In This Issue
How are suppliers faring during lockdown - Westland, Smart, Evergreen Garden Care and others are getting ready for re-opening of garden centres
Behind the scenes at Baytree Click & Collect
Garden Leisure suppliers living in an on-line world but anticipating garden centres re-opening
Greenfingers Charity’s #floralfriday continues to bring a little floral cheer to the nation
Analogue survival for garden centres in a digital world
Dobbies launches Little Seedlings at home
Use of Black Plastic in UK Packaging Continues to Drop
Gardenex recruits exhibitors for spoga+gafa as Government confirms grants of £1,500 for eligible SMEs
Woodlodge’s Richard Newton raises a staggering £7686 for Greenfingers Charity
GIMA urging retailers to keep cash flow active during lockdown
Thank you for reading GTNXtra in such high numbers
Clipglove comes out top in Good Housekeeping glove test!
Grow some sunshine with Gardena and Lynne Lambourne
Zest direct to relaunch “garden product home delivery service” to support online retailers
How LifestyleGarden® can help to beat isolation blues in the garden this summer while playing a role in preserving the planet
EGO announces powerful new line-up for 2020
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Garden product supplier provides plastic for NHS visors
Recoup include film recyclability guidance in plastic packaging design publication
Hillier Trees prepare for a positive post covid-19 future
Garden Radio charges on hold
The best of last week's
After the quietest Easter ever, how are you and your team?
"I just don't get how gardening is deemed non-essential then certain supermarkets put big banners with get ready for spring," more post Easter feedback
GrowNation could be a good answer to organisation challenges of garden centre delivery systems
Derek Spicer, Kilworth Conifers dies
John Grayson joins Hozelock
GTN Xtra - Send to all
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
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Email trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700


How are suppliers faring during lockdown - Westland, Smart, Evergreen Garden Care and others are getting ready for re-opening of garden centres

Last week we asked garden centres how they and their teams were after the quietest Easter ever and as the story has been so well read we thought this week we should ask suppliers how they are faring with the crisis. Here are the responses received so far, starting with compost and gardening essential suppliers through to giftware suppliers.  Feedback from Garden Leisure suppliers are in the story.... 

 

Simon McArdle, Westland: “Garden centres will have plenty of opportunities when they get to re-open. There will still be 25 million households trapped at home and many of them will be starting a brand-new relationship with their garden.

“If they didn’t realise it before, what an asset their garden is now?

“We’re hearing that many garden centres are tooling up for click and collect, if they are not one of the “Bunker and Cowells” brigade that have already rolled up their sleeves and got on with business, and many are also spreading their shops out to take up restaurant space and out into the planteria to allow for greater social distancing when they can re-open.

“We are working on a host of initiatives to help with trade when it re-starts, mainly based on “mission” shopping, so watch this space.  When we know exactly what retailers will and will not be able to do, we will be ready and raring to help.

“Westland are open.  We’ve been shipping and manufacturing throughout and we have good stocks of identified lines we know will be in high demand.  We’ve also been supporting retailers with images and information for their on-line shops for delivery services or click and collect.   Our website: gardenhealth.com has been changed so that the home page drives consumers to local retailers who are offering local deliveries.

“Across the Westland and Gardman Crest ranges we are uniquely positioned to complete all the garden tasks, sending one delivery to garden centres with all the products your customers need.”

Mark Portman, Evergreen Garden Care: “Yes, we are open for business and have high levels of stock for the season ahead. Last week, demand was high and our customer service team took a lot of orders. As a result, we are increasing our production and adding an extra shift, anticipating that garden centres will re-open around the middle of May. Demand in Europe has been very high when they have re-opened garden centres and DIY stores, and so we will be ready for whenever this happens in the UK, as the climate is ever-changing.

 “Our Ipswich research station is still operating, and all three UK manufacturing plants are still running along with our French factory too. We’ve changed the way that we’re operating at our sites with temperature checks when staff come on site and we are not allowing 3rd party visitors, apart from lorry drivers.  All of our warehouses are still operating with safety as our top priority.

“The landscape is moving quickly, and demand is remarkably strong. Independent garden centres have been super creative and entrepreneurial. I think the season will be longer than usual.

“As a team we are learning how to do things virtually, keeping everyone connected with video calls, virtual coffee mornings, drop in lunchtime sessions using Google Hang Out and we dial in at the end of the week to have a drink together.

“I would like to say a big thank you to our manufacturing, warehouse and customer service teams who have all done a tremendous job keeping things going in difficult circumstances.”

Steve Harper: The Greener Gardening Company: “It's been an interesting journey over the past few weeks.  In the first week of April I would have predicted we would have lost 80% of our business but as retailers adapt I would suggest now maybe less than 30%.

