In This Issue
Garden Centre Sales double during half term
What Lies Ahead for 2021? - GTN's February Issue On-Line Now
Last chance to view Woodlodge’s new Snowlodge Christmas Décor range
Sue Allen and Tammy Woodhouse to Brave the Shave on Garden Re-Leaf Day
Hozelock adds to popular trigger sprayer range
Beast from the East (2021 edition) hits sales
It's 'love plants' as Valentine's Day boosts sales
Petitions in Wales and Scotland go over 6,700 and 3,100 signatures, but they still need our help to get centres re-opened
Garden centre seeks planning permission for holiday lodges
HTA reacts to Wales, Scotland and North Ireland plans
More walkers welcome! Join the Garden Re-Leaf Lands’ End to John O’Groats virtual walk
Gardening comes to the Sun on Sunday
The Plant Based Podcast returns with new format and new sponsor to celebrate the continued popularity of gardening
New company offers eco-friendly greetings cards
Altons BBQ World, Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange, Baytree, Busy Bee, Groves, Pengelly, Pughs, The Old Railway Line and Squires Badshot Lea are the winners of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards
Christmas Future Trends at Glee's Festive Focus Day
GTN's Christmas Special Issue - read on-line here
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
James Parr joins Smart Board
Pots and seed trays beat the cold
Spring has begun at GROEN-Direkt in 2021
Growing media sales hit by big freeze
RHS members vote in support of a change to the RHS Bye-Laws for recruiting Council Members
Wild Bird Care up by 21%
The best of last week's
Online garden products retailer sold to private equity firm
One good week and gardening sales get going
Scotsdale warehouse extension gets green light
Floralsilk opens impressive purpose built showroom
Garden centres in Top 10 list for 'popular local retailers'
Record manufacturing output and inventory holding to serve increased customer demand
Get set go – supporters confirm plans for Garden Re-Leaf
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Squires Badshot Lea - Christmas 2020
Perrywood at Christmas 2020 - with correct photo gallery now...
British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
Henry Bell secures exclusive contract with Blue Diamond
Nature's Harvest dog food unveils new brand packaging
Skinner’s celebrates 50 years with a range expansion
Wilsons Pet Food extends eco-friendly dog food range
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 trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 07973 504214

 

Sponsored by:


Garden Centre Sales double during half term

Early analysis of the GTN Bestsellers Garden Centre Epos data for half term week reveals that total sales almost doubled from the previous snow hit week and were 56% up on the same week last year...


Early analysis of the GTN Bestsellers Garden Centre Epos data for half term week reveals that total sales almost doubled from the previous snow hit week and were 56% up on the same week last year.

 

See this weekends GTN Xtra for detailed highlights from the week and take out a subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed newsletter to get the full Top 50 Bestsellers Charts to make sure you're making the most of these early spring sales.  Subscribe here

What Lies Ahead for 2021? - GTN's February Issue On-Line Now

In this issue:

 

Patio Black Spot – the Winning Formula

Weathering the Perfect Storm – Brexit and all that

New line up for LOFA Council    

Contemporary style from Firmans

Primeur – the one to watch for 2021

Get Set for Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021

Why Meadow View are Re-fuelling sales  

Cultivation Street’s 9th year

How will the Lockdown Gap be filled? – GTN Bestsellers Analysis

GTN Bestsellers Top 100 Garden Products of 2020           

Last chance to see the Woodlodge Snowlodge 

HTA Column – Perfect Opportunity for Plant Sales

 

 


In this issue:

 

Patio Black Spot – the Winning Formula

Weathering the Perfect Storm – Brexit and all that

New line up for LOFA Council    

Contemporary style from Firmans

Primeur – the one to watch for 2021

Get Set for Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021

Why Meadow View are Re-fuelling sales  

Cultivation Street’s 9th year

How will the Lockdown Gap be filled? – GTN Bestsellers Analysis

GTN Bestsellers Top 100 Garden Products of 2020           

Last chance to see the Woodlodge Snowlodge 

HTA Column – Perfect Opportunity for Plant Sales

 

or use this link: https://issuu.com/gardentradenews/docs/gtn_february_2021?fr=sOTBkNDMxMzEzMjA

 

Last chance to view Woodlodge’s new Snowlodge Christmas Décor range
See the virtual portal from your own office right now!

There is still time to indulge in the festive spirit with Woodlodge’s brand new Snowlodge range for Christmas 2021.  This exciting offering, made up of over 1,400 products, is supported by a dedicated virtual portal where the full range is on display for buyers to view from the comfort of their own office...


 

There is still time to indulge in the festive spirit with Woodlodge’s brand new Snowlodge range for Christmas 2021.  This exciting offering, made up of over 1,400 products, is supported by a dedicated virtual portal where the full range is on display for buyers to view from the comfort of their own office.

 

Featuring popular favourites such as room decorations, ornaments, baubles, candle light and tea holders, plushes, outdoor display pieces and joyeux pot covers, the new Snowlodge offering represents a true one-stop-shop for retailers in all things Christmas. 

 

To make viewing the products as easy as possible during current restrictions, buyers can view the range through a 3D virtual portal and ‘walk through’ the Snowlodge product hub online.  The portal can be accessed below or through https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=JQ4PHwEL3dE and enables buying teams to view Snowlodge Christmas Décor offering together, helping to make more definitive choices for their centres ahead of the 2021 festive season.

 

The product hub is also available to physically view at the Cranmore Park Conference Centre in Solihull. Access to this 3000 square feet winter wonderland is available by appointment only. Stocked with the complete Snowlodge offering, buyers will be walked through the area by a Woodlodge sales representative, who will outline the product USPs and can assist with direct ordering. This hub will be open until March 25th, with deliveries into stores from September. 

 

Retailers will also be able to view Woodlodge’s Honey & Wild range of garden décor via both the hub and virtual portal. First launched at the company’s showroom, ‘Glee@Woodlodge’ last year, the portfolio consists of fun and whimsical products such as stakes, lanterns, metal statues, garden mirrors, wall planters, bird feeders and garden mobiles. 

 

 

Managing DirectorMichael Wooldridge said: “After a quiet Christmas in 2020, consumers are expected to go big on their festive decorations this year, after months of being apart from loved ones.  With this year’s celebrations expected to be heavily family orientated, the Snowlodge offering is a carefully curated portfolio of products that have been selected to drive sales during the crucial Christmas season.”

 

To book your place at the Snowlodge product hub or to receive a Snowlodge catalogue,  please email Tara Truman, on taratruman@woodlodge.co.uk  or Abigail Stocker on abigailstocker@woodlodge.co.uk

 

 
Sue Allen and Tammy Woodhouse to Brave the Shave on Garden Re-Leaf Day

 

Two brave souls are daring to “brave the shave” this year in support of Garden Re-Leaf Day’s 10thanniversary this March (Friday 19th) and the FUNdraising efforts of the Greenfingers charity...


 

Two brave souls are daring to “brave the shave” this year in support of Garden Re-Leaf Day’s 10thanniversary this March (Friday 19th) and the FUNdraising efforts of the Greenfingers charity. 

 

Taking the plunge will be Greenfingers Chairman Sue Allen, along with Millbrook Garden Centre’s Managing Director/Greenfingers Trustee, Tammy Woodhouse, who will be saying goodbye to their lockdown locks for good as they prepare to shave their heads, all in the name of charity.

 

Speaking about their head-shave, Sue said: “Having become Chairman of Greenfingers just before the charity’s biggest fundraising day last year, I couldn’t believe how lucky we were to be able to hold the event just before the country locked down for the first time.  

 

"I am also conscious of the fact that so many of the events we would normally rely on to help raise huge sums didn’t take place last year and may not happen in 2021 - the GCA Conference in January, our own Fundraising dinner, our previously planned first-ever Summer Ball and lots more.  

 

"Despite all our fears, we are so grateful to so many wonderful friends of the charity who supported in so many ways. But the reality is that, even though we could be slowly beating this virus, 2021 will be far more challenging in terms of fundraising. 

 

“So, in an effort to make a big difference on the 10th Garden Re-leaf Day, my daughter Tammy and I have made a huge and somewhat crazy commitment to raise at least £10,000 by having our heads shaved at Millbrook’s Gravesend Garden Centre on Friday 19th March to mark Garden Re-Leaf Day.

 

“It has taken a lot of soul searching and self-questioning before deciding to go for it.  However, in part, it is a salute not only to some of those children and families in the hospices we help but also to friends near and far who have experienced hair loss in their battle against cancers.  

