GLEE REVIEW
GREAT PLANT RETAIL IDEAS
gtn
Report and pictures from the major exhibition
Advice and information for garden centre professionals
OCTOBER 2017
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A vision for the future Kate Ebbens reveals how Cadix is facing the challenges ahead ...including BREXIT
Driving footfall Great new idea to boost your business
THE TOP INTERVIEWS People in the news
INTERVIEW
VISION FOR THE FUTURE Glee saw the launch of a raft of new products from Cadix as the company embarked on an ambitious period of change. Managing Director Kate Ebbens reveals how the company is approaching the challenges facing the British gardening market.
Can you talk us through the changes that have taken place at Cadix? Cadix has made some changes in the last few months to push forward our visions and future for the business. Toine Van de Ven, who owns Capi Europe in Holland, became a 50% shareholder of Cadix UK in February this year. We have been in business together for 18 years and we wanted to streamline our business and therefore Toine was an ideal partner to work with. He has an incredible vision to change the way pots are made, moving production from China to Holland in the new 25.000 sq. metre factory and warehouse. This allows for control over the business and avoids the ever-increasing costs that we would incur from China. Why the change of direction? Cadix and Capi have worked together for over 18 years to produce unique, contemporary planters. The change in direction gives us the opportunity to continue innovating with new ideas. The new factory enables the brand to grow and for new designs to be added to the collections.
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What reaction did you get at Glee to your new plans? At Glee, we launched our Made in Holland range which are a series of planters in a variety of shapes, colours and textures – they
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are lightweight, containing an insulation layer which helps your plants last longer. We also launched our new indoor mini pot range in four stunning designs in three colours – we were quoted by Andy Bunker in GTN that “if I have to nail my colours to the mast then I would go with Cadix houseplant cover pots.” It was very important that we designed the stand and planting to reflect the English market, using plants from both North One GC and Alton GC, and planted by Paul Holt of North One. Our customers could envisage the products and how they could be displayed in their garden centre. Supporting the new Retail Lab @ Glee this year in the Re-wilding section, we were able to show that our collection of planters can be planted and positioned in any location, demonstrating a lifestyle setting. Our marketing is crucial to the end user understanding the key positives to buying a Made in Holland planter. We have designed a mix and match app to demonstrate what each planter will look like when planted, to give the consumer some inspiration and to help when choosing plants to purchase.
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The impressive Cadix stand at Glee Will the new premises mean better distribution of your products to the UK? All our customers are very excited about our logistics and facilities moving to Holland where 80% of the products will be made and despatched to the UK. The investment into the purpose-built warehouse will benefit further development of new products, in different materials, that are environmentally and consumer friendly, as well as being design lead. The more automated logistics system will reduce lead times on stock availability and despatch. Over the next three years and once production has been maximised in Holland we plan to build a UK factory and a range of Made in the UK Planters will be launched. Do you think you will be in a stronger position when Britain exits the EU? Our vision to combine resources will only strengthen our position in the market and enable us to control and move with decisions that are made regarding Brexit. There are uncertain times ahead however. Within the market 80% of women are in the majority when it comes to buying planters. We feel that our planters are well positioned to deliver to the needs of the consumer. Have you enjoyed being a leading figure in GIMA? I feel very privileged to have been a member of the GIMA council for nearly four years. During that time, I have seen GIMA grow in importance as a trade body within our industry. Everything we do at GIMA is focused around our five core membership benefits of Saving, Connecting, Promoting, Representing and Supporting. As well as being a member of the governing council, we are also there to support Vicky Nuttall in her role as Director, ensuring that GIMA delivers what the members want. Our input is essential, making sure Vicky gets real feedback from members at the coalface.
The Dutch factory What are the benefits GIMA? I have seen the benefit that GIMA membership has brought to my business. Taking an active role in many of the GIMA events has helped raise Cadix’s profile and we have grown our business since joining. Personally, through GIMA I have met some fantastic colleagues within the industry who I can now call my friends. They’ve been a great support to me whilst I have been growing Cadix’s business over the last few years. This also goes hand in hand with giving something back – our sector is very supportive of the Greenfingers Charity. What excites you about this industry? I have an infectious passionate drive to see this industry capture the opportunities we have in our sector. Our market is predicted to grow 8% in the next year and I believe our customers need to provide the end user with tools to learn how to use their products to the best of their advantage. What challenges lie ahead? The industry will have challenges ahead. However, we have a huge support network with the HTA, GCA, GIMA and many other leading bodies that can steer and support the industry, investing in the future of the garden sector.
01440 713704 www.cadix.co.uk customer.services@cadix.co.uk
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EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING Garden Trade News, The Old School, 4 Crowland Road, Eye, Peterborough PE6 7TN Tel 01733 775700 Fax 01733 775838 gardentradenews@tgcmc.co.uk www.gardentradenews.co.uk THE GTN TEAM Editor: Neil Pope neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk Associate Editor: Mike Wyatt mike.wyatt@tgcmc.co.uk Director: Trevor Pfeiffer trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk Publisher: Mandy Davies mandy.davies@tgcmc.co.uk Advertising: Alan Burdon alan.burdon@tgcmc.co.uk Ben Greenwood ben.greenwood@tgcmc.co.uk HOW TO SUBSCRIBE Tel 01733 775700 or email subscriptions@gardentradenews.co.uk Subscription rates UK: £145 Subscription includes a password for full access to GTN Online plus a weekly copy of GTN Bestsellers OUR PUBLISHERS GTN is published by Potting Shed Press Ltd, who also publish: * www.gardentradenews.co.uk website * Weekly GTN Xtra and Pet Trade Xtra newsletters * Garden Radio * Official Glee Catalogue and Glee Daily News Online – the only official guides to the garden industry’s leading annual trade show SMALL PRINT All material © Potting Shed Press 2017. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, either for sale or not, without the express permission of the publishers. The information contained in this publication is published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Potting Shed Press Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by reliance on information contained in this publication or in the event of any bankruptcy or liquidation or cessation of the trade of any company, individual or firm mentioned, is hereby excluded.
