Water features from Kelkay...guaranteed availability
GTN Xtra Promotion
Acknowledging just how challenging out of stocks can be for garden centres in a busy gardening season, Kelkay have come up with a strategy to support their retail partners and ease the stress that comes with predicting stock requirements for Easy Fountain water features...
Much like forecasting the British weather or the referendum outcome, predicting consumer demand and working out the precise level of required stock in the highly seasonal garden market is a bit of a dark art.
Acknowledging just how challenging out of stocks can be for garden centres in a busy gardening season, Kelkay have come up with a strategy to support their retail partners and ease the stress that comes with predicting stock requirements for Easy Fountain water features.
On selected Easy Fountains, for next year Kelkay will be building unprecedented levels of stock to allow them to guarantee full availability through the season for their loyal stockists. Kelkay hope this will give their retailer partners the confidence to list key lines and build high impact displays, in the knowledge that they can rely completely on stock throughout the season, regardless of what the weather brings or the impact of Brexit!
Richard Pyrah, Sales Director said “We work so hard to manage adequate stock levels across a total of 600 lines, but sometimes the unpredictable peaks in demand for certain products catch us out. The new Bestseller water features will mean peace of mind for us and our retailer customers on those lines which we know will be in constant demand.”
To find out how you can benefit from the new Bestsellers guarantee and to learn exactly which lines will feature, visit Kelkay’s stand at GLEE 11 – 13 September. Hall 19 Stand Stand A10 – C11.
For more about Kelkay and their successful garden landscaping products, go to www.kelkay.com or e-mail the general enquiries office on salesenquiries@kelkay.co.uk or call to speak to us on 01405 869333.
Kelkay
The Old Airfield, Heck & Pollington Lane, Pollington, East Yorkshire, DN14 0BA
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Fingers crossed for Indian summer
At last a summer trading week that has volumes up year on year. This is the first week since the end of June that we’ve seen a year on year increase in garden centre volume sales. Could it be the start of an Indian summer?
At last a summer trading week that has volumes up year on year. This is the first week since the end of June that we’ve seen a year on year increase in garden centre volume sales. Could it be the start of an Indian summer?
Plant sales and growing media sales are certainly heading that way with both charts showing healthy increases.
With Christmas openings just around the corner, how are you making sure you maximise on gardening and plant sales opportunities over the coming weeks?
If you have special September gardening promotions running do let us know by emailing trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year...
- Garden Products - down 7%
- Veg-2-Gro - up 2%
- Growing Media - up 4%
- All Plants Index - up 23%
- All Items Index - up 8%
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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Zest 4 Leisure, a leading trade supplier of quality timber garden products, is celebrating its 5th consecutive year at GLEE with a new range of products and the announcement of its recent distribution centre purchase.
Building on its existing winning range, Zest will be showcasing innovative new products including a stunning diamond trellis arch, a new pergola seat, al fresco dining sets, planters, grow your own and more.
The announcement of its new facility in Saltney, Flintshire, will allow for the planned future expansion and strategic development of the family owned company.
Bringing with it further opportunities for product development, Steve Morgan, managing director at P&A, is expecting the expansion to have a positive impact on product innovation. “I am very proud of what we have been able to achieve and the new purpose designed warehousing and distribution centre is such an exciting opportunity for us as a company,” Steve Morgan said. “It will mean that we can broaden our offering and supply garden centres, e commerce retailers and major purchasing groups in line with our strategic development plans.”
Zest’s new products to be launched at Glee at stand 2OS32-T33 include: - The Denver Arbour Swing with new Perspex and timber panels
- The Emily Corner Bench with matching Coffee Table/Bench (above), part of the Emily range and sold separately
- The Madison Picnic Table, matching Access Picnic Table and the Madison Square Table & 4 Chair Set
- The Bahama Large Round Table & 4 Stool Set
- The Sophie Bench
- A Stepped Herb Planter and a Vertical Herb Stand
- A Large Log Store with slatted back
Zest has also recently announced its collaboration with Cardiff Metropolitan University in creating the new graduate product development role, to focus on innovation and new product ranges. “Zest 4 Leisure strives to bring innovation to the core of every product and we have really seen this come through in 2018’s new range," added Steve Morgan.
“Working alongside Cardiff Metropolitan University, it will enable us to monitor and develop future trends and initiatives and we expect our innovation offering to go from strength to strength and our 2019 products to be even more cutting-edge and on-trend.”
Zest is looking forward to welcoming its customers and showcasing what’s on offer to those visiting the prestigious trade show.
“The team and I would love to see you, so come along to our stand and let us show you what we do.".
