Derek Bunker - Alton Garden Centre

“It’s very sad that one of the trades’ best suppliers for many years is in trouble.  It is very difficult for anyone to know exactly what the situation is, but I like many others are obviously very concerned about future supplies, especially as we enter our busiest time.

I've been a loyal customer of Solus for many years and I'm saddened by the current situation.  No one likes to see a good supplier lost to the trade.  The sooner we can reach some conclusion on the future of Solus the better for all of us.   No one wants confusion at this time.

As a business it is extremely annoying that we now have to have direct accounts with so many suppliers, Scotts, Doff, Sinclair’s, Wolf Wilkinson, Hozelock, all of which we used to buy through Solus and received excellent delivery service and stock holding.

We are now at the vagaries of various transport systems around the country, some of which are pretty poor with service.   No other wholesaler has ever come close to the service and stockholding that Solus had.”

Martin Stewart – Stewarts Garden Centres

“Have we ever known a time of such large and fundamental change in our industry?

Garden Centre retailing is a massively complicated business with such a diverse mix of products to stock and sell, together with the perishable nature of our plants. The amount of change at suppliers and The Garden Centre Group needs following closely.

 A few months ago we started looking at the implications of the changes and sent members of the team to the Decco trade show earlier in the year.  If the supply of some items gets difficult then we will contemplate taking more deliveries direct which will impact on our storage space and cash.  Deliveries will have to be bigger than usual to make them worthwhile.

So far we are having a very steady Spring, it’s not too hot and not too cold, it’s right on the button.  Let’s hope this turmoil in the trade doesn’t cause us to suffer any damage to that steady business.

The situation at Solus is going to have ramifications right through the trade.

One thing is certain:  Glee will be fascinating this year, there will be so much to tie up going forward.”

Matthew Bent – Bents Garden Centre

“It is a worry if Solus are in difficulty, cannot supply product on an ongoing basis and especially if they cannot continue trading.  We encountered a similar situation with Spread many years ago and had to find alternative sources.”

Sam Bosworth – Bosworths Garden Centre and Chairman Choice Marketing

“Choice has an excellent relationship with Scott's and both are confident that there will be no interruption to supply of Scott's products to our retail outlets.  Both Scott's and Choice are working together to ensure continuity of supply.

Solus are also a major partner to the members of choice marketing, and whilst choice are currently unsure as to why the partnership between choice and Solus has failed, we can confirm that Solus have not reneged in any part of the deal currently in place, in terms of supply of product and financial contribution to the group.  However with Scott's products no longer available through Solus, choice marketing will need to monitor and adapt to the quickly changing supply chain.

Garden Centre Owner – name withheld

"Very disappointing news, having been persuaded to return to Solus as our main supplier for the 2014 season we are having to renegotiate deals in the middle of the season when the time should be spent on the shop floor with customers. 

The value of trade given to Solus so far will have a huge impact on our ability to now reach targeted rebates with alternative suppliers.  We understand other suppliers who use Solus for distribution have pulled out too, what does the future hold?  Will suppliers now be offering direct accounts?  Will the alternative wholesalers be able to cope with the additional demand for stock so close to Easter?"

Gary Carvasso – Coolings Garden Centre

“It is true there are rumours that suggest Solus may struggle to stay credible and solvent with suppliers.  We hoped they continue for our sake, it can only damage the industry particularly as this crucial time of year if they ceased trading.  We should all support them as best we can, at the same time ensuring all our ‘Easter’ eggs are not in one basket!”


Charlie Groves – Groves Garden Centre

“Whilst we do use Solus as a supplier we gave our pre season (and so in season) orders to Decco this year largely because Decco can deliver to us twice a week, so the Scotts/Solus situation hasn’t affected us directly.

Having said that, of course competition and choice between wholesalers is always a good thing to ensure that we can get the best possible deal for our customers.  So Scotts not supplying Solus is not good at all.  Unfortunately Solus seem to be stocking less and less manufacturers and focusing on their own brands more and more which is making it more tricky to stock some of the more specialist essentials.  

At the moment it seems to be Decco who have the right formula for being a wholesaler; regular & frequent small deliveries from a range of manufacturers so that we can keep our shelves full during not only the busy season but during the quieter periods without having to commit to large quantities of stock.  This is particularly essential in seasons with unexpected starts or ends as it means that as retailers we can be more reactive to stocking the bigger brands if the weather turns good.

Nigel Wallis – Baytree Garden Centre

“I have to say that when Solus started to fall apart as in loose key members if staff, the people the industry has known and trusted for years, I thought here we go, Gardman all over again!  They don't know anybody, the people running it have not been in the garden centre trade,  so we started looking at Decco as an alternative and we decided to put Scott's through them and apart from an odd hiccup to do with EPOS we have not had a problem. 

As for Solus own brand, we have not had a problem yet and are covered with the Wilkinson Sword/Wolf ranges that do well for us.

I hope that Solus do not go pop owing their suppliers, but if Scott's have pulled out, Sinclair already have and hearsay is that others are going direct then it does not sound good.  But who knows?  As far as we are concerned, apart from Graham our rep, who is running it because we have heard nothing!

As long as we can get stock for the next 4 months to get through what looks like being a good season we will be fine and then we look forward to GLEE.  I think it is going to be very interesting!”

If you'd like to add your voice to the comments about the current situation, please use the comments link below, or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk