British Garden Centres today announced that they have completed the acquisition of Hillview Garden Centres (HGC) from The Hillview Group. The transaction included both the operational business and portfolio of eight garden centres of HGC. This latest acquisition brings the total number of stores in British Garden Centres to 57 making them the second largest garden centre group in the UK.

British Garden Centres have undergone an impressive expansion programme, growing from 10 centres in 2018, acquiring 39 ex-Wyevale sites over the past few months and now adding Hillview centres at Charlbury, Heanor, Studley, Matlock, Charlecote, Bromsgrove, Tenbury Wells and Newton Regis to the portfolio.

Commenting, Director Phillipa Stubbs said “The most exciting part of this latest acquisition is the fit. Not only does this group of centres help with our geographical expansion, but the whole culture of the Hillview team slots so well into the British Garden Centre philosophy.”

“We’ve all seen how hard it can be to make a large corporate model successful in the garden centre business. That’s why our philosophy is so different. We are focusing on bringing all the benefits of a larger organisation whilst retaining the strengths of a family run business. Our individual centre teams all have their own local personality and close relationships with loyal customers. My job is to support them in doing what’s right in their own centres. And the great news for these latest eight centres who are joining the group is that they can now benefit from the financial support and working capital that will allow them to grow the business.”

Hillview Garden Centres has been run for the past 8 years by Boyd Douglas-Davies who will be taking up a senior role at British Garden Centres with immediate effect. He added “I’m so pleased to see HGC settling into its new home with British Garden Centres. All the staff have transferred across so the experience and team spirit is intact! There’s so many opportunities ahead of us now.”

Commenting, Nadav Livni, Managing Director of The Hillview Group said “I am immensely proud of what our team has achieved over the last eight years. Having identified a compelling investment opportunity, we established Hillview Garden Centres as a new owner-operator in this sector and through acquisitions created a portfolio of sites with potential to reposition them as retail and leisure destinations. I am delighted that British Garden Centres will continue with this next chapter and am confident of their successful integration to create the leading independent operator in the UK”

The eight centres have been trading under the British Garden Centre umbrella since late-September under an agreement with Hillview Group that was designed to ensure the business made the most of the busy Christmas trading period. The approach has already paid dividends with the centres reporting strong sales up on the same period last year. 

To find out more about British Garden Centres, go to www.britishgardencentres.com or e-mail us at BDD@britishgardencentres.com or call to speak to us on 07831 200276

See GTN Xtra's pictures from Hillview Hilltop, now Charlbury Garden Centre, taken in October in the gallery below:

As 2019 comes to a close the garden centre landscape in the UK has taken on a new shape post the Wyevale Garden Centres “Sale of the Century.”  Instead of one group that had clear market leadership at 4 times the centres of any other group we now have three groups across the country between them operating 155 centres.   Dobbies lead the pack with 69 centres and a proposition that appeals to everyone, Blue Diamond now have 37 centres aimed at their AB target market and British Garden Centres have created a nationwide chain of 49 “independently” run garden centres under the British Garden Centres banner.

Over the past six weeks GTN’s Trevor Pfeiffer has been tracking down the leaders of the “Big Three” to find out more about their plans for 2020 and beyond.

Read the interviews in the Dec- Jan issue of GTN which will arrive by post this week or read the issue now on-line using this link.

Following many conversations with garden centres while out and about post Glee and at the Cultivating Retail conference, the GTN team have realised there is a real need for more information about sustainability initiatives from existing suppliers and ideas that could lead to products from new suppliers to be stocked.

In answer to this, GTN is compiling a Sustainability Directory to be published in January 2020 that will provide a guide for garden centre buyers and staff to the sustainability initiatives of garden centre suppliers and their products.

Suppliers to garden centres will be able to take a FREE Sustainability Listing in the directory and there will also be opportunities for advertising and advertorial content to emphasise your sustainability activities.

To take advantage of this FREE Sustainability Listing companies should use this link or send an e-mail to alan.burdon@tgcmc.co.uk

For information about advertising and advertorial opportunities please call Alan Burdon or Ben Greenwood on 01733 775700.

Deadline for submissions: Friday December 19^th 2019

It was a landslide win for garden centres in the first week of December with total sales reaching an all time winter period level, making it the seventh highest week of the year for volume sales.

Even as Christmas shelves start to get depleted – most of the centres we’ve been to recently have all of their stock out now – Christmas sales are still breaking records, and the footfall increase is also leading to high sales in other departments.

With a very low risk of snow between now and December 24th we can rest assured that the year overall will be finishing up 4% on last year and 1% up on the previous annual record set in 2017.