“Those retailers that are trading have in some cases found ways to massively overtrade, I have garden centres now delivering only, up 200% plus on last April on Compost sales (not as a whole).

“We have only furloughed a relatively small amount of the team and we keep in contact with a weekly video call. Indeed I have a daily wellbeing call with my whole team given we're so disparate which the furloughed guys can dial into whenever they like but I insist they call in at least weekly so we can make sure they're ok. It's good to see the home haircuts appearing

“I think we're in a good place to step up as an when things start to return to normal, the struggle may be to ramp haulage back up quickly but I'm sure we'll have some notice to prepare.

“I know some garden centres have started relaying their centres so they can create a supermarket type flow. It seems to me as much as we want and need garden centres to open, some of them will have to radically change their flow to make sure it's safe but currently if they're planning they at least have the time to do that. I for one can't wait to get some plants!”

Andy Chalmers, Melcourt: “After 6 month's of wet, gloomy weather, the clocks going forward, an ideal date for Easter, everyone is 'up for gardening' . . . then this happens!

“There is massive 'pent up demand'. Melcourt does not have an e-shop, but we sell our garden centre products through traditional outlets (garden centres and builders' merchants) or businesses with e-shops. Any business with a 'home delivery service' is quids in at the moment.

“When we eventually get the 'all clear', most people will not go on an expensive overseas holiday but will probably stay local. I would expect the gardening season to be extended, as we will have no interruptions such as Wimbledon tennis, European Cup Football or 2020 Olympics.

“As long as 'all of the ducks are in a row', i.e. raw materials, packing, pallets, transport and staff, we are able to continue to supply our customers.

“Business is just like a normal year, at this time for us. There is a continuing and increasing demand for quality 100% peat-free products, particularly Melcourt's. Retail price is not the issue. I want it now!

“But take care to get paid. Cash flow could be an issue.”

Paris Natar, Smart Garden: "The best Spring and Easter weather for a generation and most of our customers have been shut!

“Closing down Smart's operations has never been an option unless forced to do so, which, thankfully, has not happened. We believe in the importance of keeping our business going, the wheels turning. We have about 50 colleagues working at our Eureka warehouse, handling orders, mostly small top-ups from UK and European garden centres as well as from our mail order and e-commerce clients.

“Many garden centres decided they did not want to shut down and adapted to doing home deliveries. A very tough way of doing business but it has rescued a substantial part of their and our sales so, hats off to them!

“Perhaps unsurprisingly, there has been a big spike in demand from our mail order and e-commerce customers but volumes, relative to our normal April sales, have not been that great.

“Thanks to an extra server, sales and customer service colleagues, normally office-based, are working from home with reliable, speedy access to our system. Could this be the way of working in the future, even beyond the crisis? I doubt it because one of the best things about going to work is seeing friends and colleagues. They (and I) would miss the buzz!

“We are also taking this opportunity to tidy up and carry out a myriad of maintenance tasks that have eluded us in busier times...for example jet washing our car park at our Abingdon HO now that there are hardly any cars in it!

“When the restrictions are lifted and garden centres come back to life, we hope for but don't anticipate a huge surge in demand as much of the season will be gone, there will still be a lot of un-sold stock around and shoppers will continue to be a little nervous about going out. On the flip side, the season should extend beyond June as no one will be going abroad for their holidays. We will be ready for whatever comes as we will not be starting from scratch!

“The next few months are going to be critical for our industry. Retailers and their suppliers are totally inter-dependent and the only way of getting through this will be by working together for the common good."

Nick Davies, Gardman Crest: “We are open, picking and shipping in a managed and measured way. The warehouse has had to change the way it operates but we have a steady flow of orders coming in electronically. The orders tend to be for the essentials like grow your own and basic gardening requirements.

“Our sales office is working as normal, albeit from home.

“Based on the orders we’ve been getting I urge all garden centres to know which are their bestsellers for the time they are re-opening as for sure there will be big demand for them.”

James Hoad: Apta: “Apta remains open for business, with a skeleton staff running the office and warehouse. Although most of our staff are on furlough leave, and our merchandising service isn't operational, we've been delivering orders to customers that are still trading. It appears that more and more garden centres are getting their e-commerce up and running so we've seen an increase since Easter, although obviously nothing like what it should be.

“The Apta team is fine although with 90% on furlough leave we're all just itching to get back to normality.

“I really hope that common sense will prevail and enable garden centres to be among the first to reopen when lockdown restrictions are eased. Let's just hope the government are listening to Alan Titchmarsh and not Monty Don!”