October 2017 3
GLEE REVIEW
Glee: bolder, brighter and brimming with freshness The doors to Glee 2017 may now be closed, but the industry praise continues to be heard. From busy aisles, full-to-capacity exhibiting space, a positive, businessbuilding atmosphere and the strongest ever offering of focussed added value features – including the hugely popular Retail Lab @ Glee – this year’s event has proven that Glee’s evolution is continuing to hit the mark for the industries it represents. In a move to be more reflective of the changes taking places within trends, consumer spending habits and future growth potential, Glee 2017 was designed to be bigger, fresher and bolder – full of innovative feature content, tangible business advice and the strongest collection of brands ready and willing to forge relationships with retailers. And it is this overall offering that is drawing praise from buyers and buying teams, owner/operators, key decision makers and influencers from across the garden, landscaping, builders merchant, home, gift, pet and wider retail markets, who attended en mass, including 98% of GCA members. From the new Retail Lab – which drew crowds from both the UK and Europe, keen to join the area’s Creative Director, Romeo Sommers, to learn more about the four key future facing trends that will impact gardening and retail in the year ahead – to the unrivalled seminar programme created by The HTA, Innovators Zone, GIMA Business Village, PetQuip Business Village, International Buyers Centres, and the Buyers Power List and Glee New Product Showcase, Glee’s action packed programme of events, plus 550 exhibitors, meant that for threedays the industry came together under the Glee banner.
What’s more, Glee also placed gardening on the national news agenda, with a visit from BBC Breakfast on Monday 11th September. Steph McGovern, the BBC Breakfast business correspondent, reported live from the show, putting Glee in front of an audience in excess of seven million. Kick starting the show in style, this national news coverage helped create a buoyant and positive mood throughout the exhibition. Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director, said: “From the comments we have received from both buyers and suppliers, this has been the most vibrant and exciting Glee of recent years. It was clear that plenty of business was being done, new relationships were being forged, and people were seizing the chance to network and build their professional insight. “Visitors also took advantage of Glee unrivalled inspirational content, with many taking the time to visit both our seminar programme, and our new-for-2017 Retail Lab feature. We want Glee to provide a vital platform for growth for both suppliers and retailers, and believe that Glee 2017 has worked to reaffirm this role. “We have already taken a significant number of re-bookings from suppliers keen to secure their places at Glee 2018, as well as Glee @ Spring Fair in early spring 2018.”
Jonathan Stobart, Managing Director, Smart Garden Products: “We have had another very positive experience at Glee 2017. From our largest ever product introduction, to a significantly expanded Glee presence, and significant orders taken, it’s been a great show. We have already committed to 2018 show with an enlarged single stand.” Sheila Hill, General Manager of The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd: “Glee 2017 was a fantastic show. The strong BBC Breakfast coverage demonstrated progress in the industry and allowed us to raise the profile of our brands.” Jackie Eades, Founder, Briers: “For us, Glee represents an unrivalled opportunity for launching new ranges, reinforcing the brand, business building and of course a bit of afterhours bonding thrown in too! It has been a great success for us in terms of the goals we set out to achieve.“
Glee at Spring Fair (February 4-8, NEC)
Time to grow: Glee 2018
Glee at Spring Fair will give retailers the opportunity to see new and best-selling ranges ahead of the spring season. A second addition at this time of year will give retailers an additional destination to refresh their ranges for key retail spikes. Glee in February will also provide garden buyers with the latest concepts and trends for 2018, helping them to direct their buying. Categories that retailers can look forward to sourcing will include garden care, landscaping and garden decoration, and outdoor entertaining. The spring edition will also provide Glee exhibitors with a secondary revenue opportunity in the year, and an additional touchpoint to meet with new and existing customers, whilst also enabling Spring Fair to benefit from having a dedicated garden centre hub at its heart. Glee at Spring Fair will take prime location in Hall 3, considered to be in the main thoroughfare, and will have the signature wide boulevard synonymous with the September layout.
Next year, Glee will be relocating to NEC Halls 6, 7, 8, 19-20, providing the show with a much bigger footprint, and an even larger and more exciting exhibition. Exhibitors will be able to relocate, whilst visitors will be walking an updated floorplan; discovering new products and companies at every turn. The overall effect will be a refreshed, revitalised event, as Matthew Mein explains. “Glee has been growing at a significant rate and that means we’ve outgrown our current home. Glee has successfully relocated before, and we hope that this next move will be received with the same level of industry support. “ Not only will the exhibition be able to better accommodate more exhibitors and visitors, but its refreshed layout will breathe new life into the show. This move is inspired by the way that retailers keep their store interesting for customers by constantly revising the layout. This way customers discover more, and ultimately spend more.”
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What they had to say
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Jack Nelson, Managing Director, Muztag: “This is my first trade show ever and even my first year of trading. I think Glee gives off great exposure for brands.” Craig Hall, Marketing Director, Deco-Pak: “Glee 2017 was a fantastic show for the Deco-Pak brand. We use Glee as our annual launchpad for our new products and latest innovations, and this year was no different.” Christine Virginie, Marketing Manager at Fordingbridge: “We thoroughly enjoyed the annual Glee show. We caught up with lots of existing clients and formed relationships with lots of new ones too! What is so good about Glee is that it concentrates everyone under one roof for three days.” Kyle Daniels, Sales, bio-bean (winners of the 2017 GIMA Innovators Seedcorn Fund – announced at Glee): “We think the show has been really, really good. There are extremely high-powered supermarkets and sheds. Glee is by far the best show.”
INSPIRATION
Greatest plant retailing ideas GTN’s Greatest Plant Retailing Awards were presented at Glee. After touring the length and breadth of the country, the judges reveal some great ideas that caught their eye.
Gold Plant Retailing team winners overall – Perrywood in Essex – made summer holidays as their theme throughout the centre with plants as the focus. Mexico at the entrance, Greece outside in the planteria and California in houseplants were among the stunning themes created by the Perrywood team.
What better advertisement of the quality of your gardening advice than a living label display as good as this of cucumber growing! At Aylett Nurseries they have living label displays of both cucumbers and tomato plants. That ensures they sell plenty of young plants and all the related growing accessories. Plus it underlines their status as Gold Plant Advice Team.
6 October 2017
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INSPIRATION
“Fron Goch have the best written POS that adds to the friendly knowledgeable advice given face to face by the team.” That was the verdict of GTN’s Greatest Plant Award judges. This example of POS for Begonias is a classic example. We really liked the line about them being slug proof!
Burston, the Greatest Awards ‘Kings of Linked Sales’ out in the planteria, raised their game even further this year with more product merchandised alongside the plants and better POS so that customers can understand what they should be buying.
The Colour Wheel at Millbrook Gravesend where plants are displayed for sales and grown in beds and borders was one of many displays that made it really easy for the judges to award them Gold for ‘Garden Decoration’ Plant Sales Team of the Year. They really get the concept of plants being used for garden decoration.
They’re ‘Top of the Pots’ again at Bents. It’s no surprise they sell so many pots and plants with pots making such a splash in each colour themed display. After all who buys a pot without having a plant to grow in it?
