Looking to work for a company that is forward thinking, making changes for the better, has ranges and brands (SunTime , SnowTime and NewGarden UK) that sell all year round, and a role in which you can make a mark? Then look no further!
As we near the Jubilee Bank Holiday, garden centres saw boost in sales of Jubilee related products. Union Jack garden windmills topped the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart, Royal Hydrangeas and bedding packs sold in high volumes, with napkins, bunting, tea towels, breakfast tea and shortbread also among the garden centre Jubilee bestsellers...
As we near the Jubilee Bank Holiday, garden centres saw boost in sales of Jubilee related products. Union Jack garden windmills topped the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart, Royal Hydrangeas and bedding packs sold in high volumes, with napkins, bunting, tea towels, breakfast tea and shortbread also among the garden centre Jubilee bestsellers.
GTN Bestsellers Jubilee Products Top 10, Week ending 15th May 2022
Fountasia Medium Union Jack Windmill
Hydrangea macrophylla Royalty Collection
Garden Cocktail Jumbo 6 Pack - Royal Jubilee
Talking Tables Royal Spectacle Paper Chains
Fountasia Mini Union Jack Windmill
Talking Tables Royal Spectacle Bunting 3m
Talking Tables Royal Spectacle Napkins
New English Teas Platinum Jubilee Breakfast Tea Tin
Eddingtons Union Jack Tea Towel
Walkers Shortbread Queen's Jubilee Tin
Overall sales volumes jumped back above last year’s levels for the week ending Sunday 15th May, only bettered in the GTN Epos data records by 2018 when we had such a late start to the season that created a massive mid-May peak of activity.
After some welcome rain during this week, we could be in for another bumper weekend as everything in the garden, including weeds, puts on a growing spurt. And there’s also Chelsea Flower Show next week, so media attention about gardens and gardening will be on the increase.
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 19.
Garden Products Top 50 – up 25%
Growing Media Top 50 – up 16%
Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 33%
Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 11%
GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 19
All Plants with Barcode index – up 12%
All Items with Barcode index – up 9%
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
When the industry gets together at the NEC in June this year Glee will once again be celebrating the best buyers of garden, leisure and pet products in the Glee Buyers Power List...
When the industry gets together at the NEC in June this year Glee will once again be celebrating the best buyers of garden, leisure and pet products in the Glee Buyers Power List.
To acknowledge the continued pressure buyers are still experiencing and the high levels of professionalism across the wide range of products the feature in garden, leisure and pet retailing there are twelve Glee Buyers Power List categories this year and nominations can be made in any of the categories for buyers from independent garden centres and retailers, buyers of high street and DIY retailers and buyers from on-line retailers.
Nominations are now being sought from growers, suppliers, agents, wholesalers and retailers for the following categories of buyers and buying teams:
Plants buyer/buying team of the Year
Garden Care buyer/buying team of the Year
Outdoor Leisure buyer/buying team of the Year
Landscape buyer/buying team of the Year
Home & Gifts buyer/buying team of the Year
Pet buyer/buying team of the Year
Retail Food & Drinks buyer/buying team of the Year
Christmas buyer/buying team of the Year
Online buyer/ buying team of the year
Overall Multiple Retailer Buying Team of the Year – (hardware, DIY, high street)
Overall Multiple Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year – 6 stores or more
Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year – up 5 stores
Nominations close on Friday 10th June 2022 after which voting will commence to decide the winners of the Glee Buyers Power List for 2022. Nominations can be made using this form or by e-mail to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk. All nominations will be handled in strictest confidence.
The Glee Buyers Power List has celebrated the excellence of buying in the Garden, Leisure and Pet markets annually since 2015. Last year’s winners included:
Marcus Cousins – Aylett Nurseries, Duncan Wills – Stewarts Garden Centre, Darran Oakley – Squires, Dan Kirby – British Garden Centres, Emma Davis – British Garden Centres, Chessington Garden Centre, Claire Bryce - Barton Grange, Longacres, Chris Slack – Frosts, British Garden Centres, Aylett Nurseries.
The winners of the Glee Buyers Power List 2022 will be announced live at Glee 2022 on Tuesday 28th June 2022 at 5:00pm, just before the Glee party!
Nomination Form:
I nominate the following buyers/buying teams for the Glee Buyers Power List 2022:
All nominations will be handled in strictest confidence
Send your completed nomination form to Glee Buyers Power List c/o GTN, Potting Shed Press, Dairy Drove, Thorney, Peterborough PE6 0TX or e-mail your nominations to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk by 10th June 2022 or vote on line using the On-LIne Glee Buyers Power List 2022 form
The first of three phases of works at Garston Docks, Liverpool, has recently been completed to increase Meadow View Stone's washing and prepack production by 60,000 tonnes/annum...
The first of three phases of works at Garston Docks, Liverpool, has recently been completed to increase Meadow View Stone's washing and prepack production by 60,000 tonnes/annum.
The facilities, designed and constructed to include an additional sixteen external storage bays, a state-of-the-art washing plant, four fully robotic bagging lines, and a new 20,000 ft2 warehouse, provides the group with an increased additional stock holding of £5million.
High volumes of stock are held across the Groups four production sites and three further dockside storage facilities, enabling the business to react quickly and dynamically to demand.
Furthermore, the strategically located sites help to reduce vehicle movements/mileage so contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the product range.
The fundamental strategy of the Group is to be fully in control of the whole supply chain.
Sarah Hill, Managing Director, stated “We have worked hard in developing, key supply agreements and new product development with our European partners, managing the bulk shipping of these products and investing in the infrastructure with state-of-the-art production processing, at multiple locations, sees the business very strongly positioned to facilitate further growth.”
Treadstone Products, who are known for innovative gardening brands, have achieved a promising sales performance this year for their award-winning Pot Trellis from the Good Life gardening range. This has resulted in hundreds of garden retailers selling the product in 2022, with solid repeat orders occurring every week...
Treadstone Products, who are known for innovative gardening brands, have achieved a promising sales performance this year for their award-winning Pot Trellis from the Good Life gardening range. This has resulted in hundreds of garden retailers selling the product in 2022, with solid repeat orders occurring every week.
The success follows the launch of the product at last years’ Glee exhibition, where Pot Trellis won best new product. Liked for its versatility and ease of installation, Pot Trellis & Trough Trellis is a range of durable steel trellis that can be adapted to a planter or even a bedding area. By pushing the clever stability plate into compost, this design enables users to install a solid plant support within a matter of minutes.
The solution to a long-standing gardening problem
The most unique product in the range is the Pot Trellis that is designed for round pots. Unlike the straight Trough Trellis, the Pot Trellis is curved to follow the shape of pots, a feature unseen in the market, until now. This solves a problem that gardeners have had for many years and now the solution is available to planting climbing plants in existing round pots. This solution is especially ideal for those with small gardens or balconies.
But its not just round pots that this applies to, as the Trough Trellis also enables consumers to quickly install trellis into troughs and rectangular planters. This saves spending money on expensive trellis planters and means less waste utilising existing equipment.
The design and build of the range are also well thought out, with tubular steel construction and an antiqued textured paint finish that helps plants grip to the trellis. As well as providing sturdy support for climbing plants, the Trough Trellis can be combined with plants to create stylish screening around a patio, decking or balcony area.
Sizing to suit, merchandising to sell
Whether using the range in new pots or existing pots there is a size to suit any area of outdoor space. The straight Trough Trellis is available in Small 95cm x 64cm (RRP £29.99), Medium 136cm x 75cm (RRP £34.99), and Large 136cm x 99cm (RRP £39.99) sizes.
The curved Pot Trellis, specifically designed for round pots, also has three sizes - Small 109cm x 40cm (RRP £24.99), Medium 128cm x 45cm (RRP £29.99), and Large 148cm x 50cm (RRP £34.99).
Not only is Pot Trellis at affordable retail price points but there is in-store merchandising support available for Garden Centre stockists. In fact, all six variations of Pot Trellis can be supplied on a space-efficient merchandising stand supplied by Treadstone.
