Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree (above left) won Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category in the GCA North Thames region while Perrywood, Sudbury (above right) picked up the accolade in the Garden Centre (GC) category...
Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree (above) won Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category in the GCA North Thames region while Perrywood, Sudbury (below) picked up the accolade in the Garden Centre (GC) category.
The prersentations were made at RHS Hyde Ha;; on Wednesday (July 20).
Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, said: “We’d like to thank the team at RHS Hyde Hall for hosting a fantastic event and to our inspector, Gordon Emslie, for his crucial feedback from his inspections, which we know our members will take on board for the future.”
GCA Inspector Gordon was responsible for inspecting member garden centres in the North Thames area.
He said: “It was fantastic going back to visit the North Thames garden centres after five years. Every centre was delivering great service, which was backed up by very strong availability, especially on plants and this was delivering some very positive sales.
“It was great to see so many centres engaging in the inspection process and using this to improve their operational standards.”
As well as Garden Centre of the Year (DGC), Perrywood Tiptree also picked up five other awards on the night, including the Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity.
Simon Bourne, Retail Director at Perrywood, said: “We are all on cloud nine today! For Perrywood Tiptree to keep coming top takes a lot of hard work and creativity every year. September will see Perrywood Sudbury celebrating its fourth birthday.
“To be named as the best Garden Centre in the region in such a short time is a great reward for the investment and effort we have put into making it a brilliant place to work, and to shop.”
The full results for the North Thames region GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:
Garden Centre of the Year: Perrywood, Tiptree (DGC) and Perrywood, Sudbury (GC)
Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service: Perrywood, Tiptree
Environment and Sustainability Award: Perrywood, Tiptree
The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity: Perrywood, Tiptree
The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Bosworth’s Garden Centre
The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Thetford Garden Centre (DGC) and Thurrock Garden Centre (GC)
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Perrywood, Tiptree (DGC) and Perrywood, Sudbury (GC)
The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Perrywood, Tiptree (DGC) and Perrywood, Sudbury (GC)
The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Alton Garden Centre (DGC) and joint winners Charlbury Garden Centre, Perrywood, Sudbury and Squires Garden Centre, Stanmore (GC)
GCA Midlands region Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category was awarded to Pacific Nurseries (above) and the Garden Centre (GC) category award went to Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne..
GCA Midlands region Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category was awarded to Pacific Nurseries (above) and the Garden Centre (GC) category award went to Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne.
They received the awards during a presentation evening at Planters Garden Centre Tamworth on Tuesday (July 19).
Iain Wylie, Chief Executive at the GCA, said: “Our third regional awards meeting was a great success. We’d like to say a huge ‘congratulations’ to all of our winners, they all thoroughly deserve the recognition and are a testament to us.
“We’d also like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to our inspector, Alyson Haywood, for visiting each centre and providing extensive feedback on what she found. The feedback really is invaluable to our members and one of the main benefits of our membership.”
GCA Inspector Alyson was responsible for inspecting member garden centres in the Midlands area.
She said: “As always it was an honour and a privilege to inspect the garden centres in the Midlands region and witness first-hand the enormous amount of work and dedication put in by the teams to achieving the standards attained.
“The service the garden centres give to their customers and the innovative and creative visual merchandising is a credit to the industry.”
Pacific Nurseries was also awarded the Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity and the GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer.
Peter Beharrell, Director at Pacific Nurseries, said: “I am thrilled for the team at Pacific to have picked up the Best Destination Garden Centre Award in the Midlands Region for the first time.
“We have constantly strived to improve each part of the business over many years and after joining the GCA we have found the judging process to be a real motivator in trying to reach new heights. Being backed by our own nurseries growing such a broad range of plants selling to both ourselves and to many other garden centres in the Midlands, ensures the main focus of plants is kept as our priority and in a rather old-fashioned way we are delighted to win a garden centre award and still to be called a nursery.”
During the awards evening, Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne was also awarded with the Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer and the Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer.
Ally Moseley, Director at Fairways Garden Centre, said: “It’s fabulous to have independent acknowledgement of all the hard work our team put in each and every day.”
The full results for the Midlands region GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:
Garden Centre of the Year: Pacific Nurseries (DGC) and Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne (GC)
Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service: Pennells Garden Centre, Lincoln
Environment and Sustainability Award: Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth
The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity: Pacific Nurseries
The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Ferndale Garden Centre
The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Melbicks Garden Centre (DGC) and Ferndale Garden Centre (GC)
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Pacific Nurseries (DGC) and Webbs, West Hagley (GC)
The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: East Bridgford Garden Centre (DGC) and Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne (GC)
The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Brigg Garden Centre (DGC) and Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne (GC)
After weeks bemoaning not having a sustained period of good warm weather and that being blamed for the lack of garden furniture and garden decoration sales, temperatures started to soar during the second week of July and as a result garden decoration, lighting in particular, roared back into the GTN Bestsellers charts...
After weeks bemoaning not having a sustained period of good warm weather and that being blamed for the lack of garden furniture and garden decoration sales, temperatures started to soar during the second week of July and as a result garden decoration, lighting in particular, roared back into the GTN Bestsellers charts.
The downside, however, was that core gardening and overall volume sales suffered with the total of all items sold in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data base being 11% down on the same week of 2021 and 3% down on the same week of 2019.
Year to date volume sales are now static with 2021 and 16% up on 2019. It will be interesting to see the effects of the 40-degree heat during this week and the first summer holiday period since 2019 when people have been able to travel abroad in high numbers.
From what we’ve heard during this week, centres with air-conditioned restaurants were a magnet for customers seeking relief from the heat and there were some high value furniture sales too as the mercury rose.
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 28.
Garden Products Top 50 – down 24%
Growing Media Top 50 – down 5%
Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 5%
Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 33%
GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 28
All Plants with Barcode index – down 24%
All Items with Barcode index – down 11%
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
The market for DIY pest control is growing strongly and most consumers go first to their laptop, phone or tablet for advice. And sales of DIY pest control through online retailers have been growing much more strongly than traditional bricks and mortar. STV want to make sure traditional retailers benefit from this strong category growth in DIY pest control – even if they don’t have a ready-made online solution...
The market for DIY pest control is growing strongly and most consumers go first to their laptop, phone or tablet for advice. And sales of DIY pest control through online retailers have been growing much more strongly than traditional bricks and mortar. STV want to make sure traditional retailers benefit from this strong category growth in DIY pest control – even if they don’t have a ready-made online solution.