 

“If we can raise lots of money to compensate for the income streams, we know we have lost this year, then it will be worth the cold heads, strange looks and the agonising wait for our hair to grow again.” 

 

If you would like to support Sue and Tammy’s hair-raising challenge, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sueandtambraveshave 

Hozelock adds to popular trigger sprayer range

With the nation spending more time at home in the past 12 months due to national lockdowns, consumers have turned their attention to creating their own sanctuary, whether this be inside the home or in their outdoor space. This booming trend has seen brands invest in NPD dedicated to this new audience, including Hozelock with the latest addition to its range of trigger sprayers. 


 

With the nation spending more time at home in the past 12 months due to national lockdowns, consumers have turned their attention to creating their own sanctuary, whether this be inside the home or in their outdoor space. 

 

As a result, the trend for house plants has surged with one indoor plant retailer having seen such a surge in product demand, they recorded a 500% increase in sales during the UK lockdown*. This booming trend has seen brands invest in NPD dedicated to this new audience, including Hozelock with the latest addition to its range of trigger sprayers. 

 

 

 

Speaking of the trend, Hozelock National Sales Manager, Chris Hepburn, said: “The trend for houseplants in the UK market has grown significantly, which presents a variety of new opportunities for brands, such as Hozelock, and garden centre retailers to attract a new audience. 

 

“This audience will include those who have potentially never shown an interest in plant or gardening related products before and are therefore keen to ensure they have the right garden tools for their new hobby. As a business, we’ve responded to these consumer demands and have extended our range of trigger sprayers in 2021 to complete the product portfolio.” 

The new Pulsar 1L range, which is available in three eye-catching colours, features an ergonomic trigger, as well as an adjustable nozzle to ensure the spray pattern is suitable for the consumer’s needs. Unlike many other products, the Pulsar 1L has a side fill-cap, allowing users to quickly and easy refill with water, without having to unscrew the nozzle. 

 

This product adds to Hozelock’s growing collection of Trigger Sprayers, which includes the popular Decorative Trigger Sprayer, as well as the Spraymist and the Kaleido Trigger Sprayer, meaning there is a product to meet all indoor watering needs. 

 

 

*https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/how-to-grow/green-revolution-houseplants-took-homes-pandemic/

Beast from the East (2021 edition) hits sales
Exclusive GTN Bestsellers analysis

After all the gains of the first week of February, the Beast from the East (2021 edition) caused garden centre sales to plummet, but not to the depths of the Beast from the East (2018)...


 

After all the gains of the first week of February, the Beast from the East (2021 edition) caused garden centre sales to plummet, but not to the depths of the Beast from the East (2018).

 

With footfall patchy during the snow and freezing conditions every area of garden centre sales dropped week on week. Only Wild Bird Care sales saw an increase on the same week last year.

 

As we all wait for the Prime Minister’s plan for moving out of lockdown now is the time to be making sure your social media marketing is getting into gear and that your team is ready to answer all those questions that will come from new gardeners.  

 

Over the next few weeks more people will be venturing out into their gardens. As a retail sector, we need to make sure garden centres are the first port of call and that we figuratively wrap our arms around them to help them get the most from their outdoor spaces in 2021.

 

Have you implemented any specific new training programmes for your staff? And what have you added to your information delivery to cater for more new gardeners?  Do let us know about your new ideas to support new gardeners.  Email trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 6.

  • Garden Products Top 50 – down 8%
  • Growing Media Top 50 – down 37%
  • Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 10%
  • Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – up 21%

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 6.

  • All Plants with Barcode index – down 56%
  • All Items with Barcode index – down 28%

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

It's 'love plants' as Valentine's Day boosts sales

While footfall was low due to the cold weather garden centre plant sales still benefitted from Valentine-inspired sales.


 

While footfall was low due to the cold weather garden centre plant sales still benefitted from Valentine-inspired sales.

  • Rose sales increased by 61% to be the highest chart climber.
  • Orchids moved eight places up the chart to No 6.
  • And the start of the young plant season was signalled by Zonal Geraniums re-entering at No 21.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

Petitions in Wales and Scotland go over 6,700 and 3,100 signatures, but they still need our help to get centres re-opened

Garden Centres in Scotland and Wales, where garden centres are currently not allowed to open, need our support with their petitions to devolved governments to allow them to re-open as soon as possible. Please keep sharing this with friends, family, colleagues - indeed anyone you can think of...


Garden Centres in Scotland and Wales, where garden centres are currently not allowed to open, need our support with their petitions to devolved governments to allow them to re-open as soon as possible.  

 

Spearheaded by HTA Council Representatives Nicola Pugh of Pugh’s Garden Centres in South Wales and Helen MacDonald from Merryhatton Garden Centre in Scotland they are calling for garden centres to be reopened for trading, as is the case in England. 

 

Ornamental horticulture businesses in Wales have been unable to trade since lockdown restrictions on non-essential retail were put in place on 20th December and now, with the key Spring season and key trading dates of St David’s Day and Mother’s Day just weeks away, concern is beginning to turn to desperation as growers still have no idea what crops will be able to make it to the sales area. 

 

Nicola Pugh, HTA Council representative for Wales, and owner of Pugh’s Garden Centre, said: “We fully understand the need to protect public health and support the government in its determination to fight the spread of Covid, but horticultural businesses are being pushed to the brink at what should be our busiest time of year.  

 

“Plants and gardening offer incredible health and wellbeing benefits and if we are to meet the demand when reopening is possible, we need a timeline to help us manage the supply chain of perishable and seasonal crops and minimise the impact of continued uncertainty.”   

 

On Thursday (18/2) the Government met to review the impact of lockdown and the HTA is calling for Ministers to properly consider the re-opening of garden centres.  

 

Commenting on the situation in Scotland Helen MacDonald from Merryhatton Garden Centre comments, “The First Minister didn't mention gardeners in her review on 16 February and as Spring is rapidly approaching, it is increasingly urgent that Scottish Government allow Scottish Garden Centres and nurseries to open. We can open safely and the benefits for health and well-being will be enormous. Please keep sharing this with friends, family, colleagues - indeed anyone you can think of!

 

To sign the petition to the Welsh Parliament follow this link: https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/244681

 

To sign the petition to the Scottish Parliament follow this link:  https://www.change.org/ReopenScottishGardenCentres 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garden centre seeks planning permission for holiday lodges

Skylark Garden Centre has applied for planning permission to build holiday lodges on its Wimblington site in Cambridgeshire...


 

Skylark Garden Centre has applied for planning permission to build holiday lodges on its Wimblington site in Cambridgeshire.

 

The lodges will cash in on the site's natural abundance of nature and will sit nicely alongside the three fishing lakes that Skylark opened last summer.

 

Edward Gowler, whose family runs Skylark has sought permission to build 67 holiday lodges, a toilet block, a reception building with associated parking and landscaping, and extensions to the existing garden centre building and car park.

 

The aim would be to build the lodges in phases to allow for the necessary capital to be generated.

 

The lodges will be glass at one end with a decking area overlooking the fishing lakes, with residents able to enjoy a spot of fishing on their own doorstep.

 
HTA reacts to Wales, Scotland and North Ireland plans

 

The HTA has reacted to news that the Welsh government will consider non-essential retail in a review on 11 March, and also to the fact that lockdown in Northern Ireland is to be extended until 1 April...


Reacting to news that the Welsh government will consider non-essential retail in a review on 11 March, James Barnes, Chairman of the HTA, said: "With the busiest season for horticultural businesses about to start, the First Minister's statement today leaves us with very little room for manoeuvre and anxious to see garden centres opened on 11 March.

 

"Our members - growers and retailers alike - need certainty around opening dates and the key trading occasion of Mother's Day will be even more important after such a difficult period which will now include closure on St David's Day.

 

"We recognise the part we have to play in seeing this pandemic brought under control and have revisited our Safer Trading Guidance so that garden centres, which naturally lend themselves to Covid-secure trading with open and airy spaces, continue to provide one of the safest retail environments.

 

"Plants and gardening contribute to health and wellbeing and provide activities which have helped people safeguard their wellbeing and kept them occupied at home during lockdown. We call on the Welsh government to recognise the valuable contribution horticulture has to make as the country begins the process of recovering from the pandemic, by enabling garden centres to trade again as soon as possible."

 

James Barnes also reacted to news that lockdown in Northern Ireland is to be extended until 1 April.

 

"This is very bad news for horticultural businesses in Northern Ireland where growers and retailers will now lose out on the start of the busiest time of year. The key trading date of Mother's Day is now certain to be written off and without click and collect, there is no hope that investments made in producing/ordering Springtime favourites such as primroses can be recouped.