Pot Trellis is not only turning heads in the gardening industry; it is making growing climbing plants more practical and affordable to the end user. The team at Treadstone are proud to supply another inspirational product from the Good Life brand, making life easier for gardeners.
Vitavia shares its expertise on selling greenhouses in the garden retail setting...
Vitavia shares its expertise on selling greenhouses in the garden retail setting.
We appreciate this is the question that floats across lots of your minds when you’re thinking of filling a space within your garden centre.
We hear that voice inside your head, saying ‘we’re so busy, can we really deal with greenhouses on top of everything else? The answer is, you don’t have to if your greenhouse supplier is a good one.
Firstly, a reputable supplier would visit your garden centre to see the space available and advise on the display models we think would fit.
Once we have confirmed the display models, most suppliers have specialised installers who will come and put up the greenhouses as agreed. At Vitavia, we supply a POS to be displayed in each greenhouse in case a customer wants to know specifics.
The next step
Once the customer decides on the model with or without installation, they come to you to make payment. Once the payment is received, you send the order over to the supplier and you can then forget all about it.
Vitavia’s operations team then contacts the customer directly to arrange delivery and installation (if applicable).
An allocated Vitavia driver will deliver the greenhouse to the chosen location on a preferred date and if the customer has requested installation, the process will be arranged on a date and time that suits your customer. If the customer decides to install the greenhouse themselves, a good greenhouse supplier will have a customer services team on hand to answer any queries.
What if the customer has queries regarding the greenhouse once it’s built?
The aftercare is the responsibility of the supplier, not you. If the customer has any greenhouse queries or concerns thereafter, they can contact the supplier directly and, if they’re anything like Vitavia, they will help to resolve any issues that arise.
Southern Trident’s Harmony Gardens brand of growing media products was launched at Glee last year to glowing acclaim – Harmony Gardens Multipurpose Compost won the Best New Growing Media Product and the Glee Sustainability Award. Since then, it has been much loved by stockists and consumers alike.
Southern Trident’s Harmony Gardens brand of growing media products was launched at Glee last year to glowing acclaim – Harmony Gardens Multipurpose Compost won the Best New Growing Media Product and the Glee Sustainability Award.
Since then, it has been much loved by stockists and consumers alike.
The range, which currently includes Multipurpose Compost, Growbag, Top Soil and Soil Improver, is 100% peat free, only contains environmentally-responsible sourced recycled raw materials and by-products from other industries. The coir used has Soil Association accreditation, and Harmony Gardens is the world’s first carbon neutral growing media brand. That’s definitely something to shout about to your customers when you stock the Harmony Gardens range.
We are extremely excited to announce that at this year’s Glee we will be doubling the range of products, to provide a complete growing media portfolio. We can’t wait to show you our Fruit & Vegetable Compost, Farmyard Manure, Chipped Bark and Ericaceous Compost – always every compost producer’s trickiest type of peat-free compost to formulate – but we’ve done it! All carbon neutral and ideal to bolster any eco-friendly portfolio.
The attractive packaging creates stand-out displays for stockists and contains clear messaging and customer friendly information; Peat Free, Carbon Neutral, Soil Association and Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media (RSSGM), of which Southern Trident is a founding member. Unlike most other suppliers, we clearly explain exactly which peat-free constituents it contains and their benefits, where and how to use the product and, in the case of composts, how many containers it will fill.
As part of our sustainable Green Today, Greener Tomorrow philosophy, bags are made from at least 30% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable where local authority facilities exist to accommodate recyclable plastics.
The newly launched, Harmony Gardens website – harmonygardens.uk – contains details of the range, has a stockist locator so consumers can find their local garden centre supplier and fully explains our carbon neutral and peat-free status.
Chelsea Flower Show 2022 would have been the 70th year Peter Seabrook was involved in creating a display at the world’s most prestigious flower show...
Chelsea Flower Show 2022 would have been the 70th year Peter Seabrook was involved in creating a display at the world’s most prestigious flower show.
For the majority of those years, Peter was designing and creating displays, often pushing the barriers of what was expected, be that creating raised walkways above Sun Flower Street or introducing new plants often with more colour and annual flower than was really understood by the judges.
The plans Peter had submitted for what he said would be his last ever display at Chelsea (those of us who worked closely with him had been hearing this for probably 20 years!) never received approval before Peter’s sudden death in January of this year.
A team of people, led by Val Christman, who had worked on displays at many events over the years with Peter have pulled together and self funded a tribute display at this year’s show, with some help on space in the Great Pavilion from the RHS.
Val told us: “Everything we have used in the display has been to Chelsea before with Peter. The pergola, the paving and a number of the planters have all been renovated and used in this display.
"Peter used to talk about recycling flowerpots long before it became fashionable, so I think he would approve of what we have created! All the plants have been to Chelsea before too. Some we have dug out of Peter’s garden, others like the Allium Lavender Bubbles, Peter gave to me after the show last September when he introduced it as a new plant.
"Peter Beales lent us a Rose Chevy Chase for a display 10 years ago so it is wonderful they have done the same again in memory of Peter. Every plant has a story associated with it some going back many years others more recent like the Verbena Margaret’s Memory which peter introduce last year and was such a hit with show visitors. We have even sneaked in a few of the Chrysanthemum Poppins grown again by the students from Pershore High School, that formed the centre piece of the pyramid Peter created at the show in September last year.
"The only thing which will be new on the stand is the lovely oak bench that has been purchased and will have a memorial plaque on it. I think Peter would be proud of what we have achieved and perhaps even a little humbled by the effort the industry has made to honour his years of work and commitment to our industry. I must say a huge thank you to all the growers and suppliers who have helped us pull this together in such a short time.”
Peter’s daughter Alison and son Roger will be attending Chelsea on Monday 23rd May when the display will also be used by the charity Peter was a founding Trustee of the David Colegrave Foundation to make an important announcement at 11.00am with some of the friends of Peter’s from the trade gathering for a picture.
All plant sales, by volume, in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data for the second week of May were up by 24% on last year and 12% higher than in 2019...
All plant sales, by volume, in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data for the second week of May were up by 24% on last year and 12% higher than in 2019.
Traditional bedding plants saw the biggest increases with Petunias moving up one place in the chart to No 2, Begonias moved up to No 4 and Lobelia climbed two places to No 6.
With Chelsea on the horizon next week, could we have a boost in sales of Digitalis and Lupins as we’ve seen in previous years? Watch this space.
Highlights of the week were:
African Marigolds, Tagetes were the highest GTN Chart climber last week, up 6 places to No 16.
Diascia re-entered the Top 50 at No 37.
Coleus sales doubled week on week to re-enter at No 42.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
GIMA, who are urging suppliers to enter the 2022 GIMA Awards before the June 1 deadline, have revealed that all entries will be judged by a panel of leading industry experts on July 13 at Warwick Racecourse...
Following the successful return of the annual GIMA Awards in 2021, the garden retail industry is already getting ready for the 2022 edition, with another influential judging panel. With the deadline for entering a new product or marketing initiative for consideration now fast approaching (June 1st), suppliers are urged to get their entry in now to avoid disappointment.
Taking place on Thursday, October 20th at the ever-popular Celtic Manor Resort, the awards will celebrate the latest product innovations and marketing initiatives that have shaped the 2022 season and kept the tills ringing throughout the year.
This year all entries will be judged by a panel of leading industry experts on July 13th at Warwick Racecourse. Confirmed for the 2022 panel areWill Blake, St Peter’s Garden Centre; David Danning, Blue Diamond Group; Kate Eckley, The Old Railway Line; Neil Grant, Ferndale Garden Centre; Sarah Hayden, John Lewis & Partners; Chris Moorhouse, Wickes; Trevor Pfeiffer, Garden Trade News; Victoria Redshaw, Scarlet Opus; Pete Sandhar, eBay; and Nicola Seager, Primrose.