From matching outdoor furniture comprising a variety of seating options and side tables to arbours to picnic tables, BBQ shelters and swings, Zest has a wide range of outdoor furniture products that will be in pride of place in gardens across the UK next summer.
GIMA award-winning Zest 4 Leisure is known for the reassuring quality of its timber garden products. Manufactured from pressure treated timber all of Zest’s garden furniture will stand the test of time with a 10-year guarantee against rot. The timber used is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and has been harvested from responsibly managed forests.
See pictures of Zests new products below:
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Gardman build on instant garden décor success
Launching at Glee 2017 (stand 19F30/G31), Gardman will be showcasing their successful range of wind chimes and suncatchers, introducing new designs and the whole range now available in pre-merchandised stackable trays, for stocking larger volumes and creating your own FSDU displays...
Gardman’s EdenBloom brand was launched last year and what a great triumph it was! This year they are expanding this range even further to continue the brand’s success. These affordable and decorative garden products are set at attractive price points, starting from as little as RRP £1.99, and enable consumers to instantly create beautiful gardens to be proud of.
Launching at Glee 2017 (stand 19F30/G31), Gardman will be showcasing their successful range of wind chimes and suncatchers, introducing new designs and the whole range now available in pre-merchandised stackable trays, for stocking larger volumes and creating your own FSDU displays. Kerry Freeman, EdenBloom Brand Manager commented: “The launch of EdenBloom last year was such a great success and we are now even more excited about unveiling our NPD lines for 2018. As well as beautiful new designs, we’ve also made it our focus to appeal to a larger range of retailers by offering a variety of branded pre-merchandised solutions, making it quick and easy for retailers to display and drive those off fixture sales.” New this year is The Butterfield Collection, a range of beautifully realistic flower border stakes for consumers to add an instant decorative touch to their gardens.
 To extend the EdenBloom brand and bring more female consumers into solar technology, Gardman are also launching beautiful solar lighting, garden décor which looks good both day and night. This includes delicate glass flower lights and The Willowdale Solar Light Collection - a variety of exclusive fairy solar lights that have been uniquely designed by Gardman, for consumers to create magical fairy lands in their outdoor spaces. Available in FSDUs and stackable display trays, this range is easy to merchandise and easy for consumers to shop.
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GARDENA and Netatmo announced this week their new partnership, making the garden smart-er. Presence, Netatmo’s outdoor security camera, integrates with GARDENA smart system.
GARDENA smart system coming from Europe’s leading gardening brand is the only complete smart solution that combines automatic garden irrigation and lawn care within one platform. Robotic lawnmowers, sensors and watering controls can all be controlled via one app. That gives more freedom to the passionate gardener.
GARDENA smart system now allows the integration of compatible devices by other companies into its app for the smart garden.
Netatmo is a revolutionary smart home company, developing groundbreaking, intuitive and beautifully-designed connected consumer electronics. Presence, Netatmo’s outdoor security camera that distinguishes between people, cars and animals, is the first device from a partnering company to integrate with the GARDENA smart system.
This new partnership with Netatmo will be presented for the first time at the “Showstoppers @ IFA” event in Berlin on August 31.
Be aware of what happens in your garden with Netatmo Presence
GARDENA smart system is a complete IoT solution for gardening that extends the smart homes concept to the garden. With GARDENA smart system, gardeners get a real-time overview of their garden through a smartphone or tablet app that lets them control and configure all of their connected devices dedicated to the garden, even when they’re on the move.
Placed outside the house, Presence, Netatmo’s outdoor security camera, distinguishes between people, cars and animals. The camera analyses in real-time if someone loiters around the home, if a car enters the driveway or if a pet is in the yard. Presence also has an integrated smart floodlight which can be set to detect and scare off any unwanted visitors or to light up the way when it is dark.
From their GARDENA smart system app, users can see a snapshot view of their garden and switch on and off Presence’s integrated smart floodlight.
Presence’s compatibility will be available for all GARDENA smart system users during Q4 this year. More Netatmo devices will be integrated to the GARDENA smart system in the coming months, for an optimized control of irrigation and lawn care.
Compatibility with IFTTT – almost limitless personalization
Coming in 2018, the next step for extending the GARDENA smart system will be compatibility with IFTTT, a platform that allows users to connect hundreds of web-based services and smart devices together.
They can use simple “if this, then that” statements – otherwise known as “recipes” – to connect devices in the garden with data and functions of other services and devices. This ensures complete personalization for each individual user.
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New Eco Smart Watering from Flopro
Flopro Garden and Lawn watering equipment combines functionality, ergonomic styling and fresh colours. Manufactured using the finest materials and latest technology, Flopro products are anti- leak, snap-fit with guaranteed durability and are compatible with major watering brands...