After the election result what are your thoughts about garden centre prospects for 2020?  Email trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year (week 49)

• Garden Products - up 10%
• Growing Media - up 30%
• Wild Bird Care - up 14%
• Christmas - up 9%
• All Plants Index - up 16%
• All Items Index - up 6%

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

Commenting on the general election result, James Clark, Director of Policy and Communications at the Horticultural Trades Association, said:

“We welcome the clarity provided by the general election result and look forward to promptly engaging with the new Government and Parliamentarians to make the case for how a strong and vibrant horticulture sector is imperative for the Government to deliver its manifesto pledges.

"Horticulture makes a hugely important contribution to the economy, alongside the vital role it plays in supporting the wider environment, health and well-being benefits of gardening.

"We will be advocating the three key themes around the economy, trade and environment, central to our members’ needs, that need to be taken forward in a post Brexit environment.”

The HTA’s three key policy themes and specific ‘asks’ of Government are:

A competitive, productive and growing economy that benefits everyone.

• Employer taxes and wage floor increases should reflect market conditions
• Backing a flexible marketplace
• Horticulture should be better recognised and supported by the Government as an engine of economic growth

Making the best of a post-Brexit world.

• Championing free and frictionless trade
• Horticulture needs must be included in immigration policy
• Plant health and biosecurity needs to remain a high priority

Creating a greener Britain.

• Climate change and carbon reduction matters
• Back tree planting, but the detail is crucial
• A mix of woodland and urban tree planting is needed
• Plant pots should be included in a consistent local authority recycling system
• Work with industry on peat reduction

Dobbies paid £70m for the six Wyevale garden centres it bought in the year to 24 February 2019, the annual accounts, filed last week, reveal.

Gloucester, Heighley Gate, Huntington, Woodbridge and Woodlands were acquired for £37.4m and Woodcote Green for £33.2m

The group reported a loss before tax of £14m on sales of £166m, although operating profits moved up from £5.5m to £7.4m. A full year’s trading with the six newcomers would have pushed turnover to £197m.

The group says it aims to grow organically as well as through acquisition and its strategic plan is to “lead the future of garden centre retailing”. It believes it differentiates itself through range authority, best in class hospitality experience and strong concession relationships.

During the year Dobbies disposed of two centres, Westerwood and Kinross, that were not of core interest and later acquired 31 more from Wyevale, leaving it with 69 centres.

Borrowings totalled £299.5m at year end, including £44m from its parent division within the Dobbies Garden Centre Group.

It’s a Christmas that keeps on giving. According to the GTN Bestsellers Epos data, the first week of December 2019 was another record week for Christmas sales.

Volumes should start to drop off next week as shelves get emptied but who knows. Perhaps week 50 could be another record week.

Highlights of the week were:

• Scentsicles Christmas Tree Assorted Fragrances were the highest re-entry of the week, back into the GTN Top 50 at No 6.
• Bon Bons Christmas Bear Lolly was the highest of five new Christmas confectionery entries.
• Timstor’s Santa Hanging Decoration was the highest chart mover, up 18 places to No 22.

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

Writer and broadcaster Paul Mason will address delegates at the Garden Centre Association’s 2020 conference in Bristol next month (26-29 January).

His talk, on Tuesday 28th will focus on the economy and the political landscape.

He said his speech would reflect the importance of our current economic and political times. “I will talk about how the garden centre industry will be affected by the political landscape, whatever that may be in January,” he said

“Of course, there will be mention of Brexit also, which is a pertinent subject for all industries. Attendees will be able to take all of my advice back with them to their garden centres and use it in the day-to-day running of their businesses.”

Paul has covered all aspects of the UK and global economy, markets, labour and commerce for both Channel 4 and BBC 2.

His role as Channel 4’s Culture and Digital Editor embraced the social, cultural and business impact of the new age of digital and online.

As former deputy editor of Computer Weekly, he won the Workworld Business Journalist and Wincott awards for his China reports, and the Diageo African Business Reporting Award for his acclaimed film on how mobile phones are changing the continent.

Iain Wylie, chief executive of the GCA, said: “The economy is a hugely important topic for the garden centre industry, so it will be thoroughly interesting to hear what Paul has to say and we will also be keen to hear his views on Brexit and the political landscape and how that can also affect us as an industry.”

The GCA’s 2020 conference will be held at Mercure Bristol, Grand Hotel.You can book places here www.gca.org.uk.

Notcutts has announced the appointment of Bridget McIntyre as non- executive director and chair designate with effect from 1 January. She will replace outgoing chair Nicky Dulieu from 1 March.

Bridget currently sits on the Boards of Adnams and Jarrolds, both family businesses with a significant retail component. After a successful executive career in a variety of industries, from publishing to car manufacturing culminating in financial services with Aviva and RSA Insurance, she moved from to Suffolk.

In 2009, she set up the award-winning social enterprise Dream On, an innovative business model which funds access programmes to support women’s development, funded through corporate coaching and a clothes shop. This led to the creation of the Blossom Charity to support Dream On in 2014 and, most recently, Mission Possible which supports men to be their very best too.