 

"We are particularly disappointed that the huge contribution plants and gardening can make to health and wellbeing has been overlooked by Ministers. Our members provide access to a safe and healthy hobby that keeps people at home and allows purchases to be made in a naturally airy and spacious environment.

 

"We will lobby hard for the Northern Ireland Executive to reconsider the classification of garden centres - we believe they  should be included in the list of 'essential' retailers and will continue to press for them to re-open as soon as possible."

 

HTA statement on Scottish FM address on lockdown restrictions:

 

“The news that the Scottish Government will set out a timetable for lockdown easing will provide a degree of certainty for our hard pressed members. Garden centres are well placed to be in the first wave of any relaxations, offering outdoor, naturally light and airy environments. Gardening benefits people’s health and wellbeing and keeps them at home with something to do. With the season fast approaching, it’s crucial for Scottish growers - who predominately supply Scottish garden centres - to have this route to market to ensure the valuable plants they have produced are not wasted. While the announcement today of business rates relief being extended to the whole of the year is extremely welcome, it needs to be easy for businesses to apply for. However, fundamentally the Scottish horticulture industry need garden centres to reopen as soon as possible. Delays further into the season will heap more misery on to a sector struggling under lockdown.”

More walkers welcome! Join the Garden Re-Leaf Lands’ End to John O’Groats virtual walk

If you are struggling to think of something to do for the forthcoming Garden Re-Leaf Day, then why not join the teams from Hornby Whitefoot PR, Deco-Pak and Garden Trade News on their ambitious virtual Land’s End to John O’Groats walk – that’s 603 miles as the crow flies...


 

If you are struggling to think of something to do for the forthcoming Garden Re-Leaf Day, then why not join the teams from Hornby Whitefoot PR, Deco-Pak and Garden Trade News on their ambitious virtual Land’s End to John O’Groats walk – that’s 603 miles as the crow flies.

 

Kimberley Hornby, MD of Hornby Whitefoot PR explains all: “Craig Hall (Deco-Pak) and I have supported the Garden Re-Leaf walk for many years, and I’ve been trying to rope in Alan Burdon from GTN for quite some time. We knew we wanted to do something big to help Garden Re-Leaf celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2021, so figured we’d walk the length of the country! We have 30 days to complete the challenge but, even then, it’s still a lot of walking. Add to that the fact that we’re all having to walk separately, due to Covid restrictions, and it felt right to expand our team a little bit more and potentially help others who might have been struggling for ideas on what to do this Garden Re-Leaf Day. So, if you fancy making March the month of walking, and want to join in the fun then we’d be happy to have you on board!”

 

Walkers taking part in the virtual Lands’ End to John O’Groats walk are welcome to walk as far or as little as they can manage throughout the month. All distances will be added to a running total, with ongoing support throughout the month via a dedicated WhatsApp group and video chats.

 

To join the Land’s End to John O’Groats crew please email Kimberley Hornby on kimberley@hornbywhitefootpr.co.ukto find out more.

 

You can also donate to the fundraising efforts by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/team/LandsEndtoJohnOGroatsvirtualcrew

Gardening comes to the Sun on Sunday

 

The Sun on Sunday now has a Gardening page that reflects news, including what happened the day before...


The Sun on Sunday now has a Gardening page, in case you missed it. 

 

Peter Seabrook told GTN Xtra: "This is the page before it was tweaked to include reference to yesterday’ fine weather in Essex.  

 

"I believe this will be the only national gardening column that will reflect news, including what happened the day before.


"It is long over due for gardening to be up to date with copy in these days of instant news.  Just think how the weather has changed, last Sunday we were under several inches of snow and bitterly cold east wind, yesterday afternoon I managed to mow the top off the lawn."

 

The Plant Based Podcast returns with new format and new sponsor to celebrate the continued popularity of gardening

The Plant Based Podcast has returned for its fourth series, with a brand-new sponsor and a guestlist that reads like a who’s who of the world of all things plant-based...


 

The Plant Based Podcast has returned for its fourth series, with a brand-new sponsor and a guestlist that reads like a who’s who of the world of all things plant-based.

 

The Plant Based Podcast is one of the most popular gardening podcasts to have emerged in the past few years, celebrating and appreciating the importance of plants in daily life. With gardening being one of the most popular hobbies to be discovered during lockdown, as people reconnected with their outside spaces and nature, this new series is set to continue this success and comes at a time when people are seeking gardening and outdoor inspiration.

 

The podcast grows in popularity month on month, with a rapidly expanding fanbase of engaged listeners who tune in for the latest plant-based news, features and interviews. Each episode focusses on a different theme, hosting guests with a real passion for plants. However, it isn't all about traditional gardening and "how to" tips. It's a unique take on the world of plants and the people behind them, as well as their passion for gardening and the wider uses and benefits of plants.

 

Previous guests include Liz Earle MBE, Chris Packham CBE, Alex Petrides (the founder of allplants), Lalage Snow (a journalist who wrote about gardens in war-torn places such as Afghanistan, Gaza, The West Bank, Israel and The Ukraine), and Hench Herbivore (a vegan bodybuilder whose muscles are now entirely plant based).

 

Series four is set to be the biggest and best yet, as it continues to explore everything plant-based from food, to clothes, to plant care, and everything in-between. The growth of the podcast has attracted big names in gardening with Cobra, home to the UK’s largest range of garden lawnmowers and machinery, signing up to sponsor the series. As part of the sponsorship, Cobra is offering generous monthly competitions and a bumper end of series prize.

The series will also have an exciting rota of guests, including Instagram sensation and author She Grows Veg, LA farmer Lynn Ferguson, and regenerative agriculture allotment farm, The Essex Allotment. The series will also feature TV presenter, Chris Bavin who co-presented the BBC series, “Eat Well For Less?” with Gregg Wallace, as well as hosting “Food: Truth or Scare”, “Tomorrow’s Food” and being a judge alongside Mary Berry on “Britain’s Best Home Cook”.

 

Series four sees the podcast evolve into a magazine style show, with more contributors than ever before, covering themes such as foraging, no-dig gardening, orchids, vineyards, and a whole lot more. New regular contributors include Greg Bourke, Richard Chilvers from Sharpen Your Spades as the new Allotment Agony Uncle, Joey and Katy Cook sharing their plant based recipe of the fortnight, and Forage and Folklore with their “foraging right now feature.”

 

The show hosts, Michael Perry and Ellen Mary, are prolific gardening writers, bloggers and presenters with a strong social media following that helped catapult the podcast to the heights of the charts.

New company offers eco-friendly greetings cards

Imagine greetings cards, social and wedding stationery that do not harm trees and actually help the environment! This is what spurred a team of print industry professionals (and friends) on to create The Seed Card Company during lockdown...


 

Imagine greetings cards, social and wedding stationery that do not harm trees and actually help the environment! This is what spurred a team of print industry professionals (and friends) on to create The Seed Card Company during lockdown.

 

Launching this month, The Seed Card Company offer an inspirational range of beautifully designed eco-friendly greetings cards, personal stationery and wedding suites, which are all made from post-consumer waste embedded with wildflowers or recycled pre and post-consumer eco-friendly board and printed with vegan inks. Partnering with global reforestation effort, Ecologi, each time a card or stationery suite is purchased, The Seed Card Company and Ecologi will plant a tree. 

 

 

Sharing a love for print and a desire to play their part in creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment, The Seed Card Company was set up by Lewis Stevenson of Leeming Brothers Fine Stationery, and Kay and Jit Patel of luxury wedding and event stationery company Intricate Creations – all three are Directors sharing the responsibilities of running the business, and all design and production is carried out in-house. The Seed Card Company has also put in place a dedicated PR and Social team to drive consumer awareness of the products. 

 

Lewis Stevenson says, “In 2019 the greetings card industry was worth £1.7 billion, not including online retailers and sales. With the events of 2020 and the continuing lockdown, people have been sending more greetings cards than before. While the eco-friendly arm of the stationery industry is gaining traction at an unprecedented rate, with programmes such as Blue Planet II making manufacturers and consumers more aware of the huge environmental problem plastic and non-sustainable products are having on our ecosystem and the health of the planet, we created The Seed Card Company to offer a genuinely sustainable and eco-friendly greetings card alternative.”

 

The Seed Card Company cards are made entirely from post-consumer upcycled paper waste, meaning no trees are harmed in their manufacturing process. They are recyclable, biodegradable, and embedded with a mixture of six wildflower seed types including Bird’s Eye, Clarkia, Black Eyed Susan, Catchfly, Snapdragon and Sweet Alyssum. 

