An internal memo about the new management structure has already been circulated internally, as revealed in GTN Xtra a week ago, but the outgoing seven had been awaiting final redundancy meetings.

Burks, current chairman of the Garden Centre Association, is the first to announce his leaving date.

He told GTN Xtra this week he would be investigating opportunities inside and outside the garden retail industry.” I would like to stay involved with it, but we’ll have to see what’s around,” he said.

He confirmed he will continue to be involved with the management of GCA activities after he hands over the chain of office to chairman elect Will Armitage in January. The constitution allows immediate past chairmen to remain on the GCA committee for a further two years.

Just one week after the devastating fire at Blooms Cardiff, the garden centre has opened its gates to customers from this weekend.

The garden centre team on Newport Road in St. Mellons have been working tirelessly to set up outside the centre for customers to buy real Christmas trees and wreaths.

Michael Greenwood, manager of the garden centre, said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome our local customers. The team were distraught after the fire, particularly as they had worked hard to create our famous Christmas displays and Father Christmas grotto.

“We have strived to recreate some of the magic from the centre and will have free cups of tea and coffee on the go for all our customers who come along.

"We have battled through adversity to be able to sell our real trees and wreaths which have always been popular with our local customers."

Michael added: ‘We are asking our customers to come along as our expert staff will be on hand to offer advice on choosing the perfect tree.”

In addition to free tea and coffee, all Gardening Club members will get triple points on their purchases this weekend.

The site at Blooms Cardiff is still under investigation and no formal conclusion has been made as to the cause of the fire.

The company – the UK’s biggest garden products wholesaler but also a significant supplier of goods under its own exclusive brands – has been re-building its sales and support teams since the arrival during the year of Ross Yealland, the founder’s son, as commercial director. Its new sales director, May Philpott (pictured below), starts next week.

Nick Davies this week became the latest addition to the resignations list. He is to leave in January to start up a new business but has so far not responded to GTN Xtra’s invitation to say more about his plans. Insiders say they expect an announcement imminently.

Solus’s new chief executive officer. Mark Pearson, ex-CEO of Gardman and a respected figure in the garden retail trade, has already joined the company. He faces two major challenges in the weeks and months ahead – how to protect and develop the Scotts Miracle-Gro business, it’s biggest distribution account, and how to counter The Garden Centre Group’s move towards its own central distribution. Then there is the question of how to keep its base of small independent retailers happy in the face of growing competition from other wholesalers and brands, including Pearson's previous employer.

TGCG distribution trials – targeting efficiences as well as cost savings – get under way in one region next week, with a full-roll-out planned in the New Year.

Consolidation of garden centre outlets over the past few years has meant fresh challenges for Solus, and led to more diversification into its own product development to reduce the company’s vulnerability to fluctuations on the wholesale front.

Ross Yealland said this week that Pearson was joining at a time when Solus were making a number of strategic investments to drive the business of its customers, branded distribution partners and Solus own brands.

Simon Yealland said Davies has made a significant contribution to Solus in his 29 years with the company. “He leaves with our thanks and best wishes for the future,” he added.

Leading retailers contacted by GTN Xtra were quick to praise Davies. “I’ve known him since he started and we’ve always done good business with him,” he said. Another said: “Nick has always been great to work with but I guess, like all businesses, it was time for a change, not only for Solus but for him too. I'm sure Solus will be hoping it all settles down for a while.”

Wylie had been working as interim CEO since October 2012, after leaving Grosvenor following its takeover by Blue Diamond. He had been Managing Director at Grosvenor since 2005, and before that managed the aquisition and development of Garsons Titchfield for six years.

GCA chairman Peter Burks said: “We’re delighted Iain was available to continue in the role and are looking forward to the future. He has a great deal of expertise and knowledge and is very experienced in the ways of the GCA.

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

• Garden Products – up 17%
• Christmas – down 10%
• Growing Media – up 44%
• All items index – up 20%

To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £145.00 per year click here

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Pointsettia sales are gathering momentum in garden centres with associated products also showing healthy signs of growth.

Fito Drip Feeder for Poinsettia & Christmas Cactus has had another good week with a 100% rise in sales to move up to No 3 in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart.

