‘Love the Plot You’ve Got’, the industry wide campaign to get 30-45 year olds enjoying their outdoor space, received a fantastic reception from suppliers and retailers at Glee with many pledging further support for the initiative.

Initiated by the Garden Industry Marketing Board (GIMB) the stand at Glee comprised a ‘before and after’ garden installation, designed by the Edible Bus Stop. Typical of the size of 14 million gardens in the UK the feature showed what could be done through simple planting and decoration transforming it into a usable and relaxing outdoor space. The gardens provide inspiration and ideas for suppliers and retailers on how best to reach out to this group of consumers that have an outdoor space but don’t know what to do with it or where to start. This is based on insight from consumer research carried out earlier in the year.

A key part of the campaign, which launches to consumers in 2015, will be the ‘Love the Plot You’ve Got’ roadshow which will be visiting a number of events, shows and festivals across  the UK.  Importantly the roadshow, which will include the Glee installation plus two further themed gardens, will help to show consumers of all ages and experience how an outdoor space can be transformed with limited time, expertise and expense. Westland Horticulture has kindly agreed to transport the gardens on their journey across the UK in spring and summer next year as part of their contribution to the campaign.

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland Horticulture said: “This is a really worthwhile initiative that Westland is delighted to support and help to get off the ground.  There have been several months of work between the HTA and the wider industry to create a platform that will promote gardening to widest possible audience, and the moveable gardens is just the first project of many”. 

Campaign Manager David Arnold comments: “Glee provided the perfect opportunity for us to unveil ‘Love the Plot You’ve Got’ in a visual way to the trade. Over the three days of the show we had some great engagement and commitment from suppliers and retailers alike and our reception event on the Monday evening was really well attended. We would like to thank Westland Horticulture for their immense contribution which will literally help get this campaign the road!”

David Arnold will be talking about ‘Love the Plot You’ve Got’ at the HTA Garden Futures Conference which takes place on 15 October at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London – see www.gardenfutures.org.uk for further details.

All participating members will be able to access campaign support materials via www.loveyourplot.com.  This campaign website is currently live with a trade login, which allows members to download logos and brand guidelines.  This section will soon include additional collateral including photography and PR tool kits for use in 2015. 

A consumer facing website is under construction and will be live in time for launch in January. This will provide helpful and easy to understand blog and video content - such as how to transform your garden on a low budget and planting & growing for beginners.  

Glee 2014 has been hailed a success by the garden retail industry, and organisers i2i Events have already booked over 50% of the stand space for the 2015 event.

i2i Events had promised a show that would be revitalised, re-energised and delivering something different. Initial feedback from both exhibitors and visitors indicated this promise was delivered.  Featuring a new location and layout within the NEC, plus a raft of value-added features and an unrivalled, international mix of more than 500 major brands and specialist suppliers from across the garden, landscaping, home, pet and leisure sectors, Glee offered buyers and suppliers the market’s strongest business-building and networking opportunity for several years.

Strong attendance: Despite overall buying consolidation across the industry, the show delivered an audience of 7,066 visitors, with revisits boosting overall footfall equal to 8,085 - equaling 2013’s footfall figures - across the three days. 

Longer visits: Early data also shows that people were not only staying at Glee for longer – often attending the entire duration of the show in order to maximise the wealth of new products and innovation on offer – but the quality of visitors was noteworthy too.   

More top buyers: This year’s Glee attracted more visitors from top retailers, such as leading UK garden centres, builders’ merchants, multiple retailers, and DIY stores, with many sending large sales teams to the show to ensure no stone was left unturned.

More decision makers: Glee also saw more key decision makers attending the show.  With direct buying power and company strategy at the forefront of their minds, these visitors came to Glee ready and willing to do business – and they certainly didn’t disappoint, as Glee’s event manager Matthew Mein explains: “This year Glee was very much about delivering an audience of quality; one that was dedicated to optimising the sales and profit opportunity that the exhibition offers.  For many suppliers, the 2014 exhibition was one of the busiest on record, with sale targets being smashed, order books running out and new product launches drawing more attention than ever before.” 

More top brands than ever before: This year’s Glee delivered even more exhibitors, with over 500 brands filling the show.  Key names included Westland, Gardman, Scotts, Kelkay, Petface, Smart Garden, Deco-Pak, Handy Distribution, Forest Garden, Kaemingk, Elho, Johnsons Lawn Seed, Pattimax, Woodlodge, Burgon and Ball, Briers and Apta. There were also 219 companies that had never before exhibited or were making their return to Glee during 2014. 

Rebooking surge sees Glee 2015 already 56% full: Matthew Mein also shared some exciting news regarding Glee 2015.  He said: “The feedback we’ve had from exhibitors and visitors alike has been superb.  It’s clear to see that the changes that have taken place have helped move the industry towards the 2015 season on an incredibly positive and profitable note.  Feedback has in fact been so great, that we have already rebooked over 56% of the 2015 floorplan.  Our onsite sales team were inundated with booking forms, as exhibitors scrambled to secure their place at next year’s show.  This is by far the strongest response we’ve experienced to our rebooking programme, so much so that Glee present booking status is equal with where we were in January of this year.  This means we’re in a fantastic position to grow Glee beyond the 12% growth that we achieved in 2014. It’s an extremely exciting prospect.”