 

Six wedding suite collections, a range of thank you card and notecard sets as well as seven greetings card collections will be available upon launch, including a fun and charming collection of plant pot personalities inspired by plants and the variety of plant pots available. All the Plant Pot people, starring company mascot and environmental extraordinaire Trevor, are hand-illustrated and hand painted. His character, family, and friends, will be brought to life through regular blogs on the website and social posts.

 

Cards are either laser-cut or printed using vegan inks. As a plastic-free and zero-waste business, the printers do not use ink cartridges and any off-cuts from card sheets are reused as another piece of stationery, donated to schools, or planted. Any non-seed stationery items use a 100% pre and post-consumer recycled eco-friendly board which is completely chlorine and acid free and carries the ‘Blue Label’ certification. Envelopes are made entirely from post-consumer waste, and use a natural starch-based adhesive. Stickers are made from sugarcane and hemp and tissue paper is 100% recycled and not bleached, and the boxes and mailers used to post orders out in are recycled and recy-clable. 

 

By working with tree-planting and climate action funder Ecologi, the ‘one card for one tree’ scheme not only offsets any delivery carbon but also rebuilds natural habitats and creates jobs for local families who plant and maintain new forests all over the world. Customers will also be able to view The Seed Card Company’s forest and the changes it is making to local communities and the whole planet.

 

For further information visit www.theseedcardcompany.com 

Altons BBQ World, Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange, Baytree, Busy Bee, Groves, Pengelly, Pughs, The Old Railway Line and Squires Badshot Lea are the winners of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards

 

The winners of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020 have been announced LIVE! on-line during Glee's Festive Focus Day today. 

 

And the winners are...  


Watch the LIVE announcement and see all the results here

The winners of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020 have been announced LIVE! on-line during Glee's Festive Focus Day today.

 

And the winners are...Watch the LIVE announcement during Glee's Festive Focus Day here or click below

 

 

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2020 – The Winners

  • The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team – Sponsored by Woodlodge - £500 stock for the winner – Barton Grange
    • Highly Commended: Pengelly, The Old Railway Line

 

  • The Greatest Outdoor Plant and Christmas Tree Team – Sponsored by GTN Bestsellers -subscriptions worth £580 for the winner – Pughs Radyr.
    • Highly Commended: Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange, Pengelly

 

  • The Greatest Festive Food Hall Team – Sponsored by Garden Radio – 1 years’ service with bespoke messages, worth over £500 for the winner – The Old Railway Line.
    • Highly Commended: Barton Grange, Colemans Garden Centre, Planters Tamworth, Squires Badshot Lea

 

  • The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team – Sponsored by SOLEX - 2 x Hotel Rooms at SOLEX 2021 for the winner – Altons BBQ World
    • Highly Commended: Hillmount

 

  • The Greatest Christmas Pets Team – Sponsored by Smart Garden Products, Zöon -£500 stock for the winner – The Old Railway Line
    • Highly Commended: Planters Tamworth, Squires Badshot Lea

 

  • The Greatest Christmas Community/Charity Initiative – Sponsored by Kaemingk – A display from their UK showroom for the winner - Pengelly
    • Highly Commended: Daisy Nook, Dobbies, Perrywood, Thetford

 

  • The Greatest Social Media Christmas Marketing Idea – Sponsored by Glee – 2 x Hotel Rooms at Glee 2021 for the winner - Groves
    • Highly Commended: Altons BBQ World, Hillmount, The Old Railway Line

 

  • The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Video – Sponsored by Premier Decorations - £500 stock for the winner – The Old Railway Line
    • Highly Commended: Bosworths, Glendoick, Pengelly

 

  • The Greatest Winter Garden Care Sales Team – Sponsored by Elho - £500 stock for the winner - Baytree
    • Highly Commended: Lakeside Plant Centre

 

  • The Greatest Covid Safe Christmas Display Team – Sponsored by Global Journey - £500 stock for the winner – Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange
    • Highly Commended: Baytree

 

  • The Greatest Group Garden Centre Christmas Team – Sponsored by DCUK - £500 stock for the winner – Squires Badshot Lea
    • Highly Commended: British Garden Centres Thatcham

 

  • The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team - Sponsored by Ascalon - £500 stock for the winner - Pengelly
    • Highly Commended: Jacksdale, Lakeside Plant Centre

 

  • The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team – Sponsored by Kaemingk - A display from their UK showroom for the winner – Busy Bee
    • Highly Commended: Glendoick, Planters Tamworth, Sapcote, The Old Railway Line

 

  • The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team Sponsored by Festive - £500 stock for the winner – Barton Grange
    • Highly Commended: Baytree, Hillmount, Perrywood

 

  • The Greatest Christmas Supplier – As voted for by garden centres taking part in The Greatest Christmas Awards - Kaemingk
    • Finalists: Festive, Gisela Graham, Noma - Leisuregrow, Otterhouse, Premier, Smart - Three Kings, Snowtime, Swift Imports

 

With almost 100 individual entries for the awards submitted before the New Years Eve deadline the judges spent many hours reviewing the entries, scanning websites and social media to produce the following list of Finalists:

 

 

Altons, Aylett Nurseries, Barton Grange, Baytree, Bosworths, Busy Bee, Christies of Fochabers, Colemans Garden Centre, Daisy Nook, Dobbies, Garden Centre Overstrand, Glendoick, Grange Farm Nursery, Groves, Haskins, Hillmount, Jacksdale, Lakeside Plant Centre, Millbrook, Old Barn, Otter Nurseries, Pengelly, Perrywood, Planters Tamworth, Planters Bretby, Pughs, Rosebourne - Weyhill, Sapcote, Squires Badshot Lea, St Peters - Worcester, Thatcham - BGC, The Old Railway Line, Thetford, Waresley Park.

 

See photos from all the Finalist centres below.  Well done to them all!

 

Watch out for more detail about the winners in future issues of GTN Xtra and the January issue of GTN which will be published later this week.

Christmas Future Trends at Glee's Festive Focus Day

 

Take a look at Christmas future with forecasters, Trend Bible as they dive into the emerging trends that will define Christmas 2021...


 

It’s never too early to get your Christmas strategy in order. Festive Focus Day equips you with everything you need to know to make sure your 2021 Christmas ranges fly off the shelves.

 

Take a look at Christmas future with forecasters, Trend Bible as they dive into the emerging trends that will define Christmas 2021 using this link or click below

 

GTN's Christmas Special Issue - read on-line here

 

 

GTN's Christmas Special January 2021 Issue includes full results and comment from GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards, GTN's Christmas Directory for 2021 and the Top 100 Christmas Products Chart 2020 from GTN Bestsellers...


Read GTN's Christmas Special January 2021 Issue on-line here.

 

 

In this issue of news and information for garden centre professionals:

The Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, full results and comment.  

Meadow View transforming garden centres.

Whistler Grill’s Modular Kitchen.

Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021.

GTN’s Christmas Directory.

GTN Bestsellers Top 100 Christmas Products Chart.

HTA Column - United Plant Kingdom.

GIMA Column - 2021, another year of challenges & opportunity for garden retail.

 
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

 
James Parr joins Smart Board

Smart Garden has announced the promotion of James Parr to its Board as National Accounts Director...


Smart Garden has announced the promotion of James Parr to its Board as National Accounts Director.

 

James, 41, came to Smart in November 2013, soon after Paris Natar acquired the business.

 

“I knew where this was going,” said James, “so was over the moon when invited to join the team. As a former garden centre retailer myself, I relished the challenge of helping to build a vibrant garden centre business for Smart. The rest is history”.

 

Jonathan Stobart, MD, commented: “James is universally liked and respected by customers and colleagues alike. He has consistently shown commercial insight, strategic thinking, energy, perseverance and, above all else, a fantastic sense of humour! This promotion forms part of our Company’s strategy to develop the next generation of Smart’s leaders.”

 
Pots and seed trays beat the cold

Sales of pots and seed trays were the shining lights in Garden Product sales from the GTN Bestsellers EPOS database. Twenty-one pot and seed tray lines increased their sales and featured in the GTN Top 50 chart as keen gardeners beat the cold to get ready for growing...


 

Sales of pots and seed trays were the shining lights in Garden Product sales from the GTN Bestsellers EPOS database. Twenty-one pot and seed tray lines increased their sales and featured in the GTN Top 50 chart as keen gardeners beat the cold to get ready for growing.