Bridget has also been appointed High Sheriff of Suffolk from April 2020 - April 2021.

Rosebourne garden centre customers whose leftover Christmas tree are getting their tinsel in a tangle have the perfect answer in January -  the annual tree throwing competition.

Whoever can throw their tree the furthest will win a free Christmas tree for next year as well as afternoon tea for two. “What a way to burn off those extra Christmas calories, eh?” suggests the Rosebourne publicity.

The competition takes place on Sunday 5 January 5 from 11am-12pm at both the Weyhill and Aldermaston Rosebourne centres, with the pledge that all trees entered will be recycled.

Children from South London  school Charlton Manor sang Christmas music to an audience of elderly people at Coolings Garden Centre, Knockholt.

After the performance, the children handed a poinsettia to each member and took one each back to the school.

The plants were generously given by Ian Mills of Creswick Nurseries, Darenth, to promote poinsettias.

Pictures are due to appear in The Sun on Saturday 21 December 2019 and the children have been heard singing on The Sun podcast, This Week in the Garden, since last Thursday.

Sajid Javid, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, called in on Christmas and outdoor leisure wholesalers Trans Continental Group at Blackpool on the northern section of the Conservatives' general election campaign trail...

"He was very personable, spoke to all the staff and showed great interest in what we do," said chief executive Mike Withers (pictured with the Chancellor in the company's Snow Time showroom).

Independent candle, giftware and home accessory designers and wholesaler Candlelight Products Ltd will highlight additions to its own brand ‘Candle collection’ at Spring Fair in February.

‘The Katie Alice’ collection will be unveiled on the stand by the designer herself, who puts her name to three exclusive licenced ranges of candles, reed diffusers and votives featuring her inspirational floral designs (including' Wild Apricity,pictured right).

‘Flower Patch’ authentic synthetic flowers feature popular UK species in matching pots or vases (pictured on cover page).  The range includes orchids in cream and pinks, with the option of rose gold or silver pots.  Hydrangeas, roses, ranunculus and peonies in a choice of stylish glass bowls or vases complete the collection.

Candlelight’s own range of succulents launched at the Spring Fair 2019 proved so popular that more have been added for 2020, including a fern in a grey pot, green rose cacti, round leaf succulents and aloe vera in a white pot and spikey leaf succulents in a terracotta-colour pot.

The new ‘Chinoiserie’ range (left) range includes stylish pink and ochre wax-filled pots and authentic designs of ridged glass bottle reed diffusers, both featuring fragrances, as well as gold-footed porcelain mugs in hues of ochre, cool blue and blush.

Candlelight are in Spring Fair’s Hall 8 on stand 8A22 and 3H20-J21.

As the annual GIMA Awards gets set to celebrate its 40th anniversary in July 2020, the organisation is calling upon the industry to help paint a picture of the GIMA Awards of yesteryear.

With 40 glittering events to call upon, GIMA is hoping to hear your stories, anecdotes, memories and, they hope, photos from the award evenings or of your products dating back as far back as 1980.

GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “To celebrate 40 years of the GIMA Awards we are hoping to create a special report, celebrating previous winners and also providing insight into how garden retailing has evolved over the last four decades. We, of course, need help from the industry to achieve this so we’re inviting anyone who remembers a previous GIMA Award to get in touch. We’re hoping, in particular, that pictures will assist us in creating a nostalgic timeline, showcasing how products have helped to shape the history of gardening in the UK.  We’re excited to hear what you might have to share with us!”

If you have any stories to share, were a previous winner or judge, or have any literature or photos from the event please get in touch via this link,

Spring Fair is launching the ‘Power of One’ Transparency Award for its 2020 event, with the aim of inspiring sustainable behaviours.

Spring & Autumn Fair’s #PowerOfOne campaign supports and encourage retailers and their suppliers to make changes that will help to protect the planet.

Show organiser Hyve Group is now extending the initiative to supply chain ethics with the ‘Power of One’ Transparency Award, supported by Sedex, one of the world's leading ethical trade service providers working to improve working conditions in global supply chains.

Entries are being accepted from Spring Fair exhibitors through the show’s website at this address. As well as responding to a series of questions, entrants are encouraged to upload evidence that showcases their efforts to ensure their supply chain upholds the highest standards of responsibility.

Julie Driscoll, Hyve Group regional manager for Spring Fair, said: “Retail brands are under pressure from governments, consumers, NGOs, and other stakeholders to divulge more information about their supply chains, and the reputational cost of failing to meet these demands can be high.

“Concurrently, consumers are rewarding retail businesses that are championing socially responsible behaviours and taking action to elevate their ethical behaviours in all the communities they impact.