Meanwhile, the highest new entry is the Ivyline Pot Cover Poinsetia Bordeaux/Red, which arrives at No 40.

Scheurich Cover Pots have also done well. There are four lines in the Top 12 bestsellers, headed by Dark Red at No 2.

Despite the seasonal move towards indoor plants, there is still plenty of activity outdoors, especially the frostproofing of shrubs and outdoor taps. Gardman Frostgard retains the No 1 spot while the Gardman Tap Cover is at No 4.

More evidence of the garden clear-up comes in the form of Town & Country Winter Master Gardener Gloves (Small), the highest climber this week moving up 22 places to No 27.

And once the wintry weather finally arrives, gardeners will be equipped to keep their footwear free from the elements and insects. Creative Products Wellitop is one of 11 re-entries this week.

See the full GTN Garden Products Bestsellers Chart here.  Subscribers Only

To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £145.00 per year click here

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business.  Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.

Dobbies and Tesco will unveil their plans for their first joint new build store in Scotland at an public exhibition next week.

The site in East Kilbride already has planning permission for a stand-alone supermarket and a Dobbies Garden Centre. 

However, Tesco and Dobbies will be hosting a public consultation exhibition to hear the public's view on its new plans. Their community consultation event will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday 5th December and from 12 noon until 6pm on Friday 6th December at The Byre, Eaglesham Road, East Kilbride.

Adam Williams, Tesco Corporate Affairs Manager, said: “We have been keen to open a store in East Kilbride for some time now and are delighted to be able to consult on this exciting joint scheme. The store will provide a fantastic shopping experience and bring more choice and value for money to shoppers in East Kilbride.” 

He added: “Our joint proposals will bring over 400 jobs to East Kilbride and we will work with partners to recruit locally. We already have over 200 apprentices in our Scottish stores and look forward to recruiting more.”

Stuart Wright, director of property at Dobbies, commented: “When we previously consulted the East Kilbride community, we got a very positive response.  We hope the community will welcome our updated plans which will show how customers will be able to access both the Tesco store and Dobbies through a single entrance where the popular Dobbies restaurant will be situated.”

Dobbies has a strong record of developing links with local communities and works with local residents, schools and businesses to provide gardening demonstrations, ‘grow your own’ sessions, horticultural and landscaping initiatives and the Dobbies Little Seedlings Club which encourages children to take an interest in gardening.

The exhibition is open to all members of the community and the Tesco and Dobbies project team will be on hand to answer any queries.

DINERS and early Christmas shoppers turned to garden centres for their refreshments and festive purchases in October (2013) with sales in both categories up on the same month last year.

According to the GCA Barometer of Trade, catering sales were up by 7.35%, Christmas sales by 7.11% and gift purchases by 6.49% as compared to October 2012.

Peter Burks, Chairman of the GCA, explained: “Although the figures are not stunning they are going in the right direction during what has been a tough year for all of us in retail. Catering is still performing well and anyone who doesn’t have a professional café or restaurant ought to be thinking about investing in one.

“Our customers may still need to feel more confident about the economy to spend more in other areas of the garden centre but they are definitely happy to eat out and to meet friends and family for a tea or coffee and cake in our restaurants.

“Christmas seems to have come early at our member garden centres too, which is very positive. We’re heartened to see the hard work of members, who have spent weeks creating wonderful, cheerful displays and special Christmas events, pay off this month.”

The overall year to date figure for catering in October was up by 5.54%, meanwhile Christmas was up 4.74% and gifts up 2.55%.

But farm shops and food halls at garden centres are the best performers overall for the year to date, showing an increase in sales of 8.67%.

Peter added: “This is a very interesting figure, which may illustrate that people are wishing to source their grocery items locally and are not buying everything from supermarkets these days.”

The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement.

The BoT reports produced by the GCA allow member garden centres to compare their trading positions with other centres.

Mike Lind, Managing Director of Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre near Taunton, said: “Catering and Christmas sales have so far been good for us this year and both are very important elements of our overall business.

“Next year we’re revamping our catering facilities and are going to double the size of our current restaurant. The investment will be significant and demonstrates our commitment to the garden centre’s future. Our new restaurant will seat 350 people.