The awards roster remains largely unchanged for the 2022 event. However, judges will now also select an overall Sustainability Award winner based on sustainability champions selected from the 13 product and marketing categories. As always, the Sword of Excellence, GCA Supplier of the Year and Gardenex Export Achievement Awards are all up for grabs. No doubt, last year’s winners, elho, Meadowview Stone, and Wildlife World will all be waiting with bated breath to see if they can make it a two-year winning streak.
Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director said: “Time is running out for those suppliers who want to enter the 2022 GIMA Awards, so we are urging interested parties to get their entry forms in as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
“Being part of the GIMA Awards, whether as a nominee or winner, holds great kudos and can help brands to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Because of this, we see brands come back year after year to enter their latest innovation in the hopes of bagging one of the coveted awards. We’ve no doubt that the 2022 event will be another strong showcase of the best our industry has to offer and how suppliers have continued to innovate and diversify to meet the ever-changing demands of the consumer. We look forward to seeing what is entered this year and to crowning our winners later in October.”
With just short of 500 people in attendance, the 2021 event was a sell-out in record time. GIMA is urging interested parties to secure their tickets for the 2022 event now to avoid disappointment.
Prices for GIMA members: £329 + VAT per person, or £3,099 + VAT for a table of 10, whilst non-member costs are: Non-Members: £399 + VAT per person, or £3,799 + VAT for a table of 10 (all costs include dinner and accommodation).
There are also several sponsorship opportunities available, including award sponsorship, table and drinks sponsors, and marketing support sponsors. To find out more, please contact the GIMA team directly for more information.
Find out more
For further information about GIMA and its wide range of member benefits, please contact the GIMA Press Office on (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk
GIMA has announced the election of Jenny Douthwaite of Primeur as GIMA President, supported by Kate Ebbens of Capi Europe as Vice President following its AGM held virtually on Friday (May 20)...
GIMA has announced the election of Jenny Douthwaite of Primeur as GIMA President, supported by Kate Ebbens of Capi Europe as Vice President following its AGM held virtually on Friday (May 20).
Following her election Jenny gave a short address during which she thanked Simon McArdle of Westland Horticulture for his Presidency during the challenges of the pandemic. She went on to say “No other trade association in our industry supports its members like GIMA and so I wanted to be a part of this incredible group and try to give back some of the support I have received. One of my main objectives for the year ahead will be centred around ensuring all members, large or small, understand the benefits of their GIMA membership and help to increase greater participation across all areas of the offer.”
Jenny will be joined by Capi Europe’s Kate Ebbens who was voted in as Vice President, and continuing in their roles of Secretary and Treasurer will be Mark Butler of Vitax and DLF’s Guy Jenkins respectively. The members also voted for Edd Cantle of Gardena to join the GIMA Council officially following his year of being cop-opted following the resignation of Richard Pyrah during 2021.
The full GIMA Council for 2022/2023 will be made up of the following representatives:
Jenny Douthwaite, Primeur - President
Kate Ebbens of Capi – Vice President
Simon McArdle, Westland Horticulture –Past President
Guy Jenkins, DLF – Honorary Treasurer
Mark Butler, Vitax - Honorary Secretary
Craig Hall, Deco-Pak
Chris Ramsden, Hozelock
Dan Durston, Durston Garden Products
Martin Tompsett, Rollins Bulldog Tools
David Nicholson, Elho
Phil Harrison, Evergreen Garden Care.
Edd Cantle of Gardena
GIMA Treasurer, Guy Jenkins gave a short report on the 2021 GIMA year-end accounts, reporting a profit after tax and depreciation of £15.6k for the year. Commenting on the accounts, Guy said “Following a tough loss-making year in 2020, I’m pleased to announce that we are once again reporting a profit at the end of 2021 and that we are in a good position to continue to strengthen our healthy reserves for GIMA and its membership.”
Membership of GIMA is open to all manufacturers and suppliers of products to the garden retail sector, with a UK or EU base.
For further information about GIMA and the benefits membership brings visit www.gima.org.uk or contact the GIMA office on 01959 564947 or email info@gima.org.uk
The plants team at Tong Garden Centre, Bradford, helped a Leeds breast cancer research group to raise over £900 recently...
The plants team at Tong Garden Centre, Bradford, helped a Leeds breast cancer research group to raise over £900 recently.
Tong's plants supervisor Joe Appleyard did a summer planting demonstration at Horsforth Golf Club to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research Action Group (BCRAG).
During the ‘Planning for Summer with Joe' event, Mr. Appleyard shared his hints and tips for the perfect plants and growing material for baskets and containers that will bloom all summer long. Proceeds from the evening included ticket sales, a plant stall, a spring craft stall and a raffle that included the baskets that Mr. Appleyard had made during his demonstration.
The event was one of a series of fundraisers organised by the Breast Cancer Research Action fundraising group that was formed in 1994 by ex-breast cancer patients and their supporters. The group has raised £1.8 million that is used to fund vital research in Leeds.
BCRAG's Fundraising Coordinator, Susan Wright said: "Thank you so much for all the support you gave us in setting up this event, the very generous raffle prizes you provided and the publicity at Tong.
"I hope we can collaborate again in the future as we continue our fundraising efforts in the fight against breast cancer."
Fiskars teamed up with several green fingered influencers to support the vital bee population as part of its Urban Gardening project...
Fiskars teamed up with several green fingered influencers to support the vital bee population as part of its Urban Gardening project.
To mark World Bee Day on 20th May 2022, Fiskars worked with Manchester Settlement, a charity that delivers a range of services to meet the developing needs of individuals, families, and communities, to create a ‘bee-friendly garden’ at Abbey Hey Allotments in Manchester.
Four Instagram content creators, Jon Dickinson (@TheHandsomeGardener), Jason Williams (@CloudGardener), Yasmine El-Gabry (@MCRUrbanGardener), and Sarah Armer (@FromSarahsGarden), joined together to transform the allotments using Fiskars tools. In addition, Keter, the global leader of outdoor storage solutions, also lent its support by donating a number of its planters to the allotments.
The Urban Gardening project forms part of Fiskars’ global ‘Plant Seeds, Help Bees’ campaign, which has been providing ongoing support for the bee population since 2020.
Georgina Taylor, Marketing Manager at Fiskars UK, says: “Bees are essential to the wellbeing of our planet, and as one of the most industrious pollinators, they work hard to keep our gardens healthy and thriving.
“With several bee species under the threat of extinction, we want to help make a positive impact on the nation’s bee population as much as possible. Our Urban Gardening project is just one of the ways we are providing our support this year as we continue our ongoing commitment as part of our ‘Plant Seeds, Help Bees’ campaign to help the bees survive.”
As part of the project, Fiskars is also encouraging gardeners to create their own bee friendly havens in their gardens by providing advice on its various communication channels.
Natural gardening brand Empathy is set to launch a new premium wild bird feed range, endorsed by the RHS.
Natural gardening brand Empathy is set to launch a new premium wild bird feed range, endorsed by the RHS.
For the Love of Birds includes four core varieties, each using high quality ingredients and bright, impactful recyclable packaging. There are four specially blended, high nutrition products in the range including; Premium Blend Seed Mix, Sunflower Hearts, High Energy No Grow Mix and Peanuts.
RRPs start at £2.65 and, in addition to carrying the reassuring RHS stamp of approval, the range features the Fair to Nature accreditation* as many of the seeds are sourced from farms which deliver the highest level of biodiversity through habitat and farm management.
The range’s 100% recyclable packaging features seasonal advice and tips along with the wild bird varieties that each feed is suited to, providing customers with all the information they need to make the best choice for feeding small garden birds.
Speaking about the new range, Empathy director Simon Taylor said: “Empathy has a strong reputation for providing high quality and natural products that are endorsed by the RHS. The new For the Love of Birds range aligns perfectly with Empathy’s values, the high quality seeds offer great value and provide all of the nutrients needed to look after garden birds naturally and sustainably.”
For the Love of Birds will be available now, for more information contact sales@rootgrow.co.uk or call 01795 411527.
Following its successful return to the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year after a 25-year absence, Haws will be back at the famous showground next week – this time with cans to sell...