“Spring Fair has a long history of encouraging activism in the retail industry. Our ‘Power of One’ campaign continues to support and encourage retailers and their suppliers to make changes that will protect the planet and inspire sustainable behaviours. Now, we want to highlight the issue of supply chain transparency and encourage awareness and improvement throughout the industry.”

Entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts and the winner will be announced on the Inspiring Retail Stage, with the date and time of the presentation to be announced. 

Supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, the Power of One campaign seeks to demonstrate how a combination of small, individual changes can create a more sustainable future for all.

The Power of One campaign has been adopted across Hyve Group’s portfolio of fashion and retail shows, including Glee.

Tesco is to bin the use of plastic glitter on its plant and flower ranges and is switching to a biodegradable alternative.

Traditional glitter is a microplastic, and can be potentially harmful in the environment, so Tesco were looking for a “green” alternative to decorate their flowers.

The retailer will now be working with Ronald Britton Ltd the inventors and manufacturers of eco-friendly glitter brand, Bioglitter, which will be supplying its Bioglitter PURE product, for Tesco’s decorated flower ranges, starting this Christmas.

The range is the world’s first and only glitter which is plastic free, TÜV certified biodegradable and verified microplastic-free.

The product is made from a special form of cellulose, unique to Bioglitter, and has passed independent tests including TÜV, Austria’s ‘OK Biodegradable WATER’ Certification, which guarantees biodegradation in natural, freshwater environments.

Michelle Buck, horticulture product development manager at Tesco said: “We are determined to reduce the environmental impact of products and as such we’ve pledged to remove more than one billion pieces of plastic from products by the end of 2020.  Using Bioglitter on our products is one of the ways we are working towards that pledge, replacing the plastic glitter traditionally used on plants and flowers with this eco-friendly alternative. 

“Bioglitter PURE is new to the market and the world’s first plastic free glitter, certified biodegradable in the natural environment and we are the first retailer globally to use this new glitter on plants and flowers.”

Stephen Cotton, sales and marketing director of Bioglitter, said: “It’s brilliant to see Tesco really driving forward on their campaign to cut plastic waste and we are really pleased to be working with them.

“Tonnes of plastic glitter is used by supermarkets in cards, packaging and in particular for flower and horticultural decoration.  It’s potentially a major microplastic issue, and glitter can find its way into the environment not only when goods are ultimately disposed of but also all the way through the supply chain. Bioglitter® has been created to solve this issue, and as a plant based, naturally degradable glitter, when it does find its way into the environment it will simply decompose like a leaf.”

Bioglitter® PURE, launched earlier this year, was developed for the cosmetic sector, winning Gold for innovation at in-cosmetics global, the world’s most prestigious cosmetic raw material exhibition.  Despite being aimed at the cosmetic market, the product is robust enough to use in coating, printing and decorative applications and Tesco has opted for the product on flowers, because of its eco-credentials. 

Stephen added: “We have been on a journey over the last 10 years to create the Bioglitter and having huge names like Tesco using the product, really is a great endorsement of our brand, and also shows their commitment to using the very best eco-friendly products available in order to help tackle the plastic waste and environmental pollution issues we face.”

For more information on Bioglitter, visit the website.

The Company:

Apta is the leading supplier of quality flower pots and accessories to the UK garden trade, under its own brand and iconic UK brands, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Laura Ashley.

The company has achieved very considerable growth and now wishes to strengthen its merchandising team with the recruitment of a motivated and ambitious Product Merchandiser. This is a temporary contract with a term of 7 to 8 months.

Job title: Product Merchandiser

Area: Norfolk and surrounding areas

Salary: Very attractive salary, company vehicle.

Progression: There will be opportunities to progress within the company

The Role of Product Merchandiser:

• Building upon strong partnerships with existing customers
• Working with the sales team and head office to ensure that customer experience is always exceptional.
• Planning and working to an effective journey plan, maximising customer contact.

The person for this Product Merchandiser opportunity:

We are looking for a fit and healthy additional member to join our team of merchandisers. The main duties will involve setting up display benches and displaying our products within garden centres in your allocated area, mainly covering Norfolk, Suffolk and surrounding areas. The ideal applicant will live central to these areas. Other locations within reasonable proximity will be considered.

This is an outdoor job involving heavy lifting and only applicants whom are fit, healthy and willing to work long hours during our main season should apply. A company vehicle is provided for all work duties along with a fuel card and mobile phone.

A full clean driving licence is required and applicants need to be 23 + years of age.

This is a temporary contract, full time position with immediate start available.

Applications should be sent by email with your CV and covering letter to Brian Cobb, Merchandising Manager, brian.cobb@apta.co.uk or telephone 07968 153418 for any other details.

Job Title Full Time Merchandiser /Sales representative

Area Approximately 50 mile radius of Reading

Job Description :Creative Products Ltd are an instore TV promotion company selling a range of unique cookware, houseware, garden, giftware and pet products under the brand name Creative.

