This is an exciting opportunity to join the team at Creative Products, who are seeking a hard-working, dedicated full time merchandiser/area representative to look after the company's accounts across London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey....
Nominations for the Glee Buyers Power List Awards close on Tuesday 17th August, the winners will be celebrated at Glee 2021...
After eighteen months of all the challenges thrown at buyers and suppliers due to the COVID-19 pandemic Glee will be celebrating the best buyers of garden, leisure and pet products in the Glee Buyers Power List.
To acknowledge the immense pressure buyers have been under this year across the wide range of products the feature in garden, leisure and pet retailing there are ten Glee Buyers Power List categories this year and nominations can be made in any of the categories for buyers from independent garden centres and retailers, buyers of high street and DIY retailers and buyers from on-line retailers.
Nominations are coming in from from growers, suppliers, agents and wholesalers for the following categories of buyers and buying teams:
1. Plants buyer/buying team of the Year
2. Garden Care buyer/buying team of the Year
3. Outdoor Leisure buyer/buying team of the Year
4. Landscape buyer/buying team of the Year
5. Home & Gifts buyer/buying team of the Year
6. Pet buyer/buying team of the Year
7. Retail Food & Drinks buyer/buying team of the Year
8. Christmas buyer/buying team of the Year
9. Overall Multiple Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year – 6 stores or more
10. Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year – up 5 stores
Nominations close on Tuesday 17th August after which voting will commence to decide the winners of the Glee Buyers Power List for 2021. Nominations can be made using the form in the July issue of GTN or on line using this link: Glee Buyers Power List 2021 nominations or by e-mail to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk. All nominations will be handled in strictest confidence.
The Glee Buyers Power List has celebrated the excellence of buying in the Garden, Leisure and Pet markets annually since 2015, and the winners have included:
Aylett Nurseries, B&M, B&Q, Blue Diamond, Enchanted-Earth.com, Frosts, gardensite.co.uk, Grovewell Garden Centres, Haskins, Homebase, John Lewis, MacKenzie & Cruikshank, Notcutts, Perrywood, Primrose.co.uk, Richard Jacksons Garden, Stax, The Range and Waitrose.
The winners of the Glee Buyers Power List 2021 will be announced live at Glee 2021 on Wednesday 15th September 2021. See you there!
Nomination Form:
I nominate the following buyers/buying teams for the Glee Buyers Power List 2021:
All nominations will be handled in strictest confidence
Send your completed nomination form to Glee Buyers Power List c/o GTN, Potting Shed Press, Dairy Drove, Thorney, Peterborough PE6 0TX or e-mail your nominations to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk by 17th August 2021 or vote on line using the On-LIne Glee Buyers Power List 2021 form
After a fantastic GLEE 2019, the team at Treadstone Products is looking forward to being back at the NEC this September...
After a fantastic GLEE 2019, the team at Treadstone Products is looking forward to being back at the NEC this September.
“We can’t wait to show customers old and new our new developments for the 2022 season” explains Dean Winters, Treadstone’s Head of Brands.
“2020 and 2021 have certainly been challenging, but at the same time, like many in the industry we’ve had 2 record years and we know the new products we are launching will ensure 2022 proves to be just as successful”.
Treadstone will be launching new ranges and products across all 3 of their brands:
ClipGlove – the multi-award winning garden glove range.
Peter Rabbit – children’s gardening and outdoor fun.
The Good Life – core garden sundries.
“We are back in hall 8, stand A41, but this year we’ve increased our space by over 30%” explained Dean “we’re excited by the design of the new space and are really looking forward to showing the industry what we are planning to fill it with!”
Bill Bickerdike, one of "the gang" of garden centre pioneers in the UK, has died aged 83.
He passed away peacefully last Wednesday evening at home after a short illness, with his family around him...
Bill Bickerdike, one of "the gang" of garden centre pioneers in the UK, has died aged 83.
He passed away peacefully last Wednesday evening at home after a short illness, with his family around him.
Bill's son Mark, who set up and runs Bikerdikes Garden Centre in Letchworth told GTN Xtra: "Dad and Bob were the old school, part of "the gang". They were true pioneers and he often told me that they had no idea what they were doing but they had fun. Inflation was so high back then that any mistakes one year were worth more the next year.
"Sandy was built in 1972/73 solely as a garden centre, possibly the first purpose built garden centre in the UK.
"Dad retired at 59 when Sandy was sold for housing but he was always here when we needed him and continued to offer sound advice right the way through to the end.
"His motto was "Never say no... say yes to as much as you can" and he certainly lived life to the full, sailing the Atlantic after retiring and skiing through untill he was 80."
Bill's funeral will be at 10:30 on Friday 27th August,at St Swithun's Church, Sandy, Bedfordshire. SG19 1AQ
According to Debbie Bickerdike's facebook post, Bill requested a colourful funeral with no black ties.
Debbie has also shared a video from 3 years ago on his 80th birthday, so you can all enjoy his zest for life and how to live life to the full! Listen to his lovely comments at the end of the video. https://www.facebook.com/debbie.bickerdike.3
What a start to August! Sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Centre Epos data increased week on week by 3.3% and as well as being 38% up on the same week in 2019 they were 5% up on last year’s sales for the same week.
What a start to August! Sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Centre Epos data increased week on week by 3.3% and as well as being 38% up on the same week in 2019 they were 5% up on last year’s sales for the same week.
Last year we saw a small uplift during the first week of August but before that you have to go back to 2013 when there was a significant rise in sales at the start of August.
Non-core gardening sales appear to have been the big increase vs 2020, probably driven by increased visits for summer dining at garden centres. Wild Bird Care sales benefitted from increased footfall with Top 50 GTN chart volumes up by 30% on last year.
It will be interesting to see if non-core gardening sales continue to boom during the summer as more restrictions are lifted.
Please note our last week, year on year comparisons, below, are now back to 2020.
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2020: week 32.
Garden Products Top 50 – down 21%
Growing Media Top 50 – down 35%
Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 32%
Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – up 30%
GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2020: week 32.
All Plants with Barcode index – down 17%
All Items with Barcode index – up 5%
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
The Thompson & Morgan seeds and plants business is being prepared for sale by its owners, Brecon-based multi-channel retailer BVG Group, according to some internet reports. The price tag could be up to £200 million...
Internet reports suggest that the Thompson & Morgan seeds and plants business is being prepared for sale by its owners, the Brecon-based multi-channel retailer BVG Group.
Speculation first appeared on the ‘This is Money’ website at the end of July. The site quoted city sources as reporting that BVG had appointed KMPG to advise on ‘strategic options’ that could lead to a sale. Bankers were said to have estimated the value of the business at £150 to £200 million. Some observers believe the high price could be an obstacle to any sale.
