On Friday 17th August 2018, the Blue Diamond Group became the third largest Garden Centre group in the UK, following the integration of 8 centres purchased from Wyevale Garden Centres...
On Friday 17th August 2018, the Blue Diamond Group became the third largest Garden Centre group in the UK, following the integration of 8 centres purchased from Wyevale Garden Centres.
Leading Garden Centre Groups by number of outlets
Aug-18
Group
Outlets
1
Wyevale Garden Centres
135
2
Dobbies
34
3
Blue Diamond
30
4
Klondyke
22
5
Notcutts
18
6
Squires
16
7 =
Hilliers
12
7 =
Cherry Lane
12
9
Hillview
11
10
British Garden Centres
10
Source GTN - updated 13-8-18
The feedback from Blue Diamond Melbicks (above) was: "Great day here at Melbicks yesterday! The team here are on fire and extremely lively… we had an awesome day! The picture says it all!
Thanks to RST for all their vital support, the day ran with very little issues here. The energy this morning around the centre is electric as we get in to day 2!!"
And from Blue Diamond Cadbury: "The reaction to Cadbury going over to Blue Diamond has been incredible both staff and customers are over the moon. A great team here."
Managing Director Alan Roper was full of praise for his teams who have integrated 8 large centres with tills working, teams in uniforms, centre signage changed and nothing seriously falling over within two weeks.
"To achieve all of this on the first day is a major credit to them all," Alan told GTN Xtra. "Well done Team Blue Diamond. I feel very proud and thankful to have such a great team. Many years in the making but we got there.
"Thanks too to the volunteers who in some cases were up until 3am making sure day one would run as smoothly as it did."
With rural security a hot topic in the nursery trade of late, Flornaplants in West Lancashire is the latest victim of plant thieves.
With rural security a hot topic in the nursery trade of late, Flornaplants in West Lancashire is the latest victim of plant thieves.
Last Thursday night, raiders broke into Florna Plants, a wholesale nursery based between Preston and Southport that has Homebase as one of its customers, and stole a crop of six-pack primroses. The 3.5acre Keder double skinned multispan polytunnel was cut open to gain access. In a separate block, glass was smashed to gain entry and a crop of 10.5cm mini cyclamen was trampled across, creating significant damage before more plants were stolen.
Proprietor Ian Howard told GTN Xtra the raiders probably used a vehicle to make off with the plants via a farm track running alongside the blocks.
“Neither products are ready for sale yet so I’m wondering if the thieves have facilities to grow them on,” said Ian. “We can't get our heads around the theft of product that has just been transplanted!”
With limited police resources in the countryside, how can rural nurseries protect themselves? In their 2018 Rural Crime Report, countryside insurers NFU Mutal say rural crime cost the UK £44.5m in 2017, the worst year since 2013, with rural Wales among the hardest-hit areas.
They say farmers and growers are resorting to medieval-style security measures like earth banks and fences in an effort to keep intruders out. Volmary at Wisbech St Mary in Lincolnshire constructed 12-14ft deep moats around their site. Others rely on the tried-and-tested use of geese and dogs to raise the alarm. More and more are using reinforced gates, high yard fences and single entry points.
Has your businesses been targeted by thieves? Let us know…and tell us how you are dealing with it.
Hilco Capital, the new owners of Homebase, who bought the DIY chain for £1 from Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers in May, have named 42 planned store closures, some of which may be bought by Amazon Logistics...
Hilco Capital, the new owners of Homebase, who bought the DIY chain for £1 from Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers in May, have named 42 planned store closures.
Meanwhile, results posted by Wesfarmers for 2017/18, underline the disastrous impact that buying Homebase for £375m two years ago has had on the company’s finances before they pulled the plug on the Bunnings UK and Ireland venture.
Wesfarmers posted a 58% drop in net profits to $1.2bn, after more than $1.3bn in losses and costs.
Wesfarmers said the Homebase purchase cost $1.02bn in impairments, write-offs and store closure provisions. The group spent $156m on Bunnings UK in 2017 and $141m in 2018.
Hilco have said they plan to re-store the Homebase brand to the 24 stores converted to Bunnings by this autumn. In the last 12 months, 17 branches have been closed which combined with the latest announcement, brings the total to 59 - near to the 60 that has been suggested in recent weeks.
