Reports have circulated this weekend about Philip Day putting his Edinburgh Woollen Mill empire up for sale...
Reports have circulated this weekend about Philip Day putting his Edinburgh Woollen Mill empire up for sale.
The Financial Times said "Philip Day’s retail empire could be broken up after the tycoon launched a review of high street chains including Peacocks and the Edinburgh Woollen Mill following a number of unsolicited offers."
In the Retail Gazette they reported: "High street veteran Philip Day has reportedly appointed FRP to sound out potential buyers for Peacocks. The adviser is to provide market intelligence on the business value of the Peacocks store chain, which means it is an exploratory process. A source close to the process told Retail Gazette that this is a valuation process for Peacocks, and not a sales process."
The Times yesterday said: "Day has appointed the advisory firm FRP to sound out potential buyers for the two retail chains, which employ about 7,000 people and trade from more than 900 outlets. FRP asked for offers by last Friday. Day triggered the sale process this month after an unsolicited approach for Peacocks, which is more likely to be offloaded than EWM."
Many of the 900 EWM outlets are based in garden centres including the one pictured above at Dobbies Mellville.
Philip Day was reported to have made a bid for Dobbies Garden Centres back in 2016 when Tesco plc put the garden centres up for sale and he was also rumoured to have put a bid in for Wyevale Garden Centres when that sale process started in 2018.
#FloralFriday has been celebrated on social media across the country today at the end of Glee week.
Theres still time to join in the fun and raise more money for Greenfingers Charity. All you have to do is take a floral photo or video and post on social media with #FloralFriday and @greenfingerscharity.
Last year we raised over £1,000 at Glee with Floral Thursday and this year we hope to raise even more. To donate all you have to do is text FloralFriday to 70085 to donate £5.
Thank you to everyone who has posted and donated already.
Hozelock’s Micro Reel has been given a makeover, with a new design making it easier than ever to water a small garden...
Research* suggests that the trend for small gardens continues to develop. UK gardens now average 12m x 12m for those under 45 years old and while 77% of adults have a garden, 20% of those are a terrace, patio or balcony.
Hozelock’s Micro Reel has been given a makeover, with a new design making it easier than ever to water a small garden.
The new look Micro Reel has an original ‘Click & Go’ design. Simply ‘click’ the connector onto the tap and let the rotating drum unwind the hose as you walk. The integrated handle makes rewinding the hose quick and easy. You can water at any length by walking out the exact amount of hose required, or wind it off the reel for greater flexibility.
Equipped with 10m of hose and a nozzle, that can be kept tidy when not connected to the tap, it is ideal for watering small gardens and balconies. This reel is light - similar in weight to a bag of sugar - and has a comfortable carrying handle. Offering the benefits of a larger reel, stored neatly in a compact size!
For urban garden spaces without an outdoor tap, the Micro Reel can be connected to an indoor mixer tap using a Hozelock indoor tap solution such as the Mixer Tap Connector. The reel is made at Hozelock’s head office in Birmingham, making 100% of the brand’s Hose Storage portfolio made in Great Britain and France.
Award-winning Fron Goch and Haskins garden centres choose Woodmansterne as their greeting card category management partners...
Greetings cards are a growth area for garden centres. They drive footfall all year round with a good margin that supports other garden centre gifting categories. When cards are retailed well they create a visually impactful area to grow sales. That’s where category management plays a key role in ensuring great availability, a varied product range from different publishers, day to day management plus sales reporting and analysis.
GTN Xtra spoke to Kati Taylor at the Garden Centre of the Year 2019, Fron Goch, and Michelle Martin from the successful garden centre group, Haskins, to understand their recent success with card category management.
Card sales up by over 30% at Fron Goch
Katie Taylor, Head of Retail & Marketing at Fron Goch Garden Centre in Carnarvon, North Wales, told GTN that they were looking for an improved greeting card department because of developments at the award winning centre.
“Fron Goch has evolved over the last decade from a trip for a couple of plants to a chosen destination for a relaxed shopping and dining experience.
“Strengthening our developing departments of houseplants, well-being, cards, books and clothing alongside the introduction of new departments was the driving force behind the new £1.5m improvements project started at the beginning of the year.
Why did Fron Goch move to W-Select?
“Card sales had stagnated over the last few years and the ageing area no longer fitted the customers expectations in range. Changing the area, installing new fixtures and tailoring the range has had immediate results. After extensive research and visiting various suppliers at Spring Fair we decided Woodmansterne had the range, quality and look we were desiring.”
What was your experience of working with Woodmansterne?
“Throughout the whole process the team remained easy natured and professional. From the initial conversation at Spring Fair, communication throughout to the installation, Woodmansterne have proven to be both professional and collaborative. Working together we designed the space and layout, colour matching with new and existing departments alongside the designated area and planned the specific card designs and collections we felt would fit our customers needs.”
How has the new card department at Fron Goch worked?
“Since the new department was installed the feedback from both customers and team have been incredibly complimentary. The merchandising support has proved invaluable and despite it being such a short period of time we have seen an instant increase in sales of over 30%. The fresh range, clear signage and the ability to include a large selection of Welsh cards into the collection meant we now have a unique display that we are proud off.”
Would you recommend W-Select?
“Highly. The whole process has been a joy. The fit out, range of cards and back up support has been exceptional.”
Haskins give their cards a fresh new look
At Haskins five centres in the South of England, Michelle Martin their Gifts and Seasonal Buyer explained it was time to give the cards department a fresh, new look. “Haskins were keen to move the department forward, whilst it wasn’t broken there was an opportunity to improve the selection, improve the sales and get greater visibility of what we were selling.
“The Woodmansterne team were very accommodating, quick to respond to queries and questions. During the changeover and installations, Woodmansterne managed the process extremely well to make the transition as seamless as possible.
“Since the installation we have had very positive feedback from customers. The focus on the selection and the placement of genre’s has also had a positive impact, resulting in positive sales growth in all stores since the installation.”
“I would very much recommend Woodmansterne to anyone looking to improve their greetings card sales.”
Why Woodmansterne?
Woodmansterne are a third-generation family business supplying premium greeting cards to leading independent retailers, all designed and manufactured in the UK. They work with the very best of British talent including National Trust, Quentin Blake, RSPB, and Emma Bridgewater.
Woodmansterne pioneered the ‘Smart Seal’ in 2019, allowing them to remove plastic packaging from all their cards, saving a million pieces of throwaway plastic every week. Their cards are printed with vegetable inks on paper from sustainable forests and all their envelopes are made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste.
Why W-Select category management?
Woodmansterne have become experts in visual planning and category management, working with leading retailers in the UK, meaning they can offer the following services:
• A bespoke assortment tailored to your customers
• A unique caption calculator ensuring the optimum product mix
• An assortment of designs from the very best publishers
• Regular analysis and reporting
• Less admin, meaning more time for you and your team
Get in touch!
We would love to explore how we can help your business grow
With the pandemic prompting consumers to transform their properties into stylish sanctuaries as they spend increasing amounts of time living and working from home, Woodlodge is announcing a perfectly timed expansion of its Root Indoor range of pots, pot covers and design-led accessories ahead of the 2021 season...
With the pandemic prompting consumers to transform their properties into stylish sanctuaries as they spend increasing amounts of time living and working from home, Woodlodge is announcing a perfectly timed expansion of its Root Indoor range of pots, pot covers and design-led accessories ahead of the 2021 season.
Root is Woodlodge’s flagship interiors range, a line-up with an enviable track record of driving retail sales by inspiring consumers to extend their passion for gardening into the home by enjoying the benefits of greenery all year-round. Encompassing floral, classic and contemporary designs, Root takes pride in its ability to offer a style that matches any home interior – providing retailers with cutting-edge designs that have been tailored to cater for a broad customer demographic.
Michael Wooldridge, Managing Directorat Woodlodge, said: “From wow-factor houseplant stands that display specimen indoor plants at their very best, to pot covers influenced by cultures and traditions from around the globe, Woodlodge has been at the forefront of tapping into the latest fashions to emerge from the world of interior design, fusing trend-led influences with modern lifestyles to create must-have products with the potential to fly off retailers’ shelves. The pandemic has prompted the nation to take a closer look at its surroundings and we believe the movement for sprucing-up interiors will only go from strength to strength in the new season, creating an ideal environment for retailers to grow sales by unleashing the potential of an expanded line-up of Root Indoor products in 2021.”
Highlights of additions to Woodlodge’s leading Root indoor range for 2021
Pot covers with big personalities!
Root Indoor will feature a range of quirky pot covers for the new season that allow shoppers to express their personalities and explore the creative side of gardening indoors – all retailing at competitive price points. Designed to be key drivers of impulse sales by injecting a sense of fun, and aimed at households with a passion for houseplants, the mother and father pot covers retail at £12.99 while the child design is priced at £9.99. The covers won the New Product Award in Glee’s Garden, Home, Giftware and Clothing category.
Pot stands elevate sales to new heights
The houseplant category is the golden boy of garden retail. Not only did sales of houseplants soar by more than 17.5% last year, according to the Garden Centre Association, but the nation’s love for interior greenery shows no sign of slowing, with post-lockdown sales at garden centres in July reported to be double that of 2019. The fashion for foliage is being driven by millennials who crave outdoor space but are more likely to live in flats and apartments, demanding on-trend houseplant accessories for the perfect Instagram-worthy picture.