After T&M acquired rival brand Suttons (which included Dobies and the Orghanic Gardening Catalogue) in November 2020, BVG’s joint MD Chris Wright (pictured) said the combined business had the potential to generate full-year revenues of £80 million, far and away the biggest plants businesses for the UK’s online/mail order channel.
The move is thought to be a desire to cash in after a year of ultra-buoyant sales driven by high demand for gardening products during the pandemic lockdowns. The brand recently received major investment from the Business Growth Fund, which buys stakes in small and medium-sized businesses.
T&M, Britain’s oldest mail order plants and seeds business and a leading promoter of new species and cultivars, was set up in 1855 by baker’s son William Thompson, who later teamed up with John Morgan, a shrewd businessman.
There have been frequent changes of ownership. T&M was in the hands of the Sangster family from 1921 to 1999. Primary Capital funded a management buyout in 2002.
In the 1990s, a pioneering young plants mail order operation was established by hen-MD Paul Hansord and now makes a dominant contribution to turnover.
BVG claims to be Britain’s biggest multi-channel retailer of garden products and outdoor buildings. It says it is on track to clear sales of £150 million in the current year and earnings of £30 million. Its other brands include Waltons, Van Meuwen and Garden Gear. The group acquired T&M in 2017.
GTN Xtra’s attempt to obtain confirmation of a planned sale was dismissed by by a BVG sales agent, who said the story was unlikely to be true and declined to suggest a spokesman who could help with our enquiry.
Increased costs and restrictions on the UK horticulture industry to export to the EU have seen a marked drop in the value of trade in the first six months of the year, demonstrating a missed opportunity for the sector to grow its contribution to UK ‘green trade’...
Increased costs and restrictions on the UK horticulture industry to export to the EU have seen a marked drop in the value of trade in the first six months of the year, demonstrating a missed opportunity for the sector to grow its contribution to UK ‘green trade’.
Research conducted by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) shows that exports of live plants and plant materials* from the UK to the EU between January and June this year were valued at £9.7m, compared with £16m in the same period of 2019 – a decrease of 39%. Rest of the world sales have remained broadly static. This, says the HTA, shows that the although the EU is still the largest market for British horticultural products, the industry is not growing as it could. Extra new administrative costs and restrictions are resulting in British horticulture businesses choosing not to pursue markets in the EU.
“We had long suspected that this heavy-handed regime would put too many barriers in the way of those who had hoped to grow a customer base in Europe. Much of the £24bn horticulture industry is made up of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) who want to champion ‘green trade’ and export the hugely iconic British plants, seeds and trees we produce here. However, the bureaucratic obstacles and huge costs are making it business-sapping and unviable. This is preventing SMEs to grow and lead a post-Brexit trade renaissance,” said James Clark, Director of Policy and Communications at the HTA.
First-hand experiences of HTA members tell a story of businesses frustrated by problems transporting their live plants combined with the additional costs and complexity of inspections and necessary paperwork. These factors combined mean that it simply isn’t viable for many to trade with customers on the continent.
David Millais, who runs Millais Nurseries near Farnham in Surrey, said: “Before Brexit, we exported 5-10% of our production to botanic gardens and specialist plant centres, and to many repeat retail customers, who bought directly from our website. We redesigned our website to enable us to capitalise on this market and grew this part of the business by 20%. Brexit has completely stopped this. The disproportionate inspection and freight charges now mean there is no point in attempting to send small orders to Europe because the costs make exports unviable for all concerned.”
David Fryer, Head of Technical at seed company Mr Fothergill’s of Newmarket, explains the situation: “We’re having to spend so much time navigating the cost of inspections and certificates, the cost of planning and management and the risk of consignment delays or rejections, plus limitations on what we can export now and reduced customer confidence that we are unable to focus on growth in the EU while we manage these new ways of working.”
The HTA has launched a campaign called ‘Let Britain Grow’, calling for the Government to review existing inspection levels and costs and negotiate a plant health agreement between the UK and the EU. This will enable the multi-billion pound sector to boost the nation’s economic growth and fuel international trade post-Brexit.
South East Cornwall MP, Sheryll Murray, has seen first-hand how horticulture can play a part in driving ‘green growth’ and supporting climate targets during a visit to a Saltash plant business...
South East Cornwall MP, Sheryll Murray, has seen first-hand how horticulture can play a part in driving ‘green growth’ and supporting climate targets during a visit to a Saltash plant business.
Kernock Park Plants, an independent Cornish plant producer, who have been in businesses for over 40 years, produce over 13 million plants a year for sale in the UK, Ireland and Europe and operate from their seven-hectare site at Pillaton near Saltash. It is part of a strong Cornish horticultural industry which grows a diverse range of plants and trees; with Cornwall being the UK’s leading grower of crops such as daffodils.
Bruce Harnett, Managing Director, Kernock Park Plants said: “We were delighted to have Sheryll visit our business and to show her the work that goes into producing plants. Gardening has never been more popular and there is a real opportunity to further grow our business, but we need Government to reduce the excessive red tape and bureaucracy on imports and exports for horticulture. Currently the process is significantly hampered by paperwork and costs that could be easily reduced by Government to allow us to grow our business.
“On small to medium sized import, costs have increased by nearly 400% compared to 2020 with all the certificates, agent costs and inspection costs on both sides. We calculate that import and export is costing us over £200,000 per year more, without considering lost business due to increased export costs and all the additional time dealing with the complex administration to receive and sell plants outside of the UK.
“As far as workforce, we’re working hard to cover help ensure that our needs are covered going forward, but it’s demanding even more planning and forecasting as to our requirements in a typically unpredictable market. We need recognition and a policy change from government that better reflects our needs for seasonal staff by incorporation of ornamental plants into the seasonal agricultural workers scheme allocation."
Sheryll Murray MP said: "I was very impressed by their large operation producing such beautiful plants. I would like to thank them for the informative visit. This first hand detail is particularly useful in my role on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee."
This is an exciting opportunity to join the team at Creative Products, who are seeking a hard-working, dedicated full time merchandiser/area representative to look after the company's accounts across London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey....
Field Sales (Retail Support)
This is an exciting opportunity to join the team at Creative Products.
We are a well-established, fast growing, Instore TV promotion company selling an exciting range of FMCG products using instore TV advertising to maximise sales.
We are seeking a hard-working, dedicated full time merchandiser/area representative to look after our accounts across London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
Our customers are predominantly garden centres but also include High Street and out of town retailers.
The HTA’s August Market Update report indicates that in post-lockdown times 50% of consumers will look to spend more time outdoors and 52 % plan on spending less time in crowded, indoor spaces such as malls...
Though the UK is no longer in lockdown, many consumers remain cautious about coronavirus. Concerned about the risk of being in crowded areas, many are looking for alternative ways to spend a day out. The HTA’s August Market Update report indicates that in post-lockdown times 50% of consumers will look to spend more time outdoors and 52 % plan on spending less time in crowded, indoor spaces such as malls.
