection
Smart Garden donates £50,000 to Greenfingers Charity
Are you ready for Glee Gathering? Just one day to go!
Garden centre wins national family business award
Perrywood plan for major re-development at Sudbury
Woodlodge expands flagship Heritage Garden range for 2021
Indian Summer gets sales back to the ‘new normal’
Plant sales set new ‘Autumn’ record
The Greener Gardening Company unveils its 2021 multibuy offering to help retailers drive volume sales
Warm welcome from Zest 4 Leisure to Virtual Glee Gathering
Yorkshire nursery invests £1m in new gardencentre
Heavyweight multimedia campaign takes Peckish bird brand to new heights
Bespoke trade show room built on site at Wildlife World
New food hall opens at Squire’s in Wokingham
Dobbies launches Christmas events programme
Recoup collaborates to lead way in UK recycling certification
World’s largest garden wildlife survey to return in January 2021
DJ Turfcare’s new Autumn Lawn Treatment back in stock
Tension mounts for Glee New Product Awards 2020
Dobbies opens award-winning butcher in Edinburgh store
Never fear, Glee Daily News is here
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Steve Harper leaves the Greener Gardening Company
Current registration status confirms the new exhibition dates of spoga+gafa
Positive shift of gardening activity
Houseplant sales bloom in July
Millions of new British gardeners take root as a result of lockdown says HTA survey
September gardening starts with a boom
Ivyline launches new online portal for retail customers
BOPP changes its name to OHAS
Veg keeps growing
Premium Christmas Trees’ trial pallets help to boost sales
Gardenex supports Government ‘bounce-back’ plan
The best of last week's
British Garden Centres make it 58 with acquisition of Thatcham
How lucky we are!
Garden centre and nursery faces uncertain future
New style of gardening just keeps on growing
Garden centre urges public to name and shame fly-tipper
It could take a decade for British nurseries to recover from Covid-19 lockdown
Glee New Product Awards 2019 - The Winners
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
Freshen up your grooming range with Beaphar BIO Shampoo  
Ceva launches innovative new feline pheromone product
ORIJEN launches Small Breed dog food to UK market
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Glee New Product Awards, hosted by GTN - The Winners

Last night the winners of the Glee New Product Awards 2020 were announced by matthew Mein, Event Director of Glee and Trevor Pfeiffer of GTN...


 

Last night the winners of the Glee New Product Awards 2020 were announced at the Glee Gathering by Matthew Mein, Event Director of Glee and Trevor Pfeiffer of GTN.

 

Glee New Product Awards 2020 – the shortlists and winners:

 

Garden Decoration (Garden ornaments, garden lighting, plant supports, wall art etc)

Gardena ClickUp! System - Husqvarna UK

Prehistoric Garden Metal Dinosaur Ornaments – Primus

Laguna Wall Fountain by Henri Studio - Henri Studio / Stonecasters

Peppa Pig & Friends Metal Garden Ornaments - Primus

Solar Micro Led Lantern – Kaemingk

WINNER:             Peppa Pig & Friends Metal Garden Ornaments - Primus

 

Garden Home, Giftware and Clothing

Family of Indoor Pot Covers - Woodlodge

Feeder Friends Plant Drip Feeders - Jardinopia

Make Your Own Wax Wraps Kit - Goodtobee

WINNER:             Family of Indoor Pot Covers - Woodlodge

 

Garden Leisure & Entertaining (BBQ's, garden furniture and accessories etc)

Burghley Arbour - Zest 4 Leisure

Masterbuilt Gravity Series 560 - Kamado Joe

Solo Stove Bonfire - Specflue Ltd

WINNER:             Burghley Arbour - Zest 4 Leisure

 

Garden Retail & Industry Services

Flexible Walkway - Fordingbridge

FUSE Mobile Loyalty App - Swan Retail

WINNER:             FUSE Mobile Loyalty App - Swan Retail

 

Garden Tools & Machinery (Hand and powered garden tools, garden gloves, garden kneelers etc)

Gardena Leaf and Grass Collector - Husqvarna UK

Fruit Collector Harvesting Net - Fruit Collector

GARDENA Garden Rollup Hosebox 20m - Husqvarna UK

WINNER:             Gardena Leaf and Grass Collector - Husqvarna UK

 

Garden Wild Bird and Wildlife Products (Wild bird feeds, feeders, wild life products etc)

Acorn Bird Feeders – Fallen Fruits

Artisan Wild Bird Nesters - Wildlife World

Perched Bird Feeder Stake - Woodlodge Products

Solar Insect Houses - Kaemingk

The Hedgehog Barn - Wildlife World

WINNERS:           The Hedgehog Barn - Wildlife World

Perched Bird Feeder Stake - Woodlodge Products

 

Garden Growing Containers (All pots, planters, hanging baskets etc)

3 Tier Stackable Raised Bed - Zest 4 Leisure

Bio-Based Growing Tray (6 x 12cm Pots) – Garland Products

'Flow' eco pots – Fargro

WINNER:             3 Tier Stackable Raised Bed - Zest 4 Leisure

 

Garden Landscaping (Paving, statuary, garden buildings etc)

Cherry Blossom Arch - Zest 4 Leisure

ONDULINE EASYLINE - Onduline Building Products

Oslo Panel - Jagram S.A.

Railroad Stepping Stone - Primeur

 

WINNERS:           Railroad Stepping Stone – Primeur

Cherry Blossom Arch - Zest 4 Leisure

 

Pet Products

Banana Facial & Natural Tear Stain Treatment - HOWND

Skouts Honor Litter Box Deodorizer 1035ml – Vital Pet Group

Skouts Honor Stain & Odour Remover 1035ml – Vital Pet Group

Yarrah Organic Cat Adult Dry Grain Free Chicken & Fish 800g – Vital Pet Group

WINNER:             Banana Facial & Natural Tear Stain Treatment - HOWND

 

 

Garden Plants, Seeds and Bulbs

Coniogramme emeiensis ‘Golden Zebra' - JAVADO

Johnsons Microgreens Range - Mr Fothergills Seeds

Rhododendron Encore® - JAVADO

Vegetable & Seed Growing Kit – Taylors Bulbs

WINNER:             Vegetable & Seed Growing Kit – Taylors Bulbs

 

 

Garden Growing Materials (Feeds, pest & weed control, growing media, cloches, seed trays etc)

BloominAmazing Rich Planting Stuff - West Country Soil Improvement

Ecofective Plant Disease Defence - Sipcam Home and Garden

Happy Compost range expansion - The Greener Gardening Company

Miracle-Gro & Levington Peat Free Range – Evergreen Garden Care

No-Gnats - Lava-Lite

Zaper Slug Fence - The Environmental Factor Inc

WINNER:             Miracle-Gro & Levington Peat Free Range – Evergreen Garden Care

 

Best of British Award

  • Peppa Pig & Friends Metal Garden Ornaments - Primus

 

 

Houseplant Award

  • Echeveria pulvinata Devotion - JAVADO

  • Feeder Friends Plant Drip Feeders - Jardinopia

 

 

ECO Award

  • Bio-Based Growing Tray (6 x 12cm Pots) – Garland Products

  • 'Flow' eco pots – Fargro

 

 

Best New Product Overall at Glee 2020

  • 3 Tier Stackable Raised Bed - Zest 4 Leisure

 

 

Let’s celebrate #FloralFriday tomorrow, Friday 18th September for Greenfingers

Last year we raised over £1,000 for Greenfingers Charity by having some fun and brightening the day with Floral Thursday at Glee.  This year we have the opportunity to raise even more money and add some floral cheer for the whole nation and beyond by joining in with #FloralFriday tomorrow...

 

text FloralFriday to 70085 to donate £5


Last year we raised over £1500 for Greenfingers Charity by having some fun and brightening the day with Floral Thursday at Glee.  This year we have the opportunity to raise even more money and add some floral cheer for the whole nation and beyond by joining in with #FloralFriday tomorrow.

 

Greenfingers Charity sends its thanks to all those who supported their #FloralFriday initiative that helped to keep beautiful flowers and plants appearing on social media throughout this difficult year for the gardening industry. 

 

Splashing a large number of pictures on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter ensured Greenfingers Charity remained in the hearts and minds of garden lovers and raised a very valuable £1000 for the charity.

 

As more of us have spent time at home this year, the recognition by the public of the benefits of gardens and gardening has never been higher. People appreciate their space and the benefits that nurturing nature brings to mental and physical health. Just like the benefits obtained by all those who spend time in the 58 gardens Greenfingers Charity has created in hospices throughout the UK.

 

If you feel the same – and who doesn’t? – Greenfingers Charity is inviting you to once again could post a picture on social media to mark the first anniversary of the launch of this fun floral day, initiated by Trevor Pfeiffer and Linda Petrons at Glee last year. 

 

The date to post pics of your best smile with a beautiful flower from your garden or garden centre, or wearing your favourite floral attire, is Friday 18th September 2020. To link up with hundreds of others from the garden industry please remember to include #FloralFriday and @greenfingerscha, and the name of your plant variety if you know it.   There’s a fabulous prize to win for the best photo! 

 

Linda Petrons Director of Fundraising and Communications at Greenfingers Charity reminds us that donating funds on #FloralFriday could not be easier, if you can, simply

 

text FloralFriday to 70085 to donate £5. 

 

Linda hopes that all those joining virtual Glee and many others will get involved on #FloralFriday’s birthday and on many Friday’s to follow! 

 

To find out more about Greenfingers Charity’s plans for the coming months, join Linda at Virtual Glee, at 3pm on Wednesday. A recording will be available on www.Gleebirmingham.com

Grow your card sales the easy way ...
GTN Xtra Promotion

Award-winning Fron Goch and Haskins garden centres choose Woodmansterne as their greeting card category management partners...


Greetings cards are a growth area for garden centres.  They drive footfall all year round with a good margin that supports other garden centre gifting categories.   When cards are retailed well they create a visually impactful area to grow sales.  That’s where category management plays a key role in ensuring great availability, a varied product range from different publishers, day to day management plus sales reporting and analysis.

 

GTN Xtra spoke to Kati Taylor at the Garden Centre of the Year 2019, Fron Goch, and Michelle Martin from the successful garden centre group, Haskins, to understand their recent success with card category management.

 

Card sales up by over 30% at Fron Goch

Katie Taylor, Head of Retail & Marketing at Fron Goch Garden Centre in Carnarvon, North Wales, told GTN that they were looking for an improved greeting card department because of developments at the award winning centre.

 

“Fron Goch has evolved over the last decade from a trip for a couple of plants to a chosen destination for a relaxed shopping and dining experience.

 

“Strengthening our developing departments of houseplants, well-being, cards, books and clothing alongside the introduction of new departments was the driving force behind the new £1.5m improvements project started at the beginning of the year.

 

Why did Fron Goch move to W-Select?

“Card sales had stagnated over the last few years and the ageing area no longer fitted the customers expectations in range. Changing the area, installing new fixtures and tailoring the range has had immediate results.  After extensive research and visiting various suppliers at Spring Fair we decided Woodmansterne had the range, quality and look we were desiring.”

 

What was your experience of working with Woodmansterne?

“Throughout the whole process the team remained easy natured and professional. From the initial conversation at Spring Fair, communication throughout to the installation, Woodmansterne have proven to be both professional and collaborative. Working together we designed the space and layout, colour matching with new and existing departments alongside the designated area and planned the specific card designs and collections we felt would fit our customers needs.”

 

How has the new card department at Fron Goch worked?

“Since the new department was installed the feedback from both customers and team have been incredibly complimentary.  The merchandising support has proved invaluable and despite it being such a short period of time we have seen an instant increase in sales of over 30%. The fresh range, clear signage and the ability to include a large selection of Welsh cards into the collection meant we now have a unique display that we are proud off.”

 

Would you recommend W-Select?

“Highly. The whole process has been a joy. The fit out, range of cards and back up support has been exceptional.”

 

Haskins give their cards a fresh new look

At Haskins five centres in the South of England, Michelle Martin their Gifts and Seasonal Buyer explained it was time to give the cards department a fresh, new look. “Haskins were keen to move the department forward, whilst it wasn’t broken there was an opportunity to improve the selection, improve the sales and get greater visibility of what we were selling.

 

“The Woodmansterne team were very accommodating, quick to respond to queries and questions. During the changeover and installations, Woodmansterne managed the process extremely well to make the transition as seamless as possible.

 

“Since the installation we have had very positive feedback from customers. The focus on the selection and the placement of genre’s has also had a positive impact, resulting in positive sales growth in all stores since the installation.”

 

“I would very much recommend Woodmansterne to anyone looking to improve their greetings card sales.”

 

Why Woodmansterne?

Woodmansterne are a third-generation family business supplying premium greeting cards to leading independent retailers, all designed and manufactured in the UK. They work with the very best of British talent including National Trust, Quentin Blake, RSPB, and Emma Bridgewater.

