In This Issue
BREAKING NEWS! Wyevale Garden Centres appoints Roger Mclaughlan as Chief Executive Officer
How will you use Garden Re-Leaf Day to increase sales?
HTA welcomes productivity boost as government supports Sunday trading amendment
Record number of entries for this year's Rising Stars
Junior Buyer: Garden Care
Garden Centre Supervisor
Assistant Shop Manager
Horticultural / Plantarea Manager (Norfolk)
Customer Service Assistant
Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)
Garden Centre Assistant Manager
Bedding Department Head (Full time, including alternate weekends)
Territory Sales Manager - Northern Region
Plant Area Sales Assistant (Full time, including alternate weekends)
Commercial Sales Executive (Berkshire)
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Garden product sales starting to move forward
Seed packets give Veg-2-Gro sales a boost
Another fantastic week for growing media sales
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
Situations Vacant
Junior Buyer: Garden Care
Competitive salary
 
Read more»
Garden Centre Supervisor
Competitive salary
 
Read more»
Assistant Shop Manager
Competitive salary
 
Read more»
Horticultural / Plantarea Manager (Norfolk)
Salary: £20,000 - £24,000
Read more»
Customer Service Assistant
Langlands Garden Centre - Leeds
 
Read more»
Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)
West Horsley KT24 6AR
 
Read more»
Garden Centre Assistant Manager
Salary: £18,000 - £21,000
Read more»
Bedding Department Head (Full time, including alternate weekends)
West Horsley KT24 6AR
 
Read more»
Territory Sales Manager - Northern Region
Salary: £30,000 - £35,000
Read more»
Plant Area Sales Assistant (Full time, including alternate weekends)
Twickenham TW2 5PA
 
Read more»
Commercial Sales Executive (Berkshire)
Salary: £25,000 - £30,000
Read more»
Useful Links
Send to a Friend »
Subscribe »
Issue Archive »
Update your Profile »
Print All Articles »
Subscribe to RSS »
Visit Our Website »
Example of a Flyer »
Send us your news and great ideas
Contact us with your news. 

Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700
BREAKING NEWS! Wyevale Garden Centres appoints Roger Mclaughlan as Chief Executive Officer


Wyevale Garden Centres announced today that it has appointed Roger Mclaughlan as Chief Executive Officer. He joins the business on 14th March from Toys “R” Us, where he has been Managing Director since 2012.
 
Roger, who takes over from Kevin Bradshaw,  brings with him more than 25 years of retail industry experience, including senior executive roles at Marks and Spencer; Woolworth's South Africa and Asda.



Wyevale Garden Centres announced today that it has appointed Roger Mclaughlan as Chief Executive Officer.
 
He joins the business on 14th March from Toys “R” Us, where he has been Managing Director since 2012.
 
Roger brings with him more than 25 years of retail industry experience, including senior executive roles at Marks and Spencer; Woolworth's South Africa and Asda.
 
Roger takes over from Kevin Bradshaw, who has provided great leadership as CEO during the turnaround, doubling EBITDA and setting the business on course for its next phase of growth.
 
Kevin will remain with the business for the next few months to ensure a smooth transition, after which he will be exploring other leadership roles within the Terra Firma portfolio companies.
 
Stephen Murphy, Chair of Wyevale Garden Centres, said: "I would like to thank Kevin for his important contribution over the past three years. Under Kevin’s leadership, Wyevale has cemented its position as the UK’s largest garden centre retailer. We have established a clear national brand, grown the business, modernised our stores to make them even more appealing to customers, expanded our product ranges and developed an award-winning restaurant offer.
 
Roger joins us with a fantastic track record in leading retail businesses and he is perfectly placed to build on the success so far and drive further value as the business enters the next phase of its transformation.”
 
Justin King, Vice Chairman and Head of Portfolio Businesses at Terra Firma, said: “I am delighted that Roger is joining Wyevale and I am confident that he will build on Kevin’s successful turnaround of the business so far. I am looking forward to working with him and the team to execute the next phase of our transformation strategy as we transform our supply chain and IT to provide a solid platform for future growth.”
 
Roger Mclaughlan, said: "I’m delighted to be joining the business at such an exciting time and I look forward to working with Justin, Stephen and the team.”
 