Following its successful return to the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year after a 25-year absence, Haws will be back at the famous showground next week – this time with cans to sell!
The company will be providing visitors to the show the opportunity to buy one of its coveted cans direct from the experts themselves, while getting some top watering tips from them at the same time.
Established in 1886, the company is the world’s oldest manufacturer of watering cans, and proudly boasts 130 years of expertise, truly positioning itself as the leading authority on watering, and it has watertight sustainability credentials too.
Speaking of the show, Haws Operations Manager, Andy Pennock, said: “We’re really excited to be returning to Chelsea this year. We had a great time in 2021, talking to visitors about their individual watering needs and helping them to explore our range. Haws attended the first ever Chelsea Flower Show, so it feels like home to us!”
Visitors to the stand will be treated to a showcase of Haws’ array of hand crafted indoor and outdoor cans, and will be able to discuss their own gardening experience with the team. The watering experts will help visitors explore which type of gardener they are, and which models would be best suited to their needs, helping everyone give their precious plants the liquid love they deserve.
Haws has identified four main types of gardener, and has developed ranges with these needs in mind:
The Houseplant Gardener – This gardener can have anywhere between one to 100 houseplants! They need a useful pot waterer that also makes a stunning accessory to leave on display. Designed along the same perfectly balanced lines as the outdoor cans, these are small, easy to handle, and perfect for delivering just the right amount of water
The Grow Your Own Gardener – This gardener has pots or trays of seeds, grows fruit and vegetables, and enjoys helping out the bees with some wildflower seeds. They need an extra fine spray watering can for a delicate spray and to avoid washout. This range is perfect for the home or greenhouse, and come in a range of irresistible tones
The Patio Gardener – Loves a shrub and has lots of big established potted plants around their home. Their need is for a general purpose can that gets the job done quick and efficiently. Perfectly suited to the task, this range of beautifully balanced and effortlessly stylish watering cans make it easy to nurture a patio to be proud of
The Professional Gardener – This range is intended for the keenest of green-fingered horticulturists. Loved by devoted legions of gardening experts around the world, these cans feature an extra-long spout, designed to effortlessly deliver liquid sustenance to those hard-to-reach plants and beds.
Visitors to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show can see Haws at stand Eastern Avenue 411.
Think you know AMES UK, then get ready to think again as at this year’s Glee, (28th-30th June, NEC Birmingham, stand 6C40-F41), the outdoor living experts behind the leading Kelkay, La Hacienda and Apta brands are ready to showcase a whole new chapter for the company; a chapter that is designed to offer garden retailers more value than ever...
Think you know AMES UK, then get ready to think again as at this year’s Glee, (28th-30th June, NEC Birmingham, stand 6C40-F41), the outdoor living experts behind the leading Kelkay, La Hacienda and Apta brands are ready to showcase a whole new chapter for the company; a chapter that is designed to offer garden retailers more value than ever.
Empowering retail
AMES UK’s presence at Glee will be centred around empowering and enabling its retail customers. Since its launch into the UK market, the AMES UK team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure longevity for its brand portfolio, supported by significant investments to double manufacturing capacities and safeguard stock holding with increased warehousing and delivery capabilities. With confidence in these processes now holding firm thanks to meeting consistent service demand throughout 2022, it is time for AMES UK to show the wider industry what else they are capable of and how this will offer significant benefits to its customers.
Partner of choice
On a mission to showcase why AMES UK should be your retail partner of ‘choice’, the company’s stand will be packed full of new products, exciting new innovations and added-value content, demonstrative of AMES UK’s commitment to an even brighter future for the garden retail sector. Part of this will also include shining a light on AMES UK’s roadmap to becoming a more sustainable and environmentally responsible manufacturer, which has already begun with the introduction of recycled packaging and partnerships with waste recycling experts.
Visitors will not only see Kelkay, Apta and La Hacienda fully represented – in fact, this edition of Glee will be the first time the full breadth of the AMES UK portfolio will be available to see in one convenient location – but they will also be able to use time spent on-stand to learn more about the AMES UK proposition. This includes a wide range of support tools that have been put in place to help drive sales, increase profitability, and inspire consumers with AMES UK’s specially curated point of sale and merchandising support. A self-proclaimed ‘war chest’ of marketing collateral will also be available to pick up and discuss with the team, once again, all designed to deliver an enhanced service for customers.
Newness offers enhanced growth opportunities
Retailers looking to source newness to differentiate their retail offering in 2023 will be pleased to learn that the internal teams at Kelkay, Apta and La Hacienda have been busy creating new range additions, with much of this innovation taking centre stage at Glee.
Each brand has undergone a full review, with bestsellers clearly identified and celebrated. This data has then been further supported by the latest future trend reports to ensure that all innovation is brought to market in direct response to what the market wants and needs for the coming seasons. At Glee, the latest additions will be on display across Kelkay, Apta and La Hacienda, together providing a true showcase of the best the industry has to offer. Targeting everything from urban gardeners to the creation of that lux holiday feel at home or bringing the inside-outside, the combined portfolios will be a must-see part of Glee. In addition, the AMES UK team will showcase how each brand can also provide standalone profitability, or how cross ranges can increase profitability through the creation of a more definitive outdoor living proposal.
Talking about Glee, AMES UK Managing Director, Paul North, said: “Glee 2022 is a significant milestone for AMES UK as it will be the first time we present ourselves to the industry since undertaking significant changes and upgrades to strengthen and enhance our proposition.
“We want retailers that join us to be inspired by what we have to offer and understand why AMES UK can fulfil the role of ‘partner of choice’; a role which we believe we are incredibly well placed to satisfy. From our products and merchandising support to our service and supply levels, we have worked hard to listen to industry feedback and respond accordingly. We are proud of what we have achieved and are excited about what the future holds. We also believe that our passion shines through in what we will showcase and are confident that our customers will be just as excited as we are. We look forward to welcoming new and existing customers to our stand.”
Mr Fothergill’s introduces 27 new varieties to their range offering for 2023...
Keeping up with tradition, the New and Exclusive Sweet Pea addition this year is Sweet Pea Suffolk Punch Miggie. A spencer type sweet pea, with large frilly flowers in a beautiful purple and lavender bi-colour and a strong scent for its type. 25p of each packet sale also helps to raise money for endangered Suffolk Punch Horses; in partnership with the Suffolk Punch Trust and in recognition of the founder of their Suffolk Heritage Garden in which the Sweet Pea will take centre stage this Spring. (RRP £2.55 for 20 seeds).
In support of Fleuroselect’s Year of the Salvia, Mr Fothergill’s introduces Salvia Summer Jewel Pink. The charming long flowering plants have delicate pink and white free flowering blooms over attractive aromatic foliage. It is compact and vigorous, ideal for beds and borders. Also awarded the RHS Perfect for Pollinators, helping to attract bee’s butterflies and other beneficial insects to the garden (RRP £2.80 for 30 seeds).
Coreopsis Incredible! Sea Shells Mixed is possibly the most unusual new flower in the Mr Fothergill’s collection for next season. It is a half hardy annual with remarkably eye-catching ‘seashell’ like tubular petals, in a mix of red, yellow, and white. Coreopsis Incredible! Sea Shells Mixed is a versatile dwarf plant, which is perfect for the front of borders and those short on space. This new variety is also recognised RHS Perfect for Pollinators, so another flower which will help attract wildlife into the garden (RRP £1.45 for 200 seeds).
New to the Vegetable Collection for 2023 is Pepper (Hot) Tabasco. The recognisable key ingredient of Tabasco sauce (RRP £2.40 for 10 seeds). Each plant will produce 100+ small fruits with classic hot pepper flavour, approximately 50,000 Scoville each. It will grow outdoors but crops best in a greenhouse.
Kale Emerald Ice (RRP £3.10 for 30 seeds) is a striking vegetable addition. The Ruffled bi-colour leaves have truly outstanding flavour as well as an attractive white centre. The succulent leaves with crisp ribs, can be eaten raw or cooked and are an excellent source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A.