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Woodlodge Feather Twotone Pot Blue 33cm was the highest re-entry of the week at No 4.
  • Elho’s Riviera G-Pot Terracotta 11cm climbed furthest up the chart to No 8.
  • Stewart Premium Seed Tray with Holes 22cm in Dark Green saw the biggest sales increase of the week to re-enter at No 12.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
Spring has begun at GROEN-Direkt in 2021

This year the purchasing of garden plants for the new season once again started at GROEN-Direkt! Because of COVID-19, the largest green market in Europe organised a Spring Showroom instead of its usual Spring Fair.,,


 

This year the purchasing of garden plants for the new season once again started at GROEN-Direkt! Because of COVID-19, the largest green market in Europe organised a Spring Showroom instead of its usual Spring Fair.

 

The showroom opened its doors on Tuesday 2 February and will remain open for quite a while, to enable all interested garden plant traders and buyers to view the enormous range in a safe way. The Spring Showroom’s (online) range, comprising 5,500 sample batches, concepts and Mediterranean plants, and also the digital Product Promotion Plaza can be visited until the end of February.


GROEN-Direkt’s Spring Showroom attracted fewer visitors than its usual two-day Spring Fair. Due to the current COVID-19 measures, a maximum of fifty visitors are allowed to visit the showroom by appointment only every morning or afternoon. This led to the decision to prolong the Spring Showroom until the end of February, to create more opportunities for buyers to visit it. In spite of the necessary adjustments, GROEN-Direkt is very satisfied about the showroom’s first few days. 

Exceptional result
That’s because many visitors have been finding their way to GROEN-Direkt digitally, as a result of which sales so far actually almost equal the turnover of last year’s Spring Fair. Large numbers of plants have been bought by East European and Scandinavian countries in particular. External factors such as Brexit, garden centres’ current hesitancy due to the continuing lockdowns, and the wintry weather have evidently had only little effect on sales. GROEN-Direkt is delighted with what it considers to be an exceptional result, thanks in a large part to the attractive range created together with the growers, and the products’ higher prices.

Webshop
The popularity of GROEN-Direkt’s webshop made the first day of the showroom’s opening extra busy. This meant that traders and buyers were for a short time unable to log in and start ordering, in spite of all the preparatory work that had been done. Fortunately, the problems were solved within a few hours, and the following days ordering via the webshop went well.


NEW Digital Product Promotion Plaza
The digital Product Promotion Plaza was newly introduced this year: physically unmanned, digitally manned stands intended to enable visitors to physically view the growers’ ranges and offer them a low-threshold way to contact the growers online, on a one-to-one basis. The digital Product Promotion Plaza can also be visited via the webshop.

Particularly popular
The Spring Showroom’s extensive range also comprises Mediterranean plants, niche products and attractive new batches. There is a lot of demand for early spring products, with plants such as Acers and Magnolias proving particularly popular. The sales figures show that Box is once again selling well. 

Sample presentations to continue
GROEN-Direkt is going to continue to organise weekly sample presentations, subject to compliance with the prevailing COVID-19 guidelines. Visitors may physically view the latest ranges by appointment only. For the latest information or to plan a visit, please go to GROEN-Direkt’s website.

You can also buy garden plants digitally from a safe distance at any time via GROEN-Direkt’s webshop, where you’ll find the huge range of more than 5,500 sample batches accompanied by up-to-date photos in an easy-to-navigate presentation. To apply for a login code, please go to info@groen-direkt.nl.

More information
For more information on GROEN-Direkt, its webshop and visiting its Spring Showroom, go to www.groen-direkt.nl or call +31 (0)172 21 15 76.

 
Growing media sales hit by big freeze

Growing media sales were hit by The Beast from the East (2021 edition) but were 120% higher than the lowest week during The Beast from the East (2018)...


 

Growing media sales were hit by The Beast from the East (2021 edition) but were 120% higher than the lowest week during The Beast from the East (2018). 

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Evergreen Garden Care Levington Tomorite Giant Planter with Seaweed was the highest climber up the chart at No 7.
  • Bloomin Amazing Soil Enricher 70 litres was the highest re-entry at No 16.
  • Growth Technology Houseplant Focus Repotting Mix Peat Free 2 litres increased sales by 36% as some gardeners stayed warm indoors.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
RHS members vote in support of a change to the RHS Bye-Laws for recruiting Council Members

RHS members have voted in favour of a change to the RHS Bye-Laws to enable RHS Council, in circumstances deemed exceptional, to support the election of a new member of Council who, at the date of nomination, has been a member of the RHS for less than three years...


RHS members have voted in favour of a change to the RHS Bye-Laws to enable RHS Council, in circumstances deemed exceptional, to support the election of a new member of Council who, at the date of nomination, has been a member of the RHS for less than three years.

 

At the Special General Meeting held on 19 February 2021, RHS President, Keith Weed, declared that the resolution had been passed and that the amendment would take effect immediately.  In order to introduce the new amendment in a measured way, Council also decided only two people who have been members of the RHS for less than one year can be ordinary members of RHS Council at any one time.  There are 19 members of RHS Council in total, including the President and Treasurer.

 

The change will enable RHS Trustees to approach people of talent from a wide range of backgrounds, who may not yet be members.  Whilst RHS Council has a wealth of horticultural knowledge and rich mix of commercial and charitable experience, it urgently needs critical new skills and experience in technology, data, mental health, inclusion and environmental and social sustainability to further strengthen its role in society.  The gardening charity cannot afford to wait to access exceptional candidates who have the skills it needs now.

 

RHS President Keith Weed, says: “Thank you to all our members who participated in this vote. Our horticultural knowledge and passion for gardening is core to everything the RHS does, and must always be embedded through this charity, but we must also adapt to ensure we continue to thrive for the next 200 years.

 

“For example, some 30 million people used our website last year to grow their gardening knowledge, demonstrating how vitally important it is that, as well as having the highest levels of horticultural knowledge, we must also improve our technical expertise and further innovate in the digital world to succeed as a charity and best support this nation of gardeners. We need to have a more inclusive approach, which should start at the top and must therefore include the Council (our trustees) to ensure it better reflects the backgrounds, interests, knowledge and needs of all of us.” 

 
Wild Bird Care up by 21%

Wild Bird Care was the only GTN Bestsellers index to show a year on year increase during the very cold second week of February, up 21% on 2020 levels. Nest boxes and feeding stations were amongst the lines that saw the biggest increases...


 

Wild Bird Care was the only GTN Bestsellers index to show a year on year increase during the very cold second week of February, up 21% on 2020 levels. Nest boxes and feeding stations were amongst the lines that saw the biggest increases.

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Smart Garden ChapelWood Wild Wings Feeding Station were the highest new entry at No 9.
  • RHS Suet Balls 6 Pack No Nets were the highest placed chart re-entry at No 8.
  • Smart Garden ChapelWood Classic Robin Nest Box climbed furthest up the chart to No 14.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
The best of last week's

If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...


 
Online garden products retailer sold to private equity firm

Risk Capital Partners, a London-based private equity firm has further enhanced their consumer-focused portfolio with the acquisition of online gardening products retailer, Primrose. The company will continue to trade as normal, led by its CEO Mark Pearson...


Risk Capital Partners, a London-based private equity firm has further enhanced their consumer-focused portfolio with the acquisition of online gardening products retailer, Primrose.

 

Founded in 2003 and now Europe’s largest pure play online garden products retailer, Primrose offers a ‘one stop shop’ for all things horticultural, sourced from a diverse network of international suppliers, as well as local UK nurseries and growers. The products are sold direct to consumers, via its UK and European websites.

 

Sales at Primrose surged last year, as the coronavirus pandemic triggered a global gardening boom. Similarly, as an online-only retailer, Primrose was able to take advantage of the significant opportunities in online sales within the sector.

 

Primrose was most recently owned by Rockpool, a private equity firm which backed the landmark private equity management buy-out of Primrose in 2018, led by a specialist deal team from Smith Cooper Corporate Finance (SCCF) two years ago. Risk Capital Partners then acquired Primrose in November 2020, providing working capital investment to support a continued growth in trading and online sales.

 

Independently owned, Risk Capital Partners focus is “working with entrepreneurs with ambition and helping them to achieve transformational growth through acquisitions, roll-out programmes and bold organic growth strategies.” Primrose was identified as a key investment opportunity, following which a growth capital deal was agreed.

 

Primrose will continue to trade as normal, led by its existing management team - Mark Pearson (CEO) and Ross Chester (CFO). Darren Hodson and Joshua Gurton from Smith Cooper Corporate Finance (SCCF) supported management on the transaction.

 

Mark Pearson said: “This transaction marks an exciting opportunity to capitalise on Primrose’s existing position as the UK’s market leader in the online-only arena. In the last few months, we’ve enhanced our product range and also invested significantly in our internal and e-commerce systems, ensuring we have robust foundations for the next phase of growth.”

