The future of Dobbies was again thrown into doubt following an announcement that Tesco’s garden centre chain had slumped £48m into the red after writing down the value of its stores.

The Scottish-based chain increased sales by 8% to £153m in the 53 weeks to 1 March. But it slid to a big loss from a pre-tax profit of £6.6m in the prior year, after booking £54.4m in impairments on assets, including stores. Excluding the impairments, profits were down 9% to £6m.

Analysts have suggested that several of the businesses, including Dobbies, should be sold off as Tesco tries to turn around its fortunes.

There were rumours throughout 2015 that a number of garden centre groups were interested in acquiring Dobbies with Wyevale Garden Centres being the most likely buyer.

This latest news about Dobbies’ financial position will only add to the speculation that it will be finally be sold off.

The supermarket business is still heavily weighed down by debt and needs to invest more in cutting prices and improving the quality of its food to take on the fast-growing discounters Aldi and Lidl and bigger rivals like Asda, which has also been slashing prices in some areas.

A Dobbies spokesperson said sales at established stores had risen over the year, while underlying profit and cash generation were ahead of expectations. Gross profit increased by 9.3% to £77m.

Supported by wholesale logistics company Decco, Greenfingers will arrange for your old stock to be taken to W & H Peacock Auctions in Bedford who will auction your goods and donate all the money they raise to the charity.

How it works is simple

1)     Select the old or discontinued stock you would like to donate and complete the attached form and email it to sarah@greenfingerscharity.org.uk

2)     Greenfingers will give you a unique reference number which need to be put on every pallet or box of donations.

3)     If you would like us to arrange for your goods to be collected we will contact wholesale logistics company Decco who will then be in touch to arrange to collection and delivery to W & H Peacock Auctions. Please note all deliveries collected by Decco need to be on shrink wrapped pallets or boxed.

4)     If you would like to deliver the stock directly to W & H Peacock Auctions, please let them know to expect your delivery by calling 01234 266366.  Note delivery can only be made on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, from 8.30am – 5pm.  Email the product listing to info@peacockauction.co.uk and Sarah@greenfingerscharity.org.uk.  Print a hard copy to use as your delivery note.

5)     Once received, W & H Peacock will auction your donated goods and send all the money raised to Greenfingers. 

6)     We will then write to you to let you know how much your donated stock has raised.   

The benefits to you:

• You can dispose of stock that is filling up your store room in an ecological and responsible way
• Supporting a good cause can increase staff morale and enhance your reputation You will be raising money to make a difference to children and families who spend time in hospices
• You will benefit from positive PR

In the words of one parent, “The Greenfingers gardens have helped to make the unimaginable bearable.”

As we head towards the busiest weeks of the year it’s time to ask your customers to vote for you as The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team.

All you have to do is download the voting posters and voting postcard artworks from GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards Dropbox folder or these links:


Xmas Awards postcards 2015.pdf



Xmas Awards Poster A1.pdf

Xmas Awards Poster A3.pdf

Xmas Awards Poster A4.pdf


Post Your Votes.pdf


Print them out and get your customers voting.  They can post them to our Greatest Christmas Awards office or you can create "Post your Votes" here boxes for votes to be posted in store.

You can also ask your customers to vote for you on line this year - see seperate story.

The closing date for votes, both on-line and posted in-store is 4:00pm on Christmas Eve, 24^th December.  If you collect votes in-store, please send them through to us on a regular basis to help with the counting and then make sure you send your final batch of votes off directly after Christmas.  The Greatest Christmas Awards are presented in Harrogate on January 10th 2016 so the cut off for final votes to be received and counted in our office is Monday 4th January 2016.  Remember to look through all your votes before you post them to us - your staff will love to know all the wonderful things your customers say about you as they vote for The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team.

When all the votes are counted, size of centre and number of staff are taken into account, so there is as much chance of a small centre winning this ultimate Christmas accolade as that of a big centre.

If you have any problems downloading any of the files please e-mail thegreatestawards@tgcmc.co.uk and we’ll send you them by e-mail straight away.

Good luck!

To make you nomination and vote, please send an e-mail today to: thegreatestawards@tgcmc.co.uk with your name, garden centre name and your job title, telling us who is your Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year, what they do that makes them great and what is the thing they do best.

The results of The Greatest Christmas Awards will be announced at The Greatest Christmas Awards Party on Sunday January 10^th 2016 in the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate.  To book your tickets please call The Greatest Christmas Awards on 01733 775700.

Pictured: The current Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year Premier Decorations receiving their award.

Meadow View Stone are looking to appoint a Sales Agent who is highly experienced and motivated with excellent connections and sales experience within the Garden Centre sector.  We are suppliers of decorative aggregates, paving and compost, though specific product experience is not required.

