The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd has announced that Mark Pearson, currently CEO of the Scotts Solus Brands Division, and May Philpott, currently Sales Director of that Division, will leave the company on 30^th November.

Martin Breddy, Scotts UK General Manager, will assume leadership of the whole business. Rainer Schubert will become Sales Director for the whole portfolio.

Martin Breddy said: “We will be sorry to see Mark and May leave. In challenging circumstances, Mark has focussed relentlessly on ensuring an exciting future for the Solus brands. He was instrumental in ensuring that the acquisition by Scotts succeeded, and has helped accelerate the integration of the two businesses. With this mission accomplished, it is natural he leaves to pursue new opportunities.

"May has shown the utmost professionalism and dedication in leading the transition of the Solus team to Scotts. She has now secured an exciting new Sales & Marketing role outside of the gardening industry.

“In a short space of time, Mark and May have contributed enormously to the future success of the combined businesses. Both will leave with our thanks and very best wishes.”

Signs of outdoor activity were in evidence in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart with lighting and lawncare products selling well.

• Smart Solar had the highest re-entry in Golden Pearl Mosaic Stake Light, going straight to No 1, and the highest new entry in Twist Stake Light at No 7.
• Scotts held the 3rd and 4th spots with Evergreen Autumn, 360sqm and 100 sqm bags.
• Westland Lawn & Turf Dressing returned to the chart at No 17.
• Scotts Miracle-Gro Rose & Shrub Plant Food was the highest climber, moving up nine places.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

LED canvas prints have taken the first GTN Bestsellers Christmas Products chart of the year by storm. 

• Premier Decorations 40x30cm LED Canvas Winter Cottage Scene is a newcomer to the Top 50 this year, jumping straight in to No 4. It is one of many entering the chart for the first time, and shows they’ll be bestsellers in the run up to Christmas.
• History & Heraldry Spinning Tree Decoration is the highest new entry, taking the No 1 spot.
• The same company’s Christmas Carousel Charms is the highest re-entry at No 2.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

It’s that time of the year again. As you complete your Christmas Displays and start selling your Christmas events (or sell out if you’ve had them on-line already) now is the moment to nominate your teams in The Greatest Christmas Awards.

The Greatest Awards team of experts will be out on the road twice this Christmas season, once at the start of November to visit Christmas Display teams and then again in December to meet the teams behind The Greatest Santa events of the year.

Here are the categories you need to nominate your teams for:

• The Greatest Christmas Display Team – awards for small centre, mid sized centre, destination centre and a centre that is part of a group.
• The Greatest Grotto Team – regional and national awards for small and large centre teams.
• The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team – for exceptional BBQ sales in the run up to Christmas.
• The Greatest Miniature Christmas Display Team – for teams excelling at displays and sales of miniature Christmas scenes and even the new craze of Fairy Gardening.
• The Greatest Catering with Santa Team – for teams that create those truly memorable meals with Santa.
• The Greatest Festive Plant Sales Team – for plant teams who enter into the festive spirit and maximise sales of plants and trees while centre footfall is at it’s highest.

There will also be the chance for your customers to vote for your total garden centre team as The Greatest Garden Centre at Christmas 2014.  Just send your nominations and register for the public voting by e-mail to trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk.

The Greatest Christmas Awards will be presented at The Greatest Christmas Party, sponsored by Premier Decorations, on Sunday 11th January in The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate.  Watch this space for ticket details.

An opportunity for an experienced Plantarea Manager to join our business has arisen. You will be responsible for the overall sales and success of the outside plants department. This position requires excellent plant knowledge, along with good plant purchasing skills and the ability to maintain stock to high standards of retailing.

You will be a manager who is confident to lead and inspire a team of staff to achieve high standards. Good horticultural knowledge and excellent management qualities are essential. Excellent package available to the successful candidate. The role involves weekend work.

CV’s can be submitted in the strictest confidence to aileen@brechincastlecentre.co.uk

My client is a large independent garden centre with an award winning pedigree.

This vacancy will be working alongside the centre management team and will have direct responsibility for the product range of this department. I am looking for an ambitious individual who wants to have a sense of ownership over the retail area. 

Retail experience is a must and garden centre retail experience is preferred.

Applicants must have experience of staff management, with a minimum of 1-2 years experience, and be able to lead and inspire a team of up to 13 staff.

They must also have proven buying experience and an ability to successfully negotiate with suppliers.

They must operate with good standards of merchandising and presentation, coupled with an element of creativity. 

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Gillian Muir or apply with your CV, quoting reference #6609 to info@morepeople.co.uk

The ideal candidate will have 3 years experience at management level, able to manage, motivate and develop a team of staff. 

Excellent cross department experience would be beneficial as there will be multiple areas covered by this role. 

Man management skills along with proven retail skills are key and experience of managing people must be evidenced in your experience. Delivery of training and staff appraisals will be required.

Although not essential, it is desirable that the appointed person will have a good understanding of garden centre retailing, will be a good team leader who is able to prioritise tasks in line with seasonal changes and deliver excellent customer sales and service.

Excellent package available to the successful candidate. The role involves weekend work.

CV’s can be submitted in the strictest confidence to aileen@brechincastlecentre.co.uk

Our Client is grower of quality Nursery Stock destined for the major multiples and garden centre chains. They are currently seeking a driven and experienced Nursery Site Manager who can assist in the culture of quality stock. 

The ideal person will possess:

Knowledge and training within a horticultural discipline preferably from a commercial production background 

Excellent record of managing and supervising staff

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including good IT skills

A strong team builder and player with initiative, drive and enthusiasm who can progress within the company. 

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Gillian Muir or apply with your CV quoting reference #6666 to info@morepeople.co.uk

I am currently looking for an experienced garden centre management candidate to join the team of a large independent garden centre. 

This position will sit underneath the centre manager alongside another assistant manager and will be part of the senior leadership team of the site. 

Excellent cross department experience would be beneficial as there will be multiple areas covered by this role. IT and Horticultural experience would be ideal. 

Man management skills are key and experience managing teams must be evidenced in your experience.

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Gillian Muir or apply with your CV, quoting reference #6658 to info@morepeople.co.uk

Our client is an exciting e-commerce business who source and supply a range wonderful garden products and plants to a discerning mail-order audience across the UK.

They wish to appoint a dynamic E-commerce Manager- Ideally a person with some plant knowledge and good e-commerce experience to run their e-mail marketing, social media and to provide horticultural content to our website.

Someone with fabulous communication skills, real entrepreneurial characteristics, creative flare, drive and with plenty of get up and go!  

Please call Dianne Saunders on 07929 013910 or apply with your CV quoting reference 6653 to info@morepeople.co.uk

Although growing media sales volumes are down on the previous week, they’re still higher than the same week in both 2013 (+40%) and 2012 (+64%).

• Westland Multipurpose (50 litres) is the best performer with the highest sales increase, and jumps 15 places in the chart.
• Arthur Bowers New Horizon Multi-Purpose Compost (50 litres) has also performed well.
• And the company’s Top Soil (30 litres) is the highest re-entry.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

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.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2012 as well as 2013 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, 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 Christmas 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.