Aubergine White Knight F1 produces delicious, porcelain white fruits on disease resistant, compact plants. (RRP £2.40 for 10 seeds). This variety is ideal for container growing so again, a great choice for those short on space, and patio gardens. The plants produce practical, mid-sized fruit up to 18cm long and are a great source of dietary fibre.
Other new varieties include Antirrhinum Mango Twist (RRP £2.40 for 750 seeds) tall stems in a stunning modern colour combination. Zinnia Jazzy Reds ornate long-lasting blooms are a real eye-catching addition to beds and borders (RRP £2.40 for 75 seeds) and Gomphrena mixed (RRP £1.85 for 50 seeds) the upright and bushy flowers are great in dried displays. Courgette Blackstar F1 (RRP £2.15 for 10 seeds) produces dark glossy fruits and shows exceptional disease resistance; and Spinach Rubino F1, which is a great looking, nutritious, and full flavoured Spinach (RRP £1.45 for 300 seeds).
Latest trends and products from the Garden Press Event
LOFA’s Plant a Tree Campaign
Greetings from Woodmansterne – GTN meets the suppliers
Easter Trading records broken – GTN Bestsellers Exclusive
GTN Bestsellers – Subscribe Now!
YPHA member opens Dor’s Garden in Ross On Wye
Glee 2022 Update
Garden Re-Leaf Day 2022
LOFA Column – Working Together
HTA Column – Reasons to be Cheerful
GIMA Column – Sourcing New Products
In the March/April issue of GTN: Shaping a new future at Coolings - Paul Cooling explains all about the Employee Ownership Trust, Blue Diamond Awards – GTN Photo Exclusive, Garden Centres Aid for Ukraine, Primeur – Ready for 2022, Latest trends and products from the Garden Press Event, LOFA’s Plant a Tree Campaign, Greetings from Woodmansterne – GTN meets the suppliers, Easter Trading records broken – GTN Bestsellers Exclusive, GTN Bestsellers – Subscribe Now!, YPHA member opens Dor’s Garden in Ross On Wye, Glee 2022 Update, Garden Re-Leaf Day 2022, LOFA Column – Working Together, HTA Column – Reasons to be Cheerful, GIMA Column – Sourcing New Products
Looking to work for a company that is forward thinking, making changes for the better, has ranges and brands (SunTime , SnowTime and NewGarden UK) that sell all year round, and a role in which you can make a mark? Then look no further!
Looking to work for a company that is forward thinking, making changes for the better, has ranges and brands (SunTime , SnowTime and NewGarden UK) that sell all year round, and a role in which you can make a mark? Then look no further!
As we are looking for an individual who is a great fit for the business, we are being flexible in looking to recruit either; a Regional Account Manager (North), a Regional Sales Manager (North), or a Sales Manager (UK Mainland).
We are ideally looking for either experienced sales individuals looking for role in which they could grow and possibly step up or someone who is looking to step into a sales role and has experience of the Garden & Leisure industry, or are from a retail environment.
Interested?
Please email your CV together with a covering letter; outlining your current role, base salary, and OTE (if applicable) to Lee.Kennerley@transcon.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from people who have a passion for what they do.
The Horticultural Trades Association has announced the appointment of Alan Down as vice-president. Alan, who is hugely experienced in commercial horticulture, has worked in the industry for over 50 years and will support the current HTA president Boyd Douglas-Davies.
The Horticultural Trades Association has announced the appointment of Alan Down as vice-president.
Alan, who is hugely experienced in commercial horticulture, has worked in the industry for over 50 years and will support the current HTA president Boyd Douglas-Davies.
A well-respected figure in the horticulture industry, Alan is a regular guest gardening expert for Radio BBC Bristol as well as a freelance writer. Alan studied at Cannington and Pershore College of Horticulture. He began working in the glasshouse industry in late teens, progressing to orchard fruit growing including a period as practical fruit instructor at Pershore College.
After working in the Hardy Ornamental Nursery Stock sector in North Germany, Alan went on to develop and manage Hillier Nurseries fledgling container grown and seed propagation nurseries for nine years.
Over the next 35 years, Alan built up Cleeve Nursery and Garden Centre, near Bristol, to become a recognised brand across the UK. His wife Felicity co-presented the long-standing ‘Garden Calendar’ with Alan, which was filmed from their own garden for regional southern television.
Alan Down comments: “Having been involved with the HTA for much of my life, I’m delighted to be joining its board at such an exciting time for horticulture and the association. Horticulture will play a growing part in people’s lives in the coming years, and in helping address the environmental challenges we all face. I’m looking forward to helping guide the association as it develops to help its members to flourish in these exciting times.”
Boyd Douglas-Davies comments: “Following the challenges the sector has faced over the last three years, Alan is joining the HTA Board at a critical time and will be taking on the role of President this September. He is a wonderful nurseryman who brings a wealth of experience to the benefit of all members. He is an immensely respected journalist, which will stand us in good stead to communicate the achievements of the HTA and its members to a wide audience. I have enjoyed every minute of my presidency and I look forward to handing the chain of office to Alan.”
Subject to approval at the HTA’s Annual General Meeting later this year in September, Alan will succeed Boyd as president, who will step down after his three-year tenure in the role.
Alan’s previous roles:
Governor and then chair of Cannington College during the 1990s
Chair of the regional branch of the HTA, Alan has been involved in the Retail Business Improvement Scheme from its inception, a member of Marketing Committee and later the Retail Management Committee
Jubilee garden decoration plans gave a boost to garden product sales last week. Fountasias Medium Union Jack Windmill came straight into the GTN Bestellers Garden Products chart at No 1...
Jubilee garden decoration plans gave a boost to garden product sales last week. Fountasias Medium Union Jack Windmill came straight into the GTN Bestellers Garden Products chart at No 1.
Overall Garden products Top 50 sales volumes jumped by 18% week on week to be 26% higher than the same week in 2019.
There are plenty of signs of rapid garden growth in the GTN chart with six bamboo cane lines in the Top 50 Bestsellers. After this week’s heavy rain sales should be even higher next week.
Highlights of the week were:
Smart Garden 120cm Bamboo Canes, Bundle of 20 were the highest chart climber, up 29 places to No 16.
Evergreen Garden Care Roseclear Ultra, Ready To Use 1L re-entered the chart at No 25.
Westland Gro-Sure Natural Power Rose Guard Ready To Use 800ml was the highest new entry at No 34.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
Veg plant sales dipped off last week but were still higher than last year and on a par with the same week in 2019...
Veg plant sales dipped off last week but were still higher than last year and on a par with the same week in 2019.
Year to date there have been 12% more veg plants bought from the Top 50 lines in the GTN charts so far this year, and that is 29% more than in 2019.
Highlights of the week were:
Cheers Tomato Gardeners Delight 9cm stays at No 1 for the second week.
Quantil Runner Bean White Emergo 8cm was the fastest chart climber, up 21 places to No 13.
Quantil Tomato Shirley 8cm re-entered at No 23.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
It is 20 years since the first Sundaville, by the introducer and breeder MNP/Suntory appeared on the market, and the milestone will be celebrated with the entire chain during the year through some events and activities planned by the Dutch company...
It is 20 years since the first Sundaville, by the introducer and breeder MNP/Suntory appeared on the market, and the milestone will be celebrated with the entire chain during the year through some events and activities planned by the Dutch company.
From novelty to a leading brand in Mandevilla
Twenty years years ago, Jeroen Egtberts, Managing Director of MNP/Suntory, was walking through the greenhouses of his Japanese partner Suntory Flowers Ltd. His eye fell on something special, something he had never seen before: a red Mandevilla. A unique novelty, which, because of its beautiful flowers and unique colour, he immediately saw great potential. When it then turned out that this Mandevilla was also well suited for the European climate, a unique collection was soon created: Sundaville was born! Due to splendid breeding work, now Mandevilla is a great and important product for consumers.