Finally Matthew Mein extended his thanks to this year’s partners and sponsors GIMA, the HTA, Gardenex, Garden Centre Association, UK Trade & Investment, Garden Trade News, Garden Connect, Garden Trade Specialist, Horticulture Connected, and FCL Global, this year’s logistics partner, and 2014 Food & Catering Hub partners Blue Cap Coffee and Catering Design Group.

The GCA revealed its winners for Scotland and Northern Ireland at a presentation at Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre in Dumfries. Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre was named Best Garden Centre (GC) and



Simpsons Garden Centre Best Destination Garden Centre (DGC) in Scotland. Creative Gardens Donaghadee scooped Best Garden Centre in Northern Ireland.

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “We are delighted to have announced our winners for these two regions last night and would like to congratulate all our members who picked up awards. It is a reflection of all their hard work and dedication to excellence, and they should all be very proud of their achievements.

“In Scotland, the award for Best Customer Service went to Gouldings Garden Centre and in Northern Ireland to Creative Gardens Donaghadee. Best Garden Products Retailer in Scotland went to Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre in the GC category and Simpsons Garden Centre in the DGC category. In Northern Ireland this title was awarded to Creative Gardens Donaghadee.

“The Best Environment and Community award went to Simpsons Garden Centre in Scotland and Creative Gardens Donaghadee in Northern Ireland.

“There were lots of other awards presented on the night by our inspector, Ian Boardman, who attended the ceremony, and it was an inspiring and motivational event for everyone involved.”

The full results for the Scotland and Northern Ireland GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:

Scotland

Best Garden Centre: Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre (GC) and Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC)

Best Customer Service: Gouldings Garden Centre

Best Environment and Community: Simpsons Garden Centre

Best Creativity and Innovation: Simpsons Garden Centre

Most Improved: Brechin Castle Garden Centre

Best Plant Area: Caulders Braidbar (GC) and Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC)

Best Restaurant: The Mains of Drum Garden Centre (GC) and Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC)

Garden Products Retailer: Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre (GC) and Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC)

Best Indoor Lifestyle: Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre (GC) and Raemoir Garden Centre (DGC)

Best Outdoor Living: The Mains of Drum Garden Centre (GC) and Simpsons Garden Centre (DGC).

Northern Ireland

Best Garden Centre: Creative Gardens Donaghadee

Best Customer Service: Creative Gardens Donaghadee

Best Environment and Community: Creative Gardens Donaghadee

Best Creativity and Innovation: Creative Gardens Donaghadee

Most Improved: Creative Gardens Donaghadee

Best Plant Area: Creative Gardens Donaghadee

Best Restaurant: Creative Gardens Donaghadee

Garden Products Retailer: Creative Gardens Donaghadee

Best Indoor Lifestyle: Creative Gardens Donaghadee

Best Outdoor Living: Creative Gardens Donaghadee.

The awards are decided by the results of the annual inspections, which take place at all GCA garden centres. Garden centres have no advance warning about when their inspection will take place and they do not have the option to turn away the inspector.

The Best Garden Centre and Best Destination Garden Centre awards went to the members that scored the highest overall mark in the area in their annual inspections.

The top scoring centres overall, nationally, in both the Destination Garden Centre and Garden Centre categories will be re-inspected before the titles of Garden Centre of the Year and Destination Garden Centre of the Year are announced at the GCA annual conference taking place in January 2015.

Sales of growing media products in the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media Top 50 chart indiacte that we are having the best Autumn gardening season for over five years. 

All of the last three weeks have seen the highest cumulative Top 50 sales volumes for weeks in September since we started our weekly EPoS data analysis in 2008.

Garden Products are following in a similar vein with Top 50 volumes the highest since 2010.

It would appear that ornamental planting, lawn care, bulbs for spring, taking cuttings for next year and continued instant garden decoration are at the top of the Autumn gardeners agenda.

And all this while many centres are half hidden while Christmas displays are created.

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

• Garden Products – up 5%
• Veg 2 Gro – down 24%
• Growing Media – up  44%
• All items index – static 0%

If you would like to subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Rising Stars put their nerves aside to deliver outstanding presentations on merchandising during their final masterclass at Van Hage in Peterborough...

Judges on the panel of the Westland Horticulture/Garden Centre Association (GCA) Rising Stars Programme were so impressed they are still deliberating over who has made the final 5 and will go on to present at the GCA Conference in Chester in January, where the overall winner will be chosen by delegates.

The presentations were packed full of success stories. These included Rising Stars who had quadrupled sales through clever and impactful merchandising, as well as showing great attention by keeping hotspot areas fresh and creating clear signage and themed displays for events such as Mother’s Day and food retail.