The closures are believed to affect a further 1,500 jobs at Homebase after the massive reductions in head office staff.
Reports are now starting to emerge that Amazon Logistics may be interested in some of the Homebase sites as there is a shortage of UK warehousing space with large locations at a premium. As the sites are close to urban areas they could be a perfect fit for the Amazon Prime service.
Recent results from a survey commissioned by the Common Sense Gardening Group and conducted by Yolo Communications has revealed that 43% of gardeners say they use garden care chemicals to control weeds...
Recent results from a survey commissioned by the Common Sense Gardening Group and conducted by Yolo Communications has revealed that 43% of gardeners say they use garden care chemicals to control weeds.
In fact, 17% of gardeners agree that garden care chemicals are the only successful solution to manage weeds.
Organic alternatives don’t have the same impact, as 41% say they needed a faster impact on problem areas. Unfortunately, organic options don’t provide the instant gratification that many gardeners are after.
Other findings from the survey show that 20% people don’t have time to weed their lawn by hand, and 31% of people say they find weeding their driveways by hand too difficult.
Gary Philpotts, chair of Common Sense Gardening Group, says: “Our findings reinforce an industry-held ideal: that gardeners need to have a wide spread of options to help them tackle their daily weed regrowth issues.”
For 14% of gardeners, the cost of garden care products is not important if it solves the problem.
The Common Sense Gardening Group is an alliance of five companies involved in garden care products – whether that’s manufacture or just sale – and works with the Royal Horticultural Society to endorse its ethos and champion the growing concerns associated with consumer gardening. It is part of the Crop Protection Association, an integral player in the UK plant science industry.
The group works to ensure the safety of garden care products and provide consumers with tips on the safe usage, storage and disposal of garden products.
Research carried out by the European Crop Protection Association, revealed that:
• Gardeners need suitable and strong solutions to weed, pest and disease problems; ones that aren’t time-consuming to implement.
• Home and garden products can provide cost-effective control for challenging weed species, including invasive ones. They tend to be relatively affordable compared to some of the alternatives.
• Hand weeding, although practical in some situations, is too time-consuming and is not always effective as roots and parts of weed species are left to re-grow.
Chris Beardshaw, star of this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show and now arguably the country’s most eminent garden designer, has taken on a new role as the inaugural ambassador for ‘Bee Resistant 2018’; a national campaign that runs annually to highlight the dangers of anaphylaxis caused by bee and wasp stings...
Chris Beardshaw, star of this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show and now arguably the country’s most eminent garden designer, has taken on a new role as the inaugural ambassador for ‘Bee Resistant 2018’; a national campaign that runs annually to highlight the dangers of anaphylaxis caused by bee and wasp stings.
The Bee Resistant campaign, now in its fourth year, partners with national charity, the Anaphylaxis Campaign, to run from the start of bee season in May through to wasp season in September. In 2018, it is the first year that the campaign has appointed an ambassador, choosing Chris as a well-respected gardening expert to help raise awareness.
After unveiling his Morgan Stanley Garden for the NSPCC last month at RHS Chelsea, the garden was voted ‘Best Show Garden’ along with his seventh gold medal.
Fittingly, Chris launched the 2018 Bee Resistant campaign at the National Trust’s iconic Hidcote Manor Garden in the Cotswolds. Widely acknowledged as one of England’s most influential gardens of the 20th Century, Hidcote was the first garden ever taken on by the National Trust. It continues to be a beautiful and unique source of inspiration for both amateur gardeners and professional horticulturalists, including Chris himself.
Commenting on the launch of the Bee Resistant campaign for 2018, Chris said: “As a designer, gardener and occasional amateur bee keeper, I was delighted to return to the National Trust’s Hidcote Manor Garden – home to Lawrence Johnston’s 1920’s masterpiece and an absolute mecca for anyone who enjoys gardening.”
“But of course, it’s not just the flowers that bring a garden to life; it’s also the wildlife – including the birds, butterflies and bees. And for a very small minority of people, a sting from a bee or a wasp can have serious consequences – and can even be life-threatening – due to a condition called venom anaphylaxis arising from an allergic reaction to insect stings. That’s why this season I’ve joined forces with the Bee Resistant campaign to help raise awareness and to make sure we can all stay safe when we are in the garden.”