 

Woodmansterne pioneered the ‘Smart Seal’ in 2019, allowing them to remove plastic packaging from all their cards, saving a million pieces of throwaway plastic every week. Their cards are printed with vegetable inks on paper from sustainable forests and all their envelopes are made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste.

 

 

Why W-Select category management?

Woodmansterne have become experts in visual planning and category management, working with leading retailers in the UK, meaning they can offer the following services:

 

•             A bespoke assortment tailored to your customers

•             A unique caption calculator ensuring the optimum product mix

•             An assortment of designs from the very best publishers

•             Regular analysis and reporting

•             Less admin, meaning more time for you and your team

 

Get in touch!

We would love to explore how we can help your business grow

 

 

Get in touch 01923 200 600 or sales@woodmansterne.co.uk 

 

You can see more of what they do at woodmansterne.co.uk

 

Garland continues its new product launch policy by adding 54 items for next season
GTN Xtra Promotion

New product development has been the key to the success of Garland/Worth Gardening with many new product ideas being driven by feedback and input from customers. Already this year the company has achieved growth of around £1miillion, and the launch of 54 new products for the 2021 season will help to consolidate future growth for the company and its customers...


New product development has been the key to the success of Garland/Worth Gardening with many new product ideas being driven by feedback and input from customers. Already this year the company has achieved growth of around £1miillion, and the launch of 54 new products for the 2021 season will help to consolidate future growth for the company and its customers.

 

The new product emphasis is firmly set on environmentally friendly products and GYO.  These include new Bio-Based trays and a Growing Tray made from plastic free food-based materials. These plastic free growing trays are made from 100 per cent bio-based materials and are compostable. There are two new Microgreen growing trays that have two-tier holes that allow for optimal watering and drainage. The Premium Cell inserts range has been extended with a 12-cell version and a new 12-cell Seed Starter Set. 

A new Car Boot Protection range comprises three sizes of car boot liners and a range of rigid boot trays.  The trays are available in four sizes to fit the most common car boots.

 

A new Barbecue Grill Soaker Tray range is suitable for all of the most common sizes of barbecue grills and is designed to take the hard work out of grill cleaning.

 

Further lines have been added to both the Twines & Wires range and the Garden Basics range.  One interesting addition is a 5mx5cm Natural Jute Webbing Tree Tie that is made from 100 per cent natural and biodegradable jute. 

 

Other new products include seed tray capillary matting, a giant parasol cover, jute bags for composting leaves and path/shed base gravel grids.

 

Contact:

web: www.garlandproducts.com              

email: sales@garlandproducts.com

Tel: +44 (0) 1384 278256    

Fax: +44 (0) 1384 400091

Campingaz® New Gas Barbecue Collection
GTN Xtra Promotion

New for 2021, the Campingaz® launches the Select, Premium and Onyx ranges of 3 and 4 burner barbecues offering fresh styling, innovative new technologies and unique features to enhance the consumer’s barbecuing experience...


The flavour of food cooked outdoors. The warm glow of evenings by lantern light. These are the moments and memories that inspire the team at Campingaz® and have done so for over 70 years. Since 1949, the brand has enhanced people’s experience of the outdoors and continue to innovate and inspire through their barbecue range.

 

All new for 2021

New for 2021, the Campingaz® launches the Select, Premium and Onyx ranges of 3 and 4 burner barbecues offering fresh styling, innovative new technologies and unique features to enhance the consumer’s barbecuing experience.

 

New engineered design

The Campingaz® 3 & 4 burner Series models feature a new and unique appearance, including:

  • Stylish T-shaped body, side tables and lid design combining crisp edges and smooth curves
  • Handles that are more substantial and have a premium feel
  • A raised grilling height for increased comfort
  • Sturdy side tables with convenient Push-2-Fold mechanism
  • Storage space for gas bottles up to 13kg within chassis

New innovation and technology

 

InstaClean® Aqua

Introducing InstaClean® and InstaClean® Aqua. While InstaClean® lets the dishwasher ease the burden of clean-up, InstaClean® Aqua also features water filled slide out grease drawers to retain cooking residue, as well as an optional drain and waste box with filter for easy disposal.

 

InstaClean® parts are removable and fit in a dishwasher for easy cleaning (above left).

InstaClean®Aqua Pro with drain and waste box in each drawer (above right).

 

Significantly less flare-ups
The new burner and grid design removes the requirement for burner protectors, greatly reducing flaring during cooking, while the Campingaz® Blue Flame stainless steel burners deliver a single row of vertical flames directly to the grilling surface and evenly across the entire cooking area.

  • Blue Flame burners are pre-attached to front flow control panel, saving up to twenty minutes construction time
  • Additional heat shield protects any electrical wiring from overheating
  • The side burner gas line is manufactured from stainless steel for increased heat protection

Versatile cooking and grilling options with Campingaz® Culinary Modulars

Simply take out the inner ring of the cast iron Culinary Modular Grid and insert one of the various Campingaz® Culinary Modular Barbecue Accessories including; Paella pan, Pizza stone, Wok and Chicken roaster.

A more extensive product portfolio
Campingaz® provides a complete range of barbecues with clearly categorised features across a range of retail prices for all consumers, including:

  • Portable barbecues for camping and weekends away
  • Barbecues for balconies and restricted spaces
  • Full size, fully-featured family barbecues
  • Planchas for convenience and cooking versatility

4 Series Classic Onyx S RRP: £599.99

 

4 Series Premium S RRP: £549.99

 

3 Series Select S RRP: £499.99

 

To find out more about the full collection visit us at the GLEE Gathering or to arrange an appointment to see the range on display at our Bristol showroom until 2nd October 2020 please contact Ian Taylor at Campingaz: ian.taylor@newellco.com / 07889 143413.

www.campingaz.com/uk

Smart Garden donates £50,000 to Greenfingers Charity

Leading garden product supplier Smart Garden has presented the Greenfingers Charity with a cheque for £50,000...


 

Leading garden product supplier Smart Garden has presented the Greenfingers Charity with a cheque for £50,000.

 

Paris Natar, chairman of Smart Garden, saidd: “We are delighted to support the work of Greenfingers Charity, knowing how hard it is at the moment with corporate donors squeezing charity budgets. 

 

“Smart, like many gardening businesses, has been lucky enough to bounce back strongly from lockdown. It therefore felt like the right time to deploy some of our profits for the benefit of our industry’s favourite charity.”

 

Linda Petrons, Greenfingers Charity’s director of fundraising and communications, said she and her colleagues have been overwhelmed by the amazing support and generosity of the UK’s booming gardening industry.

 

“We would have understood if our supporters had scaled back their efforts and donations in light of the pandemic. But the opposite is true, with the most recent being a wonderful gift of £50,000 from the team at Smart Garden,” added Linda.

 

“Naturally we are delighted and remain optimistic that more supporters will come forward in the coming weeks and months. There is a growing waiting list of children’s hospices across the UK that need us to continue building much-needed gardens for them and we are determined to help each and every one.”

 

For more information about how you can support Greenfingers Charity or about its forthcoming garden projects, contact Linda by emailing Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or calling 07908 221240.

 

Pictured: Linda Petrons with Paris Natar and other members of the Smart Garden team.

Are you ready for Glee Gathering? Just one day to go!

The much-anticipated Glee Gathering event – a unique two-day digital experience designed to inspire whilst engaging buyers and connecting our community together – will open for business tomorrow (Tuesday). Make sure you register for this unique event...


 

The much-anticipated Glee Gathering event – a unique two-day digital experience designed to inspire whilst engaging buyers and connecting our community together – will open for business tomorrow (Tuesday). Make sure you register for this unique event.

 

The Glee Gathering will host a virtual showroom of our exhibitors, engaging product showcases, exclusive content sessions and panel discussions, a platform to connect buyers and suppliers in a one-to-one environment, and the 2020 New Product Awards. All from the comfort of your home or office.

 

Virtual Showroom

The Virtual Showroom is all about brand discovery. With 150-200 brands taking part in the Glee Gathering, you’ll be able to browse the latest and most innovative products from exhibitors, including look books, videos, news and more. The Glee Gathering will connect buyers and suppliers directly, all with a few clicks of a button. 

 

Product Showcase

Brought to Glee Gathering by popular demand, the Product Showcase’s video first format is a must see. Each day we will feature 5 hour-long sessions dedicated to Garden Care, Outdoor Entertainment and Decoration, Landscaping, Home and Gift and Pets. Each hour will feature 10 companies who will show you what’s new, and importantly when you can have it in store. They will walk you around their showrooms, show you what they are excited about whilst introducing you to the latest products. What’s more you will be able to directly download brochures and show offers, and talk to the company as you watch these sessions.

 

This unique platform presents the newest products to the Glee community, companies who will be showcasing in these hours include Evergreen, Woodlodge, Schuerich, Deco-Pak, Kaemingk, Meadowview stone, Hygeia, Kelkay Primus, Beefeater, Steiff, Chive … and over 100+ other brands. The Glee product showcase is not to be missed.

 

At the heart of the Glee Gathering is our secure meeting platform that will enable one-to-one meetings and virtual networking with the individuals who matter most to your business. Each meeting room will enable you to talk face to face and share materials in a secure environment, with the software ensuring that you stay on track with all the people you want to see that day.

 

The Glee Gathering is also proud to be working with GIMA again to take GIMA Connect into a virtual environment. This exciting speed-networking opportunity is designed to put the best brands in front of pre-qualified and purchase-ready buyers for an hour each day. Dynamic and fast paced, as always this is an hour well spent for all participants.

 

If you are a GIMA member or a buyer who would like to participate please get in touch with GIMA to secure your space. 

 

How to get involved 

Glee Gathering brings the gardening community together this September. Register for your space to benefit from the latest insights, best new products, exclusive networking opportunities and more. https://www.gleebirmingham.com/register-Glee-Gathering-2020

Garden centre wins national family business award

Enderby-based Palmers Garden Centre have been named as winners at the annual celebration of the Family Business Awards hosted by Family Business United...


 

Enderby-based Palmers Garden Centre have been named as winners at the annual celebration of the Family Business Awards hosted by Family Business United.  

 

The Family Business Awards were created by Family Business United to celebrate the UK family business sector, to recognise the diversity of family firms across the country and to celebrate the contribution they make.

 

Palmers Garden Centres were announced as winners of the Midlands & Central Family Business of the Year in their People’s Choice Awards, which are voted on by the public, as well as winners of the National People’s Choice Champions 2020 award.

 

Caroline Palmer, managing director of Palmers Garden Centres, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won these awards.  We take the meaning of the word ‘family’ very broadly at Palmers Garden Centres and include not only members of the founding family but also all our staff, suppliers and customers.  We’re immensely proud to be a fourth-generation family business and are looking forward to working together to ensure that our business is here for a very long time.

 

“To win any award is very special but to win two People’s Choice awards which are voted for by the public is incredibly special and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to vote for us.”

 

A spokesperson from Family Business United said, “2020 has been a tricky year but the show must go on!  Huge congratulations to Palmers Garden Centres.  To have won not one but two awards at their first attempt is just amazing and demonstrates the high esteem in which they’re held.”


Family owned since 1911, Palmers Garden Centres now comprises of G Palmer and Son (Nurserymen) Limited, Palmers at Ullesthorpe Limited and Hawgrip Plants Limited and have been inspiring gardeners in Leicestershire for over 100 years. 

 

Today Caroline and her brother Robert – great grandchildren of our founder – run the business which sells everything their customers need for their garden and home enabling them to transform their gardens from patch to paradise!

 

Pictured: Caroline and Robert (centre) with team members from Palmers Garden Centre.

Perrywood plan for major re-development at Sudbury

Award winning Perrywood Garden Centres are planning a major re-development of their Sudbury site which they purchased from Wyevale two years ago...


Award winning Perrywood Garden Centres are planning a major re-development of their Sudbury site which they purchased from Wyevale two years ago.

 

Perrywood’s mission is to offer a memorable garden centre experience, delivering wow customer service and giving employees, customers and the community a reason to smile. The current garden centre building isn’t the high standard their customers and team would expect so they are planning to invest in this site and build an inspirational garden centre surrounded by plants and trees, that will grow with our business.

 

In line with their vision and values our brand new centre, at Perrywood Sudbury, will:

  • Be a modern purpose built garden centre, where they can look after our customers and inspire more people to bring plants into their lives.
  • Improve the site to be the best that it can be with a fabulous range of facilities including a new restaurant.
  • Create a space where their team enjoy coming to work, with new job opportunities for local people.
  • Put Perrywood Sudbury at the heart of the of the local community with event spaces, wildlife areas and leisure opportunities for local people to enjoy.
  • Teach visitors about and protect the sites flora, fauna and wildlife.

 

Subject to planning permission they will be be moving forward with an investment in Perrywood Sudbury, building a stunning new Garden Centre in a landscaped environment. The overall site is larger than at Tiptree, but the garden centre plans are a similar size to Tiptree. As a family run business they are looking forward to growing Perrywood Sudbury to create a special place among the plants, that customers, our team and local people will enjoy.