“We also work very hard to give our customers a wonderful, magical Christmas experience and this year our Father Christmas arrived via a Wizard of Oz themed carnival float tractor after dark. We had thousands of visitors through the door within a few hours and it was a huge success.”

The Gardens Group also in the South West performed well in these categories in October too.

James Foster-Pegg, who is a director of the business, said: “October is a very busy time for our three garden centres as we always open our Christmas displays to visitors during the month and this year has been no exception. Our cafés/restaurants have done well too and we’re looking forward to good results in November and December as well.”

Pictured: A member of the catering team at Castle Gardens in Dorset, which is part of The Gardens Group. The garden centre recorded good sales within this category in October.

Suggested amendments to regulations that would force ornamental plants without an officially registered botanical description off the market must bne received in Brussels by 4 December – next Tuesday.

UK MEPs have been deluged in recent weeks by letters from growers and horticulturists. The HTA regard the  proposals as a serious threat that could results in tens of thousands of popular plants becoming unavailable in the trade.

To comply with the proposals as they stand, trade sources say descriptions for 50,000 or more plants would need to be researched and written at a cost of £500-£600 each – a potential burden on the industry of up to £37 million. The complexity of the regulations also raises concerns about who would be responsible for originating the descriptions.

Among the campaigners is Cheshire nurserywoman Sue Beesley of Bluebell Cottage Gardens and Nursery, who has complained to her MEP as a member of the charity Plant Heritage. She says in a recent blog (this link):

“Will the new laws reduce current ornamental plant choice? Yes. Hugely. Will the new laws reduce the introduction of new plants onto the market. Yes. Of course. Will the new laws damage the UK and European ornamental business? Yes, plainly, as night follows day. As the HTA website says, ominously, they would be 'extremely damaging for ornamentals'. They should know, they are the trade body representing most of the garden centres in the UK.”

In her letter to her MEP, Mrs Beesley adds: “We are very concerned that the changes will affect the profitability of horticulture, if not the existence of the ornamental plant trade in its current form; and in addition not protect those in the industry who are conserving plants; thus meaning that conservation of plants becomes the preserve of only botanic gardens and individuals with no commercial involvement, and the concomitant loss of biodiversity that this would cause.”

Garden Pride, whiuch sits on a busy road between Burgess Hill and Brighton, has a turnover of more than £5m and has a strong horticultural offering and a popular restaurant.

The centre has been run for more than 20 years by Trevor Wenham for over 20 years, who plans to retire but will stay on in a consultancy role, along with fellow director Kathleen McDonald.

Notcutts are to retain the existing workforce of more than 70.

Andrew Staff, Notcutts’  interim CEO said the centre was a great fit with the business. “It is an independent garden centre with all the qualities that are important to us as a family-owned company; great service, strong local reputation, quality ranges and a real focus on plants and gardening. We are delighted to welcome the colleagues into the Notcutts family”.



Trevor Wenham and Kathleen McDonald.

Wenham said: “I am delighted to be selling to a family owned business that I know will continue to provide excellent ranges and service for the local customers  and continue to look after my valued staff."

Wenham declined to reveal the selling price but told GTN Xtra: “It’s a good sum.”

Notcutts say acquisition is “a key business objective” for the group in 2014.

Garden Pride takes the Notcutts portfolio back to 18 centres after the sale of the Cambridge centre to Scotsdales earlier this year.  Staff describe it as a positive and progressive move.

The group will open its new garden centre at Tunbridge Wells in Spring 2014 – and its name has been linked in recent weeks to the potential purchase of at least one other high-turnover centre.

Liverpool-based Benross has formed a strong national garden retail team to focus specifically on the growing demand in the marketplace.

The 20% per cent growth of Benross’ workforce will have a significant impact on its presence in the garden centre sector, enabling it to increase its footprint in what it believes is a lucrative market.

The team comprises five field sales representatives and a new product development manager – David Kemp – who will spearhead the new department. With over 30 years’ experience in the lawn and plant care industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the role.

David said: “Having worked on both the supply chain and retail sides of the industry, I have gained an in-depth understanding of the expectations and requirements of this competitive sector. I’m joining Benross at a really exciting time and I’m looking forward to leading a highly-skilled team, as we strive for continued success in this rapidly changing marketplace.