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October 2017 7
GTN PROMOTION
Show stopper One of the main show stoppers at Glee was the Petface Parlour, a professional mobile pet grooming salon. Find out why it created so much interest among visitors. How was the Petface Parlour business conceived? The concept was created as a new way to add value to the company’s proposition to its customers. We felt that it was not only exciting but also had perfect synergy with what we do and what we are about as a business. It also had the potential to drive traffic into our customers’ centres which is clearly real bonus. The Petface Parlour is a quality service that we can further support with pet events and promotional campaigns, utilising Petface’s vast product offering to secure new shoppers for our customers. This is obviously of great mutual benefit as a customer for them is also a customer for us. What kind of reception did you get at Glee? We had an overwhelming reception to the concept at Glee and secured numerous leads from businesses that intend to participate when the service is available. Was there a lot of interest shown by visitors to your stand? We always have a busy show at Glee and this year was no different. We had lots of interest in the new products that we have recently launched and we received a significant number of pre-orders throughout the show. How do you see the Petface Parlour benefitting garden centres? The goal of our pet parlour is to support our customers by driving pet customers into centres for a dedicated pet day event. Customers can take advantage of the Petface Parlour service, shop the pet category and hopefully enjoy the onsite café with some
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secondary shopping. The parlour will also hopefully attract a different demographic of customer to the centres, driving further repeat custom. How does a garden centre go about booking the Parlour? At present the best way to register interest is to contact your Petface Representative or email info@petface.com Would it be the responsibility of the garden centre to promote the service and secure pre-bookings?
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Ultimately yes, however we look to support where possible via our social media platforms. Is it true you have ordered more grooming vans? Yes, at present we have one operational van with a further four in the build phase. There is also a further commitment pledged for another 50 vans within the next 12-18 months. Will they be placed in different parts of the country?
GTN PROMOTION
New Petface Parlour grooming products will be available soon!
This forms part of our wider vision and long term plan. We are currently recruiting qualified pet groomers across the UK who share our high standards and fully represent the ethos of the Petface brand. This proactive recruitment campaign will drive the roll out. Will the Petface Parlour become a franchise business or do you want to retain full control? The plan at present is to retain full control, but we are exploring all possibilities for the future, so we would not rule this out as a consideration. We did have a number of enquiries about this at Glee, so clearly there is a demand. Is it true that all your dog groomers will be City & Guilds trained? This is correct, we only want to have City & Guilds trained and qualified pet groomers to operate our Petface Parlour vehicles. We want to ensure we deliver the highest standards of service to our nation’s pets and instil further trust in the brand from their owners. How will you ensure that the highest standards are maintained? Each employee will be fully trained in his or her profession and they will receive internal company training on our brand’s ethos and the ‘Petface way’. They will also be supported by head office and an external service and support manager, who will also be City & Guilds qualified. Is the original Petface Parlour van - the one at Glee - being used on the road at the moment? This vehicle was launched not long before Glee and is so far only operating in the Peterborough area with residential
appointments. The reception and feedback has been outstanding so far and customers have complimented the professional and convenient service. We have plans to launch some trial pet events in garden centres and we will reveal further details in due course. to launch some trial pet events in garden centres, which we are in the process of putting the details together.
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For more information on the Petface Parlour call 01462 832000 or visit www.petface.com October 2017 9
INTERVIEW
‘The best way to help nature? Change the way we live...’ Mike Wyatt meets wildlife cameraman and conservation champion Simon King OBE at Glee to discuss the range he has designed for Wildlife World. Towards the end of my conversation with Simon King, I dare to ask him if he feels there might be too much emphasis these days on the cute and cuddly in TV programmes like the BBC’s Springwatch and not enough on the more serious end of nature conservation. “I don’t know - is the honest answer,” he tells me, declining to comment on current output, which he says he doesn’t get to see much of. “But when I was involved the conservation content was always of the highest integrity.” While he welcomes any approach that might engage more of the viewing public with environmental issues, he takes the view that the best way to support nature is to change the way we live. And he accepts that is a mighty challenge for us all. Meanwhile, King has brought the knowledge gleaned during a career studying the behaviours of wildlife from behind the lens of a video camera to bear on a unique range of products for Wildlife World. This is not your average celebrity
Simon King on the Wildlife World stand at Glee with the brushwood Robin Nester he designed for his new range. Like other items in the range, it boasts unique features.
endorsement. The products – for wild birds, hedgehogs, bats...and even keen nature photographers (the Ultimate Wildlife Hide) – boast features that will create garden habitats closely mimicking the detailed requirements of wild creatures. For instance, the super-strong Predator Resist Nestbox is extra deep so that cats, rats and woodpeckers cannot reach fledglings. The Robin Nesters (in wooden and brushwood versions) have open fronts with a concealed side-entry chamber to keep preying eyes away from the nest area.
And the brushwood Open Nest Buddy, the first of its kind, creates a nest space simulating the natural branch structure sought by blackbirds and other members of the thrush family. Simple but ingenious is a Bat Hanging Rack inspired by King’s observation that bats often struggle to find a suitable surface to cling to when roosting. ALSO NEW from Wildlife World: the Dewdrop Window Feeder and a National Trust range of 12 habitats and feeders inspired by well-known Trust properties. Information: wildlifeworld.co.uk
Left: Wildlife World’s new Dewdrop Window Feeder. Above: Robin Nester and Open Nest Buddy from the Simon King range.
10 October 2017
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GTN PROMOTION
Celebration time!
Last year’s major re-launch hit the spot for Bonningtons – and this year the company has been marking its 50th anniversary One year after the biggest re-branding in the company’s history, garden home and leisure products supplier Bonningtons has much to celebrate. The 2016 re-launch – which saw the creation of eight bright new brands to run alongside its core Kingfisher ranges, adding more than 750 new lines – was received with enthusiasm and succeeded in encouraging the trade to take a fresh look at Ian Fisher’s forward-thinking company. As if that was not reason enough for a party, 2017 marks the company’s 50th anniversary, so this year has seen a double celebration involving the workforce and its customers. The steady stream of trade visitors to Open Week at Bonningtons’ Nottingham showroom last month were treated to a host of tempting offers and promotions, including extra special 50th birthday discounts and a prize draw with £500 off the next order for the winner. There were generous offers on de-listed lines and guests enjoyed a VIP tour of the premises. This autumn, a dynamic new website will go live to top off a year of significant achievement for the company (see panel on the opposite page). Following the major cultural, structural and range-building changes of 2017, next year will see the focus return to Bonningtons core business, serving its growing number of garden centres, independents, high street chains and leading internet retailers through its experienced sales force led by sales director Sergio Tartaglia. An ever-widening portfolio will continue to span consumer needs across the market, from established value lines to the newer premium ranges. “We are very pleased with the turnout at this, our most important open event, and are
already planning our next one. Early figures indicate we have taken around £750k worth of orders, to be delivered over the next 6 months,” said Sergio. Sophie Timmermans-Delves of Timmermans Garden Centre said: “We really enjoyed our day at Bonningtons, and were delighted with the great offers available. To be winners of the £500 prize draw is the icing on the cake, and we look forward to spending the money on more fantastic Bonningtons products that we know our customers will love.” The company is now making plans for its next Open Week, earmarked for early February 2018 to enable buyers to combine a showroom visit with their Spring Fair trip.
