In This Issue
Sales rise as Indian Summer gets the nation growing
Wyevale Garden Centres axes head office jobs in re-structuring
Glee 2016 is officially sold out!
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Value House to close Weymouth store following poor sales
Scotland and N.Ireland winners unveiled by GCA
GCA steps up search for new inspectors
Alton, Chessington and Fosseway collect Greatest Awards at spoga+gafa
Bramblecrest and Kadai, by Wilstone House are The Greatest Outdoor Leisure Suppliers of the Year
Slow start – but Highfield's summer turnover was 28% up
Bake Off audience watching longer Gardeners' World show? Not yet...
Garden Solutions in a box, masses of inspiration and a door stopper showstopper from Elho at spoga+gafa
Garden King chips in extra £1 in poppy feeder charity promotion
Former Gardman MD sets up new brand-building business
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Restaurant Manager
Garden Sundries Manager (West Sussex)
Garden Centre Plantarea Manager
Garden Centre Seasonal Manager, Christmas & Furniture
Seasonal Plant Area Manager
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Garden lighting sales continue to shine
Veg-2-Gro sales see pleasing uplift
Growing media sales continue to surprise
Charlie Lacey to take over as Decco COO
Huge increase in plant sales
Four Oaks Trade Show up for sale
Grange plans to stop manufacturing production at Telford
Hillview 5 years on and ready for further growth
Gardenstore former owners leave Hillview
New corporate ID for Smiemans
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
GTN's Greatest Awards 2016
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
Butcher's shop adds prestige to Worcester centre's new food hall
Food-to-go industry prepares for lunch! 2016
Situations Vacant
Restaurant Manager
Salary: Competitive
 
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Garden Sundries Manager (West Sussex)
Salary: £20,000 - £25,000
 
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Garden Centre Plantarea Manager
Salary: £20,000 - £25,000
 
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Garden Centre Seasonal Manager, Christmas & Furniture
Salary: £20,000 - £25,000
 
Read more»
Seasonal Plant Area Manager
Salary: £28,000 - £30,000
 
Read more»
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Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700
Slow start – but Highfield's summer turnover was 28% up

With the schools back and Christmas knocking at the door, Highfield Garden World in Gloucestershire offers GTN Xtra readers an assessment of the all-important May-August sales period.

MD Tim Greenway reports that year-on-year turnover was 28% up 28%* across the whole business, including the planteria, restaurant, furniture, pets, gifts, fashion, sundries and farm shop. The biggest winners were plants (up 48%*) and outdoor/indoor furniture (up 24%*).”

But as ever, Tim says, the weather was the biggest influencer. “A cold spring delayed both consumer demand and plant availability, but when the sun started shining in May, we were flooded with plants in peak condition, as well as plenty of customers wanting to buy them. So during early summer we made hay in the planteria.

“Come July, when temperatures rose and we had some really hot days, sales dipped across the store. As everyone in retail knows, when it’s hot people are much more likely to stay at home in the cool. Whereas on a cool, drizzly, summer’s day we can be pretty sure of a busy day with high footfall and, in particular, a packed restaurant.”

The trend: hot products and chillaxing 

Tim pinpoints some products that proved particularly popular this summer.  “In the planteria we've had some good success with both specimen plants and ready-made planters - purchases that customers can pick up, take home and pop into position for instant good looks. I call it ‘instant gardening’, but whatever you call it, it's on the increase!

“Another successful move for us has been focussing more on lifestyle garden furniture and accessories. For example, we sold lots of stylish, low level chairs, sofas and tables in materials such as all-weather wicker. We're finding that people want to spend time relaxing rather than working in their gardens, and that many now see the garden as an outside room - an extension of the house. The lifestyle furniture instantly gives them the informal look they want and provides the perfect spot for chillaxing alone or with friends, probably with a glass of fizz and a plate of nibbles to hand! Many customers have gone one step further this year and bought a fire pit or chimenea to help extend the summer nights.”

*gross figures

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