Open and airy garden centres and nurseries are likely to be an appealing option for customers. Whilst many people are now more comfortable shopping and returning to 'normal activities', for those who remain cautious, Covid-security measures will provide confidence. These factors could encourage increased footfall and sales as consumers continue to invest in improving the outdoor spaces at their homes during post-lockdown times.
Garden furniture sales have increased 8% from July 2020 and are up 63% from 2019. This is indicative of the consumer major purchase index where most consumers believe ‘now’s the time to buy’.
Similarly, national garden centre sales were up 3% from July 2020 and 27% from July 2019. Garden/gardening sales were down 13% from last year July when the first national lockdown caused a boom in gardening sales.
However, non-gardening/gardening categories are down 3% from July 2019 indicating that consumers may still be slightly hesitant to visit catering facilities.
Though catering ATVs have increased by 60% on July 2019, footfall is seemingly still reduced and sales remain down.
Plant sales grew by 5% last week as the clamour for late summer colour increased...
Plant sales grew by 5% last week as the clamour for late summer colour increased.
Highlights of the week were:
Begonia sales grew by 62% to take over at the top of the GTN Plants chart.
Dramatic Lillies flew out of planterias to be the highest re-entry at No 10.
Cyclamen sales have started at a good pace to re-enter at No 17.
Chrysanthemum also saw big increases in sales to re-enter at No 29.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
GIMA is encouraging new business and innovators to consider entering the 2021 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund, with this year’s winner being unveiled at Glee, the leading annual exhibition for the garden and outdoor leisure industries (14-16 September, NEC Birmingham)...
GIMA is encouraging new business and innovators to consider entering the 2021 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund, with this year’s winner being unveiled at Glee, the leading annual exhibition for the garden and outdoor leisure industries (14-16 September, NEC Birmingham).
Introduced in 2014 – and supported by Glee ever since - the fund offers the winner an unrivalled prize package, including a grant of up to £6,000 and help with developing and marketing their product to the UK garden retail sector. Included within this prize fund is a year’s full GIMA membership, plus a wide range of business support tools designed to help ease the journey into a new and unfamiliar marketplace, such as free exhibition space at Glee and free PR support during the event; design, development and manufacturing or marketing cost support up to the value of £3,000; access to an industry business consultant; one-year ACID (Anti Copying In Design) membership; and a half page advert in the next GIMA Product Digest.
Since its inauguration, six highly deserving winners have been crowned, all of which have gone on to witness significant core growth.
Last year’s winners were Natural Grower, who were selected by the judges thanks to the potential of its Natural Liquid Fertiliser, which taps into the ever-growing popularity of organic and veganic gardening. The judges said: “The product offering, and story behind the brand, is right on message and fits perfectly with the trends that are influencing category growth and consumer demands. An incredibly strong entry, Natural Grower offers well delivered products and a branding that stands out on the shelf. We’ve no doubt that retailers will be wanting to know more about Natural Grower.”
And, indeed, the judges were correct. Since winning the GISCF in 2019 Natural Grower have enjoyed significant growth as the company’s Charlotte Beaty explains: “We launched our Natural Grower liquid fertiliser and soil conditioner for organic growers in February 2019, and with the support of the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund we have had a phenomenal response. Our products are approved by the Soil Association, OF&G, the Vegan Society and the BioDynamic Association. The organic and vegan movements have gained traction over the last year, with consumers looking for more environmentally friendly ways to garden. The GISCF enabled us to develop and expand the marketing of our products and we were able to pay for consultants to advise us on additional e-commerce opportunities. As a result, we were able to make the most of the shutdown period to promote and sell our products online.”
Talking ahead of this year’s unveiling of the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund – which will take place on the first day of Glee 2021 (Tuesday 14th September) - GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “I’m really excited to see what new innovations are emerging this year as gardening’s popularity increases. At GIMA, we are very keen to continue to support new and emerging businesses entering our sector as they are the lifeblood of the future. Our Seed Corn Fund often gives these new businesses the kick start they need to succeed.”
Businesses interested in entering the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund in 2021 are invited to do so by visiting www.gima.org.uk/innovators-seed-corn-fund/ and completing the online application form ahead of the Friday August 20th 2021. The full criteria on eligibility to enter can also be found here.
For further information about GIMA, please call (01959) 564947 or email info@gima.org.uk
The Garden Centre Association has recently released its Barometer of Trade (BoT) for June, revealing furniture and BBQ sales were up by 94.88% year-to-date. The report also shows a year-to-date increase in 11 out of 13 categories proving that garden centre demand has been positive at the start of the summer...
The Garden Centre Association has recently released its Barometer of Trade (BoT) for June, revealing furniture and BBQ sales were up by 94.88% year-to-date.
The report also shows a year-to-date increase in 11 out of 13 categories proving that garden centre demand has been positive at the start of the summer.
Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, explained: “The great weather at the start of June led to outdoor entertainment and alfresco dining remaining popular. People were continuing to spend more time in their gardens and outdoor living spaces. Many centres received a ‘second wave’ of furniture deliveries in June, delayed from earlier in the season, going some way to fulfil the pent-up demand from customers and keeping sales buoyant.
“There was an anticipation of the ending of restrictions in July and people were preparing to be reunited with friends and family and to be able to host them in their gardens and to fully resume entertaining at home.
“Another key category, which has been continuously affected throughout the last 16 months is catering. It has seen a massive increase from June 2020 with sales up 2,481.82%. Although it has been hampered significantly by the limitations affecting the hospitality industry, which needs to be taken into consideration. The increase is unsurprising as hospitality was closed until July 4 in 2020, so last year the figures relate to a few centres offering a limited takeaway menu.
“Many restaurants and cafés remained closed until mid-May this year and these facilities have had to endure difficulties with changing rules and the impact of the Government’s track and trace system which led to staffing shortages when they were required to isolate.”
As centres had only just re-started their catering operations in May this year, the year-to-date figure remains down at 26.56% for June.
Iain added: “The nation’s new gardeners also appear keen to continue. Houseplants have remained top sellers with sales up 80.56% and outdoor plants up 73.17%, year-to-date. Our love and appreciation of natural things clearly flows across generations linked with the proven benefits of gardening and plants to our wellbeing and mental health.”
Other categories that performed well in June compared to the same month in 2020 include clothing, with sales up 55.52% and gifts up 67.26%, although last year it must be remembered that many centres were trading these departments in a limited capacity, and in some cases, they were closed in June last year. The food hall and farm shop category was up at 50.22% and pets and aquatics up 36.63%.