Flopro Garden and Lawn watering equipment combines functionality, ergonomic styling and fresh colours. Manufactured using the finest materials and latest technology, Flopro products are anti- leak, snap-fit with guaranteed durability and are compatible with major watering brands.
Flopro provides the complete watering solution for the beginner, the keen weekender, through to the demands of the professional gardener. The range covers not only hoses, carts and comprehensive accessories but also state of the art automatic solar systems, eco smart irrigation together with decorative sprinklers and even multi-colour LED watering units which are both fun and functional. Eco Smart Solar efficiency New for 2018 is the Flopro Eco Smart automatic solar powered watering system. This clever new concept is designed for use with water butts and other non-pressurised water sources. Quite simply, the more the sun shines, the more it waters! It’s easy to set up and use, irrigating pots and plants every 3 hours. A 200 litre water butt typically lasts for 3 weeks which means that plants will be watered even during holiday periods.
 Fun and Functional Flopro makes gardening a little more like fun with the introduction of efficient colourful sprinklers in the shapes of a dragonfly, butterfly, ladybird, flower and even tail spinning cats and dogs. Sprinklers illuminated with colourful LED lighting add even more fun for BBQs and evening entertaining. This new concept has been test marketed with outstanding results. The Flopro 2018 range will be revealed at GLEE (Stand No 19G21).
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See pictures of PTMD at Taverham and Coolings
Lolly Lee's Orangery Collection launched PTMD shops in two UK garden centres last week; Taverham Nurseries in Norfolk and Coolings in Sevenoaks, Kent.
Dutch home interiors company PTMD has a collection of lighting, pots, glassware, furniture, textiles, artificial flowers and (wall) decoration created through a unique collaboration of creative artists, skilled producers and a network of passionate retailers across Europe and now in the UK too.
The Orangery Collection, set up by Lolly Lee, is the UK importer of PTMD and last week they set up the first PTMD "shops" in the UK at Taverham Nurseries and Coolings.
"I am so happy to be working alongside two great independent garden centres," Lolly told GTN Xtra as the display was fininshed at Taverham. "My business partnership with PTMD is solid and supporting and we are now embarking on a large Facebook campaign for both centres to launch the shops. PTMD are supplying the centres with giveaways for the first 150 purchases. But the support will not stop there as we are on hand for special events throughout the year.
"The 2 concept shops look completely different as each buyer has selected their own products from the huge 7000 + SKU range available. The styling was planned by the in-house PTMD design team and then installed by the professional styling team to create the inspiration for the centre's customers. It's an exciting time as there is nothing like this in the U.K.
We've had so many nice comments from the passing customers, and they have bought items from the displays as they have been created. The signs are extremely encouraging!"
See pictures of the PTMD "shops" at Taverham and Coolings below:
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Elho joins the Retail Lab @ Glee
Elho has an increased presence at Glee this year. Elho is showcasing the latest innovations in grow your own, outdoor, indoor and designer pots and planters on their stand. As well, all the pots and planters in the Family and Well-being areas of the Retail Lab are supplied by Elho. Following Elho's mission to Give Room to Nature...
Elho has an increased presence at Glee this year. Elho is showcasing the latest innovations in grow your own, outdoor, indoor and designer pots and planters on their stand. As well, all the pots and planters in the Family and Well-being areas of the Retail Lab are supplied by Elho. Following Elho's mission to Give Room to Nature.
In the Family area of the Retail Lab, Elho shows how green fingers of all ages can get growing - with pots and planters inside and outside the house. Elho's innovative range of grow tables, grow houses and pots demonstrate how quality family time together can be spent learning and developing new skills.
Elho also understands that with the fast pace of urbanisation and new technology, our well-being needs careful attention. Elho provides an answer to the growing urge for nature in the Well-being area, with products that introduce a burst of green energy into any space. To create a sanctuary out of even the smallest balcony, terrace or garden.
David Nicholson, Sales Manager UK and Ireland at Elho, said, "The Retail Lab is an exciting new feature at Glee 2017. The decision to become a preferred supplier was easy.
"At Elho we are all about bringing nature into people's everyday lives and the themes of Family and Well-being resonate with our own vision, how we're working with the trade and communicating with customers. The Retail Lab will excite and inspire visitors to Glee to improve how they do business."
Come and see Elho at GLEE, NEC Birmingham, 11-13th September on Stand: 19G10 and in the Retail Lab.
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Garsons Garden Centre have removed posters after a complaint by a retired schoolteacher who described them as being negative and patronising.