David Nicholson, Elho: “We have remained fully open and are now increasing our logistics capacity. Monday was our highest order entry so far in the crisis which encompasses the whole of Europe. It brings a lot of encouragement to the full elho team to see the business increase and we hopefully start to see light at the end of the tunnel. During the crisis we have been supporting and delivering in full to all customers in the UK whom remain open and willing to place orders.

“elho have implemented the following:

- regular team touch point calls to look after the full teams wellbeing as we are spread across Europe

- elho strava group to share our exercise to stay healthy

- company online yoga/cardio boxing training for all employees

“We are ready and fully prepared to support all centres when they re-open. We are gearing up in logistics and have good stock in preparation for a sensational summer and amazing autumn.”

Tim Jeffries, Mr Fothergills and Darlac: “Unlike many garden centre suppliers we, at Mr Fothergills, have been able to continue trading at a reasonable level. Although sales are down to traditional outlets that have closed of course we have been working hard with our centres that are trading online or offering click & collect or delivery services. Seeds have still been in high demand as people cocoon at home and demand for grow your own is high.

“We have prioritised our retail business and have spent long hours providing images for new trading websites or copy platforms. Our Territory sales team is working from home, but not furloughed, as we want to maintain contact with our garden trade customers and provide the service they expect from us.

“Our office staff are mainly working from home and we have split shifts over 24 hours at the Kentford production and despatch operations to ensure we keep our staff safe by respecting the 2-metre rule and having adequate safety equipment on site. We have furloughed any staff on any grounds of age or vulnerability. Our staff have been amazing!

“Seed sales in our Australian business, where garden centres and Bunnings have remained open, are very strong and seed rationing has been imposed in some stores.

“At Darlac, the story is different with dramatically reduced sales. We have taken the decision to maintain staff numbers working so that we can supply a good service to any centre that is trading - albeit tools are further down the shopping list.

“We all hope garden centres will reopen in the first phase of easing of the lockdown and we will be in the best position to step up immediately, whether at Mr Fothergills or Darlac.”

Guy Jenkins, DLF Seeds: “DLF Seeds Ltd UK are open for business. While all my office colleagues are dispersed and working from home my colleagues in production and warehousing are at work and fully operative. For the record social distancing is in place throughout and we have made physical adjustments to our production and warehousing to ensure their safety. In early March we asked several warehouse colleagues to work from home in stock control, to return if other colleagues were unable to attend, to ensure continuity of supply.

“We continue to supply customers with Johnsons Lawn Seed and Neudorff products, direct to store, into wholesalers and for some customers via dropship deliveries. There is very high demand for Johnsons and Neudorff lines and end users are finding the retailers prepared to deliver, click and collect or in some cases, where they can, shop in store. To date our inbound supply chain has remained secure and delivering on time and out bound deliveries continue uninterrupted.

“We have Skype for business and Microsoft Teams so we have joint calls morning and afternoon. Throughout the day we are in touch and can share screens for work or sometimes just for our own gardening projects! End of the day on Friday we have a quiz and sometimes we have corona coffee breaks too, there's definitely an emphasis on time to catch up on non-work events, even if it's only for a minute or two.

“Hopefully garden centres will be allowed to start opening after the first May bank holiday and we are ready to supply the day this happens!”

Millie Ferns, Meadow View Stone: “We took the early decision to furlough all staff from our main operation, but with the exception of our accounts team, on 25th March following a massive drop in orders.

“We maintained skeleton staff at our Rye operation and during this period supplied a few customers who had managed to navigate a home delivery system

“During the last 7-10 days we have seen a significant demand for our products, which has led us to reopen the Meadow View main site with a small team of operatives this week.

“Direct shipment is now available for customers to promote, however many accounts have been taking full load orders and recording record sales of our products via their own home delivery system.

“My thoughts are that once the doors are allowed to open there will be a mass influx of customers wishing to support their local Garden Centre, and to get their hands on plants, compost and aggregates – all of which have been in massive demand but have been very hard to come by these last few weeks

“The weather leading up to, and following Easter; with glorious blue skies each morning, would have provided the best six week window of sales possibly on record, which is something very hard to tolerate and to try and assess if we will ever recoup.

“Our customers have been hugely supportive in paying their outstanding Pre-season’s and the ones that are struggling have been honest and willing to confirm a future payment date, so we are very optimistic that our customers will pull through this with our help and support.”

Jenny Douthwaite, Primeur: “We are very much 'open for business'. Our doormat ranges are continuing to be ordered, albeit in a reduced volume at the moment. We have not supplied any of our garden centre customers since lockdown, but we remain ready and able to help them with stock should they be looking at deliveries or collections.

“We have a number of colleagues furloughed at present and many others working from home. We are using lots of the communication routes to keep in touch including Whatsapp and Zoom so that we can still all feel part of the Primeur team! We believe regular updates with our colleagues is key to making them feel reassured and keeping the positivity going in these strange and unfamiliar times.