 

Hannah Powell told GTN Xtra: “Our biggest expansions at Perrywood Tiptree have taken place on the back of harder times; in 1988 we rebuilt and expanded after the Great Storm of 1987 and in 2010, following a recession, we opened our newest retail buildings. We are equally optimistic about the future for Perrywood Sudbury, and look forward to bringing the site back to life. The plans build on our experiences at Tiptree and we’ve enjoyed planning the garden centre from scratch, whilst also working to maintain the heritage and history of the site.”

Woodlodge expands flagship Heritage Garden range for 2021
GTN Xtra Promotion

Woodlodge’s flagship Heritage Garden Pottery range is to be extended for 2021 with the addition of striking new lines and limited-edition designs – featuring novel materials and unique finishes that elevate the iconic collection’s sales appeal.

 


Woodlodge’s flagship Heritage Garden Pottery range is to be extended for 2021 with the addition of striking new lines and limited-edition designs – featuring novel materials and unique finishes that elevate the iconic collection’s sales appeal.

 

Woodlodge has witnessed a huge increase in demand for its products this year as consumers spend more time gardening at home during the pandemic. The buoyant nature of the market for pots and containers prompted the business, which is renowned for innovation, to expand its Heritage Garden range – a premium collection of classic products that champion British culture and craftsmanship and are crafted from the highest quality materials.

 

Injecting colour into sales areas

Leading the way in stand-out design for 2021 are limited edition Edwardian Glazed Rim Pots (right), topped in vibrant shades of blue, red, yellow, green and white. The brightly decorated rims tap into the trend for bold shades of colour while retaining the Heritage range’s unique ability to blend traditional design with contemporary style. While the Heritage range has always been inspired by traditional gardens and the nation’s love of horticulture, the injection of bold hues provided by stand-out rims ups the sales appeal of these planters, driving impulse sales as the pots catch shoppers’ eyes from across the sales floor.

 

Introducing unique glazes

Established as a premium lifestyle brand, Woodlodge is committed to delivering growth by bringing the latest glazed finishes to market that offer maximum potential to ignite sales. New Edwardian Crackle Pots (left) in classic light blue and white feature a unique crackled glaze that results in an attractively distressed finish while retaining the frost-proof characteristics that Heritage is famous for thanks to the use of a more robust clay than ever before. The distinctive, upmarket, hand-finished glaze is inspired by a movement towards naturally derived tones, displaying calming hues influenced by the colour of the oceans, tapping into the consumer mindset for garden features that blend into the natural environment. 

 

Cement reinvented

Heritage Garden has earned an enviable reputation for containers that stand the test of time, and the introduction of Ribbed Balfour Squares (right) will add a new dimension to the brand, catering for those who crave a more distinctive look that’s inspired by urban architecture. The squares are made from GRC cement, a material that’s superbly robust and has proven its toughness in the Weave pots introduced by Woodlodge in 2019. Textured, cement-based structures add a hint of brutalist architecture to modern design – a look that’s increasingly fashionable in contemporary schemes where the material provides a backdrop of understated elegance, allowing the planting to dominate. Hand-finished, Ribbed Balfour Squares will offer retailers a real point of difference – a genuinely novel appearance that holds high appeal for shoppers looking for sophisticated containers that stand out from the crowd.

 

Drawing inspiration from nature

New Edwardian Brushed Pots (left) champion the current fashion for shades of in-vogue grey and green, drawing inspiration from nature to establish more neutral, calming colour palettes – a trend that’s gaining pace post-Covid as gardeners look to create retreats that offer a haven of tranquility. The brushed nature of the finish, combined with striking white rims and the renowned Heritage Garden Logo, adds a contemporary twist, elevating the classic appearance of iconic Heritage containers while appealing to fashion-conscious consumers who regard outdoor spaces as an extension of the interior décor in their home.

 

Vintage chic

The Heritage Garden range has always been the first port of call for consumers who are looking for pots that will blend into established, traditional surroundings and Ancient Sterling Pots, new for 2021, add a gorgeous 1940s-style vibe to container displays. Featuring a mature, weathered appearance, this collection of squares and egg pots are supplied in shades of pastel blue, green and yellow, as well as cream and natural stone yellow and white, injecting a touch of vintage chic from bygone eras to gardens.

 

Head-turning stripes

New Henry Pots (right) ramp up the drama when it comes to bringing bold styles that are dominating interior décor into the great outdoors. The striped appearance of these eye-catching cylinders, offered in blue, green and white, cater for demand from retailers who are looking to grow sales of pots by offering stand-out designs, helping consumers to display shrubs and seasonal plants at their finest by harnessing the power of strong tones that complement flowers and foliage.

 

Elegant irrigation

Following one of the driest springs on record, with periods of drought predicted to increase in frequency as climate change takes hold, the addition of premium quality Watering Cans is a logical extension of the Heritage Garden brand. The six-litre classic style cans offered in green, blue or a galvanised finish, make beautiful garden features in their own right, while demonstrating wide appeal for consumers who are looking for alternatives to plastic that have been built to stand the test of time.

 

Michael Wooldridge, Managing Director at Woodlodge, said: “Heritage Garden is an iconic brand, instantly recognisable and renowned for leading the way in cutting-edge design while retaining its deep-rooted influences that have been inspired by British gardening tradition. While others have aspired to replicate the brand’s success, Heritage Garden remains the premium offering, and one that’s unrivalled due to Team Woodlodge’s commitment to continually reinventing the range by harnessing the power of national and global design influences and trends.

 

“The expansion of Heritage Garden for 2021 demonstrates our commitment to developing unique lines that complement the exemplary designs that set Heritage Garden head and shoulders above the competition. Year after year, our quest for innovation has helped retailers’ sales to flourish, and we look forward to working with stockists old and new to drive growth in the coming season.”

To find out more about Woodlodge’s market-leading product offering, click here.

Indian Summer gets sales back to the ‘new normal’
GTN Bestsellers Epos data analysis

The sunshine and warmer weather of last week has seen garden centre sales jump back above the ‘new normal’ level of significantly up year on year. Last week’s sales volumes were 32% up on last year, eight percentage points ahead of the average weekly increase since garden centres re-opened.

Who will be the winners of the Glee New Product Awards 2020, in association with GTN? Tune into the Glee Gathering; www.gleebirmingham.com and see the Glee Daily News every day next week.


The sunshine and warmer weather of last week has seen garden centre sales jump back above the ‘new normal’ level of significantly up year on year.

 

Last week’s sales volumes were 32% up on last year, eight percentage points ahead of the average weekly increase since garden centres re-opened.

 

Core ‘new gardening’ activity drove sales with big increases for pot sales and growing media but there were also big rises for lawn care, plant care, veg plants and seeds plus record levels of ‘Autumn’ plant sales.

 

Last week also saw significant increases in Christmas products sold. It would appear as soon as Christmas is going on sale customers are happy to buy, despite the Indian Summer weather.

 

It’s a shame we can’t all meet at the NEC next week for Glee, but we’ll be bringing you the best in New Products for 2021 as we judge and present the Glee New Product Awards, virtually, of course.  See you there!

 

Who will be the winners of the Glee New Product Awards 2020, in association with GTN? Tune into the Glee Gathering; www.gleebirmingham.com and see the Glee Daily News every day next week.

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 36

•           Garden Products Top 50 – up 9%

•           Growing Media Top 50 – up 78%

•           Wild Bird Care Top 50 – up 23%

•           Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 42%

 

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 36

•           All Plants with Barcode index – up 48%

•           All Items with Barcode index – up 32%

 

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.

Plant sales set new ‘Autumn’ record

The first week of September saw plant sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data soar to a new record for any ‘Autumn’ plant sales week, beating the previous high by over 20%...


 

The first week of September saw plant sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data soar to a new record for any ‘Autumn’ plant sales week, beating the previous high by over 20%.

  • Cyclamen sales grew by 61% week on week to stay at No 1.
  • Wallflowers went on sale and came straight back into the chart at No 16.
  • Rose sales more than doubled to climb 22 places, up to No 25.

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.

The Greener Gardening Company unveils its 2021 multibuy offering to help retailers drive volume sales

With the growing media category confirmed as one of this year’s star performers, The Greener Gardening Company has unveiled its new multibuy offering for 2021 – tailored to helping retailers leverage the potential of volume-driven promotions...


With the growing media category confirmed as one of this year’s star performers, The Greener Gardening Company has unveiled its new multibuy offering for 2021 – tailored to helping retailers leverage the potential of volume-driven promotions.

 

Multibuy promotions will run across selected products in two of The Greener Gardening Company’s high-profile brands: Richmoor – a garden professional range of compost that comprises recycled green materials and forestry constituents, and its Growise Multipurpose compost, an established, top-performing brand of traditional growing media.

 

The Greener Gardening Company’s National Sales Manager, Jason Pike, said: “Pent-up demand for gardening post-lockdown generated extraordinary demand for compost, while a new generation of consumers who discovered gardening during the pandemic are now entering the market. When you factor-in that the UK economy is now in recession – promptingconsumers to turn to value-for-money activities such as gardening to fill their time while traditional trips away are deemed too expensive – conditions are ripe for yet another year of unprecedented demand for compost.”

 

Jason added: “This combination of rising demand for growing media, consumers in a bargain-hunting mindset and gardeners tackling projects that were set back during lockdown when access to compost was limited, creates the perfect opportunity for retailers to drive sales growth with multibuy offers. Our volume-driven promotions on selected Richmoor and Growise brands have been custom-designed with promotional flashed packaging to appeal to consumers who demand the best value for money but will not compromise on quality. It is this mix of exceptional value and assured performance that will powergrowing media sales instore next season – especially now that we have excellent stock availability and significantly reduced lead times.”

 

The Greener Gardening Company’s 2021 volume-drivers include three products within the Richmoor range, all of which display the ‘4 for £12’ multibuy flash prominently on the front of packaging: Organic Garden Compost (40-litre), recommended for planting out, mulching and improving soil composition; Mulch (40-litre), which naturally suppressesweeds, retains moisture and protects roots during winter, and Garden Soil (25-litre) – the established choice for fillingraised beds, replacing old soil in garden borders and for use in landscaping and for creating new lawns.

 

 

In addition, 50-litre bags of Growise Multipurpose Compost will be emblazoned with a ‘3 for £12’ flash, helping to ignitesales of this top-selling, versatile blend that caters for a host of garden activities, including sowing seeds and taking cuttings; filling hanging baskets and containers, as well as for use in beds and borders.

 

To further enhance the company’s volume-driven offering and help retailers to maximise sales opportunities, The Greener Gardening Company offers a host of innovative and dynamic point of sale materials, custom-made to focus attention on brand offerings throughout the consumer journey – from raising brand awareness in high traffic exterior locations outside stockists’ premises to securing sales at the point of purchase.

 

Roadside banners displaying powerful brand identity – including a banner for the Growise Multipurpose Compost ‘Buy 3 for £12’ multibuy promotion, will generate interest among both passing and returning consumers, while instore Correx boards for Growise and Richmoor brands will drive footfall by throwing the spotlight on value-driven promotions in growing media sales areas. To maximise merchandising potential, The Greener Gardening Company can supply Wooden Stands to display its branded ranges at their best.

 

Following phenomenal summer performance, with growing media sales in June up by 41% compared to the same month in 2019, The Greener Gardening Company is pulling out all the stops to replenish retailers’ stock by carrying on with 24-hour production, which has been in place over summer to meet demand, and has now been extended into autumn. In anticipation of any potential future challenges that may arise as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the company plans to have all its garden centre stock on the ground ahead of Christmas, ensuring that plentiful supplies are available ahead of the 2021 season with short lead times for delivery.

 

Find out more

To find out more about The Greener Gardening Company’s leading range, please visit www.thegreenergardener.com

 
Warm welcome from Zest 4 Leisure to Virtual Glee Gathering

Outdoor furniture and decorative garden structures expert Zest 4 Leisure is welcoming customers old and new to the Glee Gathering with a fabulous selection of new products; backed by its well-established home delivery service and extensive marketing package.  The whole Zest team will be online for appointments to take customers through all the news for the 2021 season...


Outdoor furniture and decorative garden structures expert, Zest 4 Leisure is welcoming customers old and new to the Glee Gathering with a fabulous selection of new products; backed by its well-established home delivery service and extensive marketing package.  The whole Zest team will be online for appointments to take customers through all the news for the 2021 season.

 

Zest 4 Leisure is a British family-run company that has been designing and manufacturing timber products from sustainable sources for five generations. Its award-winning FSC® certified garden furniture, swings, decorative garden products, structures and fencing ranges are the result of innovative design, an unrivalled understanding of today’s customer needs and true expertise in designing and manufacturing garden products.  Zest 4 Leisure sells to garden centres, major retailing groups and online retailers, and offers a complete home delivery service across the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

 

One of the biggest opportunities for retailers in the new season is of course online sales – and that requires tip-top home delivery.  In fact, high quality home delivery is what the customer now expects, so a reliable and easy solution is paramount.  Zest 4 Leisure now provides delivery to homes throughout the UK and Northern Ireland as part of its extensive retailer support service.