Gillian Elton-Wall, who wrote to the garden centre Garsons, said: "I was really shocked to see them.
"The items, no doubt intended to decorate a child's bedroom, seem to me to confirm very dated and unhealthy gender stereotypes, not at all suitable for 2017.
"They suggest that whilst boys are active, positive and dynamic, girls are merely passive, decorative and domestic.
"To suggest that girls should limit their ambitions to painting their nails, singing songs and dancing like a ballerina is deeply insulting.
"I don't want people telling my granddaughter what she should do to be a proper girl like painting her nails and baking cupcakes while boys are climbing trees, building forts, and going on adventures and doing all the exciting things in life.
"As a teacher I hope that all children will use their imagination, be brave, climb trees and have fun.
"I don't think gender stereotyping of this nature is acceptable. I believe girls should have equal opportunities as boys."
After Mrs Elton-Wall, of Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, complained to Garsons, in Titchfield, Hampshire, the garden centre removed the signs.
Garsons' director Ben Thompson said: "There was a product that a customer alerted us to and we have now swiftly removed it."
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Growing potential at Millbrook Garden Company
Recruiting people with horticultural skills is as challenging as ever. As a result, last year Millbrook Garden Company started to look at Succession Planning in order to ensure they have the right people with the right skills in their business, not only for today but to enable them to achieve our future objectives...
 
Recruiting people with horticultural skills is as challenging as ever. As a result, last year Millbrook Garden Company started to look at Succession Planning in order to ensure they have the right people with the right skills in their business, not only for today but to enable them to achieve our future objectives.
Currently, as part of this plan they now have 3 people studying NVQs in Catering and are delighted that they now have two more young people who are planning their future with Millbrook. Tom Kemp (above left) started with the company as a Weekend Assistant in 2015. With a welcoming smile and a keenness to learn, Tom soon became a valuable member of the team, initially working on the tills. He soon found himself in the plant area on busy weekends and during school holidays, helping customers to find what they were looking for. Tom left school in June and joined the team on a full-time basis as Garden Centre Assistant and in September will be starting an NVQ in Horticulture at Plumpton College. Wills Cheeseman (above right) was one of the first weekend assistants Millbrook recruited after taking on their Staplehurst site in 2013. Although studying for A-Levels at that time, Wills was soon working for the company in the holidays too. He quickly grew in confidence and got involved in all areas of the garden centre shop. Having just graduated with a Degree in Law, Wills has decided that perhaps a career in retail is right for him. As part of his development, Wills will soon be taking on responsibility for ensuring Millbrook’s new weekend teams are inducted and quickly settle into life at Millbrook. He will be involved in many projects over the coming 12 months to develop his retail and people supervisory skills. Tracey Bowler, HR Director at the Millbrook Garden Company, says, ‘Having seen our hospitality staff grow and develop, it’s great to see the succession plan rolling out into other areas of the business. It’s notoriously difficult to attract young people into our industry, so to be able to grow our own is fantastic.’ The programme “Growing your Potential” will be constantly evolving, with new talent joining from now on.
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Hortapp and ConnectedGreen chosen as Best Idea Plantarium
Hortapp, submitted by Chelle van der Meijde on behalf of students from Green Tec Wellant College Delft, and ConnectedGreen, submitted by René Voogt from Boskoop and presented by Maaike de Reuver, have been chosen as Best Idea of Plantarium 2017...
Hortapp, submitted by Chelle van der Meijde on behalf of students from Green Tec Wellant College Delft, and ConnectedGreen, submitted by René Voogt from Boskoop and presented by Maaike de Reuver, have been chosen as Best Idea of Plantarium 2017.
Six companies and five student teams competed against each other for the Best Idea Plantarium 2017 on Thursday, 24 August. They will advocate their innovations in a short pitch to a professional jury, which is made up of representatives from the Greenport Boskoop, Rabobank, Gouwestreek, the Chamber of Commerce and business. The jury was very enthusiastic about the content and quality of the pitches.
Students category
In the students category, Hortapp was declared Best Idea. This app is invaluable to companies that employ a lot of students or temporary workers. It gives insight in the operations of the company in a modern way. The jury said the following about this app: "The app is simple, effective and practical, and a is solution to a familiar problem. The app is not only suitable for the horticultural sector but it can also be used more widely.
Business category
ConnectedGreen is a smart platform for monitoring and easily maintaining green projects and gardens. It uses wireless sensors placed on strategic locations. The measurement data is combined with botanical information and weather data in the Cloud. If action is required, this is communicated via the app. The jury considered this presentation as an innovative start-up that, initially, can be used mainly in larger projects and can be adapted for use by consumers at a later stage.