Ian Boardman, IBBIS Director and training facilitator for the Rising Stars Programme said that it was clear the stars had ‘not only taken notes and listened to advice throughout programme, but also demonstrated an unrivalled level of passion for implementing this advice in their own garden centres with spectacular results.’

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland Horticulture said: “The quality of the presentations show how much the Rising Stars are a credit to the centres they are representing and the wider industry, They have throughout the course shown a wide range of skills and produced clear insights into shopping behaviour and then acted upon them to drive sales and engagement. It’s going to be really tough to select the final five this year.”

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “We’ll be announcing the final five over the coming week, so keep your eyes peeled to find out who you will be voting on at the GCA’s annual gala dinner on January 27.”

Garden lighting continues to dominate that top of the GTN Garden products chart as truly traditional gardening products also sell through in high volumes.

• Gardman Ice Orb Solar lights move up 2 places to No 1.
• Scotts Verdone Lawn Extra Spot Weeder climbs 17 places to No 13.
• Bayer PB! Strike Rooting Powder re-enters the Top 50 at No 43.

Scotts have announced dates for this year’s trade event for their recently-acquired Solus brands.

Since the acquisition of Solus Garden & Leisure by The Scotts Company (UK) in July, the Solus showrooms at Droitwich have been totally revamped, with many new display ideas for both the Scotts Solus Brands and Scotts Miracle-Gro ranges.

The showrooms provide an opportunity to see both ranges together, the latest product launches plus merchandising solutions, hints and tips.

The Solus Trade Event will run from Monday 6 to Friday 10 October and will be the launch for Scotts’ pre-season offers, spring promotions and the first of the Miracle-Gro-Solus Brands linked promotions. Opening times are from 9am-7pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-4pm Friday.

Contact your local sales representative, any Scotts Solus Brands member of staff or call 01905 798666 to book your appointment.

It’s that time of the year again. As you complete your Christmas Displays and start selling your Christmas events (or sell out if you’ve had them on-line already) now is the moment to nominate your teams in The Greatest Christmas Awards.

The Greatest Awards team of experts will be out on the road twice this Christmas season, once at the start of November to visit Christmas Display teams and then again in December to meet the teams behind The Greatest Santa events of the year.

Here are the categories you need to nominate your teams for:

• The Greatest Christmas Display Team – awards for small centre, mid sized centre, destination centre and a centre that is part of a group.
• The Greatest Grotto Team – regional and national awards for small and large centre teams.
• The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team – for exceptional BBQ sales in the run up to Christmas.
• The Greatest Miniature Christmas Display Team – for teams excelling at displays and sales of miniature Christmas scenes and even the new craze of Fairy Gardening.
• The Greatest Catering with Santa Team – for teams that create those truly memorable meals with Santa.
• The Greatest Festive Plant Sales Team – for plant teams who enter into the festive spirit and maximise sales of plants and trees while centre footfall is at it’s highest.

There will also be the chance for your customers to vote for your total garden centre team as The Greatest Garden Centre at Christmas 2014.  Just send your nominations and register for the public voting by e-mail to trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk.

The Greatest Christmas Awards will be presented at The Greatest Christmas Party, sponsored by Premier Decorations, on Sunday 11th January in The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate.  Watch this space for ticket details.

Notcutts will celebrate the launch of its newly refurbished Wheatcroft garden centre in Nottingham on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October. This marks the completion of the most major phase of its £1.5m refurbishment programme, which sees the opening of a street-food inspired restaurant and redeveloped Home, Gift and Seasonal departments, which will include Notcutts’ Christmas products, toys and next year’s outdoor living spring and summer products.

The new restaurant, aptly named ‘The Street Kitchen’, is inspired by street-food stalls and was designed by Dalziel and Pow. A pair of reconditioned Citroën H vans take centre stage in this fresh dining environment. Each van has been individually branded and themed around a different type of cuisine and there is also a van specifically catering for children called the Piaggio Ape van.



Accommodating 268 seats, further food stalls complete the vibrant market ambience, and throughout there is a strong emphasis on traditional British specialties and local produce. The concept is an evolution of Notcutts’ restaurant concept debuted at Notcutts’ Tunbridge Wells centre. Wheatcroft is taking a step further as dishes are cooked and served from scratch in the independent stalls and vans.

The Wheatcroft redevelopment has already seen improved car parking and flooring work earlier in the year. During this particular phase, the centre remained open without closing any departments to customers.

To commemorate the opening of the refurbished centre, a fun-packed series of events is set for customers over the celebration weekend on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October, including live music, food, balloons galore, face painting, magic and other activities.

Steve Cole, centre manager at Wheatcroft Garden Centre, comments: “We’re absolutely delighted with the new centre and we hope our customers are too. It’s been an anticipating wait and seeing the final centre in all its glory is very exciting indeed and makes it all worthwhile. Our staff have also worked extremely hard throughout the redevelopment process so we’d like to say a huge thank you to the team for all their ongoing support.”