“Our objective is to make Benross the go-to suppliers for ahead-of-the-curve products at a competitive price, and I’m confident we’ve got the skills, knowledge and portfolio to achieve this.”

The appointment of a new team follows the expansion of five key lines, which have been developed to meet garden centre requirements. These include: outdoor lighting, camping, garden fun, Christmas and furniture.

Its new and larger range of outdoor furniture, LeisureKraft, has been created to provide retail customers with a high quality product, while taking into account varying price points. Items include outdoor dining sets, gazebos and parasols, as well as aspirational rattan items.

In addition to garden furniture, Benross has expanded its range of solar lighting for 2014. The new line has over 40 new products that are supported by redesigned, high impact packaging. Following trend predictions, more stainless steel products have been introduced to cater for end users who favour a modern style.

Christmas Workshop – Benross’ best performing category – has also been expanded for 2014 to meet demand from garden centres. The company has added over 250 items to the portfolio, including  trees,  lights and advent calendars and new themed accessories.

Sales director, Amit Juneja, said “Christmas Workshop is a key focus for the garden centre sector. Christmas products have always been bestsellers for Benross, so I’m positive that the revamped range will result in continued success. The garden centre sector is a big player when it comes to seasonal retail, so it’s vital that we’ve got the perfect team in place to drive this sector forward.”

For more information on Benross, please visit: www.benross.com or call 0151 448 1200.

Prof Buczacki was for many years a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time and is a prominent contributor  to magazines and newspapers. He has written more than 50 books.

His expertise ranges from gardening and natural history to plant pathology (on which his career was founded) and garden design, giving him “an unrivalled grasp of what British gardeners need and want from their gardens”.

The Guild conferred the Garden Writer of the Year award on Alys Fowler for her Guardian columns, while Gardeners’ World magazine was voted the Garden Publication of the Year.

The other awards, all presented by Matthew Wilson, were:

Reference Book of the Year: RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening, edited by Christopher Brickell.

Practical Book of the Year: RHS Grow Your Own Crops in Pots by Kay Maguire.

Inspirational Book of the Year: The New English Garden by Tim Richardson.

News Story of the Year: Ian Hodgson.

Journalist of the Year: Matthew Wilson (left, with his award).

Practical Journalist of the Year: Guy Barter.

Trade Journalist of the Year: Sarah Cosgrove.

Photographer of the Year: Jason Ingram.

Features Photographer of the Year: Marianne Majerus.

Book Photographer of the Year: Mark Diacono.

TV Broadcast of the Year: Monty Don’s French Gardens: The Gourmet Garden.

Radio Broadcast of the Year: The Gardeners’ Corner.

Environmental Award: Kate Bradbury.

The Alan Titchmarsh New Talent award: Nick Turrell.

Blog of the Year: crocus.co.uk plantsmans blog

Website of the Year: www.crocus.co.uk

New Media award: James Alexander-Sinclair & Tiffany Daneff.

This year’s award sponsors were: Briggs & Stratton, Brother, Garden World Images, Hartley Botanic, Horticultural Trades Association, redheadPR, Scotts Miracle-Gro, STIHL, Thompson & Morgan and Westland Horticulture.

Santa arrived at Merryhatton Garden Centre, North Berwick, in spectacular style last weekend...by microlight!

Piloted by East of Scotland Microlights, Santa did a stunning flypast over the East Lothian garden centre at 11am, before meeting up with Mrs Claus at the Microlight Centre nearby.

Waiting for them both was Dennis the Classic 1964 Fire Engine which took the Christmas duo over to Merryhatton to meet local children.  

They were at the garden centre for an hour to make the final arrangements for the opening of Santa’s magical grotto today (Saturday). They also launched a Christmas colouring competition, helped children decorate Christmas cookies, and made a nomination for Merryhatton’s Christmas Star Award 2013. Live music was provided by North Berwick High School Ukulele Orchestra.

Merryhatton owner Helen MacDonald said: “This is the first year we have had a Santa’s grotto at Merryhatton so we were keen to make sure Santa made a memorable entrance. 