The Big Cheese - Problem Solved stand, STV’s fully interactive merchandising solution, clearly segments pest control products at the point of sale to make consumer selection simpler. But the really clever technological advance is the interactive NFC code built in to the POS. This means consumers can quickly and easily access the new The Big Cheese Webstore online product selector. Consumers are never more than three clicks away from their ideal product solution.
From the recommendations on the site, consumers can purchase direct from the shelf, or they can order other products for click and collect or direct delivery to their home. STV’s partner retailers collect a healthy margin on all sales – from the shelf or the website. Even sales made on The Big Cheese Webstore by consumers at home attract a retail margin for STV’s local retail partner.
Edwin Allingham, STV Managing Director, said “We need traditional retail partners to join us to ensure that consumers can easily access the product they identify online – and keep them shopping with their trusted, local retailer. I’d love to hear from any retailer who would like to know more about this exciting new way to retail DIY Pest Control and to benefit directly from the latest shopping trends."
For more information on The Big Cheese Top 100 and this exciting new sales opportunity, interested retailers are encouraged to make contact with their local sales agent or contact STV directly.
To maintain their impressive growth, award-winning Bloomin Amazing have recently invested significantly in new technology for their filling and bagging line with the aim of making the whole process even faster and more efficient...
Award-winning Bloomin Amazing has quickly become established as the UK’s best-selling digestate soil conditioner and mulch, and it features in GTN Bestsellers week in, week out.
For a small business that was set up only four years ago, that’s quite an achievement.
To maintain their impressive growth, Bloomin Amazing have recently invested significantly in new technology for their filling and bagging line with the aim of making the whole process even faster and more efficient.
Nick Finding, Managing Director says, “We’ve decided that the best way to grow our business is to focus on doing one thing really well. By concentrating on a single product, our 50L bag of soil conditioner and mulch, we have been able to build and hold really substantial stock levels. At any time, we now hold hundreds of pallets in stock to cope with the unpredictable peaks in demand. The team are achieving next day delivery on our minimum 7 pallet order for 80% of orders.”
Bloomin Amazing has proven to give gardeners great results with many reporting more vigorous growth in vegetables and abundant flowers in herbaceous and bedding plants. Because the product comes from a consistent source with only green crops used in its manufacture, gardeners can guarantee the same great results every time. That’s clearly building a reliable and loyal following amongst consumers which is, in turn, driving brand value and repeat sales.
Bloomin AmazingSoil Enricher is available in 50L bags with a suggested retail price of £6.49.
YGC Group, the parent company of Tong Garden Centre, are taking over the two Stephen H Smith garden centres in Otley and Harden, near Bingley. All of the 100 strong Stephen H Smith’s team are transferring to YGC Group...
YGC Group, the parent company of Tong Garden Centre, are taking over the two Stephen H Smith garden centres in Otley and Harden, near Bingley. All of the 100 strong Stephen H Smith’s team are transferring to YGC Group.
YGC Group MD, Mark Farnsworth is excited about the opportunity and said: “We are delighted to take on the Stephen H Smith sites. Their business was established in 1966 and has a proud history, we are very grateful to Christopher Smith for the opportunity to run these two great garden centres. We hope we can retain and enhance their reputation in the coming years.
“We plan to invest in both sites to help them thrive, which we hope will provide great opportunities for the existing team and for future employees.
“It has always been our ambition to create a group of family destination garden centres in Yorkshire and the addition of these sites sets us well on our way. We have been delighted with the progress we have made at Tong over the last seven years and, with Tingley set to open in the autumn and a planning application submitted for a third site at Thorp Arch, it’s going to be a busy second half to 2022.
“We have been building towards this growth for some time, so although we have a very busy couple of years in front of us, we are very confident that we have the team and the infrastructure in place to help deliver our plans. We hope to continue to enhance the offer for our customers and to create further opportunities for our fantastic teams at all sites,” concluded Mr. Farnsworth.
Christopher Smith, partner in Stephen H Smith, said: “I’d like to thank our teams at Otley and Harden for all their hard work over the years, it has been very much appreciated. I am confident that we are leaving the business in very good hands and wish everyone every success for the future.”
YGC Group founders, Farnsworth and Tom Megginson acquired Tong Garden Centre in 2015 with 45 staff and a turnover of £3.3 million. Since the acquisition, turnover has grown to £15m and the team at Tong have raised over £50,000 for local charities.
YGC Group’s first garden centre at Tong occupies a 19-acre site in Tong village. It is one of Yorkshire’s biggest independent garden centres with 125,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 700 cars.
Photograph caption: Left to right: Tom Megginson (YGC), Sharon McNair (YGC), Christopher Smith, Mark Farnsworth, Richard Coggill (SHS GM), Charlie Barker (YGC)
Fryer’s Roses, owned by the Blue Diamond Group of Garden Centres, relaunched the ‘Queen Bee’ rose at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival on behalf of their charity partner, the Soil Association...
Breeder synonym Tan 04603
Breeder synonym Tan 04603
Fryer’s Roses, owned by the Blue Diamond Group of Garden Centres, relaunched the ‘Queen Bee’ rose at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival on behalf of their charity partner, the Soil Association.
Rosa Queen Bee, bred by Rosen Tantau, is a delightful floribunda rose which produces eye-catching clusters of amber-yellow, open cupped blooms which are attractive to bees and other pollinators. This rose is aptly named as the Soil Association and Blue Diamond Garden Centres are working together to advise on and raise awareness of nature friendly gardening and how to attract bees and other pollinators to gardens and outdoor spaces.
Soil Association Partnership Manager Kate Collis said: “We are delighted that the ‘Queen Bee’ Rose will support bees and help promote the vital job they do as one of nature’s ‘keyworkers,’ pollinating the flowers, fruit and crops in our gardens, farms and the countryside. We hope that everyone buys a Queen Bee Rose to add to their gardens and we are very grateful for Blue Diamond’s donations which will help us to support and promote nature-friendly gardening.
"Our partnership with Blue Diamond gives us a great opportunity to inform behaviours while inspiring amateur and professional gardeners alike about the benefits of avoiding pesticides and artificial inputs to create beautiful natural environments where nature can flourish.”