For some people, an allergy to the venom in a bee or wasp sting can cause a severe reaction, leading to anaphylaxis which can be fatal. The facts might make surprising reading:
In the UK, insect stings are the second most frequent cause of anaphylaxis outside medical settings: bee or wasp stings caused nearly three quarters of anaphylaxis deaths between 1992 and 2001 outside of hospitals[1]
People who experience anaphylactic shock after one sting are 60-70 percent more likely to show the same reaction in future.
Despite these figures, only 30 percent of people would know what to do if they were with someone who went into anaphylactic shock from a bee or wasp sting.
With bees and wasps deadly for some people, the Bee Resistant awareness campaign aims to spread the word about venom anaphylaxis. It provides information on the symptoms to look out for and the range of avoidance and treatment options available to help reduce the risk:
‘Bee aware’ of the symptoms:
Feeling unwell and dizzy
Rapidly spreading rash
Wheezing and a tight chest
Swelling of the airways and throat
Weakness (caused by a drop in blood pressure)
Physical collapse
‘Bee resistant’ by taking steps to reduce the risk:
Prevention – follow avoidance advice and tips
Treatment – there are a range of treatment options available on the NHS to treat anaphylaxis which include carrying adrenaline pens and specialist treatments available from hospital-based allergy clinics
‘Bee in the know’ – find out more:
In the event of a serious allergic reaction, call 999 immediately and state “anaphylaxis”
Consult your GP for further information and guidance
Speaking for the Anaphylaxis Campaign, CEO Lynne Regent commented: “Bee and wasp stings can be a painful nuisance for people working or relaxing outside during the summer months. Sometimes, reactions to venom in the sting can become much more severe – and a small number of people may develop anaphylaxis, which can be fatal. In these cases, symptoms occur very quickly as venom enters the blood stream rapidly. We want to raise awareness, so people know about the risks and what to do to help reduce these. If you experience a severe reaction to a bee or wasp sting, it’s important that you are taken to A&E and afterwards visit your GP as soon as possible to discuss treatment options. These can include adrenaline auto-injectors and specialist treatments that are available from allergy clinics which may be appropriate in some cases.
To find out more about the Bee Resistant campaign click here
Hilliers Garden Centres have made a family's dream come true in a charity project inspired by the TV show ‘DIY SOS’...
Hilliers Garden Centres have made a family's dream come true in a charity project inspired by the TV show ‘DIY SOS’.
Having decided they wanted to do something extra special for their charity partner, the Wessex Cancer Trust, they have completed an ambitious makeover on a garden for one of the trust’s clients, the Burrell family.
The video above tells the story or click on the picture below:
Chelsea duo Sarah Eberle, Chelsea’s most decorated designer, and Mark Tomlinson from MJT Landscapes, were as excited as Hilliers when they heard about it and readily agreed to take on the challenge.
Volunteers joined in from the group’s successful Gardening Club, whose members have also been invited to make donations to help with the cost of materials needed to create a dream garden for the Burrell family.
Since 2016, two-year-old Sebastian Burrell has been undergoing treatment at Royal Hospital London for a tumour behind his eyes. Wessex Cancer Trust have been supporting the family at their support centre in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire.
They love gardening and spending time outdoors together and had a lot of ideas for their garden when they first moved in, but they had inherited a challenge. With broken patio and walls, poor lawns and flower beds, it would take them some time to transform this into their dream garden with space to cook and eat, colourful plants, a herb garden and a play area for Sebastian.
However, between Sebastian’s hospital treatments, working, and the day to day of busy family life, they have not had the time to achieve it.
The Hillier and MJT landscapes teams transformed the garden for the Burrell family this summer 2018 whilst they were enjoying a holiday in France. They knew the transformation was happening but not exactly how the end result would look, so had a lovely surprise on their return when they discovered an entirely new garden complete with play area for Seb. They were also completely taken aback by the added surprise of a new front garden that they had no idea was happening!
Enjoy this film showing the full transformation from beginning to end including the big reveal.