We are currently seeking a hard-working, dedicated full time merchandiser/area representative to look after our accounts within approximately a 50-mile radius of the Reading area and responsible for installing/ merchandising our dedicated display stands that incorporate media advertising screens playing our custom made in store product advertising films.

Previous merchandising experience is preferable, as is some experience of customer service and sales, although full training will be given. The ideal candidate would be in the Reading area. You will be responsible for approximately 60 customers who will need visiting every 4-6 weeks. These customers are predominantly garden centres but also include High Street and out of town retailers. The work can be physically demanding. The role is very hands on, comprising of installing our display equipment for new business and merchandising the stock displayed on our stands. Our promotions change every 8-16 weeks and so delivering in stock, merchandising and collecting stock are all part of the required role. This vacancy would suit a person with experience of FMCG. You will be confident, have a smart appearance with the ability to develop good customer relationships. You should also have good commercial awareness and understand how the critical placement of products within retail stores affect sales performance. The ideal candidate should hold a full clean driving licence. Some overnight stays will be required as well as visits to our head office in Lincolnshire every 3-4 weeks. Company van, telephone and laptop provided. Company Pension Scheme also offered. Starting salary in the region of £22,000 with an increase after completion of successful 3-month trial period

Starting salary £22,000 dependent upon experience.

Applications by email to:

mark@creativeproducts.ltd.uk

richard@creativeproducts.ltd.uk

HTA policy and communications director James Clark has welcomed what he describes as the clarity provided by the general election result.

“We look forward to promptly engaging with the new Government and Parliamentarians to make the case for how a strong and vibrant horticulture sector is imperative for the Government to deliver its manifesto pledges,” he said. “Horticulture makes a hugely important contribution to the economy, alongside the vital role it plays in supporting the wider environment, health and well-being benefits of gardening. We will be advocating the three key themes around the economy, trade and environment, central to our members’ needs, that need to be taken forward in a post Brexit environment.”

The key policy ‘asks’ are:

• A competitive, productive and growing economy that benefits everyone.
  • Employer taxes and wage floor increases should reflect market conditions
  • Backing a flexible marketplace
  • Horticulture should be better recognised and supported by the Government as an engine of economic growth

• Making the best of a post-Brexit world.
  • Championing free and frictionless trade
  • Horticulture needs must be included in immigration policy
  • Plant health and biosecurity needs to remain a high priority

• Creating a greener Britain.
  • Climate change and carbon reduction matters
  • Back tree planting, but the detail is crucial
  • A mix of woodland and urban tree planting is needed
  • Plant pots should be included in a consistent local authority recycling system
  • Work with industry on peat reduction

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The Garden Centre Association will welcome double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes MBE to its stage during its annual conference, which takes place on January 26-29.

Kelly will speak to conference attendees on Tuesday, January 28 at the Mercure Bristol, Grand Hotel in Bristol about her career, mental health and what organisations can do to help.

The mental health advocate, broadcaster and writer who was only the second woman in history to claim the 800m and 1500m titles in the same Games, said: “During my speech at the GCA conference I will be taking a personal look at mental health and also what individuals and organisations need to do to help themselves and each other. I will also look at the ups and downs of my career on and off the track, at what kept me going and talk about what it takes to achieve your goals.

“Drawing on my time in the army as well as my athletics career I will also talk about effective team building, planning and preparation as well as the importance of physical and mental health and wellbeing.”

As a teenager Kelly had two dreams, to join the army and win an Olympic gold medal. After early school-level success on the track she joined the army, initially training as an HGV driver. After 10 years in the army, rising to the rank of sergeant class 1 Physical Training Instructor, Kelly left the forces and returned to the running track full time.

Despite injuries Kelly amassed seven gold, eight silver and four bronze medals at Olympic Commonwealth and European levels. In 2004, in Athens, she became the first British athlete in more than 80 years to win a double gold on the track. She was also named BBC Sports Personality of the Year and European Athlete of the Year.

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive at the GCA, said: “Kelly has had an absolutely fantastic career on and off the track and she is an extremely inspiring person, which is why we think she is a fantastic choice of speaker at our conference. We think she will have lots of helpful advice that our attendees can take with them and instil in their own businesses and teams.

“Despite achieving incredible things in her sport, privately Kelly suffered from serious mental health problems. Her frequent physical injuries also had a psychological effect culminating in a breakdown in the run up to the World Championships before her Olympic triumph.

“It was after retirement that she opened up about her battle with depression, suicidal thoughts and self-harm. She has since become a champion for greater awareness and support in all areas of life and we think this is an incredibly important topic for our attendees to consider in all aspects of their personal and professional lives.”

Kelly was awarded an MBE for her services to the army and she has recently returned to the military after being appointed Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps, the first time anyone has ever been awarded such an appointment.