 

Zest is launching over 20 new products all on video display at virtual Glee– spanning outdoor seating, grow your own, decorative structures and shelters, as well as great new fencing panel designs.  This season Zest 4 Leisure’s product development team has added ‘wow’ with the launch of its easy to build concept for two new arbours – the Tenby and deep canopy Burghley – a real breakthrough in product design and manufacture with fewer parts for assembly.

The Zest team will also be unveiling a host of new consumer-facing videos that retail customers can use as marketing content, plus new photography and point of sale.

 

To find out more information, visit the Zest 4 Leisure at Glee Gathering or click here.  

 

Yorkshire nursery invests £1m in new gardencentre

Ravensworth Nurseries at Richmond, North Yorkshire, is to develop an upmarket garden centre on its 36-acre site at an initial cost of £1 million...

 

 


Release date: 11 September 2020

 

Yorkshire nursery invests £1m in new garden centre

 

Ravensworth Nurseries at Richmond, North Yorkshire, is to develop an upmarket garden centre on its 36-acre site at an initial cost of £1 million.

 

Established for more than 50 years, the family-run business is the largest grower of poinsettias in the north of England and has an excellent reputation for supplying quality home-grown plants, starter plants and seedlings to retail outlets and garden centres across the UK. It also has contracts with several councils to supply hanging baskets and plants for parks and high streets.

 

With land available on the site – a prime location near the busy A66 – it was a natural progression to expand as a garden centre. There is potential to add a café in the future.

 

Plans were put on hold for a few months when the coronavirus pandemic closed the business to the public. Within days a new website offering local deliveries was created, with the centre’s delivery drivers using hired vans to drop off orders.

 

The increasing number of visitors to the nursery as lockdown restrictions were eased gave the owners confidence to grow the on-site retail offering.

 

Reward Finance Group agreed to supply the funding after banks had turned the business down.

 

 

Director Fiona Dean recruited business consultant Bob Morton to review the operation. “He identified the opportunity to create a significant increase in revenue by creating more of a leisure destination, where visitors can browse our home-grown plants, as well as garden products and accessories, and potentially enjoy a drink and a bite to eat in the café. A move which will augment our successful core business of supplying the trade,” she said.

 

“Although we appreciate it is a significant investment, we were disappointed by the negative reaction from the banks we approached for funding. Fortunately, Bob introduced us to David Jones at Reward Finance Group, who understood our business, grasped the great opportunity for growth that had been identified and quickly provided the funds to develop the complex.”

 

David Jones of Reward said: “This is a fantastic family business which has built an excellent reputation as a top-class nursery over its 50 years of trading. With the ability to grow their own plants, it makes perfect sense to expand and improve the retail experience.

 

“As well as making an increased margin on the sale of the plants and trees, there will be no additional distribution costs, as the greenhouses and growing areas are next to the garden centre. This puts them in a perfect position to tap into the growing demand by consumers for plants that are ‘grown not flown’.

 

“Having looked at the business plan and with the right security in place, we were very happy to provide the funds to help the business grow.”

Heavyweight multimedia campaign takes Peckish bird brand to new heights

Westland is making its biggest ever media investment into the Peckish bird care brand for Autumn / Winter 2020, as it soars onto the airwaves with a TV campaign that celebrates the joy of inviting birds into the garden...


 

Westland is making its biggest ever media investment into the Peckish bird care brand for Autumn / Winter 2020, as it soars onto the airwaves with a TV campaign that celebrates the joy of inviting birds into the garden. 

Supported by targeted press and digital media activity, the £1.1m Peckish campaign will take flight across the UK and Ireland throughout October and November.  

The popular Peckish TV ad, set to reach over 25m people, has been updated for 2020 and brings to life the enjoyment of encouraging more birds into the garden. The light-hearted ad shows a queue of hungry birds waiting in line, hoping to secure a table in their local neighbourhood eatery, renowned for its delicious food.
  

As Autumn approaches, the Peckish campaign will highlight Peckish Complete Seed & Nut Mix as the perfect ‘go to’ for bird feeding. Packed with 12 varieties of high energy seeds and nuts, Peckish Complete gives every bird a reason to visit and every garden the chance of welcoming a wide variety of colourful visitors. 

From feeders to feed, suets to seed, Peckish has everything needed to entice birds into the garden all year round. To further drive sales and brand loyalty, a selection of added value product lines will also feature in the range throughout the period of the media campaign, including a Peckish Complete 12.75kg pack with 20% extra free; Peckish Extra Goodness Energy Balls 6-pack with 100% extra free and Peckish Extra Goodness Energy Balls 50-tub with 20% extra free. 

As the UK’s fastest growing and second largest bird care brand*, Peckish is committed to driving footfall into stores, supporting retailers and encouraging customer awareness, trial and trust, through this heavyweight category investment. 


*Source - GfK; Jan-Jun 2020

Bespoke trade show room built on site at Wildlife World

Wildlife World has created a new show room at its site in Chavenage, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, to allow trade customers to see its full range of products in a safe setting.


 

Wildlife World has created a new show room at its site in Chavenage, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, to allow trade customers to see its full range of products in a safe setting.

 

Mark Pitman, General Manager describes: “We’ve put a lot of effort into making our new show room as attractive as the area that surrounds us on site here at Chavenage House in the Cotswolds.

 

"With a keen eye for design we feel we’ve achieved this whilst maintaining a focus on a safe space for people to visit whilst the social distancing restrictions are still in place.

 

"We can think of no better way to get a truly personalised tour of the full range of our products and get a real idea of what we do here at Wildlife World.”

 

This new approach may have to be the way products are best displayed in this period of uncertainty, as around 70% of the 1,100 trade shows and exhibitions originally scheduled to run in the UK this year having been postponed until the final months of the year at the earliest.

 

The roughly 140,000 small and medium sized businesses that use trade shows to generate sales and working relationships each year will have to find solutions to the cancellations of these trade shows. A solution like having a safe and dedicated show room, much like at Wildlife World, for trade representatives to visit and interact with products, packaging and information. Finding creative solutions to the potential and very real problems businesses face during this turbulent time could be paramount to a company’s ongoing success and ability to trade responsibly. 

 

 

“We’ve already had a lot of interest in the new show room,” Mark continues, “with several trade representatives already booked in with times to visit. We imagine we’ll get a lot more bookings now we’ve officially launched, and word gets out of the bespoke experience we’re offering.

 

"We’re constantly updating the products on display and with a few new arrivals for Autumn we’re sure these early previews will arouse some intrigue. We’ll be offering virtual and video tours in due course, so if travelling isn’t an option you can still view our full range and not miss out.”

 

To book in a time and day to view the Show Room and the full range of products available at Wildlife World please contact Mark Pitman at mark@wildlifeworld.co.uk, phone 01666 505333 or visit www.wildlifeworld.co.uk

 
New food hall opens at Squire’s in Wokingham

Squire’s Garden Centre on Heathlands Road in Wokingham has expanded its current food selection by opening an exciting new food hall...


Squire’s Garden Centre on Heathlands Road in Wokingham has expanded its current food selection by opening an exciting new food hall. Pictured right is manager Matt Tanner.

 

Space recently vacated by a clothing brand has allowed the centre to look at the range and offer a mouth-watering array of products, many of which are sourced locally from suppliers across Berkshire, Surrey and Hampshire. 

 

The garden centre site has a rich food heritage as it was once part of Heathlands Farm, a large growing operation that supplied fruit to retailers, as well as having a popular farm shop on the garden centre site. Now customers can again explore the very best eats and treats, as Squire’s has expanded their food offering to include store cupboard essentials as well as delectable treats and goodies.

 

Some of the highlights include:

  • Fresh fruit and veg – including organic tomatoes from The Tomato Stall on the Isle of Wight, and Wilson’s Wonders potatoes from Hook in Hampshire
  • Home baking products - with free-range eggs from Chapel Farm in Normandy, Surrey
  • Bread and preserves
  • Delicious cakes and biscuits
  • Dairy delights including cheese and yoghurts
  • Freezer section - with ice cream from Grays Gelato in Polesden Lacey, Surrey, frozen fruit and COOK meals
  • Beers, wines and spirits – try the award-winning sparkling wine from Greyfriars Vineyard on the Hogs Back in Surrey

 

Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, commented: “I am very pleased to announce that we have expanded our food offering at Squire’s in Wokingham, supporting local suppliers where possible.

 

"In fact, working with the local community has been at the heart of our philosophy for more than 80 years, and the Food Hall brings the very best local food and drink together under one roof - reducing food miles and keeping the best flavours right here in our community.

 

   

 

"It takes our centre back to its Heathlands roots. Supporting local growers is something we are committed to in our plant ranges, so taking this approach with our food offer is something that comes naturally to us and is core to our philosophy. I hope that customers old and new will come to discover our Food Hall - you’ll find it inside the garden centre.”

 

Dobbies launches Christmas events programme
Social distancing and safety at forefront of 2020 Christmas calendar

With the festive season in sight, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, has announced its Christmas events offering for 2020. This year’s programme is packed full of seasonal fun for the whole family, with a focus on bringing together communities, and with social distancing measures in place...


 

With the festive season in sight, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, has announced its Christmas events offering for 2020. This year’s programme is packed full of seasonal fun for the whole family, with a focus on bringing together communities, and with social distancing measures in place.

 

The safety of customers and team members is Dobbies’ number one priority. To ensure customers feel safe and have an enjoyable experience, there will be reduced capacity at events to ensure social distancing is adhered to. This will be managed with online bookings for all events. Scheduled cleaning and rigorous hygiene routines will also be carried out between events, with attendees notified when required to wear a face covering. 

 

Santa’s Arrival is one of the highlights of this year’s events calendar and families are invited to greet him in all 68 stores. As well as giving Santa a warm welcome on the day, families can also book to enjoy a Santa’s Arrival Breakfast or Lunch, enjoying delicious items from the Christmas menu. 

 

Breakfast with Santa is back by popular demand, with children able to spend a magical morning with Santa himself. Dobbies will also be hosting a special Christmas Party with Dobbie the Reindeer, packed with dancing and festive games - and even a gift and visit from Santa. 

 

One of Dobbies’ most exciting experiences, children can explore the Winter Wonderland before seeing Santa in his grotto and receiving a gift. This year, the grottos will be in open spaces to allow for social distancing. For families looking to capture a lasting memory, Dobbies magical Snow Globes will be in selected stores, creating a wonderful Christmas backdrop for the perfect seasonal snap.  

 

Young children can let their imaginations run wild at the Little Seedlings Christmas Stories sessions. Tailored to little ones aged 5 and under, families can settle down and listen to charming Christmas-themed stories while enjoying a treat and refreshments. 

 

There’s even festive fun for customers’ four-legged friends. Santa Paws will run throughout the Christmas period in selected stores, with photogenic pets able to pose for a selfie with Santa, making the purr-fect Christmas card or gift.  

 

In the restaurants, Dobbies will also be hosting a number of special Afternoon Tea experiences. While enjoying a selection of finger sandwiches, fresh scones, delicious cakes and freshly brewed tea or coffee, customers can take part in a number of Christmas-themed workshops, including cocktail making, a Christmas decoration masterclass, or even learn how to make an indoor winter garden. 

 

Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies, said: “Our Christmas events programme has something for all ages as we have focused on bringing communities back together over the festive period. 

 

“We will be following Government guidelines to ensure our events are safe and enjoyable for both customers and team members. We look forward to welcoming customers in all 68 stores for seasonal fun.” 

 

Dobbies’ Christmas events schedule is available to view online, with customers requested to book in advance wherever possible. For all social distancing and safety measures in place across Dobbies’ stores visit dobbies.com. Customers can also Book with Confidence, with a full refund issued if Dobbies cancel the event, and free cancellation if customers need to cancel, up to 3 days prior to the event.

 

Dates and prices for events are:

  • From 1 November, Afternoon Tea, from £15
  • From 22 November, Santa’s arrival, free (21 November at Lisburn)
  • From 22 November Santa’s Grotto, £11.99 
  • From 22 November, Dobbies Christmas Party, 63 stores, £13.99 per child and from £5.99 for adults
  • From 28 November, Santa Paws, 21 stores, £6.99 
  • From 28 November, Breakfast with Santa, 64 stores, £13.99 per child and from £6.99 for adults
  • From 3 December, Little Seedlings, 64 stores, £6 for one adult and one child

For more information visit dobbies.com.

 
Recoup collaborates to lead way in UK recycling certification

Plastics recycling charity RECOUP has announced that RecyClassUK is to be the UK’s auditors for recyclability certification of rigid plastic packaging in the UK...


