In This Issue
A Perfect Storm Hits the Garden Market
Sales pick up during Lockdown 2
Five creative ways to enhance your takeaway service during lockdown
Clipglove scores a Hat Trick in Gardeners’ World Review!
Profits up at Notcutts in year to February 2020
GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards are back!
Plant sales – a third up since re-opening
Gardenex organises webinar on ‘Beyond Transition: the steps UK exporters should take now!’
HTA calls on Government to delay implementation of plant health regulations
Further your professional development with the Ball Colegrave Scholarship
“The Smart Show must go on…line!”
Sales fall by 5.5% in Lockdown 2
EcoGro launch a range of specialist sustainable plant foods
RHS to launch rosé wine in time for Chelsea Flower Show
Tong Garden Centre wins Outstanding Employer award
APL Awards 2021 – finalists announced
GTN November issue now on-line
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
The sale of pot feet keep volumes up
Picks and Clips help to drive up Christmas sales
Lockdown hits Wild Bird Care sales
GROEN-Direkt’s Spring Showroom: February 2-3 2021
Brexit webinars to support global ornamental horticulture industry
The best of last week's
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Homebase up for sale after recent overhaul
Little Dobbies opens in Edinburgh
Simpsons expands with purchase of Aberdeenshire garden centre
Thieves break into Dobbies Garden Centre
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
Laughing Dog brings innovation to Christmas with festive treat
Lockdown sparks surge in love for 'man's best friend'
Unleashing holiday cheer with Purely Pets Top Trump packs
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A Perfect Storm Hits the Garden Market

"This is both the challenge and the opportunity facing the entire supply chain to the world of the home and garden. Seeing this year as a one-off ‘boom’ is to misunderstand the fundamental shift in consumerism from the frivolous, to the family & home.

 

Following on from GTN October issues' compilation of New Gardener Research we invited Phil Pond of Scarlet Opus, who provide future lifestyle, consumer & design trend intelligence for garden sector manufacturers & retailers, to give a wider perspective on what has changed during 2020 and the previous five years and the implications for garden retailing over the coming years...


Following on from GTN October issues' compilation of New Gardener Research we invited Phil Pond of Scarlet Opus, who provide future lifestyle, consumer & design trend intelligence for garden sector manufacturers & retailers, to give a wider perspective on what has changed during 2020 and the previous five years and the implications for garden retailing over the coming years.

 

"As life settles during 2021 many people will become stretched financially, overseas holidays will be a luxury that many (perhaps most) will not be able to afford as well as eating out, or even ‘popping to the pub’. Outdoor lounging, al fresco dining, exotic escapism, adventure and calming connection to nature; previously all satisfied during ‘holidays & weekend trips’ will have to be achieved in our homes, our ‘outdoor room’ … the garden.

 

"Post 2020 people may well be forced to live more modestly, but they are likely to want to live more fully in terms of experiences ... and many (if not most) of these experiences will be lived in their homes & gardens; or those of their friends & family

 

"This is both the challenge and the opportunity facing the entire supply chain to the world of the home and garden. Seeing this year as a one-off ‘boom’ is to misunderstand the fundamental shift in consumerism from the frivolous, to the family & home. And that means that the industry will not innovate as is needed, it won’t ‘gear up’ for omnichannel shopping (an activity that is seamless between on & offline). It won’t create the Garden Centres of tomorrow (so desperately needed) that will inspire, educate, support, engage and facilitate experiences, adventures and memories. And then, it would only have itself to blame …"    

 

Read the full article in the November issue of GTN, out this week, or read the on-line viewer version below:

 

 

 

Sales pick up during Lockdown 2

Early top-line analysis from the GTN Bestsellers Garden Centre weekly Epos data for last week shows that volume sales climbed by almost 20% week on week and were 16% up on the same week last year...


Early top-line analysis from the GTN Bestsellers Garden Centre weekly Epos data shows that despite all the restrictions of social distancing and fewer people allowed in centres, volume sales climbed by almost 20% week on week and were 16% up on the same week last year.

 

See the full analysis of last weeks sales, including the GTN Top 50 Christmas Bestsellers Chart in the GTN Bestsellers printed newsletter for subscribers, or see the highlights of the week in GTN Xtra this coming weekend.

 

You can subscribe to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter using this link

Five creative ways to enhance your takeaway service during lockdown
GTN Xtra Promotion

With catering operations currently restricted to takeaway only under Covid-19 lockdown, here are some creative steps you can take to adapt your existing service to make the most of your catering potential at this time. This advice is supplied by the Catering Design Group...


With catering operations currently restricted to takeaway only under Covid-19 lockdown, here are some creative steps you can take to adapt your existing service to make the most of your catering potential at this time. This advice is supplied by the Catering Design Group.

 

1. Think outside of the box…or shed, caravan or kiosk. Consider adapting an existing structure by adding a hatch.  Any unique structure you may have on site, from a rustic shed to a horse box or a quirky shepherd’s hut, could potentially be used for takeaway or serviced options. This will give you an easily accessible facility that won’t cost much but will add value and support social distancing. Use your brand colours, attractive signage and outdoor lighting to add ambience and personality. 

 

2. A window of opportunity.  Turn existing windows into serving hatches to support social distancing,increase footfall and maximise revenue. See some examples here how the walls around a window opening can be transformed with paint, props and a little imagination to create an attractive feature.

 

3. Walk the talk. Control queues and maintain social distancing by taking a more innovative approach to floor signage.  Floor arrows and floor flows are quirkier and have more visual impact than a simple dot or white arrow. These can be tailored to your brand so that they are less generic and form part of the design. Also consider a one-way traffic system and temporary changes to entrances and exits leading to the window or hatch. 

 

4. The great outdoors. Your outdoor spaces have never been so valuable. Now is the time to maximise all-weather outdoor seating spaces so that they are ready for post lockdown business. Think about adding outdoor heating, eco-friendly lighting, planting and screening so that you are prepared for the increased catering covers that your on-site Christmas attractions will undoubtedly bring. 

 

5. Invest in good design. Creating a great customer experience calls for a professional design approach where every aspect of a garden or farm centre catering facility is assessed. Bespoke design that reflects your unique brand and ethos can be transformative in terms of future revenue and repeat business.

 

Catering Design Group (CDG) is one of UK’s leading restaurant and commercial kitchen design companies, offering a full design service to clients throughout the retail,  leisure, hospitality and education sectors. http://www.cateringdesign.co.uk If you would like to know more about how CDG can support your vision, contact Steve Hutchings, director of CDG on 07736 479342 or email steve.hutchings@cateringdesign.co.uk

Clipglove scores a Hat Trick in Gardeners’ World Review!
GTN Xtra Promotion

After coming top in both the Good Housekeeping and Country Living reviews earlier this year, ClipGlove has added a third win to its growing portfolio of awards in the December issue of Gardeners’ World magazine...