She founded the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust to support both retired athletes and disadvantaged young people. She was also an Ambassador for London 2012 and patron of several charities.

To add to all this, Kelly also founded a multi-million-pound programme for British woman athletes and even opened her own café in her hometown in Kent, which has now become an event space called ‘The 1809 Hub’.

She hosts her own mental health-themed podcast and is an author of several books with Running Life: Mindset, fitness & nutrition for positive wellbeing being named a Telegraph Sports Book of the year.

The GCA’s 2020 conference will be held at Mercure Bristol, Grand Hotel in Bristol from January 26 until 29 and places can be booked via www.gca.org.uk.

The first week of December was another welcome week for plant sales, up by 16% on the same week last year and 11% up on the last week of November. Poinsettia sales doubled week on week and were up by 12% on last year.  They didn’t get to No 1, however, as Cyclamen sales were up by nearly 40% on last year.

• Solanum, winter jasmine, moved furthest up the chart climbing 26 places to No 24
• Fittonia were the highest re-entry, back in the Top 50 at No 28.
• All Plants volume sales change: Week on week UP 10.9%.  Year to date vs 2018 DOWN 6.2%, vs  2017 UP 1.0%.

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

With 2020 designated the International Year of Plant Health, biosecurity will be taking centre stage at Contact Conference, sponsored by ICL, which takes place on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 January 2020 at Horticulture House, Chilton, Oxfordshire.

Aimed at the nursery sector, the event focuses on plant health, trends, best practice, technology and maximising the grower/retailer relationship. It provides a great opportunity to get together with industry peers at the start of the year.

UK chief plant health officer Professor Nicola Spence will be providing the latest update on plant health along with news from DEFRA on International Year of Plant Health activities. This will be followed by an insight into the BRIGIT Project from Dr. Gerard Clover. The project takes a multi-disciplinary approach to building UK capability to reduce the chance of xylella being introduced and becoming established in the UK. 

The programme also includes case studies from Bransford Webbs, Porters Fuchsias and Modiform, highlighting best practice from within the Nursery Working Group. Rebecca Grant, Joseph Rochford Gardens and chair of British Ornamental Plant Producers (BOPP), will give an insight into horticultural quality standards, and the certification scheme that BOPP facilitates.

On day two of the conference topics will include Integrated Pest Management from Koppert Biological, and engaging the younger generation from Martin Emmett, chair of the HTA Ornamentals Committee and member of the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable working group on education and employment.

Commenting on the day, Martin said, “With Plant Health needing to be on the top of everyone’s agenda for the foreseeable future, Contact Conference provides the horticultural industry with the perfect sounding board to find out about the major upcoming issues, and pose your questions to the people who are in the know.”

He adds, “I will be discussing issues such as how labour will be in short supply for the foreseeable future; so it is imperative that we develop the best systems to recruit, train and retain staff within our businesses. It is also more important than ever that we work collectively as a sector to widen our appeal to potential employees and demonstrate the potential for good careers in our industry.”

HTA Contact Conference combines a day and a half conference programme with a networking dinner and overnight stay. The conference will be hosted at HTA’s Horticulture House in Oxfordshire, with accommodation and dinner at the nearby Milton Hill Hotel.  HTA horticulture manager Pippa Greenwood will provide the after-dinner talk with a light-hearted look at her garden media career.

This event is open to all businesses and costs £299 for HTA members (£499 for non-members). For more information visit the website or email here.

High levels of Christmas footfall is benefitting garden products sales, leading to another week in the GTN Bestsellers data where sales are up year on year. Creative Products Bottle Lights dominate at the top of the chart with much higher sales levels than last year when it was also No 1.

Highlights of the week were:

• Woodlodge Pot Feet Large were the highest re-entry of the week, back in at No 8, just one place behind Woodlodge’s Small Pot Feet.
• Smart Solar’s Spiralight Lantern was the highest chart climber, up 33 places to No 13.
• Garland Garden Wire 1.2mm PVC Coated 50m was the only new Garden Products chart entry for the week at No 39.

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

There’s a third more gardening activity going on at the start of December 2019 than last year or any of the previous five years. Sure, the total volumes are much lower than during the spring, however, keeping keen gardeners satisfied in the run up to Christmas has to be good for returning business in January and February.

Highlights of the week were:

• Evergreen Garden Care Levington Organic Blend Farm Manure, 50 litres was a new entry at No 2.
• Evergreen Garden Care Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Premium Garden Soil, 25 litres climbed 33 places up the GTN Chart to No 5.
• With terrariums being fashionable it’s good to see Fallen Fruits Terrarium Soil a re-entry at No 40.

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

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens has appointed Stephen Herrington as head gardener. He was formerly gardens & parks consultant and project manager for the National Trust, London and South East Gardens Programme, since April 2018. Beforer that, he was head gardener at National Trust property Nymans Garden from 2014, and curator of Glasgow Botanic Gardens for Glasgow City Council from 2012.