Queen Bee roses are grown at Blue Diamond’s own nursery at Bridgemere, Nantwich, Cheshire and are potted in peat free compost and kerbside recyclable pots and are available to buy in all Blue Diamond Garden Centres or order at www.fryersroses.co.uk or telephone 01270 360071 whilst stocks last.
Bare root roses will be available to order online from November 2022.
£1 from each Queen Bee rose sold through Blue Diamond Garden Centres and Fryer’s Roses online will be donated by the Blue Diamond Group to the Soil Association.
The Blue Diamond Group and Fryer’s Roses would like to thank Rosen Tantau for their support in this relaunch.
For more than 100 years now, the breeding of garden rose varieties has been one of the main activities of Rosen Tantau. During this time, the company specialised in various types of roses. However, 20 years ago, the breeding lines were once again intensified to the most diverse types of roses. They now specialise in large-flowered, fragrant noble roses for the garden or the cutting area. Romantic nostalgia roses, robust small shrub roses, lush climbing roses and richly flowering bed roses.www.rosen-tantau.com/
Dobbies Garden Centres has marked its partnership with Waitrose by opening its first foodhall in Edinburgh...
Dobbies Garden Centres has marked its partnership with Waitrose by opening its first foodhall in Edinburgh.
Featuring the supermarket’s wide range of high-quality food, grocery products, and everyday essentials, the Waitrose foodhall is one of more than 50 that are to be launched at Dobbies’ stores across the UK and which will bring Waitrose to 20 new towns and cities.
Shoppers at Dobbies’ Edinburgh can choose from an extensive selection of products including the essential Waitrose range, which is the biggest value tier of any supermarket, plus its premium range - Waitrose No. 1 - and Waitrose Duchy Organic. Ready meals, free-from and vegan ranges, prepared fruit and vegetables, snacks and cupboard staples will also be available.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “Through a shared commitment to great value, quality and sustainability, Waitrose was the natural grocery partner for us as we continue to build on the success of our foodhalls in recent years. I am sure our first Waitrose foodhall at our flagship store in Edinburgh will prove popular with our customers.
“Our foodhalls are integral to our garden centre ranges and the experience of our customers, and we look forward to introducing Waitrose’s offering across our network of UK stores.”
To find out more about the partnership, visit www.dobbies.com.
This weekend a group of brave adventurers from Deco-Pak is tackling the Three-Peaks Challenge, all with the aim of raising funds for the Greenfingers charity...
This weekend a group of brave adventurers from Deco-Pak is tackling the Three-Peaks Challenge, all with the aim of raising funds for the Greenfingers charity.
With 24 hours on the clock these intrepid fundraisers will be taking on the biggest peaks in Scotland (Ben Nevis – 1345m), England (Scarfell Pike – 978m), and Wales (Snowdon – 1085m), racing between each to complete this mega challenge before the day is over. In total the Deco-Pak crew will climb over 3,400m, and will spend over 11 hours in the car as they travel from Fort William to Seascale in the Lake District, before finishing their journey at Caernafon in North Wales.
Not only will the day test the mettle of those taking part but it is being done for a good reason – to rise vitals funds for the Greenfingers charity; a charity which Deco-Pak has been supporting for many years, helping the charity to continue to build therapeutic gardens at children’s hospices across the country.
Anyone wanting to show their support for Deco-Pak can do so by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/craig-hall33, where Deco-Pak’s Marketing Manager, Craig Hall is asking people to donate just £3.24 as he appreciates times may be tough at present. Of course, larger donations are welcome so please dig deep if you are able.
Find out more
To find out more about Deco-Pak’s leading product portfolio please visit www.deco-pak.co.uk or call 01422 204 394.
Pugh’s Garden Village is supporting the award-winning Forever Flowers campaign this year...
Kara Pugh, Director of People and Nicola Pugh, Marketing and Operations Director at Pugh's Garden Village.
Pugh’s Garden Village is supporting the award-winning Forever Flowers campaign this year.
Pugh’s Garden Village offers extensive horticultural expertise and a unique shopping experience at its family-run centres in Radyr, Wenvoe and Rogerstone. Pugh’s has been helping gardeners across South Wales for over 65 years and has expanded its business to include regular gardening events, concession stores, restaurants and food halls across South Wales.
Organised by Cardiff charity City Hospice, Forever Flowers invites supporters to purchase a limited-edition flower to remember cherished family members, friends and loved ones. The unique, lasting tributes, which this year are sunflowers, will form a striking display in the grounds of Cardiff Castle from Saturday July 30 to Sunday August 14.
To show their support, Pugh’s has provided City Hospice and its volunteers with numerous opportunities to showcase Forever Flowers in store and spread the word about the campaign ahead of the display at the castle this summer.
Pugh’s Garden Village also created an eye-catching sunflower arch which has been used at the campaign’s official launch at the Senedd and for their stalls in store.
Pugh's sunflower arch at the official launch of Forever Flowers at the Senedd.
Prior to Forever Flowers, the garden centre has previously hosted a Gardeners Question Time event and supported the Sparkle Walk in aid of the charity.
Nicola Pugh, Marketing Director at Pugh’s Garden Village, said: “Pugh’s are extremely proud to work alongside City Hospice and help raise awareness of such a fantastic hospice. With such a diverse group of customers, we feel it is extremely important to share the services available and the work carried out at such a crucial time in people’s lives. City Hospice is extremely close to our hearts and is a charity that we have been proud to support for several years and hope to continue to do so going forward.”
Amanda Fenton, Fundraising and Marketing Director at City Hospice, said: “We are delighted to be working with Pugh’s once again. From letting us borrow their amazing sunflower arch when we went to the Senedd to giving us space in store to talk about Forever Flowers with their customers, their support for the campaign has been outstanding. We look forward to a long, collaborative working relationship.”
Purchasing a Forever Flower supports the work of City Hospice which provides care to people with terminal or life limiting illnesses, as well as essential counselling and support services for their patients’ families. The charity is the only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in the capital.
Poundbury Gardens near Dorchester has donated 30 plant pots, peat-free soil, fertiliser, bamboo sticks and two watering cans to Dorset County Hospital’s Kingfisher Ward, which is growing its own sunflowers to tie in with this year’s Dorset Sunflower Trail at Maiden Castle Farm...