Woodlodge’s new Pot Stands in black or gold metal will capture the imagination of this emerging generation of garden centre shoppers – their sleek, slender, straight lines have been engineered to complement minimalist design; allowing foliage and pot covers to make a bold statement by elevating the entire display above ground level.
Send sales skywards with Hanging Pot Covers
Britain’s homes are getting smaller. According to a BBC report, the average UK home provides 85 square metres of living space but new builds commonly offer just 76 square metres. Compare that with new homes in the Netherlands (115 square metres) and Denmark (137 square metres) and the punishing extent of space constraints in the UK hits home. With floorspace at a premium while appetite for houseplants is at an all-time high, the only way to go is up. To help retailers cater for consumers who are restricted by compact living, as well as those who are keen to elevate their indoor jungles to new heights, Woodlodge is introducing its new Hanging Pot Covers. These woven, suspended planters, featuring natural tones that blend into any interior décor, offer maximum potential to boost linked sales, especially when sited close to displays of trailing foliage houseplants.
Global cultures inspire western interiors
Fashions inspired from cultures around the globe hold the key to driving sales of indoor decoration and houseplant accessories, while helping a younger generation of consumers to create breathtaking images that set social media ablaze. At the forefront of this interior decoration movement is Woodlodge’s new Jaipur Decorative Jugs, inspired by traditional patterns and rich earthy tones from the Indian sub-continent that are increasingly influencing western interiors, complementing the green foliage tones of indoor plant displays. Karachi Pot Covers introduce stand-out design inspired by patterns and tones that define Pakistan’s most cosmopolitan city, while bold orange tones and contrasting white floral and leaf patterns that adorn Florin Pot Covers hold timeless appeal for consumers who are seeking to create a dramatic backdrop to indoor plant displays.
Shine a light on LED novelties
LED technology has transformed the garden lighting category; now this attractive, easy-to-use and energy efficient means of introducing warm tones of light is to be extended into the home – ideal for adding an extra dimension to houseplant displays or creating a magical atmosphere in conservatories after dusk. New Glass LED Jar Lights come in a variety of warm pastel tones that instantly create a party atmosphere – and with an RRP of just £3.99 each, these jars of sparkling light hold the key to increasing basket spend with their novelty appeal.
To find out more about Woodlodge’s expanded Root Indoor offering for 2021, visit www.woodlodge.co.uk
The resilience and agility of the horticulture sector have seen businesses from across the industry survive the extraordinary circumstances of 2020. This remarkable achievement was recognised at the AGM of the Horticultural Trades Association...
The resilience and agility of the horticulture sector have seen businesses from across the industry survive the extraordinary circumstances of 2020.
This remarkable achievement was recognised at the AGM of the Horticultural Trades Association on Wednesday (September 16) as chairman James Barnes reassured members of the organisation’s commitment to representing the interests of growers, retailers and landscapers at the highest level with Government and in the media.
Presenting the HTA Annual Review to members, he said: “It seems a little strange talking now about 2019 results when we have all lived through such extraordinary times since - the conclusions of which a yet still to be played out. What I would like to say is how agile and resilient as an industry we have been. The innovation, the ingenuity, the effort - that people and businesses have created has been wonderful.”
Looking to the future, he explained that the association remains committed to raising the profile of horticulture as a growth industry and championing the need for clarity on topics such as plant health and trade as a post-Brexit world draws nearer.
“We believe plant health will remain a dominant issue for our industry. In many ways it is something that rightly unites us all whether grower, retailer or landscaper,” he said.
At the meeting, held virtually for the first time, the President, Boyd Douglas-Davis thanked all those associated with the organisation for their hard work in testing times.
“I’m immensely proud and privileged to have been able to serve the Association during the last year. It has certainly not been the year I was promised!” he said. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved - The HTA Board, Council and Committees – who have given their time to and incredible knowledge for the benefit of the whole industry.”
The meeting also saw the election of Brett Avery as Vice President ratified. Responding to his appointment, Brett said: “I’m very honoured and humbled to have been nominated and now appointed Vice President. This year has demonstrated the value and support the HTA can offer its members and I’m really looking forward to working with the HTA team and Board and playing a part in representing all members throughout this period of great change– I can’t wait to get going!”
Members from across the sector who attended the AGM also voted to ratify the appointments of Ken White, Vicky Nuttall and Jane Lawler as Directors of the Board; to ratify the re-appointment of Simon Fraser as Director and to review other Director appointments as appropriate.
They also received the finance reports and annual review. A proposal not to increase HTA subscriptions for 2021, due to the impact of Covid-19 on the industry, was accepted and a new banding structure designed to reduce the range of the higher turnover bands and better reflect changes in business size within the sector was adopted.
The President provided a report on activity by the HTA Benevolent Fund during the year and encouraged all to help raise awareness of this valuable and underused resource which is available to HTA members and their staff.
The minutes of the AGM will be available to members on the HTA website in due course.
Read more about how the HTA made this year one of impact in the HTA Annual Review 2020 at hta.org.uk/about.html
Durston Garden Products has been working flat-out since lockdown to ensure it meets the needs of all its customers, but whilst its sales has grown significantly over recent months the company is only too aware that this is not the ‘new normal’ which everyone is referring to, but simply – a moment in time...
Durston Garden Products has been working flat-out since lockdown to ensure it meets the needs of all its customers, but whilst its sales has grown significantly over recent months the company is only too aware that this is not the ‘new normal’ which everyone is referring to, but simply – a moment in time.
“Whoever would have believed that our industry would have been in such demand a year ago”, says company spokesman Dan Durston.
“And yes, whilst lockdown has led to an estimated one million new gardeners, which may have boosted our sales in the short term, no one really knows what the future holds, and that’s why here at Durstons we are not taking anything for granted but simply preparing ourselves for whatever these crazy times throw at us next.”
At this year’s (virtual) GLEE, Durstons showcased its extensive range of composts once again and continues to offer its unique, tailor made packages which have become so popular with independent garden centres and retailers alike. By mixing and matching product, it means that stockists don’t need to stockpile large volumes of the same items, that lie around on shop floors for often weeks/months on end, but can instead choose exactly what they want, and have it delivered when they want it.
The company also produces all of its composts here in the UK, so with the Brexit deadline looming ever closer and the deal with Europe still in huge disarray, you can start to appreciate why so many retailers are choosing Durstons as its preferred supplier.
Its prices are extremely competitive and its reputation for supplying a consistently high grade of compost speaks volumes.
So, if your still looking for a new compost supplier for next season or maybe you just need a back-up-supplier for when things sometimes go wrong, then give Durstons a call: 01458 442688.
Quietly on the 2nd September Baytree Garden Centre celebrated 50 years of business...
Quietly on the 2nd September Baytree Garden Centre celebrated 50 years of business. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic we had planned on having a large party where customers and staff past and present and all those involved in the success of Baytree could come together and celebrate this significant milestone in Baytree’s history, alas that was not the case.
Reinhard Beihler and his wife Vonnie who many of you will know started Baytree as a small stall at the side of the road way back in 1970. This fledgling business soon grew a shop which sold fresh fruit and vegetables and outside there were several raised beds growing a plethora of plants. Every year after that a new building housing more gardening products would be added and here we are 50 years later as the largest independently owned garden centre in the region.
Throughout the years as a business we have done our best to support local charities and organisations in our community. An especially enjoyable event for us was being able to support the Spalding Flower Parade with our vintage Baytree van festooned in flowers and supporting the Young Farmers float.
A particularly memorable event we used to host was the giant vegetable competition which drew monster specimens from all over the region.
More recently we donated Seeds and Bulbs to the local Johnson hospital as a thank you to all of the NHS workers who kept us safe during the recent lockdown. At Christmas time we raise money for charity from the donations taken in the feeding of Santa’s Reindeer. Last year alone we raised over £15000 for those local worthy causes that takes our total money raised to over £250,000 that we have donated to charities.
Reinhard, Vonnie and family have always loved this area and that’s why there love for the region is felt by our customers and friends who use the garden centre as a place to meet and catch up, a place to enjoy a cracking Sunday Roast, where you’ll always be met with a friendly smile and advice will always be freely given so that you can get the very best results from your garden. For 50 years Baytree has been an integral part of the community.
Baytree has come through recessions, global meltdowns and now the Covid-19 pandemic Baytree has been there at the heart of your garden. So here’s to the next 50 years from everyone at Baytree.
The winners of the Glee New Product Awards 2020 were announced by Matthew Mein, Event Director of Glee and Trevor Pfeiffer of GTN during Glee Gathering, held last week...
The winners of the Glee New Product Awards 2020 were announced by Matthew Mein, Event Director of Glee and Trevor Pfeiffer of GTN during Glee Gathering, held last week.
Glee New Product Awards 2020 – the shortlists and winners:
Plant sales of Begonia ‘Sweet SpiceTM Bounty’ have been donated to the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) to support students studying horticulture in the UK...
Plant sales of Begonia ‘Sweet SpiceTM Bounty’ have been donated to the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) to support students studying horticulture in the UK.
Plant breeder, Kerley & Co, set out to donate 50% of the royalties received from wholesale distributor, Ball Colegrave, to DCF for two years.
This year £660 was gratefully received by DCF which will go towards its Student Scholarships.
Specialising in breeding patio plants grown from cuttings, Kerley & Co is a growing family business based near Cambridge. Begonia ‘Sweet SpiceTM’ Bounty is a new variety of vegetatively-propagated Begonia bred by Tim Kerley, a partner in the business and also the first recipient of DCF’s Markham-Colegrave Scholarship.