Iain added: “As we move towards autumn/winter members will be wary of the potential for another wave and how this may impact on our sector. Although we managed it successfully in 2020 and as a result, we remain confident for the run-up to Christmas, especially as many customers will still consider GCA garden centres as safe places to shop, with their excellent track record of having appropriate measures in place during the pandemic.
“Despite uncertainty as to when restrictions would lift, nine categories have seen sales performing above 50% on the year-to-date. We’re thrilled to see that these figures have remained high and positive, are still performing consistently and are better than in 2019.”
Overall sales for the month were up year-to-date by 8.43%.
The GCA BoT reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.
TV Gardener, Katie Rushworth, visited Tong Garden Centre recently to refresh the garden that she created in May...
TV Gardener, Katie Rushworth, visited Tong Garden Centre recently to refresh the garden that she created in May.
Tong's Plant Buyer, Steve Smith, worked with his network of growers to source the plants: "The Wellbeing Garden has been transformed from a tranquil relaxation space to a perfect entertaining space that is packed with an abundance of hot colours and textured foliage.
"The garden has been refreshed with bold colours that complement the all year round planting and it looks amazing. Pockets of Kniphofia, Rudbeckia, Helenium and Echinacea show customers how easy it is to transform an existing border with a seasonal refresh."
The plants have been specially selected by Ms. Rushworth as her VIPs (Very Important Plants) and are available to buy from the centre.
Ms. Rushworth, who works alongside Alan Titchmarsh on ITV's ‘Love Your Garden' and ‘Love Your Home and Garden' is delighted with the new look garden: "I've swapped out the soft blues, pinks and lilacs for late summer hot colours and it looks awesome! I love a hot jazzy planting scheme!
"So, if you want a garden that will lift your spirits and put a spring in your step, then be sure to visit Tong for inspiration. It's been so lovely seeing people taking pictures and enjoying the space."
The 16m2 space also features an outdoor kitchen and a seating area where customers are encouraged to immerse themselves in the garden.
A ‘snap and share' competition has also been launched on social media for customers to win £50 worth of plants.
Tong Garden Centre occupies a 19 acre site in Tong village. It is one of Yorkshire's biggest independent garden centres with 125,000 square feet of retail space and parking for up to 700 cars.
Wellbeing will be placed centre stage at BBC Gardeners’ World Live Special Edition with a series of features showcasing how health and wellbeing is boosted by plants and gardening, or being around greenery and gardens. Ultimately, gardens make us feel good...
Wellbeing will be placed centre stage at BBC Gardeners’ World Live Special Edition with a series of features showcasing how health and wellbeing is boosted by plants and gardening, or being around greenery and gardens. Ultimately, gardens make us feel good!
Appearing later in the gardening calendar than usual, the outdoor edition of the Show will be at Birmingham’s NEC from Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 August.
A new feature from Lexus will offer visitors a chance to experience the wonder of Shinrin-Yoku. This Japanese term, meaning ‘Forest Bathing’, explores how immersion in nature can benefit overall wellbeing by lowering stress levels.
A new feature in the Floral Marquee, the House of Plants, will show how houseplants can uplift and transform indoor rooms to stylish effect. Along with designer Samantha Theakstone, popular indoor gardening expert Joe Bagley, of @ukhouseplants, will be giving advice from this beautifully styled room-set every day. With varieties known to improve wellbeing, this feature will be a striking place full of space-savvy and creative ways to display houseplants and inspiration to make our homes greener places, with no space left un-adorned.
Showcase Garden, Nature’s Resilience, designed by Surrey-based Moska Design and Yorkshire-based Seedsology, will celebrate the power of plants to heal, calm, awaken the senses, spark imagination and bring joy. The colourful garden will be jam-packed with plants offering a host of therapeutic properties for the mind, body and soul.
Talks on the My Gardeners’ World Stage, from Adam Frost, Monty Don and Carol Klein will also touch on how gardening has played a significant role in our wellbeing in particular over the past 18 months.
Daily Gardening for Health and Wellbeing sessions from stage sponsors Legal & General with award-winning garden design David Stevens, and hosted by David Hurrion, will look at how your garden design, and gardening, can be of huge benefit to physical and mental health at any age and stage of life.
They’ll consider how simply the colour green can have a calming and relaxing influence on mood and talk about how gardening is the ultimate in mindfulness, allowing gardeners to consider and concentrate on simple activities that use different parts of the brain. The pair will cover how manual dexterity and balance can be refined and used for motor skills and therapeutic benefit, as well as ways in which gardening and plants can stimulate memories and benefit the brain. The comforting and reassuring aspects of gardening will be celebrated too, from repeating things that happen each season to providing continuity in life.
This year’s Show will include more than 20 Beautiful Borders. Each Border will be a bountiful celebration of the power of flowers, embodying wellbeing in different guises – be it the medicinal power of plants, the healing power of gardening or the way gardens soothe the senses.
A selection of the Beautiful Border highlights include:
The Health and Relaxation Border, by Chris Sellars, which will showcase the physical and mental health benefits that plants that offer. This design is underpinned by slate landscaping and complemented by a serene white flower theme with graceful architectural plants, medicinal herb planters, vertical alpines and a water feature.
Set in a quiet corner of a small garden, In Momento, by Cath Fletcher, is a garden of summer exuberance, featuring impulse plant selections to match the gardener’s mood and be 'in the moment'. This reflects the power of plants, flowers and gardening to be a fun, indulgent, experimental experience. Primarily planting requiring full sun and good drainage, the plants are a mixture of hardy, and those requiring protection or overwintering indoors. An expression of the fun, creative nature of gardening, and those impulse plant selections that may not be suitable long term but are enjoyed for the short term 'In Momento’.
Blooming Apothecary, by Christine Mulinder, refers to the ancient form of dispensing medicines for ailments. Many of these recipes used flowering plants that can still be found in abundance in hedgerows. This border celebrates apothecary by showcasing flowering garden plants that have the power to heal and support wellbeing.
Seed to Flower, by Jayne Probyn, is inspired by Oak Tree Farm Rural Project in Staffordshire. Adults with learning difficulties have a caring and nurturing experience themselves through the growing of plants and flowers. For some the project gives simply a purposeful occupation, whilst for others gaining of new skills provides a route to sheltered employment. Their involvement with flowers offers stimulation of fragrance and colours, the excitement of seeing things grow and the interaction of wildlife, in addition their work is valued by those who come to buy their cut flowers. Like the flowers they produce, the adult learners are given sheltered space to grow and blossom.
The Power of Flowers is Everything by Lynn Cordall aims to show that even in a small space the power of flowers can enclose and provide an escape from the busy world whilst taking care of many species. All of the plants chosen for the border have wellbeing boosting properties from helping to heal (physically and emotionally) to providing food for bees, butterflies and moths. Calming the senses through colour with a soft blue/purple palette and soothing sounds of rustling grasses and buzzing bees will be brought to the fore. The designer asks visitors to consider; what would we all do without flowers?