Fun for the 50th... n CEO Ian Fisher has made sure his staff have had plenty of fun to mark the 50th anniversary milestone. The celebrations have included: 4An awards evening 4Impromptu Escape Room Challenges, in which groups are locked in a room together and are given 60 minutes to solve challenging puzzles to escape the room. 4A 25-mile ‘Tour de Nottingham’ cycle ride. (Ian Fisher is an accomplished triathlete and in the summer led a team of amateur cyclists on the 181km ‘L’Etape du Tour’ – stage 18 of the Tour de France).
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Above and below left:the Bonningtons showroom during September’s 50th Anniversary Open Week. Visitors were given a VIP tour and treated to generous hospitality.
New brands for bird Although the number of new products sourced by Ian Fisher and his buying team is more modest for 2018, most categories are seeing introductions and enhancements. Core gardening and affordable garden furniture, the two topperforming categories, benefit from a number of additions. However, there are two notable launches: 1. Nature’s Market – a re-vamped bird care range with a fresh, contemporary look using chalk-board-style graphics on its packaging and POS. The range includes bird foods and feeders, nest boxes, bird tables and bird baths in a range of designs. Open Week visitors were the first to preview the range, which is available this autumn. 2. A la Maison – a new range of design-led affordable and attractive home wares blending traditional rustic style with modern designs. Items include decorative door mats, door stops, storage solutions and fireside accessories.
GTN PROMOTION
Bonnington’s 5 top sellers in 2017 PS4003 - 5L Pressure Sprayer
New products to watch out for Above: Merchandiser for the Christmas Village collection, available empty or fully-stocked. Left: the Christmas lights range has been repackaged with colour-coding to make it easier to shop. Below: A new addition to the Dawn till Dusk range of garden lighting.
FSLOVE – Hardwood Patio Love Seat PBASE – Cast Iron Effect Parasol Base WT100 – Electronic Water Timer GA001 – Giant Tower Wooden Blocks Game
A brand new website goes live this autumn
care and homewares
This autumn sees the launch of a brand new Bonningtons website. While the style will be familiar to existing users of the site, it will be easier to use, more dynamic, fully interactive and, of course, transactional. Bonningtons are hoping to encourage more and more customers to explore the benefits of ordering and contacting the customer services team online. “We’re very excited about the website, which has meant a lot of development and a significant investment for us,” said Bonningtons e-commerce and marketing manager Dawn Raymond. “The live warehouse-to-website stock feed is a major step forward and promises to improve order fulfilment rates and increase customer satisfaction.”
www.bonningtons.com 0115 985 4119 www.gardentradenews.co.uk
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GLEE REVIEW
Great response to Gold Leaf’s RHS Collection The owners of Gold Leaf Gardening Gloves were overwhelmed by the response to their new RHS Collection which won Best New Product in the Home, Gift and Clothing Products category at Glee. “Following eighteen months of development working closely with The RHS, and through our specialist knowledge of leather gloves, we were confident that we had produced something special for the gift market but the response from buyers at the show has been quite amazing,” commented owners Peter and Kelly Cooney (pictured above). www.goldleaf-gloves.com
Consumer trends at heart of product development for Meadow View Stone Visitors to Glee this year discovered a new and extended range of products had been unveiled on the Meadow View Stone stand. With 12 new decorative aggregates and over 20 additions to their paving collection, Meadow View have placed consumer trends at the heart of their product
development process. This has also been echoed in their new retail-friendly, contemporary packaging and informative brochure, as well as their customer driven website which launched at the show. www.meadowviewstone.co.uk
Exciting future ahead for Kadai Firebowls Glee was another successful event for Kadai Firebowls, with new stockists coming on board and existing customers looking forward to working with Kadai. 2018 welcomes the introduction of The Kadai Planter and The Kadai Water feature. “To show the versatility of the product, Kadai Firebowls have now re-engineered the Kadai to produce a stunning planter and, with their one-piece bowl, a superb water feature.” Next year promises heavy focus on the world of live fire cooking. Having sponsored some of the UK’s most dynamic and successful BBQ and live fire events during 2017, Kadai Firebowls have teamed up with some of the biggest and best names in cooking over fire and barbecue, with a view to bring this to the forefront of the British outdoor cooking scene in 2018. Existing and new stockists have been extremely pleased with the transformation that Kadai have taken this year, with colourful and eye catching slat wall displays, attractive and informative hang tags and beautiful photography. Kadai Firebowls strive to bring the beauty of outdoor living, straight to customers worldwide. Kadai will continue to explore ever more creative and stunning visual merchandising throughout the next year.
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“Thank you to Glee and to everyone who came to see us. Your time and continued support is always appreciated and we look forward to working with you throughout the years to come. “With over 30 accessories in the range, superb merchandising and an award winning, dedicated stockist team...where will your Kadai take you?” www.kadai.com 01694 771800 info@wilstone.com
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October 2017 15
GLEE REVIEW
Creative Products impresses at Glee Creative Products is celebrating a successful Glee, having impressed buyers with its latest product offerings and new heritage inspired packaging. As well as inspiring visitors to the stand with its range of innovative products, including the cleverly designed Easy Salad vegetable preparation gadget, Creative Products was also shortlisted for a Glee New Product Award, with the company’s Star Magic Motion Christmas laser lights catching the judges’ eyes. Creative Products Managing Director, Mark Hall (right) said: “As always provided us with a great opportunity to demonstrate not only our most recent product innovation but also our unique ‘no risk’ sale or return approach to retail which proved to be as appealing as ever to buyers at this year’s show.” www.creativeproducts.ltd.uk 01476 564 230 sales@creativeproducts.ltd.uk
Transforming retail display ideas As a company at the forefront of retail display within the garden centre industry, Stagecraft couldn’t imagine missing the opportunity at Glee to showcase its ability to transform retail display ideas into fantastic products for both interior and exterior spaces. “Thanks to the many who attended our stand at Glee 2017,” said the company. “Our experienced designers can assist with a wide range of standard or bespoke projects, from exterior benching to counters, shelving and shop-fits we can do it all and most importantly do it well. “We are elated by the quality of enquiries received and look forward to being involved in exciting new projects.” stagecraft-uk.com
CPL are going supercharged Vitax on point with its marketing Vitax’s decision to put garden centres and retailers at the heart of its Glee exhibition with striking marketing and point of sale materials has been a great success with an increase in visitors to this year’s stand. Designed to help gardeners choose the right product and ensure garden centres promote the right product for the right gardening problem, Vitax will be providing customers with range of promotional materials from 2018 varying from sales buddies and branded boxes through to clearer signage and product guides. This is the first time Vitax has provided both indoor and outdoor promotional material to customers, but follows many years of developing new packaging and products in conjunction with customer feedback. www.gardenworld.co.uk
16 October 2017
CPL’s Chris Foy (right) and Russell Haigh with the popular Homefire Supercharged Heat Logs.