Ball Colegrave (formerly Colegrave Seeds), is the UK’s leading wholesale distributor of seed and plants to commercial growers and local authorities and was founded in 1962 by the late David Colegrave and his wife Nancy.
Tim Kerley comments: “We are delighted to work with Ball Colegrave to make a donation to DCF. It’s rewarding to know that every plant grown and sold in the UK of Begonia ‘Sweet SpiceTM’ Bounty will benefit someone studying horticulture.”
Stuart Lowen from Ball Colegrave adds: “We too are delighted to be working closely with Kerley & Co and raising funds for the DCF. It would be nice to think that monies raised from the sale of this plant variety would go on to support the development of more experts like Tim into our industry.”
DCF’s Scholarship Season is open now until 31 January 2021 with five types of scholarship available:
The Ball Colegrave Sponsored Travel Scholarship awards up to £1,500 to fund travel to the UK and Europe in order to develop knowledge and experience in bedding plant production and marketing.
The British Protected Ornamentals Association – Peter Seabrook Bursary awards £1,000 to support the study of commercial horticulture.
The Horticultural Research Scholarship awards £2,500 to support applied research within the horticulture industry.
The John Gibson Environmental Scholarship awards £1,500 to support environmental solutions and sustainable applications as applied to commercial horticulture.
The Student Scholarship awards £1,000 to support studies in horticulture.
Outdoor garden furniture, garden products and Decorative structures specialists, Zest 4 Leisure has won the award for the best overall new product at Glee 2020 as well as winning three best in category prizes for growing containers, landscaping and leisure and entertaining..
Outdoor garden furniture, garden products and Decorative structures specialists, Zest 4 Leisure has won the award for the best overall new product at Glee 2020 as well as winning three best in category prizes for growing containers, landscaping and leisure and entertaining. Best New Product was the company’s Three Tier Stackable Raised Bed – also category winner in Garden Growing Containers. Its easy build Burghley Arbour won in Garden Leisure & Entertaining category and Zest’s Cherry Blossom arch was a joint winner in the Garden Landscaping category.
Commenting on this amazing result, Simon Davidson, Head of Commercial Development at Zest 4 Leisure said, “We are absolutely thrilled! The competition was extremely high in these categories this year so to win in three categories and Best New Product is fantastic. Our team are looking forward to showcasing these winning products to our customers in the next few weeks.”
Best in show product, Zest 4 Leisure’s Three Tier Stackable Raised Bed is perfect for the grow your own enthusiast wanting the ultimate in convenience, easy build, and flexibility.
In the Garden Leisure & Entertaining category, Zest 4 Leisure’s Burghley Arbour with its extra deep canopy had a rapturous reception from the judges, not only because it is stylish and provides additional shelter to extend the time spent in the garden, but also because it has fewer components which are more easily put together.
It’s a new design from Luke Roberts, Knowledge Transfer Partnership associate and the Zest 4 Leisure New Product Development Innovation team. The Knowledge Transfer partnership with Cardiff Metropolitan University is introducing UCD (User Centered Design) and DFMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) principles to the new product development process at Zest 4 Leisure.
Joint winner in the Garden landscaping category, Zest 4 Leisure’s Cherry Blossom Arch is inspired by Japanese architecture and beautifully crafted to bring an oriental feel to the garden.
Steve Morgan, Managing Director at Zest 4 Leisure added, “I’m very proud of all the new products that the company launched at the Glee Gathering this year, but these are three of my favourites.
As the 2020 Christmas season sneaks ever closer, the leading European poinsettia marketing initiative, Stars for Europe, is reaching out to UK garden retailers to remind them of just how expansive its 2020 poinsettia offering is and to help them drive sales of this festive bloom more than ever before...
As the 2020 Christmas season sneaks ever closer, the leading European poinsettia marketing initiative, Stars for Europe, is reaching out to UK garden retailers to remind them of just how expansive its 2020 poinsettia offering is and to help them drive sales of this festive bloom more than ever before.
A rainbow of poinsettia colour
Utilising the skills and expertise of some of Europe’s leading poinsettia breeders - Dümmen Orange, Selecta One, Beekenkamp and Syngenta, supported by MNP Flowers – this year the poinsettia is set to enjoy a resurgence as blooms come in more of a rainbow of colours than ever before. Tapping into influences that are shaping interior trends, as well as fashion and beauty, the complete Stars for Europe poinsettia offering will see blush pinks, rich creams, pale greens, crisp whites, salmon pinks and the classic bright pillarbox red (plus so many more!) all taking centre stage. Never before has there been so many colour ways available; colour ways which will appeal to a broad consumer demographic and cater to both traditional and contemporary tastes.
What’s more, Stars for Europe has also invested in significant PR and marketing support, helping to drive awareness and inspirational content direct to the consumer through print and online media, influencer outreach, product placement and social media, with the aim of converting this into sales for retailers as the festive season approaches.
Maximising in-store potential
After the turbulence of 2020 there is no question that the UK consumer will be looking to this Christmas as an opportunity to regroup, relax and forget about the outside world. This means potentially big business for garden retailers, and perhaps bigger business than ever before. Garden retail not only opened earlier than traditional high street stores following the loosening of lockdown restrictions, but they have since provided a sanctuary for consumers who have embraced this different style of shopping. Garden retailers therefore have a significant opportunity to offer a one-stop-shop for all things Christmas, with poinsettia sitting at the heart of this. However, the success of poinsettia sales lies solely with how retailers merchandise and drive customers to make a purchase. Here the Stars for Europe experts share their top tips to success poinsettia retail.
1) Create displays that stand-out
Whether retailers are looking to capture existing customers or to attract new ones, a dedicated poinsettia display is the ideal way of demonstrating the breadth and variety on offer. Use height and accessories to showcase the different colours available, either as a singular display that packs a punch with an impactful rainbow-esque colour display, or group colours together to showcase how different colour poinsettias suit different interior trends, as you would different festive décor themes.
Why not also let your merchandising teams go wild and create stunning presentations that showcase ways to incorporate poinsettia into inspirational designs? From a mock-up of the Christmas dinner table, to wreaths, handmade advent calendars, hanging décor and elegant touches that adorn Christmas trees and around the home, the options are endless.
2) Co-locate poinsettias around the store
Creating a Christmassy feel around the store relies on decorating every corner. With poinsettia so widely recognised as a festive bloom, they make a great addition to any décor scheme. Why not add poinsettia to your decoration displays, your café tables or even on the tills to entice last minute purchases?
3) International Poinsettia Day
On December 12th, 2020 lovers of poinsettia come together to celebrate these stunning bracts. Drawing attention to this annual day of celebration within the retail environment is a great way of driving impulse sales; sales that may lead to repeat custom once consumers have started to enjoy the bright splash of colour within their homes. Make sure you optimise your customer communication channels to drive interest ahead of the day and consider special offers and promotional deals to increase the average basket spend in the lead up to, and during the day. Signage throughout the store will work as a silent salesperson, whilst staff can be adorned with cut-poinsettia corsages and rosettes to catch the eye.
4) Update the gifting potential
Season after season, poinsettias have proven their worth as a great gift product. This year, retailers can optimise this even further by upping the ante and build more buzz around this gifting opportunity. Adding a wrapping service so that poinsettia can be packaged and wrapped makes it even easier for customers to ‘grab and go’. Poinsettia bouquets, made from cut blooms, not only make for a great impulse purchase but also help to demonstrate the breadth of colours on offer, potentially enticing the recipient of the bouquet instore to find out more. Finally, display the poinsettia plants in complementary planters to enable customers to ‘buy the look’ and increase the average spend once again.
5) Workshops
Homemade means made with love, which is why so many people are looking for inspiration for creating unique gift and décor projects. Stars for Europe has created an unrivalled portfolio of inspiration, with poinsettias at the heart of all these projects. Whether it is creating a one-off advent calendar, envy-inducing table centres or incorporating new colours into your festive scheme, the ideas are endless. Retailers are invited to utilise this content, either as the basis for an in-store (or virtual!) workshop, or as valuable content for social media feeds in the lead up to Christmas 2020.
6) Aftercare
A retailer is only as good as the service it provides, and in the case of poinsettias aftercare advice is a vital component in enjoying sales success. Ensure that staff within the indoor plant area are well versed in poinsettia aftercare advice, but support with additional storage at the point of purchase. A simple sign boasting ‘Five Steps to Thriving Poinsettias’ will catch the eye and illustrate the ease of care. Keep the advice simple yet informative and have a little fun with it!
Keep poinsettias out of drafts – they don’t appreciate chills!
Position your poinsettia in a warm and bright space (don’t worry about direct sunlight causing damage, this is winter in the UK – we don’t get enough sunlight to damage the plant!)
Watering your poinsettia will be dependent on its size, location and temperature. A general rule of thumb is a standard 13cm pot will need a small glass of water (around 0.2l) whilst a mini plant needs just a shot glass of water. TOP TIP: if water is still present after 10 minutes remove it to avoid overwatering.
If in doubt, keep your poinsettia dry rather than overly wet. TOP TIP – to see if your poinsettia needs watering, simply lit it up. If it feels light, then it’s time to give it a drink.
A little plant food or fertiliser can go a long way. Treat your poinsettia to a little boost once a week to keep it thriving long after Santa has been to visit!