“Once the restrictions are lifted, we will be ready to ramp back up to full capacity within a few days. We were fortunate to have all our stock for the season in our warehouse ahead of lockdown which allows us to turn deliveries on quickly.”

Jackie Eades, Fallen Fruits: “After the initial moment of 'what now' on the 23rd when our bricks and mortar customers were given no option but to shut we focused on our online and Drop Ship retailers.

“By risk assessing the warehouse and implementing all the Covid-19 requirements we have been able to remain operational and we are keeping communication flowing to members of the team who are on furlough.

“Taking the positives from the situation we already had a thought through Drop Ship strategy with our specialist on line team but this fast forwarded evolution for our retailers and has made us focus on how to future proof not only through a change in consumer habits but also the possibility of a second wave of the virus and possibly another lockdown later in the year”

 Mark Pitman, Wildlife World: “We're remaining very positive, it's a difficult situation to be in, and the government have had to react faster than ever before to put measures in place to help - e.g. the furlough/JRS system. We are watching the CBI webinars every day which are an invaluable source of information and guidance.

“Although Easter was a non event for retailers other than those offering home delivery etc, our B2C was busier than ever - the demand grew steadily before Easter, and has continued since; we are operating at 'Christmas' levels of trading and just had our best ever week (on the direct to customer side of the business).

“We are open, we put measures in place early on to be able to supply if the demand was there, and we entered lockdown with good quantities of stock in our warehouses - so our dispatch units ( we operate from 3 sites; one workshop and 2 dispatch) are socially distancing and operating in accordance with all guidance.  B2C has been phenomenal, and B2B is down, but steady - we are sending orders out to those businesses operating deliveries/home collections and online, both here in the UK and in Europe. We are also seeing a few older customers returning, and new ones approaching us.

“One real bonus for us is the increases in social media following and interactions. This was an aim for us earlier this year, and the lockdown has actually worked in our favour to boost our audience more than we had hoped for, and I can only see the momentum growing. We are using #wildlifeforwellbeing as our tag through this.

“We offer drop shipping as part of our operation anyway and have offered this out to all.

“Early on we were very concerned that business would drop off and we would be in a very different position to where we are now. The increases, particularly on B2C have given us a great deal of encouragement and this has raised motivation with the teams. We keep in touch with all staff via a WhatsApp group message with any relevant updates - this goes to all staff, whether working, or furloughed. All of our office teams are working at home now, so we communicate daily via email/phone/zoom, including 'zoom coffee breaks' and a weekly, or more regular if needed Management Team Zoom meeting. We talk regularly on the phone to those on furlough; we are now looking at some of the furloughed workers as to bringing some back into the business if we can.

“Let's hope garden centres are able to open soon. I’m fully behind Alan Titchmarsh, David Domoney et al. in their campaigning. We are working on plans to grow our business and adapt once things open up. There will no doubt be opportunities in the marketplace. One of the issues for anyone in our position will be flow of stock in from abroad. We have just started placing a few orders for stock, but there will be inevitable delays in the supply chain, which we will need to look at.”

Stephen Illingworth, Widdop: "Yes, we absolutely are open for business.  We have furloughed all but 8 in our warehouse which means we are maintaining social distancing but also able to cope with the small number of people still ordering regularly and service our direct despatch business which had orders of over 2,000 B2C shipments after the Easter weekend. We are shipping with a 1 day turnaround right now so anyone still open can get stock very quickly if they order via our website.

“We only ship B2C for customers who have established a clear process with us and pre-selected a range and they arrange collections by couriers. We are shipping direct and quickly B2B orders for garden centres and others though and our excellent new website shows everything in stock that can be shipped immediately.

“We have suggested training courses for many that are free online should they want to keep developing their skills- e.g. entrepreneur store and coursera.  We have launched a #lookonthebrightside campaign to promote positive initiatives across our customer base

“We are providing social media training free of charge for retailers and over 40 have signed up.

“Yesterday I hosted a webinar on Post COVID-19 Retail and Giftware with over 400 retailers.

“We know that it will be staged return to normal with some surveys showing only 20% of consumers will return to the high street straight away. We are helping retailers plan now by supporting them preparing their stores with new initiatives and hygiene standards to make people feel safe and confident to shop with them again. This will be very important. We feel and companies like Seton and Morplan are providing lots of kit now that people can get ready.

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Jane Lawler
What an overwhelmingly positive outlook we have in our industry. Great comments from all these suppliers who have an optimistic and upbeat attitude. We are all in the same boat and it’s great to see the Dunkirk spirit. Keep going, we can do this!!!!!