Dobbies respond to question about stock availability over the Easter period
Last week after a visit to Dobbies Peterborough over the Easter weekend GTN Xtra asked Dobbies for feedback as we were expecting to see shelves full of stock (as per their comment earlier in March). In the Peterborough store there were still big and obvious gaps in certain product areas and while all other centres we visited over the weekend had their planetaria's brimming with plants, a large area of the Dobbies planteria was still empty.
Here is Dobbies reply in full:
A spokesperson for Dobbies Garden Centres said: “Spring is a very busy time for Dobbies and we have new products landing in stores each week. We closely monitor sales and weather trends across each of our stores to minimise wastage.
“Dobbies Peterborough plant stock and sales are up year to date. Our colleagues are working hard to ensure shelves are stocked but we also have to be responsive to the weather - with wet and windy conditions over the weekend, we had to consider what was on the shop floor.
“We are looking forward to showcasing even more new product to customers over the coming weeks and months.”
Let us not beat around the bush here, the simple answer has nothing to do with Dobbies managing stock more a case of suppliers refusing to supply due to prolonged over-due payments and excuses for not paying. It is good suppliers are standing up to larger retail businesses and leaving them without stock.
Suppliers and manufacturers are not cash-cows, pay on time, build a reciprocal relationship.
John paul
Though it was standard in the industry to be fully stocked for Easter ,pretty obvious in stores key suppliers like hoselock not supplied them as empty stands shops look almost empty.really can't see them in same ownership by the summer at this rate
Brian Wise
Well I’ve just been to Milton Keynes Dobbies and the plant area was great. The shop is. Disaster zone - so many empty gaps- I’d be embarrassed to work there. I have pictures too
Huw Williams
I doubt if Dobbies will be in the same ownership in 12 months time.
Suppliers and manufacturers are not cash-cows, pay on time, build a reciprocal relationship.