In addition to a wealth of wellbeing features, shoppers will find an uplifting array of beautiful blooms and perfect plants to browse and buy from quality nurseries in the Floral Marquee and Plant Village.
There will be mood-boosting toe-tapping entertainment at The Bandstand, with plenty of tasty treats to enjoy in the pop-up BBC Good Food Market.
As there will now be a break with no live football on TV until Sunday, it's coming home, how about gorging yourself on a smörgåsbord board of SOLEX videos. Here's the SOLEX SUN video showreel...
As there will now be a break with no live football on TV until Sunday, it's coming home, how about gorging yourself on a smörgåsbord board of SOLEX videos. Here's the SOLEX SUN video showreel, enjoy! And if you want to watch even more just go to the SOLEX On-Line website and watch to your hearts content.
The Autumn Fair Little Black Book, the essential preview guide and planning tool for Autumn Fair 2021, has launched and is now up for grabs...
The Autumn Fair Little Black Book, the essential preview guide and planning tool for Autumn Fair 2021, has launched and is now up for grabs.
With only a limited number available to visitors who pre-register by 11th August, the Little Black Book offers a first look at the show floor and its sectors, an A-Z exhibitor list, what’s on, as well as an edit of new products waiting to be discovered.
Autumn Fair co-located with Moda, is the leading marketplace for home, gift and fashion, and runs from the 5-8 September at NEC Birmingham.
Designed for those who still prefer a physical guide, the Little Black Book features a handy foldout floorplan map within the front cover offering the first glimpse of the show’s layout, and what’s new and noteworthy at the forthcoming show.
Discover the sectors, feature areas and what’s on at the inspiring Retail Stage. The A-Z Exhibitor list features a helpful colour-coded key for each sector which will be replicated at the show with coloured carpets and directional signage.
With everything in the garden growing strongly it’s no surprise to see plant supports amongst the products with the biggest sales increases of the week...
With everything in the garden growing strongly it’s no surprise to see plant supports amongst the products with the biggest sales increases of the week.
Whilst in previous years August garden product charts may have been full of garden lighting and other decorative lines this year’s chart shows very strong sales of core gardening items, including lawncare products.
Highlights of the week were:
Smart Garden’s Looney Veggie Stake is the highest chart new entry at No 37.
Woodlodge Bamboo Stakes 90cm, packs of 20, also debut in the GTN chart at No 46.
Evergreen Garden Care Weedol Lawn Weedkiller Ready To Use 800ml is the highest chart climber, up 35 places to No 11.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
Growing Media sales in the first week of August 2021 were 51% higher than the same week in 2019, and 35% ahead of the average for the six years prior to 2020.
Growing Media sales in the first week of August 2021 were 51% higher than the same week in 2019, and 35% ahead of the average for the six years prior to 2020.
The demand for growing media is not slowing at all. That puts even more pressure on the Peat Free compost issue.
In this week’s GTN Growing Media chart 25% of the sales volume were specific Peat Free lines.
Highlights of the week were:
Westland Multipurpose Compost with John Innes 50 litres stays at the Top of the GTN chart.
Evergreen Garden Care Miracle-Gro Peat Free All Purpose 40 litres is the highest placed Peat Free line, up one place to No 3.
Growth Technology Houseplant Focus Repotting Mix Peat Free 2 litres climb furthest up the chart to No 8.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
With a mandate agreed by international convention, AIPH, the International Association of Horticultural Producers has been approving and regulating International Horticultural Expos since 1960.
With a mandate agreed by international convention, AIPH, the International Association of Horticultural Producers has been approving and regulating International Horticultural Expos since 1960.
This conference presents an excellent opportunity to learn more about hosting or being involved with an International Horticultural Expo and to network with expo organisers, city representatives interested in hosting an expo, urban developers, AIPH members, NGOs, international city and environmental organisations and suppliers to major events.
Millions are spent on developing these international spectacles that can stimulate the development of entire cities and transform the international reputation of hosting regions. Each Exhibition attracts many international participants and millions of visitors and lasts up to six months, with sites ranging in size from the smallest of 25 hectares to the largest of 500 hectares or more. Every Expo is carefully regulated, steered, and monitored by AIPH.
The period from now until 2027 already includes AIPH approved expos in China, Turkey, Qatar, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Japan. The following Expos will be submitting their progress reports on 19 October.
A1 World Horticultural Expos
The World Horticultural Expos include:
Expo 2022 Floriade (the Netherlands)
Expo 2023 Doha (Qatar)
World Horticultural Exhibition 2027 Yokohama (Japan).
B International Horticultural Exhibitions
The International Horticultural Exhibitions include:
Expo 2021 Yangzhou (China)
Expo 2021 Hatay (Turkey)
Expo 2023 Kahramanmaraş (Turkey)
Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo (South Korea).
International Horticultural Exhibition Chengdu 2024 (China)
Expo İzmir 2026 (Turkey)
There will also be news on progress from the organisers of the International Horticultural Show, Euroflora 2022. More Exhibitions will be approved in upcoming meetings.
Putting Sustainability at the heart of AIPH-approved Expos
Sustainability is now a high priority. As the world’s champion for the power of plants, AIPH is committed to a sustainable future in which humanity, technology, and nature exist in a healthy and stable equilibrium.
To cement our dedication to a sustainable future, AIPH has developed a new Sustainability Policy. Independent Sustainability Expert Mr David Stubbs, of Sustainability Experts Limited, will present the policy and Rules for Expos at the Virtual Expo Conference. These rules will describe the standards for the planning and staging of horticultural expos to ensure they are the world’s most sustainable major events.
New AIPH Reporting procedures
During the conference, AIPH will reveal news on the new reporting procedures for approved Expos. Ms Elena Terekhova, AIPH International Relations Manager, and Mr Peter Ward, Managing Director of WeTrack, will introduce the WeTrack online programme that Expos will be required to use for reporting as well as the benefits of using this as an event management tool.
WeTrack’s project management software has been used by organisers of some of the world’s most prestigious events, venues, and organisations, including World Triathlon, the FIA, Expo 2020 Dubai, Wimbledon, and the International Cricket Council. It enables teams and departments to track tasks and projects, collaborate better with stakeholders, and build, download, and share custom reports.
In the same platform, organisations can then integrate their sustainability, readiness and operational planning, providing consistency from the early stages of planning your Expo, to the final stages of delivery. Bespoke, automated reporting underpins every stage of this process.
We are grateful to our Gold Sponsor PERA Event for their support of the conference.
Registration for the virtual conference is free. For more information on this event, visit our website.
Wild Bird Care and Wildlife sales increased week on week for the second consecutive week, a welcome increase after 15 previous weeks of sales declines...