For more information visit www.notcutts.co.uk/wheatcroft 

Redfields Home of Garden and Living has completed the final phase of its extensive redevelopment and has now opened its doors to eagerly awaiting customers.

Blue Diamond’s managing director, Alan Roper, has masterminded key aspects of the architectural design of the building along with the conceptual planning and design of the shop fit, both restaurants, the inspirational plant area and every feature and element of what you see at Redfields.

"My ambition with Redfields was to create a destination garden centre that would deliver an experience unlike that of any other across the UK," he says.

"Every finite detail of the design and layout has been approached with this in mind. The result is a garden centre that brings plants truly to the heart of the business with an innovative covered plant area and wide range of gardening essentials and accessories to enhance the home.

"One of the aims of the redevelopment was to reflect the needs and aspirations of our existing customers and also provide new customers with an experience that they don’t currently have."

Redfields Garden Centre has developed a refreshingly unique approach compared to other garden centres in the UK, creating an intimate shopping experience within a substantial garden centre.

The centre aims to inspire creatively throughout. Two fully dressed house sets, complete with gardens, will display luxurious items as they would look in your own home.

"With Christmas on its way, the houses will soon showcase even more of Blue Diamond’s large range of products, which we exclusively source from all over the world, including America," enthuses garden centre manager, Richard Wells.

Following the success of Café Theatre, Redfields’ second restaurant, Treetops Café, is the perfect environment for mothers with preschool children. With a relaxed atmosphere and charming childrens gardening themed play area, Treetops Café provides a delightful space to unwind with a view of the centre from above on the mezzanine.

The centre’s second play area is located just outside Café Theatre by the plant area. Parents and children alike will enjoy the nostalgic classic fairytale houses, which include The 3 Little Bears House and Alice in Wonderlands White Rabbit House.

As one of the UK’s most groundbreaking garden centres, Redfields Home of Garden and Living is the cornerstone of innovation and a perfect place to spend the day.

For more information on all Blue Diamond garden centres, visit www.bluediamond.gg.

The Gardenex export federation is returning to Japan again in 2014 where it will organise the British group participation at Gardex/Ifex/Extepo (15 to 17 October 2014), Japan’s largest international trade fair for the garden and outdoor living industry. The federation has secured an excellent location for the British pavilion in the main Gardex hall, and the three UK suppliers in the group will be receiving £2,000 grants secured by Gardenex from UK Trade & Investment to help offset the cost of exhibiting. 

The three suppliers in the British group are:

Briers (GARDEX 12-33), who will be showing examples from its many garden clothing and accessories ranges including its Historic Royal Palace Product Collection, sales of which provide a contribution to support five of the most iconic palaces belonging to the Queen.  The collection includes rubber clogs and boots, gloves, umbrellas and garden product collections.  Briers has also teamed up with HemingwayDesign to create ranges of Wellington boots, gloves and raincoats.  Also on show will be its kids’ range that includes boots, clogs, gloves and six different garden tools.  New footwear, gloves and kneepads will also be on display.

Irrigatia (GARDEX 12-39) will be exhibiting its weather responsive solar automatic watering system that is ideal for small to medium gardens or allotments, and can be used for pots, raised beds, hanging baskets, vegetables and greenhouses.  The kits use solar power to pump water and feed from water barrels without the necessity for wires, hose pipes or watering cans.  The kits are easy to install and set up and will provide water automatically every three hours during the day and apply more water during sunny conditions.

Porous Pipe (GARDEX 12-35) will be showing its complete range of Porous Pipe soaker hose products made from recycled materials, including new Porous Pipe Tree Soaker Ring Kits and Micro Bore Patio Kits.  The soaker hose system provides gentle and precise watering of garden beds and borders, while using up to 70 per cent less water than that used by other irrigation methods.  It is ideal for nurturing young plants and trees.  On display will be the latest point-of-sale merchandisers and new packaging.  The company also offers own label and OEM items for minimum order quantities.

In addition, Gardenex will have a British garden information stand at the show (GARDEX 12-37).  The federation has long and established experience of the Japan garden market and has organised the British pavilion at the show on many occasions in the past.  The Gardenex comprehensive exhibition support package provides valuable support prior to the show, during the build-up and on-site specialised help and market information and advice after the event in order to help companies make the most of new business opportunities in the Japanese market.  The federation also provides a free supplier and product sourcing service for international buyers.

Gardex/Ifex/Extepo attracts over 34,000 visitors from 50 countries in its three days; making it the perfect opportunity to introduce products to the Asian market and the only trade show in Japan which provides such a showcase.  The Japanese garden and exterior markets are worth in excess of US$10 billion, and the industry is always seeking new and innovative quality products.  Due to the high quality reputation of British products they are highly regarded in Japan.

The show attracts a broad spectrum of buyers; garden centres and garden shops, home centres, florists, landscaping companies, garden designers, department stores, mail order and internet companies, supermarkets, building companies and lifestyle shops plus leading importers, wholesalers and distributors for the various garden sectors. 