 

Darren Hodson, Partner at SCCF comments “We were delighted to support Mark and Ross throughout this transaction. Having supporting Mark in the acquisition of Primrose 2 years ago, we already understood the business and the aspirations of its management team and were therefore well placed to advise.”

 

“Primrose offers favourable long term market drivers for the British and European garden product markets, and there remains plenty of opportunity for continued and strategic growth and consolidation of the fragmented sector in which they operate.”

 

Smith Cooper is one of the largest independently owned and preferred accountancy and business advisory firms for owner managed businesses across the Midlands. The firm specialises in providing intelligent, efficient and cost-effective bespoke advisory services to both corporate and individual clients. Smith Cooper has six offices across the Midlands including Derby, Birmingham and Nottingham.

 
One good week and gardening sales get going
Exclusive GTN Bestsellers Epos data analysis

All it took was one week of relatively good February weather for gardeners to get out to centres to make their essential gardening purchases and we saw sales volumes bounce back up to normal levels for this time of year...


 

All it took was one week of relatively good February weather for gardeners to get out to centres to make their essential gardening purchases and we saw sales volumes bounce back up to normal levels for this time of year.

 

Of course the make up of those sales are very different to previous years without the usual impulse gift sales we normally see when cafes and restaurants are open.

 

While the GTN Bestsellers All Products sales index got near to last year’s total for the week, just 9% down, growing media sales were up by 53%, Veg-2-Gro lines up by 46% and wildlife and wild bird care sales up by 27%.

 

Growing media saw the biggest week on week growth of 451% as the better weather combined with Early Bird offers that were snapped up by gardeners wanting to get growing.

 

The recent snow and cold weather will no doubt set things back but it’s good to know that when the weather is right gardening gets going!

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 5.

  • Garden Products Top 50 – down 4%
  • Growing Media Top 50 – up 53%
  • Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 46%
  • Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – up 27%

 

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 5.

  • All Plants with Barcode index – down 24%
  • All Items with Barcode index – down 9%

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
Scotsdale warehouse extension gets green light

Stanley Bragg Architects have secured planning permission for a warehouse extension at Scotsdale Nursery, Great Shelford near Cambridge...


Stanley Bragg Architects have secured planning permission for a warehouse extension at Scotsdale Nursery, Great Shelford near Cambridge.

 

This will enable Scotsdale to expand their customer services, which now include click and collect.

 
Floralsilk opens impressive purpose built showroom

Floralsilk has opened its impressive purpose built showroom located in Bourne, Lincolnshire.  Spread over 6,500 sq ft, a visit to the showroom provides the opportunity to see an unrivalled extensive range, check the quality of products, and find inspiration from stunning displays...


Floralsilk has opened its impressive purpose built showroom located in Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 0BQ.  Spread over 6,500 sq ft, a visit to the showroom provides the opportunity to see an unrivalled extensive range, check the quality of products, and find inspiration from stunning displays. 

 

With over 1,200 new products and 7 themes on offer, the Floralsilk 2021 Christmas Collection is based on magical elements that use the wonder of the natural world to bring a sense of community, responsibility and simplicity to Christmas.  This is a range that speaks of hope, growth and renewal….something that we all hope 2021 will bring! Here are 3 of our most popular themes:

 

Nature

One theme that demonstrates this ethos perfectly is the ‘Nature’ range. Natural, sustainable and conscious, the palette includes beach blues, corals, beiges and taupes. Using natural materials and textures including glass, paper, wood and grasses, this theme is fresh, clean and pretty.

 

Ice

A frosty monochrome palette of crisp white, cool greys, sparkly silver and a dark anthracite accent, the Ice theme evokes a real sense of Winter.  Full of sumptuous faux fur, metal and etched glass with lots of snow-covered foliage it gives all of those ‘White Christmas’ feels.  There are also some display items in this theme including oversized baubles to cater for the door decoration craze made popular by countless celebrities this year.

 

Fire

As well as the traditional, there is certainly some flamboyance in the trends for Christmas 2021 and the ‘Fire’ theme is a great demonstration of this. Pink and red pampas grass with the inclusion of floral accents and contemporary tree trim add a modern twist to a warm & opulent red, gold and pink colour palette.

 

To book an appointment please call 01778 425205 or email sales@floralsilk.co.uk.  The Christmas 2021 brochure can also be downloaded from www.floralsilk.co.uk

 

You can view Floralsilk's 2021 Christmas Collection on this special video. Click here to view

 
Garden centres in Top 10 list for 'popular local retailers'

Garden centres have ranked amongst the top 10 types of local businesses supported by UK consumers according to new data from Tyl by NatWest which explored pandemic purchasing habits and the motivations behind them...


 
Garden centres have ranked amongst the top 10 types of local businesses supported by UK consumers according to new data from Tyl by NatWest which explored pandemic purchasing habits and the motivations behind them.
 

The top types of local independent businesses Brits supported in the last year were:

  • Grocery store (45%)
  • Corner shop (42%)
  • Pharmacy (32%)
  • Restaurant (30%)
  • Butchers (29%)
  • Local market (25%)
  • Beauty services (e.g. nails, hairdressers, treatments) (23%)
  • Gardening (19%)
  • DIY store (19%)
  • Clothing store (17%)

Tyl by NatWest urges UK to keep supporting their local independents online and in person when lockdown ends and offers advice to independents on how to create loyal customers.

 

Examining the motivations behind intentions to shop local, the survey found that support is not unconditional. Whilst 40% consciously tried to support local - naming supporting the local economy and jobs (35%), reducing environmental impact (21%), better quality and interesting products (15%) and the introduction of easier methods of payment including contactless and QR codes as the reasons they shopped local more (15%) - almost half (45%) reported that the reason for their shift to local spend was due to the pandemic restricting their movement.

 

In order to help generate insight for small business customers, Tyl asked consumers to share the top things that would help them to spend more often with local independents. The most popular response was for the business to have an online presence to provide convenience and navigate through lockdowns (25%). Loyalty schemes (23%) and the ability to accept card payments (21%) also came in the top three, indicating the opportunities available for small businesses if they can adapt to shifting consumer preferences and continue to connect with customers.

 

Mike Elliff, CEO, Tyl said: “Small independent businesses, their leaders and their staff right across the UK have shown remarkable resilience over the past year under extraordinarily tough conditions.

 

“The pandemic has fundamentally shifted consumer preferences, with the importance of developing card payment, cashless and online solutions made abundantly clear. Through this research, we wanted to highlight the rising tide of support they have amongst locally conscious consumers and the opportunities this presents for recovery and growth.

 

“Now is the time to think about what steps you take as a business to cement the new relationships that have been built with your loyal local customers to make sure their business is retained beyond lockdown and the pandemic.”

 

Tyl by NatWest is a new, innovative payments service designed in partnership with UK SMEs to make it easier for small business customers across the country to receive payments in-store, online and over the phone and manage cash flow during COVID-19 and beyond.

 
Record manufacturing output and inventory holding to serve increased customer demand

Consumer demand for garden landscaping products has remained high through the lockdowns and the team at Kelkay expect this to continue when restrictions are lifted...


 

Consumer demand for garden landscaping products has remained high through the lockdowns and the team at Kelkay expect this to continue when restrictions are lifted. 

 

Despite all the challenges associated with operating in a Covid-secure way, the team at Pollington have increased manufacturing capacity significantly, and have higher inventory on hand than ever before, approximately 50% more than the prior year.

 

Additionally, the team at Kelkay have signed a long-term lease for additional land in Pocklington which will expand inventory holding capacity by a further 25%.

 

 “I’m so proud of the team,” said Jon Wilson, Operations Director. “In November last year we set a new record for manufacturing output in a single month, and we are continuing to outperform prior year performance by investing in more resources and productivity. 

 

“Our pre-season customer commitments are in many cases more than double last year, and so we are doing all we can to respond to extraordinary additional demand.”

 
Get set go – supporters confirm plans for Garden Re-Leaf

It's only a matter of weeks before we reach the garden retail industry’s favourite FUNdraising event of the year – Garden Re-Leaf Day (March 19). Here we find out about some of the events which will be taking place throughout March 2021 to help Garden Re-Leaf celebrate its 10th anniversary.


 

As 2021 picks up pace, it’s now only a matter of weeks before we reach the garden retail industry’s favourite FUNdraising event of the year – Garden Re-Leaf Day (March 19th).