Find out more
To find out more about Stars for Europe, and to access its incredible library of advice, aspirational imagery and content please visit https://www.starsuniteeurope.eu/en/
Dobbies Garden Centres have announced the launch of their coir pot houseplant range, launching in stores across the UK this month...
Dobbies Garden Centres have announced the launch of their coir pot houseplant range, launching in stores across the UK this month.
Giving homes a natural healthy boost, the latest collection of on-trend indoor greenery at Dobbies have added green credentials, being planted up in sustainable coconut coir pots.
Houseplant Buyer, Claire Bishop, who has been working on the range behind the scenes, said: “Houseplants are naturally a happy home update and the launch of the coir pot range has the added benefit of not only being good for your home, but good for the environment too.
"We are always looking at ways to enhance the environmentally-friendly credentials of our collections and the coir pots stood out to us as a must-have addition, being made from natural, organic materials that are fully degradable. Firm favourites that feature in the striking line-up include the ever-popular Calathea and an eye-catching Pleated Sansevieria.
Greenery made greener has been one of my favourite ranges to work on to-date and we hope customers love the range as much as we do.”
The coir pot houseplant range in a (coco)nutshell:
• Eco-friendly – The plants come in organic, degradable cultivation pots which are made from natural rubber and coconut shell • Breathable – Breathing life into any room of your home, coir pots also allow air to easily pass through the pot, supporting healthy root growth for plants • Easy to water – Water can easily pass through the coir pot, reducing the chance of overwatering • Biodegradable – Coir pots have a life span of two years; houseplants will need to be re-potted anyway to a bigger pot by the time the coir pot degrades • Waste not want not – Coconut shells that make coir pots are a by-product of coconut farms, making use of husks that would go unused.
A gorgeous green home update or the ideal sustainable gift, find the full coir pot houseplant range is now in store at Dobbies.
Philodendron White Measure £14.99; Sansevieria Snake Plant £9.99
Hoya Heart £6.99; Pleated Sansevieria £6.99
Ficus Lyrata £24.99; Cheese Plant (Minima) £12.99
Calathea Insignis £14.99
Did you know…21st – 27th September is National Recycling Week
Green fingers & green values Dobbies make caring for the environment and acting responsibly a priority. The Dobbies team is constantly looking for new ranges and products that can help customers make greener choices and offer eco-friendly alternatives.
Find your local store, browse the online collection, and get inspiration for the season ahead to help #KeepBritainGrowing this autumn with a host of helpful ‘how to’s’, all at www.dobbies.com.
The Greener Gardening Company has pledged to help raise the profile of gardening charity Perennial – with sales of its leading range of Richmoor garden professional growing media set to generate vital funds...
The Greener Gardening Company has pledged to help raise the profile of gardening charity Perennial – with sales of its leading range of Richmoor garden professional growing media set to generate vital funds.
Richmoor Organic Garden Compost (40-litre), Mulch (40-litre) and Garden Soil (25-litre) will all promote Perennial prominently on their packaging, while The Greener Gardening Company will donate 5p from every bag of Garden Soil to the charity. Richmoor composts lead the way in volume-driven, multibuy offerings, all displaying a ‘4 for £12’ flash on the packaging, ramping-up the opportunity to drive retail sales while raising funds for a charity that’s at the heart of the professional garden industry. The company is aiming to raise between £10,000 to £20,000 for Perennial over the next year.
Perennial is the UK’s only charity that’s dedicated to helping the broad spectrum of people who work in horticulture, as well as their families, in times of need. In addition to providing a lifeline in terms of financial assistance, the charity offers free and confidential advice and support to people of all ages who are working in horticulture or who have retired from the sector – with help extending to their spouses, partners and children.
Founded in London in 1839 as The Gardeners’ Benevolent Institution, the charity initially aimed to provide a source of income for gardeners, especially head gardeners, in retirement. It recognised that those who worked on estates and in public gardens were often low paid and would lose their tied property on retirement, leading to financial hardship in later life. In 2000, the charity, which has TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh as its patron, broadened its mission to help young people and anyone in horticulture, from landscapers to garden designers, and was renamed Perennial in 2003.
The Greener Gardening Company’s National Sales Manager, Jason Pike, said: “While garden retail has bounced back strongly following lockdown, demonstrating the sector’s formidable robustness in a post-Covid economy, there is no doubt that the pandemic is impacting other sectors of our industry. Throughout history, Perennial has demonstrated outstanding commitment to helping horticulturists in difficulty, and with tough economic times looming, its services really will prove to be a lifeline for dedicated workers and retirees who find themselves having to deal with financial challenges.
“For this reason, it has never been more important to raise the profile of Perennial’s work while fundraising for the charity. We are proud to support Perennial via our leading range of Richmoor growing media, while Perennial’s logo will also be emblazoned on our high-impact point-of-sale materials that have been custom designed to help retailers drive high volumes of multibuy sales,” Jason added.
Perennial’s Corporate Partnership Manager, Phil Swainston, said: “I am delighted The Greener Gardening Company has increased its support of Perennial, not only via our Corporate Partnership scheme, but also through all the other activities being undertaken. It is a great example of how a key supplier to the industry can support us through Partnership, Fundraising and by finding ways of spreading our message that Perennial is here for all those working in horticulture that need our help. Now, more than ever, is the time to be aware of the impact Covid-19 has had and will continue to have on the entire horticultural industry.”
This year will see The Greener Gardening Company strive to become a Platinum supporter of Perennial – a scheme that allows businesses to select the level of support that’s appropriate for their organisation. On 3rdOctober, a team of six employees will abseil from the ArcelorMittal Orbit in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide at 178m long, and an iconic symbol of the London 2012 Olympic Games – to kick-start the year’s fundraising for Perennial.
Designed by sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor and made from 35,000 bolts and enough steel to make 265 double decker buses, the sculpture stands 114.5m (376ft) high and offers staggering 20-mile views across the Capital’s skyline – terrifyingly high enough to challenge the nerves of even the most confident abseilers! The Greener Gardening Company’s Jason Pike added: “None of us has abseiled from the sculpture before, and although we are somewhat filled with trepidation, we are really looking forward to it!”
Find out more To find out more about The Greener Gardening Company’s leading range, please visit www.thegreenergardener.com
The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) brought together an impressive line-up of expert international industry speakers to share experiences of the impact of COVID-19 on the horticultural industry and the prospective outlook for the future...
The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) brought together an impressive line-up of expert international industry speakers to share experiences of the impact of COVID-19 on the horticultural industry and the prospective outlook for the future.
The 200 plus delegates at ‘Recovery from Crisis – the future for ornamentals’, held in a virtual format for the first time, heard about the key challenges faced by the industry over the last six months, the lessons learned, and plans for the future.
The opening session on Crisis Management was opened by keynote speaker Dr Charlie Hall from Texas A&M University, USA. He spoke about the requirement for strong leadership during this challenging period with the need to balance an empathetic approach to your workforce and customers with a rational line to protect financial performance.
Ms Carin van Huet from Rabobank looked at the challenges that lie ahead, including higher unemployment, reduced labour turnover, and lower disposable incomes. Working together to help raise the profile of the sector is key to demonstrating the value that flowers, plants, and green infrastructure bring to our lives.
The horticulture industry has demonstrated its resilience by bucking the international downturn in market consolidation. Mr Frank de Hek from Oaklins in the Netherlands outlined how April saw a substantial dip for the sector in terms of mergers and acquisitions with May matching 2019 figures and June and July exceeding 2019. A trend set to continue in the future.
Mr Josh McBain from the Foresight Factory, UK highlighted that many existing consumer trends have accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 environment. Increased use of digital platforms is one notable trend that the industry needs to capitalise on. The ‘Back to Nature’ trend is also favourable for horticulture. Research shows that in the UK, 36% of people did more gardening during lockdown with 18% saying they will continue to do more post lockdown. Significantly, this number rises to 30% for 35-44-year-olds demonstrating the opportunity ahead to engage with this new audience to keep them gardening.
In the next session, The Future for Cut Flowers, delegates heard Ms Emma Coupe from UK based retailer, Marks & Spencer, talk about the importance of really knowing your customer and working to ensure that new habits in terms of buying everyday flowers more frequently are sustained. Mr Simon Ogrizek , President of Florint highlighted how those businesses that diversify their business models are most likely to survive and thrive. Innovation will also play an important role. This point was echoed by Mr Steven van Schlifgaarde, CEO Royal FloraHolland, who outlined their plans to evolve the Floriday system into a B2B platform for the worldwide horticultural market.
In Australia Craig Musson from WAFEX highlighted how the impact of the reduction in production and logistics will impact the market for the year ahead. Demand for more local and native plants grew and whilst the wedding/events sector continues to suffer they are looking forward to a bumper season in 2021. Mr Vadim Bogdanov from online wholesale business Potted showed how their sales have grown with B2B customers expecting the same digital experience at B2C customers. Ms Gao Rongmei from Kunming International Flower Auction, China explained how as well as dealing with the pandemic the industry suffered from a period of heavy snowfall as well, causing the loss of 20 million stems in the first quarter.
A panel session on creating a more resilient supply chain for flowers provided great insight into the experiences of trading through the pandemic from three continents. It appears that there were common issues caused by the pandemic in Colombia, Kenya, and Japan – most notably around freight and logistics.
Mr John Simko from Sunshine Bouquet Company/Esmeralda Group spoke about how they held their nerve throughout the pandemic, enabling them to be in a strong position when demand from the supermarkets returned. He encouraged us to highlight the importance of plants and flowers for our emotional needs, given the role they play in so many occasions throughout our lives.