20 years later, Sundaville has become the world's largest and best brand in Mandevilla. There is much love, passion and energy invested in the development of a wide range. Meanwhile, the Sundaville® collection of varieties with different flower sizes, colours and leaf types. Breeders from across Europe have embraced Sundaville and ensure that consumers are surprised by it in many forms of application and pot sizes. Sundaville has the past 20 years much development. Not only in terms of genetics, but also in terms of marketing and branding.
“Now it’s time also to take a further step in the Sundaville story, making it even more known and recognizable to the end consumer,” said Jeroen Egtberts, Managing Director at MNP/Suntory.
Brings you happiness
The familiarity and popularity of Sundaville have therefore taken a flight in recent years. The brand has a recognizable look on the shop floor, making more and more consumers choose Sundaville specifically. The big advantage of Sundaville is that it not only provides a summer feeling in the garden but also can be taken care of by any consumer. Sundaville requires little attention and continues to grow and flower until the first frost. The promise "Brings you happiness" is therefore experienced in practice by everyone who meets Sundaville.
Celebrate together
A 20th anniversary is not something you achieve overnight. It takes a lot of energy, passion, and cooperation. MNP/Suntory, therefore, likes to celebrate this special milestone with its partners and relations from the entire chain. The jubilee will be celebrated during the FlowerTrials on Leimuiderbrug at MNP/Suntory headquarters and experience centre.
The company has also shared some private invitations for a party entirely dedicated to this special anniversary. As the big highlight, the star of the show will be the Sundaville Flamingo Pink: by her unique flower colour and pattern a promising newcomer in the Sundaville assortment. More information about MNP/Suntory and the upcoming events can be found on www.mnpflowers.com
A 4% drop in Growing Media Top 50 sales week on week could be seen as disappointing, but sales are still way ahead of last year and 2019...
A 4% drop in Growing Media Top 50 sales week on week could be seen as disappointing, but sales are still way ahead of last year and 2019.
Compared to 2019 there has been 24% more volume of growing media packs sold from the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 lines than in 2019.
Highlights of the week were:
Evergreen Garden Care Levington Organic Blend Top Soil saw the biggest percentage increase in sales last week, up by 160% to re-enter at No 37.
Westland Multi Purpose with John Innes 10 litres climbed furthest up the chart to No 35.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
The better weather last week didn’t have a positive effect on Wild Bird Care sales as volumes of the GTN Top 50 lines dropped by 2% week on week to be 11% down on last year and 30% down on the same week in 2019...
The better weather last week didn’t have a positive effect on Wild Bird Care sales as volumes of the GTN Top 50 lines dropped by 2% week on week to be 11% down on last year and 30% down on the same week in 2019.
Highlights of the week were:
Marriages Honeyfields Pick & Mix Refill re-entered at No 26 after a 131% week on week increase in volume.
Johnston & Jeff Premium Square Suet Cakes with Sunflower Hearts 300g were the highest re-entry at No 22.
Westland Peckish Complete Seed+Nut Mix 12.75kg + 20% was the highest new entry at No 36.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
The best of last week's
If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...
Blue Diamond Garden Centres have released their Report and Accounts for 2021. The financial headlines are that profit before tax was up 68% to £39.5m on sales up 27% to £255m.
Blue Diamond garden centres have released their Report and Accounts for 2021. The financial headlines are that profit before tax was up 68% to £39.5m on sales up 27% to £255m.
Managing Director Alan Roper says in the report: "Perspective and context are important when evaluating our sales performance in 2021. One needs to understand the factors that powered the sales growth in order to challenge the sustainability of the recent sales boom. Therefore, what follows is an analysis of our like-for-like sales (LFL) performance - I have stripped out all our Wyevale acquisitions from the analysis.
"From 2017 to 2019 average spend grew by approximately 3% a year. The average basket spend was £23.71 in 2017 and by 2019 the figure was £25.80, an increase of 9%. In 2021 the average spend had ballooned to £34.50, an increase of 33.7% over 2 years. This inflated spend was driven by consumers directing disposable income to their homes and gardens because Covid rules were restricting time spent on over activities, such as holidays. The net impact is that Covid probably generated an extra £22m of garden centre turnover in 2021. The year ended with Garden Centre turnover up by £49m (27%). Without Covid sales probably would have been up around 13%.
"There is no question in my mind that this inflated average spend will deflate in 2022 as people return to their unencumbered routines, such as holidays."
Simon Burke, Chairman of Blue Diamond had two key messages for shareholders this year:
In 2021 we achieved an extraordinary result, but this was still significantly affected by the pandemic in terms of closures, trading and government financial support;
Although we expect a fall in profit in 2022, we will nevertheless emerge from the pandemic period stronger, more profitable and with a much better balance sheet than we had in 2019.
"The market in potential acquisitions has been particularly active in the past 9 months, and we have reviewed numerous centres that were for sale. We continue to be highly selective, and since the year-end have concluded just one purchase, this being the Blackdown centre just outside Taunton. We plan a major redevelopment of this freehold centre in the summer.
"We are also considering several other opportunities and I expect that we will conclude more acquisitions during 2022. We will keep our focus on quality sites that serve catchments for which the Blue Diamond offer is well suited. We will also be mindful of managing debt within conservative limits."
Blue Diamond year end net debt in 2021 was just £5.8m which is 0.1 times EBITDA and a gearing ratio of 4%.
Alan Roper also commented on capital investment and thier new warehouse development: "Our capital investment programme, which was suspended in 2020, was resumed in 2021 with £11.9m being deployed predominantly across the Wyevales to bring the quality of the stores to the Blue Diamond standard. In addition, we increased the retail footprint of our Newbridge Centre by 2,700 sq m.
"The exponential growth has presented considerable challenges in managing our supply chain and we outgrew our third-party
central distribution company. Therefore, I decided that securing our own central warehouse facility was our best option as it suits our entrepreneurial, operational style. The site is located near our centre at East Bridgford and was established last March. In a very short time, it has developed into a well-managed facility."
Located in Newton, 2.5 miles from East Bridgford garden centre, the warehouse has proved to be an invaluable asset for Blue Diamond. It benefits from a central position in the country and has good access to the main transport network. It forms the new hub for all shopfloor stock and handles direct import goods from the far east, including furniture, seasonal goods, fashion, and selected gardening products.
Secured by the Blue Diamond Group in March 2021, it was formerly used by John Deere to store large agricultural vehicles and machinery parts.
Prior to that, both buildings were originally hangars forming part of RAF Newton. During WW2, RAF Newton was initially a base for bombers such as the Vickers Wellington. It then became a flying training school, providing basic and advanced training for Polish airmen serving with the RAF.
Read the full Blue Diamond Report and accounts for 2021 using this link
Total volume sales slowed slightly last week in garden centres providing Epos data for GTN Bestsellers, down 1.3% week on week to be 7% down on last year but 14% up on 2019.
Total volume sales slowed slightly last week in garden centres providing Epos data for GTN Bestsellers, down 1.3% week on week to be 7% down on last year but 14% up on 2019.
Judging by the week-on-week performance of the GTN Top 50 charts for Garden Products, Growing Media, Veg-2-Gro and All Plants, the drop would appear to be non-core gardening related as all those areas increased sales week on week. Thank goodness for more gardening activity going on!
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 18.
Garden Products Top 50 – down 20%
Growing Media Top 50 – down 1%
Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 23%
Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 14%
GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 18
All Plants with Barcode index – down 3%
All Items with Barcode index – down 7%
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
Savills, on behalf of a private client, has launched the sale of The Plant Plot Garden Centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire, for an undisclosed amount...
Savills, on behalf of a private client, has launched the sale of The Plant Plot Garden Centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire, for an undisclosed amount.
The current owners have invested in the property and have created a garden centre and retail destination, which attracts approximately 80,000 visitors a year and generates income from both the core garden centre business and the garden village that occupies the site. The let units provide a secure income stream to support the operation and development of the facilities on site.
The overall site extends 3.74 acres (1.51 ha) and, in addition to the garden centre, the site offers a tenanted farm shop, a separate recently built extensive café and function facility, gym, car wash and ‘The Garden Village’, which is home to 37 small businesses in timber cabin concessions. A substantial 4/5 bedroom Victorian house and a nursery area occupying approximately 0.46 hectares are also available to purchase.