Poundbury Gardens near Dorchester has donated 30 plant pots, peat-free soil, fertiliser, bamboo sticks and two watering cans to Dorset County Hospital’s Kingfisher Ward, which is growing its own sunflowers to tie in with this year’s Dorset Sunflower Trail at Maiden Castle Farm.
Planting seeds from last year’s crop, children receiving treatment on the ward are growing their sunflowers on the outdoor balcony ready for a celebration of the unmistakable sunflower.
Jon Nash from Poundbury Gardens, explains: “Growing is such a positive activity for our health as well as for the planet, so it has been a real pleasure to help the Kingfisher Ward with their Dorset Sunflower growing project. The sunflower is a joyful and vibrant plant and the children will be able to achieve a big visual impact with their project. We can’t wait to see the fruits of their labour on display in just a few weeks.”
Due to be held from Monday 8 to Saturday 20 August, depending on Mother Nature, the Dorset Sunflower Trail at Maiden Castle Farm near Dorchester is open to the whole family and half of the profits will be donated to each Dorset County Hospital’s Kingfisher Ward and Cherkasy Hospital in Ukraine.
Picture caption: (L-R) Jon Nash and Katy Bidwell from Poundbury Gardens donating sunflower growing supplies to Katie Adair-Charlton and Paul Myatt from Dorset County Hospital Charity’s Kingfisher Ward Playteam
Glazebury based Bents Garden & Home has been named as the Best Destination Garden Centre in the North West at this year’s Garden Centre Association regional awards. The announcement comes in a year when the family owned and run business celebrates its 85th anniversary..
Glazebury based Bents Garden & Home has been named as the Best Destination Garden Centre in the North West at this year’s Garden Centre Association regional awards. The announcement comes in a year when the family owned and run business celebrates its 85th anniversary; 85 years since founders Alfred and Margaret Bent started to sell roses from their front garden just yards from the Centre’s current location.
The title follows a strict audit of garden centres throughout the country with the results announced on a regional basis. The Garden Centre Association (GCA) comprises nearly 200 of the country’s best garden centres and as a member each undergoes a strict annual audit process with judges assessing every part of the centre from plant and product quality to customer service and innovation.
Bents received a spot visit by the GCA auditors and recorded one of the top scores in the country, which not only saw them awarded Best Destination Garden Centre in the North West but also the regional title for Best Restaurant and the Creative & Innovation award as well as runners up in Outdoor Living, Indoor Lifestyle and Customer Service.
Says Matthew Bent, Managing Director at Bents Garden & Home: “The GCA title is the one all garden centre’s want and we are delighted to be acknowledged as the Best in the North West, especially in what is our 85th year; a great way to celebrate our anniversary.
“It is a credit to all of our colleagues who work extremely hard to ensure our standards remain as high as possible throughout all areas of the Centre and we would like to say a big thank you to each and every one of them for their continued commitment and input.”
The GCA awards are important within the industry as they are based purely on quality standards throughout every area of the centre. Garden centres don’t pay to enter the awards or put themselves forward; members are all visited by inspectors with no prior knowledge of the exact date to ensure standards remain high at all times.
As temperatures heated up last week high volume sales of Zonal Geraniums took them back to the number one bestselling plant position...
As temperatures heated up last week high volume sales of Zonal Geraniums took them back to the number one bestselling plant position.
That meant Petunias were knocked down to No 2 but still more popular than last year when they were outsold by both Zonal Geraniums and Begonias.
Dahlia sales increased week on week to also sell higher volumes than Begonias than this week last year, as a result they moved up to No 3.
Buddlejas were the highest chart climber, up by 21 places to No 27.
Cordyline re-entered the GTN Chart at No 36.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
Wet weather throughout June affected sales in garden centres across the country according to the latest Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade report...
Wet weather throughout June affected sales in garden centres across the country according to the latest Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade report.
Catering was the only category with positive sales at 5.83% up compared to the same month last year (2021).
GCA Chief Executive, Iain Wylie explains: “June was a bit of a washout across the country, which really effected sales across our member’s garden centres. Catering was the only category with positive sales for the month, however, this is because it is still making up for losses during the pandemic.
“We had hoped that the extended Bank Holiday weekend for the Platinum Jubilee would make up for the loss of the normally busy May Bank Holiday and while the weather was good, centres were relatively quiet on the Saturday and Sunday as people join in with street parties and other celebrations, rather than getting out and doing some gardening.
“It was generally difficult for gardeners to get out onto their plots during the month due to the weather and sales in traditional categories show this. Sales in outdoor plants were down -22.39%. Seed and bulb sales were down -7.96% and houseplant sales were down -13.67%.”
Sales in garden sundries were down -26.31%, furniture and barbecue sales were down -11.86% and pets and aquatics sales were down -13.85%.
Hard landscaping sales were down -33.05%, food hall and farm shop sales were down -10.23% and clothing sales were down -10.02%.
Overall sales for the month were down -16.3% with a year-to-date variance of -0.52%.
The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.
The BoT reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.
Garden lighting came to the fore last week as four garden lighting lines re-entered and eight lines were new entries into the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart...
Garden lighting came to the fore last week as four garden lighting lines re-entered and eight lines were new entries into the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart.
Smart Solar Party Flaming Torch Black was the highest re-entry at No 3.
Smart Solar Petra Up Light, pack of 5, was the highest new entry at No 5.
Westland Lawn & Turf Dressing, 25 litres, climbed furthest up the chart to No 22.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
The Horticultural Trade Association is urging government to recognise the need to boost the number of ornamental growers if they are to achieve their ambitious biosecurity goals...
The Horticultural Trade Association is urging government to recognise the need to boost the number of ornamental growers if they are to achieve their ambitious biosecurity goals.
HTA’s Ornamental Management Committee (OMC) said an increase in ornamental growers was critical to helping to ensure enough plants and trees are produced domestically to underwrite the Government’s plans for climate change mitigation.
The call was made at this month’s OMC committee meeting (July) where members agreed that an uplift towards a strong and vibrant horticultural industry is required to support the Government’s ambitions which include increasing annual tree-planting rates to 30,000 hectares per year across the UK. As part of this, the OMC also said the benefits of urban tree growing should not be overlooked.
To help accelerate planting and growing, the committee highlighted apprenticeship programmes and the HTA’s new e-learning programme for growers - Basic Principles of Ornamental Nursery Management – as a real opportunity for increasing productivity and capacity.