Hilliers have expressed appreciation for donations from a number of partners and friends in the garden industry, including:
Haskins have enjoyed a clutch of successes in this year’s Garden Centre Association South Thames regional awards...
Haskins have enjoyed a clutch of successes in this year’s Garden Centre Association South Thames regional awards.
Roundstone was named 'Garden Centre of the Year' in the destination centre category, with Snowhill taking third place.
In the garden care category, the group’s centres were awarded the top three places (Ferndown first, West End second and Roundstone third).
Ferndown top-scored in the 'Barton Grange Trophy’ national competition for innovation and creativity', while Snowhill made it through to the autumn judging round in the 'Ruxley Rose’ national plant area competition.
Finally, Ferndown took second place in the community and environment category.
Lisa Looker, brand director at Haskins Garden Centres expressed delight at the group’s success across multiple categories. “It is a fantastic achievement for the group that all centres have been acknowledged,” she said. “The awards are testament to the hard work of the teams at each centre; we continually strive to provide the best experience for our customers and deliver the best service. We're particularly thrilled with the 'Garden Centre of the Year' category win for our Roundstone centre.”
The South Thames results were announced during a presentation at Squires Garden Centre in Badshot Lea. The categories were inspected by Gordon Emslie, who joined the GCA’s inspection team in 2017.
Above (left to right): Gordon Emslie (GCA), Nick Joad (Roundstone manager), Mike Lind (GCA chairman), Dean Ridley (Haskins head of retail operations), David Lilly (Snowhill manager), Julian Winfield (Haskins chief executive), Gary Carvosso (GCA South Thames area chairman).
Younger thinner cut turf roots more quickly and vigorously than the traditional older thicker cut product, allowing faster establishment and a healthier and more attractive lawn, according to new research...
Independent research by the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) has underlined the credentials of younger thinner cut turf for its ability to root more quickly and vigorously than the traditional older thicker cut product, allowing faster establishment and a healthier and more attractive lawn.
The research comprised two trials conducted at STRI headquarters in Bingley, West Yorkshire, in Autumn 2017. The outdoor field trial saw the laying of both younger thinner cut Rolawn Medallion turf and older thicker cut Medallion turf side by side for 50 days. After just 20 days the younger thinner cut turf showed deeper, denser and more vigorous rooting compared to the older cut turf. Surface appearance was also better throughout the trial, with its NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) score - a measure of turf health and quality - consistently higher throughout the 50 days of being laid.
STRI Research Manager Dr Tom Young commented "initial visual appearance of the younger thinner turf was superior to the older turf, with this effect lasting at least 20 days after laying. Furthermore, in the outdoor trial rooting in the younger turf plots was more vigorous and dense compared to the older turf".
The second trial went on to further confirm the notion of quicker, denser root growth for younger thinner cut turf. Samples of both were put side by side in the STRI's rhizotron, a controlled environmental chamber, to view root growth over time under LED lights. Almost immediately the younger thinner cut turf rooted more quickly and densely and continued to do so consistently throughout the two-week trial.
The unanimous findings of both STRI trials are also reinforced by several pieces of research going back as far as the sixties, which showed that younger thinner turf displays better rooting capabilities, and that young roots are more likely to regrow after harvesting.
As the UK's leading producer of high quality cultivated grass turf, with sales of over 165 million rolls in its more than 40-year history, Rolawn now has scientific evidence to prove that focusing on a younger thinner cut turf, which is technically superior because of accelerated root establishment, is the future. This enables the turf to have increased adaptability with greater suitability for the wide range of growing conditions found across the UK.
The move to the younger thinner product was prompted by the company's constant consideration for the elements that influence the market. These include the steady withdrawal of certain approved herbicides, pesticides, insecticides and fungicides, the amplified extremes in weather patterns impacting both turf cultivation and the stress put on lawns; the need for customers to have technically superior product and increased consideration for our environment and our impact upon it.
Apologies from the GTN Xtra team about the late publication of this issue...
Apologies from the GTN Xtra team about the late publication of this issue. A software update combined with weekend family commitments meant we were unable to send yesterday.
Westland says focusing on the garden centre channel has led to 45% growth year-on-year for its Peckish range, making it the bird care market’s fastest growing brand...