The Plant Plot Garden Centre has 230 metres of road frontage and is located on the A51 Stafford Road on the outskirts of Lichfield, close to several large population areas and motorways, the nearest being the M6 Toll Road which is approximately six miles away.
Kay Griffiths, Associate Director in the Leisure and Trade Related team at Savills Oxford, says: “This is a thriving garden centre and retail business offering diverse income streams and can be purchased as a whole or in separate lots. It offers a purchaser an opportunity to take a hands on approach continuing to expand the range and scale of facilities offered or to increase the rental income by letting the garden centre which is currently owner operated.”
David Rusholme, Owner of the Plant Plot, comments: “It has been a privilege to expand the Plant Plot as a family owned thriving independent business, which is well known and respected in the Lichfield area. I look forward to handing over this special place to new owners that, I am sure, will take it to the next level. As Lichfield continues to expand with a significant amount of new housing being constructed over the next few years there is great potential to expand the customer base to a new generation of gardeners.”
Frosts are currently in discussions with Notcutts about the potential sale of their garden centre in Brampton. The two parties have entered into an exclusive dialogue about Notcutts becoming future prospective owners of the centre...
Frosts are currently in discussions with Notcutts about the potential sale of their garden centre in Brampton.
Frosts believe that Notcutts share a similar set of values in the way they operate their garden centres and the two parties have now therefore entered into an exclusive dialogue about Notcutts becoming future prospective owners of Brampton.
While these discussions are continuing neither party will be making any further comment.
Having been awarded the prestigious title of “GCA Supplier of the Year” back in November 2021 we caught up with the Meadow View team to find out what the winning formula was that led customers to vote for them...
Having been awarded the prestigious title of “GCA Supplier of the Year” back in November 2021 we caught up with the Meadow View team to find out what the winning formula was that led customers to vote for them.
Stock availability Meadow View have some distinct advantages over their competitors when it comes to stock availability: -
They are fully in control of their supply chain, dealing directly with overseas suppliers and procuring their own bulk shipping; with over 50 ships annually importing products into the UK.
Holding an impressive £7 million of stock at multiple locations, four dockside and a further four production sites, gives the business complete flexibility to supply their customers.
At a time when many customers were witnessing “out of stocks” across many key products and product categories, the company was ramping up its shipments to react quickly and dynamically to the surges in demand. Even at the height of Covid, the company still maintained an OTIF (On Time in Full) score of 85%.
Okells Garden Centre commented: “Consistent service throughout this challenging year. Very impressive support and supply.”
Quality Products Meadow View is committed to new product development, continuously monitoring and reacting to new trends in the industry which their new product lines reflect. The business boasts an impressive 28% of its range as being exclusive, with many of these products selling in volume (24% of total volume sold). Most also achieve higher RRP’s than UK sourced products, so contribute considerably to an uplift in sales, usually in the region of 30-50%. The high sales of these exclusive products are further aided by the products being supplied washed, which fully showcases their unique aesthetics and quality.
Hambrooks Garden Centre gave the following statement accompanying their vote: “Excellent range of products, fantastic service, phenomenal prices and speedy delivery.”
Customer Service With over 150 years’ experience in the decorative aggregate sector, the business has proven expertise, a thorough understanding of their products and the best ways to merchandise to grow sales. Stacking up an impressive 138 years of industry expertise across their in-house and external sales teams, all staff are fully versed on the best lines to stock and the creative ways to promote and merchandise to maximise sales.
An exceptional support network of logistic partners, who delivery on time and in full are managed by a small yet extremely efficient in-house sales team, who offer outstanding customer service.
Planters Garden Centre stated: “The service we received from Meadowview during the last 12 months was absolutely outstanding, which resulted in a sales increase of 59% at Bretby. The communication with the Meadowview team during the last unprecedented year was second to none and I cannot speak highly enough of the team.”
Merchandising Modern POS and stimulating product displays, which are both informative and inspiring have received great feedback from customers. Not only by the way it transforms the visual appearance of the centres but also how it aids sales. Ruxley Manor gave Meadow View their vote and commented “Excellent merchandising and clear POS leading to increasing sales on every line.”
Sarah Hill stated: “I am enormously proud of all my team in what we have achieved these past 18 months. Everyone has been 100% committed and instrumental in supporting the unprecedented growth we have witnessed. The wonderful endorsements we have received from such a large amount of our customer base is testament to their efforts.
"I would also like to thank all the customers who took the time to vote for us and leave such kind comments - the pressure is now on to see if we can retain our title in 2022, whilst upholding the excellent standards we have achieved thus far!”
Dobbies has been granted planning permission to build a new 60,000 sq ft store in Reading. The retailer currently has a store at Hyde End Road, Shinfield, and the new store will be built on the land behind the existing store...
Dobbies has been granted planning permission to build a new 60,000 sq ft store in Reading. The retailer currently has a store at Hyde End Road, Shinfield, and the new store will be built on the land behind the existing store.
The current store will remain trading for the majority of the build. The existing site will become a car park with EV charging facilities and the entrance from Hyde End Road will be improved for access.
The new store will offer an outstanding garden centre experience for customers, with a comprehensive range of plants and gardening products, as well as carefully curated home, pet and gifting ranges. There will also be a foodhall with butcher and 10,000 sq ft restaurant with soft play.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies, said: “Reading is already a popular store and we are delighted to be able to offer our customers an even better experience in our new store.”
Construction works will start later this year, with the new store expected to open in Autumn 2023.
Following the success of their award-winning ClipGlove brand, Treadstone Products have experienced a fantastic response to the ClipGlove Accessories range...
Following the success of their award-winning ClipGlove brand, Treadstone Products have experienced a fantastic response to the ClipGlove Accessories range.
The range was launched for the 2022 gardening season and is designed to make gardening and DIY tasks as efficient as possible by providing quality solutions to keep gardeners safe, prepared, and comfortable.
With unprecedented levels of comfort, dexterity, and protection, ClipGlove has continued to grow since its launch in 2019. The range’s foundations are built on functionality with each pair of gloves being held together with a carabiner clip, that enables gardeners to clip the gloves onto a convenient place during and after use. Picking up two GIMA awards and three BBC Gardener’s World ‘Best Buy’ awards along the wayTreadstone has grown the ClipGlove range to be listed in hundreds of Garden Centres in the UK.
Same Clip, Same Quality
Now ‘the glove you’ll always be able to keep safe’ has a handy accessory offering from £12.99 RRP, providing the perfect partners to the ClipGlove range. Every item includes that signature carabiner clip and the same ‘quality without compromise’ promise. The range features Aprons and Bags ideal for use whilst gardening but also great for DIY and crafts. The accessories also match the colour profiles of the glove range with Pink/Blue and Orange/Navy designs available.
The Aprons come in two formats, with both options featuring a double-sided durable 600D polyester fabric. The Long Apron (RRP £17.99) in Pink/Blue, full length to protect all of the users’ clothes. This features one breast pocket and two front pockets, great for storing tools and seed packets. The Short Tool Apron (RRP £19.99) supplies ample storage and extra comfort with the multi-pocket design and padded adjustable shoulder straps.
For those quicker jobs the Tool Belt (RRP £12.99) provides a handy place to store away tools and accessories, available in Pink/Blue and Orange/Navy. With a robust build and a useful pen pocket, the belt is ideal for keeping secateurs, plant ties and labels just where they are needed!
When a more involved gardening or DIY session is required, there are two bag options available, in the Pink/Blue and Orange/Navy colourways. The Multi-Pocket Tool Bag (RRP £19.99) is spacious and has exterior multi pockets to keep hand tools and garden nick-nacks organised. The bag can also be closed with the press stud closure fixings and the elastic cord around the top of the bag helps keep tools in place.
For a larger garden or DIY bag, look no further than the Folding Rigid Tool Bag (RRP £39.99). Featuring the same 600D durable polyester, the rigid bag has reinforcement inserts which are attached and detached via velcro inside the bag. The central comfortable tubular handle keeps the bag open and always accessible. With a strong and sturdy build, with multiple pockets, this is the ultimate gardening bag.