Kevin Bradshaw said, “We have achieved a great deal over the past few years and the business I hand over to Roger today is in a much stronger place. I look forward to working with him to ensure a seamless transition and am absolutely confident that he will continue to harness the future growth of this outstanding business.”
How will you use Garden Re-Leaf Day to increase sales?


As February trading finishes up by 10% in volume sales terms year on year, thoughts are turning to what promises to be a bumper March. With Mother’s Day, Garden Re-Leaf Day and Easter all falling during the month, we just need a spell of good weather to add to the mix and garden centre tills will be busier than ever...



As February trading finishes up by 10% in volume sales terms year on year, thoughts are turning to what promises to be a bumper March.

With Mother’s Day, Garden Re-Leaf Day and Easter all falling during the month, we just need a spell of good weather to add to the mix and garden centre tills will be busier than ever.

You’ll all have your Mother’s Day and Easter promotions sorted, but what about your Garden Re-Leaf Day plans?

Garden Re-Leaf Day takes place on March 18th, and it really is a great opportunity for that extra sales spike during the month.  

It signals the start of the gardening season and by having some fun you can easily generate some extra local PR.

Plus you can help raise money for Greenfingers at the same time!

Every garden centre that’s run activities for Garden Re-Leaf Day in the past has seen an increase in sales that weekend. Why wouldn’t you want to join in? 

It’s not too late to get involved in Garden Re-Leaf Day – 18th March

Garden centres, manufacturers and suppliers  are getting right behind Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day this year, planning  Quiz nights, raffles, cake sales and more to kick start the gardening season and raise money for Greenfingers Charity.   

24 hour Plant-athons are taking place in Altons Garden Centre, Blue Diamond’s Fryer’s Garden Centre, Klondyke & Strikes Byrkley Garden Centre, The Garden Stores  Studley Garden Centre and Squire’s Garden Centres in Badshot Lea and Twickenham are all taking part.  Garden Centre teams, sSchool children, Mayors, BBC Radio presenters and special guest planters will all be getting their hands dirty planting for Greenfingers.   The planted pots, will then be sold in aid of Greenfingers. 

An intrepid team of 48 walkers will be walking from the HTA headquarters in Theale, on Garden Re-Leaf Day.  If you fancy the challenge of a 20 mile walk it’s not too late to sign up!  Register today by emailing sarah@greenfingerscharity.org.uk

GTN’s Trevor Pfeiffer is shrinking before our eyes as he loses weight to raise £££s for Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day.  Help him get to his target by sponsoring him today ttps://www.justgiving.com/Trevor-Pfeiffer/ 

Gardman and Briers Ltd are both supporting Garden Re-Leaf Day through the sale of specially designed products which support Garden Re-Leaf Day.  The Briers Kids set is sure to be a hit with children this summer. Gardman’s coco liners, solar lights and specially designed door mats will provide a great boost to the funds raised as part of Garden Re-Leaf Day. 

Richard Jackson, Greenfingers Founder and QVC gardener, along with other gardening suppliers are supporting Garden Re-Leaf Day again this year, on special QVC shows on Saturday 19th March and Sunday 20th March.   

For more information about how you can get involved, contact Linda at Greenfingers on 01494 674749 or by email Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk

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

  • Garden Products - up 2%
  • Veg-2-Gro - down 14%
  • Growing Media - up 87%
  • All Items Index - up 8%
To subscribe to GTN bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
HTA welcomes productivity boost as government supports Sunday trading amendment


The Horticultural Trades Association welcomes MPs’ decision to accept the Government’s Sunday trading amendment to the Enterprise Bill, which could see local authorities given the power to relax Sunday trading restrictions in their areas, if they wish to do so. “This amendment offers our members a great opportunity to boost productivity and will provide great support to our sector to mitigate against the additional costs of National Living Wage and pensions auto-enrolment which will start to bite next month.” says  HTA Chief Executive Carol Paris...



The Horticultural Trades Association welcomes MPs’ decision to accept the Government’s Sunday trading amendment to the Enterprise Bill, which could see local authorities given the power to relax Sunday trading restrictions in their areas, if they wish to do so.

The Enterprise Bill is set to be discussed in the House of Commons next week.  In the debate, we hope MPs recognise the need for reform and the economic and social benefits of liberalisation at the local level, particularly for garden centres.

Ultimately, we hope to see the policy become law and that local authorities take steps to implement it.