Westland says focusing on the garden centre channel has led to 45% growth year-on-year for its Peckish range, making it the bird care market’s fastest growing brand.
Support for garden centres and independent retailers has been a key strategy for the company in a market worth an estimated £300 million.
Since its relaunch in September 2017, Peckish has become the leading brand in the RTU feeder segment, with a 50% share.
A series of summer roadshows has helped to drive demand, with trade events at four locations showcasing new Peckish products and easing the buying process for retailers.
Westland has invested heavily in packaging across the Peckish range after customer feedback consistently showed that storage convenience is a valued benefit. Around 80% of Peckish food products, including all small bags, now have re-sealable packaging.
Fourteen new products, launched to the trade on 1 August, will be showcased at Glee next month. Highlights include squirrel-Proof suet pellets and a variety of decorative feeders and bird tables as part of the Peckish Secret Garden Range. Eight new promotional packs and point of sale displays will be available specifically to garden centres.
Meanwhile, Westland has strengthened its dedicated garden centre sales team, which now numbers 40.
Rachael Dickinson, senior marketing manager at Westland, said: “Our strategy is to drive business to garden centres. To do this we have invested heavily in this channel and it is already paying off with 45% growth. Our sales team are not agents, they are dedicated and knowledgeable with a genuine interest in the products and an invested concern in supporting the garden centres. We anticipate that our new products, with supporting marketing and sales materials, will further our growth and continue consumer demand for the Peckish brand.”
Plantarium 2018 kicks of in the Netherlands later this week (22-24 August, Boskoop) with a new layout and an entrance designed as a green oasis...
Plantarium 2018 kicks of in the Netherlands later this week (22-24 August, Boskoop) with a new layout and an entrance designed as a green oasis.
Occupying 12,000 sq.m, the show is a favourite with international plant buyers and is one of the best places to see new plant introductions. Eighty-eight of the 95 novelties submitted for this year’s novelties showcase were accepted. Judging will be carried out by the Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society (KVBC). An preview can be found on the website.
The Press Award, adjudicated by a jury of international trade journalists, will name winners in three categories - garden, balcony& terrace plants and concepts.
Plantarium 2018 and GROEN-Direkt's autumn trade fair will take place simultaneously under the same roof. The site can be reached via the familiar car park at Greenpark Boskoop (Denemarkenlaan 9).
Opening times (local times): 8.00 am to 6.00 pm (4.00 pm on Friday). Entry is free with a promotional ticket or by digital pre-registration.
The HTA Marketing Forum (Wednesday 17 October, Horticulture House, Oxfordshire brings together speakers from inside and outside of the industry, targeting all those involved in marketing and public relations in the garden industry...
The HTA Marketing Forum (Wednesday 17 October, Horticulture House, Oxfordshire brings together speakers from inside and outside of the industry, aiming itself at all those involved in marketing and public relations in the garden industry.
‘How to’ sessions during the day will include ‘Create a successful blog/vlog’ and ‘Engage and activate an audience’/ Case studies from across the industry with exemplar businesses will share the secrets of their success.
HTA Security Partner from B2BSG Solutions Ltd, Colin Warnock, will show how the latest customer counting technology can enable evidence-based marketing strategies by measuring turn-in, dwell time, return visits and cross-shopping as well as customer flows.
Graham Thomas (left) from Eight Days a Week Print Solutions will be using his 30+ years’ experience within the print industry to deliver effective campaigns for garden centres and other retailers. He will also demonstrate how printed marketing materials, both addressed and unaddressed, are still relevant in today’s digital world.
Emma Glue, trade marketing manager for Farplants, will be highlighting the plant wholesaler’s marketing approach using recent examples including their award-winning Small Plants for Small Spaces campaign.
Other speakers include Sarah Manning, Simone Bonnett, Jo Dales, Robbie Cumming, and David Denny, covering topics like social media, visual merchandising and Facebook advertising.
For more information, updates on speakers and to book your place click here
Analysts have played down the risk that glyphosate faces potential withdrawal from the market in the US following the $289M jury award to a terminally ill California man who claimed Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer caused his cancer.