Job Description

Reporting to the Sales Director you will be responsible for securing new accounts and maintaining and managing existing stockists to ensure the continued growth of the business.  The ideal candidate will be:-

• A highly organised and motivated individual, living preferably in the above region.
• An experienced agent with proven experience of selling into the Garden Centre Sector
• Skilled in a customer-facing, new business generating role, with a proven track record
• Acquainted with connections and contacts within the Garden Centre sector
• A proficient driver with a clean driving licence.

This position provides an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to join a progressive, forward thinking company in a front line position with potential to develop a strong sales area. Applicants should apply in writing with CV to:-

Sarah Hill- Marketing Director,

c/o Long Rake Spar Co Limited, Youlgrave, Nr Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE 45 1LW

or by email to Sarah@meadowviewstone.co.uk

Do you have good horticultural skills, and understanding of conservation and some teaching/training experience? Would you like to be part of an organisation that counts on the professionalism, insight, expertise and passion of its staff to inspire individual recovery for the people they work with? Then join us as a Horticultural Trainer. 

Recovery Focus are expert partners with the shared aim to inspire individual recovery nationwide. Between us we have a track record of more than 200 years of developing and running personalised services that work with people with mental health, substance misuse and other complex needs to achieve their ambitions. Each partner organisation has its own rich history of success, but together we believe we can lead the way in evidence-based recovery pathways that we can tailor to meet local and individual needs. 

Right now, one of our partners, Richmond Fellowship, is looking for a Horticultural Trainer to join the team at The Old Moat Garden Centre in Epsom. An integral part of the local community, we provide retail and horticultural services to the public and training and work-based opportunities to adults with mental health problems. But, it’s only possible with the help of people like you.

Day-to-day, you’ll assist with the supervision and training of clients, both on and off site, and contribute to the development of the service. We’ll also rely on you to open the garden centre and serve customers to enable the sale of plants and associated products during the week and weekends as well as selected bank holidays and weekends. Providing horticultural advice and maintaining all plant stock in good condition will be important too, as will helping to assess risk and getting involved in team evaluations and reviews. And, when it comes to promoting an environment of service user involvement and recovery, again, you’ll be there, ready and willing to play your part. 

As well as a proven ability to motivate and train others, including running group activities, you’ll need good time management skills and a creative yet practical approach to problem solving. We’ll also be looking for lots of initiative and an enthusiastic, flexible and innovative approach to work. A commitment to working with people with mental health problems is, of course, a given, while a flair for maintaining appropriate records and implementing new procedures is also essential. 

In return, you can expect some great benefits, including 25 days' annual leave plus 8 public holidays, contributory pension scheme and life assurance cover. 

So, get inspired today. Visit our website and take the first steps towards a more fulfilling future.

Please quoteref: 15/316 when applying. 

Closing Date: 31 December 2015

Bedding Department Head - (full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire, with GCA award winning plant areas.  We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in plant and horticultural retailing.  We want our employees to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic, customer focused environment. 

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards.

You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our West Horsley Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area. 

You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification. A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential. 

You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays. Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire, with GCA award winning plant areas.  We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in plant and horticultural retailing.  We want our employees to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic, customer focused environment. 

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our garden centre at West Horsley. You will be responsible for managing the outdoor plant department which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.

You must have experience and/or horticultural qualifications and garden centre retail experience.

You will be able to manage your department to achieve sales and profit targets whilst motivating your team to maximise all sales opportunities and inspiring them to offer the highest standards of customer service.

You must have the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment, have a passion for plants, be highly motivated, commercially aware and able to create dynamic, inspirational display

Free parking on site

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

We have an immediate vacancy for an experienced Key Account Professional to manage a portfolio of 8 – 10 national accounts.

The job will involve some overseas travel, mainly to S. E. Asia and attendance at our Oldbury head office for 2 – 3 days each week.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of managing and developing business with major retail accounts, preferably with Outdoor Living / Gardening products.

Consideration will also be given to anybody currently working in a field sales position selling Outdoor / Conservatory furniture.

The successful candidate can expect a substantial basic salary, bonus scheme and fully maintained company car.

Initially, please email your cv, in complete confidence, to john.chester@a-mir.co.uk

Bedding Department Head - Full Time including alternate weekends

Twickenham TW2 5PA

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire, with GCA award winning plant areas.  We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in plant and horticultural retailing.  We want our employees to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic, customer focused environment. 

Squire’s oldest site with a new centre built in 1993, and is about to undergo a significant facelift.  A garden centre that takes a very high turnover for its size, with a strong horticultural focus in plants and sundries, often winning GCA category awards, with the recent addition of new Pets & Aquatics and Craft areas.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards.