After coming top in both the Good Housekeeping and Country Living reviews earlier this year, ClipGlove has added a third win to its growing portfolio of awards in the December issue of Gardeners’ World magazine.

 

The review, titled “10 of the Best Gardening Gloves”, featured Treadstone’s ClipGlove range 4 times.  Even more impressively, the review awarded “Best Buy” status to 3 different ClipGlove styles.

 

“We’re delighted with the reviews from the Gardeners’ World testers” remarked Dean Winters – Treadstone’s Head of Brands.  “To receive Best Buy for 3 different gloves is testament to the thought and design process which has gone into creating this range.  For the gloves to be recognized by the leading publication in our sector is a great accolade”

 

The “Best Buy” status has been awarded in the following categories:

 

Best Buy for Light Work - ClipGlove Bamboo Fibre - score 4.8 out of 5.
Best Buy for Heavy Duty Work - ClipGlove Shock Absorber - score 4.8 out of 5. 

Best Buy for Everyday Use - ClipGlove General Purpose - score 4.8 out of 5.

Also in the top 10 - ClipGlove Cosy - score 4.3 out of 5.  

 

 

In the 20 months since ClipGlove first hit the shop floor, the range has proved extremely popular with retailers and consumers alike thanks to its innovative features and eye-catching displays.

 

2021 sees new innovations with the introduction of new glove styles and promotional activity.

 

ClipGlove gets its name from the addition of an aluminum Carabiner clip, which keeps glove pairs together when being stored away so that they do not get lost.

 

Retailers interested in working with Treadstone Products can contact the company on 01978 664 667 or email sales@treadstoneproducts.com or for more information, visit www.treadstoneproducts.com.

Profits up at Notcutts in year to February 2020

Notcutts have announced another year of profit growth in the year ending February 2020 with operating profit up 13.5% to £1.72m...

 


Notcutts have announced another year of profit growth in the year ending February 2020 with operating profit up 13.5% to £1.72m.  This followed a 52.5% increase in operating profit on the prior year. Gross margin improved by 1.4% points to 48.9%.

 

Total sales of £76.1m were up 1.9% despite significant disruption to normal trading patterns as Notcutts continued with its progressive redevelopment and garden centre improvement programme.

 

Capital expenditure was £9.2m in the year. Restaurant redevelopments were completed at Woodbridge, Cranleigh and Ashton Park. Full centre redevelopments, covering both retail environments and restaurants were completed at Booker, St Albans and Garden Pride (Ditchling). In each of these schemes Notcutts’ trade mark show gardens were included as part of the developments. Two further show gardens were added in Maidstone and Victoria (Pontefract) and a woodland heritage walkway was opened for customers in Woodbridge.

 

Commenting on these results Chief Executive, Nick Burrows said: “We are pleased with our progress during a year in which we were able to deliver further growth in operating profit. A continued focus on margin and a successful cost efficiency programme helped underpin this achievement. This during a year when we completed further exciting projects to bring customers ever improving experiences in our garden centres. In addition the investment we made in our e-commerce platform has put us in a good position to serve customers through this growing sales channel.”

 

Nick Burrows was also pleased to have secured planning permissions for future improvement projects at Notcutts’ Oxford, Tunbridge Wells and Solihull garden centres. “We are now well through our planned programme of improvements” he said. “Whilst we have now paused our development programme for a period as we navigate the new challenges of the current coronavirus situation, we hope to recommence further projects when this passes”. Burrows also added “Like others, we have made a number of adjustments to our business model to reflect the current unprecedented situation. We believe these will place us in a good position to gear up again quickly when more normal trading conditions return”.

 

Notcutts introduced further show gardens and a stunning woodland nature walk in the year. Caroline Notcutt, Vice Chairman, hosted events for customers, partners and local communities at a number of grand opening events. She commented: These additions continue to showcase Notcutts’ horticultural and design credentials which extend back almost 125 years. They are real wellbeing spaces and as society becomes increasingly conscious of the enriching positive benefits of gardening and being outside with nature we see these as essential elements of our customer experience.” Caroline Notcutt added “We have also continued our work with Thrive to support training for Social Therapeutic Horticulture through the Charles Notcutt bursary”.

 

During the year Bridget McIntyre joined Notcutts as Chairman. Upon her appointment in January 2020 she commented “Living in Suffolk, I have always been a customer of and admired Notcutts. I am delighted to be able to join the board and work with the team of this great family business.”

GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards are back!

They’re back, all be it in a virtual form.  GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards are back for 2020 to celebrate all that’s great about garden centres at Christmas through the pages of GTN and the GTN Xtra e-mail newsletter...


They’re back, all be it in a virtual form.  GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards are back for 2020 to celebrate all that’s great about garden centres at Christmas through the pages of GTN and the GTN Xtra e-mail newsletter.

 

It's simple to take part, all you have to do is start taking photos of your displays and ideas now, send an e-mail to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk, or look out for the November issue of GTN which will be published next week, for the full entry details of each category and pledge a small donation to Greenfingers Charity to help create more gardens at Children's Hospices during 2021.

 

Here are the categories for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2020

  • The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team
  • The Greatest Outdoor Plant and Christmas Tree Team
  • The Greatest Festive Food Hall Team
  • The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team (for sales of BBQ’s, firepits, furniture etc)
  • The Greatest Christmas Pets Team
  • The Greatest Christmas Community or Charity Initiative
  • The Greatest Social Media Christmas Marketing Idea
  • The Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Video
  • The Greatest Winter Garden Care Sales Team
  • The Greatest Covid Safe Christmas Display Team
  • The Greatest Christmas Supplier (as voted for by garden centres)
  • The Greatest Group Garden Centre Christmas Team
  • The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team
  • The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team
  • The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team

We all love to see other centres displays and ideas, especially at Christmas, and as Lockdown 2 and travel restrictions make that difficult what better way to provide a solution for everyone than inviting garden centres to submit their own photos and videos as part of GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards.

  • Launch date:  GTN Xtra 16th November and GTN’s November print issue
  • Publication of photo’s and videos as they come in during December in GTN Xtra and GTN’s December issue.  Closing date for entries will be Monday December 14th.
  • Results announced:  GTN Xtra 24th January 2021 and as part of GTN’s January issue which includes our first ever Christmas Products Directory.

We’ve created a list of categories which we feel reflect Christmas trading for 2020 and we have a team of expert judges on standby to plough through all of the entries and hold video meetings with short listed teams before making their final decisions about the winners.

 

There are opportunities for suppliers to also be involved in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards by offering stock for Christmas 2021 as prizes for the winners.  Please contact alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk for more details.

 

So, what are you waiting for, get snapping and send an e-mail today to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk to get your entry registered.