For further information on the British exhibitors or Gardenex, the trade association that works on behalf of British companies to help them increase sales worldwide, email info@gardenex.com  or visit the Gardenex website on  www.gardenex.com

Bayer Garden has unveiled the new style of bayergarden.co.uk, which has been specifically designed to help and interact with lawn and garden enthusiasts whatever their expertise.

Whether a new homeowner with their first lawn, an urbanite with a patio or an avid gardener looking for fresh, new ideas, www.bayergarden.co.uk is one bookmark every gardener needs to have at their fingertips.

"Bayergarden.co.uk is a great resource for information on all types of gardening activities,” said Paul Lerigo, head of marketing at Bayer Garden.  “People can now identify their problems and easily find the solutions we offer our customers.”

With new editorial content, stronger graphics and better navigation, www.bayergarden.co.uk has a number of new site features:

• Valuable information for gardeners – The Garden Care section is a virtual library where users can find any type of gardening information while the Home Care section provides specific advice on indoor plant care and the Seasonal Advice calendar helps gardeners manage their year to-do-list.
• Tools for self-diagnosis – There are 3 problem solving tools driven by Bayer experts that help gardeners identify their weed, pest or rodent problem and then find a solution to eradicate them.Products – All Bayer Garden’s products are categorised and indexed in this section.  All product information, common questions and answers, advice on application and best practices are available with one click of the mouse. 
• Store Locator – By using Google Maps, all store locations can be found through a post code or city search, down to street level. 

In the upcoming year, new updates, topics and tips will constantly be added to the website to make the life of all gardeners easier! 

The glorious gardens of historic Hever Castle in Kent received a Gold Award and were voted ‘Garden of the Year 2014’ by South & South East in Bloom. The double accolade was announced last week, with the gardens beating stiff competition in the Heritage Parks & Gardens category.

The Gardens received a glowing report from the Assessors who praised Head Gardener, Neil Miller, and his passionate team of nine horticulturally trained gardeners for maintaining the extensive gardens to such an immaculate standard. It noted the ‘manicured lawns, closely mown and home to some beautiful majestic trees that occupy the skyline’ as well as admiring the ‘formal gardens where water features, colourful bedding displays, Italian sculptures, Mediterranean style planting, carpet bedding, topiary and over four thousand different roses, typical of the quintessential English garden are found’.

It was felt that the opportunity to book garden tours and the availability of gardeners and volunteers to answer visitors’ questions was a bonus. The Judges also approved of the number of ramps to enable access for less able bodied visitors to all areas of the gardens and the introduction of golf buggies to take disabled visitors to various sites.

Hever Castle Gardens scored highly on the environmental scale, and the report noted ‘the use of chemicals is minimal with bedding grown in peat free compost while water is obtained either sourced from a bore hole or from the large 38-acre lake’.

Among new and ongoing projects to enhance the visitor experience is the reclaiming of Church Gill Walk, an extension of Sunday Walk. Additionally, exciting new vistas have been opened up to surprise and delight visitors, along with pruning mature yew hedges back into shape and the introduction of new plantings covering all seasons, including the development of a Winter Garden.

Each year, Britain in Bloom receives hundreds of entries from communities, schools, cities towns and villages who wish to participate from across the South and South East. Entering the “In Bloom” campaigns has helped raise the standards of horticulture and awareness of environmental concerns, conservation of resources as well as ‘making places greener, cleaner and a pleasure to live in, work in and visit’.

The report concluded that ‘Hever Castle’s fascinating gardens were full of colour and interest, an enjoyable experience well worth more visits in the future, guided expertly by an enthusiastic, joyful character, Neil Miller, Head Gardener’.  

On finding out they were voted ‘Garden of the Year’ by South & South East in Bloom Neil said: “I was absolutely thrilled with the Award – my team really deserved it.”

This sentiment was echoed by Chief Executive Duncan Leslie who added: “We are delighted that the hard endeavours of the gardening team have been recognised. Hopefully this prestigious award will make more people aware that we have one of the finest and most important gardens in the ‘Garden of England.”

Wyevale Nurseries based in Hereford is looking for a full-time Sales Executive within the Amenity Sales Department to join its team and is struggling to find a suitable applicant.

Adam Dunnett, Sales and Marketing Director at Wyevale Nurseries, said: “Ideally we would want to take someone on with amenity sales experience but as this type of person seems to be rare we would certainly consider someone without direct sales experience but who was/has been involved in the commercial amenity sector, maybe as a buyer or estimator.

“The amenity sales sector accounts for 70% of our business and this is an incredibly important appointment for us and is therefore really frustrating that so far we haven’t found a suitable candidate. We have been searching since May and would love to hear from anyone who thinks this position is well suited to them.

“We had a high calibre of people applying to take on a garden centre sales role this spring and wondered if the lack of interest in amenity is something to do with the perception people have as we are possibly seen as more retail orientated when the truth is the opposite or is it a general industry issue? I do know that several other amenity nurseries have really struggled to find sales people recently.