The afternoon session on The Future for Ornamental Plants and Trees heard from Mr Jan-Dieter Bruns, President of the European Nurserystock Association (ENA) about how they supported their members throughout the crisis communicating regularly and sharing resources. Speaking candidly about their experience Mr Michiel de Haan from Royal Lemkes said that whilst it had been an impactful period it had also been one providing great insight for them. The key messages they are taking forward are the greater need for flexibility, the importance of genuine cooperation throughout the supply chain, and the role that sustainability will play in the future.
The ‘Creating a strong industry for the future’ panel session looked at the impacts of the pandemic across the world, despite the challenges some have found operational efficiencies in new ways of working which they will take forward in a post COVID environment. On a worldwide basis, there has been greater recognition of the positive effect of the industry on climate, health, and quality of life. The key message was ‘be ready to adapt’ to take advantage of the opportunity for growth over the next few years.
Stimulating market demand is key for the future, and the final panel session looked at various initiatives taking place including ‘Flowers for the Soul’ in Brazil, ‘Let Hope Bloom’, and ‘Feel the Distance with Beauty’ in Holland/Europe. With an increased focus on social media, marketing campaigns must continue to capitalise on increased interest. This promotion will help to sustain demand, especially amongst those that have created new habits in regularly buying plants and flowers.
Closing the conference AIPH Secretary General, Tim Briercliffe said “With the very real prospect of businesses facing disaster as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic it was reassuring to hear how many are emerging from this difficult period positively. Whilst there is a recognition that this is not the case for all, and there are challenges ahead, it is truly inspiring to see how the global horticulture industry is responding to face a bright and positive future. Innovation and best practice have come to the fore with some operational changes made resulting in lasting efficiencies for the future. With people spending more time in their gardens and green spaces during lockdown there is a new consumer group to nurture and understand to grow the future market.”
The conference was sponsored by Royal FloraHolland, PERA, Expo 2021 Hatay, Visser and LVG Plants.
Supporting partners for the event were CIOPORA, Fleuroselect and Florint and media partners are FloraCulture International (FCI), China Flowers & Horticulture (China), Commercial Horticulture (New Zealand), Ecuador y sus Flores (Ecuador), Grower Talks (USA), Gulf Agriculture (United Arab Emirates), Horticulture Week (UK), Il Floricultore (Italy) and Pod Osłonami (Poland).
Competing for shelf space in a competitive marketplace is no longer an issue for Primus with the launch of its new merchandisers to support retailers. From counter top spinners to FSDU’s and bespoke display stands, there is a merchandiser and display unit available for all products from the Primus range.
Competing for shelf space in a competitive marketplace is no longer an issue for Primus with the launch of its new merchandisers to support retailers.
From counter top spinners to FSDU’s and bespoke display stands, there is a merchandiser and display unit available for all products from the Primus range. As an incentive to all retailers, a merchandiser package is also on offer whereby one unit is supplied FOC on your first order.
So, whether that is a stunning white meshed display stand to store the new glass pot hangers or the attractive white picket fence CDU to showcase the flower stakes, there is an eye catching display unit to help retailers find much needed space whilst also appealing to the consumer.
Not forgetting the licensed ranges from Perry as they also come with a fully branded floor stand too so characters such as Shaun the Sheep, Wallace and Gromit and the brand new range of Peppa Pig and friends garden ornaments can stand tall in colourful and creative display solutions.
Steve Perry, Head of Marketing at Primus, said: “We have listened to our valued customers and their storage and display needs and we do hope our new range of merchandisers and our incentive offers will be a big hit. We wanted our merchandisers to not only be practical for retailers but also appealing to the consumer as they showcase each of the products at their best and we are delighted with the results.”
The Vegetable & Seed Growing Kit from Taylors Bulbs has won the Garden Plants, Seeds and Bulbs category at the Glee New Product Awards...
The Vegetable & Seed Growing Kit from Taylors Bulbs has won the Garden Plants, Seeds and Bulbs category at the Glee New Product Awards.
The product is an ideal impulse line for novice Grow-Your-Own gardeners bringing both seeds and bulb/tuber grown vegetables together in one handy kit, and removing some of the choice for the novice from a bewildering range. The Vegetable & Seed Growing Kit contains a broad range of easy to grow favourites including onions, garlic, seed potatoes as well as lettuce, courgettes and tomatoes.
The judges commented that it was a perfect product for Spring 2021 and for the new gardeners that have recently come into the marketplace.
The sister to the Vegetable & Seed Growing Kit is the Potato Growing Kit, also designed to be the perfect solution for those new gardeners who are a little unsure what to select and how to grow them. The Seed Potato Growing Kit contains three varieties of seed potato with a potato growing bag for each variety, perfect for the smaller garden, patio or even balcony.
Each kit comes with planting labels and full and easy to follow planting instructions and are packaged in attractive crate style packs. With an RRP of only £9.99 they are a superb impulse purchase product.
Zest 4 Leisure are delighted to announce its success in the Glee New Product showcase awards wining in 3 categories and Best New Product...
Zest 4 Leisure are delighted to announce its success in the Glee New Product showcase awards wining in 3 categories and Best New Product.
The 3 Tier Stackable Raised Bed won in Garden Growing Containers category, the easy build Burghley Arbour won in Garden Leisure & Entertaining category and the Cherry Blossom arch was a joint winner in the Garden Landscaping category.
Winner of the prestigious Best New Product Award was the 3 Tier Stackable raised bed.
Simon Davidson, Head of Commercial Development at Zest 4 Leisure, said: “We are absolutely thrilled! The competition was very high in these categories this year so to win in three categories and Best New Product is fantastic. We’d like to thank the judges for their comments and support. Our team are looking forward to showcasing these products to our customers in the next few weeks.”
To find out more information and to view lifestyle videos of the winning products visit the Glee Gathering profile page or contact the Zest 4 Leisure sales team, sales@zest4leisure.co.uk.
Primeur – the leading supplier of the multi-award-winning Eco Garden collection of Tierra Verde self-watering planters, as well as Recycled Rubber Stepping-Stones, Deck Tiles and flexible Recycled Rubber Borders - have again been successful!
Primeur – the leading supplier of the multi-award-winning Eco Garden collection of Tierra Verde self-watering planters, as well as Recycled Rubber Stepping-Stones, Deck Tiles and flexible Recycled Rubber Borders - have again been successful!
Jenny Douthwaite, Sales Director at Primeur said: “We are absolutely honoured to receive this accolade. We’veinvested hugely into our Eco Garden range which the Railroad Tile forms part of, so to see our hard work being recognised by the industry is a great moment for us at Primeur.
"We firmly believe in the power of product ranges which highlight eco-friendly credentials and help consumers to make more sustainable purchasing decisions; decisions which we predict will drive consumer spend in the coming seasons as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic inspires more people to not just garden, but to protect the world around them.
"We’ve no doubt that this latest Glee New Product award win will help to drive sales of our Railroad Tile, as well as the wider Eco Garden range of recycled rubber planters, stepping stones and garden borders, and are looking forward to working with our retail customers to increase sales of this multi-award winning collection throughout 2021.”
With exhibitions off the agenda this year, Ivyline, supplier of inspired collections for the garden and home, including indoor and outdoor pots, terrariums, firepits and water features, has created a centrally located custom showroom to help retailers view the 300 plus new products from this brand at the forefront of trend-led interior and garden décor...
With exhibitions off the agenda this year, Ivyline, the UK’s leading supplier of inspired collections for the garden and home, including indoor and outdoor pots, terrariums, firepits and water features, has created a centrally located custom showroom to help retailers view the 300 plus new products from this brand at the forefront of trend-led interior and garden décor.
2021 range introductions
Despite the pressures of Covid-19, Ivyline has stepped-up its new product development for the year ahead, with over 300 new lines joining the company’s market-leading product portfolio for the 2021 season. From new indoor planters which tap into the ever-popular houseplant trend including larger sizes to incorporate bigger blooms and on-stand planters for multi-level displays, to new firebowls with cooking capability which help consumers incorporate al-fresco dining into their weekend plans, the new introductions have been created to provide retailers with everything they need to deliver an enhanced outdoor living offering.
Ivyline has also confirmed it will be bringing to market a new concept in outdoor planters, which will help retailers to enhance multi-channel retail. Planters will now be packed by size, meaning garden centre customers can order precisely what they need based on their customer demographic, and previous sales data.
Watch out for Ivyline’s new branding and increased emphasis on their British design heritage. Ivyline has more than doubled its investment in design for 2021, with the recruitment of leading trend design analysts coming on board on a retained consultancy basis.
Sustainable manufacturing
In a move that will strengthen its position as a sustainable business, Ivyline has moved away from Chinese manufacturers, channelling its efforts into supporting fast producing European-based producers as well as investing into new countries on manufacture instead. Scott Thomas, Managing Director of Ivyline, said: “It’s really important to us as a business to know the origins of our products, reduce excess plastic packaging and to support manufacturers that place importance on sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Whilst China was able to deliver volume, the ethical side of manufacturing was difficult to measure. As a result, we have sourced partners that demonstrate similar values to our own and have a transparent policy for sustainable processes.”
Custom showroom
All of Ivyline’s new products will be available to view at its new custom showroom, which will be housed at the Grandstand, Stoneleigh Park, until the end of October 2020. This purpose built COVID-Secure showroom will feature 3,500sq ft of product displays and sales support tools, with the Ivyline sales team on hand to talk visiting retailers through the spring/summer 2021 offering. Retailers wishing to visit the showroom are invited to pre-book appointments by emailing sales@ivylinegb.co.uk.