HTA’s programme has been designed to get more growers into senior positions as well as to help keep growers up to date with changes in the industry.
On another industry matter, the OMC discussed the impact of the economic challenges facing the UK with a rise of input costs causing higher product costs predicted and staffing pressures continuing to be huge in many areas. Members noted that for some businesses, this is becoming a severe constraint on their operations.
The committee endorsed the HTA’s work with DEFRA in pushing for a Trusted Trader Scheme for importers to ease many of the border-related issues. The OMC agreed that the HTA should represent the industry on finding a solution to the Extensions of Authorisation for Minor Uses (EAMUs) hole left by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) as it no longer represents horticulture.
Strawberry plants, herbs and Christmas spuds were the big movers in Veg-2-Gro sales in the week before the record heatwave...
Strawberry plants, herbs and Christmas spuds were the big movers in Veg-2-Gro sales in the week before the record heatwave.
Top 50 sales were 5% down on the same week of 2021 but 19% higher than the second July week of 2022.
Craigmarloch Strawberry Varieties 9cm moved up one place to No 1.
Quantil Strawberry Sweetheart 8.5cm re-entered the Top 50 at No 4.
Taylors Autumn Planting Seed Potatoes Maris Peer were the bestselling Christmas spud for the week at No 8.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
Garden Centre Association members will have the opportunity to discuss their centre’s approach to sustainability with other members and experts from the industry during a webinar taking place this month (July 2022)...
Garden Centre Association members will have the opportunity to discuss their centre’s approach to sustainability with other members and experts from the industry during a webinar taking place this month (July 2022).
The GCA is hosting a sustainability webinar on July 27 and will have presentations from Hannah Dean-Wood from Planet Mark and Liz Williams, Sustainability Executive at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA).
Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, says: “The environment and sustainability were the biggest discussion points in our 2021 strategy meeting and will be a huge issue going forward.
“Gardening is environmentally a force for good and we would be foolish to waste this opportunity to ensure the wider world understands how growing things helps the planet. However, there are areas where we aren’t so environmentally sound as an industry and we need these areas to catch up with the greenfingered part of our sector. And we need to do this before we are forced to do it either by legislation or public opinion, which is both morally and commercially the correct approach.
“Some members, already by law, have to measure their carbon footprint, but when you get the reports about this it’s difficult to know what you are doing well/badly, so comparing these reports with colleagues in the GCA helps makes sense of it all.
“Every member starts from a different place, for example, age and type of buildings and infrastructure, but as long as we improve from where we are individually, we will make progress. The scale of the challenge can feel daunting, and it would then be easy to become frozen into inactivity as a result, so it’s good to be able to get inspiration from others. By sharing ideas and best practices, we will be better placed as individual businesses and also, collectively, as an industry. This of course is the essence of the GCA.
“As well as hosting our sustainability webinar, we’re offering members a route for communication via the new GCA exchange Environmental and Sustainability group. We are suggesting that each centre appoints an Environmental Champion, but we also need someone senior in each business to be in the loop. We won’t try to duplicate the work that the HTA is doing with their sustainability roadmap, but we will work to the same five areas – peat, plastic, plant protection, water and carbon footprint – and will regularly liaise with the HTA team, making sure that they are aware of the support that the garden centre section of the industry needs.”
As well as being able to discuss among themselves, attendees to the webinars will also be able to hear from representatives from other member centres explaining the importance of environment and sustainability to their businesses.
There will also be a presentation from Hannah Dean-Wood from Planet Mark, which empowers businesses to make changes that will shape a more sustainable world.
Hannah will be talking about the moral and commercial reasons to be more sustainable.
Liz Williams from the HTA will also give a presentation during the webinar. The HTA has created the Sustainability Roadmap as a framework for helping members to increase the commercial, environmental and social value their business delivers. It aims to build on the good practice evident among HTA members put the UK horticulture and landscaping industry at the leading edge of sustainable business.
Iain adds: “Our members should have already received invitations to join the webinar, however, if not, they can get in touch with us via info@gca.org.uk to receive a link.”
Even in the build up to the heatwave, growing media sales were 10% higher than they were for the same week in 2019...
Even in the build up to the heatwave, growing media sales were 10% higher than they were for the same week in 2019.
Top soil and bark products saw the biggest percentage week on week increases.
The Real Soil Company Super Soil Garden Topsoil 25 litres increased sales by 72% to re-enter at No 45.
Westland Cambark Premium Pine Nuggets 50 litres were the highest chart re-entry at No 32.
Westland John Innes Ericaceous 35 litres climbed 12 places up the GTN Top 50 to No 21.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
One brand that has the perfect solution – and plenty of stock available for quick delivery – is DJ Turfcare with its RHS-endorsed Recovery...
As the nation basks in record-breaking temperatures, garden retailers should prepare themselves to see an influx of garden-proud shoppers instore as they look for solutions to fix their dried and scorched lawns. One brand that has the perfect solution – and plenty of stock available for quick delivery – is DJ Turfcare with its RHS-endorsed Recovery.
About Recovery
Recovery is part of the Viano family of premium quality organic-based fertilisers, established in Belgium in 1948 and exclusively distributed in the UK by Surrey-based DJ Turfcare.
This organic-based fertiliser contains several effective ingredients, including nitrogen 8, phosphate 6, potash 13 and magnesium 3, all mixed with Humifirst, a unique ingredient that creates biological activity in the soil and acts as a plant growth stimulant. The ‘magic’ of Humifirst attaches itself to the particles of soil to improve the soil structure and enables it to hold more nutrients and water – essential during period of extended sunny spells. The grass roots then latch onto these soil particles, grabbing as many nutrients and water as they can, helping to stimulate healthy growth that is almost immediately evident.
Following an application of Recovery, lawns will be fed for up to 12 weeks, with appearance and lawn health continuing to improve after periods of drought, flood or periods of extensive wear and tear.
DJ Turfcare offers three pack sizes – 4kg, 10kg and 20kg – together providing coverage for lawns 80m2 to 200m2, making it an accessible option for gardens of all shapes and sizes. RRPs’ start from just £18.99.
Stock availability remains high, with delivery in as little as five days, making it a superb seasonal stocking choice for those retailers that want to help their customers build gardening confidence during heatwaves and periods of extreme weather.