Awards
The Best Idea in the students category won a sum of € 1000, and in the business category a PR package worth € 1000. The awards were presented by chairwoman of the jury, Rabobank Gouwestreek's Lindsey de Graaff.
The 35th edition of Plantarium is being held from 23 to 26 August 2017 in the Plantarium building at the International Trade Centre Boskoop-Hazerswoude. Further information can be found at www.plantarium.nl.
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Wyevale Nurseries is gearing up for Glee at the NEC in Birmingham where it will promote its new catalogue and give visitors the chance to see its new plants for the coming year.
Adam Dunnett, Sales & Marketing Director at Wyevale Nurseries, said: “We are exhibiting at GLEE again this year armed with our Promotions Catalogue for 2018 and samples of the new promotions we have launched within it.
 “Featured on the stand (NB21 – NB24) will be Morus rotundiloba ‘Mojo Berry’ a brand-new Mulberry variety. Winner of the new plant award at Chelsea this year, we will be the first to produce a commercial crop in 2018. This tasty new introduction is a dwarf variety, self-pollinating and produces fruit from May through to autumn.
“Also on show will be Alstroemeria ‘Little Miss Zoe’ a stunning variegated alstroemeria with brilliant red flowers, such a show stopper. For customers with a more delicate palate Allium ‘Millennium’ is sure to delight. Millennium offers an endless display of lilac pink globe flowers over clump forming, strappy dark green leaves. The epitome of grace and beauty.”
Wyevale Nurseries’ team will be on hand to give a warm ‘Wyevale welcome’ to customers old and new at its stand NB21 – NB24.
Alongside the existing new introductions and promotions available to book for 2018, Wyevale Nurseries will have a strong display of stock ready for immediate ordering. With the end of summer sales and the all-important autumn stock up just around the corner Wyevale Nurseries will have plenty on offer.
Pictured: top left, Allium 'Millenium'; top right, Alstromeria 'Little Miss Zoe'; above, Morus 'Mojo Berry'.
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Hot air ballooning thrills for garden centre owner
Robin Mercer, owner of Hillmount Garden Centre in Northern Ireland, has literally just returned from the starry skies after competing in one of the hot air ballooning calendar's most prestigious events...
East Belfast man, Robin Mercer, owner of Hillmount Garden Centre, has literally just returned from the starry skies after competing in one of the hot air ballooning calendar's most prestigious events.
 For the 19th time, Robin was the only competitor from the island of Ireland to participate in the international Sagrantino Challenge Cup in Italy with over 50 competitors from across the globe and although he didn't bring home the prize of 1,000 bottles of wine, he has won the competition in previous years.
He had the opportunity to choreograph a night time balloon light show for the 50 plus competitors and admits when he's not managing his family owned garden centre, there's nowhere else he'd rather be than high above ground in his balloon.
Robin said: "Ballooning is something really special. It's a lovely way of seeing the world. It's not like being in an airplane or helicopter. You are able to admire the view from 360 degrees. You don't know where you're going to go or where you're going to land - it's something really special."
His love for hot air ballooning began 20 years ago and has taken him beyond flying in Northern Ireland and Italy to competitions and festivals in USA, Philippines, France and even on a flight across the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.
Robin owns one of Northern Ireland's favourite garden centres with his son Alan. Hillmount has been serving the local community with a team of 80 local staff for almost 80 years. The garden centre family's flagship store is at Gilnahirk with a second store in Bangor and a third garden centre is being added to the family in Ards in autumn.
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Gardman have announced the appointment of Mark Portman as Group Sales Director.
Mark will take responsibility for all sales across independent, national and International customers. He joins from Henkel, where he was General Manager for the UK responsible for sales and marketing. Prior to this he held senior sales roles at Premier Foods, the UKs largest food producer.
Gardman CEO Pete Utting said: “I am thrilled to welcome a candidate of Mark’s calibre to the Gardman business at such an exciting time. We are looking forward to him improving our overall commercial capability and developing strategic customer relationships to generate further category growth.”
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Gripsnipz have taken a surprise grip on the top of the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart.
The green mini cutting tool has jumped to No 1 and the pink version is not far behind at No 3.
Those big volume sales helped drive an increase week on week of nearly 25% for our Top 50 index, although volumes are still way down on last year.
This week's highlights are:
- Gripsnipz Mini Cutting Tool Green moves up 15 places to No 1.
- Woodlodge Garden Art Red Apple is the highest new entry at No 18.