 

As you'll see below in GTN Xtra we've already had one photo tour to publish, from Barton Grange, and at the weekend we received this Christmas video from the team at the Old Railway Line Garden Centre

 

Plant sales – a third up since re-opening

We’ve now seen 25 consecutive weeks of plant sales up year on year, and the average since re-opening in May is 33.33%. That’s great news but we mustn’t forget that 33% up since re-opening doesn’t make up for all of the lost sales during closure – year to date plant sales are still 20% down on 2019 levels...


 

We’ve now seen 25 consecutive weeks of plant sales up year on year, and the average since re-opening in May is 33.33%. That’s great news but we mustn’t forget that 33% up since re-opening doesn’t make up for all of the lost sales during closure – year to date plant sales are still 20% down on 2019 levels.

  • Poinsettia sales almost doubled to move up to No 7 in the GTN Chart.
  • Pernettya were the highest chart climber, up 21 places to No 24.
  • Dracaena were the highest of 8 re-entries, back in the Top 50 at No 34.

All Plants volume sales change: Week on week DOWN 20.7%.  Year to date vs 2019 DOWN 20.0%, vs  2018 DOWN 25.3%.

 

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
Gardenex organises webinar on ‘Beyond Transition: the steps UK exporters should take now!’

With the end of the Brexit Transition period looming, Gardenex, PetQuip and the Commercial Horticultural Association will be hosting a special webinar for its industry sectors on Tuesday 1 December from 10am to 12.30pm...


With the end of the Brexit Transition period looming, Gardenex, PetQuip and the Commercial Horticultural Association will be hosting a special webinar for its industry sectors on Tuesday 1 December from 10am to 12.30pm.

 

The webinar will give companies the chance to hear all the latest information on the steps that exporters need to take in preparation for 1 January 2021 and beyond.

 

Tailored for the gardening, leisure, pet and commercial horticultural industries, the webinar will be hosted by Strong & Herd LLP, one of the experts in and key suppliers of export training advice and information in the UK. 

 

The session will look at some of the key issues facing exporters, especially in the run-up to the end of the Transition period from the EU on 1 January 2021.

 

Topics covered will include:

  • New customs processes from 1 January 2021 (import/export declarations)
  • Effect on Ro-Ro movements
  • New documentation requirements
  • UK Global Tariff and the EU TARIC – the similarities and differences reviewed
  • Incoterms rules – the potential risk of keeping ExWorks and DDP for EU movements
  • Labelling and product standards/liability issues
  • Northern Ireland
  • Question and Answer session

The webinar is part of a suite of invaluable information being provided on this issue to member companies by Gardenex, PetQuip and the CHA. The combination of regular tailored information bulletins, industry updates and the Federation’s online helpline is providing companies with valuable insights and practical support to help them protect and expand their international sales in a profitable manner during and following the UK’s exit from the EU.

 

The webinar will be followed by a Q&A session, and questions for Strong & Herd LLP should be sent in advance to charlie@gardenex.com.

 

The webinar will be offered as a free of charge service to members of Gardenex, PetQuip and the CHA.

 

Non-members can register to take part in the webinar and will also receive a credit of £50 against a six-month membership subscription to Gardenex, PetQuip or the Commercial Horticultural Association.

 

Amanda Sizer Barrett, Director General of Gardenex and PetQuip, says: “If you are an exporting company in the gardening, pet, leisure and commercial horticultural or allied industries, and need more information about what actions you need to consider or take to be prepared when the Brexit Transition period ends, then this webinar is designed for you.”

 

Companies interested taking part in the webinar can contact charlie@gardenex.comcharlie@petquip.com or charlie@cha-hort.com to receive full details and the registration link. If you cannot make the event on 1 December, you will still be able to access the presentation at a later date – if you register in advance.

 

Please contact Gardenex, PetQuip and the CHA if you would like to benefit from membership of the association or require any further advice and assistance on: 

Email: info@gardenex.cominfo@petquip.cominfo@cha-hort.com

Websites: www.gardenex.comwww.petquip.comwww.cha-hort.com

HTA calls on Government to delay implementation of plant health regulations

The trades association for horticulture has called on government to delay the introduction of plant health inspections, highlighting a raft of issues with the proposed regulatory changes to the way UK businesses import and export plants to and from the EU...


The trades association for horticulture has called on government to delay the introduction of plant health inspections, highlighting a raft of issues with the proposed regulatory changes to the way UK businesses import and export plants to and from the EU.

 

At a virtual roundtable event on Tuesday (17/11), the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) raised the following concerns:

  • The proposals as currently envisaged are logistically impossible to implement 
  • The requirements will not achieve the objective of improved plant health because of their complexity and the administrative and financial burden they impose
  • Required IT systems are not ready or fully tested
  • Border control posts are not yet complete 
  • Government is pressing ahead with compromises that are wholly iniquitous for the industry
  • They represent the single biggest non-tariff barrier in the history of the sector

With the UK horticulture sector reliant on £350m-worth of plant imports, particularly young ‘starter’ plants, an audience of cross-party parliamentarians heard the growing fear that inadequate preparation has been done and that changes are being pushed through without proper consideration of the consequences to a vital sector of the UK economy. 

 

Appealing for horticulture’s voice to be heard at the highest levels of government, HTA Chairman, James Barnes, said: “It is imperative that government understands their proposals represent the biggest single non-tariff barrier in the history of our industry. By asking us to comply with new terms and conditions not yet agreed, with just 32 working days to go, represents an absolute ‘train crash’ for the industry and is setting us up to fail.

 

“Horticulture has a key role to play in the UK’s economic recovery after Covid  in supporting government ambitions to ‘green’ the economy. There’s a real risk that our potential to contribute to this work will be hampered by the sector diverting all its effort to navigating and then surviving the impact of these regulations.”

 

Highlighting the sheer amount of work still to be done to understand and effectively prepare for a complex regulatory system, Jonathan Whittemore Head of Production and Procurement at Johnsons of Whixley, a Yorkshire-based, family run wholesale nursery, outlined to parliamentarians the threat to his business posed by enormous costs that are the inevitable result of the new rules.

 

Speaking of his grave concerns for 2021, he commented: "Right now, the only thing that is clear to us is that next year, as a result of systems coming into play, we are likely to lose control of our supply chain; be subject to a significant additional burden in terms of administration and cost and lose our competitive advantage. 

 

“There are so many unknowns still - last week the new plant health IT system had its launch delayed – and it is impossible for us to get as prepared as we would like. What we do know, is that continuing to operate as we do now would attract a total of £1.2 million in additional costs, 80% of which would be attributed to plant health administration.”

 

The proposed rules, which are over and above existing customs regulations and on top of the plant passporting introduced in December 2019, would see businesses like Johnsons of Whixley subject to extra expense and potential delays. A requirement for Phytosanitary certificates to be issued in the EU for all plants coming to Great Britain and an inspection to be done here when plants arrive means there could be two inspections within 24hrs of each other, for example.