DJ Turfcare’s David Jenkins said: “Scorched lawns need not be a disaster but instead they can be an opportunity for garden centres to demonstrate their know-how and provide the help their customers need.”
Did you know…..?
Many gardeners think that ‘nitrogen equals green’, but they are wrong. Pushing nitrogen at a parched lawn is not good practice even when it starts to rain. This is because the grass plant is already stressed and trying to put all its efforts into producing new green leaves will ultimately just weaken the plant even more.
DJ Turfcare has proven time and again that the best way to solve this problem is to stimulate the roots so that they begin to develop quickly. The whole plant can then take up the nutrients it needs to recover and produce the strong green leaf we are looking for without stressing the plant further.
Find out more
To secure your stock of Recovery, or to find out more about the wider RHS-endorsed portfolio of organic-based lawn fertilisers from DJ Turfcare please visit www.djturfcare.co.uk or call 01483 200976.
Wild Bird Care sales slipped below 2021 levels year to date for the first-time last week as temperatures started to rise...
Wild Bird Care sales slipped below 2021 levels year to date for the first-time last week as temperatures started to rise.
Top 50 volume sales in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data were 33% down on the same week last year and 38% down on the same week of 2019.
Tubs of 50 Westland Peckish Natural Balance Energy Balls stayed at No 1 while the 50 in a box line moved up seven places to No 2.
Gardman Peanuts 2kg were the highest re-entry at No 20.
Johnston & Jeff Fatballs Wrapped, pack of 6, saw the biggest percentage increase to re-enter at No 23.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
The best of last week's
If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...
Webbs have completed the acquisition of Millets Farm garden centre from Frosts with the centre opening today at 9:00am under new ownership...
Webbs have completed the acquisition of Millets Farm garden centre from Frosts with the centre opening today at 9:00am under new ownership.
Webbs announced their new centre on facebook saying: "Exciting news. Webbs are very pleased to announce that we are the new owners of the garden centre at Millets Farm, Oxfordshire. Located in the heart of the Cotswolds, it is a fantastic addition to our award winning centres based in Wychbold, West Hagley and Cheltenham. We look forward to welcoming you in-store soon."
James Frost has said on theFrosts website: "Over 35 years after opening this lovely garden centre with the Carter family, it is with considerable sadness that we are now announcing that we will be selling Frosts at Millets on the 18th July. Although Frosts are saying goodbye, we are happy to be handing over ownership to the Webbs family, who have been in horticulture since the 1800s and share our values.
"It has been a difficult decision for Jeremy and I, but we have no doubt that Webbs will ensure that the garden centre at Millets Farm continues to prosper as a key part of the local community.
"Frosts will continue with two centres at Woburn Sands and Willington, and our online store.
"We wish Mark our Centre Manager, his team and Webbs all the very best for the future, and thank you all for your support in the past."
As we publish this update of GTN Xtra there is now news about the potential purchase of the Brampton centre by Notcutts. Watch this space.
Petface, the pet product experts, have partnered with Greenfingers, the national charity that supports children across the UK by creating inspiring gardens at hospices...
Petface, the pet product experts, have partnered with Greenfingers, the national charity that supports children across the UK by creating inspiring gardens at hospices.
The company has developed a new range of garden themed pet products, available in a dual branded FSDU, from the sale of which Petface donates a percentage to Greenfingers.
The range includes a plus cauliflower, asparagus, sweetcorn and aubergine toy, in addition to a pineapple and strawberry made from latex.
Greenfingers is a charity close to the garden centres’ hearts and gives them the opportunity to offer unique, fun pet products to their customers, whilst supporting a great cause.
To further support the partnership, Petface will be collaborating on a series of events and fundraising drives, to raise awareness and help the charity reach their goals in building new hospice gardens across the UK.
A hospice can be extremely stressful for children and their families, Greenfingers creates relaxing environments that offers therapeutic rest, fresh air, and space for children to play, especially for those with life-limiting conditions. To date, over 60 specially designed, stimulating garden spaces have been created, enabling children, their siblings and their families, the chance to spend time together outdoors and away from the bedside.
Petface
Petface has over 50 years of experience developing ranges of innovative, design-led products for trade, retail, and distributors in the UK, Ireland, and parts of Europe. Each individual product is thoroughly researched and expertly designed, creating collections of fun practical toys, bedding, treats, and accessories that pets will love!
The North East’s Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category was Cowell’s Garden Centre (pictured above) and Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre in the Garden Centre (GC) category. In the North West, Bents Garden and Home (DGC) and Klondyke High Legh Garden Centre (GC) received the accolade...
The North East’s Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category was Cowell’s Garden Centre (pictured above) and Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre in the Garden Centre (GC) category. In the North West, Bents Garden and Home (DGC – below)) and Klondyke High Legh Garden Centre (GC) received the accolade.
GCA Inspector Phil McCann was responsible for inspecting member garden centres in the North East and North West areas.
Cowell’s Garden Centre also picked up the Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity, the Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service, the Environment and Sustainability Award and the GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer in the North East region.
Martin Cowell, Director at Cowell’s Garden Centre, said: “We are delighted to have received several awards at the GCA regional awards presentation. To be awarded Best Destination Garden Centre and shortlisted for the national Ruxley Rose competition for best plant area is wonderful and testament to the hard work and creativity of our fantastic team.”
In the North West, Bent’s Garden and Home also took home the Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant and The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity.
Matthew Bent, Managing Director at Bent’s Garden and Home, said: “There are many awards available within our industry, but to be acknowledged as the Best Destination Garden Centre in the North West by the GCA really is a great honour.
“The GCA awards aren’t based on any kind of written submission, they follow the annual audits, which are a requirement of our membership of the GCA.
“These audits are hugely beneficial as they monitor quality standards throughout the centre, not only of products and departments, but also people and service, which makes it all the more special to receive this recognition. It takes a massive team effort to achieve the high standards required to achieve this award and it’s a fantastic way to thank each and every one of them for everything they do for our family business.”
Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “It was great to see everyone in attendance at our regional awards meeting and paying close attention to our inspector, Phil McCann’s feedback. Now is the optimum time for our members to take this feedback on board, relay it to the rest of their team and start making any changes needed.”