The HTA believes that devolving the decision on Sunday trading to the local level is a logical step to bring it in line with the wider planning system, where local people have more say in how their communities are run. It will also promote consumer choice and level the playing field for bricks and mortar retailers, making it easier for them to compete with 24/7 online retail.

The ability to trade for longer on Sundays could also provide a welcome shot in the arm for garden centres, 95% of which are SMEs – allowing them to increase sales and significantly boost productivity making better use of existing assets and resources.

This would in turn help to offset emerging cost pressures such as the implementation of the national living wage and pension auto-enrolment. A report from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) released on Monday (29/04) suggests that if left unchecked, such cost pressures and changing consumer habits, could have a detrimental impact on the retail sector – with employment falling by as much as a third by 2025.

The HTA also welcomes Government efforts to strengthen the rights of workers in relation to Sunday working. The Bill will further protect those who do not wish to work, whilst providing opportunities for the many workers – particularly students and those looking for flexible part-time work – who value the ability to work on Sunday and would welcome additional hours.

Indeed, in most garden centres, staff already work full eight hour shifts on Sundays regardless of trading hours, as plants need watering and pets for sale must be cared for. However, they cannot serve customers and are essentially unproductive during these shoulder hours; often spending much of this time turning customers away from the tills.

HTA Chief Executive Carol Paris says: “This amendment offers our members a great opportunity to boost productivity and will provide great support to our sector to mitigate against the additional costs of National Living Wage and pensions auto-enrolment which will start to bite next month.”
Record number of entries for this year's Rising Stars



This year’s Rising Stars Programme, run by Westland Horticulture and the Garden Centre Association, has started with a record number of entries from garden centre staff looking to get ahead in the world of horticultural retailing...




This year’s Rising Stars Programme has started with a record number of entries from garden centre staff looking to get ahead in the world of horticultural retailing.

The programme, run by Westland Horticulture and the Garden Centre Association is now in its eighth year and has been hugely successful to date, welcomed by the industry and participants alike.

This year a total of 33 people signed up for the programme and ultimately one will achieve the title of Rising Star of 2016.

The Southern Masterclass kicked off at Squires Garden Centre in Shepperton on Tuesday (March 1), where Ian Boardman, IBBIS (UK) Director and Rising Stars facilitator put the entrants through their paces.

Ian gave hints and tips on how to increase sales and profits from every square metre in their garden centres and more importantly, how to ensure that customers have a great experience each time they visit. The Northern Masterclass will take place at Barton Grange Garden Centre on March 17.

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland Horticulture said: “This year we made the decision to have a North and South first masterclass to make travelling easier for candidates. The industry is thriving and more and more are pursuing and gaining success in horticultural careers. This has, and will continue to be, helped by initiatives such as the Rising Stars.”

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA said: “The top 5 candidates will deliver their presentations at the next GCA Conference which will be held in January in St Andrews, Scotland. Each finalist will be voted on by their peers and the ultimate winner will be announced at the Gala Dinner. Best of luck to all those taking part!”

 
Junior Buyer: Garden Care
Competitive salary


Junior Buyer: Garden Care
 
We have an exciting opportunity to join the Notcutts team as a Junior Buyer for the Gardening category covering all things gardening except Plants at our offices in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Notcutts has a rich history in horticulture with 18 Notcutts Garden Centres across the UK has its own character and we are currently investing heavily in developing our sites further.
 
The Junior Buyer will take responsibility for selecting and developing the Gardening ranges for our business.
  • The ideal candidate will understand both the category and customers, possess strong  communication and negotiation skills and have a passion and enthusiasm for customers and products.
  • They should an excellent team player focused on driving sales and profitability.
You can expect a competitive salary plus benefits including pension contributions and a generous company discount.  
 
If you are interested in applying for this role, please forward an up to date CV and covering letter to: recruitment@notcutts.co.uk.
 
Garden Centre Supervisor
Competitive salary
 
Assistant Shop Manager
Competitive salary
An exciting opportunity exists for an enthusiastic team player to join Bristol’s Largest Independent Garden Centre as our Shop Assistant Manager.

The Ideal Candidate will possess excellent people management skills, Great Communication Skills and be able to lead and organise your team whilst maintaining excellent customer service sales and service.

The role requires an outstanding merchandiser standards and have a proven track record in motivating teams to exceptional achievements.

In return, we provide a competitive salary, a friendly working environment, staff discount scheme, subsidised social events and a benefits package commensurate with a progressive company.

To apply, please download the application form by clicking here and submit the completed form to info@almondsbury.co.uk.

Please include your current CV and a covering letter explaining why you would be an excellent recruit for this role, including examples of how you could be an asset to our business.

For more information, please email info@almondsbury.co.uk
Horticultural / Plantarea Manager (Norfolk)
Salary: £20,000 - £24,000


Horticultural / Plantarea Manager / Norfolk (ref:DS8155)

Location: Norfolk
Salary: £20,000 - £24,000
Date: 01 Mar
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent


Our client is part of a large garden centre group with stores based throughout the UK. The business has a reputation for offering quality garden products and plants as well as being a destination garden centre for those customers seeking a day out. This is a business which invests in its people and provides the opportunity to further a career within garden retailing. They are currently seeking an experienced and passionate Horticultural / Plantarea Manager.

The Role

The role is part of the centres senior management team alongside the Restaurant Manager and Deputy Manager. It would suit a candidate who is currently a Manager at a smaller centre who is looking to step up or a candidate in a larger centre looking to join a group for further progression.

As Horticultural Manager the day to day role will involve the leadership and motivation of the Horticultural Team to provide the highest standard of customer service, plant care and merchandising. This centre has a unique customer base because of its location adjoining a large supermarket. This provides a new challenge for candidates coming from a more traditional plantarea environment.

The Candidate
  • For this role we are seeking a superb planteria or plant centre specialist with a real knack for retailing.
  • Horticulture experience should be gained from a blend of practical and academic qualification.
  • Candidates will be expected to lead a horticulturally focused team with great drive and knowledge.
  • Good retail experience is also a must as is the ability to demonstrate management ability in a retail environment, this could have been developed in a role outside of horticulture but must be recent.

To apply for this role click here
 
Customer Service Assistant
Langlands Garden Centre - Leeds
 

Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our garden centre at West Horsley.
  • You will be responsible for managing the outdoor plant department which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.
  • You must have experience and/or horticultural qualifications and garden centre retail experience.
  • You will be able to manage your department to achieve sales and profit targets whilst motivating your team to maximise all sales opportunities and inspiring them to offer the highest standards of customer service.
  • You must have the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment, have a passion for plants, be highly motivated, commercially aware and able to create dynamic, inspirational displays.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Garden Centre Assistant Manager
Salary: £18,000 - £21,000


Garden Centre Assistant Manager (ref:DS8156)

Location:
East Sussex
Salary:
£18,000 - £21,000
Date:
02 Mar
Job Type:
Full-Time
Duration:
Permanent


Our client is a lovely family run plant and garden centre with great café and farm shop who are based near Brighton. They are currently looking for an Assistant Manager.

The Role

As Assistant Manager you will be responsible for the centre in the absence of the Manager and Owners. This is a hands on role within a close team and offers great potential for someone who is driven and keen to develop their retail career.

The Candidate

The candidate will have great retail background who ideally has an interest or some horticultural experience. The role would suit someone from a garden centre, DIY or supermarket background who is looking to further their career and take a step towards Garden Centre Management in the future.

To apply for this role click here
 

Bedding Department Head (Full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards.
  • You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our West Horsley Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.
  • You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification.
  • A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential.
  • You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Territory Sales Manager - Northern Region
Salary: £30,000 - £35,000


Territory Sales Manager - Northern Region (ref:DS8149)

Location: Lancashire
Salary: £30,000 - £35,000
Date: 02 Mar
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent


Our client is a well established compost manufacturer who supply the professional growing market with a variety of substrate products. They are currently seeing a driven sales orientated individual for the north who has both superb growing skills and an aptitude for sales or a professional sales person who has sold into the growing sector.

The Role

The SUCCESSFUL Candidate will be responsible for:-
  • Managing key grower accounts for their growing media products.
  • Developing new business and managing existing accounts.
  • Providing technical advice to customers.
  • Representing the Company at trade shows and exhibitions.

The Candidate

For this role our client is seeking a proven background in territory sales to the grower sector or an outstanding individual from the growing sector who has the drive to become a top sales person. Be a target driven individual who has the ability to hit sales target and achieve growth within their sector.

A strong relationship builder who has excellent customer skills and can ensure customer satisfaction.

Someone who is based in the York or Lancashire area.