“We are looking for someone who ideally has sales experience, is a great communicator, negotiator and team player. They will need to work well under pressure and to deadlines and be self-motivated.”

The job will include preparing quotes and tenders, managing contracts won, liaising with production, buyers and supply chains to ensure the customers’ expectations are exceeded. The appointed person will also have to visit customers and trade shows.

The salary will depend on experience and other benefits are also included such as a company car and fuel costs. 

For an application form for the position, please email adam@wyevale-nurseries.co.uk.

Wyevale Nurseries is one of the largest family-run wholesale nurseries in the UK. It was established in 1928 by Harry Williamson, a horticulturist and entrepreneur. It became the company it is today under the leadership of his son, Peter, who sadly passed away in 2011.

The Williamsons’ saw the opportunity to sell their product to an undeveloped retail market, creating one of the first garden centres, followed by a chain. In 1987, the retail side needed to expand and the 19 garden centres were sold as a PLC.

The family then turned its focus to Wyevale Nurseries Ltd. It continues to be a family-run business with ownership and joint chairmanship currently being held by the third generation, Heather and Simeon Williamson, with plans for the fourth generation to takeover in the future.

Wyevale Nurseries has a significant product range and is regularly introducing new plants. It offers a large variety of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants to garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners.

Our client is a leading UK retailer looking to appoint an experienced horticulture Buyer to contribute to the garden plant 3 year plan.  

With a horticultural/plant science background, you will have expert live product knowledge and an understanding of the plant types consumers wish to buy to help decorate their homes and landscape their gardens.  

You will have experience in product development by analysing and translating consumer trends and have strong supplier relationships to follow through on this NPD process.  

Having financial responsibility for each product category, you will be accountable for the sales budget and subsequent forecasts.  

Stakeholder management will be key as you plan customer focussed and profitable range plans.  

You will have strong buying skills, a strategic outlook and be a natural influencer/motivator. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic and customer focussed company where you will be able to make a large impact across the organisation through your well researched promotional plans.     

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Gillian Muir or apply with your CV quoting reference #6607 to info@morepeople.co.uk

Our client is an award winning mailorder / e-commerce business who have a high and longstanding reputation of providing the amateur gardener with outstanding varieties of fruit and vegetables. They are currently seeking a top buyer who can buy, range plan and category manage. Someone who is retail commercial aware and can build on their current success and continue to stimulate growth in the 'Grow your own' sector. 

The ideal candidate will have considerable experience within the e-commerce and or retail buying. Have experience within the live plants and horticultural sector and preferable at chain or supermarket level. Must be a superb team leader who can lead from the front.

Please call Dianne Saunders on 07929 013910 or apply with your CV quoting reference 6536 to info@morepeople.co.uk

A buyer is being sought to join the seasonal team at this leading UK retailer's Head Office.  

Responsible for various garden and leisure products, you will be responsible for contributing to the category strategies by working closely with the supply base and Merchandising teams to deliver on the sales budget.  

A quick thinker and with an eye for innovative development, you will be instrumental in determining the category promotional plans by interpreting the customer insight data with the Marketing team.  

A dynamic and strong negotiator, you will build strong relationships with suppliers as you set and agree trading terms.  

You will have a passion for retail and the ability to work on short, medium and long term plans.  

You will be joining a very dynamic and multi-channel retailer as they continually strive to develop and deliver their product offerings to their well researched consumer base.   

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Gillian Muir or apply with your CV, quoting reference #6600 to info@morepeople.co.uk

Our client is an award winning mailorder / e-commerce business who have a high and longstanding reputation of providing the amateur gardener with outstanding varieties of fruit and vegetables.

They are currently seeking a Junior Buyer to form part of their buying team. Ideally someone from a good horticultural background who is keen and driven and can work within this fast paced business that buys seeds, onion sets, live-plants and garden sundries for a catalogue driven market. 

The ideal candidate will have 2-3 years post college experience within a retail or commercial horticultural business. Experience of buying is desirable but not essential. Good IT and communication skills.

Please call Dianne Saunders on 07929 013910 or apply with your CV quoting reference 6537 to info@morepeople.co.uk

The HTA membership services team has a new recruit with Neil Cummings joining the HTA this week as Regional Business Manager for Scotland and Ireland.

Neil has spent the last 27 years living and working in Scotland and studied for his DHE qualification at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. With the bulk of his career in garden retail Neil worked for Dobbies for 16 years as a plant buyer.

More recently he worked at Milestone Garden and Leisure and Floors Castle Plant Centre in Kelso where he developed the business around its plant offer.

As the prime point of contact for HTA members in Scotland and Ireland Neil will interact with local government and regional stakeholders to ensure that members are kept abreast of key issues.

Neil joins the field based team which consists of:

Andrew Dunkley, Regional Business Manager (Northern England, Wales and the Midlands)

Andrew Whelan, Regional Business Manager (Southern England)

Phil Tremayne, National Business Manager (APL)

The field based team are supported by the office based membership services team in Theale. The team keeps members up to date on the latest events, cost reduction opportunities, promotions, business advice and improvement schemes.