 

Whilst this year’s event will be different due to the ongoing pandemic, that does not mean that the charity’s supporters aren’t pulling out all the stops! Here we find out more about some of the amazing events which will be taking place throughout March 2021 to help Garden Re-Leaf celebrate its 10th anniversary!

 

10 miles for 10 years

Kate Ebbens of Capi UK has pledged to run 10 miles on March 19th, with the company throwing their weight behind the challenge with £500. Kate will be clocking up the miles close to home and aims to complete the distance in 1-hour 40mins.  As if that wasn’t enough, Kate has also given up her biggest vice – coffee – for the whole of 2021. To help avoid temptation Kate is donating £1 to Greenfingers for each day she goes coffee-free! You can make  a donation to support Kate’s efforts here http://www.justgiving.com/Kate-Ebbens2

 

From Land’s End to John O’Groats

A group of intrepid walkers from Hornby Whitefoot PR, Deco-Pak and Garden Trade News have vowed to walk the distance between Land’s End and John O’Groats throughout March 2021. Measuring 603 miles as the crow flies, these walkers will be cheering each other on from the safety of their own homes and using video chat to keep the morale high. A special video capturing the efforts of the team will also be made available after the event. Additional walkers are welcome to join in the fun. Email kimberley@hornbywhitefootpr.co.uk if you’d like to get involved.

 

 

The Thames Walk

The team from leading trade exhibition, Glee, are – Covid allowing – hoping to tackle a 51 mile stretch of the infamous Thames Path, all within a day’s walking. Leading the pack will be Glee’s Event Director, Matthew Mein, who was the originator of the Garden Re-Leaf Sponsored Walk back in 2015. Matthew has completed every Garden Re-Leaf Walk since, racking up 120 miles for the charity to date, one of only two people who have done so! 

 

Get involved in Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021

Since its inception in 2012, Garden Re-Leaf Day has been a key event within the garden retail calendar. Each year hundreds of people from across the industry, including suppliers and retailers, come together to undertake an incredible series of fundraising events. During the last nine years the event has raised in excess of £660,000, all of which has gone towards helping the charity design and create magical gardens in children’s hospices throughout the country.

 

Registration for the 2021 event is now live, and Greenfingers is also on the look out for sponsors of the event. To find out more please contact Linda Petrons by emailing linda@greefingerscharity.org.uk

 

FUNdraising ideas for Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021

You will find a host of ideas in the Garden Re-Leaf Fundraising pack but here’s a few ways you can get involved and help Greenfingers to continue creating magical gardens in children’s hospices across the nation: 

  • Plantathons are perfect for generating some buzz instore whilst simultaneously generating more stock and donating to Greenfingers. Previous events have included 12- and 24-hour Plantathons. 
  • Hold a virtual quiz, with a minimum donation for all entrants.
  • Raffles and tombolas are a great way of getting lots of people involved. Gather prizes from around your store, or ask friends and colleagues to donate prizes, before selling raffle tickets ahead of the grand unveiling of the lucky winner!
  • Cake sales and coffee mornings – are simple yet effective FUNdraisers.
  • An online auction is a great way to raise funds and involve your friends and colleagues
  • Team up with friends and colleagues to complete a virtual walk or cycle challenge. Set yourselves a target – 100 miles for example – and work together to achieve it. Walk around your local area, on a treadmill, whatever it takes! Keep in touch via Zoom to keep the group enthusiasm going!

 

For more FUNdraising ideas or to obtain a copy of the 2021 fundraising pack drop Linda a line - she’d love to hear from you.

 
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

 
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour

In advance of the launch of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, GTN's Northern Correspondent, Steve Myatt, paid a visit to Barton Grange to bring you this first GTN Xtra Christmas photo tour.


In advance of the launch of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, GTN's Northern Correspondent, Steve Myatt, paid a visit to Barton Grange to bring you this first GTN Xtra Christmas photo tour.

 

To add your garden centre Christmas photo tour to GTN Xtra simply get snapping and enter The Greatest Christmas Awards.  See the categories here.  Send an e-mail to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk for more details

 

 
Squires Badshot Lea - Christmas 2020
Sneak preview of Squires Badshot Lea Greatest Christmas Awards entry
See Squires Bashot Lea's Christmas Awards entry photo tour here

 

Here's a sneak preview of the photo tour submitted by Squires at Badshot Lea as part of their entry in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020.

 

There's over £7,000 worth of prizes to be won in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020 so get snapping and enter your garden centre team today!

 

Full details are here.

 

 
Perrywood at Christmas 2020 - with correct photo gallery now...
Sneak preview of Perrywoods Greatest Christmas Awards entry
See Perrywoods Christmas Awards Entry Photo Tour here

 

Here's a sneak preview of Perrywoods photo tour entry in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards for 2020, including the vital ingredient for all entries, team photos. See the gallery of photos below.  Apologies for the wrong photos being included in yesterdays edition.

 

There's over £7,000 worth of prizes to be won in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards so get snapping and enter today.  Full details can be found here.

 

 
British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham

Charles Stubbs, Lewis Fox and Nemanja Tintor, along with the rest of the BGC team, were proud as punch yesterday as their 58th centre at Thatcham in Berkshire opened...


See GTN Xtra's exclusive photo tour of the new centre

Charles Stubbs, Lewis Fox and Nemanja Tintor, along with the rest of the BGC team, were proud as punch yesterday as their 58th centre at Thatcham in Berkshire opened.

 

The centre had been handed back to the landlords during the Wyevale Garden Centres sale of the century in and closed in September 2019 as the owners looked for a new leaseholder.  British Garden Centres took on the site in September 2020 and since then have refreshed the centre, enclosing a walkway at the Restaurant end to allow for extra covers, extending the covered sales area out into the planteria and hard surfacing the overflow car parking area which was previously a field.

 

See GTN Xtra's exclusive photo tour of the new centre below:

 

 
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m...


Read more and see GTN Xtras photo tour of the new centre

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m.

 

The new centre boasts a retail space of 11,813 sq.m., including an outdoor plant area and 440-seat restaurant complete with a newly installed pizza oven. Additional space has also been created to accommodate 170 restaurant guests on an outdoor patio.

 

Up to 70 new jobs have been created to accommodate the centre's expansion. Car parking has increased to 346 spaces.  See GTN Xtra's photo tour of the new centre below.

 

Chief executive Julian Winfield said the Snowhill team worked tirelessly to ensure the centre was able to remain open for the majority of the project, with minimal disruption.

 

“We can't wait to receive our customers' feedback on our new and improved facilities,” he added. “Over the years, we have built a loyal customer following and we are proud to be able to give back to them in this way with our new expanded centre.”

 

Haskins acquired the Snowhill site in 2003, inheriting a number of ageing buildings.

 

Haskins also has centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone in West Sussex. The family business recently acquired Forest Lodge Garden Centre, Bird World and Garden Style in Farnham.

 

Pictured (left to right): Julian Winfield, Jamie Haskins, Ally Haskins (married to Jamie) and Warren Haskins, the group's chairman. 

 

The opening event was attended by the current GCA Chairman Mike Burks and three past Chairs; Warren Haskins, Sue Allen and Julian Winfield.

 

 

 
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts...


Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

 

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

 

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for last week are here

Highlights of the GTN Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for last week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird & Wildlife Bestsellers chart for last week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for last week are here

 

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

 

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters 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 £100m.

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@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

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

All the latest news from the world of pet products


 
Henry Bell secures exclusive contract with Blue Diamond

Leading quality pet, wild bird food and accessories manufacturer, Henry Bell Wild Bird Care announces it has acquired an exclusive contract with one of the largest garden centre retail groups in the UK and Channel Islands, Blue Diamond Group.


 

Leading quality pet, wild bird food and accessories manufacturer, Henry Bell Wild Bird Care announces it has acquired an exclusive contract with one of the largest garden centre retail groups in the UK and Channel Islands, Blue Diamond Group. Henry Bell has reached an agreement to produce Blue Diamond’s wild bird food own label products as well as supplying its full wild bird care range.

 

As of this month (February 2021), Henry Bell will be producing and supplying Blue Diamond with own label products, including new bulk 12.55kg sizes in Garden Banquet, Gourmet Crumble, Finest Peanuts and Finest Sunflower Hearts (see full product list in the notes to editor). The full own label range for Blue Diamond comes in 100% recyclable packaging.

 

Additionally, the full range of Henry Bell Wild Bird Care products will be available at 37 nationwide Blue Diamond garden centres. Henry Bell products include Wild Bird Feeders, Feeding Stations, a Decorative Feeder Collection, Nest Boxes, a broad range of feeds including Seed Mixes, Straight Foods, Fat Balls and Suet Bites & Cakes, and the most recent addition, the Sterling Collection.

