The Horticultural Trades Association has arranged an inspirational Study Tour to the Netherlands in February 2016 and there is still some limited availability for this opportunity.

As well as visiting some creative garden centres and a tour of Edelman, the Study Tour will also take in the Garden Retail Experience in Boskoop for its 5thEdition, including the event’s gala dinner.

Event Background: Retail reality is forever changed. Consumers are empowering, well informed and hypermobile due to their smartphones and tablets. They are looking for entertainment, hospitality and experience, shopping 24/7 and expects the widest range at the best price.

How do you translate these developments to the shop floor and how can you actually sell more? How do you deal with the new consumer? And how can your business remain profitable in the garden industry in the near and far future? The GARDEN RETAIL EXPERIENCE offers inspiration and answers and helps in the transition to a new shopping model.

As well as exclusive access to the Retail Experience our tour party will also attend the Retail Gala on Wednesday 17 February. The full tour itinerary is as follows …

• Wednesday 17 Feb 2016 –Fly out in the morning to Amsterdam –from airport begin tour of creative Garden Centers in the Netherlands throughout the day. Tuincentrum Osdorp and a second De Bosrand in Alphen a/d Rijn. In the evening attend the exclusive Retail Experience Gala in Boskoop including speakers and entertainment.
• Thursday 18 Feb –Attend Retail Experience with full expert guided tour. www.gardenretailexperience.com
• In the evening attend a locally based meal for additional networking opportunities.
• Friday 19 Feb -Visit to Intratuin Zuidplas followed by a Tour to Edelman, lunch and in the afternoon fly home to the UK.

The cost for the entire trip is £380 per person, this covers accommodation and travel once in the Netherlands as well as lunch and Dinner on Wednesday and Thursday evening but the HTA request those attending the tour to make their own way to Amsterdam Schiphol airport as travelling from all over the UK and attendees can then organize as best suited to their location.

The tours intended start time is 11am from Schiphol airport and once in the Netherlands Martin Simmons of the HTA will host alongside, GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer, Garden Retail Experience Experts and Edelman and as such have been able to keep any related costs for this to a minimum.

If you would like to book on to the event or need any more information please don’t hesitate to contact the HTA – events@the-hta.org.uk

The Garden Retail Experience is a truly inspirational event, see the GTN Xtra picture gallery from last year to give you a flavour of the ideas that will stretch your thinking and give you a head start as you prepare to meet the demands of the garden centre customer of the future...