Stephen Herrington says he’s delighted to be part of the exciting project “to protect and upgrade one of the finest woodland gardens in England. We are still discovering rare plants and have recorded 22 champion trees, including the critically endangered Abies nebrodensis (Sicilian Fir).”

Champion trees are those considered to be exceptional examples of their species because of their enormous size, great age, rarity or historical significance.

The Grade I Listed gardens are set within a steep valley in the 240 acre Leonardslee estate, and feature a series of seven interlinked lakes, originally created to power iron smelting in the 16th and 17th centuries. Victorian plant collector Sir Edmund Loder purchased the estate from his parents-in-law in 1889 and planted extensive collections of Rhododendrons and Azaleas and many species of trees, and also introduced gazelle, beavers, kangaroos and wallabies.

The gardens were sold by the Loder family and closed to the public in 2010. No further maintenance work was carried out until entrepreneur Penny Streeter OBE purchased the site in 2017. There followed nearly two years’ extensive restoration work, with a team of some 30 gardeners, until the opening in April 2019. It has been described as the biggest garden restoration since the Heligan project in the 1990s.

Leonardslee attracts visitors internationally to see its outstanding displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and bluebells, with many rare specimens collected from all over the world by the Loder family.

The collection includes Rhododendron loderi ‘Sir Edmund’ and R.loderi ‘King George’, raised by Sir Edmund in 1901 and amongst the finest examples in the UK.

The gardens feature one of the first Pulham rock gardens, dating from 1890: it comprises a series of rocky outcrops which combine natural sandstone with artificial Pulhamite rock, intensively planted with azaleas, dwarf rhododendrons and conifers and other plants and trees.

The Leonardslee project takes full account of the ecological sensitivity of the site in a programme that creates locations where bats, newts, butterflies and other species can thrive. This includes leaving areas of uncut grass, and log piles that serve as bug hotels, with new nature trails for children and school groups to see the diverse wildlife at Leonardslee.

Visit the website here.

Wild Bird Care sales are showing signs of getting back to the volumes of three years ago with a 14% increase on last year and week on week.

Highlights of the week were:

• Tom Chambers Coconutty Drum Feeder climbed furthest up the GTN chart, up 37 places to No 10.
• Westland Peckish Robin Seed & Insect Mix 1kg was the highest re-entry at No 21.
• Westland Peckish Extra Goodness Energy Ball, pack of 4, is the highest of two new entries at No 36.

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A stunning last week’s trading in November, which was the ninth highest week for volume sales of the year, meant the month finished 11% up on last year and 7% higher than the previous November record set in 2017. 

Despite everything that is going on at the moment this just proves the popularity of garden centres as leisure shopping destinations.

Christmas of course played its part in that overall record with last week’s GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes reaching the highest weekly total in any of the last 10 years of Epos data analysis.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year (week 48)

• Garden Products - up 23%
• Growing Media - up 23%
• Wild Bird Care - up 14%
• Christmas - up 6%
• All Plants Index - up 17%
• All Items Index - up 5%

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The new wild bird care range launched earlier this year by Lincolnshire-based Henry Bell & Co, the family-owned animal feed producer behind a number of private labels, is now on shelves at Dobbies Garden Centres.

Henry Bell has over 20 years’ experience in the bird food industry and has been pivotal in the growth of many private label wild bird food brands. The company has now combined its strong expertise and knowledge to launch its own high-quality range of products specially designed to provide health and wellbeing for wild birds.

The Henry Bell Wild Bird Care range comprises more than 100 products catering for every type of garden bird. Created to meet specific needs, the range includes mixed seeds, straights such as peanuts, sunflower seeds and mealworms, suet and fat balls, all

available in various sizes and formats.

Complementing the food range is the Henry Bell Wild Bird Care Collection of bespoke and adaptable accessories. It includes the ‘Essential’ and premium ‘Heritage’ collections which feature a broad range of feeders and feeding stations at market-leading prices.

Tom Lee, Henry Bell’s MD, said: “We’ve built a strong pedigree in the animal feed industry and with decades of expertise, it was a natural step for Henry Bell to launch its own brand. Henry Bell Wild Bird Care is focused on excellence and we worked hard at designing a range that places the wellbeing of birds centre stage. We know that both the superior quality and attractive packaging of our food and accessories will resonate with both professionals and consumers alike - and will get wild birds coming back for more”.

Henry Bell has also unveiled new branding which focuses on its 175 plus years of experience and strong heritage as a British business. The range showcases an eye-catching and modern packaging design that is reflective of the quality of its feeds and complementary accessories.