- Smart Garden 0.9m Gro-Stake is the highest re-entry at No 23 on the back of a 141% increase in sales volumes.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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Leading home improvement and garden wholesaler, Decco has appointed respected hardware, DIY and garden operator, Debbie Paterson as its new area sales manager in Scotland.
Debbie will be looking after Decco’s many home and garden customers in Fife, Angus and the West of Scotland.
Based in Decco’s Perth depot Stuart and McIntosh, she will spearhead business development across the territory.
Debbie has more than twenty years’ experience in sales and sales management with the last six years specialising in DIY, home and garden products through the independent retail sector. Her most recent role was in sales management at Stax.
Commenting on Debbie’s appointment, John Graham, manager at Decco’s Perth depot said, “This is a fantastic appointment for Decco and all its many partner businesses. Debbie’s experience and enthusiasm will not only be great for our customers, but will also underpin our ongoing development in Scotland.”
Debbie added, “I’m delighted to be joining Decco at Perth and look forward to building relationships with customers new and old.”
With seven strategic locations around the country giving a total of over 350,000 square feet of warehousing space and holding over £10m worth of stock, Decco offers service and availability to independent retailers and garden centres throughout the UK.
Supplying a wide range of DIY, gardening and housewares products, it has strong partnerships with the leading suppliers enabling independent retailers to benefit from the strength and differentiation of high profile brands.
To learn more about Decco please visit www.decco.co.uk
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It’s a clean sweep at the top of the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart this week as Autumn planting seed potatoes occupy all of the Top 5 positions with yet another week of increased sales.
The next five places in the Top 10 go to young winter veg plants.
This week’s main highlights are:
- Taylors Autumn Planting Seed Potatoes Charlotte is No 1 for the fourth week running.
- Quantil Cabbage Pointed (Sweetheart) Strips lead the way for winter veg at No 5.
- Quantil Spinach Strips is the highest re-entry at No 20.
- Retail Solutions B.V. Blueberry plants, 17cm, are the week’s highest chart climber, up 23 places to No 27.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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Following the merger between LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) and FACE (Farming and Countryside Education), LEAF has announced the appointment of Carl Edwards as its new Director, Education and Public Engagement.
Carl, who joins the sustainable farming charity today (24th August 2017), will plan, lead and execute LEAF’s ambitious education and public engagement strategy that will drive forward public understanding and demand for more sustainable food and farming and enable schools to enrich their curriculum.
Speaking on his appointment Carl, who was previously Faculty Leader for Humanities at Ibstock Community College, Leicestershire, said; "The future viability of UK farming relies on consumers, children and young people trusting and respecting what farming delivers.
"We must open their eyes to the whole industry of agriculture, what it delivers and how it impacts on every aspect of our daily lives. LEAF is already leading the way in this sector and its recent merger with FACE, building on all their work in bringing agriculture into schools, represents a powerful force for change. I am greatly looking forward to working with the LEAF team at this hugely exciting time.”
LEAF Chief Executive, Caroline Drummond, MBE, said: “Strengthening the connections between the public and agriculture has been key to LEAF’s work for more than 25 years, and it is now more important than ever. As we consolidate our activities with FACE, we are looking to create systemic changes in education and public engagement provision in farming.
"The combined strengths of our organisations pave the way to drive forward a collaborative approach within the food and farming industry for better public engagement and education for all. We are delighted to welcome Carl at this pivotal juncture and his wide experience at the ‘coal face’ of education will be invaluable as we embark upon the next step of our journey.”
Carl’s appointment comes ahead of the second LEAF Education and Public Engagement conference which takes place on Wednesday 20th September.
With many teenagers disconnected with the natural world around them, the conference will explore this worrying trend, based around the theme Feeding Fertile Minds. Engaging teenagers with farming, food and the environment.
The conference, which is free to attend, takes place at The Auditorium, Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd, Holborn, London and will bring together a range of experts including politicians and policy makers through to educationalists, health practitioners, farmers and conservationists to explore practical and effective solutions to better engage teenagers with farming, food and the natural environment.
To book your place on the conference email: events@leafuk.org
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Signs of gardening activity kicking back into gear appeared last week with growing media sales up year on year for the first time since mid June.
With big increases in soil conditioner and manure sales, ground preperation for winter crops and Autumn planting is the key driver.
This week’s highlights are:
- Westland The Gardener’s Soil Conditioner 50L increased sales by over 200% to re-enter at No 30.
- Scotts Levington Multipurpose Compost with John Innes 55L is the higest chart climber, up 22 places to No 17.
- Westland Gro-Sure Farmyard Manure 50L re-entered at No 31.