 

The parliamentary briefing event was chaired by Baroness Fookes, co-chair of the All-Parliamentary Gardening and Horticulture Group. 

 

She said: ““It is ironic that the principle of ensuring the health of plants imported and exported from the UK to which I and the entire horticultural industry accept as vital is going to be jeopardised by the introduction of ill thought- out plant health regulations due to come into operation on 1st January 2021. They will be a body blow to a sector already suffering from the closure of garden centres during the first lockdown. The government has not thought through the impact of massively bureaucratic regulations and its own lack of readiness. I am calling on the Government to delay the introduction of the regulations to give time for a sensible plan to be put in place in conjunction with the industry.”

 

The HTA will continue its lobbying on the matter, requesting the Secretary of State delay the introduction of the regulations, and is keen to work with the Government to bring about effective rules to the benefit of all.

Further your professional development with the Ball Colegrave Scholarship

Ball Colegrave is encouraging the continuous professional development of young people in our sector with a travel scholarship. The £1,500 Ball Colegrave Sponsored Travel Scholarship is on offer as part of the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) Scholarship Season...


 

Ball Colegrave is encouraging the continuous professional development of young people in our sector with a travel scholarship. The £1,500 Ball Colegrave Sponsored Travel Scholarship is on offer as part of the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) Scholarship Season.

 

The award funds travel across the UK and Europe in order to develop knowledge and experience in bedding plant production and marketing. An employee in the early stages of their career at a commercial bedding plant nursery, or a student studying horticulture with an interest in commercial bedding plants and travel should apply.

 

Recent winner, Robert Perry, a Crop Technician Apprentice, used the scholarship to fund his place on an automation study tour while studying at Pershore College and working at Bordon Hill Nurseries. He visited some of the leading bedding plant growers in the Netherlands looking at the latest technology, innovation and automation and said: “This scholarship allowed me to widen my view of growing techniques and machinery used to automate the whole process a nursery runs through while producing its product. Since going on the tour, I can look at automation from another perspective and am excited for future prospects in automating my workplace nursery more efficiently and with a larger range of tasks becoming automated.”

 

Danny Booth (pictured above) won the award while working at Lovania and wanted to use the award to develop his growing knowledge and ability surrounding plug production and new plants. He said: “This scholarship provided me with fantastic opportunities to meet people that are well established within the industry and form key relationships as well as gaining knowledge of a bigger picture within the industry. Without a grant like this, it would have taken me years to develop such relationships. I learnt a lot about different techniques and methods to save time and money, using different products and seeing better results.”

 

David Acock won while a student at Writtle College and spent a summer completing a study tour of Greece, the Channel Islands and the Netherlands. He said, “During the travels I witnessed first hand creativity and innovation, which inspired me and gave me the confidence to contribute to future business systems.” 

 

Stuart Lowen at Ball Colegrave, says: “David Colegrave developed many great ideas in his business through his travel overseas, keeping an open mind to new practices and challenges in plant culture. This led David to introduce groundbreaking new product innovations and solutions within our industry. This Scholarship aims to support a like-minded individuals currently working within the commercial bedding plant industry, looking to extend their knowledge and experience through exploring horticulture across the UK and Europe.”

 

DCF Scholarship season is open now until 31 January 2021

 

To apply visit www.davidcolegravefoundation.org.uk

 

 

“The Smart Show must go on…line!”

Smart Garden have launched their online Virtual Showroom enabling all customers to ‘visit’ the Company’s Eureka facility at Peterborough...


Smart Garden have launched their online Virtual Showroom enabling all customers to ‘visit’ the Company’s Eureka facility at Peterborough!

 

For those unable to visit in person, this new platform enables them to see the complete product offering and neatly complements Smart’s catalogues. This will be especially helpful for those unable to travel due to local restrictions as well as for overseas customers.

 

Online visitors can look round the whole showroom using an easy on-screen navigational tool. New products introduced for 2021 are clearly highlighted in high-resolution allowing users to zoom in and get a full appreciation of products, packaging and displays.

 

“When customers can’t come to our showrooms, no problem, we will bring our showrooms to them!” said Jonathan Stobart, MD “This has been designed to be really easy to use and, while our retail partners usually prefer to visit in person, this is the next best thing. Feedback has been extremely complimentary, and we are delighted that we have now enabled all our customers to visit and re-visit our product ranges at their leisure all year long.”

Sales fall by 5.5% in Lockdown 2

The first full week of Lockdown 2 in England saw total garden centre sales volumes fall by 5.5% but still match last year’s volumes despite lower footfall...


 

The first full week of Lockdown 2 in England saw total garden centre sales volumes fall by 5.5% but still match last year’s volumes despite lower footfall.

 

Christmas sales grew by 20% to be 2% up on the same week last year, indicating higher volume and value Christmas sales per customer but it was Plants and Growing Media that once again performed best against last year. Plant sales up by 29% and Growing Media up by 34%.

 

Centres in Wales reported good sales last week after coming out of their Firebreak so there’s still plenty of scope for sales to get back above last year’s during the final weeks of the year.

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 46

  • Garden Products Top 50 – down 35%
  • Growing Media Top 50 – up 34%
  • Veg-2-Gro Top 50 – up 10%
  • Wild Bird & Wildlife Top 50 – down 24%
  • Christmas Top 50 – up 2%

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes 
compared to the same week last year:

  • All Plants with Barcode Index – up 29%
  • All Items with Barcode Index – static 0%

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

EcoGro launch a range of specialist sustainable plant foods

This spring, EcoGro, a local company based in Cumbria, will launch a range of innovative, eco-friendly and specialist plant foods...


 

This spring, EcoGro, a local company based in Cumbria, will launch a range of innovative, eco-friendly and specialist plant foods. 

 

These new products are made using natural and sustainable ingredients to help effectively aid plant growth without damaging the planet. 

 

 

EcoGro founders, Chris Harrison, Kevin Beaty and Mark Goulay, are farmers who know how to work with the soil and protect pollinators. Using their specialist knowledge, EcoGro are looking to safeguard the future of the planet for gardeners across the UK. 

 

As the EcoGro family are not made using chemicals, they work naturally to ensure the long-term health of both plants and the soil. The absence of chemicals helps to reduce soil acidification, increase soil microbe activity, and reduce water loss in the soil structure. On average, it will also produce 30% less CO2 emissions in production, further helping to promote sustainable and eco-friendly gardening. 

 


The EcoGro family comprises of: 

  • EcoGro Booster, which aids fruit and vegetable growth to ensure your crop is healthy and vast on harvest
  • EcoGro Bloomer for flowering plants in borders, hanging baskets and pots
  • EcoGro Ericaceous which works with the micro-organisms in the soil to create perfect growing conditions for acid loving plants
  • EcoGro EcoMyst, a handy spray bottle ideal for indoor plants. 