As the largest own-brand supplier of growing media and barks in the UK, Bord na Móna is driven by delivering exceptional products to market. Across the group it specialises in renewable energy, horticulture, resource recovery and eco-fuels, and sees the importance of helping the UK government to hit its target of reaching zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Bord Na Móna’s ‘Brown to Green’ strategy has spearheaded the company’s intent to support the national climate and energy policy. Its aim is to speed up the development of renewable energy assets, as well as accelerating investment in higher-value recycling and resource recovery business.

Steve Harper, UK Head of Commercial and Marketing at Bord na Móna, keeps his finger on the ‘peat vs peat-free’ pulse to ensure that Bord Na Móna can stay ahead of the curve.

“The UK government has issued a number of targets over the years, such as the aim for all soil improvers and growing media to be 50 per cent peat-free by 2005 and 90 per cent peat-free by 2010, however both targets were missed,” he said.  This was followed up by the 2011 White Paper ‘The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature’ which stated that the government will commit to reducing peat use to zero by 2030 and critically end its use by consumers in 2020. So needless to say the debate – or the challenge – continues.”

The White Paper Harper refers to had a profound effect, resulting in the setup of the Responsible Sourcing Scheme for Growing Media that enables Defra, NGOs, retailers, growers and manufacturers to make the best-informed decisions about different constituent formulations, maximising the environmental and social benefits, as well as considering cost. “I am personally delighted to be leading this at Bord Na Móna,” Harper continued, “as we strive to ensure growing media is made from materials that are sourced and manufactured in a way that is both socially and environmentally responsible; supporting the government is of great importance to us.”

The manufacturers are typically members of the Growing Media Association (GMA) which is concerned with the development, production, marketing and sale of growing media and soil improvers in the UK and Ireland and the ingredients used.

Phenomenal progress has been achieved across the sector since its inception in order to support the UK government’s targets. Members of the GMA cover the whole spectrum of growing media suppliers, from businesses that started out as peat producers to those that run entirely peat-free operations. Steve feels confident that all members that began life as peat producers have worked hard to reduce the peat content in their products and develop alternatives.

Peat has always been the cheapest raw material available on the market, with all other diluents between two to six times more expensive, so has been the go-to product, especially for many who are price conscious. This is one of the reasons why Bord Na Móna has now launched a new peat-free brand, Happy Compost, using a wide range of ingredients to reduce peat –  for example coir, green compost, composted bark fines and a recycled wood fibre – that works as well as the peat-based products they are replacing.

When Bents Garden and Homes’ forest of fresh Christmas trees arrived in store, the team put aside ten Nordmann firs and asked customers to nominate local causes who would love a fresh centrepiece for their Christmas decorations.

After more than 170 comments on the Facebook initiative, the following schools, hospices and charities have been donated a tree:

St Ann’s Hospice, Little Hulton

Children’s Society Shop, Culcheth

Belong, Wigan

Warrington Disability Partnership, Warrington

Fox Wood Special School, Warrington

Penkford School, St Helens

Oakwood SEN School, Eccles

Leigh St Peters Primary School, Leigh

Glazebury C of E Primary School, Glazebury

Twiss Green Community Primary School, Warrington

Bents has also donated a fresh Christmas tree and decorations to Once Upon a Smile, it’s 2019 charity of the year.  The tree is taking pride of place in the reception at the charity’s head office and dedicated bereavement hub.

Customers and colleagues at Bents have already raised more than £15,000 for Once Upon a Smile, with fundraising continuing throughout the Christmas period and at Bents’ Festive Family Fun Weekend, which ends today (Sunday 8 December).

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 2017 as well as 2018 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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

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

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

Highlights of the GTN Christmas Products chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care Products 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.

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £120m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

For further information contact karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.

Tong Garden Centre at Bradford donated 600 mince pies to runners participating in a recent charity race.

The centre's head baker, Lee Parnham, and his team of three crafted the pies for the second sellout Bah Humbug 10k race last weekend.

Mr Parnham, a keen runner and member of the South Leeds Lakers, said: “Ours is a free to join club and the race is a fundraiser to help fund coaching at the club. The money raised from last year's event helped to set up a Junior Lakers Club, which currently has over 50 members.

“Supporting our community and encouraging people to spend time outdoors is important to the team at Tong, so we're delighted to help by donating these festive treats.”

Last year's run, on a hilly, multi-terrain  route through Middleton Woods, starting from the South Leeds Stadium, was a sell-out of 450 people so another 100 places were added this year.

The Bah Humbug 10k is organised by a number of groups including the South Leeds Lakers Running Club, Hunslet Rugby Foundation, Morley Running Club and the South Leeds Sisters Running Club. The proceeds are equally distributed between them.

Tong Garden Centre also donated a 3m Christmas tree to Springwell Academy, a Leeds school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. Pupils and visitors to will use it to share their Christmas wishes.

Pictured (left to right): James Tolson (Tong GC), Sophie Lee and Terri Carter (Springwell Academy), Dennis Kean (Tong GC).