Charlie Dimmock, gardening guru and face of Gro-Sure Planting Magic, pulled in the crowds at Woodcote Green Garden Centre in Surrey last weekend.

Charlie took part in the garden centre’s annual Horticulture and Cookery Show, answering Q&As on gardening and leading a demonstration for children on how to easily pot a plant.

The visit was organised by Westland Horticulture to support the garden centre event and bring extra exposure to Gro-Sure Planting Magic. Charlie will be back on TV screens in 2015 as part of a £1.5 million campaign.

Adam Hughes, Events Coordinator at Woodcote Green, said: “It was great having Charlie here and we thank Westland for supporting us with the event. She spoke to all our customers and posed for photographs. Hundreds of people attended both days of the weekend.”

Mike Storer, Sales Representative for Westland Horticulture, who was also at the event said: “Charlie is a much loved gardening celebrity and was a real hit at the event. We’re pleased to announce she will be back on TV screens in 2015 to promote our Gro-Sure Planting Magic as part of a £1.5 million campaign.”

Veg gardeners are making the most of the great weather with autumn planting onions, shallots and garlic that will give them early crops in the new year.

• Taylors Shallots Jermor jump 7 places to No 4.
• Strawberry plants make a return to the chart at No’s 16 and 19.
• Suttons Seeds Broad Bean Aquadulce Claudia is the hiughest chart climber, up 27 places to No 17.

Garden centre customers were preparing their wardrobes ahead of the change of season according to the Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade results for August. 

The resultsout on September 26, which arethe only official GCA August trading figures to be released, show clothing sales were up 25.85% as compared to August, 2013.

Will Armitage (pictured), Chairman of the GCA, explained: “The cooler, wetter weather experienced last month saw a shift in sales being made in less traditional categories such as clothing and catering, which was up 7.14%, as people were drawn indoors.

“However, seed and bulb sales were up 13.5% indicating that many gardeners are preparing for autumn planting.

“Other categories, which performed well during the month were furniture and barbeques up 6.97%, gifts 6.7% up, hard landscaping 3.65% up and food hall/farm shop up 3.55%.”

The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

The reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

Alan Roper, Managing Director of the Blue Diamond Group, which has garden centres throughout the UK and the Channel Islands, said: “The group enjoyed a particularly strong August in many areas of its clothing range as we refined our offer to suit our target demographic.”

Meanwhile in Lancashire clothing and catering sales were the best performers in August.

Guy Topping, Managing Director of Barton Grange Garden Centre, said: “As always in a month where the weather is cooler and wetter than the previous year, clothing and catering out-performed all other categories.”

Some member garden centres mentioned the diversity of their clothing ranges had helped contribute to stronger sales in this category.

Jackie Virgo, Clothing Department Head at Evesham Garden Centre, said: “Our clothing departments offer a unique shopping experience for our customers and is especially popular during cooler weather when visitors are drawn indoors.

“The clothing on sale reflects the wide age range of customers who visit our centres. Our buyers have perfectly chosen beautiful clothing ranges from individual brands to create an up market feel, while still keeping our older customers in mind. Merchandising is clean, simple and chic which makes it a calm shopping experience.”

Growing media sales volumes are up 44% on same week last year with bulb compost and multipurpose the big winners.

• Arthur Bowers Bulb Compost 20 litres up 11 places to No 7
• Westland Multipurpose 50 litres up 16 places to No 22
• Westland Bed and Border Chipped Bark, 70 litres, has the highest week on week growth, up 135%

Scotts have announced the winners of their St Elizabeth Hospice’s garden design competitio, part of their community outreach programme...

Primary and secondary schoolchildren and students at college or university were invited to enter the competition to design a section of the Suffolk charity's beautiful garden. The competition attracted nearly 60 entries.

The judges picked six winners (rather than one winning design as initially planned) and decided to combine the best elements from each to meet the requirements and expectations initially outlined. They wanted the different features in the garden design to be interactive, accessible and colourful for hospice patients and visitors.

The Hospice will now consider the layout of this new area and how the designs can be implemented.

The Scotts community outreach programme is designed to  encourage people to discover the joys of gardening for themselves. It also support charities that use gardening and horticulture as a source of therapy

Our £5,000 sponsorship is part of GRO1000, a community outreach initiative launched by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company USA in 2011. GRO1000 will result in the creation of 1,000 community gardens and green spaces by 2018 – the company’s 150th anniversary. Y

You can see more here: http://www.grogood.com/GiveBackToGro/Gro1000#sthash.pthA7wrX.dpuf

Raoul Curtis-Machin, Head of Horticulture at the HTA, has taken over the chairmanship of the GROW Careers initiative from Leigh Morris who has held the post for eight years.

The official handover took place on 24 September at the Young Hort Conference at Battersea Park.

Outgoing chair of GROW, Leigh Morris said: "The vision of the Grow Careers initiative when it was established in 2006 was to create an industry wide movement to promote horticulture and the many varied careers within it.