The plant foods are made using by-products from anaerobic digesters which create renewable energy on EcoGro’s farms. The by-product is concentrated to create a nutrient rich plant food which is free from artificial chemicals. Through research and development during the Covid-19 pandemic, EcoGro refined their products with added natural nutrients to create purpose specific products.  

 

www.ecogro.co.uk

 
RHS to launch rosé wine in time for Chelsea Flower Show

The Royal Horticultural Society has announced a partnership with historic South African fruit and wine farm Babylonstoren to produce an RHS rosé wine...


The Royal Horticultural Society has announced a partnership with historic South African fruit and wine farm Babylonstoren to produce an RHS rosé wine.

 

The wine will launch just before the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on 17 May 2021, for which it will be the official rosé wine. Visitors to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be the first to taste the special vintage.

 

A fresh fruity rosé is best enjoyed soon after bottling and this wine is no exception. Babylonstoren will harvest and bottle the grapes mere weeks before the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021, then rush the first shipment to London. The rosé will feature a designation label on the front of the bottle. The RHS logo and information about Britain’s favourite gardening charity will appear on the label on the back of the bottle.

 

Babylonstoren RHS Rosé will be available at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 and for a limited time at some RHS gardens. It will also be available throughout 2021 via Babylonstoren’s friends in the UK, The Newt in Somerset at shop.thenewtinsomerset.com, as well as a variety of independent wine stores and hospitality outlets throughout the UK. The license includes an agreement that Babylonstoren will be the non-exclusive supplier of rosé wine at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021.

 

As with French rosé, the varietal Mourvèdre is being used for Babylonstoren RHS Rosé. Charl Coetzee, the Babylonstoren Cellarmaster, explains: “We keep it on skins for a mere one to two hours, to ensure a liquid the colour of a delicate sunrise. The result is a fuller and rounder rosé, with a lovely floral character. Its flavour incorporates creamy rhubarb, sweet freshness of watermelon and subtle punch of acidity. The style is elegant and ethereal.”

 

This is a first for the RHS. The charity has a wine club for members and has also in the past endorsed a limited edition honeybee gin with Warner’s Distillery. However, it has never licensed a specific wine before. 

 

Cathy Snow, Licensing Manager, RHS, says: “Rosé is an ideal spring and summer wine, and the first-ever RHS-endorsed rosé calls to mind flowers, gardens and the outdoors, with the promise that warmer days are on the way. What better way could there be to welcome Britain’s best-loved flower show? We’re delighted to be partnering with Babylonstoren on this wonderful wine.”

 

Charl Coetzee, Cellarmaster, Babylonstoren, says: “Babylonstoren RHS Rosé is an ideal accompaniment for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, both of which celebrate spring and the coming of summer. We’re thrilled to be working with the RHS and, like our partner in this exciting initiative, we’re looking forward enormously to our first sip of Babylonstoren RHS Rosé.”

Tong Garden Centre wins Outstanding Employer award

The team at Tong Garden Centre in Bradford are celebrating after winning the Outstanding Employer award at the 15th annual Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business awards...


 

The team at Tong Garden Centre in Bradford are celebrating after winning the Outstanding Employer award at the 15th annual Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business awards.

 

Tong Garden Centre's Head of People and Culture, Neil Barwise-Carr, represented the team in a unique online awards ceremony that was hosted by former BBC news presenter, Harry Gration.

 

"The Outstanding Employer award celebrates employers who value and reward their staff and empowers employees to play a role in moving the company forward, so we're absolutely delighted to win the award," said Mr. Barwise-Carr.

 

Tong Garden Centre employs 196 local people at its Tong Lane site. Mr. Barwise-Carr and his colleague Becki Smith have spent the last 18 months developing a raft of initiatives including e-learning platforms, enhanced staff benefits and improved communication and employee engagement to ensure that Tong continues to be a great place to work.
 

The Tong Lane business faced strong competition from fellow Bradford business, Exa Networks; Leeds business, Thrive Law and South Yorkshire companies, One Medical and Mechanical Facilities.

 
APL Awards 2021 – finalists announced

The finalists of the Association of Professional Landscapers annual awards have been announced...

 


The finalists of the Association of Professional Landscapers annual awards have been announced. 

 

The APL Awards 2021 recognise landscaping projects that show technical and horticultural excellence, and which show attention to detail, technical excellence and an overall level of quality.

 

This year 45 companies made it to the finals with 73 projects. They were announced on Thursday (19/11) at Futurescapes by APL Manager, Phil Treymayne, and APL Awards judge, Bob Sweet. 

 

Both Phil and Bob commended the high standard of the entries this year despite the challenges faced by individual projects and the COVID pandemic.

 

In response to the continuing public health crisis and the resulting restrictions on the number of attendees at events, this year’s APL Awards Ceremony will be held virtually. The decision was made with the health and safety attendees in mind.

 

Although different to the usual format, the awards will be free to attend and promise to be as exciting and celebratory an event as always.  Using a specially commissioned events platform,  the amazing projects entered into the 2021 Awards will be showcased and attendees will be able to enjoy networking opportunities and celebrate their hard work together.

 

See the full list of all the finalists online here: https://www.aplawards.co.uk/2021-shortlist

 

For more information on the finalists or the virtual awards please visit www.aplawards.co.uk

GTN November issue now on-line

 

 

GTN's November 2020 issue, published this week, is now available to read on-line below:


GTN's November 2020 issue, published this week, is now available to read on-line below:

 

 
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra

with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox...





with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox.  The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.

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The sale of pot feet keep volumes up

Garden product sales appear to have been hit the most by Lockdown 2. Last week’s sales were down 35% on the same week last year. Whilst people are buying more plants and growing media shopping inside is much more Christmas biased at the moment...


 

Garden product sales appear to have been hit the most by Lockdown 2. Last week’s sales were down 35% on the same week last year. Whilst people are buying more plants and growing media shopping inside is much more Christmas biased at the moment.

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Sales of all those pots earlier in the year are leading to continued high sales of pot feet, Woodlodge Small Pot Feet re-enter at No 4 while the large pot feet stay at No 2.
  • Late season pot offers are also driving sales. Apta Roll Top Planter 45cm is a new entry at No 7.
  • Gardman Solar Mini Ice Orb is the highest chart climber of the week, up 30 places to No 12. 

Is there a three item linked offer going on here?  Pots, pot feet and solar lights for the patio?

 

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
Picks and Clips help to drive up Christmas sales

Christmas sales volumes increased during the first full week of Lockdown 2, up by 20% on the previous week to be level with the same week last year...


Christmas sales volumes increased during the first full week of Lockdown 2, up by 20% on the previous week to be level with the same week last year.

 

Picks and clips for tree decorations appear to be the most popular items this Christmas with eleven lines in the Top 50 Christmas products.

