In This Issue
Five more garden centres sold by Wyevale
Tong chooses WinRetail, C&F's EPoS system
Winter is in the air. Will it spark a rush for Christmas?
Personalisation now a key retail strategy says expert at HTA-GIMA event
Sales grow by 4.8% at Notcutts in year to Feb 2018
Notcutts and Thurrock GC cancel reindeer over welfare worries
Greenfingers Charity announce Big Gardening Raffle with National Garden Gift Vouchers
Studley Green blooms under new management
Garland urges retailers to secure stocks as demand for products soars
Vitax Q4 grows ABF The Soldiers’ Charity funds by over £10,000
Smart Garden Products expands sales teams
Haskins supports ‘Purple Tuesday’ for inclusive shopping
Oprah Winfrey selects Burgon & Ball RHS gift range in 'Favourite Things' list
Sara helps to raise £3,500 for Bristol homeless charity
Anthurium: December Houseplant of the Month
Field Sales Representatives
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Garden lighting brightens garden product sales
Balmy weather is great for growing media sales
Christmas product sales see temporary fall
Poinsettias are the highest climber in Bestselling Plants chart
GCA starts search for new inspector
GCA's Worrall Cup now open for entries
Healthy Plants, Healthy Business - one-day conference
National Tree Weeek returns later this month
Haskins Garden Centre in West End partners with Venture Studios Southampton for photoshoot competition
Tong GC wins Yorkshire business award
Hozelock name top account manager
The best of last week's
How will the Wyevale "Sale of the Century" play out?
Westland update on Gardman
Erin acquired by Westland
Have you seen the TV ad that Thanks Plants?
Ansells re-opens in full with new shop two years after fire
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
Perrywood Tiptree shortlisted in FreeFrom Eating Out Awards
Situations Vacant
Field Sales Representatives
Salary Circa £26k plus commission and company car
 
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Sales grow by 4.8% at Notcutts in year to Feb 2018

 

Notcutts has recorded another good sales performance in the year ending February 2018 with turnover up 4.8% to £74.7m.  This followed a 5.3% sales increase in the previous year.

 

As experienced by many in the retail sector, increased costs particularly from unfavourable movements in the £ $ exchange rate, contributed to a more challenging economic backdrop. Consequently operating profit fell by 51.5% to £1m with gross profit margin decreasing by 1% point to 46.9% in the year.

 

Commenting on the year CEO, Nick Burrows said: “We are pleased to have delivered another year of sales growth against a more challenging economic backdrop than in recent years.  Like others in the sector we experienced pressure on margins and increased costs associated with transportation, business rates and the national living wage.”

 

“In such an economy we opted not to pass cost increases directly onto customers. Our approach was therefore very much on driving increased footfall and gaining market share as a solid foundation for new growth for when the post Brexit economy stabilises,” added Burrows.  “We were pleased to see footfall grow strongly during the year with conversion rates also improving in our garden centres,” he said.

 

 

Notcutts continued apace with a programme of developments and refurbishment projects during the year which form part of a longer term 5 year plan. Nicky Dulieu, Chairman commented:  “Refurbishment works at Cranleigh, St. Albans, Peterborough, Victoria (Pontefract) and Solihull were all completed, significantly improving the environment for customers.  Upgraded colleague facilities were also completed in a number of our garden centres.”

 

Notcutts have also just opened two major redevelopment projects with new format restaurants in Rivendell (Widnes) and Woodford Park (Stockport). Planning permissions have also been secured for future developments in Woodbridge, Garden Pride (Ditchling), Solihull, Wheatcroft (Nottingham) and Booker.

 

By the end of 2018 the roll out of the new Notcutts brand across all 18 centres will be completed. There will also be an updated website and online store coming early in 2019.

 

Notcutts will continue the introduction of their iconic show gardens.  These already feature in ten of their garden centres and are proving a real point of difference for the Notcutts brand as well as becoming popular draws for customers seeking fresh ideas and inspiration for their own gardens. Caroline Notcutt, Vice Chairman said: “I am so proud to see these superb show gardens being built in our garden centres. They really play to our horticultural expertise and support our goal of bringing an ever wider experience for our customers.”  Each new show garden is introduced to local communities with an official opening party led by Caroline Notcutt.

 

There have been a number of other key milestones for Notcutts in the last year. Commenting, Nick Burrows, CEO said: “We were particularly pleased to see notable step ups in both customer and colleague satisfaction during the year.  This follows the introduction of a range of new initiatives including our own customer service training course, a wide programme of colleague recognition awards and the launch of a new Future Leaders programme for rising stars within the business.”  Burrows added: “We also introduced a new menu throughout our restaurants which includes a range of healthy options and a new afternoon small plates menu.  These have received positive comments from many of our customers and are another part of our strategy to widen the Notcutts’ visitor experience.”

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