 

 

Tom Scribbins, Category Manager of Pets and Wild Bird at Blue Diamond: “It is an exciting time for us as we are growing our range of quality own label products. We are delighted that Henry Bell will be our partners in this next chapter for wild bird care at Blue Diamond. Henry Bell’s catalogue of bird food and feeders will sit alongside our own label and will complement each other perfectly.”

 

Thomas Lee, Managing Director of Henry Bell & Co: “We are delighted to be the primary wild bird care supplier for Blue Diamond. Henry Bell has a long heritage in producing private label wild bird food, so it’s a privilege to be partnering with Blue Diamond to provide their loyal customers with premium produce – both own label and our extensive Henry Bell Wild Bird Care range.”

Nature's Harvest dog food unveils new brand packaging


Nature’s Harvest, one of the pet food brands of Judge’s Choice Petfood Ltd, holder of the Royal Warrant, has unveiled a new brand design, based on dog portraits of some of the most loved dog breeds in the United Kingdom...


 

Nature’s Harvest, one of the pet food brands of Judge’s Choice Petfood Ltd, holder of the Royal Warrant, has unveiled a new brand design, based on dog portraits of some of the most loved dog breeds in the United Kingdom. 

 

The unveiling took place at the beginning of February when the new brand packaging became available to the general public through wholesale and retail channels. The new Nature’s Harvest rebrand covers 11 hypoallergenic, wheat-gluten and grain free wet dog food products across all life stages and includes 9 air-dried hypoallergenic treat products. 

 

Quote from Chieko Chester, CEO Judge’s Choice Petfood Ltd:

“This brand re-design has been a labour of love with each member of my business choosing the dog portraits they wanted to see on the Nature’s Harvest packaging. I’m immensely proud of what we have created as a business community and the clarity of the pack design, with the added element of the QR code for these requiring more information.”  

 

The Nature’s Harvest range maintains its extremely popular recipe formulation, with the new packaging continuing to be made from environmentally friendly materials. Every effort has been made to make the packaging as clear and easily identifiable to the consumer as possible. QR codes on the packaging allows consumers to scan and access further information on Nature's Harvest web pages including recipe formulation and feeding guidelines specific to each product.

 

For more information on Nature’s Harvest visit www.naturesharvest.co.uk

 

To become a stockist contact Sam Thompson on 0330 124 8234 or email sam@judgeschoice.com

 
Skinner’s celebrates 50 years with a range expansion

A brand steeped in heritage, Skinner’s, one of the oldest working dog food brands in the UK, have a lot to be excited about for 2021. As it celebrates 50 years of fuelling working dogs, the brand is delighted to launch a new look and expansion into Wet Food and Treats in its hugely popular Field & Trial range...


A brand steeped in heritage, Skinner’s, one of the oldest working dog food brands in the UK, have a lot to be excited about for 2021. As it celebrates 50 years of fuelling working dogs, the brand is delighted to launch a new look and expansion into Wet Food and Treats in its hugely popular Field & Trial range.

 

Made to be 100% recyclable and featuring a new eye-catching contemporary design, that brings to life the ‘Born To Be Outdoors’ message, the new look packaging will not only stand out on shelf but in the kitchen too.

 

With goodness at its heart and made from 100% natural British ingredients, the new Field & Trial Wet Food range is sure to be a hit with working dogs that like a mix of both wet and dry food. Made to be grain free, for gentle digestion, it can be used as a topper or can be given as a complete diet. The new range comes in innovative and fully sustainable 390g Tetra Pak® cartons, which are manufactured on site by the Skinner’s group and made from over 70% paperboard to reduce single use plastic. With four new SKU’s on offer, the food contains over 60% meat to provide much needed protein and contains root vegetables such as potato and carrot to provide a source of digestable fibre, whilst being gentle on the stomach. From supporting recovery with an easy-to-digest diet, to being highly palatable making it ideal for fussy eaters, older dogs and those recovering from illness or after intense activity, the wet food range meets all the dietary needs of the working dog.

 

And don’t be fooled by it’s smaller size, the 100% recyclable 390g cartons hold the same amount as a standard size can, tray or pouch! However, being fully sustainable, it also helps to reduce your carbon footprint by reducing single use plastics and keeps the food fresher for longer. The cartons are efficient to store, serve, wash, squash & recycle and once they are they become new products like crates, carton boxes and even roofing tiles- making it the environmentally sound alternative to cans , pouches or trays.

 

The new Field & Trial Treats range, which are hand baked by real bakers – yep, you read that right! Contain all the natural ingriedents and wholesome goodness you would come to expect from Skinner’s.  The British sourced ingrediants in these treats are from a supplier who shares Skinner’s ethos and values, of good honest nutrition. The Treats are ideal for motivating and rewarding your hard-working dog, all whilst supporting their health and wellbeing. The Treats come in three new SKU’s, with packaging that is made to be 100% recyclable, plastic free and compostable. Simply recycle with your paper waste once your dog has enjoyed all the delicious treats!

 

Tim Hansell, Skinner’s CEO said: “This is a really exciting time for everyone associated with Skinner’s. We are delighted with the new look and feel of the Skinner’s brand, which we feel is both modern and classic and really builds on our heritage, family values and deep connection with the great outdoors. At the same time as relaunching the Skinner’s brand, we are also extremely excited to announce that we are expanding our core Field & Trial working dog food range, with the launch of innovative new ranges in both wet foods and treats, in environmentally friendly sustainable packaging.

 

The new look and fully sustainable packaging is just the start of the journey for the Skinner’s brand. We have invested in Tetra Pak® capabilities in house and as a group, we are the only British dog food manufacturers to have this facility in place. We are delighted to be a brand that offers sustainability in the sector and will continue with our mission to bring good wholesome British food to working dogs and pleasing eco-friendly packaging to their owners.”

As a long-established brand with a strong and loyal customer base, Skinner’s is poised to lead the way in innovation in the industry, blending consistent dietary needs of working dogs with evolving modern trends.  The seven-generation family food company is leading the way in sustainably conscious dog food with 100% recyclable packaging across the entirety of its range , with a roll out planned for spring on its existing dry food range.

 

To find out more about stocking the new range visit www.skinners.co.uk

Wilsons Pet Food extends eco-friendly dog food range

Following the successful launch of their eco-friendly raw frozen dog food last year, Wilsons Pet Food is thrilled to now extend their eco range to their cold pressed dog food in a bid to reduce their use of plastic...


Following the successful launch of their eco-friendly raw frozen dog food last year, Wilsons Pet Food is thrilled to now extend their eco range to their cold pressed dog food in a bid to reduce their use of plastic. 

 

Having produced pet food in the UK for over 160 years, Wilsons produce a range of 100% natural cold pressed and raw frozen dog food which is gently pressed and hand crafted in their purpose-built factories in Scotland.

 

With the aim of contributing to environmental sustainability, Wilsons have now released their range of eco pack premium cold pressed dog food which joins their existing eco pack raw frozen food to create a superior range of products better suited to how we live today. Their new dry food is packaged in recyclable and biodegradable cardboard boxes with the option for customers to choose to purchase paper refill bags. They have also moved from plastic bags to paper bags for their range of cold pressed working dog food.

 

Not only have they repackaged their cold pressed food, but they have also improved their current recipes following customer feedback and have introduced 3 brand new delicious premium flavours to their range, including Highland Venison & Trout, Farmhouse Turkey & Duck, and Wild White Fish.  Each crafted with a mix of quality ingredients chosen for a range of benefits including anti-inflammatory, better digestion, reduced bloating and more. Across the six flavours, there is choice for even the fussiest dogs, with grain free, chicken free and allergy conscious options available.

 

Their launch ties in with the reveal of their brand new website, giving customers an even easier way of reordering their dog food by subscription alongside their new loyalty club giving customers points every time they purchase, helping to build towards discount vouchers. Wilsons also continue to support rescue centres through their Wilsons to the Rescues initiative and offer free expert advice and support on their website and social channels.

 

Managing Director at Wilsons, Craig Wallace, has been looking forward to extending their eco range “We are very fortunate to have such loyal and supportive customers. The changes we have made to our products and packaging ensure we are sticking to our values of crafting dog food with the best quality processes and ingredients which are selected for their tangible benefits to both dog and owner. And as always, proudly made in Britain. It has been a herculean effort by the Wilsons team to ensure we have done everything we can to create eco-friendly packaging whilst also ensuring the food itself is truly good for dogs.”

 

To find your nearest store or to buy their new eco pack cold pressed dog food online, visit www.wilsonspetfood.co.uk