Scott Thomas added: “We’ve worked really hard to create new introductions that really perform for retailers and customers. This isn’t newness for the sake of newness, instead we have curated an offering that works hard in a number of ways, most notably creating products that are easy to retail and support sustainable manufacturing. Our ranges also have to stay ahead of the curve, which is why we closely monitor future trends, and work with our designers to create solutions that fit the needs of modern living and consumer demand. This might be as simple as introducing new colourways that match or complement the colour of the moment or designing products that enable consumers to enjoy their homes and gardens more than ever, such as our new cooking range. We’re incredibly proud of what we have created and are looking forward to sharing it with the market.”
Find out more
To find out more about Ivyline please visit www.ivylinegb.co.uk where you will see the company’s full product offering including indoor and outdoor planters, plant and planter combos, water features, firepits and trendsetting cacti pots and terrariums, or email sales@ivylinegb.co.uk
Squire’s Garden Centres has released the results of their “Gardening during Lockdown” survey. The recent survey of over 3,000 people looked at how much gardening people did during lockdown in Spring 2020, what people planted then and what they will plant now, and how gardening makes people feel...
Squire’s Garden Centres has released the results of their “Gardening during Lockdown” survey. The recent survey of over 3,000 people looked at how much gardening people did during lockdown in Spring 2020, what people planted then and what they will plant now, and how gardening makes people feel.
Gardening was a lifesaver in lockdown
The overwhelming finding was that gardening was a lifesaver in lockdown, with 93% of people agreeing or strongly agreeing with this statement.
“Gardens became sanctuaries for many people during lockdown,” said Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres.
“We had amazing spring weather, which helped everyone get outside and enjoy their gardens, and with fewer cars on the road and therefore less noise people were better able to notice the joys of nature - birdsong, bumblebees, butterflies, and the glorious colours of spring flowering plants.”
More gardening in lockdown
With more time spent at home people have been spending a lot of it in the garden, and Squire’s survey found that 77% of people did more gardening during lockdown than they would do normally.
A massive 33% of respondents said that they did over 10 hours of gardening each week during Spring 2020. Compare that to Spring 2019 when only 9% of people did more than 10 hours of gardening each week.
What did people plant during lockdown, and what are they planting now?
During lockdown, understandably, everyone was seeking something colourful and uplifting so the most popular varieties were flowering plants such as bedding plants and cottage garden plants. 89% of people questioned in Squire’s survey said that they planted these. Vegetables were the next most popular choice planted by 59% of respondents, closely followed by herbs (44% planted) and shrubs (42% planted).
When asked what they plan to plant this autumn and winter, bulbs were the clear winner, with 71% of respondents planting them now. Bedding and cottage garden plants are still popular too, with 50% of people planting them, followed by shrubs, vegetables, herbs and fruit.
Other than planting, what did people enjoy doing in their gardens during lockdown?
The top choice was simply relaxing in the garden, enjoyed by 82% of Squire’s respondents.
68% of people loved eating outside, and BBQ’s were enjoyed by many. 50% of respondents enjoyed spending time with the family in the garden, and 16% said they enjoyed playing with the kids and getting the paddling pool out.
Lockdown gave many people (53%) the chance to have a good clear out, and 36% spent time cleaning in their garden. 31% of people enjoyed having the time to improve their lawn, a new patio or deck was installed by 10% of respondents, and 4% added a summerhouse or garden room.
Lockdown has made people more confident gardeners
Spending extra time in the garden during lockdown has made many people feel more confident in their gardening abilities, with 25% of people saying that they now feel a more confident gardener than pre-lockdown.
The majority of people questioned (54%) also said that they will spend more time in garden this autumn than they did last autumn.
How does gardening make you feel?
Gardening is known as a great way to relax and de-stress. 78% of people questioned said it gave them a sense of achievement, 75% felt calm and relaxed, 66% said gardening makes them feel happy, and 45% feel at one with nature.
Gardening is good for mind, body and soul
“Gardening was undoubtedly a lifesaver for many people during lockdown,” said Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres.
“Garden habits have changed, with people gardening more and trying new things, whether that is planting vegetables for the first time, growing new varieties of plants, or getting round to doing jobs in the garden. In an uncertain world gardening makes us feel grounded and in tune with nature – flowers will always bloom in spring and trees will always shed their leaves in autumn. People are craving ‘normality’ and gardening with the seasons gives us that. It is a great form of exercise too and gets you outside in the fresh air. Gardening gives you space to think and clear your mind. It is so therapeutic to nurture plants and see them grow. I defy anyone not to feel relaxed and let the cares of the day slide away in the garden.”
Squire’s survey, and many other studies, show that gardening is good for mind, body and soul. And with social prescribing high on the agenda, GP’s could soon be prescribing gardening to combat lockdown loneliness and improve mental and physical health.
With World Mental Health Day approaching on 10th October, make a bee-line for your garden, get outside, and harness the healing power of nature.
Flymo saw record sales at the end of July 2020, beating 2019’s total sales just seven months into the year...
Flymo saw record sales at the end of July 2020, beating 2019’s total sales just seven months into the year.
With shops closed and everyone confined to their homes when COVID-19 hit, the Flymo team and their Newcastle creative agency O Communications threw summer’s carefully-laid marketing plans out of the window. Instead, they focused on how to inspire children and families to get out and enjoy their outdoor space during lockdown.
The gardening superbrand formed a collaboration with social influencer Skinny Jean Gardener, for a digital campaign which reached just under a million families across the UK. Over the Easter holidays, Skinny Jean Gardener took over Flymo’s Facebook page every morning to encourage families to get gardening, resulting in over 60,000 families tuning in every day to watch the show.
From top tips on how to make gardening fun for families and growing your own vegetables to games to enjoy together, the content kept families coming back for more each day and increased engagement across all social media channels.
Lauren Regan, creative director at O Communications, said: “The O team worked closely with Flymo to understand the problems that the brand was facing during these strange times and align with the overall business strategy in handling the crisis. Flymo was keen to keep brand awareness high with one of their core markets, families, as well as share positive, helpful and engaging content because gardening is not only a good way to entertain the kids, its great for a healthy mind and body.
“Working with influencers isn’t always about picking the person with the highest following online, it’s about choosing the person that your audiences will relate to and find the most entertaining. Influencers can be anyone, from celebrities to your next-door neighbour.”
Clare Slater, Customer Marketing Manager UK at Flymo, added: “Skinny Jean Gardener fits the Flymo brand perfectly; down to earth, fun and likeable. He makes getting out in the garden an activity to do together as a family, not a chore that has to be conquered before you can enjoy your space. While Joe Wicks got the nation exercising in their living rooms over lockdown, Skinny Jean Gardener helped Flymo to get families out into their gardens.”
Despite a challenging few months managing the impact of Covid-19, it’s full steam ahead at Smart Garden Products with two new appointments at their head office in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Sulie Turner and Leigh Martin have joined as Marketing Executive and Category Manager respectively...
Despite a challenging few months managing the impact of Covid-19, it’s full steam ahead at Smart Garden Products with two new appointments at their head office in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Sulie Turner (above left) and Leigh Martin (above right) have joined as Marketing Executive and Category Manager respectively.
Sulie Turner joins Smart as Marketing Executive and is responsible for the company’s B2B marketing activity, including catalogues, website and exhibitions. Prior to joining Smart, Sulie worked for VitrA in the bathroom industry where she was responsible for trade events and all marketing collateral.
Leigh has extensive experience as a Retail Buyer in charge of sourcing and selection for a wide range of products. In her new role as Category Manager, Leigh Martin is responsible for several of the key Smart product groups, including Decor, Faux Décor, Elvedon and Christmas.
Jonathan Stobart, Managing Director at Smart Garden Products, comments: “We are delighted to welcome Sulie and Leigh to the Smart team, both of whom bring a wealth of knowledge and experience with them.”
Following updated guidance from the UK Government that soft plays may reopen in England, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centre, is reopening 31 soft plays across the estate throughout September...
Following updated guidance from the UK Government that soft plays may reopen in England, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centre, is reopening 31 soft plays across the estate throughout September.
The safety of team members and customers remains the number one priority, and a number of social distancing measures have been put in place.
Dobbies’ soft plays are cleaned and sanitised before opening, mid-way through the day and after closing, to make play time safe. Atalian Servest have been employed to apply Zoono antibacterial cleaning product fortnightly.
There will be reduced capacity in all soft plays, with customers requested to book in advance to manage numbers. This will also enable team members to collect data for NHS Test and Trace. There are extra hand cleaning stations, and adults will be required to wear face coverings until seated at a table within the soft play. Face coverings are not required for children under 11.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We have successfully reopened garden centres and restaurants across the UK, and are well-place to welcome customers into our soft plays. Thank you to all team members who have worked hard to ensure our soft plays are ready and we look forward to welcoming visitors for a fun and safe day out.”
Newcomers to the gardening industry, Southern Trident was announced the winner of Best New Retail Product of the Year Award on September 8th at The Spirit of Four Oaks Virtual new products showcase...
Newcomers to the gardening industry, Southern Trident was announced the winner of Best New Retail Product of the Year Award on September 8th at The Spirit of Four Oaks Virtual new products showcase.