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Glee was another huge success for CPL Distribution with their innovative Supercharged Heat Logs creating plenty of interest. The ‘super dry, super hot logs’ produce lower smoke levels and are part of CPL’s Next Generation Biomass Fuels range which were originally unveiled at last year’s Glee. Designed to keep you warm this winter as well as saving you money, these high performing, eco-friendly fuels offer the look and feel of burning firewood, with an enhanced heating performance much more like coal. Supercharged Heat Logs are treated in a high temperature kiln to drive off moisture and increase energy density, making it a far superior fuel than traditional firewood. They are also 100% renewable - no trees were cut down to make this product. For enquiries call Chris Foy (National Accounts Manager) on 07787 263800. Independent retailers should call CPL’s commercial team on 01623 860228. Visit www.cpltradelink or email commercialteam@cpldistribution.co.uk
GTN PROMOTION
Bee a winner!
As well as Hozelock’s ‘Plant a Pot for Bizzi’ campaign helping to protect a healthy bee population, this unique promotion will also ensure sales are buzzing in garden centres. As awareness on protecting the environment and the need for eco-friendly products grows, Hozelock has launched an initiative that will both help the nation’s wildlife and ensure extra sales for retailers. Hozelock’s ‘Plant a Pot for Bizzi’ campaign encourages gardeners to plant more bee-friendly plants to halt and hopefully reverse the decline in Britain’s bee population. Hozelock is supporting the campaign with an eye-catching POS arch and FSDUs creating in-store theatre which will drive retailer sales and demonstrate a commitment to a cause that every gardener will love.
By planting a pot or container for bees, and keeping it watered and healthy throughout the foraging season, gardeners can have a huge impact on bee food availability throughout the year. No matter what size or location of the garden – even the smallest urban balcony or hanging baskets on the patio – gardeners play a key role in helping Britain’s pollinators. Hozelock’s helpful mascot – a bee called Bizzi – urges gardeners to ‘Plant a Pot to help my Friends’, and this call to action is designed to promote cross-category sales opportunities across watering, planterias and planter categories and work with retailer’s own events to promote bee health. Every gardener who records their Hozelock purchases on the ‘Plant a Pot for Bizzi’ website, will trigger a donation to the Flowers for Bees charity, and there’s even the opportunity to enter a free prize draw with a chance to win from a selection of bee related prizes. With everything from Easy Drip automatic watering kits and Superhoze expanding hoses to its Pure collection – providing a greener alternative to using chemicals – Hozelock has everything people need to look after their garden and help nurture the wildlife who visit it.
Working with nature to create unique shopping environments Hozelock were a headline sponsor of the Retail Lab Re-wilding area at Glee. This project showed how retailers could work with nature to create unique shopping enviroments. Even with more of the population now living in urban areas, there is a latent attraction to wildlife. Space is limited and gardening has a new perspective in these areas, with many consumers being new and novice gardeners who have a genuine interest to help the wildlife in their area. Another clear trend is that of community, where people can be brought together through gardening projects to have a big impact – a platform to enable people to work together to enjoy a greener lifestyle and to help wildlife regenerate. Similarly a focus on family and gardening being an extension of the home means that all the family can help in supporting Bizzi’s friends – anyone of any age can plant a pot of bee friendly plants. Many retailers already recognise the interest and importance of including bees, pollinators and wildlife into their store events and merchandising displays. Hozelock will be working with crosscategory partners to develop this to a mutual benefit.
For more information visit
www.hozelock.com www.gardentradenews.co.uk
October 2017 17
18 October 2017
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GLEE REVIEW
10 years of Vitavia greenhouses
It’s true, Vitavia greenhouses first rolled off the production line 10 years ago and the Vitavia Group has never looked back! Going from strength to strength, Vitavia now boasts a fantastic range of greenhouses, wall gardens, garden rooms and accessories. Something for every gardener. Combining the commercial strength of the Vitavia Group with three individual family run businesses, is proving to be a winning formula. Growing steadily each year over the past decade, customers have come to realise that Vitavia greenhouses really are the best value for money. Vitavia’s trade customers range from small garden centres to large multiples, proving the range really caters for everyone. T: 01473 218 100 E: info@vitavia.co.uk Twitter: @VitaviaLtd
Bright outlook at Zest 4 Leisure Zest 4 Leisure’s new product range for 2018, the announcement of its warehouse and distribution centre purchase, a new operations system and new HR director, means a bright outlook for the new garden leisure season. Zest’s new products launched at Glee proved to be a huge success with everyone who visited the stand at the prestigious show. Steve Morgan, Zest 4 Leisure Managing Director said: “With the exciting new product range for 2018, the new warehouse and distribution centre in Saltney and our new operations system means an improved customer service experience and increased business efficiencies for Zest 4 Leisure.” www.zest4leisure.co.uk
Real buzz for Bord na Móna compost Bord na Móna’s resident compost expert Dearbháil Ní Chualáin PhD created a real buzz around their stand at this year’s Glee. Fondly known as Doctor Compost, Dearbháil was on hand with the rest of the team to provide expert help and advice to new and existing customers on the Bord na Móna range, the brand’s commitment to sustainability and move towards reduced peat
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or peat free products. Visitors to the Bord na Móna stand were also invited to try Human Fertiliser smoothies before hearing about the brand’s new for 2017 Composted Bark, 18 strong fertiliser offering and premium Pro 5 range – some of the most successful product ranges to be introduced by Bord na Móna to date. www.bordnamona.ie
October 2017 19
GLEE REVIEW
Great response to Bathgate products Bathgate Horticulture said it was great to back at Glee with its trusty team all brimming with enthusiasm. The company commented: “We were impressed by the diversity and quality of visitors to our stand and have rebooked for next year and feel confident that the Glee team will deliver another excellent show. “We are very encouraged by the response to our new products – the extended 10 litre range has been well received and the additions to our award-winning Champions Blend range and our new Ericaceous John Innes compost have improved overall brand appeal.” Bathgate Horticulture are committed to producing fit for purpose products manufactured to market leading standards and offer single pallet deliveries nationwide. www.bathgatehorticulture.co.uk
The Heritage Collection from The Pot Company is a huge success At this year’s Glee The Pot Company launched a brand new range of planters in association with English Heritage. The Heritage Collection is inspired by history. Each planter incorporates a period design feature found at an English Heritage property, such as the Tudor Rose motifs on fireplaces at Dover Castle in Kent and detailing on statues at the gardens in Wrest Park in Bedfordshire. As with the entire Pot Company range, planters can be ordered individually or in nested sets and pallet combinations. Good margins are on offer to the end retailer and increase with volumes purchased. Merchandising solutions are also available, including point of sale marketing material. Contact sales@thepotco.com for more information or call 01892 890 353.