"We teamed up with two other small local businesses, East of Scotland Microlights and Classic Engine Events, to put on what we’re sure will be a truly fitting arrival for Mr and Mrs Claus to our part of East Lothian!

“Merryhatton prides itself on being a family garden centre and this is one of a range of activities we’re arranging to ensure the whole family will enjoy visiting Merryhatton this Christmas.”

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.

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.

Kelkay Ltd has this week acquired the well-respected Borderstone brand from Aggregate Industries.

Kelkay’s Managing Director Antony Harker said: “Borderstone has been a long recognised brand in the garden industry. We are delighted to add this to the ever growing range of brands within the Kelkay Group. 

"We have exciting plans to evolve the Borderstone offering particularly its range of natural stone paving. 

"This combined with our existing Garden Stone range will further enhance our hard landscape offering to retailers.”

Sales of Christmas products were up on the previous week although volumes for the festive shopping period are still behind last year’s figures.

Buying activity has been boosted by customers getting into the party spirit with the Premier Plush Santa Hat being the highest re-entry at No 16.

There has also been some encouraging sales of novelty socks and Christmas stockings. Town & Country Novelty Socks are the highest new entry at No 26 while History & Heraldry Snowy Night Xmas Stockings have moved up 17 places to No 4.

And customers are getting ready to decorate their Christmas trees and homes. The highest climber this week is Kaemingk Plain Shatterproof 60mm Red Baubles, moving up 32 places to No 9 while Premier 100 LED Supabrights (White) is a re-entry after increasing sales by 100%.

Swift Imports have two new entries and one re-entry. The newcomers are Santa Stop Signs and Robin Decoration on a Clip.

See the full GTN Christmas Bestsellers Chart here.  Subscribers Only

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He said garden writers, authors and broadcasters should be working with others across the industry to spread the word about the value of horticulture and encourage the next generation to get involved. It was no good working in a “bubble”.

Titchmarsh sponsors a New Talent Award, won this year by Nick Turrell for articles in The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph.

On the media, he said: “Spreading the word about the value of horticulture is vital, but so too is the way in which it is done. Infectious enthusiasm and a passion for what we do is so important, as is generosity of spirit towards young people keen to join the crusade.

“We must fire up the next generation of gardening writers and broadcasters, passing on our enthusiasm, knowledge and experience without boring them rigid or being afraid that they will one day take over.

“We are all passionate about gardening, and the more we can do to pass on our enthusiasm and wake up a new generation to the importance and fulfilment of looking after their own patch, along with the wider landscape, the better.

“I am now in my fiftieth year of gardening for a living, but am as committed as ever to promoting it as a valuable and worthwhile profession, as well as the most fulfilling of pastimes. It is vital that gardening writers and broadcasters younger than I am continue to spread the word with enthusiasm, passion and knowledge, opening the eyes of the young to a pursuit that is enriching, transforming of their surroundings and vitally important in terms of the wellbeing of the planet. Gardeners are at the sharp end of conservation, natural history, plant science and feeding the nation. It is time that more folk realised that and came out into the fresh air."

During the darker months of winter when the garden is dormant, plants with vibrant coloured bark come into their own making Winter Stem the perfect choice for HTA’s Plant of the Month for December.

Winter Stem is a versatile plant which provides different textures and stem colours to attract the eye and brighten the winter gloom in the garden. Stems and bark come in many colours from olive green to yellow, orange to coral pink, brown to black and white through to silver.

A garden can be enhanced by planting trees and shrubs that have interesting and colourful bark during the winter months.

By using dogwoods, snake bark maples, willows and white washed brambles, there are plenty of colourful varieties to choose from in order to create winter effect in any garden or landscape.

Most winter stems are best planted in groups to maximise their impact and where they can be seen and appreciated.

Nominated and agreed upon by British growers and retailers, the HTA’s Plant of the Month campaign highlights the plants that are widely available and looking especially good each month.

Plant of the Month point of sale materials can be purchased through HTA partners Hortipak and Floramedia.

Garden retailers are being urged to inform customers that they must dispose of the banned Provado Lawn Grub Killer by this weekend's deadline...