 

Christmas Chocolate lines also saw good sales growth last week.

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Jeno’s Poinsettia Clip Gold/Red/Silver more than doubled sales to move up to No 4.
  • Davies Products Blush Palm & Berry Pick was the highest new entry at No 20.
  • Steenland Gold Net Chocolate Coins 100g were the highest re-entry at No 13.

 

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
Lockdown hits Wild Bird Care sales

The lack of footfall during Lockdown 2 has also had a marked hit on Wild Bird & Wildlife Care sales. Top 50 sales volumes were down by 30% for the week and down by 24% on last year’s levels...


The lack of footfall during Lockdown 2 has also had a marked hit on Wild Bird & Wildlife Care sales. Top 50 sales volumes were down by 30% for the week and down by 24% on last year’s levels.

 

Is this a sector where sales are moving to on-line retailers with home delivery services while people are stuck at home?

 

Highlights of the week were:

  • Henry Bell Fat Balls, 50 Tub moves up one place to be the No 1 Bestselling Wild Bird Care line of the week.
  • Gardman’s Décor Squirrel Proof Seed Feeder is the highest climber of the chart, up 27 places to No 17.
  • Tom Chambers Suet Treats Triple Pack is the highest re-entry at No 21.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
GROEN-Direkt’s Spring Showroom: February 2-3 2021

GROEN-Direkt’s Spring Showroom 2021, with the largest selection of over 5,000 samples, will take place on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 February 2021. In which form depends on the latest developments regarding COVID-19...


 

GROEN-Direkt’s Spring Showroom 2021, with the largest selection of over 5,000 samples, will take place on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 February 2021. In which form depends on the latest developments regarding COVID-19. 

 

Christmas trees Cash & Carry

Besides ordering Christmas trees during our presale, you can also buy them at the last minute at GROEN-Direkt. From Monday November 16th until a few days before Christmas, the Cash & Carry is open for this purpose. GROEN-Direkt also offers you other seasonal articles such as banners, nets, stands, etc.

 

New webshop

The entire range and range of products at the GROEN-Direkt Winter Fair are available 24/7 throughout the winter in the renewed webshop at www.groen-direkt.nl. In this way you can always (re)order your assortment online.

 
Brexit webinars to support global ornamental horticulture industry

The International Association of Horticultural Producers – AIPH, FloraCulture International and World Horti Centre – are working together to organise two webinars preparing the global ornamental horticultural industry for Brexit...


 

The International Association of Horticultural Producers – AIPH, FloraCulture International and World Horti Centre – are working together to organise two webinars preparing the global ornamental horticultural industry for Brexit.

 

We invite plant breeders, growers, traders, auctions, distributors, retailers and the landscape sector to two webinars on Wednesday 2 December and Friday 4 December designed to help the horticultural supply chain understand the changes that will come into effect from 1 January 2021.

 

The first webinar ‘Preparing for Brexit – exporting and importing plants, trees, and bulbs’ is run in association with the UK’s Horticultural Trades Association. It will broadcast live from 3pm CET (Central European Time).

 

The HTA notes that the UK imports about £350m-worth of plants a year (excluding cut flowers). This figure demonstrates the need for practical preparation on both sides as the EU support mechanisms that have been in place for more than 40 years, and more importantly during the Coronavirus pandemic, won’t be there after 31 December.

 

Key industry stakeholders will share their research, knowledge, and insight into what the future holds and how the industry needs to prepare, whether or not there is a Brexit deal agreed.  

 

Who is presenting?

  • Sally Cullimore, Policy Manager, Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), UK - Brexit challenges for plant/tree/bulb importers/exporters and how the UK production/retail industry is preparing for Brexit
  • Eline van den Berg, Supply Chain Public Affairs, Royal FloraHolland, the Netherlands - Impact of Brexit on the market position of the Netherlands in the UK. 
  • Stefan Koopman, Market Economist UK Rabobank – The macroeconomic effects of trading with the UK post-Brexit 
  • Bruce Harnett, Managing Director, Kernock Park Plants, UK - What Brexit means for UK growers. 
  • Henk Westerhof, Anthos (Royal Trade Association for Nursery Stock and Flower Bulbs), the Netherlands - How EU growers are reacting to Brexit.

The second webinar ‘Preparing for Brexit – exporting and importing cut flowers” will also broadcast live from 3pm CET (Central European Time).

 

Who is presenting?

  • Nigel Jenney, CEO Fresh Produce Consortium, UK - Brexit challenges for importers/exporters and how the UK production/retail industry is preparing for Brexit.
  • Ian Michell, Group Technical & Procurement Director, Flamingo Group, UK - How Brexit could change the supply of flowers to the UK
  • Eline van den Berg, Supply Chain Public Affairs, Royal FloraHolland, the Netherlands - Impact of Brexit on the market position of the Netherlands in the UK. 
  • Stefan Koopman, Market Economist UK Rabobank – The macroeconomic effects of trading with the UK post-Brexit 
  • Augusto Solano, President of Asocolflores, Colombia - Brexit implications for South America.

AIPH Secretary General, Tim Briercliffe comments “These webinars are taking place at a critical time, just one month before trade between the EU and UK will change dramatically. There are many unanswered questions in the trade and concerns about how it will all work as well as the longer-term impact on supply to the UK market. This is a unique opportunity to get the latest update and will be valuable discussions for the entire industry.”

 

There is no entry cost, and the webinars are English spoken. 

 

For more information about the speakers visit http://aiph.org/current-events/preparing-for-brexit/

 

To register for Preparing for Brexit – exporting and importing plants, trees, and bulbs on Wednesday 2 December visit https://event.webinarjam.com/register/143/plq41t5l

 

To register for Preparing for Brexit – exporting and importing cut flowers on Friday 4 December visit https://event.webinarjam.com/register/142/r4kvlu95

 

 
The best of last week's

If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...


 
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour

In advance of the launch of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, GTN's Northern Correspondent, Steve Myatt, paid a visit to Barton Grange to bring you this first GTN Xtra Christmas photo tour.


In advance of the launch of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, GTN's Northern Correspondent, Steve Myatt, paid a visit to Barton Grange to bring you this first GTN Xtra Christmas photo tour.

 

To add your garden centre Christmas photo tour to GTN Xtra simply get snapping and enter The Greatest Christmas Awards.  See the categories here.  Send an e-mail to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk for more details

 
Homebase up for sale after recent overhaul

Homebase has been put up for sale, following two and a half years of major structural overhaul by its most recent buyers Hilco...


 

Homebase has been put up for sale, following two and a half years of major structural overhaul by its most recent buyers Hilco.

 

Turnaround specialist Hilco acquired the Homebase business from Australian business Wesfarmers in 2018, for the sum of £1. Westfarmers bought Homebase just two years prior to that for £340 million.