20 October 2017
Patio Black Spot Remover secure new customers Following a highly successful three days at Glee, the Patio Black Spot Removal Team would like to thank everyone that visited our stand over the three days. “As a result of our discussions, we are delighted to announce that a further 63 new UK garden centres, and main European
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outlets so far, will be stocking our Patio Black Spot Removal System into 2018,” the company said. “On behalf of the Company thank you for the time afforded to us and, of course, for your valued custom.” www.patioblackspotremoval.com
GLEE REVIEW
WE ARE GARDENING
Westland delivers even more effective product communications than ever before Four big campaigns announced at Glee signal Westland’s biggest and best ever year for communications in 2018. Glee saw the unveiling of the new ‘We Are Gardening Campaign’ which talks to everyone with a space and an urge to grow. Whether they have a traditional house with a garden, a flat or apartment with a balcony, a small patio or backyard or even no outside space at all, everyone with an urge to grow has a windowsill. Westland are spreading a philosophy that focuses on the fun in the doing – hoeing, sowing, mowing, growing, feeding, weeding, watering, waiting. Throughout 2018, Westland will run a fully integrated campaign, championing all types of gardeners, inspiring their urge to grow and helping everyone to make their garden spaces get even better than they were before. The campaign will run throughout the whole year and will consist of advertising in print, digital and on social media, supported by PR and organic reach. With new hands-on lifestyle photography showing gardeners enjoying getting their hands dirty, Westland are able demonstrate that they understand gardeners more than anyone else in the industry. The unifying banner means they are able to support a wider range of products with more advertising touch points than ever before. From the New Gro-Sure Smart Patch, to Growing Success Slug Control range, the reach will be massive. Westland have created a bank of ‘How To Videos’, designed to inspire but also provide people with the know-how required to take on a new project in the garden. “We’ve focussed on the topics that are most searched for, and provide everyone with the helping hand they need to inspire them to try something new in the garden in 2018 and beyond. Topics include: How to grow tomatoes; How to plant vegetables in raised beds; and How to keep your orchids flowering for longer,” explained Westland’s Head of Communications and Insight, Jo Wilkinson. Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland, added: “Our campaign is designed to bring us closer to our consumers, driving more footfall into retail stores and creating more interest in the products stocked both in-store and online. The campaign will reach more potential consumers, educate more staff and inspire more consumers throughout the seasonal calendar. “Content will be critical for this, so we are delivering a whole host of new assets and tools. These include a library of lifestyle images, inspiring infographics and helpful tutorial videos, available for them to share and distribute on their own channels.” Whether it’s a new gardener researching
22 October 2017
lawn seed on Google, a kitchen gardener chatting to friends on Facebook, or an allotmenteer walking the aisles of your garden centre, Westland aim to capture the interest of them all. “There are a potential 37m gardeners in the UK and Ireland. People with an urge to
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grow that are hands-on, practical, health conscious and interested in learning. For them, gardening is about the happiness in doing it, rolling up the sleeves and getting stuck in, the ups and downs of the journey and the pride in what’s achieved. We will be reaching them in 2018.”
GLEE REVIEW
Investment in Resolva Pro increases Investment behind the launch of Resolva Pro has been increased. 2018 will see a massive £1.5 million investment behind the Resolva new entry which is set to shake up the weed category in 2018. The campaign will launch on TV in April supported by a full mix of press, digital and in store communications and stretch longer into the season than ever before. Ready to shake up the weed category, NEW Resolva Pro is based on a formulation that delivers Westland’s best-ever weed killing result on perennial and deep rooted weeds. “Weeds will stand no chance with Resolva Pro!” the Westland team explain. Resolva Pro is the result of seven years of development. It brings professional grade ingredients in a ready to use format. It offers fast-acting effects with visible results, while tackling deep rooted and the toughest of weeds with ease. Innovation lies in a patented molecule package, which allows highly effective glyphosate uptake by the weed, resulting in fast, visible results and faster overall control.
Bounding back onto a screen near you in 2018
Year two investment for Gro-Sure Smart Ground Cover Year two investment in Gro-Sure Smart Ground Cover will double. With an integrated campaign comprising of press, digital, social media and PR throughout the months of March and April. With the key message of smartening up your borders, the product delivers an instant makeover with the look of freshly dug soil and stays in place due to its clever interlocking fibres. This trade-up product with a ‘Better than bark guarantee’, is not only more effective at weed prevention, it covers a wider area of application.
Westland SafeLawn® is proud to share its success with retailers for a second year as its popularity shows no signs of stopping. Retailers will benefit from even more growth in 2018, thanks to the second year of a highly successful integrated product campaign with £1.5m investment. This will spread the message further and wider, including TV, digital, social media and press advertising featuring the much-loved Lawnman. The UK’s first child and pet-friendly lawn fertiliser stormed the tills following its launch and later in the year helped Westland achieve the coveted Sword of Excellence at the GIMA Awards. Over 11m households have a lawn, yet many are put off using chemicals, specifically families and pet owners. Westland SafeLawn was launched to overcome this, signalling a real opportunity which has come to fruition throughout 2017. Westland Safe Lawn is a unique and organic fertiliser with added lawn seed, made with natural ingredients. It nourishes lawns, greening them up within a week and then continues to feed as it naturally breaks down. It helps grass grow and outcompete moss and weeds and also contains special naturally-occurring bacteria which breaks down dead moss and thatch, returning nutrients to feed the grass.