“To arrange disposal of Provado Lawn Grub Killer retailers can contact their distributor to arrange collection or to get more information,” explained Alison Mulvaney, product manager at Bayer Garden. 

“Retailers can also contact the Bayer Garden customer services team on 01223 226507, who will be able to help if they have not been contacted already.”

Following the EU decision to suspend the use of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid, Provado Lawn Grub Killer was withdrawn from retailers’ shelves since end of September. Gardeners must use or dispose of the product by the end of November.  

“Safe disposal of the product is very important and so if retailers are asked by consumers for help they can refer them to the Crop Protection Association’s website, www.gardenchemicaldisposal.co.uk,” concluded Alison Mulvaney.

Neither the UK’s number one bug control product Provado Ultimate Bug Killer nor Provado Vine Weevil Killer are included in this withdrawal as they contain an entirely new generation insecticide, thiacloprid. This active ingredient is a completely different sub class to imidacloprid and is considered to have a good profile for bees.  

HSBC’S Head of Economics Mark Berrisford-Smith will be speaking at the GCA annual conference in January about the outlook for garden centres and their suppliers...

Mark  will be sharing his thoughts with attendees on Tuesday, January 28.

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming Mark to the conference. He will be speaking about what the economy has been doing, where it is likely to be going and the implications this will have on our member garden centres and suppliers in the industry.

“Mark, who studied Economics at Sussex and London Universities, is responsible for advising HSBC in the UK and its business customers on developments in the British and global economies. He takes a particular interest in monitoring the performance of European countries and also China.”

The GCA conference, which is sponsored by Davidson Richards and Westland Horticulture, takes place at the Hilton Blackpool Hotel in Blackpool from January 26 until 29. More than 300 delegates are expected to attend.

Iain continued: “Our conference promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a new venue and a really exciting line up of speakers.

“The event will focus on both operational side of our industry as well as strategic element of our businesses. There will also be plenty of opportunities to network and socialise.”

The GCA annual conference will take place from January 26 until 29, 2014 at the Hilton Blackpool Hotel. To book a place visit the members’ area on the GCA website via www.gca.org.uk.

Independent brand consultant and angel investor Alex Hunter will be speaking to delegates at the GCA annual conference in January.

Alex, who was the Global Head of Online Marketing for the Virgin Group, will be sharing his thoughts on branding at the conference in Blackpool on Tuesday, January 28.

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “Alex had an amazing career with Virgin, he started out working on digital strategy for Virgin America, conceived as a low-cost airline. When the company failed to gain the crucial certification from Congress, he and a handful of colleagues refused to sit back and do nothing.

“Facing enormous costs and a grounded fleet, they raced against time to find a way to highlight their plight. Deciding popular pressure was the best tool available, they started a grassroots campaign on social media and influential, independent websites. The campaign was a huge success and eventually the decision was overturned.

“Alex then became Head of Online for the entire Virgin Group, overseeing a rapid expansion of the brand’s internet strategy and constantly adapting to new trends, technology and consumer requirements. The main site was very quick to embrace social media and user-driven content, underlining the company’s reputation for customer focus.”

Alex now advises start-ups on strategy and business plans. He is a popular and energetic speaker, he assesses the power and weakness of brands, explores how a brand evolves and what makes people loyal to a particular brand. He will be speaking at the GCA conference about branding, online presence, social media, e-commerce and digital.

The conference, which is sponsored by Davidson Richards and Westland Horticulture, takes place at the Hilton Blackpool Hotel in Blackpool from January 26 until 29. More than 300 delegates are expected to attend.

Iain continued: “As always the conference is bound to have a lively and entertaining atmosphere. Our roster of challenging speakers will give you much to think about including a plethora of key points to take home, which will help you drive your business to greater successes in the following years.”

To book a place at the conference visit the members’ area on the GCA website via www.gca.org.uk.

Gardman’s January sale flew off the shelves earlier this year that the provider of garden sundries and wild bird care products is making the forthcoming campaign even bigger.

Further reductions are being made to 104 existing sale products and there are 108 new additions.  

“With household budgets still being squeezed garden centre retailers need to offer consumers exciting new products at compelling prices,” explained Duncan Ross, director of garden centre sales at Gardman. 