 

At the time, operating losses were said to be running at approximately £20m a month. Since then, Hilco has overseen a major overhaul of the business. The restructuring firm shut down stores and bought Bathstores out of administration last year, and has now opened 49 concessions in its stores.

 

In a statement Homebase said: “Having built an excellent foundation, Homebase is moving out of its turnaround phase and entering into an exciting new chapter of growth. Now is the right time for us to be starting conversations with potential new owners to accelerate our plan.”

 
Little Dobbies opens in Edinburgh

Dobbies’ first small format store, Little Dobbies, opened its doors on Monday (November 9)...


 

Dobbies’ first small format store, Little Dobbies, opened its doors on Monday (November 9). 

 

Located on Raeburn Place in Edinburgh, Little Dobbies offers a range of houseplants and gardening products. 

 

 

This is complemented by a carefully curated range featuring indoor and outdoor pots; a selected range of home décor and gifts; and seasonal ranges. 

 

There’s also coffee shop, offering hot and cold drinks, as well as tasty takeaway sweet treats.  

 

 

Little Dobbies is open Monday-Friday (10:00-18:00), Thursday (10:00-19:00) and Saturday and Sunday (09:00-18:00).   

 

 

Pictures © Stewart Attwood

 
Simpsons expands with purchase of Aberdeenshire garden centre

The award-winning Inverness-based Simpsons Garden Centre has acquired an Aberdeenshire garden centre for an undisclosed sum...


Inverness-based Simpsons Garden Centre has acquired an Aberdeenshire garden centre for an undisclosed sum.

 

Happy Plant, based in Mintlaw, was established in 1984 and is one of the largest garden and gift centres in the north-east and a 4-Star Scottish Tourist Board Garden Centre. 

 

The firm’s 30 employees will transfer to Simpsons under their existing terms and conditions. More jobs will be created as Simpsons plan to invest in the long running business.

 

Plans include upgrading the centre’s facilities including the restaurant and introducing new garden and furniture product ranges.

 

The acquisition is especially positive in the current climate and is testament to the strength of the gardening industry at this time.

 

Gardens and gardening have given many a welcome escape during lockdown, providing a positive outlet for mental and physical health with young and old enjoying the benefits of their outdoor space. 

 

Andrew Simpson, managing director of Simpsons Garden Centre, spoke of his appreciation of previous owner Moira Smart.

 

He said: “Happy Plant is a long running business that has been part of the Mintlaw and wider Aberdeen-shire community since the early 1980s. Moira and her team have created a fantastic local business and we are excited at the prospect of continuing their work and building on their achievements. 

 

“We plan to refurbish the garden centre, including the restaurant, where we will be launching a new menu with the focus on quality local ingredients. At the same time, we intend to expand the range of garden and furniture products on offer, again with the emphasis on quality and the type of products that keen gardeners expect. 

 

“We will also be creating new employment opportunities at the garden centre, which is further good news for the local community.” 

 

Moira Smart added: “I have been following the success of the Simpsons team for a number of years and I am delighted to leave the Happy Plant team in the hands of a younger owner who is full of enthusiasm and great ideas.”

 

“Like Happy Plant, Simpsons is very much part of the local community with a focus on customer service, experience and knowledge, while offering a wide range of quality products. It’s an exciting time for the team, and I believe for the many loyal customers, who I would encourage to support the new and improved version of Happy Plant. I hope to be a regular customer and I look forward to seeing the garden centre going from strength to strength.”

 

Agents for the sale were Alexander Mackie Associates, for further information, visit: www.alexandermackie.co.uk

 

Simpsons has been named as Scotland’s Best Destination Garden Centre by the industry’s governing body, the Garden Centre Association, for four years running. 

 
Thieves break into Dobbies Garden Centre

Thousands of pounds worth of stock has been stolen from Dobbies Braehead Garden Centre in Renfrew, Scotland, in the early hours of Wednesday (November 11)...


 

Thousands of pounds worth of stock has been stolen from Dobbies Braehead Garden Centre in Renfrew, Scotland, in the early hours of Wednesday (November 11).

 

Police were alerted after the garden centre manager discovered a broken padlock and noticed a fence leading to the restaurant area had been cut.

 

A large refrigerator had been forced open by the thieves, who stole a quantity of alcohol, food and other stock worth an estimated total of £5,000.

 

Footage from a CCTV system covering the area shows four men entering the yard and using trolleys to transport the stolen goods to a red AMK rental van.

 

Inspector Allan O’Hare, head of community policing for Renfrewshire, said: "If anybody has seen a red van in the area prior to or after this incident or anything suspicious around this time, please get in touch with us."

 

Anyone with information should call officers on 101.

 
 
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m...


Read more and see GTN Xtras photo tour of the new centre

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m.

 

The new centre boasts a retail space of 11,813 sq.m., including an outdoor plant area and 440-seat restaurant complete with a newly installed pizza oven. Additional space has also been created to accommodate 170 restaurant guests on an outdoor patio.

 

Up to 70 new jobs have been created to accommodate the centre's expansion. Car parking has increased to 346 spaces.  See GTN Xtra's photo tour of the new centre below.

 

Chief executive Julian Winfield said the Snowhill team worked tirelessly to ensure the centre was able to remain open for the majority of the project, with minimal disruption.

 

“We can't wait to receive our customers' feedback on our new and improved facilities,” he added. “Over the years, we have built a loyal customer following and we are proud to be able to give back to them in this way with our new expanded centre.”

 

Haskins acquired the Snowhill site in 2003, inheriting a number of ageing buildings.

 

Haskins also has centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone in West Sussex. The family business recently acquired Forest Lodge Garden Centre, Bird World and Garden Style in Farnham.

 

Pictured (left to right): Julian Winfield, Jamie Haskins, Ally Haskins (married to Jamie) and Warren Haskins, the group's chairman. 

 

The opening event was attended by the current GCA Chairman Mike Burks and three past Chairs; Warren Haskins, Sue Allen and Julian Winfield.

 

 

 
British Garden Centres open their 58th centre at Thatcham

Charles Stubbs, Lewis Fox and Nemanja Tintor, along with the rest of the BGC team, were proud as punch yesterday as their 58th centre at Thatcham in Berkshire opened...


See GTN Xtra's exclusive photo tour of the new centre

Charles Stubbs, Lewis Fox and Nemanja Tintor, along with the rest of the BGC team, were proud as punch yesterday as their 58th centre at Thatcham in Berkshire opened.

 

The centre had been handed back to the landlords during the Wyevale Garden Centres sale of the century in and closed in September 2019 as the owners looked for a new leaseholder.  British Garden Centres took on the site in September 2020 and since then have refreshed the centre, enclosing a walkway at the Restaurant end to allow for extra covers, extending the covered sales area out into the planteria and hard surfacing the overflow car parking area which was previously a field.