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Daniela Constantine, Brand Manager for Westland Horticulture, said: “We’ve had a fantastic first year. The product has become a real best-seller and has been recognised by the industry through the GIMA award judging. Next year we will be spreading the message even further and wider. Make sure you get stocked up on this one well in advance of Spring 2018. “New for 2018 we’ve created a video to explain more about how SafeLawn works. Take a look at www.gardenhealth.com/ westland.”
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COMING SOON
Marshall under spotlight The HTA Garden Futures Conference is one of the highlights of May and this year sees a guest appearance of Nicholas Marshall, CEO of Dobbies Garden Centres. Nicholas Marshall, CEO of Dobbies Garden Centres, has joined the line-up for the HTA Garden Futures Conference, sponsored by Hozelock, which takes place on Wednesday, October 4, at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire. With over 30 years’ experience in the garden centre sector Nicholas founded and built two garden centre chains, Country Gardens PLC and Country Homes and Gardens PLC. He was also CEO of Wyevale Garden Centres for four years, taking it from near administration to a successful sale for £300m. Nicholas will be interviewed by conference host, journalist and news presenter Cathy Newman who will quiz him on his views on topics such as the future of the industry, the potential impact of Brexit, changing demographics and the consumer and the impact of technology within retail. Garden retail – the great escape – is the theme for this year’s HTA Garden Futures Conference and Dinner which is aimed at all those from across the garden industry from business owners to directors and managers. The theme of this year’s one-day strategic event reflects the role of both gardens and garden centres as an escape and focuses on the benefits, positive role and unique opportunities that this provides for the industry. It also tackles key issues impacting the sector such as Xylella fastidiosa. Also, joining the programme is Rachel Lund from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Rachel heads up the BRC’s Insight and Analytics team and is responsible for all of the BRC’s data gathering and market analysis activities including the Retail Sales and Footfall Monitors. Josh McBain from the Foresight Factory will present on The Ageless Society demonstrating how the changing demographic provides a huge opportunity for the garden industry with a big focus on
experiences rather than material objects. Jack Stratten from Insider Trends will look at technology in retail, highlighting the way in which developments can help to free up time to spend with customers. Professor Alistair Griffiths from the RHS will look at the role of gardens, gardening and horticulture, ensuring that humans don’t lose touch with nature and how it can be used to provide preventative natural health and wellbeing care services. In a session sponsored by Fiskars, botanist, science writer and broadcaster James Wong will be looking at how engaging with your outdoor space could dramatically improve your health and the way in which garden centres can utilise cross-category merchandising to help illustrate the benefit of plants. In a session titled ‘Give Room to Nature’ Harald Elderenbosch, owner and managing director of Elho, explores how they use lifestyle trends to help shape their strategy.
Following on from the Retail Lab @ Glee there will be a Retail Lab @ Garden Futures panel session looking at what the future holds for future retail environments and how retailers can use innovative ways of illustrating lifestyle themes. Ensuring the sector is kept up to date with key issues, there will be a cross industry panel to discuss the threat of Xylella fastidiosa and the mitigating action required to protect the industry. Chaired by HTA Past President Adam Wigglesworth this panel session involves Colin Dale from Notcutts, Andy Smith from Klondyke Group, Jonathan Whitmore from Johnsons of Whixley, Dan Munro from APHA and Boyd Douglas-Davies from Hillview Garden Centres. The conference is followed by the Garden Futures dinner which includes the presentation of the HTA Pearson Memorial Medal and The Greatest Garden Retail Awards, followed by an after dinner speaker.
Record number of exhibitors make it the biggest-ever AQUA for the exhibition and I can promise visitors it will be AQUA 2017, the UK’s aquatics and water gardening biggest ever AQUA show,” show organiser aut voluptis est que trade event, willrestage its biggest evereictrade Genienis aut etur estemquatis deles temshow fugiaeincustorittheque cullicipsus, cumenist et said exerio evelessimpor Annie Foord. October with a record number of over 100 exhibitors oditaquas nonsendi odita consed et essi veliqui beatiusdam volest antentoribus quam veliantio. Et laccusium rae sequae voloriti is And esse AQUAoditatectata event chairman Dr David Poolfaccatque added: nobist mo molori showcasing their tquodit productsvolestor and services. animilici ut anihita ma vitatur aut alitatusdae eum vollorem illorum was set up by thequae. aquatic trade for the Visitors the exhibition at Telford International doluptur senitocorest andisin eum vori occulpa velles inumqui“This tendievent audi volor seruntium aquatic trade and the organisers are constantly Centre on October 18-19 can expect a busy and listening to feedback and looking for new ways to exciting event as all the exhibitor stands have been improve the visitor experience. We’re certain that time snapped up. spent at AQUA 2017 will prove to be both memorable The exhibition halls will be packed with UK and and valuable. international companies, and as well as meeting “A lot of planning and hard work has gone into up with a long list of AQUA regulars, visitors will be organising this show and I’m confident you will have greeted by a host of new faces. an enjoyable and profitable visit.” “I’m happy to report that the UK’s major exhibitors are again heading for Telford. It’s a really exciting time www.aquatelford.co.uk.
24 October 2017
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October 2017 25
INSIGHT
INTERNATIONAL RETAIL GURU JOHN STANLEY
In August, I spent a week in Chicago where I was the keynote speaker at the IGC Show. I enjoy Chicago as a walk down Michigan Avenue is, for me, a must “do” to see what is happening to retailing in the USA and possible identify global trends. I had read a lot recently about the demise of retailing in this part of the wold as the online retailers continue to take market share. When looking at the more traditional retail outlets, I can understand, as many looked the same as they did two years ago and I am sure the customer is getting bored with their offer. The one sector that really shines is the confectionary retailers who are starting to lead retail innovation in this part of the world and have lessons for the rest of us. Companies such as Lolli & Pops are one of the retailers leading the way, and I was fortunate to pay one of their stores a vist.
What are the lessons to learn for this sector of retailing?
1
Have a clear brand strategy Lolli & Pops have a business strategy to ‘Delight People’. This is summarized by three key messages that they believe in, Hospitality, Generosity and Thoughtfulness. In practice, this means the General Manager of the store has the role of Greeter – they are called the ‘Chief Purveyors’. The team members are the ‘Magic Makers’ – they have the authority to open any product and share it with the consumer. They believe the act of sharing the product is a great way of getting a human connection. They promote their brand to their fans and believe in taking it ‘one taste at a time’. In my presentations, I talk about ‘Day Makers’ and this is an ideal way of introducing a Day Maker strategy.
2
Have a conversation with your customer via your signage Fannie May on Michigan Avenue is a wonderful store where they have provided ample ‘Gathering’ space for the customer, and they communicate and inspire the customer via their signage. I love the simple, buy inspiring words they use to communicate with the consumer.
3
Inspire the customer with your merchandising Dylan’s store, a few blocks away from Fannie May, is a Disneyland for confectionary. Once you enter their store you cannot help but buy. The way the retail theatre has been put together is an excellent example of showing how you are different. I came away from my walk down Michigan Avenue with the message that ‘Bricks’ retailing is thriving as long as you inspire the customer with the way you get the message out about the product you sell. The same message applies to food retailers, hardware stores and garden centres. I suggest at present it is the confectionary stores we need to look at for ideas. john@johnstanley.com.au
26 October 2017
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www.gardentradenews.co.uk
October 2017 27
INSIGHT
Sowing the seeds of success How a unique product wowed the judges to win the 2017 GIMA Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund. A clean technology company, bio-bean has industrialised the process of recycling spent coffee grounds into advanced biofuels and biochemicals. It was the company’s Coffee Logs that captured the attention of the GIMA Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund judges thanks to its simplicity and environmentally friendly nature. Beating off stiff competition, bio-bean – as GISCF winners – will receive support up to the value of £6,000 to help with development and marketing costs associated with entering the UK garden retail market, including a year’s full GIMA membership, and a wide range of business support tools. Coffee Logs are quite simply, a fuel for stoves, wood burners and chimeneas. The difference comes from the fact that the logs are each made from 25 cups of spent coffee grounds. These compressed coffee grounds produce more heat and burn longer than wood, making them not just cost efficient but help to lower emissions and reduce waste. GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “We’re incredibly pleased to confirm that bio-bean is the 2017 winner of the GIMA Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund. “The company, its processes and resulting product are not just innovative, but they are also changing the way we think about traditional heating methods, and how recycling of an everyday bi-product can reduce waste and lower our environmental impact. bio-bean are certainly opening a wide conversation about waste and how it can be reinvented.”
Highly commended companies In addition to choosing a winner, the GIMA Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund panel also selected two highly commended companies. Those just missing out on the highly coveted title were: Screen with Envy – Made from an advanced mix of wood and composite, these UK designed modular garden screens and trellises are unique in the market. Offered in a variety of sizes, colours and stunning designs, the products look like wood, and can be cut to size like wood. However, due to the composite mix of the material, they won’t warp, rot, mould or age. They are UV treated and fully waterproof. SmartPlant – SmartPlant is the app for people with plants. The app provides plant and pest identification, monthly plant care advice and the ability to chat with over 100 regional plant experts. With hundreds of thousands of downloads and an instore presence in over 110 plant retail locations in both the UK and USA, SmartPlant is focussed on making sure everyone can grow beautiful, healthy plants. SmartPlant barcode scanning technology, allows people to scan the barcode of their new plants and automatically receive monthly care advice.
28 October 2017
Tell us more about bio-bean. bio-bean is the first company in the world to industrialise the process of recycling waste coffee grounds into biofuels. In the UK, we are drinking more coffee than ever before, creating around 500,000 tonnes of waste coffee grounds every single year. In the past, cafés, office blocks and instant coffee factories have spent millions of pounds to send vast quantities of this waste straight to landfill – where it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. bio-bean is the answer to this problem: we recycle thousands of tonnes of waste coffee grounds a year, processing them into amazing carbon-neutral fuels like our new Coffee Logs. Coffee Logs, which are available in supermarkets, garden centres and garage forecourts all over the UK are the most exciting new fuel in the UK - burning hotter and longer than wood and helping the environment too. How has the company developed? Since we were founded by Arthur Kay in 2013, bio-bean has grown rapidly. We work with major coffee chains like Costa and Caffe Nero, collect coffee from railway stations and office blocks all over the UK, have
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recently expanded our collection route to Birmingham and Manchester, and launched our unique Coffee Logs product – which have since become an Amazon Bestseller! With a team of over 35 people split between our London offices and the world’s first coffee recycling factory in Alconbury, Cambridgeshire, it’s an exciting time for the whole bio-bean team as our sales and production grow even further. What made you enter the competition? Our Communications and Marketing Executive, Pippa, found out about the award through Glee communications and thought we’d be a perfect fit. We entered the business as part of our preparations for this autumn’s attendance at Glee. We are absolutely thrilled to have won – this support will help us take our business to the next level.
GTN PROMOTION
BEFORE
AFTER
Hitting the right spot Even Lady Macbeth was driven insane by those hideous black spots that blight our garden stonework, once famously exclaiming, ”Out Damn Spot!” ‘Accident Black Spots’ are highlighted as areas to avoid on our roads, but ‘Patio Black Spots’ have been challenging the sanity of gardeners throughout the land for decades. But help is at hand. Now there is a product that not just removes those unsightly black spots, but completely cleans and restores the original colour to all garden stonework, within a matter of hours! Patio Black Spot Remover has changed people’s perception of the performance and success of patio cleaners, giving instant results, at a better than professional standard. If you still need convincing here are 10 top reasons how Pat Black Spot can boost sales in your garden centre:
1
Demand in Patio Black Spot Removal Products is soaring thanks to an increasing number of people seeking to entertain in great surroundings outdoors.
2
The advent of the Alfresco dining craze, some 15-20 years ago, triggered a massive increase in new garden patios, using new materials such as Indian Sandstone. The first time it rains after laying the new terrace, millions of micro spores, emanating from the trees, are watered into the pores in the garden stonework. Following their two year germination period, they appear as tiny black spots at the beginning of the third year. Suddenly, your monetary investment has been blighted by millions of black spots and has lost its colour.
BEFORE
3
Pressure washing will not remove black spots – but Patio Black Spot Remover will! How many times have you heard, “I’ve just had my patio cleaned and it’s still covered in black spots?”
4
Generally, for less than 3% of the original investment, on a DIY basis, the patio is restored to its original glory!
5
Many garden centres currently stock patio cleaners, capable of removing green algae but they won’t begin to remove the patio black spots. Acid based cleaners cannot be used on Indian Sandstone or Limestone as they will stain the former, and dissolve the latter..
6
The Patio Black Spot Remover sits very comfortably alongside other standard patio cleaners. Although it costs more, the performance more than matches the price.
BEFORE
7 8 9
Allows the consumer to achieve a better than professional finish, on a DIY basis. Reduces pressure washing.
Patio Black Spot Remover is part of the Patio Black Spot Removal System – a combination of products that will keep the problem in check. By using the Patio Black Spot Preventer, every 12 months, it guarantees that black spots won’t return.
10
Garden centre sales of Patio Black Spot Remover have shown up to 300% increase in sales volume year on year over a three year period.
AFTER
AFTER
Call 01252 702123 or visit www.patioblackspotremoval.com
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