Plastics recycling charity RECOUP has announced that RecyClassUK is to be the UK’s auditors for recyclability certification of rigid plastic packaging in the UK.  

 

RecyClass, which is run by Plastics Recyclers Europe, is an initiative to create a consistent measurement for the plastics packaging value chain both to analyse its current output and find the best way forward for to improve recyclability.

 

RecyClassUK, which will be managed by RECOUP, will evaluate rigid plastic packaging in terms of recyclability, classifying the packs from class A (recyclable) to class F (not recyclable).  A report will be provided, along with further steps and recommendations, to achieve greater recyclability of the item.

 

The certification provides reassurance to the plastic packaging supply chain and compliments the existing practical pack reviews at sorting facilities that RECOUP provides to members and non-members.  

 

This certification scheme is beginning at a time when the UK is going through various consultations and legislative changes designed to incentivise and pressure plastic packaging producers to make their products more recyclable and environmentally friendly. These changes, most notably, modulated fees through Extended Producer Responsibility and requirements to meet 30% recycled content through a Plastic Packaging Tax, are due to be implemented within the next few years.

 

Stuart Foster, Chief Executive Officer of RECOUP, said of the scheme: “Over the past 30 years RECOUP have provided support for organisations to understand and improve the recyclability of plastic packaging. This includes the ongoing review and understanding of each step of the plastic recycling journey, reviews of specific packaging items, publicly available guidance, and case studies. 

 

"There has been increased demand for RECOUP to certify plastic packaging and ensure a recognised central and consistent point for plastic packaging recyclability reviews in the UK, also ensuring alignment internationally where possible.

 

"We are looking forward to working with the RecyClass platform which provides a fantastic opportunity to not only deliver these aims, but also evolve and align the recyclability certification opportunity as part of a network.“

 

For more information on RecyClassUK certification, or to arrange pack testing, visit www.recoup.org or contact RECOUP at recyclass@recoup.org.

World’s largest garden wildlife survey to return in January 2021

Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK will celebrate their love of nature and unite to watch and count the nation’s garden birds over the last weekend in January for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch...


 

Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK will celebrate their love of nature and unite to watch and count the nation’s garden birds over the last weekend in January for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.

 

This year, we’ve seen how important the natural world is to our mental health and wellbeing. There has been a surge in interest in the nature on our doorsteps and many people have come to rely on garden birds to bring joy and comfort in these unsettling times.

 

This year’s event takes place on 29, 30 and 31 January 2021. The public is asked to spend just one hour watching and recording the birds in their garden, balcony or local park, then send their results to the RSPB. Close to half-a-million people join in the Birdwatch every year.

 

Just one hour every year, for the last four decades, has made the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch the largest garden wildlife citizen science project. Now in its 42nd year, 144 million birds have been counted giving the RSPB an astonishing amount of insight into how our wildlife is faring.

 

Beccy Speight, the RSPB’s Chief Executive, said: “We know that for many people, garden birds provide an important connection to the wider world and bring enormous joy. Lockdown brought few benefits, but the last year has either started or reignited a love of nature for many people. There has been a broad and much-needed realisation that nature is an important and necessary part of our lives especially for our mental health and wellbeing. But nature needs us too.

 

“By taking part in the Birdwatch, you are helping to build an annual snapshot of how our birdlife is doing across the UK. It is only by us understanding how our wildlife is faring that we can protect it. We know that nature is in crisis but together, we can take action to solve the problems facing nature.”

 

For four decades, Big Garden Birdwatch has highlighted the winners and losers in the garden bird world. The house sparrow remained at the top of the Big Garden Birdwatch rankings as the most commonly seen garden bird with nearly 1.3 million sighted in 2020. Starling held down the second spot once more, with the blue tit completing the top three.

 

While house sparrows and starlings may be the UK’s most commonly sighted birds, a closer look at Big Garden Birdwatch data shows that numbers have in fact dropped dramatically since the Birdwatch began in 1979. House sparrows are down 53% while starlings are down 80%. It’s a pattern echoed by two more garden favourites, with blackbirds and robins down 46% and 32% respectively.

 

To take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2021, watch the birds in your garden or local park for one hour at some point over the three days. Only count the birds that land, not those flying over. Tell us the highest number of each bird species you see at any one time – not the total you see in the hour.

 

The parallel event RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch takes place during the first half of spring term, 6 January – 21 February 2021. This year, it celebrates its 20th anniversary of connecting children with nature in their school grounds. Since its launch, over a million school children and teachers have taken part. Further information can be found at www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch

 

For your FREE Big Garden Birdwatch guide, which includes a bird identification chart, top tips for your birdwatch, RSPB shop voucher, plus advice on how to help you attract wildlife to your garden, text BIRD to 70030 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch  

 

Registration for Big Garden Birdwatch 2021 opens 9 December 2020.

 
DJ Turfcare’s new Autumn Lawn Treatment back in stock

Thanks to DJ Turfcare’s close co-operation with its manufacturing partners, Viano, the company has announced its fast-selling all-new Autumn Lawn Treatment is now back in stock and ready for delivery to UK garden centres...


Thanks to DJ Turfcare’s close co-operation with its manufacturing partners, Viano, the company has announced its fast-selling all-new Autumn Lawn Treatment is now back in stock and ready for delivery to UK garden centres.

 

Launched just last month, this innovative treatment which provides a unique organic-based fertiliser specifically designed for use between August and November to destroy moss, stimulate strong roots and provide 100 days of treatment for greener, thicker, more disease-resistant lawns, has proven incredibly popular with retailers who were quick to snap up stock. With the first consignment selling out in record time, there is now a second opportunity for garden centres to secure stock ahead of this vital period for lawn maintenance.

 

David Jenkins of DJ Turfcare said: “Our great partnership with Viano has meant that we have been able to prioritise delivery of a second consignment of our new Autumn Lawn Treatment, meaning no retailers have to miss out on the sales potential of this seasonal essential. With the ravages of lockdown and extreme weather conditions throughout the year, our lawns need some TLC. Couple this with the fact that pent up consumer demand will see the gardening season extend beyond what we’d normally expect,and a product such as our Autumn Lawn Treatment has never been so necessary.”

 

To help support its retail customers, DJ Turfcare has created new video content to help drive sales instore and online. Autumn Lawn Treatment is also backed by a special introductory rate which sees profit on investment exceed 50%, and extended payment terms until the end of November.  

 

DJ Turfcare’s new Autumn Lawn Treatment

Simply put, Autumn Lawn Treatment – exclusively available from DJ Turfcare - is the first defence against the ravages of winter and is designed to prepare the lawn for the spring.  Like its popular Recovery product, DJ Turfcare’s new Autumn Lawn Treatment will benefit from the inclusion of Humifirst. This unique ingredient creates biological activity and acts as a plant growth stimulant,making it perfect to use as an autumn lawn treatment.  Autumn Lawn Treatment is safe to use around pets and children.

 

DJ Turfcare’s wider organic-based product offering includes the bestselling RHS-endorsed MO Bacter, MO Bacter Instant, Recovery and Bio-Lime. All products are supported by quick delivery within five days.

 

Find out more

To start stocking DJ Turfcare’s latest offering or to top-up your latest order, please contact the team by calling (01483 200976) or by visiting  www.djturfcare.co.uk

 
Tension mounts for Glee New Product Awards 2020

Who will be the winners in the Glee New Product Awards, in association with GTN, for 2020? Despite Glee not taking place for real at the NEC the teams at Glee and Garden Trade News are pulling out all the stops with Gee Gathering "exhibitors" to create a virtual showcase of New Products for 2021...


Who will be the winners in the Glee New Product Awards, in association with GTN, for 2020? Despite Glee not taking place for real at the NEC the teams at Glee and Garden Trade News are pulling out all the stops with Gee Gathering "exhibitors" to create a virtual showcase of New Products for 2021.

 

All Glee Gathering 'exhibitors' have the opportunity to enter up to five new products in each of the following categories:

  • Garden Plants, Seeds and Bulbs
  • Garden Growing Materials (Plant feeds, pest and weed control, growing media, cloches, seed trays etc)
  • Garden Growing Containers (All pots, planters, hanging baskets etc)
  • Garden Decoration (Garden ornaments, garden lighting, plant supports, wall art etc)
  • Garden Tools & Machinery (Hand and powered garden tools, garden gloves, garden kneelers etc)
  • Garden Landscaping (Paving, statuary, garden buildings etc)
  • Garden Leisure & Entertaining (BBQ's, garden furniture and accessories etc)
  • Garden Wild Bird and Wildlife Products (Wild bird feeds, feeders, wild life products etc)
  • Garden Home, Giftware and Clothing
  • Garden Retail & Industry Services
  • Pet Products

A team of judges, led by GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer, will sift through all of the entries, submitted on-line with pictures and videos, and select a shortlist for each category that will be announced on Monday 14th September in Glee Daily News.

 

Then, during the Glee Gathering, 15th and 16th September, representatives of the three shortlisted products in each category will have the opportunity to "pitch" via live video to the judges, and the assembled Glee Gathering Audience, before they make their final decisions on the winners.

 

By the end of the Glee Gathering on 16th September we'll have announced winners in each of the categories above, plus the judges will also decide who should be the winners of the following overall Glee New Product Awards:

  • Best House Plants and Accessories
  • Best of British Award
  • Best Eco Initiative Product Award
  • Best Overall New Product at Glee

The full list of last years winners in the Glee New Product Awards, in association with GTN, can be found here.

 

To see the winners of the 2020 Glee New Product Awards, in association with GTN, keep reading the Glee Daily News and register for the Glee Gathering here.

 

 

Dobbies opens award-winning butcher in Edinburgh store

Dobbies Garden Centres has opened a Walter Smith Fine Foods butchery to its flagship Edinburgh store...

 


Dobbies Garden Centres has opened a Walter Smith Fine Foods butchery to its flagship Edinburgh store.

 

The award-winning butchers, in the food hall, offers a variety of locally-sourced meat, including family favourites such as sausages and burgers and a wide selection of high-quality cuts of beef, lamb and pork.

 

 

The butchery and delicatessen will offer popular classics like sausage rolls, pork pies, and popular oven-ready cottage pie and lasagne, plus vegetarian options.

The news follows Dobbies recent partnership with Sainsbury’s, bolstering its convenience food offering for customers in Edinburgh.

 

CEO Graeme Jenkins said: “Walter Smith Fine Foods is a brilliant addition to our Edinburgh store and we’re sure that the butchers will be popular with our customers. At Dobbies, we pride ourselves on offering customers a wide range of quality produce, freshly-baked goods and general grocery items all under one roof.”

 

Robert Jones, Retail Director at Walter Smith Fine Foods, said: “We’re delighted to be launching our butchery and deli counter at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, and look forward to customers trying our award-winning products. We’ve been in business for 135 years and we are proud to deliver quality service and, of course, the best quality meats and produce.”

 

Walter Smith Fine Foods counters are already in Dobbies stores at Livingston, Cirencester, Huntingdon, Stapleton, Stratford upon Avon and Aylesbury.

Never fear, Glee Daily News is here

While we can't all meet up at the NEC in September, the team at GTN will still be bringing you the Glee Daily News to keep you in the Glee mood...


While we can't all meet up at the NEC in September, the team and GTN will still be bringing you the Glee Daily News to keep you in the Glee mood.

 

We'll be providing updates about the wonderful Glee Gathering that's taking place, on-line, on Tuesday 15th September and Wednesday 16th September and bringing all the news from the exhibitors taking part in the Glee Gathering throughout the week that we would have been at the NEC.

 

After the Main Preview Issue we'll be publishing an issue every day of the Glee week beginning on Monday 14th September.

 

Glee Daily News will bring you the results of the Glee New Product Awards, in association with Garden Trade News and we'll end the week with a #FloralFriday celebration for Greenfingers Charity.

 

If you'd like other members of your team to receive Glee Daily News 2020 they can sign up via this link.

 

We hope Glee Daily News helps fill the gap this year and provides plenty of inspiration when it comes to buying decisions for 2021.

 

Any Glee Gathering participating exhibitors that would like to place adverts or advertorials in Glee Daily News 2020 should contact alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

 

Click here to view Issue 1 of Glee Daily News.

 

See you soon!

 

 

 
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Steve Harper leaves the Greener Gardening Company

As part of a company re-organisation, Steve Harper's role as Sales and Marketing Director has been made redundant and he has left The Greener Gardening Company...


As part of a company re-organisation, Steve Harper's role as Sales and Marketing Director has been made redundant and he has left The Greener Gardening Company.

 

The Greener Gardening Company was fomerly known as Bord na Mona.

 

Steve will be continuing as lead for the industry’s Responsible Sourcing Scheme, which he talked to GTN about in March 2020, just before the COVID-19 lockdown.  Read the interview via this link:

 

Or flip through the whole issue below.