- Scotts Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Compost is the highest re-entry. The Pot & Basket version also moved up the chart.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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Hot on the heels of the launch of their new Italian Plant Catalogue last month, Hereford-based Allensmore Nurseries have published their new 2018 Main Season Catalogue.
The completely revised, larger format, 60-page catalogue has significantly improved plant information, split into easy to locate sections covering: Perennials; Bedding; Edibles; Spanish; Italian Riviera and Architectural collections.
Allensmore’s extensive range of high quality, high volume ‘Best Sellers’ plants has been further enhanced with over 40 new introductions, each one carefully researched and selected for their great garden performance and high consumer sales appeal in retail displays.
The new Allensmore Perennials range is supported by a 1780mm x 485mm Point of Sale Board which can be customised using retailers’ own logos and supplied, free of charge, against qualifying order values.
Commenting on the launch of their new Main Season Catalogue, Allensmore’s Commercial Director, Jane Davies, said: “Our new 2018 range of plants is the result of a great deal of research into the latest consumer trends and extensive searches for exciting new introductions which have wide appeal and high volume sales potential for our customers. We are especially pleased to offer our terrific range of perennials that provide year-round sales opportunities for our customers.
"Our new format Catalogue has been designed to help our retailer customers to find the plants they need for their businesses more easily and quickly. And our new, free, large format point of sale boards will help consumers locate the perennial plants they want for their gardens when visiting our customers’ stores.
"The updated website contains links to our new collections and also includes a new video showing some of our new introductions and stunning aerial views of our significantly expanded production and dispatch facilities here at Allensmore”.
For more information, please contact Jane Davies, Commercial Director, Allensmore Nurseries Ltd. Tel: 01981 500 946. Email: jane@allensmore.co.uk
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Early cyclamen sales have really rocketed, up 64% on last week and up 56% on the same week last year.
They are looking great in centres and heading through the tills at a fast rate.
No wonder overall plant sales have taken an upturn too. Let’s hope for a good few weeks to make the most of all the colour that is available.
- Ericaceae are looking good and selling well, up 13 places to No 13.
- Calluna heathers are selling though fast with sales up over 100%.
- Cupressus Goldcrest is one of the main sellers that drove the genus to be the highest re-entry at No 33.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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Christmas opened at Greatest Christmas Award winning Summerhill Garden Centre in Essex on Saturday 26th August. On facebook they reported fantastic fundraising festivities! "WOW! What a fantastic response we've had from everyone today at the launch of our 2017 Christmas department! "We've had a visit from Santa Claus today, who proved to be a huge hit with both kids and adults alike. He'll be at a number of fundraising events hosted by St Lukes Hospice, as they have a direct hotline to the North Pole. "The team have done a fantastic job raising money for the hospice and will continue to do so throughout the weekend - we'll have an update on the figures you've helped them raise next week! "Don't forget, our product lines in the Christmas department are constantly changing and growing - so if you don't see something that tickles your fancy now, don't fret! It may be being prepared behind the scenes, so be sure to check back regularly! "We'll be here all weekend and are open on Bank Holiday Monday from 9am to 5.30pm! So come down to the centre and get your festive freak on! "For more information on our products, please visit our website here: www.summerhillgardencentre.co.uk" Is this the first and only garden centre to open Christmas for the August Bank Holiday weekend? Send us pictures of your Christmas department if it has also opened this weekend: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk 
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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 2015 as well as 2016 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 Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for this week are here
Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro 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.
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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 £120m.
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.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.
Buy your subscription today and start receiveing the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.
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All the latest news from the world of garden centre catering
Work underway on £1m Dorset garden centre restaurant
Work is in progress on a £1 million botanical-style restaurant at Groves Garden Centre after Malcolm Scott Consultants prepared detailed plans for an eye-catching design within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty adjacent to a major A road.
Work is in progress on a £1 million botanical-style restaurant at a Dorset garden centre after Malcolm Scott Consultants prepared detailed plans for an eye-catching design within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty adjacent to a major A road.
The restaurant at Groves Garden Centre in Bridport is currently being constructed with the help of detailed drawings prepared by MSC’s architectural technologist Alexandra Ginés Heiwegen, the firm of master planning consultants having secured planning permission for the 176-cover facility and other site developments.
Chris Primet, of MSC, said: “There were a number of considerations in preparing this concept design. Firstly, the centre is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so we had to give careful consideration to ensuring that our proposed structure wouldn’t have a negative impact on that.
“Secondly, the restaurant needed to be tall – Groves had previously been instructed by the Environment Agency to raise the internal floor level of its coffee shop to a minimum of 4.3m AOD above the existing ground level – meaning that our final design had to be both eye-catching and sympathetic to its surroundings.”