Wild Bird Care and Wildlife sales increased week on week for the second consecutive week, a welcome increase after 15 previous weeks of sales declines.
Hopefully, increased footfall for summer dining in garden centres will keep up the momentum. Is there an in-restaurant merchandisng opportunity for Wild Bird Care during the holidays?
Highlights of the week were:
Gardman’s Poppy Feeder with Stem is the star re-entry, straight back in at No 1.
Honeyfields Won't Grow Wild Bird Food 5kg from Marriages is a new entry at No 49.
Brambles Meaty Hedgehog Food 4 is a re-entry at No 50.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
Expert organic gardener and author, Sally Morgan will launch her latest release, The Healthy Vegetable Garden, at Castle Gardens in Sherborne on Thursday 2 September at 6:30pm...
Expert organic gardener and author, Sally Morgan will launch her latest release, The Healthy Vegetable Garden, at Castle Gardens in Sherborne on Thursday 2 September at 6:30pm.
Delving into natural, chemical free approaches to soil, biodiversity and managing pests and diseases, this free author event will give growers of all abilities the opportunity to learn how to maintain healthy and productive fruit and vegetable crops year after year.
Responding to reports that nearly 3 million people took up gardening in 2020, using the lockdown as an opportunity to engage with nature, become more self-sufficient and eat a healthier diet, this new book is the perfect tool to give growers the confidence to work in harmony with nature, nourishing themselves as well as their little patch of the planet.
July’s garden centre sales volumes were up by 20% on July 2019 and 28% above the nine-year average for the previous nine years before last year’s exceptional post Lockdown #1 sales...
July’s garden centre sales volumes were up by 20% on July 2019 and 28% above the nine-year average for the previous nine years before last year’s exceptional post Lockdown #1 sales.
And the last week in July even saw sales move ahead of 2020 levels by 3%. With everything growing well we could see record sales during August as new gardeners seem to keep gardening throughout the summer. Especially if autumn bulb sales get going early!
Please note our last week, year on year comparisons, below, are now back to 2020.
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2020: week 31.
Garden Products Top 50 – down 12%
Growing Media Top 50 – down 39%
Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 40%
Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – up 9%
GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2020: week 31.
All Plants with Barcode index – down 16%
All Items with Barcode index – up 3%
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
Tara Truman has been in the industry for over 30 years, and as well as owning her own garden centre, she has also worked for Briers, Smart and most recently Woodlodge...
Tara Truman has been in the industry for over 30 years, and as well as owning her own garden centre, she has also worked for Briers, Smart and most recently Woodlodge.
She will bring a huge wealth of knowledge and experience to our business.
Tara will be covering Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Herefordshire and South Wales on behalf of all our brands (area dependant).
She starts on Monday 9th August and will be quickly getting around to meet all the customers in the area with us.
If you are planning on stocking the latest garden brands and essentials in 2022, then your first port of call has to be the newly opened Woodlodge showroom which showcases the company’s brand-new product offering...
If you are planning on stocking the latest garden brands and essentials in 2022, then your first port of call has to be the newly opened Woodlodge showroom which showcases the company’s brand-new product offering.
The purpose-built facility at Woodlodge’s Tetbury head office will give retailers early access to the new product ranges, as well as the existing popular portfolio of gardenware that the company is renowned for. Buyers will be able to talk direct to representatives who are committed to delivering high quality and market leading garden sales solutions for garden centres and other outlets.
Visitors to the new Woodlodge showroom will be able to get an early glance at the much-anticipated collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society which takes centre stage in the 900 square metre showroom and can be pre-ordered now for delivery in 2022. Made up of terracotta, glazed and fibreclay pots, the range will incorporate classic and modern designs as well as a full selection of sizes to accommodate any outdoor space.
If you are looking to drive Christmas footfall this year, our festive brand Snowlodge, made up of over 1,400 products will be on display and taking orders right now. From stars, ornaments, figurines and lighting to room decorations, ornaments, baubles, candle light and tea holders, Snowlodge brings to market a unique festive offering that combines innovation with quality. Snowlodge is a must see, carefully curated portfolio that will give retailers a real point of difference in a competitive Christmas market. Stock availability will be from September.
The outdoor living category will be furthered strengthened by Emberwood, Woodlodge’s portfolio of firepits and fireplaces which takes pride of place in the new showroom. The range of firepits offer perfect source of both functionality and ambiance with many styles that suits any garden space. From a standalone metal bowls to rustic finished fireplaces, Emberwood’s designs will create a gorgeous centrepiece to a patio or a breath-taking division between outdoor areas.
Complimenting Emberwood, will be Woodlodge’s new portfolio of luxurious garden furniture for outdoor living, complete with furniture covers to protect from over winter and provide years of use.
A number of new designs have been added to Water Studio, Woodlodge’s plug-in-and-go water features. The calming new designs boast both competitive price points, allowing consumers to bring life and motion to any outdoor space. From elegant leaf designs which create a tranquil sound to cascade fountains, architectural monoliths to contemporary water features with sleek silhouettes, Water Studio’s designs will appeal to all demographics and drive footfall.
The Honey & Wild range of garden décor range has been expanded with the addition of wildlife houses and decorative, illuminated garden mirrors as consumers continue to view their garden as an extension of their home.
The Down to Earth range has also been updated to include the latest ornamental plant supports and garden sundries, such as plant labels and ties, cane toppers, garden twine and bamboo canes to provide a one stop shop for consumers who want to care for and support their growing gardens.
New designs from Root Indoor are also a showroom highlight to capitalise on the ever-increasing houseplant trend. The new colours and patterns will blend in with modern and traditional interior décor, allowing buyers to reap the benefits from one of the fastest-growing categories in garden retail.
Michael Wooldridge, Director at Woodlodge said: “The aim of our new purpose-built showroom is to give customers the opportunity to experience our full catalogue and to fully interact and engage with our Woodlodge brands. We know retailers like to touch and physically see products before buying them, so we decided that an all-year round showroom should be the next aspect of our growth journey. ”
Woodlodge’s showroom tours can be booked by appointment by speaking to their local sales manager or emailing showroom@woodlodge.co.uk . To ensure the safety of staff and all visitors to our site, Woodlodge will provide hand sanitisation facilities.
For those retailers that are unable to visit the showroom, Woodlodge will be exhibiting these exciting new releases at Glee on Stand 6J30-20A31.
For more information on Woodlodge’s new ranges for 2022, please contact your local sales representative or visit www.woodlodge.co.uk.
The HTA has responded to consultations by six water companies with an urgent call for the unique needs of the sector to be considered in their plans for drought bans...
The HTA has responded to consultations by six water companies with an urgent call for the unique needs of the sector to be considered in their plans for drought bans.
Six water companies in south east England have recently consulted on their drought plans, which include suggested bans on ‘watering outdoor plants on commercial premises’ and ‘watering in newly bought plants’.