 

See GTN Xtra's exclusive photo tour of the new centre below:

 

 

 
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week

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 2018 as well as 2019 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 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.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 Wild Bird and Wildlife Care Bestsellers chart for last week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Christmas Products Bestsellers chart for last 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 £100m.

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.

For further information contact karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.

All the latest news from the world of pet products


 
Laughing Dog brings innovation to Christmas with festive treat

Laughing Dog Food launches its first-ever Christmas Macarons for Dogs, perfecting a blend of peanut butter and strawberry flavouring, to offer a truly special treat for dogs during the festive season...


 

Laughing Dog Food launches its first-ever Christmas Macarons for Dogs, perfecting a blend of peanut butter and strawberry flavouring, to offer a truly special treat for dogs during the festive season.

 

Kate Tarrant, Marketing Manager at Laughing Dog, says: “We’re very excited about this brand-new addition to our Laughing Dog Christmas range. As with our entire range of Christmas gifts for dogs, our Macarons are crafted with absolutely no fillers or nasties. Meaning, pet-parents can offer their four-legged friends naturally tasty treats, without sacrificing enjoyment, which we know is really important.”

 

Now available for purchase in pet shops across the UK, with many creating hampers using Laughing Dog’s range of tasty treats. Making Christmas truly special for every member of the family, whether they have two legs or four!

 

Laughing Dog Food is based in Boston, Lincolnshire, and makes all of its own dry food on its family farm, using as many of its own ingredients as possible.

 

For more information, visit www.laughingdogfood.com or email rowinac@laughingdogfood.com.

Lockdown sparks surge in love for 'man's best friend'

Covid Lockdown restrictions made close human friendships harder to maintain ... but love for our dogs has been boosted by the pandemic. That’s the finding of a new snapshot survey, published today by a leading UK pet products company targeting some of Britain’s 9 million dog owners.


 

Covid Lockdown restrictions made close human friendships harder to maintain ... but love for our dogs has been boosted by the pandemic.

That’s the finding of a new snapshot survey, published today by a leading UK pet products company targeting some of Britain’s 9 million dog owners.

The poll, conducted by award-winning dog food manufacturer Beco, reveals that during Lockdown nearly two thirds of all dog owners splashed out on extra special toys and treats for their dogs.

Two thirds of dog owners also reported spending more than an extra five hours every day in the close company of their favourite canine companion.

And over half of owners believe their dog “has become more dependent” on them during lockdown, all suggesting that our bond with ‘Man’s Best Friend’ has never been stronger.

Circulated after the first UK spring Lockdown and before Lockdown 2 began, the survey also reveals that 18 per cent of owners spent more than £50 a month extra on their dogs in lockdown.

Beco’s poll found that the number of people who spent an extra £100 or more per month on their dog in lockdown amounted to 3 per cent of owners.

Projected nationally, that figure amounts to over a quarter of a million owners across the UK (270,000) forking out a massive £27 million or more per month on their dogs.

George Bramble, Founder of Beco, whose company motto is “Love your dog. Love our planet”, said: “We are a proud nation of dog lovers but it seems the pandemic has made us love and pamper our dogs even more. My Labrador Tarka would agree.

“As a company focused on sustainability, with the health of the environment at the heart of everything we do, we’re delighted our survey also found that 78 per cent of owners see sustainability as a major influence in their decision-making.

“It's heartening to know that so many of the British public share our same vision and mission. It’s also interesting that Lockdown has resulted in a massive boost for the love between us and our dogs.”

Beco, who pioneered the bamboo pet bowl and now export compostable and degradable poop bags to over 50 countries, staged their poll to gauge views on sustainability and to see how Lockdown affected human-dog relationships.

The Beco survey found that:

  • 26% of dog owners bought or acquired a new pet or dog during lockdown
  • 61% of owners admitted they’d bought special treats or toys for their dogs in lockdown
  • 10% said they’d splashed out between £50 and £70 extra per month on their dogs
  • 5% spent between £70 and £100 extra on their dogs in lockdown
  • 3% of dog owners spent more than £100 extra each month in lockdown
  • 18% of owners in total spent more than £50 a month extra on their dogs in lockdown
  • 22% said they’d spent 5-7 hours extra in the dog’s company every day
  • 38% spent more than an extra 7 hours per day with their dogs
  • 53% said they judged that their dogs had become “more dependent on them during lockdown”
  • 78% of owners now say sustainability is a major influence in their decision-making. 

 

The survey’s findings, gathered over social media and via e-shot questionnaires, come days after a scientific study in London into dog DNA showed that our “best friend” in the animal world may also be our oldest one.

The study, by The Ancient Genomics laboratory at London's Crick Institute, revealed that dog domestication can be traced back 11,000 years, to the end of the last Ice Age, confirming that dogs were domesticated before any other known species.

The current risks to our dogs during and after Lockdown were also recently highlighted by Beco after one of the UK’s leading dog trainers warned that up to 3 million dogs in the UK are now at risk of suffering from Separation Anxiety.

Bryony Cole, a Beco Ambassador and Founder / Head Trainer at her Somerset dog training company Eye2EyeDogs, said owners should be on the lookout for distress signals in their pets.

 

Ms Cole, one of the country’s most experienced dog trainers who has trained over 5,000 dogs, including many for roles in UK films and TV programmes, said signs to watch out for in your dog included prolific barking or crying when owners are out; panting, pacing and whining when alone; predicting their owner is about to leave and starting to panic; urinating, defecating or being destructive when alone and trying to break out of the area your dog is left in.

“Not every dog owner has a job that will take them away from the home, say to an office, but up to 3 million dogs will now be at risk,” she said. “Therefore, it’s very important that we keep a close look-out for any early signs that a dog is feeling distress and take appropriate action to help them without delay.”

 
Unleashing holiday cheer with Purely Pets Top Trump packs

Year upon year many of us struggle to find the new family game to play over the festive period, but this Christmas Purely Pets has come up with a special edition Popular Puppies Top Trumps packs...


Year upon year many of us struggle to find the new family game to play over the festive period, but this Christmas Purely Pets has come up with a special edition Popular Puppies Top Trumps packs. 

 

The pet insurance specialist has taken the top 30 breeds, according to their customer data from 2019, and created the packs which are full to the brim with fun and interesting facts. The interactive card game is suitable for all the family and the special edition packs cost £5.99 including P&P. You could also get an early present and win a £400 PetsPyjamas voucher if you find one of five golden tickets! (T&Cs apply).

 

Ross Hallifax, Director at Purely Pets, comments: “Christmas just wouldn’t be the same for many without our cherished dogs. This special edition game means we can celebrate them whilst also finding out more about our canine friends in a fun way. Whatever your plans are over the festive period, we wish you a Merry Christmas from our ‘pack’ to yours!

 

For more information, to buy the cards and to view the T&Cs, visit: www.purelypetsinsurance.co.uk