 

Steve Harper can be contacted via: steve.harper@sharperthinking.co.uk

 
Current registration status confirms the new exhibition dates of spoga+gafa

The long-term rescheduling of the exhibition dates of spoga+gafa to June, including the one-time date at the end of May to the beginning of June in 2021, is already a total success...


The long-term rescheduling of the exhibition dates of spoga+gafa to June, including the one-time date at the end of May to the beginning of June in 2021, is already a total success. The current rebooking figures corroborate this. In spite of the worldwide challenges, just under nine months prior to the next spoga+gafa, with a booking status of over 90% the applications are at a pre-Corona level and indeed in most exhibition halls this level has been exceeded. 

The current exhibitor status is a clear signal: The long-term rescheduling offers the exhibitors new cross-industry opportunities for their business because it is more in line with the industry's changed ordering behaviour. Not only existing exhibitors registered with in some cases significant expansion requests, but a pleasing number of companies that didn't take part in the past years have also registered to participate. This applies among others for the BBQ and decoration sectors, for Hall 6 with its technology and equipment customers as well as for the furniture section. 

The motto of the leading global trade fair of the garden lifestyle industries is once again in 2021 "Sustainable Gardens" because according to current surveys, the consumers' interest in sustainable products and smart solutions will increase further over the coming years. 

"The current registration status is a fantastic signal for the industries' trust in spoga+gafa and proves that physical networking formats are irreplaceable for the generation of sustainable business success," explained Stefan Lohrberg, Director of spoga+gafa. "Under the hashtag #gardenbackstronger, together with the industry we are underlining the will to allow a successful trade fair to take place in 2021. We are enhancing the strength of a physical event with fresh, digital formats in order to support the customers even more readily with added value in the run-up to, during and after the trade fair." 
   
In good hands in Cologne: www.spogagafa.de/besafe 

The essential element of a trade fair is the personal contact: In order to make networking as safe and successful as possible also in times of Corona, Koelnmesse has developed a host of measures in accordance with the provisions of the corona protection ordinance of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and in close coordination with the authorities in Cologne. These measures work together seamlessly and regulate interaction at the trade fair. Our goal is to ensure the highest degree of professional safety and to create an environment in which the business of the exhibitors can grow again. 

Keeping an eye on the current situation, Koelnmesse is looking forward to a successful spoga+gafa, which is taking place in just under nine months' time.   

Koelnmesse – Global Competence in Furniture, Interiors and Design: Koelnmesse is the world’s top trade fair organiser for the areas of furnishing, living and lifestyle. At the trade fair hub of Cologne, the leading international fair imm cologne as well as the trade fair formats of LivingKitchen, ORGATEC, spoga+gafa, interzum and Kind + Jugend rank among the internationally renowned and established industry meeting places. These fairs comprehensively represent the upholstered and case furniture segment, the kitchen industry, the office furniture sector and outdoor living as well as the innovations of the furniture supply industry. Over the last few years, Koelnmesse has specifically added international fairs in the most important fast-expanding markets to its portfolio. These include idd Shanghai,  interzum bogotá in Bogotá, interzum guangzhou in Guangzhou and Pueri Expo in Sao Paulo. With ambista, the online portal for the interiors business, Koelnmesse offers direct access to products, contacts, expertise and events relevant to the industry all year round. 

Further information is available at: www.global-competence.net/interiors/ 
Further information about ambista: www.ambista.com/ 

The next events: 
Digital Interior Day, Cologne 2020 
LivingKitchen® - The international Kitchen Show (open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday), Cologne 18.01. - 24.01.2021 
imm cologne - THE INTERIOR BUSINESS EVENT (open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday), Cologne 18.01. - 24.01.2021 

The spoga+gafa 2021 is open to trade visitors on  30 and  31 May from 09:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. and on  1 June from 09:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. Further information is available at www.spogagafa.com. 

 

 
Positive shift of gardening activity

September growing media sales have started off at levels higher than normally seen in June, let alone September. This really is a shift of gardening activity.

Growing media sales for the week were 77% higher than last year, matching the average weekly change since garden centres re-opened...


 

September growing media sales have started off at levels higher than normally seen in June, let alone September. This really is a shift of gardening activity.

Growing media sales for the week were 77% higher than last year, matching the average weekly change since garden centres re-opened.  

 

The following five lines all either more than doubled, or doubled their sales week on week:

  • Westland Gro-Sure All Purpose Compost & 4 Month Feed 10L
  • Bulrush Top Soil 25L
  • Kelkay RHS Horticultural Alpine Grit Handy Bag
  • Westland Bulb Planting Compost 20L
  • Growth Technology Orchid Focus Repotting Mix Peat Free 3L.

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.

 
Houseplant sales bloom in July

Sales of houseplants at garden centres across the country bloomed in July, according to the Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade report. Compared with the same month in 2019, sales were up 81.82%...


 

Sales of houseplants at garden centres across the country bloomed in July, according to the Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade report. Compared with the same month in 2019, sales were up 81.82%.

 

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive explained: “After the blistering heatwave in June, July was a much cooler month, with more rainfall, which goes some way to explain the increase in sales of houseplants.

 

“It seems houseplants remain as popular as ever, helped greatly by the lockdown, when people who might not have outdoor spaces realised they can still fulfil their green-fingered needs with indoor foliage and potted flowers instead, giving them something to focus on and look after.”

 

Hard landscaping sales were also up 63.03% and furniture and barbecue sales increased to 44.01% too. Meanwhile, sales in garden sundries were also buoyant showing a 49.47% upturn and seed and bulb sales recorded an increase of 42.78%.

 

Sales in food halls and farm shops were up 38.04%, pets and aquatics sales were up 16.83%. However, clothing sales were down -14.83%.

 

Iain added: “Restaurants and cafés were allowed to re-open in July, however catering sales were down -54.54% as not all centres opened their catering facilities straight away and, indeed some still remain closed, combined with new social distancing measures and a reduced number of covers in restaurants. It also took a short time for customers to build up their confidence to go out and eat again.

 

“We expect the figures to be much higher for August, as people became more confident about supporting their local eateries and the economy, and many of our members have also signed up to take part in the Eat Out to Help Out Government scheme.”

 

Overall sales for the month were up 15.83% with a year to date change of -18.64%. 

 

The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

 

The BoT reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

 
Millions of new British gardeners take root as a result of lockdown says HTA survey

Britain’s love affair with gardens was confirmed this week as new research conducted by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) found that almost three million gardeners sprung up this year as a result of lockdown. A new younger face of gardening has also been identified with nearly half (49%) of the new green fingered fans aged under 45...


Britain’s love affair with gardens was confirmed this week as new research conducted by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) found that almost three million gardeners sprung up this year as a result of lockdown. A new younger face of gardening has also been identified with nearly half (49%) of the new green fingered fans aged under 45.   

 

These new shoppers are identified as *‘Convenience Gardening’ and ‘Family Focus’ gardeners who are using their gardens as places to unwind and enjoy with the family and grow their own. 

 

The HTA Garden Retail Monitor reports that sales of gardening products were up 34%, 17% and 19% in June, July and August respectively in UK garden centres, compared with the same period last year. Customers were spending more as Average Transaction Values  increased by 35%. This was driven by spending on gardening projects and as consumers looked to make their gardens a place to enjoy with the family, in some cases as a ‘holiday at home’. 

 

The strong performance reflects public confidence in garden centres as a safer place to visit. Consumer tracking by HTA at the start of September found that in relation to Covid-19, three quarters (75%) of people across all age groups were either ‘very confident’ or ‘confident’ in visiting a garden centre.  

 

With many people working from home, on furlough or home-schooling children, there has been a considerable increase in garden centres sales during the week.  

 

2020 has also seen a big upsurge in the proportion of people growing plants, trees and flowers as well as growing their own fruit and vegetables. Growth in August was driven by more people gardening and the increased leisure time spent in the garden; sales went up in bedding plants (29%), seeds (59%) and gardening equipment (51%) and garden leisure categories were higher than August 2019. 

 

HTA chairman James Barnes said: “As a sector, horticulture has reacted quickly to adapt to the COVID-19 crisis. Enormous effort has gone into providing safe retailing environments for customers inspired by lockdown to get into their gardens and HTA members responded very positively to the Safe Trading Guidance we provided.  

 

“These strong figures suggest the action they took has helped a large proportion of the public to feel garden centres are safer places to visit. However, we know there continues to be challenges in the supply chain as well resulting from COVID lockdown and are working with Government on a horticulture strategy which better recognises the socio-economic and environmental benefits the industry brings." 

 

*The HTA has refined its Garden Consumer Segmentation to help retailers reach potential customers – available free for HTA members to download now here: hta.org.uk/gardenconsumers.  

 

 

 
September gardening starts with a boom

With better weather September garden product sales have got off to a flyer, up by 20% week on week and almost 10% higher than all other first weeks of September as recorded by GTN Bestsellers...


 

With better weather September garden product sales have got off to a flyer, up by 20% week on week and almost 10% higher than all other first weeks of September as recorded by GTN Bestsellers.

 

Planting in pots continues to drive sales. There are 16 pot related lines in the GTN chart this week. And lawn care looks set for a good Autumn season with eight lawn care lines in the GTN Top 50.

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Woodlodge Large Pot Feet are once again the No.1 Bestselling volume Garden Product line.
  • Elho’s Riviera Grow Pot Terracota 17cm is the highest new entry at No 18.
  • Evergreen Garden Care Evergreen Complete 360 sq m + 10% Extra Free more than doubled sales to re-enter at No 7.

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.

 
Ivyline launches new online portal for retail customers

Ivyline, the UK’s leading supplier of inspired collections for the garden and home, including indoor and outdoor pots, terrariums, firepits and water features, has made it even easier for its retail customers to access its bestselling ranges with the launch of a new online portal...


Ivyline, the UK’s leading supplier of inspired collections for the garden and home, including indoor and outdoor pots, terrariums, firepits and water features, has made it even easier for its retail customers to access its bestselling ranges with the launch of a new online portal.

 

Powered by online sales experts, Blue Alligator, this new portal will offer Ivyline customers never before seen access to the company’s complete product portfolio. For the first time, retailers can take absolute control of their order book and future product planning via the user-friendly interface. 

 

Key benefits of this new online system include complete visibility of all previous orders and stock due dates, easy access to Ivyline’s current price lists, live-stock availability information, the ability to pre-book orders for the new season, and image-based order confirmation. Ivyline’s sales representatives will also have access to the order book, meaning they will be able to support accordingly throughout the season.

 

Scott Thomas, Managing Director of Ivyline said: “The current climate has called for great flexibility, with retailers having to adapt quickly to fluctuating consumer demand and rapidly ­changing product popularity. Our new portal has been specifically created to provide our customers with easier access than ever before, backed by a system that has been curated to maximise efficiencies and cut delivery lead times, whilst providing easy access to the information that matters most for successful retail.  

 

“The system won’t replace our sales team but will complement their ongoing activities. This is all about offering our customers enhanced sales support that meets the needs of modern retailing. We’re excited to roll it out, and for our retailers to start benefiting from access to this portal.”

 

To gain access to Ivyline’s new online portal please contact your sales representative for more information or contact them team on 0844 800 2214.

 

Find out more

To find out more about Ivyline please visit www.ivylinegb.co.uk where you will see the company’s full product offering including indoor and outdoor planters, plant and planter combos, water features, firepits and trendsetting cacti pots and terrariums, or email sales@ivylinegb.co.uk

 
BOPP changes its name to OHAS

The HTA has announced that it is changing the name of its British Ornamental  Plant Producers’ (BOPP) Certification Scheme to the Ornamental Horticulture Assurance Scheme (OHAS)...


The HTA has announced that it is changing the name of its British Ornamental  Plant Producers’ (BOPP) Certification Scheme to the Ornamental Horticulture Assurance Scheme (OHAS). 

 

Rebecca Grant, Chair of the OHAS Management Committee, said: “I am really excited to announce the change of our name from BOPP to OHAS.  Our new name has been created to satisfy all the existing expectations of what the scheme stands for in terms of raising standards, providing quality assurance, and  ensuring the highest standards of professionalism within Ornamental Horticulture, whilst recognising that today, we hold a worldwide membership and our name needs to be inclusive of all our members.” 

 

OHAS is a grower specialist group of the HTA. It aims to raise standards in ornamental horticulture. The scheme certificates growers, packhouses and growing media manufacturers to prescribed Standards, through unbiased independent inspections carried out by a UKAS accredited certification body (NSF International). The inspections form the basis of the scheme to set the highest standards of professionalism in the way our members operate. 

 

All members of the OHAS scheme receive an annual inspection, which provides customers with complete confidence in both product and service. The inspections also provide our members with the confidence that their business is up to date with the latest legislation and best practice. 

 

To find out about how to become an OHAS member contact OHAS@hta.org.uk

 
Veg keeps growing

After two wetter and colder weeks the sunshine has got people back into the mood for buying veg plants and seeds to keep their veg gardens growing. Sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data have jumped back to the ‘new normal’ levels, up by over 40% on the same week last year...