The award recognises Southern Trident’s success in innovative sustainable product and packaging solutions for the retail growing media market. The range of Coco & Coir branded peat-free and plastic-free coir growing media blocks are packaged in easy-to-carry 100% recyclable and compostable packaging. The coir blocks are wrapped in a 100% compostable starch bag and sold to the consumer in a corrugated box made of FSC kraft paper board with easy to carry handles. Even, the branded labels are FSC mix credit self adhesive paper.
Balaji Manoharan, Southern Trident’s Managing Director says: “It’s been yet another humbling experience in our journey. We are thrilled that our Peat Free, Plastic Free range has been recognised and awarded Retail Product of the year at Four Oaks. Like most sectors, the garden industry has been through a lot this year, to say the least. Respect and gratitude to all those have stood strong and together. We look forward to continuing to build partnerships with the garden retail sector across the UK.”
Southern Trident is a UK company with strong roots in India offering high quality coir based growing medium direct from source to market in a fully Southern Trident managed seamless operation, through its brand Coco & Coir. The increasing demand for Southern Trident eco-friendly products has resulted in development plans to expand its accredited production facility in India and explore emerging technologies to further reduce the environmental impact of production.
The Southern Trident team look forward to your enquiries and questions.
Squire’s Garden Centres has appointed Caroline McFarlane as their Group Health, Safety & Facilities Manager...
Squire’s Garden Centres has appointed Caroline McFarlane as their Group Health, Safety & Facilities Manager.
Caroline has a Health and Safety career that spans over 20 years. She has worked in the Construction industry and has extensive experience with Commercial Managing Agents, Fire Risk Assessors and General Assessments. She is a member of both The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) and IOSH; and is NEBOSH Qualified in Health and Safety and Fire.
Caroline is based at Squire’s Group Office in Badshot Lea, Surrey, and will travel to all of Squire’s 16 garden centres on a regular basis.
Squire’s Chairman, Sarah Squire, commented: “Pre, during and, one day, post Covid this is a pivotal role in our business. I look forward to working with Caroline who brings a wealth of experience and great enthusiasm to this position. She is tasked with ensuring that the well-being of our colleagues and customers is, and always remains, front and centre of our business.”
The best of last week's
If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...
Award winning Perrywood Garden Centres are planning a major re-development of their Sudbury site which they purchased from Wyevale two years ago...
Award winning Perrywood Garden Centres are planning a major re-development of their Sudbury site which they purchased from Wyevale two years ago.
Perrywood’s mission is to offer a memorable garden centre experience, delivering wow customer service and giving employees, customers and the community a reason to smile. The current garden centre building isn’t the high standard their customers and team would expect so they are planning to invest in this site and build an inspirational garden centre surrounded by plants and trees, that will grow with our business.
In line with their vision and values our brand new centre, at Perrywood Sudbury, will:
Be a modern purpose built garden centre, where they can look after our customers and inspire more people to bring plants into their lives.
Improve the site to be the best that it can be with a fabulous range of facilities including a new restaurant.
Create a space where their team enjoy coming to work, with new job opportunities for local people.
Put Perrywood Sudbury at the heart of the of the local community with event spaces, wildlife areas and leisure opportunities for local people to enjoy.
Teach visitors about and protect the sites flora, fauna and wildlife.
Subject to planning permission they will be be moving forward with an investment in Perrywood Sudbury, building a stunning new Garden Centre in a landscaped environment. The overall site is larger than at Tiptree, but the garden centre plans are a similar size to Tiptree. As a family run business they are looking forward to growing Perrywood Sudbury to create a special place among the plants, that customers, our team and local people will enjoy.
Hannah Powell told GTN Xtra: “Our biggest expansions at Perrywood Tiptree have taken place on the back of harder times; in 1988 we rebuilt and expanded after the Great Storm of 1987 and in 2010, following a recession, we opened our newest retail buildings. We are equally optimistic about the future for Perrywood Sudbury, and look forward to bringing the site back to life. The plans build on our experiences at Tiptree and we’ve enjoyed planning the garden centre from scratch, whilst also working to maintain the heritage and history of the site.”
Enderby-based Palmers Garden Centre have been named as winners at the annual celebration of the Family Business Awards hosted by Family Business United...
Enderby-based Palmers Garden Centre have been named as winners at the annual celebration of the Family Business Awards hosted by Family Business United.
The Family Business Awards were created by Family Business United to celebrate the UK family business sector, to recognise the diversity of family firms across the country and to celebrate the contribution they make.
Palmers Garden Centres were announced as winners of the Midlands & Central Family Business of the Year in their People’s Choice Awards, which are voted on by the public, as well as winners of the National People’s Choice Champions 2020 award.
Caroline Palmer, managing director of Palmers Garden Centres, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won these awards. We take the meaning of the word ‘family’ very broadly at Palmers Garden Centres and include not only members of the founding family but also all our staff, suppliers and customers. We’re immensely proud to be a fourth-generation family business and are looking forward to working together to ensure that our business is here for a very long time.
“To win any award is very special but to win two People’s Choice awards which are voted for by the public is incredibly special and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to vote for us.”
A spokesperson from Family Business United said, “2020 has been a tricky year but the show must go on! Huge congratulations to Palmers Garden Centres. To have won not one but two awards at their first attempt is just amazing and demonstrates the high esteem in which they’re held.”
Family owned since 1911, Palmers Garden Centres now comprises of G Palmer and Son (Nurserymen) Limited, Palmers at Ullesthorpe Limited and Hawgrip Plants Limited and have been inspiring gardeners in Leicestershire for over 100 years.
Today Caroline and her brother Robert – great grandchildren of our founder – run the business which sells everything their customers need for their garden and home enabling them to transform their gardens from patch to paradise!
Pictured: Caroline and Robert (centre) with team members from Palmers Garden Centre.
Leading garden product supplier Smart Garden has presented the Greenfingers Charity with a cheque for £50,000...
Leading garden product supplier Smart Garden has presented the Greenfingers Charity with a cheque for £50,000.
Paris Natar, chairman of Smart Garden, saidd: “We are delighted to support the work of Greenfingers Charity, knowing how hard it is at the moment with corporate donors squeezing charity budgets.
“Smart, like many gardening businesses, has been lucky enough to bounce back strongly from lockdown. It therefore felt like the right time to deploy some of our profits for the benefit of our industry’s favourite charity.”
Linda Petrons, Greenfingers Charity’s director of fundraising and communications, said she and her colleagues have been overwhelmed by the amazing support and generosity of the UK’s booming gardening industry.
“We would have understood if our supporters had scaled back their efforts and donations in light of the pandemic. But the opposite is true, with the most recent being a wonderful gift of £50,000 from the team at Smart Garden,” added Linda.
“Naturally we are delighted and remain optimistic that more supporters will come forward in the coming weeks and months. There is a growing waiting list of children’s hospices across the UK that need us to continue building much-needed gardens for them and we are determined to help each and every one.”
For more information about how you can support Greenfingers Charity or about its forthcoming garden projects, contact Linda by emailing Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or calling 07908 221240.
Pictured: Linda Petrons with Paris Natar and other members of the Smart Garden team.
Ravensworth Nurseries at Richmond, North Yorkshire, is to develop an upmarket garden centre on its 36-acre site at an initial cost of £1 million...
Release date: 11 September 2020
Yorkshire nursery invests £1m in new garden centre
Ravensworth Nurseries at Richmond, North Yorkshire, is to develop an upmarket garden centre on its 36-acre site at an initial cost of £1 million.
Established for more than 50 years, the family-run business is the largest grower of poinsettias in the north of England and has an excellent reputation for supplying quality home-grown plants, starter plants and seedlings to retail outlets and garden centres across the UK. It also has contracts with several councils to supply hanging baskets and plants for parks and high streets.
With land available on the site – a prime location near the busy A66 – it was a natural progression to expand as a garden centre. There is potential to add a café in the future.
Plans were put on hold for a few months when the coronavirus pandemic closed the business to the public. Within days a new website offering local deliveries was created, with the centre’s delivery drivers using hired vans to drop off orders.
The increasing number of visitors to the nursery as lockdown restrictions were eased gave the owners confidence to grow the on-site retail offering.
Reward Finance Group agreed to supply the funding after banks had turned the business down.
Director Fiona Dean recruited business consultant Bob Morton to review the operation. “He identified the opportunity to create a significant increase in revenue by creating more of a leisure destination, where visitors can browse our home-grown plants, as well as garden products and accessories, and potentially enjoy a drink and a bite to eat in the café. A move which will augment our successful core business of supplying the trade,” she said.
“Although we appreciate it is a significant investment, we were disappointed by the negative reaction from the banks we approached for funding. Fortunately, Bob introduced us to David Jones at Reward Finance Group, who understood our business, grasped the great opportunity for growth that had been identified and quickly provided the funds to develop the complex.”
David Jones of Reward said: “This is a fantastic family business which has built an excellent reputation as a top-class nursery over its 50 years of trading. With the ability to grow their own plants, it makes perfect sense to expand and improve the retail experience.
“As well as making an increased margin on the sale of the plants and trees, there will be no additional distribution costs, as the greenhouses and growing areas are next to the garden centre. This puts them in a perfect position to tap into the growing demand by consumers for plants that are ‘grown not flown’.
“Having looked at the business plan and with the right security in place, we were very happy to provide the funds to help the business grow.”
As part of a company re-organisation, Steve Harper's role as Sales and Marketing Director has been made redundant and he has left The Greener Gardening Company...