The HTA wants to ensure the industry would not be at risk from these actions. They have called for an exemption for commercial plant and tree growers, garden centres and landscapers to be able to water their plants and trees during a drought. They highlight the sector’s support for water capture infrastructure projects, such as more self-sufficient water systems like reservoirs and efficient irrigation systems.
With around 50 grower members and almost 250 garden centre retailers in the Water Resources South East area, thousands of people are employed in the sector across the region. If such bans were implemented crops would likely fail, plants would die and jobs would be lost. Grower businesses supply plants to garden retailers and domestic and amenity landscapers, both locally and across the country. If plants grown in the south east were to fail due to a ban on watering, the consequences would be felt nationwide and the whole £24billion UK ornamental horticulture industry would be at risk.
James Clark, Director of Policy & Communications at the HTA, said: “We know that the south east of England is a water-stressed area. Our industry is playing its part in conserving and using water in the best possible way, but we know more needs to be done – that is why our Sustainability Roadmap has water conversation at the forefront of our commitments.
"However, outright bans on our members abilities to water plants and trees would be ruinous. We want to collaborate with the water companies to find a way forward on exempting ornamental horticulture businesses from a mains water ban, but also get their support in making it easier for ornamental horticulture landowners to develop water infrastructure, such as reservoirs. Together, we can ensure that the British horticulture industry thrives and puts water efficiency at the heart of what we do.”
The SOLEX Brochure and Floor Plan will remain on the SOLEX website so you can always re visit if you want to re connect with any of exhibitors or find out what’s on offer next season...
The SOLEX Brochure and Floor Plan will remain on the SOLEX website so you can always re visit if you want to re connect with any of exhibitors or find out what’s on offer next season.
LOFA Marketing Manager Gina Hinde told SOLEX SUN: "Another Virtual SOLEX has been and gone. The online event kicked off on Tuesday 6th July, and over the three days we had just over 4,000 visitors to our SOLEX website, online brochure and virtual floor plan which is amazing, and a whopping 14,800 of you opened the GTN SOLEX SUN viewing almost 20,000 pages, which are amazing stats and we are, as always, very grateful for the support everyone has shown us, and taking the time to visit and interact with our exhibitors.
"We hope everyone enjoyed it and we look forward to welcoming you all back to the NEC next year, Halls 17/18/19, 12-14 July 2022."
Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts...
Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.
The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.
As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.
Access is by subscription only. For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales. To subscribe call 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.
WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers. Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.
Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.
GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £100m.
Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.
Launched in late 2020, new ORGANIX from leading premium aquatic experts, OASE UK, has been leading the charge in bringing sustainable aquatic feeds to the fore...
Launched in late 2020, new ORGANIX from leading premium aquatic experts, OASE UK, has been leading the charge in bringing sustainable aquatic feeds to the fore.
An important addition to OASE UK’s product portfolio, ORGANIX represents the highest quality fish food in the world; opening up a new sales opportunity for retailers, as well as capturing the interest of today’s consumers, as they look to make more sustainable choices within their homes.
Made using all-natural ingredients, gently and sustainably harvested from the Alaskan coast, the new ORGANIX range is designed to provide aquarium owners with the best-possible food for their treasured aquatic animals. Fish are treated to a varied and natural menu; all of which is freshly prepared and free from artificial preservatives. Not only does this allow passionate aquarists to maintain a top-class diet for the aquarium inhabitants in their care but the lack of excess oils and additives in the food keeps aquarium water clearer and free from pollutants – a definite win/win for your customers.
ORGANIX is available in a range of pack sizes and is offered as granulate, flakes or tabs to suit the eating habits of any species.
New ORGANIX also boasts significant environmental credentials; all of which are clearly communicated at point of sale and across the range’s eye-catching, informative packaging. Each product family clearly showcases its application, e.g. Power Flakes, Colour Granulate, Snack Sticks, on pack via colour-coded labelling, with the ‘natural’ origins of the food clearly highlighted for consumer reference, providing customers with all the information they need to understand the source of the product they are buying and how best to use it.
Market-leading point of sale
Retailers can benefit from OASE UK’s extensive range of point of sale materials, including TEGO shelving and branded fish bags. Two merchandising units are also available to help drive sales in-store. The striking units take inspiration from the source of the ORGANIX range, Alaska, and feature stunning seascape imagery to stop shoppers in their tracks and immediately link the products back to their origins.
The freestanding unit boasts a footprint of just 0.25m2, which offers retailers greater flexibility, with the freedom to co-locate the display alongside other aquarium lines or in a number of key locations around the shopfloor, helping to generate linked sales and drive up basket spend, whilst building all-important brand awareness amongst customers. A helpful information panel outlines the main benefits of the ORGANIX range quickly and easily, in both text and visual forms, enabling customers to make more informed decisions at point of sale.
Meanwhile, a handy top-shelf merchandising display with bold, attractive branding, provides another flexible and eye-catching display solution for retailers. The unit holds up to 48 tubs of ORGANIX food and can even be used as a counter-top display by the till to encourage impulse buys, as shoppers make their final purchases.
Andy Bond, National Sales Manager at OASE UK said: “Retailers who stock ORGANIX food are able to offer their customers a range of aquatic food that stands head and shoulders above the rest – an excellent added-value product, which when used, promises lively fish and outstanding water quality.
“Unlike a lot of conventional fish food, where nutrients are often simply sprayed on and tend to wash straight out in the water, the 100%-natural ingredients in the ORGANIX family of products intrinsically contain minerals, trace elements and unsaturated fatty acids. This means discerning aquarists who choose ORGANIX are able to feed their fish the pure power of nature.”
With eight varieties available and different dosage forms, the high-quality recipe is suitable for all types of aquarium inhabitants worldwide. ORGANIX can be used as a complete main food or in combination, bringing variety to the menu. RRPs range from £4.99 for a 150ml tub of ORGANIX Daily Flakes to £131.99 for a 5-litre pack of Veggie Tabs.
As an organisation, OASE places the importance of sustainability and nature conservation high on its agenda. Gently harvesting the natural ingredients for its products in the uncontaminated waters off the coast of Alaska, OASE is also one of the few companies in the world to enjoy access to the exclusive licence for sustainable management. All ingredients are certified in accordance with the requirements of the Maritime Stewardship Council (MSC).
Find out more
To find out more about becoming an OASE ORGANIX retailer please call +44 (0)1256 896886, or email uksales@OASE.com.
Further details regarding the full ORGANIX range can be found at www.OASE.com/organix
The PetQuip association has announced an impressive list of finalists for this year’s PetQuip Industry Awards. Such is the popularity of the PetQuip awards that a record number of entries were received, and these have now been whittled down to a list of 106 finalists.