Stephens analyst Mark Connelly said there was "no chance at all that glyphosate or glyphosate tolerant seed will be withdrawn from the market," although the issue is unlikely to go away any time soon because of the different scientific standards being applied.
Connelly expects the Monsanto verdict to be overturned on appeal and says California’s “constructive” role in environmental protection has sometimes made it “a leading place to pursue litigation which would not be taken very seriously elsewhere”.
Source: Bloomberg First Word via Seeking Alpha
The best of last week's
If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...
According to various news sources, Hilco, the new owners of Homebase, will launch a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) this week which will enable the business to close as many as 60 of the poorest performing Homebase stores...
According to various news sources, Hilco, the new owners of Homebase, will launch a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) this week which will enable the business to close as many as 60 of the poorest performing Homebase stores.
There are also reports circulating that as many as 80 stores may be closed but this number may include those stores already closing or announced to be closing which includes the first ever Homebase store at Purley Way, Croydon.
While the stores that are closing may not be the best performing DIY stores they will create a gap for gardening sales as Homebase had developed a strong horticultural side to the business including their Gardening Academy lead by Adam Frost and featuring at Chelsea Flower Shows.
Is there an opportunity for garden centres to grab some sales back from the DIY sector or will the discounters such as B&M or The Range fill the gap?
As the list of stores to close becomes available we will keep you all posted. In the meantime please use the comments link below or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk with your view on how the Homebase/Bunnings situation can be turned into a positive for both retailers and suppliers.
Gardman's efforts to fully replenish stocks following from the fire that destroyed their Daventry warehouse in March have been delayed due to production capacity constraints of a limited number of their suppliers...
Gardman's efforts to fully replenish stocks following from the fire that destroyed their Daventry warehouse in March have been delayed due to production capacity constraints of a limited number of their suppliers. CEO Pete Utting released the following press statement on Friday:
Following the devastating fire on the 12th March that destroyed almost all our inventory, we have been working hard to quickly rebuild stock cover and service to our customers.
Once we had established we could operate from our previous site at Kings Lynn we ordered our second half product range from the Far East in April for delivery into the UK during July.
Unfortunately, due to production capacity constraints of a limited number of our suppliers they have not been able to meet these delivery dates, with the consequence that some products are being delayed by 2 to 6 weeks. This will mean limited availability on a number of lines during August. (Please speak to your agent for specific detail.)
We wish to reassure you that this is very much a timing issue, and we fully anticipate availability to dramatically improve from late August onwards. The Gardman warehouse in Kings Lynn will have 3 months stock cover by the end of August and four months stock cover by the end of September. Dependent upon category, an average of four months stock cover is our target to meet the service standards our customers demand.
In specific relation to Doormats, the strike action in India affecting availability of the Coir industry is now over, with deliveries expected into the UK towards the end of August.
Furthermore, regarding 2019 we have already placed orders for our Gardening Catalogue and these will begin to arrive in our UK warehouse during November and December 2018 in readiness for the 2019 season.
We wish to thank all our customers for their patience whilst we continue to build our optimum inventory to provide the great service on which Gardman has built its reputation.
In a landmark USA law case, Monsanto have been ordered to pay $289m (£226m) damages to groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson who claimed herbicides containing glyphosate had caused his cancer...
In a landmark USA law case, Monsanto have been ordered to pay $289m (£226m) damages to groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson who claimed herbicides containing glyphosate had caused his cancer.
The Californian jury found that Monsanto knew its Roundup and RangerPro weedkillers were dangerous and failed to warn consumers.
Monsanto denies that glyphosate causes cancer and says it intends to appeal against the ruling.
The heat continued to take its toll on garden centre sales last week. We’ve now had five consecutive weeks of sales volumes down on last year. And even plant sales dropped below last year’s volumes for the first time since mid-April...
The heat continued to take its toll on garden centre sales last week. We’ve now had five consecutive weeks of sales volumes down on last year. And even plant sales dropped below last year’s volumes for the first time since mid-April.
Hopefully the rain and cooler weather this week will re-ignite gardening activity and most importantly make it more appealling for people to eat and drink in garden centre restauarants.
In all the years we’ve been reporting on garden centre sales this is the first time we’ve had consitent reports to say that catering has been down.