“With our January sale now even bigger they can do exactly that. The prices of some products have been cut by as much as 80%; selected feeders are down by 70%; candle hardware is available from as little as 50p nett; and there are savings of over 85% on gloves.  When the products have gone they have gone and some have already sold out so retailers who want to grasp the opportunity of these ShaRRPer Prices need to act now.”

The Big January Sale encompasses products across the whole Gardman range including solar lighting, bird care, hanging garden, garden sundries, Grow It, water features, wall art, screening, trellis, hanging garden and pet care

Sarah Downing, Marketing Manager at Gardman said: “The Big January Sale is an integral part of the new retail partnership strategy, ‘Trust us to Deliver’.  We have put together all sorts of Stronger Off£rs to make it even bigger and we won’t stop here.  We will go on putting together unmissable offers and New Product !deas that will help retailers drive up footfall and increase sales.”

Gardman’s Garden Products and Garden Living catalogues contain 148 New Product !deas, 482 ShaRRPer Prices and 196 Stronger Off3rs.  Retailers who want a copy should contact their agent.  

The HTA is calling on Defra to take urgent action to address the looming crisis in forestry planting. 

There will be no woodland creation grants in England in 2014 and 2015 because of the “transition period” to the implementation of the EU CAP budget for 2013-2020. The result is that forestry planting could halve within 12 months, and then drop by two thirds in 2015 resulting in a devastating impact on the tree nursery sector.

Gary Scroby, HTA Policy Manager, comments: “Many UK nurseries are still hurting from the ash dieback outbreak last year which rendered UK ash crops redundant.  A two year void in government backed planting grants would put the commercial viability of many UK nurseries in extreme jeopardy. We fear that several would not survive until the next grant scheme opens in 2016.

“A two year void would make a mockery of the government’s Forestry Policy Statement in January which set out to protect, improve and expand the nation’s woodlands and forests.  Planting would actually decline, and when demand picked up there would likely be fewer UK nurseries around to supply home grown trees.  The net result would be increased imports and increased biosecurity risks.”

The HTA has fully supported the Woodlands Trust campaign which has garnered more than 30,000 signatures to address the lack of government support for woodland management and creation grants, pointing out the wider environmental dangers to the English countryside. 

“We understand that their campaign has been successful in securing Ministerial interest to the issue.  We hope that this leads to action.  If funds for planting are not unlocked, the risks to the environment and rural economy are very significant,” Scroby concludes.

Garden retailers wanting to provide customers with effective products can refer to the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) for accurate and detailed information.

As well as being recognised as an effective systemic weedkiller, Path Weedkiller is the only product on the market with CRD approval to state it keeps paths clear of weeds for up to six months. 

The CRD, which is a part of the Health and Safety Executive, is responsible for providing regulatory approval for all garden chemical products in the UK.  Manufacturers can only make claims relating to a product’s efficacy if it has been approved by the CRD, such authorisation being provided following rigorous laboratory and field tests. 

“We are extremely proud of Path Weedkiller, the only product on the market that has CRD approval to state it keeps paths clear of weeds for more than three months,” said Alison Mulvaney, product manager at Bayer Garden.

“Path Weedkiller is also fast acting, results can be seen within three days; is rainfast within one hour; it also kills moss and tackles difficult weeds including horsetail.”

As growing media sales volumes sink towards their winter lows the overall volumes for 2013 are up 3.4% on last year but 14% down on 2011.

This week’s growing media chart performers are:

• Arthur Bowers New Horizon Multi-Purpose Compost 50L, the highest re-entry
• Westland West+ Multipurpose & 4 Month Feed 60L, the highest chart climber
• Arthur Bowers New Horizon Mulch & Mix 60L, the highest week on week sales percentage increase.

 At the top of the chart, Westland Multipurpose 50L retains the No 1 spot.

See the full GTN Growing Media Bestsellers Chart here.  Subscribers Only

To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £145.00 per year click here

If you're planning for next year, take advantage of our special New Year Planning offer with three months key data from this year included as a free bonus.  Click here for more details of the New Year Planning Offer

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business.  Subscribe today and invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.

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 Christmas Products 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.