Gardening can take its toll on the knees, which is where the ClipGlove Folding Kneeler (£19.99) comes into its own. This has a waterproof easy-clean base and durable polyester fabric. The multi-layered foam core has a memory foam top layer for optimum comfort. Also available in Pink/Blue and Orange/Navy designs, the kneeler can be folded up and stored away after use.
Award winning merchandising options
ClipGloves’ glove merchandising is award-winning and offers vital point of sale support for end users while they shop in store. To complement this, the Gardening Accessories range has a matching display option in the form of the ‘Bags & More’ merchandiser. This also allows space for all the accessories range as well as some key glove products. Like all Treadstone merchandising options, this display stand is high impact and space-efficient.
The ClipGlove accessories range is the natural evolution of the ClipGlove brand with quality user-friendly designs, making gardening more efficient for the end user. This latest addition is one of many inspirational products from the innovative Treadstone team, available for Garden Centres to stock now.
DARE TO SELL DIFFERENT and contact us for more information and pricing – sales@treadstoneproducts.com.
The whole horticultural industry owes gratitude to Peter Seabrook MBE, for the influence he had on our industry in over 70 years of his dedicated input. That industry which Peter supported with his whole heart is coming together at Gardeners World Live 2022 this June. The horticultural industry’s ‘thank you’ to Peter will be one of the main attractions in the Floral Marquee at the show at the NEC between the 16th and 19th June.
The whole horticultural industry owes gratitude to Peter Seabrook MBE, for the influence he had on our industry in over 70 years of his dedicated input.
That industry which Peter supported with his whole heart is coming together at Gardeners World Live 2022 this June. The horticultural industry’s ‘thank you’ to Peter will be one of the main attractions in the Floral Marquee at the show at the NEC between the 16th and 19th June.
The concept of Peter’s display, much of which was already being planned by him before he died suddenly in January of this year, was to celebrate 100 years of the BBC (centenary year 2022), 60 years of BBC TV gardening coverage and 50 years of Peter’s TV Gardening in the UK on the BBC - Pebble Mill and Gardeners World.
Peter channelled his seemingly boundless energy everyday into encouraging young people in gardening, new plants, learning and enthusing others to share his passion.
In true ‘Peter style’ the industry has come together to create the feature which is made up of four main elements, all of which relate to those passions in his life:
1. The Dig This Vegetable Plot – in 1975 when Peter became involved with BBC Pebble Mill at One TV programme one of his creations was the 10ft x 12ft plot to grow veg. His ‘Dig This’ section of the programme was a highlight feature from which he wrote his Vegetable Guide, published in 1976, which sold almost 1m copies.
Four years ago, visiting the horticultural unit at Pershore High School, Worcestershire, Peter saw students enthusiastically tending their 3m x 3m plots – he hatched the plan to show a school allotment as part of one of his gardening show displays. Like his ‘Dig This’ plot the student’s plots teach them the variety of veg and fruit they can grow in a limited space, the seasonality of produce and the effect of successional sowing. As well as saving food costs and miles, the benefits to people of all ages from the activity of gardening, working with nature and being in the outdoors have never been more relevant than today. Perhaps Peter was ahead of the game once more?
2. The Rose Border – One of Peter’s favourite plants was the rose, but which one? “Any one he would say and the stronger the scent the better”
The Precious series of roses from Whartons are super-healthy, repeat flowering, providing colour from May to November. Floribunda flowers on a dome shaped bush, with not many other flowering shrubs can compare with them for longevity of flower with relatively little maintenance. The border, edged with Verbena ‘Seabrook’s Lavender’ and new in 2021, Verbena ‘Margaret’s Memory’ (named after Peters wife, with Royalty proceeds going to The Alzheimer’s Society) adds an additional flowing edging of colour through the summer.
3. Peter was a founding Trustee of the David Colegrave Foundation, a charity that supports students of horticulture. As part of their ‘thank you’ to Peter for all the work he did over the 30 years for the charity, they have taken on The Pelargonium Wall he had planned to create at this year’s show. In Peter’s eyes geraniums always had an important place in the garden. Recent genetic developments by breeders across the world intrigued him and to show their versatility, variety and downright good value Peter conceived a wall of Pelargoniums to display their merits to show visitors.
4. Floral Fantasia – a ‘trial ground’ currently based at RHS Hyde Hall near Peter’s home town of Chelmsford, his concept was to create a pathway from breeder to consumer for new plants. This was a more recent vision Peter had, and something he had devoted a lot of his energy to during lock down while he also grieved the death of his wife of 60 years, Margaret who died recently. So far approaching 20 breeders and nurseries have put forward nearly 50 new varieties of plants for the display at Gardeners World. This includes some new Dianthus from Volmary that are so new they have yet to be named! A new Forsythia from Hilliers, the Bubbles series of Petunia from Kerley & Co. Calibrachoa Cabaret Good Night Kiss from Ball Colegrave, a new Nemesia from Bransford Webbs, Helenium autumnale Hayday Gold will also being showing its sunny face, introduced by Syngenta. Raymond Evison Clematis from the Channel Islands will be showing Clematis Issey.
Pot after pot of new plant varieties from colourful summer bedding to shrubs will highlight the work Peter carried on through over 60 years in the trade of finding, growing and promoting new plant varieties. Floral Fantasia feature at the RHS garden is a unique industry collaboration and the display promoting it to the public at Gardeners World Live will be one of its first exposures to the consumer.
It is hoped that the new Sweet Pea Peter Seabrook will also be on show and the new climbing rose announced in April by Whartons Nurseries Peter’s Persica.
“What better way to honour over 70 years of his work in the garden industry than for that industry to come together in ‘thanks’ for his tireless work on our behalf,” said Neil Gow who with Val Christman is co-ordinating the display.
Neil added: “We all have our own memories and recollections of working with Peter and the impact he had on our lives and our industry over many years and it is an honour to be involved with this display. We thank his family, Alison and Roger, for their help and support and also the team at Gardeners World Live for making it possible.”
Peter would be right behind the efforts of the industry to put on the display at Gardeners World Live, which Peter always described as one of his favourite events of the year.
A reception is being held for invited guests as part of the Press Preview in the Floral Marquee on the 15th June, when a glass will be raised to honour Peter and for the industry to ‘thank’ probably the greatest ambassador we will ever have.
Peter would only have one regret – that he is not there himself to talk to show visitors and impart some of his gardening wisdom – a regret we all share.
As Peter himself would sign off his correspondence – ‘Kind regards’
To help gardeners understand the simple steps they can take when watering, Hozelock is launching its Watering Wisdom campaign. The campaign, which is in its second year, will be supported with digital and traditional PR activity, providing gardeners with various touch points to find the information...
With the warmer weather and longer days, people are spending increasingly more time outdoors and are looking for ways to ensure their garden flourishes throughout the season; with watering a key task for gardens of all sizes and gardeners of all abilities.
Whilst budding gardeners are undoubtedly drawn towards price, ease of use and innovation when choosing products, sustainability is also something homeowners are becoming increasingly interested in as they look towards reducing their water consumption in all areas of the home.
To help gardeners understand the simple steps they can take when watering, Hozelock is launching its Watering Wisdom campaign. The campaign, which is in its second year, will be supported with digital and traditional PR activity, providing gardeners with various touch points to find the information.
Sarah Dixon, UK and International Marketing Manager at Hozelock, comments: “In the last three years there has been a big move towards adopting a sustainable lifestyle to protect the environment. However, with the cost of living increasing significantly at an alarming rate, many of us are also looking for quick and effective ways to reduce consumption in the home, for both energy and water usage. We are increasingly seeing this theme move into the garden, with customers searching for advice and guidance on which products will help them reduce their water usage.
“For garden centres there is a great opportunity to inform customers on product benefits beyond just innovation and technology and promote those which offer water saving benefits as an essential part of a gardeners tool kit.”
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.
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.
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