In This Issue
Have you got what it takes to be The Greatest Garden Centre Team at Christmas?
The Greatest Christmas Display Team
The Greatest Christmas Grotto Team
The Greatest Christmas Sizzle
The Greatest Festive Catering Team
The Greatest Festive Planteria Team
Who is The Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year?
Buy your tickets for GTN's Greatest Christmas Party
Stax Trade Centres require Sales Representative for the North East
Wanted: Buyer for Pets & Wild Birds at Notcutts
Hilltop look to recruit garden centre manager
More pictures of Garden Centre Christmas displays than have ever been published before
Arcadia Garden Centre
Armitages Garden Centre
Barton Grange Garden Centre
Berwick Garden Centre
Brechin Castle Garden Centre
Caerphilly Garden Centre
Coletta & Tyson Garden Centre
Dobbies Inverness
Dobbies King's Lynn
Dunbar Garden Centre
Eastfield Garden Centre
Glendoick Garden Centre
Hetland Garden Centre
Highfield Garden World
Houghton Hall Garden Centre
Huntingdon Garden & Leisure
Langlands Leeds
Mains of Drum Garden Centre
Notcutts Tunbridge Wells
Old Railway Line
Raemoir Garden Centre
Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
Simpsons Garden Centre
Strikes Stokesley
Swanland Garden Centre
Torwood Garden Centre
Van Hage Peterborough
Walkers Nurseries
Webbs Wychbold
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
If you want to keep track of the Christmas Bestsellers…
Situations Vacant
Stax Trade Centres require Sales Representative for the North East
 

Stax Trade Centres are looking to recruit an experienced Sales Representative to cover the North East region...

Read more»
Wanted: Buyer for Pets & Wild Birds at Notcutts
 
Notcutts Garden Centres are recruiting a Buyer for Pets and Wild Birds...
Read more»
Hilltop look to recruit garden centre manager
 
Hilltop Garden Centre in Oxfordshire is looking to recuit a new manager...
Read more»
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Contact us with your news.  Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700

 


Have you got what it takes to be The Greatest Garden Centre Team at Christmas?
Will your customers vote you The Greatest Garden Centre at Christmas for 2013? Voting starts on November 20th.


Has your garden centre team got what it takes to become The Greatest Garden Centre Team at Christmas?  Whether you're a small, mid sized or large centre, if you have a loyal, satisfied customer base, and a team that they love, you’re in with a chance of lifting the title...



Has your garden centre team got what it takes to become The Greatest Garden Centre Team at Christmas?  Whether you're a small, mid sized or large centre, if you have a loyal, satisfied customer base, and a team that they love, you’re in with a chance of lifting the title.

The Greatest Christmas Awards were conceived by GTN to reward garden centre teams who pull out all the stops to maximise their festive sales and the award for The Greatest Garden Centre at Christmas is awarded to the teams that get the most votes.  It's as simple as that.   The highest accolade a garden centre team can have to be voted number one by your customers!

Voting starts on Wednesday 20th November and runs right through to Christmas Eve.

All you need to do is download the posters and voting slips from this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/69tcbycwte53c0v/Pf9fHcSJhB

Or click on these images to download

   

(If you have any problems downloading files, please contact trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk )

Now in their fifth year, the awards have become increasingly popular and The Greatest Christmas Party at Harrogate on 12 January 2014 – where the results are announced – has earned a reputation as the best gig in town, as well as a celebration of the industry’s leading role in Christmas retailing.

The Greatest Christmas Awards guarantee that the outstanding teamwork that has made the garden centre Christmas the envy of other retail sectors gets the recognition it deserves.

The awards are open to all garden centres, regardless of size, and you can read about all the categories to enter in this special edition of GTN Xtra.

You can enter any, or all, of categories, and you can also invite your customers to vote for you in The Greatest Garden Centre at Christmas Team award.

You can download the Public Voting Pack materials in digital PDF format.

We’ll also be asking every participating garden centre to nominate their Christmas Supplier of the Year.

Pictured above: Alison Shead from Brookside gave The Greatest Christmas Awards the thumbs up after their gold triumph in the 2012 event.


The Greatest Christmas Display Team
Last chance to nominate teams for visits by The Greatest Christmas Awards Experts

Christmas is an opportunity to create displays that not only stop people in their tracks but encourage them to spend.  We will be looking for the teams in, small, medium, large and group garden centres that are executing the best visual merchandising for Christmas.  In particular we’re looking for teams who can show how their display have increased sales and teams who get involved with Christmas displays across the whole centre to make the overall Christmas experience something really special.