The full results for the North East and North West regions GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:
North East
Garden Centre of the Year: Cowell’s Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre (GC)
Best Customer Service: Cowell’s Garden Centre
Environment and Sustainability Award: Cowell’s Garden Centre
The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity: Cowell’s Garden Centre
The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Coletta and Tyson
The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Tong Garden Centre (DGC) and Moss and Moor (GC)
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Cowell’s Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre (GC)
The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Langlands Garden Centre, Shiptonthorpe (DGC) and Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre (GC)
The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Langlands Garden Centre, Shiptonthorpe (DGC) and Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre (GC)
North West
Garden Centre of the Year: Bents Garden and Home (DGC) and Klondyke High Legh Garden Centre (GC)
Best Customer Service: Fron Goch Garden Centre
Environment and Sustainability Award: Fron Goch Garden Centre
The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity: Bents Garden and Home
The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Bolton Garden Centre
The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Bents Garden and Home (DGC) and Klondyke High Legh Garden Centre (GC)
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) and RHS Bridgewater Plant Centre and Shop (GC)
The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) and RHS Bridgewater Plant Centre and Shop (GC)
The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Astbury Meadow Garden Centre (GC)
The title of Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category in the South Thames region went to Ruxley Manor Garden Centre and the Garden Centre (GC) category award went to Coolings Wych Cross...
The title of Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category in the South Thames region went to Ruxley Manor Garden Centre (above) and the Garden Centre (GC) category award went to Coolings Wych Cross (below).
Iain Wylie, Chief Executive at the GCA, said: “Our first regional awards meeting was a great success and it was fantastic to see attendees all actively engaged in the presentations and taking down lots of notes to share with the rest of their teams.
“I’d like to congratulate all of our very worthy winners and give a big ‘thank you’ to Ruxley Manor Garden Centre for being wonderful hosts and Colin Farquhar for inspecting the centres earlier in the year and presenting his findings.”
Colin inspected 52 garden centres in the region within a 12-week period.
He said: “The garden centres in the South Thames area of the GCA displayed the highest standards of customer and plant care I have experienced for a long time. It was a pleasure to watch the genuinely warm interaction between the customers and the colleagues on a daily basis, well worth a visit.”
Ruxley Manor Garden Centre also picked up the award for Catering Excellence, Best Garden Centre Restaurant (DGC) and the Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer.
Andrew Evans, Managing Director at Ruxley Manor Garden Centre said: “We are thrilled to win the best destination garden centre award and wouldn’t have been able to do it without our amazing team and all of their hard work.”
Coolings took ownership of Wych Cross Garden Centre in 2019.
Dwayne Ross, Coolings Managing Director, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded seven awards by the GCA, an incredible accolade and one the board of directors and I are extremely proud of.
“We couldn’t have achieved this without the fantastic team across all four of our centres and continued support from our customers. We are especially proud of the team at Coolings Wych Cross for being awarded ‘Garden Centre of the Year’ in the South Thames region.
“Since taking ownership of the nursery and garden centre in 2019 we have worked hard to make plants and especially roses the main focus at the centre, as growing has always been at the heart of Coolings.”
Coolings Wych Cross became a GCA member in 2021.
Louise Kemp, Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre Manager, said: “After joining the GCA just last year, we are delighted to have been awarded Garden Centre of the Year in the South Thames region by the GCA.
“I have a fantastic and passionate team around me here at Wych Cross who I am extremely proud of for all their hard work across the whole centre and rose nursery.”
The full results for the South Thames region GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:
Garden Centre of the Year: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre (DGC) and Coolings Wych Cross (GC)
Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service: Millbrook Garden Company, Gravesend
Environment and Sustainability Award: Millbrook Garden Company, Gravesend
The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity: Haskins Roundstone Garden Centre
The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Squires Garden Centre, Milford
The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre (DGC) and joint winners Busy Bee Garden Centre and
Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst (GC)
The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Garsons Garden Centre, Esher (DGC) and Millbrook Garden Company, Staplehurst (GC)
The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Haskins Roundstone Garden Centre (DGC) and Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth (GC)
The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre (DGC) and Canterbury Garden Centre (GC)
PP8 Marketing’s Paula Parker is no stranger to Glee. This year was in fact her 15th attendance. Whether running projects for Scotts Miracle-Gro (now Evergreen Garden Care), Southern Trident or the Retail Lab @Glee for Hyve and the HTA, she’s been there. It’s safe to say Paula lives and breathes the horticultural sector!
PP8 Marketing’s Paula Parker is no stranger to Glee. This year was in fact her 15th attendance. Whether running projects for Scotts Miracle-Gro (now Evergreen Garden Care), Southern Trident or the Retail Lab @Glee for Hyve and the HTA, she’s been there. It’s safe to say Paula lives and breathes the horticultural sector!
Now into its 6th year, her business PP8 Marketing sees her working with many of the industry's associations and suppliers providing marketing management.
What’s it like to work with Paula? Here’s what some of her clients had to say:
Steve Harper, CEO at Southern Trident.
"I have worked closely with Paula over the past two years since joining Southern Trident. In that time Paula has been invaluable in helping to drive the business forward. Her ability to understand the business, prepare for whatever we need to deliver, PR, NPD and show preparation are all exemplary. Paula delivers, follows up and completes every time with nothing being too much trouble."
"If your team is already under pressure and you're looking for an experienced and trusted pair of hands for support, then working with Paula is a no-brainer. As soon as she's involved you can instantly feel the relief that the projects you can't get to now have the attention they need. Paula works with Burgon & Ball focusing on our strategic innovation projects and branding strategy. She is very easy to deal with and now feels like an extension of our Burgon & Ball team – she is a real asset!"
Whether it’s providing strategic insight, tactical execution or acting as a critical friend or consultant, Paula is the marketing solution your business needs. Call Paula on 07500 225293 to discuss your marketing challenges.
Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts...
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 2018 as well as 2019 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 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.
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.
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 £100m.
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.
Glee's organising team looks at key trends emerging from this year’s show and ahead to 27th-29th June 2023 for an early glimpse of what’s in store for the UK’s most important garden centre trade exhibition.
Glee's organising team looks at key trends emerging from this year’s show and ahead to 27th-29th June 2023 for an early glimpse of what’s in store for the UK’s most important garden centre trade exhibition.