The finished designs were created to catch the eye of the many thousands of people travelling along the A35 some 10 metres away, and use curved glass panes to complement the surrounding area.
Chris said: “The building is positioned to curve away from the A35 rather than presenting a vertical elevation, and while we would ideally have chosen glass cladding to the roof and sides nearest the A35, the internal use within that particular part of the restaurant; the customer toilets and kitchen, meant that a solid cladding material would be required for that aspect.
“The attraction of the curved glasshouse is that it presents a horticultural message, both in the way the surrounding tees are reflected in the glazing, and by way of the fact that diners can see through it to the landscape beyond.
“We have previously used the same glasshouse at another centre so we were able to demonstrate how well the structure would fit within its setting, and we’re looking forward to seeing the finished building, which has an anticipated completion date of May 2018.”
Charlie Groves, of Groves Garden Centre, said: “We were extremely pleased with the attention to detail in the plans that Chris and the team put forward for our striking new restaurant, and we’re excited to see the final construction.
“With catering representing such a huge revenue stream for garden centres, and with our existing coffee shop being such an important resource for us, we wanted to maximise our customer offering while ensuring that whatever restaurant we unveiled would be welcomed by local residents.
“We’re confident that, once completed, this restaurant will attract additional footfall and extended visits for the business.”
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A major showcase of food and drink businesses is set to celebrate Yorkshire produce as Tong Garden Centre plans an event in its newly refurbished food hall.
The Taste of Tong weekend is scheduled to take place just a week before British Food Fortnight kicks off and will shine the spotlight on the artisan producers from the region who work so hard to create their outstanding products.
The two day event from September 16 to 17 will feature different producers over the weekend.
Food Hall manager, Janice Astbury, said: "We are excited and proud to host our first Taste of Tong celebration of food and drink in the refurbished food hall and welcome some of our fantastic local and regional suppliers in store.
"Over the weekend, visitors should expect to be able to meet the makers and try many food and drink products before they buy, and hopefully discover something they have never tried before.
"With British Food Fortnight being just a week away, our aim is to showcase our regional products."
Suppliers on the Saturday will include Wold Top Brewery, cheese biscuit makers, Taste of Yorkshire, Marrds Marinades, Naylor's Brewery, Grandma Wild's, Gorgeous Cheesecakes and The Yorkshire Baker. On Sunday, Yorkshire businesses including Holmfirth's healthy flavoured oils and vinegars by Yorkshire Drizzle, Lottie Shaw's and York Brewery are just some of the makers offering tasters during the day. Fruity Tipples, who make fruit vodka liqueurs, will attend on both days.
British Food Fortnight is a national celebration of British food and drink that is held annually to coincide with harvest festival. The aim of the fortnight is to raise awareness of the benefits of buying and eating from the "home produced British larder."
The team at Tong have recently celebrated winning SME of the Year in the Bradford Means Business awards.
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Squire’s Garden Centre in Shepperton has unveiled exciting plans to open a stunning new Café Bar in early October.
It will have new Raffles style décor, flooring, seating and lighting. There will be distinct seating areas to choose from including the main Café Bar, a sophisticated afternoon tea area with piano, a coffee lounge with relaxing sofas, plus a special family-friendly area.
There’ll be a delicious new menu and a new style of service - where you order at the till then take an electronic tracker to your table, enabling customers to relax and enjoy speedy waiter service.
Sarah Squire, Deputy Chairman at Squire’s said, “We are all really excited with the plans for our stunning new Café Bar in Shepperton.
"The design theme is called ‘Vibrant’, which is one of three horticulture inspired concepts that we are rolling out to all our garden centres over the next few years. Inspiration comes from a sophisticated bygone era; think of Raffles and South East Asia.
"There will be lots of glass to let light in, botanical print wallpaper, tropical garden fabrics and wall art, painted furniture, glass pendant lighting, black and white checkered flooring and painted wooden shutters.
'The decision to make this investment was in part driven by customer feedback, both in-store and from our bi-annual customer survey. Our same team of friendly staff will run the new Café Bar, and they are all very excited about the plans, and can’t wait to welcome customers in early October.”
The work to update Squire’s Café Bar starts on 4th September, but it will remain open while the works take place.
Squire’s are inviting everyone to come along to a special ‘Prepare For Christmas’ shopping evening on Friday 20th October, where you will be able to see the stunning new Café Bar, enjoy a curry buffet, preview the Christmas shop and enjoy exclusive discounts on the night.
There’s no need to book, simply come along to Squire’s in Shepperton on Friday 20th October between 5-8pm. There will also be live music and Christmas planting and craft demonstrations to get you into the festive mood!
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