The PetQuip association has announced an impressive list of finalists for this year’s PetQuip Industry Awards.
Such is the popularity of the PetQuip awards that a record number of entries were received, and these have now been whittled down to a list of 106 finalists.
Two new categories – ‘Innovations in Lockdown’ and ‘Community Projects During a Crisis’ – have been introduced this year to reflect on how well pet companies and individuals have excelled in the face of adversity.
Also this year the Theresa Swann Trophy for Exporter of the Year, sponsored by Group 55, will be presented for the first time in memory of PetQuip’s former Head of Events & Administration, who sadly passed away in December 2019.
Judging will be carried out by an independent judging panel, including industry experts and pet retailers, in early September.
The award winners will be announced at a special ceremony and drinks party on Sunday, 26th September 2021, immediately after the first day of PATS Telford.
“In these unusual times we felt it best to present the awards at a safe networking event in a large and airy environment,” confirmed Pat Flynn, Trade Association Manager of PetQuip. “We are working closely with the PATS organising team to deliver a safe, enjoyable, professionally staged event, to celebrate the finalists’ and winners’ successes with industry colleagues, retail guests and our sponsors.”
PetQuip Awards 2021 Finalists
Innovations in Lockdown
C & D Foods
Chepstow Pet Supplies
Creature Comforts
Different Dog
Frozzy’s
Hownd
Meg Heath
Natures Menu
Not Just Pets
Pawfect
Paws Pets
Pets Country Manor
Pet Remedy
Scoff Paper
Sniffe & Likkit
Tailor Grace
The Green Poop Bag
Tiana Halal Cat Food
Community Projects During a Crisis
Bark & Birch
C & D Foods
Chepstow Pet Supplies
Eden Holistic
Forthglade
Pets Country Manor
Exporter of the Year
Burgess
ChickenGuard
Clydach Farm
Eden Holistic
Scruffs
Business Start-Up Award
Creature Comforts
Doggy Doggy Yum Yum
Scoff Paper
Sniffe & Likkit
The Green Poop Bag
Herbal Dog Co
Walker & Drake
Wyld Cub
Business of the Year (services/ manufacturing/wholesale/supplier)
Bark & Birch
Barking Bags
Beco
Burgess
C & D Foods
Different Dog
Fetch-It
Friends for Pets
Henley Raw
Henry & Co
Herbal Dog Co
Natures Menu
Not Just Pets
Pedigree Wholesale
Pets Country Manor
Scruffs
Tailor Grace
The Eco Dog Design Co
Vita Canis
Product of the Year – 3 categories
Accessories/Technical
Barking Bags
Fetch-It
Meg Heath
Pedigree Wholesale
Pet Trade Innovations
Rocketo
Sniffe & Likkit
Tailor Grace
The Green Poop Bag
Weenect
Wyld Cub
Food/Treats
Beco
Burgess
Different Dog
Doggy Doggy Yum Yum
Eden Holistic
Forthglade
Frozzy’s
Hownd
Innocent Hound
Lucky & Prince
Mealberry
Natures Menu
Pawfect
Pedigree Wholesale
Rocketo
Scoff Paper
Tailor Grace
Town & Country
Walker & Drake
Wilsons
Healthcare/Animal Grooming
Clydach Farm
Eden Holistic
Henry & Co
Pet Remedy
Rocketo
Sniffe & Likkit
Tailor Grace
Herbal Dog Co
Tropiclean
International Retailer, Wholesaler or Distributor of the Year
Musti Ja Mirri Group Oy, Finland
Petzone, Middle East
Tom & Co, Belgium
Warmako bv, The Netherlands
UK Retailer of the Year
Arran Dog Bakery, Scotland
Chepstow Pet Supplies, Wales
Creature Comforts, Ross-On-Wye
H&C Beart, Stowbridge, Norfolk
Just for Pets, national pet store chain
Natural Cornish Pet, Hayle, Cornwall
Paws Pets, Monmouth, Wales
Urban Pet Store, Garforth, West Yorkshire
Lifetime Achievement
To be announced at the presentation of the PetQuip Awards in Telford on 26th September 2021
Please contact PetQuip if you would like to benefit from sponsorship or membership of the association or require any further advice and assistance on:
The team from Pet Munchies attended the premiere of PAW Patrol The Movie in London after the company provided treats for the film’s promotional campaign...
The team from Pet Munchies attended the premiere of PAW Patrol The Movie in London after the company provided treats for the film’s promotional campaign.
Pet Munchies were asked to supply a quantity of its Chicken Training Treats for a PAW Patrol bus stop vending machine campaign.
Dog lovers got the chance to obtain a free 50g pack of the treats at the Kentish Town bus shelter in Hampstead, London, on August 7-8.
Suzanne Rothman, founder and owner of Pet Munchies, said: “We were really excited and honoured to have been chosen to be a part of the promotional campaign of this eagerly-awaited film, and it was lovely to be invited to its premiere in London.
“All of the Pet Munchies team had a great time and enjoyed the movie. We also paid a visit to the bus shelter where Pet Munchies treats were being dispensed to grateful dog owners.”
PAW Patrol is a computer-animated children's television series following the adventures of a tech-savvy boy named Ryder and his team of crime-fighting puppies. PAW Patrol The Movie is expected to be a big hit as families return to cinemas this summer.
It has been a really successful period for Pet Munchies, which recently picked up two prestigious product awards. The company received an award for the Best Gourmet Pet Treat Product Range (UK) in the Lux Life Pet Products and Services Awards 2021, and also won Product Innovation of the Year in the PPM Retailer Recommended Awards 2021 for its Wild Salmon Training Treats.
The Pet Munchies Chicken Training Treats to be given away in the campaign for PAW Patrol The Movie are made with 100% natural quality real human grade chicken breast meat. They make the perfect training aid.
In this issue of news and information for garden centre professionals:
Retailers interested in working with Treadstone Products can contact the company on 01978 664 667 or email 
After T&M acquired rival brand Suttons (which included Dobies and the Orghanic Gardening Catalogue) in November 2020, BVG’s joint MD Chris Wright (pictured) said the combined business had the potential to generate full-year revenues of £80 million, far and away the biggest plants businesses for the UK’s online/mail order channel.
Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, explained: “The great weather at the start of June led to outdoor entertainment and alfresco dining remaining popular. People were continuing to spend more time in their gardens and outdoor living spaces. Many centres received a ‘second wave’ of furniture deliveries in June, delayed from earlier in the season, going some way to fulfil the pent-up demand from customers and keeping sales buoyant.
The purpose-built facility at Woodlodge’s Tetbury head office will give retailers early access to the new product ranges, as well as the existing popular portfolio of gardenware that the company is renowned for. Buyers will be able to talk direct to representatives who are committed to delivering high quality and market leading garden sales solutions for garden centres and other outlets.