You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our Twickenham Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.

You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification.  A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential. 

You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays. Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Job Title:

• Management of dedicated accounts with account development proposals & guidelines

Scope:

• Management of assigned key accounts
• Development of business within assigned accounts, the general customer base and through identified and agreed opportunities

The role is office based and required travel to customer premises and trade fairs

Key Responsibilities:

General:

1. Preparing sales budgets and forecasts
2. Identifying gap closing actions
3. Identifying business opportunities
4. Management of designated key accounts and development of account development plans
5. Preparation of promotional campaigns
6. Liaising with marketing to ensure that sales and customer collateral are available in a timely manner (copy, photographs, images etc.)
7. Prepare, produce and implement sales strategies, promotions & rep incentive plans
8. Attend trade shows in the UK, USA & Canada
9. Liaising with sales administration and logistics to ensure timely and accurate delivery of customer orders
10. Resolving customer issues, problems or concerns
11. Ensuring that cash is received within payment terms
12. Work with Marketing & PR Manager to manage, maintain and improve the sales routes to market, using them to increase brand awareness across our territories and monitor any competitor activity – always being understanding of and one step ahead of competition.

1. Work with the MD to coordinate budget preparations
2. Provide management information (pipeline metrics, KPIs etc.) for review & analysis
3. Appraise monthly the performance of within account base & a revised  forecast
4. Reporting weekly metrics and KPIs.

Administration

1. Monitoring invoicing and accounts receivable
2. Recording of travel and expenses
3. Maintaining accurate customer records.

Metrics:

1. Delivery of revenue growth and targeted GP
2. Timely preparation of budgets and forecasts
3. Communication of customer requirements and expectations
4. Development and timely reporting of key performance indicators and pipeline activity e.g. Customer based net promoter score.

Personal Attributes:

A leader through influence with specialism expertise required to support the company’s ambitious growth targets:

1. Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills
2. Strong business and commercial acumen.
3. Proven sales experience and analytic capabilities
4. Strong negotiation skills
5. Strong project management skills
6. Ability to deliver against tight deadlines
7. Competent in MS Office software packages incl. excel and PowerPoint.

Company Values: Able to demonstrate a good fit with the company values

• Honesty, integrity and respect
• Creativity
• Speed of thought
• Sparky and energetic
• Flexibility
• Problem solving / solution finding
• Always learning & remaining aware of & 1 step ahead of the competition
• Strong work ethic – work hard / play hard.

The successful candidate will:

• Be technically savvy with strong experience in the Microsoft Office software packages including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook as a basic requirement with experience in other software packages such as Sales Force, Infusionsoft, Adobe Photoshop and InDesign as a bonus. 
• Good written & spoken communication skills in the English language
• Have a full UK driving license.
• Have a passport & be able & willing to travel internationally
• Have experience of Sales
• A good understanding of a second language would be an advantage. 

Reports to: MD

Works with:

• MD, H.O Marketing and Marketing assistant, Sales & Administration assistant
• Assigned customers.

Apply here

Bedding Department Head - (full time, including alternate weekends)

Stanmore HA7 3JF

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire, with GCA award winning plant areas.  We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in plant and horticultural retailing.  We want our employees to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic, customer focused environment. 

Stanmore is a thriving site in a busy suburb of North London, winner of GCA category awards, also featuring a large Pets & Aquatics department and cafe.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards.

You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our Stanmore Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.

You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification. A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential.

You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays. Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Your opportunity to join a forward thinking, fast growing business.

This is a key “front-line” position, directly connecting and working with the Vivid Arts customer base (and sales-force) to ensure individual customer display and turnover goals are achieved.

You will be required to merchandise product and assist in creating customer displays to best display practice guidelines. A creative approach and the ability to “communicate, transfer and implement” successful merchandising initiatives are vital to the role.

The ideal candidate will be :-

• a highly organised, physically fit individual.
• preferably living on the East / South side of Manchester, ideally within 5 miles of the M60
• conscientious with the natural drive to maintain high standards in their daily work.
• computer literate
• willing and able to occasionally work away from home involving overnight stays 
• proficient driver with a clean driving licence

Closing date for applications is Sunday 29^th November.

Interviews will take place locally in December.

Initially, please submit a covering email and your CV to Paul McGuire : paul.mcguire@vividarts.co.uk

• Responsibilities will include
• Overseeing the implementation of contracts to strict deadlines and budgets
• Assisting in development and bidding for new works
• Liaison with clients
• Implementation and management of health & safety and quality procedures
• Supervision of Teams
• Maintaining contract files
• Reporting to the Regional Manager and Operations Director

• Scheurich 15cm Cover Pots in Dark Red move up nine places to No 2.
• Fito Drip Feeders for Poinsettia & Christmas Cactus are just behind at No 3.
• Town & Country Gardener’s Kneeler & Stool and Burgon & Ball Kneelo are popular gift purchases, back in the Top 50 at No 34 and No 35.