 

Nominate your Christmas Display Team now via this link


The Greatest Christmas Grotto Team
Last chance to nominate teams for visits by The Greatest Christmas Awards Experts

The accolade for The Greatest Christmas Grotto Team is widely sought after and we expect completion to be as fierce as ever this year.  With awards for Grotto Teams in small, mid sized and large garden centres our experts will be visiting your grotto to find out who is creating the greatest Santa experience including marketing, booking system, queue management and, of course, how the children and parents rate the experience delivered by the team.


Nominate your Christmas Grotto Team now via this link


The Greatest Christmas Sizzle
Last chance to nominate teams for visits by The Greatest Christmas Awards Experts
Cooking the Christmas turkey or joint on a barbecue is a hot new trend.  We’re looking for the garden centre that has fully embraced the idea in a way that helps to sell more barbecues and food hall produce. 

Nominate your Sizzling BBQ Sales Team now via this link

The Greatest Festive Catering Team
Last chance to nominate teams for visits by The Greatest Christmas Awards Experts

Christmas is a busy time for Garden Centre Catering teams, but which are the most Festive?  We're looking for the garden centre teams who go that extra mile to satisfy hungry and thirsty customers and add to the Christmas spirit.

Nominate your Festive Catering Team now via this link


The Greatest Festive Planteria Team
Last chance to nominate teams for visits by The Greatest Christmas Awards Experts

As Christmas gets nearer Planteria teams come into their own with sales of real Christmas trees, holly wreaths and living Christmas gifts.   We want to find the Planteria Team that most joins in with the Christmas spirit of a garden centre and makes the most of any opportunities to sell plants at Christmas.


Nominate your Festive Planteria Team now via this link


Who is The Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year?

Every year we ask garden centres across the country to vote for their Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year.  We count one vote per garden centre and the winners are announced at The Greatest Awards Christmas Party in January.

 

Vote for your Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year now via this link


Buy your tickets for GTN's Greatest Christmas Party


Tickets are selling fast for The Greatest Christmas Awards Party on Sunday, January 12, 2014 at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate...so make sure you don't miss out!



The Greatest Christmas Awards, in association with the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Show, will take place on the evening of Sunday, January 12, at The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, where we will be gathering to honour the Greatest Christmas teams in garden retailing and most importantly....to PARTY!

Included in the night’s festivities is a pre-dinner drinks reception, a three-course meal with wine, the glittering Greatest Christmas Awards presentations, then dancing to a live band.

Reward your team after a rewarding Christmas Season and a busy day at the show...you all deserve it. And with ticket prices starting at £70 - what are you waiting for?

These Early Bird prices are only valid until Tuesday December 3rd 2013.

Number of ticketsPricePer person ex VAT
Single£82 + VAT£82.00
3£234 + VAT£78.00
5£370 + VAT£74.00
Table of 10£700 + VAT£70.00



Dress code is smart casual. Book early to avoid disappointment. For sponsorship opportunities at this prestigious event, call Pat Flynn on 01733 775700.

Buy before the December 3, 2013 for your early bird prices using this dropdown menu:  These prices include VAT.

Tickets

On the night sponsors:
   

 
Stax Trade Centres require Sales Representative for the North East

Stax Trade Centres are looking to recruit an experienced Sales Representative to cover the North East region...




Stax Trade Centres

Garden Sales Representative - North East

THE PACKAGE

  • Competitive salary
  • Bonus
  • Generous holiday entitlement
  • Fully expensed company car
  • Contributory pension scheme
  • Staff discount

Leading DIY and Gardening wholesaler Stax Trade Centres are continuing to expand their delivered service to garden centres across the UK.

An opportunity now exists for an experienced Sales Representative to cover the North East region.

You will have proven sales experience and a comprehensive knowledge of the gardening sector and garden products, ideally through dealing with garden centres. You will be self-motivated, able to demonstrate commercial acumen, well organised with good interpersonal skills and live ideally within the North East region.

Please write or email with full details to:

Steve Holmes
Stax Trade Centres
Howley Park Road East
Morley
Leeds
LS27 0SW

Or email steve.holmes@staxplc.co.uk

www.staxtradecentres.co.uk

 
Wanted: Buyer for Pets & Wild Birds at Notcutts
Notcutts Garden Centres are recruiting a Buyer for Pets and Wild Birds...
Notcutts Garden Centres are recruiting a Buyer for Pets and Wild Birds following the departure of James Jackson, who is leaving to join Gardman.

After two years of helping Notcutts to re-invigorate its wild bird and pet range James is leaving to join one of company's core suppliers, Gardman. 

"This is an exciting opportunity for him as the Category Head for Pet and Wild Bird and will allow him to both explore new opportunities as well as work closer to home," said Notcutts Commercial Director Mark Wootton.