"This could truly only ever be achieved by the industry working together and I'm delighted that during my almost eight years as the Chair of Grow Careers, I have seen an increase in support for the initiative and a great expansion in the service it provides through schools packs, Grow Careers days around the UK & Ireland, traffic to the web portal, use of social media and now adoption of Grow Careers by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.

“We are now entering the next exciting phase, with the dynamic #YoungHort initiative and the industry-wide Horticulture Matters Campaign again raising the profile of horticulture. Horticulture is giving me a fantastic career and life and my personal ambition when taking on the role as Chair of Grow careers, was to inspire the next generation and help many more enjoy life. I take great pleasure in seeing this go forward and am extremely content in handing over the role of Chair to Raoul Curtis-Machin, who I know will take the initiative to the next level and beyond."

The GROW Careers initiative is the umbrella body for promoting careers in the industry and is backed by many horticultural organisations.

For more information visit www.growcareers.info

Draper Tools has launched a new website, offering a range of exciting new features and benefits for all its website visitors, whether they’re retailers, professional tradespeople or household DIY users.

The completely redesigned site (www.drapertools.com) has a fresh, clean look and can now be viewed seamlessly from desktops, tablets and smartphones. Visitors to the website will find all the latest information on new products, promotions and more right at their fingertips.

Designed with ease of use in mind, the new site features improved navigation and product classification, making it quick and simple for anyone to find the product or range they need. Not only is it easy to find the right Draper Tools product, it’s also never been easier to find stockist information either. The new website has the ability to use a mobile phone’s geolocation and conveniently direct smartphone users to their nearest stockist, while desktop users can simply enter their postcode.

The website also houses all the latest Draper Tools promotions, allowing these to be viewed digitally, shared via email and social media or downloaded as a PDF.

Draper Tools stockists can explore the full range of products available via the new website’s impressive virtual showroom (www.drapertools.com/virtual-showroom). Here users can take a tour of the real life Draper Tools showroom from wherever they are in the world and find full details about products and ranges.

There is even a brand new Draper Tools blog, featuring all the latest news and product reviews as well as new products, tips and advice too. The fresh new homepage incorporates the company’s Twitter and Facebook pages, giving visitors instant access to up-to-the-minute company updates.

Having already received some great feedback on the newly launched site, Draper Tools is keen to encourage everyone to take a look and explore the new features at www.drapertools.com.

Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford has reported a 15% increase in amenity sales this year with high demand for trees, hedging transplants, container grown hedging and specimen shrubs...

Adam Dunnett, Sales and Marketing Director, said: “We have put a lot of work in to our product mix to reflect customer demand and after a few challenging years we are really pleased that amenity sales are picking up again with a year on year increase of 15%.

“We believe this is partly due to growth in the UK holiday complex markets, new housing developments, the education sector and other areas such as residential care homes.

“Trees have always been a big part of our range and there now appears to be two distinct areas of growth. With native trees and the newer ornamental cultivars, such as Betula ‘Shaft’ and Sorbus ‘Blackberry’, which offer the designer something a little different and are often more compact or upright than more traditional varieties, in strong demand.

“When it comes to shrubs what has been requested is still fairly traditional, but we have seen a huge demand for specimen shrubs. As a result of this we have quadrupled production in this area for 2015. We are also continuing to move towards a greater herbaceous plant offering in both the amenity and retail sectors and have moved a lot of our production to a three litre size, which has been well-received by both markets.”

Wyevale Nurseries is planning to launch its transplants and hedging catalogue at the end of

September. People will be able to request a catalogue by emailing info@wyevalenurseries.co.uk.

Adam added: “The independent garden centre market has seen a return to form this year, after a couple of years where the weather and economy haven’t been favourable.

“We saw very strong sales from February to May and early indications are pointing to a very good autumn.

“There was a massive demand for shrubs from mid-May onwards and it was all about colour. With more than 200 promotions and an emphasis on large three litre herbaceous plants, we were able to fulfil the demand.

“We are very pleased with the complimentary feedback we have received regarding the quality of our herbaceous plants this year.”                     

Wyevale Nurseries is one of the largest family-run wholesale nurseries in the UK. It was established in 1928 by Harry Williamson, a horticulturist and entrepreneur. It became the company it is today under the leadership of his son, Peter, who sadly passed away in 2011.

The Williamsons’ saw the opportunity to sell their product to an undeveloped retail market, creating one of the first garden centres, followed by a chain. In 1987, the retail side needed to expand and the 19 garden centres were sold as a PLC.

The family then turned its focus to Wyevale Nurseries Ltd. It continues to be a family-run business with ownership and joint chairmanship currently being held by the third generation, Heather and Simeon Williamson, with plans for the fourth generation to takeover in the future.

Wyevale Nurseries has a significant product range and is regularly introducing new plants. It offers a large variety of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants to garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners.

For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, which is based in Hereford, please call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk.

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 printed newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2012 as well as 2013 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 upto 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 Veg-2-Gro Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers 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.