If one key message emerged from the superb content programme offered at Glee 2022, it was that despite the huge economic challenges our country is facing, the gardening industry is better placed than almost any other to not just survive but thrive. Always strong on content, Glee pulled out all the stops with a host of expert commentators who were united in their belief that the future is bright for gardening. Retail consultant, Alan O'Neil, who helped grow the fortunes of Selfridges, Fenwick and Harrods amongst others, put it this way: “Gardening is one of the lucky sectors coming out of the pandemic, in a time where we see the pace, complexity and volume of change accelerating.”
As retailers adjust their business models and learn new skills to keep up with consumer shifts, the trade event that serves them has also changed with the times. This has already seen Glee shift from its historic September date to a late June timeframe which better suits the buying patterns of garden centers and other outdoor living specialists.
Commenting on the new June date, GCA Chairman and Managing Director of Millbrook Garden Centres, Tammy Woodhouse, said: “In the long-term, I think the new slot will help us make buying decisions earlier and allow us to have a summer sale and clear through old stock to make way for new ranges for next year,” whilst British Garden Centres’ Joint Managing Director, Charles Stubbs added: “It was great to see Glee back and in such good health! The level of commitment to the industry from suppliers was obvious through their NPD and investment in existing stock. I was particularly impressed by the number of new exhibitors; every one of them relevant to our industry.”
Robin Mercer, the owner of Belfast-based Hillmount Garden Centres and recipient of the coveted Best Independent Award in this year’s Buyer’s Power List, also shared his thoughts on the show, saying: “We need to go to shows to see what is new, and the stand quality here is very, very good, the layout is great, it’s spacious and easy to get around. People have gone to a lot of effort to make their stands look nice and decorate them well with nice features. We also make a point of visiting the New Product Showcase while we’re here. We have placed a few orders already but there are many more suppliers we still want to see”.
Robin and his retail colleagues were truly spoilt for choice at this year’s Glee, where exhibitor levels were back to pre-pandemic numbers, 170 new brands – never-before seen at the event – showcased their latest innovations and international exhibitors from 22 countries came out in force. Exhibitors were in agreement that the quality of retailers in attendance was also very high, with all the major garden centre groups sending buying teams and a wealth of independents from around the UK turning out to support the industry’s prime new product launchpad.
Lauren O'Neil of Stratford Garden Centre concurred with the positive sentiment, saying: "It’s been good, very strong. We picked up a few new suppliers; more of the smaller people we noticed as we went round and thought ‘they look good’.”
Driving Innovation and Celebrating Newness
Newness, of course, is the name of the game when it comes to inspiring buying and Glee had so much to offer in the way of product innovation, especially in the all-important realm of sustainability, which is firmly at the top of all buying agendas and consumer wish lists. This newness will be amplified at next year’s event, when the show will extend from four to five halls of the NEC, enabling key sectors to expand and opening up new growth areas for Glee.
After an exceptionally strong 2022 showing, which saw buyers turning up in droves to place orders ahead of Christmas, the Home, Gift & Clothing sector at Glee will be transformed into a dedicated village for trend-driven garden home and giftware. A new DIY sector will also debut at the 2023 show, whilst the International Sourcing sector – new for 2023 – will help make Glee an important destination for major wholesale buyers and procurement experts in the years to come.
Outdoor Entertaining – a booming category as Brits give a unanimous thumb’s up to home entertaining – is also set to grow for next year’s event, as demand for outdoor entertainment products remains high. During his fascinating seminar on opportunities for growth in the current economic climate, HTA Head of Research, David Denny, pointed out that:
“Even before the pandemic, outdoor living was on an upwards trajectory, but over the last 12-18 months it has accelerated in growth, and few would disagree that garden retail has benefitted from this positive trend. The question now on the garden industry’s mind is how does it continue to engage with this new consumer group, and can this continuous growth be maintained?”
Glee is here to help meet that challenge, with a host of exciting plans for the development of this vital sector at next year’s show, with the outdoor demonstration zone, Fire, Grill & Chill, playing an important part in this expansion. (Finger’s crossed for some summer sun!).
Glee Event Director, Matthew Mein, said; “We are incredibly excited about the continuing evolution of Glee at such a pivotal time of growth and change for the gardening industry. Through the support of innovation and by driving newness in every market sector, inspiring buyers and helping to inform their purchasing decisions in a rapidly changing environment, Glee has a vital role to play. We are more than ready to meet the challenges and help our customers to make the most of opportunities, facilitated by our new June date which opens up Glee to the most important buying cycle for trade.”
Find out more
Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits for buyers and suppliers within the core gardening and outdoor leisure product categories. To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com. To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2023 which will take place June 27th – 29th, please call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.
As Glee 2022 came to a close, GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer interviewed Glee Show Director Matthew Mein for Glee TV. They talk about what was different this year, the great range of products at the show and the impact of young people in the industry...
As Glee 2022 came to a close, GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer interviewed Glee Show Director Matthew Mein for Glee TV. They talk about what was different this year, the great range of products at the show and the impact of young people in the industry.
The Big Cheese - Problem Solved stand, STV’s fully interactive merchandising solution, clearly segments pest control products at the point of sale to make consumer selection simpler. But the really clever technological advance is the interactive NFC code built in to the POS. This means consumers can quickly and easily access the new 
STV International Ltd 
Soil Association Partnership Manager Kate Collis said: “We are delighted that the ‘Queen Bee’ Rose will support bees and help promote the vital job they do as one of nature’s ‘keyworkers,’ pollinating the flowers, fruit and crops in our gardens, farms and the countryside. We hope that everyone buys a Queen Bee Rose to add to their gardens and we are very grateful for Blue Diamond’s donations which will help us to support and promote nature-friendly gardening.
The Blue Diamond Group and Fryer’s Roses would like to thank Rosen Tantau for their support in this relaunch. 
GTN July 2022 SOLEX SHOW PREVIEW ISSUE - Inside this issue:
This organic-based fertiliser contains several effective ingredients, including nitrogen 8, phosphate 6, potash 13 and magnesium 3, all mixed with Humifirst, a unique ingredient that creates biological activity in the soil and acts as a plant growth stimulant. The ‘magic’ of Humifirst attaches itself to the particles of soil to improve the soil structure and enables it to hold more nutrients and water – essential during period of extended sunny spells. The grass roots then latch onto these soil particles, grabbing as many nutrients and water as they can, helping to stimulate healthy growth that is almost immediately evident.