To apply for this role click here
 

Plant Area Sales Assistant (Full time, including alternate weekends)

Twickenham TW2 5PA

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centre’s based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

Squire’s oldest site with a new centre built in 1993, and is about to undergo a significant facelift.  A garden centre that takes a very high turnover for its size, with a strong horticultural focus in plants and sundries, often winning GCA category awards, with the recent addition of new Pets & Aquatics and Craft areas.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated individual who is quick and willing to learn and who sees customer service as their main priority.

  • The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and energetic, have a passion for plants and an eye for creating exciting detailed displays.
  • Horticultural experience or equivalent qualifications desirable.
  • The role will involve bending and lifting some heavy items therefore applicants must be physically fit.

Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Commercial Sales Executive (Berkshire)
Salary: £25,000 - £30,000


Commercial Sales Executive / Berkshire (ref:DS8112)

Location: Berkshire
Salary: £25,000 - £30,000
Date: 22 Feb
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent


Do you want to join an organisation that is passionate, innovative and a leading voice within the industry?

This exciting new role offers a great opportunity for the right person looking to broaden their knowledge of horticulture and its industry sectors. Are you looking for your next move?

Our client support their membership through providing an extensive programme of conferences, workshops, training courses, trade shows and other horticulture industry events.

They have an excellent reputation and provide their members with the opportunity to learn, be creative and network with other people within the Horticultural industry.

The role

This role will drive continued growth to their income through advertising and sponsorship enabling the Association to provide the best service available to our members.

The candidate

The right candidate for this role will be ambitious and enthusiastic with a natural sales ability. They will take responsibility for identifying new opportunities and maintaining existing relationships. The ideal candidate will have sales and customer service experience, preferably within the horticultural sector. They will be self-motivated, efficient and methodical, with very good organisational and communication skills.

There will be an element of travel with this role and so a full, clean licence will be required.

35 hours per week / Monday - Friday

To apply for this role click here
 
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox...



with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox.  The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.

Subscribe for free using this link: http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/gtnxtra/7rulj2yio7x?a=6&p=49514304&t=20355005
 
Garden product sales starting to move forward
Volumes for the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart have increased on the previous week and they are higher than the same period last year...

Volumes for the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart have increased on the previous week and they are higher than the same period last year.

Here are the highlights of this week’s Garden Products chart:
  • The highest climber is Apollo Soil Check Kit, jumping 45 places to No 2.
  • Gardman Solar Hanging Cone Lantern (above) is the highest new entry at No 10. Gardman Gardeners Mate Hand Fork is another newcomer to the chart.
  • The highest re-entry is Gardman Solar Majestic Light Black Nickel at No 15.
  • Fito Drip Feeder for Orchids retains the top spot.
To subscribe to GTN bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
 
Seed packets give Veg-2-Gro sales a boost
Veg-2-Gro sales are down on the same week of the previous two years (-14% 2015 and -20% 2014) but there is a glimmer of hope as gardeners seem to be stocking up on seeds in anticipation of the sowing season as ground temperatures start to rise...


Veg-2-Gro sales are down on the same week of the previous two years (-14% 2015 and -20% 2014) but there is a glimmer of hope as gardeners seem to be stocking up on seeds in anticipation of the sowing season as ground temperatures start to rise.

This week’s Veg-2-Gro star performers are:
  • Thompson & Morgan Courgette Defender F1 Hybrid is the highest re-entry at No 10.
  • The highest new entry is Thompson & Morgan Swiss Chard Bright Lights at No 37.
  • Highest climber is Suttons Tomato F1 Sweet Million, jumping 40 places to No 7.
  • Taylors Onion Sets Stuttgarter moves up a place to top spot.
To subscribe to GTN bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
 
Another fantastic week for growing media sales
Growing media sales continue to soar as gardeners get ready for some serious action.
Growing media sales continue to soar as gardeners get ready for some serious action.

This week’s star performers include:
  • Shamrock Irish Moss Peat (75 litres) is the highest re-entry at No 7.
  • Another product returning to the chart is Arthur Bowers Mulch & Mix Composted Bark (50 litres) at No 12.
  • GroWise Landscape Mini Chip Bark (100 litres) re-enters the Growing Media chart at No 28.
To subscribe to GTN bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
 
Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters delivered via the post for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £120m.

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

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

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

Email Software by Newsweaver