Choice Marketing members are celebrating the completion of their best year ever with a huge interim rebate of over £2m+, being paid out to its Members prior to Christmas. This achievement is the result of the group’s 43 independent garden centre members working together during 2021.   

Commenting on the rebate, Michelle de Lavis-Trafford, CEO of Choice Marketing, said: “This is a fabulous achievement and a record-breaking result, following an amazing year.  Group turnover has exceeded all expectations and has climbed to an all-time high, which is now in excess of £150+m.  

“This exemplifies the power and positive rewards of working together within an established organisation, particularly during a pandemic, where we have certainly enjoyed record sales and fantastic support from our key suppliers. 

“Although all our member centres are independently owned and independently run, we do speak with one voice in our relationships with our suppliers.”

Early indications are that 2022 will, with sales again up on last year, be another good year for Choice Marketing as it sets to celebrate its 20th Anniversary at the end of this month 

In addition to preferential purchasing arrangements, Choice members benefit from a comprehensive offering of marketing services, through its partner agency.  

Commenting further, Will Blake of St Peters Garden Centre said: “It’s so great being a member of Choice Marketing.  St Peters have enjoyed the many benefits of Membership since it helped establish the organisation back in 2002.  

“Choice is one of the industry’s leading buying and marketing groups and has forged strong, mutually beneficial working relationships with dozens of key suppliers throughout the garden centre, gift, home and leisure sectors.   

“As an independent garden centre, we really value the combined influence and buying strength that Choice gives our business, as it far exceeds anything we could possibly achieve on our own. 

“The enhanced service we receive from suppliers, combined with the direct lines of communication that the team at Choice have with key account managers across our supply chain, ensures that any issues are dealt with quickly and efficiently.  

“The team at Choice negotiate the very best prices and trading terms on our behalf, which frees up countless hours in our own business and allows my senior management team to devote more time to the day to day operation of the centre. It also enables us to concentrate more on other important strategic issues facing the business.”   

Due to pending retirement sales, the group is sad to be losing a small number of its longstanding members this year. But these changes make way for Choice Marketing to be able to welcome new members into the Group with potential new members already in the pipeline and advanced conversations underway. 

If you would like to know more about the benefits of membership, please contact Michelle de Lavis-Trafford at info@choice-marketing.co.uk to arrange an informal chat. The Group’s Membership Manager, Anthony Gould, can also be contacted at anthony.gould@choice-marketing.co.uk.  

www.choice-marketing.co.uk