• Premier Battery Operated Eva Snowman 15cm is the highest re-entry at No 6.
• Lindt Truffle Tree Hangers join Lindt Bear Tree Decorations in the chart at No 13.
• Premier 200 Multiaction LED Supabrights Warm White are the highest chart climber, up 31 places to No 8.

• Arthur Bowers Horticultural Grit Sand 20kg is the highest new entry at No 33.
• Westland Bulb Planting Compost 20 litres is the highest re-entry at No 6.
• Jack’s Magic could be in some Christmas stockings on Christmas Eve with the 40 litre pack jumping 8 places to No 7.

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA)’s direct marketing campaign which targets 600 of the UK’s top retail buyers across the home enhancement to home and garden improvement spectrum,  has seen another high opening and click through rate for the second communication in the series.

The most recent mailer achieved a 39% opening rate, which is well above the average for a communication of this nature and a 7.4% click through rate to MTB details, forums and BHETA members’ new products.  Retailers who accessed the information included B&Q, Homebase,  Mitre 10 (New Zealand),  Tile Giant, Brewers,  Kingfisher Global,  Clas Ohlson,  Dobbies,  Screwfix, Travis Perkins.  Bunnings (Australia), Wolseley Group,  Wickes, Woodies (Ireland),  Topps Tiles,  Castorama (Poland),  Asda, Toolstation, TradePoint and Selco.

 The aim of the campaign is to highlight potential new products which might not have been presented to retailers through conventional buying channels.  The campaign consists of three e-flyer communications each focussing on the output of 12 different BHETA members.

Commenting on the retailer campaign, BHETA’s Chairman, David Smyth explained, “BHETA’s reputation for bringing together manufacturers, distributors and retailers at its Meet The Buyer events and networking forums is second to none with all parties confirming the benefits.  The mailing campaign appears to be equally popular and in 2016 BHETA will be launching

its new Retailer Zone – a fully fledged search mechanic for buyers to use when sourcing  new products and promotional ideas. 

“This retail mailing campaign focusses product innovations, established brands, own label solutions and new players in the market that BHETA is confident will add value to the market.”

Supplier companies interested in getting involved should contact Sally Hawkins on sh@bheta.co.uk or 0121 237 1130 in the first instance.

The ‘Grow Your Own Profits’ roadshow sessions, running over February and March next year, are designed to help garden centres maximize sales of bulbs, seeds, plants, garden sundries, irrigation and bird care. A key aim is to increase footfall and average spend, particularly in core gardening, via as many channels as possible.

Topics will include:

• Why sales of core garden products and many plants fail to reach their full potential, despite customer demand
• How to target customers of all ages and abilities, using internal and external means
• Training for appropriate plant and product groups with quick and easy references to rapidly increase staff knowledge and enthusiasm
• Thinking outside the box
• Making the most of all resources and opportunities
• Implementing a sustainable and realistic strategy

The courses are intended for planteria and sundries staff, owners, managers and marketing employees. Delegates will take away a comprehensive set of training materials.

Liz Hutson says core garden products remain something of a mystery to many customers. “While many other departments may be peaking in terms of potential, there is still a long way to go in order to make the most of the sales opportunities in core gardening in most centres”

She adds: “Improving product knowledge and increasing staff motivation and confidence will have a marked impact on the bottom line and if this is combined with better internal and external communication with the consumer, it can only enhance sales further and help centres make the most of every square metre of selling space.”

Gardman’s Director of Business Development, Lolly Lee, said: “As leading suppliers of core gardening and bird care products, Gardman had no hesitation in offering its support for Liz’s initiative. Good product knowledge helps staff to engage with customers and improve the retail experience, and we believe garden centres will find this a great way to up their game.”

Dates and venues:

• Maidstone – 16 February (Marriott Tudor Park)
• Guildford – 18 February (Barnett Hill Hotel & Conference Centre)
• Cambridge – 23 February (Menzies Hotel)
• Birmingham – 25 February (Holiday Inn)
• Chester – 29 February (Carden Park Hotel)
• Perth – 2 March (Murrayshall House Hotel)

Prices start at £70 plus VAT per delegate (depending on numbers) for early bird booking. Lunch, refreshments and all course materials are included.

Garden centres may book via a special HTA mailing, direct through Liz Hutson (01531 631592, liz.hutson@ledburybband.co.uk) or online at www.bookwhen.com/growprofits

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 2013 as well as 2014 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 Christmas 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.