As part of a company re-organisation, Steve Harper's role as Sales and Marketing Director has been made redundant and he has left The Greener Gardening Company.
The Greener Gardening Company was fomerly known as Bord na Mona.
Steve will be continuing as lead for the industry’s Responsible Sourcing Scheme, which he talked to GTN about in March 2020, just before the COVID-19 lockdown. Read the interview via this link:
Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m.
The new centre boasts a retail space of 11,813 sq.m., including an outdoor plant area and 440-seat restaurant complete with a newly installed pizza oven. Additional space has also been created to accommodate 170 restaurant guests on an outdoor patio.
Up to 70 new jobs have been created to accommodate the centre's expansion. Car parking has increased to 346 spaces. See GTN Xtra's photo tour of the new centre below.
Chief executive Julian Winfield said the Snowhill team worked tirelessly to ensure the centre was able to remain open for the majority of the project, with minimal disruption.
“We can't wait to receive our customers' feedback on our new and improved facilities,” he added. “Over the years, we have built a loyal customer following and we are proud to be able to give back to them in this way with our new expanded centre.”
Haskins acquired the Snowhill site in 2003, inheriting a number of ageing buildings.
Haskins also has centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone in West Sussex. The family business recently acquired Forest Lodge Garden Centre, Bird World and Garden Style in Farnham.
Pictured (left to right): Julian Winfield, Jamie Haskins, Ally Haskins (married to Jamie) and Warren Haskins, the group's chairman.
The opening event was attended by the current GCA Chairman Mike Burks and three past Chairs; Warren Haskins, Sue Allen and Julian Winfield.
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.
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 Veg-2-Gro chart for last 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 £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.
Ethical dog grooming product supplier HOWND won the Best Pet Product with its Banana Facial and Tear Stain Treatment at the virtual Glee New Product Awards held during Glee Gathering last week...
Ethical dog grooming product supplier HOWND won the Best Pet Product with its Banana Facial and Tear Stain Treatment at the virtual Glee New Product Awards held during Glee Gathering last week.
Banana Facial and Tear Stain Treatment is a 2-in-1 face scrub and pH balanced stain treatment that quickly and gently removes dirt and discolorations. It uses ingredients extracted from Sacred Lotus, Evening Primrose Flower, Ginseng Root and Oat Extracts. It’s 100% vegan.
The judges, made up from a panel of experts from the gradening industry, felt this product would sell well in garden centres.
As the Government encourages employees back to the workplace, a leading dog trainer and Beco Ambassador has issued a warning to the UK’s 10 million dog owners...
As the Government encourages employees back to the workplace, a leading dog trainer and Beco Ambassador has issued a warning to the UK’s 10 million dog owners.
Changes in work routine are proving stressful for many people, especially pet owners who won’t be able to take their dogs into work. And their dogs, who have become accustomed to close and constant companionship for months, are now at risk of developing Separation Anxiety as lockdown eases.
Around one third of the UK’s canine population, up to three million dogs, are at risk, says Beco Ambassador Bryony Cole, one of Britain’s top dog trainers.
Bryony, Founder and Head Trainer at her Somerset dog training company Eye2EyeDogs (www.eye2eyedogs.com), owns three dogs herself and has trained thousands of others, often helping dogs to cope with anxiety and stress. She has also trained many dogs for roles in UK films and TV programmes.
Bryony Cole said: “As many people return to their normal place of work, their dogs will undoubtedly be feeling stressed. Most puppies, for example, may have known no other life other than having their owner at home with them full-time.
“There are 10 million dogs in Britain and about a third of them are now at risk of developing Separation Anxiety. Not every dog owner has a job that will take them away from the home, say to an office, but up to 3 million dogs will now be at risk.
“Therefore, it’s very important that we keep a close look-out for any early signs that a dog is feeling distress and take appropriate action to help them without delay.”
Bryony has built a very close bond with her own dog, a two-and-a-half year-old German Shepherd named Juno. Bryony has also worked extensively coaching dogs for TV commercials.
Premium raw pet food brand, Natural Instinct, has launched its Natural and Working Dog raw food bundles. As many return to busy schedules post-lockdown, the new cost-effective pet food bundles will provide the ultimate nutrition and variety pets need, while helping to save pet owners some much-needed time!
Premium raw pet food brand, Natural Instinct, has launched its Natural and Working Dog raw food bundles. As many return to busy schedules post-lockdown, the new cost-effective pet food bundles will provide the ultimate nutrition and variety pets need, while helping to save pet owners some much-needed time!
Made with convenience in mind, the new raw food bundles include x5 tasty meals, available in 1kg or 500g packs, as well as two treats. With all dogs in mind, pet owners can pick between the Natural Range bundle which features a wide selection of recipes, or the Working Dog bundle which includes meals with a slightly higher meat content and added Vitamin C to support dogs in active work!
All Natural Instinct complete meals include 100% British meats, with added fruits, vegetables and natural supplements to create wholesome and most importantly, tasty meals. From Chicken & Lamb, Tripe & Turkey and even Duck, there is a flavour and texture available for every canine friend!
For pet owners who’ve been considering a raw diet, Natural Instinct’s money saving bundles offer a perfect chance to transition pets, slowly introducing a variety of textures and flavours.
10KG NATURAL BUNDLE
1KG PACKS / 500G PACKS From: £50.00
Includes packs of: Natural Chicken; Natural Tripe and Turkey; Natural Chicken and Lamb; Natural Beef Tripe; Natural Lamb
PLUS x2 Treats: Beef Jerky and Chicken Hearts!
10KG WORKING DOG BUNDLE
1KG PACKS / 500G PACKS From: £35
Includes packs of: Beef; Turkey; Chicken; Chicken and Tripe; Duck
PLUS x2 Treats: Beef Jerky and Chicken Hearts
Rachel Kirby, spokesperson for Natural Instinct says: “We are thrilled to launch our brand-new raw food bundles. Building on our no stress, no mess philosophy, we’re always working hard to find ways to alleviate stress, save time and encourage pet owners across the UK to feed raw. A well balanced and complete raw food diet contains all the essential vitamins, minerals and proteins that a dog needs to live a long, healthy and active life.
We hope our 100% natural, frozen raw food bundles will provide a great way for dogs to try new recipes, as well as support pet owners who would like to transition their pet to a raw food diet.”
“Fron Goch has evolved over the last decade from a trip for a couple of plants to a chosen destination for a relaxed shopping and dining experience.
At Haskins five centres in the South of England, Michelle Martin their Gifts and Seasonal Buyer explained it was time to give the cards department a fresh, new look. “Haskins were keen to move the department forward, whilst it wasn’t broken there was an opportunity to improve the selection, improve the sales and get greater visibility of what we were selling.
Woodmansterne pioneered the ‘Smart Seal’ in 2019, allowing them to remove plastic packaging from all their cards, saving a million pieces of throwaway plastic every week. Their cards are printed with vegetable inks on paper from sustainable forests and all their envelopes are made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste.
Britain’s homes are getting smaller. According to a BBC report, the average UK home provides 85 square metres of living space but new builds commonly offer just 76 square metres. Compare that with new homes in the Netherlands (115 square metres) and Denmark (137 square metres) and the punishing extent of space constraints in the UK hits home. With floorspace at a premium while appetite for houseplants is at an all-time high, the only way to go is up. To help retailers cater for consumers who are restricted by compact living, as well as those who are keen to elevate their indoor jungles to new heights, Woodlodge is introducing its new Hanging Pot Covers. These woven, suspended planters, featuring natural tones that blend into any interior décor, offer maximum potential to boost linked sales, especially when sited close to displays of trailing foliage houseplants.
Fashions inspired from cultures around the globe hold the key to driving sales of indoor decoration and houseplant accessories, while helping a younger generation of consumers to create breathtaking images that set social media ablaze. At the forefront of this interior decoration movement is Woodlodge’s new Jaipur Decorative Jugs, inspired by traditional patterns and rich earthy tones from the Indian sub-continent that are increasingly influencing western interiors, complementing the green foliage tones of indoor plant displays. 
Karachi Pot Covers introduce stand-out design inspired by patterns and tones that define Pakistan’s most cosmopolitan city, while bold orange tones and contrasting white floral and leaf patterns that adorn Florin Pot Covers hold timeless appeal for consumers who are seeking to create a dramatic backdrop to indoor plant displays.
As the 2020 Christmas season sneaks ever closer, the leading European poinsettia marketing initiative, Stars for Europe, is reaching out to UK garden retailers to remind them of just how expansive its 2020 poinsettia offering is and to help them drive sales of this festive bloom more than ever before...
Competing for shelf space in a competitive marketplace is no longer an issue for Primus with the launch of its new merchandisers to support retailers. From counter top spinners to FSDU’s and bespoke display stands, there is a merchandiser and display unit available for all products from the Primus range. 
Primeur – the leading supplier of the multi-award-winning Eco Garden collection of Tierra Verde self-watering planters, as well as Recycled Rubber Stepping-Stones, Deck Tiles and flexible Recycled Rubber Borders - have again been successful! 
With exhibitions off the agenda this year, Ivyline, supplier of inspired collections for the garden and home, including indoor and outdoor pots, terrariums, firepits and water features, has created a centrally located custom showroom to help retailers view the 300 plus new products from this brand at the forefront of trend-led interior and garden décor...
Chief executive Julian Winfield said the Snowhill team worked tirelessly to ensure the centre was able to remain open for the majority of the project, with minimal disruption.