Perhaps air conditioning will move up the list of priorities when it comes to re-vamping and increasing coffee shop and restauarnt seating areas.
But then again we’ll have all forgotten about the heatwave by the time Christmas is in full swing during October!
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 31
The GCA has announced the finalists in its annual Ruxley Rose competition.Twenty centres all received top scores in the spring bedding and hardy nursery stock categories from the GCA’s spring inspections and have now been put forwards for autumn judging...
Aylett Nurseries are finalists in the Destination Garden Centre category of the Ruxley Rose. Find out who else made the shortlist.
The GCA has announced the finalists in its annual Ruxley Rose competition.Twenty centres all received top scores in the spring bedding and hardy nursery stock categories from the GCA’s spring inspections and have now been put forwards for autumn judging.
Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, said: “Throughout the spring our member garden centres received visits from our inspectors and their findings have determined the 10 finalists in the Garden Centre (GC) category and the 10 finalists in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category. All of the finalists will go through to the autumn competition and will be visited by our judge, Michael Cole, in September. He will evaluate how our members are continuing to promote and sell plants during the autumn season.
“The centres will also be judged on their excellent quality, presentation and overall range of plants available as well as the layout of their plant areas. Overall impression, access and use of demonstration areas will also be looked at.
“Staff at our member centres are also being judged on their knowledge and customer care and service.”
A winner from each category will be determined and announced during the GCA’s annual conference in January, 2019.
The Ruxley Rose finalists in the Garden Centre category are:
Cowell’s Garden Centre
Gouldings Garden Centre
Mains of Drum Garden Centre Ltd
Pacific Nurseries
Planters Garden Centre at Bretby Ltd
RHS Hyde Hall Plant Centre & Gift Shop
Squires Garden Centre – Hersham
Squires Garden Centre – Long Ditton
The Old Railway Line Garden Centre
Thompson’s Plant & Garden Centre – Chislehurst.
The Ruxley Rose finalists in the Destination Garden Centre category are:
Aylett Nurseries Ltd
Barton Grange Garden Centre
Bents Garden & Home
Coolings Nurseries
Haskins Garden Centre – Snowhill
Newbridge Nurseries
Perrywood Garden Centre & Nurseries Ltd
Scotsdale Garden Centre
Stewarts Garden Centre – Christchurch
The Millbrook Garden Company – Gravesend.
Iain added: “Our Ruxley Rose competition aims to inspire our member garden centres to maintain best practice at all times and have centres that are inviting and attractive to customers. It is a competition that our members work extremely hard towards throughout the year.
“Our members can also benefit from Michael’s practical advice on achieving best practice as well as showcasing their own innovative sales initiatives.
“I would like to say a huge ‘congratulations’ to all of the finalists and wish everyone the best of luck for the next stage of the competition.”
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 2016 as well as 2017 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 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.
Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care chart for this 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 £120m.
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.
The team from GTN are proud once again to be the official media partners for Glee producing the Glee Planner, the Glee Show Catalogue and the Glee Daily News...
The team from GTN are proud once again to be the official media partners for Glee producing the Glee Planner, the Glee Show Catalogue and the Glee Daily News.
We're already well advanced in preparations for the Glee Planner which is posted to all pre-registered Glee visitors and the Glee Show Catalogue which is available for FREE as visitors enter the halls at the NEC and now we've published the first issue of this years Glee Daily News.
From now until the end of September the Glee Daily News, in its unique e-mail format, will keep visitors up to date with what they can see at the show and gives exhibitors the most up to date e-mail vehicle for ensuring buyers know about their new products and other Glee activities.
To make sure you get your own copy of Glee Daily News sign up here
For advertorial and advertisng opportunties please contact Ben Greenwood, Alan Burdon or Mandy Davies at Potting Shed Press Ltd, 01733 775700, owners and publishers of Garden Trade News, Garden Radio and The Greatest Awards.
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Graham Thomas (left) from Eight Days a Week Print Solutions will be using his 30+ years’ experience within the print industry to deliver effective campaigns for garden centres and other retailers. He will also demonstrate how printed marketing materials, both addressed and unaddressed, are still relevant in today’s digital world.