 

After two wetter and colder weeks the sunshine has got people back into the mood for buying veg plants and seeds to keep their veg gardens growing. Sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data have jumped back to the ‘new normal’ levels, up by over 40% on the same week last year.

 

As seed potatoes for Autumn planting sold through so quickly in August, this year’s chart for the first week of September is dominated by onion and garlic sales, plus plenty of winter veg plants. 

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Taylors Garlic Marco comes straight back in as the No 1 Bestselling Veg-2-Gro line.
  • Quantil Purple Sprouting Broccoli Strips move up 18 places to No 2.
  • Quantil Cabbage Pointed (Sweetheart) Strips are the highest chart mover, up 26 places to No 8.

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.

 
Premium Christmas Trees’ trial pallets help to boost sales

Premium Christmas Trees is offering retailers the chance to ‘test’ new product introductions with its innovative trial pallets...

 


 

It is easy to keep stocking the same products but when the desire to try something new strikes it can often be a confusing time for many retailers. What if we make the wrong choice? What if they don’t sell? Should we be committing ourselves to such large order numbers? These are just some of the questions that might be asked. One company that is cutting through the noise and offering retailers the chance to ‘test’ new product introductions is Premium Christmas Trees with its innovative trial pallets.

 

With Christmas tree styles and trends changing in line with consumer demand, the need to offer more choice is becoming ever more a reality for garden centres. Whether it is offering trees which have a clear and distinct environmental message, or meet the needs of smaller contemporary living spaces, discerning shoppers want a tree that ticks a lot of boxes. Before retailers had to juggle lots of stock and stockists, but that is now a thing of the past. Premium Christmas Trees’ trial pallets enable retailers to take in smaller stock quantities, allowing them to see which varieties and sizes work best for their own customer demographic, all backed by low prices, high quality and low-commitment orders.

 

For the 2020 season, Premium Christmas Trees has introduced four new trial pallet offers for garden centres – Premium Nordmann, Traditional Nordmann, Fraser Fir and the innovative Premium Nordmann Slimline.

 

They also have some great trials on a new wreath range, and pallets of 25 pot grown trees.

 

Premium Christmas Trees’ Sophie Holt said: “Our trial pallets are a great way of testing the success of new lines amongst customers, without having to commit to large stock quantities. We have previously run trial pallets with customers and have found that over 95% of them return the following year with increased orders. It is this level of success that we want to roll out to our wider customer network as we are so confident in the functionality of these trial pallets.”

 

In addition to offering trial pallets, Premium Christmas Trees also provides an unrivalled drop-ship online ordering system for customers who are unable to commit a large footprint on the shop floor to house real Christmas trees and accessories during the festive season. This need to optimise online sales has also become ever more prevalent in recent months as many consumers have turned to the internet to provide a safer and truly socially distanced shopping experience during lockdown.

 

Maximising freshness and customer satisfaction, Premium Christmas Trees hand select trees for each individual customer based on size and quality specifications. Packaged in a special transport bag, each tree, wreath and garland is delivered with complete care instructions on the date selected by the customer via a third-party courier service.

 

For more information regarding Premium Christmas Trees’ Trial Pallet offers, as well as its online order fulfilment, please visit the newly updated website www.premiumchristmastrees.com or call the company on 01257 793748 to discuss your tree requirements for Christmas 2020. There is a dedicated team of sales experts who can be in touch or come to visit retailers nationwide.

 

A special video regarding Premium Christmas Trees’ online order support can also be viewed here.

 
Gardenex supports Government ‘bounce-back’ plan

Gardenex has welcomed a series of new Government measures to help boost exports as UK businesses recover from the Coronavirus pandemic. The measures announced on Tuesday (8th September) will offer immediate support to companies by ensuring specialists provide advice on online retail and international market-places.


Gardenex has welcomed a series of new Government measures to help boost exports as UK businesses recover from the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

The measures announced on Tuesday (8th September) by Exports Minister, Graham Stuart MP, will offer immediate support to companies by ensuring specialists provide advice on online retail and international market-places. 

 

Additionally, the launch of a new Consumer and Retail Export Academy will provide businesses with the critical knowledge, skills and networks needed to increase exports. 

 

The plan will also outline long-term support for the sector as new export opportunities arise from trade deals being negotiated with the US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.   

 

E-commerce will be at the heart of the plans, with measures tailored to help consumer and retail businesses develop international, multi-channel, e-commerce strategies fit for the changed retail environment. 

  

The value of retail sales made online has risen by more than 300% in the last 10 years. This trend is expected to continue as a result of Coronavirus, with many UK businesses already experiencing increased sales online.  

 

The Federation of Garden & Leisure Manufacturers Ltd has been working actively with DIT and other government departments and other sectoral trade bodies to help shape the government’s export strategy, confirms Amanda Sizer Barrett, Director General of the Federation. 

 

Amanda said: “We are very pleased to continue to encourage exports in conjunction with DIT, and we will be running more of our sectoral e-commerce webinars and other initiatives in conjunction with DIT’s e-commerce specialists, as well as signposting new specific sectoral international market and business opportunities and continuing to inform and support our Gardenex and PetQuip members preceding and following the end of the EU-Exit Transition period.”

 

Announcing the new measures, Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart MP said: “We recognise that Coronavirus has brought challenges to many industries, not least the consumer and retail sector, where so much depends on face-to-face interactions. This package of support will give businesses the helping hand they need to adapt their methods and thrive in the future. 

 

“More trade and investment is absolutely critical if the industry – and our whole economy – is to overcome such challenges. These measures provide both short and long-term support for businesses that employ so many people across the UK. 

 

“As we continue to encourage businesses to increase their trade overseas, we will also ensure that they can take full advantage of the opportunities that will be unlocked through our negotiation of Free Trade Agreements with countries around the world.

 

The retail industry is a key pillar of the UK economy, contributing £104bn of GVA to the UK economy in 2019, with the value of retail sales reaching £395bn in 2019, a 3.8% increase from 2018.”

 

The full range of measures announced today include: 

 

1. Consumer and Retail Export Academy: A digital learning syllabus of consumer & retail-focused webinars available through DIT’s online platforms; a dedicated regional coaching programme; and an extensive library of industry-specific factsheets on key export markets.  

 

2. Boosted digital and e-commerceoffer consisting of three initiatives:

a. International Clicks Fast Track Initiative: 

  • Access to new  DIT partnerships with business-to-business marketplaces, increasing the routes to market following store closures due to COVID-19. 

b.  Omnichannel Optimiser Initiative: 

  • Tailored advice for consumer and retail businesses to help them develop an international multi-channel strategy to help them succeed online;   
  • Exclusive e-commerce related insights from industry experts via talks, virtual events and podcasts;  
  • A specialist webinar series equipping exporters with e-commerce knowledge to help them take advantage of the growing digital opportunities that have emerged from the COVID-19 outbreak.  

c.    FDI ecommerce marketing campaign:   

  • Digitally led marketing activity to showcase e-commerce inward investment opportunities to potential international investors. 

 

3. UKEF offer: Further outreach and engagement with the industry to respond to the industry’s needs; a refreshed ‘Exporters Edge’ campaign to raise awareness of the support available; and easier access to working capital to allow a wider range of businesses to access support.  

 

4. A digital investment prospectus: A prospectus detailing the UK’s RetailTech offer and unique capabilities. This will be promoted in key markets in order to engage with inward investors.  

 

5. Showcasing ‘Brand Britain’ at global events: Leveraging Government presence at high profile events, such as Expo 2020 Dubai, Tokyo Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, to provide a platform for consumer goods companies to showcase their offering to a global audience; enabling UK companies to use GREAT branding at global events; engaging consumer and retail businesses in the Midlands region to help them take advantage of DIT’s international events, and Hyve Group PLC’s market leading trade shows as a platform to reach overseas buyers.   

 

The measures follow the recently announced agriculture, food and drink bounce-back plans in June, in conjunction with the Department for Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra). 

 

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

Email: info@gardenex.com

Websites: www.gardenex.com

 
The best of last week's

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


 
British Garden Centres make it 58 with acquisition of Thatcham

British Garden Centres (BGC) announced today that they have acquired the ex-Wyevale centre at Thatcham, taking the group to 58 centres...


British Garden Centres (BGC) announced today that they have acquired the ex-Wyevale centre at Thatcham, taking the group to 58 centres.

 

The garden centre on the Thatcham site has been closed for several months but the BGC team now plan to move quickly to build a team and redevelop the centre in good time for the Christmas trade.

 

Joint Managing Director, Charles Stubbs said “I’m delighted we’ve been able to bring Thatcham in to the BGC family. I’m excited by the prospect of re-opening the garden centre and we are going to pull out all the stops and open in October with our full offer, including Christmas.”

 

 
How lucky we are!
Comment from GTN's September issue, out this week

A common strand of conversations across the industry during August has been “How lucky we are to be working in the garden retailing industry!”  And indeed, we have all been in the fortunate position of seeing sales run at record summer levels and catch up on the deficit caused by the lock-down closures of March, April and early May...

 

 


A common strand of conversations across the industry during August has been “How lucky we are to be working in the garden retailing industry!”  And indeed, we have all been in the fortunate position of seeing sales run at record summer levels and catch up on the deficit caused by the lock-down closures of March, April and early May.

 

The GTN Bestsellers All Products Sales Index shows August garden centre volumes to be a massive 20% up on last year and even higher than May sales were in 2019.

 

Normally an increase in August sales wouldn’t be significant as it’s usually one of the quieter trading months of the year, but, within the epos data analysed by GTN Bestsellers every week we’ve seen massive increases in growing media, garden care products, pots and plant sales.  That all indicates a new style of gardening that just keeps on growing.  Some believe it is new gardeners buying through the summer because no one told them they can’t, others say it’s a result of planterias and centres being full of stock as growers and producers catch up on sales.

 

What ever the reason, if the pattern of this summer is to be continued through next year then we have even more reason to be lucky.

 

It’s sad that we can’t all meet up at the NEC next week for Glee, there are so many stories to be told and greetings to be made, however the Glee team and ourselves are doing all we can to keep everyone connected and up to date with new product information via the Glee Gathering and the Glee Daily News.

 

See you, virtually, at Glee!

 

In the September 2020 issue of GTN:

 

Westland 8 page pull out
The end of an era, Neil & Nicci Gow
Over 200 New Products from Smart
The Wertheim Legacy
Primeurs virtual updates
Christmas is coming
Onduline transform the garden
Hozelock’s new sprayers
10 Years of Garden Re-Leaf Day
Evergreen Garden Care’ Autumn welcome
Glee Gathering
Happy Days ahead for Compost
New Products at Glee
Grow your card sales
LOFA Assured at Stewarts
Eat Out To Help Out
Showrooms to visit
HTA Column
GIMA Column

 

 
Garden centre and nursery faces uncertain future

A garden centre and nursery in Ipswich is facing an uncertain future after plans to build a 76-bed three storey care home on its site were revealed...


 

A garden centre and nursery in Ipswich is facing an uncertain future after plans to build a 76-bed three storey care home on its site were revealed.

 

Victoria Nurseries has been operating from the site since 1986 but has been subject to short-term leases and temporary planning permission over the past few years.

 

First Care Homes has been gauging public opinion on its proposals for the new building before submitting a formal planning application to Ipswich Borough Council. That online consultation ended on September 4.

On the garden centre’s Facebook pages, proprietor Ian May said: “The nursery has been on the site since 1986 and hasn't been given notice to quit yet but the current planning permission runs out at the end of the year and we might be pushing our luck if we try for yet another temporary permission from the council. We'll have to see what happens.”

 

The social media post brought an instant response from disgruntled customers.

  • Richard Hughes wrote: “Three care homes within a 500 yard walk have closed down in the last year. There can’t be any justification to build one on this site.”
  • And Cindy Holian commented: “No, we love Victoria nurseries! Please fight this.”
  • Rachel Davey added: “You were a vital part of the community during lockdown. Providing essential provisions as well as plants etc to keep us all busy. You would be missed.”
 
New style of gardening just keeps on growing

The GTN Bestsellers All Products Sales Index shows August garden centre volumes to be a massive 20% up on last year and even higher than May sales were in 2019...


 

The GTN Bestsellers All Products Sales Index shows August garden centre volumes to be a massive 20% up on last year and even higher than May sales were in 2019.

 

Normally, an increase in August sales wouldn’t be significant as it’s usually one of the quieter trading months of the year, but, within the epos data analysed by GTN Bestsellers every week we’ve seen massive increases in growing media, garden care products, pots and plant sales.

 

That all indicates a new style of gardening that just keeps on growing. Some believe it’s new gardeners buying through the summer because no one told them they can’t, others say it’s a result of planterias and centres being full of stock as growers and producers catch up on sales.

 

How have you adapted your retailing to cater for the needs of new gardeners? Let us know: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk

 

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 35

Garden Products Top 50 – down 10%

Growing Media Top 50 – up 49%

Wild Bird Care Top 50 – down 20%

Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 15%

 

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 35

All Plants – up 5%

All Items – up 9%

 

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.