"For us it is good to have one of our former team within the supply base as they know what is needed to make a difference to both our customers and ourselves as a retailer. 

"James takes up his position at the end of December and in the meantime we are actively seeking a replacement who can move us to the next stage. 

"We are flexible about the location in order to find the right person. Anyone interested should e-mail woottonm@notcutts.co.uk."
 
Hilltop look to recruit garden centre manager
Hilltop Garden Centre in Oxfordshire is looking to recuit a new manager...
Garden Centre Manager - Hilltop GC, Oxfordshire

Following promotion of the current manager to a group role we’re now looking for an enthusiastic, experienced person to run Hilltop Garden Centre.
 
The successful candidate will have retail management experience (preferably from a gc), be a confident leader and team player, be able to think like an owner and understand that customer care is the most important part of any retail business.
 
You must be able to think on your feet and communicate effectively with the team both at the centre and in the wider group. An understanding of budgeting, resource planning and forecasting are important.
 
Our centres are run like independents but benefit from the back room support of group resources. Performance bonus and shares in the group are part of the excellent package available.
 
Send your CV and introductory letter to Boyd J Douglas-Davies, boyd.ddavies@hillview-group.com
More pictures of Garden Centre Christmas displays than have ever been published before
The GTN team and Greatest Awards Experts have already been out and about visiting garden centres throughout the country and have seen some brilliant Christmas displays. Here's a selection of the 2013 displays that are selling through now...
 
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Caerphily Xmas 1.jpg
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Coletta Xmas 3.jpg
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Dobbies Inverness Xmas 2.jpg
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Dobbies Kings Lynn Xmas 6.jpg
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Dunbar Xmas 11.jpg
More pictures
 
Eastfield Xmas 1.jpg
More pictures
 
Glendoick Xmas 10.jpg
More pictures
 
Hetland Xmas 8.jpg
More pictures
 
Highfield Garden World Xmas 8.jpg
More pictures
 
Houghton Hall Xmas 31.jpg
More pictures
 
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Langlands Leeds Xmas 2.jpg
More pictures
 
Mains of Drum Xmas 15.jpg
More pictures
 
Notcutts Tunbridge Wells Xmas 5.jpg
More pictures
 
Old Railway Line Xmas 7.jpg
More pictures
 
Old Railway Line Xmas 9.jpg
More pictures
 
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Simpsons Xmas 3.jpg
More pictures
 
Strikes Stokesley Xmas 11.jpg
More pictures
 
Swanland Xmas 4.jpg
More pictures
 
Torwood Xmas 2.jpg
More pictures
 
Van Hage Peterborough Xmas 28.jpg
More pictures
 
Walkers Nurseries Xmas 5.jpg
More pictures
 
Webbs Wychbold Xmas 4.jpg
More pictures
 

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra printed newsletter and on the GTN website www.gardentradenews.co.uk.

Every week we give sales volume comparisons with 2011 as well as 2012 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 upto date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, or subscribe on-line here


or e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

 
If you want to keep track of the Christmas Bestsellers…
GTN Bestsellers has a Christmas Special Bonus Offer for you...

Christmas comes but once a year, so you need to make the most of Christmas sales opportunities.  GTN Bestsellers is the answer. Every week from now until Christmas we compile and publish the Top 50 Bestsellers Christmas chart from garden centre Epos data, giving the best and most up to date garden centre trading information on the market.

If you’d have been a subscriber last year you’ll have known that History and Heraldry Moneyboxes were the No.1 best selling product for the christmas season and which products from Premier Decorations and Kaemingk graced the Top 50 volume sales charts week by week.

Plus, you’ll have benefitted from the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart and our Tip of the week – a gem of a sales idea every week derived from 5 years of GTN Bestsellers charts.

Christmas is cioming fast, so you need to act now.  Buy a subscription to GTN Bestsellers right now. For just £145.00, you get a printed GTN Bestsellers chart posted to you each week, full access to the GTN Bestsellers charts and the GTN Archive on-line and your own copy of Garden Trade News in the post each issue.

And there’s more!! 

If you take out a GTN Bestsellers subscription before the end of November, we’ll send you, as a bonus, all of the GTN Bestsellers Christmas Charts for 2012 so you'll have the best view of how trends have changed and be most prepared when it comes to buying for Christmas 2014.

So, what are you waiting for?  To get your subscription to GTN Bestsellers up and running, simply subscribe online here

or contact us by phone on 01733 775700 or by e-mail: karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

GTN Bestsellers – Garden Centre Bestsellers, Guaranteed!

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