 
Garden centre urges public to name and shame fly-tipper

The owner of a Norfolk garden centre has urged the public to ‘name and shame’ a fly-tipper who dumped bags of insulation material on his land...


 

The owner of a Norfolk garden centre has urged the public to ‘name and shame’ a fly-tipper who dumped bags of insulation material on his land.

 

Gary Groucott, of Wymondham Garden Centre, found the rubbish in a field near his home on Saturday, August 29.

 

Gary posted on the garden centre’s Facebook page:

 

“A very selfish individual has decided to ruin our lovely Wymondham countryside and my garden by dumping many bags of what seems to be insulation.


“If you know anyone having insulation work done please share this with them.


“Let's get this shared far and wide to name and shame the person responsible.


“We'll even treat one family of up to five people to breakfast at the coffee shop in thanks for sharing.


“This is disgusting behaviour and it won't be tolerated.”

 

Picture taken from Wymondham Garden Centre’s Facebook page.

 
It could take a decade for British nurseries to recover from Covid-19 lockdown

A leading British nursery has revealed it could take the UK growing industry at least 10 years to recover the financial losses incurred when garden centres were forced to close during the Covid-19 lockdown. But “If the public supports the industry by continuing to invest in their gardens and buy British at the same time, then UK nurseries do stand a chance," says Natalie Porter of Porters Fuchsias/Happy Plants...


 

A leading British nursery has revealed it could take the UK growing industry at least 10 years to recover the financial losses incurred when garden centres were forced to close during the Covid-19 lockdown.

 

Speaking on Radio 4’s ‘You and Yours’ consumer affairs programme, Natalie Porter of Porters Fuchsias/Happy Plants, said: “We received two hits to our business during lockdown. First, there was the wastage caused when garden centres first closed down. And the second hit occurred when garden centres opened with two days’ notice because we hadn’t had any financial security in between to grow any significant amount of plants.

 

“The damage to our business was bad. We lost vast sums of money. It will take us 10 years to recoup the amount of money we’ve lost this year.

 

“If the public supports the industry by continuing to invest in their gardens and buy British at the same time, then UK nurseries do stand a chance.

 

“The one silver lining of this horrendous situation is there has been a surge of interest in gardening.”

 

TV garden presenter David Domoney was also interviewed on the ‘You and Yours’ programme, and he said: “Some nurseries I know have had to re-mortgage their houses and sell their cars to keep their businesses going.

 

“The horticultural industry has its peak between Easter and the beginning of June, and we lost that because of lockdown. It’s like the toy industry being closed down for Christmas. But at least toys can be sold at a later date – nurseries don’t have that fallback because bedding plants have a limited life span.

 

“One good thing is that garden centres have good relationships with their suppliers and like to source products locally where possible. They are also proud to buy British so there is hope for UK nurseries.”

 

The interviews with Natalie and David can be heard by clicking on the following BBC Radio link. They can be found 22 minutes into the broadcast.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000m56q

 
Glee New Product Awards 2019 - The Winners

Ground-breaking new garden products were confirmed as the winners of the coveted Glee New Product Awards 2019, run in association with GTN...


 

Ground-breaking new garden products were confirmed as the winners of the coveted Glee New Product Awards 2019, run in association with GTN...

 

The winning products were chosen by an expert panel of judges representing independent and multiple retailers, consumer gardening media and trade media.

 

After initial judging of the 362 new products entered first thing the judges selected finalists in each category. Then those finalists had the opportunity to meet the judges, answer questions and make a pitch to be chosen as the winner.

 

The results:

 

Garden Decoration: Jardinopia Cane Companions

 

Growing Containers: Primeur Tierra Verde Planters

 

Garden Growing Materials: Environmental Factor NamaKnight Nematodes Biological insect control

 

Garden Giftware, Home & Clothing: Joint winners – Luxa London,The Holly Branch Candlesticker and Smart Garden Products Faux Bouquets

 

Garden Landscaping: Patio Blackspot Removal Co Ltd, Stone King Restorer

 

Garden Leisure & Entertaining: Mookie Toys Muddy Madness Wooden Mud Kitchen

 

Garden Tools & Machinery: iTip Rotating Handles for Wheelbarrows

 

Garden Plants, Seeds & Bulbs: MNP Flowers, Granvia Gold Zerochrysum

 

Garden Retail & Industry Services: The Christmas Cabin, Vacu Bio Net Christmas Tree Netting

 

Garden Wild Bird and Wildlife Products: Jacobi Jayne, Easy Peasy Bird Food

 

Best House Plants and Accessories Award: Tradescantia Nanouk from Javado

 

Best of British Winner: iTip Rotating Handles for Wheelbarrows

 

Best Eco Initiative Award: Tierra Verde Planters by Primeur

 

Best Overall New Product at Glee:  Granvia Gold Zerochrysum from MNP Plants

 
 
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.

 

 

 
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 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.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 Veg-2-Gro chart for last 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@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

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

All the latest news from the world of pet products


 
Freshen up your grooming range with Beaphar BIO Shampoo  

Building on the growing trends of consumer preference for the natural alternative and the ever-growing awareness of the environment, Beaphar has launched the Beaphar BIO Shampoo range...


Building on the growing trends of consumer preference for the natural alternative and the ever-growing awareness of the environment, Beaphar has launched the Beaphar BIO Shampoo range. 

 

Formulated with a delicate blend of natural and beneficial ingredients, each shampoo leaves dogs’ skin perfectly hydrated and their coat glossy. The products are certified by ECOCERT according to the ECOCERT Ecopetcare Standard, while the recyclable packaging is endorsed by the ‘I’m Green’ scheme. 

 

“Living in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way has become a hugely important issue to consumers across the world, and it’s something we as manufacturers are taking on board,” explains Dr Sue Huggett, Business Manager, Beaphar UK.  

 

“Research shows that 84% of UK consumers say being environmentally friendly is important to them. The introduction of our new shampoos, which contain natural active ingredients and are packaged in recyclable tubes, means dog owners can make a more sustainable choice, providing care for both their dog and the environment.” 

 

The four shampoos all contain 0% parabens, silicons and colourants, include organically produced Aloe vera gel, which moisturises the skin, and are enriched with ingredients from organic farming. The Beaphar BIO Shampoo Range includes:  

  • Beaphar BIO Puppy Shampoo: specially formulated for a puppy’s sensitive skin, and enriched with cherry blossom and papaya.  
  • Beaphar BIO Shiny Coat Shampoo: ideal for all dogs, and leaves fur soft and shiny. Enriched with macadamia oil and hibiscus. 
  • Beaphar BIO Sensitive Shampoo: helps soothe sensitive or irritated skin, and is enriched with St. John’s wort and blackcurrant.  
  • Beaphar BIO Shampoo & Conditioner: a 2-in-1 formulation suitable for all dogs that leaves the coat silky smooth and easy to detangle. Enriched with argan oil and apricot kernel oil. 

The Beaphar BIO Shampoo Range is certified by ECOCERT according to the ECOCERT Ecopetcare Standard. This means the products contain natural active ingredients, and come from respectful production with strict standards regarding toxicity and biodegradability. Therefore, Beaphar BIO Shampoo Range is ideally suited to pet owners with an ethical and respectful approach regarding the environment. 

 

But it is not just the ingredients that are natural and ethically sourced; great care has also been taken to make the packaging as eco-friendly as possible.  

 

The Beaphar BIO Shampoo Range is packed in recyclable bioplastic tubes made from sugarcane, and carry the ‘I’m Green’ label. The sugarcane is farmed in an eco-friendly way, with any waste from the processing being converted to bioenergy. The sugarcane itself absorbs CO2 during its growth, helping to reduce greenhouse gases. 

 

“The fact our shampoos are endorsed by and carry the seals of both these organisations means that pet retailers and dog owners alike can buy the products with confidence. Retailers know they are supplying a high-quality and respectfully produced product, while dog owners know they are using the best shampoo for their pet and for the environment,” concludes Dr Huggett.   

Ceva launches innovative new feline pheromone product

Ceva Animal Health has extended its leading range of veterinary behaviour products with the launch of a completely new, innovative pheromone discovery, FELIWAY Optimum...


Ceva Animal Health has extended its leading range of veterinary behaviour products with the launch of a completely new, innovative pheromone discovery, FELIWAY Optimum.

FELIWAY Optimum, which is available as an easy to use plug-in diffuser, helps cats with more signs of stress, in more situations and calms cats better than ever. The product is proven to help with more stress-related signs faster than existing pheromones, with all signs of stress showing continuous improvement until day 28 of use and are visible from day seven.  These include scratching, urine spraying, multi-cat tensions and conflicts and changes and fears.  

The diffuser and refill last for 30 days and the refill can then be replaced with a new one.

It was developed following extensive research into the composition of the main feline pheromones and the discovery of a new feline pheromone complex affecting the feline's emotions.  The new pheromone complex provides an enhanced message of social confidence and safety in the cat’s environment by conveying more impactful messages. 

“We have led the way with research for over 20 years with FELIWAY Classic and FELIWAY Friends, but it is now time to go that step further.  FELIWAY Optimum is an extremely exciting addition to the range which will help solve all common signs of stress to provide enhanced serenity in a household.  Nearly 60 per cent of cats show visible signs of stress and FELIWAY Optimum will really help combat this with an over 70 per cent reduction,” comments Abigail King, senior behaviour product manager at Ceva Animal Health.

The FELIWAY range now includes FELIWAY Optimum DiffuserFELIWAY Classic DiffuserFELIWAY Friends Diffuser and FELIWAY Classic Spray.  

For further details please visit www.feliway.com/uk, call the Ceva Animal Health head office on 01494 781510 or email cevauk@ceva.com.

ORIJEN launches Small Breed dog food to UK market

Bern Pet Foods is launching ORIJEN Small Breed to the UK market. Designed to entirely nourish small dogs, the new food is protein-rich to support higher energy needs and nutritionally balanced to help maintain a healthy weight...


Bern Pet Foods is launching ORIJEN Small Breed to the UK market. Designed to entirely nourish small dogs, the new food is protein-rich to support higher energy needs and nutritionally balanced to help maintain a healthy weight.

 

ORIJEN Small Breed is loaded with 85% quality animal ingredients: free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish and quail, in WholePrey ratios. The top 10 ingredients on the bag are fresh or raw, comprising 2/3 of the animal ingredients. 

 

It is suitable for all life stages and supports healthy eyes, the immune system, joint mobility, as well as properly balanced Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.

 

The consumer-friendly packaging communicates the benefits of the product clearly and the actual kibble size is shown on the front of the bag.

 

Colin Rodger, managing director of Bern Pet Foods, said: “The growth of small breed ownership has created a demand for a premium quality food for smaller dogs. This food contains all the quality you would expect from ORIJEN, formulated to nourish small breeds completely.”

 

ORIJEN Small Breed is available in two sizes: 1.8kg (SRP £20.99) and 4.5kg (SRP £44.99).

 

 

Bern Pet Foods has also launched new ACANA Cat, a range of four irresistible recipes that provide personalised nutrition for cats.

 

Each product in this new entry-point range from ACANA contains 65-70% small prey ingredients from four to five different animals, nourishing your cat naturally while offering a taste they crave, and keeping them healthy, happy, and strong. The combination of small prey ingredients and infusions of liver provide a burst of flavour, which is ideal for fussy cats. 

 

The four recipes come in eye-catching, easy-to-read packaging and are formulated to boost immune systems and encourage healthy hearts, eyes, skin and coats.

  • First Feast is packed with chicken, herring, turkey, eggs and quail. It’s suitable for all life stages, although it has been specifically designed to support healthy muscle and bone growth, eye and brain development – all perfect for a growing kitten.
  • Homestead Harvest is a delicious combination of chicken, turkey, eggs and duck.
  • Bountiful Catch is brimming with salmon, herring, hake and trout.
  • Indoor Entrée’s tasty recipe includes herring, turkey and rabbit. Designed to aid weight management and lean muscle maintenance, Indoor Entrée is perfect for indoor cat who may be less active.

 A third of the meat in all the recipes is either fresh or raw, in WholePrey ratios (meat, organs and cartilage). 70% of the protein in the formulations comes from an animal source, compared to many cat foods in the market which contain higher percentages of plant-based protein.

 

 Colin Rodger said: “We have seen a greater focus on personalised nutrition for cats in recent times, with age and breed becoming more important when customers choose a food for their cat. New ACANA Cat offers a number of life stage benefits, each with quality ingredients and at an affordable price.”

 

New ACANA Cat is competitively priced and each product is available in three sizes: 340g (SRP £4.49), 1.8kg (SRP £16.49) and 4.5kg (SRP £39.00).

 

For more information on both ORIJEN  and ACANA brands contact Bern Pet Foods on 01737 767679 or email sales@BernPetFoods.co.uk.