Kelkay’s highly successful licensing arrangement with the Royal Horticultural Society over the past two seasons on the company’s range of horticultural grits and gravels (which is being extended for 2018) has prompted both parties to explore other opportunities. As a result result, that Kelkay have announcing the introduction of a new range of wildlife themed stepping stones for 2018. We asked Kelkay’s MD, Antony Harker (left), to tell us more.

How successful has the RHS Gardeners range been?

We’ve established the range across more than 500 garden centres so it’s been a phenomenal success for us. RHS-branded grits and sand are appearing in growing media top sellers lists, so we know it is selling through well.

And what’s the new licensing agreement all about?

Stepping stones have been another great success story, but it’s a competitive market and we wanted to create something unique and distinctive to help our centres maintain sales and margin in this category. The new Endangered Species Stepping Stones (Bee, Dragonfly, Hedgehog, and Owl) will be launched with RHS branding for 2018.

Where did the idea come from?

The RHS already have an ongoing joint campaign with The Wildlife Trusts called ‘Wild about Gardens’. Its aim is to enhance the understanding of wildlife and celebrate the way gardeners are able to create havens for wildlife in their own patch. So when we approached them with our idea for endangered species designs for our new stepping stones, they were delighted.

What’s the financial arrangement?

For those products on which we employ the RHS brand endorsement – currently the horticultural grits and sand, and now the wildlife themed stepping stones – we pay a license fee directly to RHS. The precise nature of the agreement is subject to our confidentiality arrangements with RHS, but it is not dependent upon our sales, we make the full donation regardless of our own revenues from the products.

How long do you expect the licensing agreement to last?

We hope that we will continue to make a success of the products and that RHS will want to continue to work with us well into the future. There is no planned end date on the agreement at the moment.

So, is the license fee for the stepping stones going directly to help the endangered species?

We don’t put any conditions on payments we make to RHS, so the precise destination of the money is totally in their control. Of course, RHS work extremely hard to promote wildlife-friendly gardening through their events and online, so we know we are helping to fund those activities through the license. You can find out about their campaign by clicking here 

How many RHS Wildlife stepping stones are you hoping to sell next year?

We were very pleased to get listings for the RHS gardeners range in over 500 centres, so if we could achieve similar penetration with the new range, we would be very pleased. Exactly how many depends on so many factors, but as we’ve explained, RHS will receive their license fee even if the weather is atrocious and the season’s a washout! It’s the kind of risk we are happy to take, knowing that the fee is going to support a good cause.

How are the products made? In the UK or overseas?

We have developed these designs ourselves here in the UK and they’re cast from concrete in our factory in Pollington, East Yorkshire.

Can you see further opportunities for RHS licensed product in the future?

We want to make sure we give the current ranges the best possible chance to create the desired impact first. But we are definitely not ruling out more developments in the future.

Do you think brand licensing is a force for good and will become even more important in the future?

There has definitely been an increase in this trend in gardening in the past couple of years. It’s hard to create and establish really strong consumer brands, so the licensing in of appropriate third party brands is a good option. The key is to choose the right brands with the most compelling and engaging values that appeal to our garden centre customers. For us, RHS fits our objectives and aspirations for the business and our quality range of products.

Are you talking to anyone else about licensing in other brands for your products?

No, we are focusing on the work we’re doing with RHS at the moment.

Although new to GTN, GiftScribes Gifts Limited has been providing a comprehensive range of high quality Christmas decorations and beautiful piggy banks to the giftware industry - as a specialist wholesale distributor, for more than 10 years.

GiftScribes is a family-run, Midlands-based importer that offers two core product lines; the uniquely personalisable ‘Rudolph & Me Inc.’ Christmas tree decorations and the ‘This Little Piggy Inc.’ piggy banks. Complementing these American-sourced products are a selection of table top decorations and photo frames, the combined range offering nearly 400 individual products.

Since the business started in 2007, the Rudolph & Me Inc. range of beautiful, design-led Christmas decorations has seen growing demand. Each individual product can be personalised - with hand-written names or greetings - at the point of sale by the retailer and it is this USP that transforms every thoughtful gift into a personal and permanent keepsake. Every one of the resin-based products has a high quality ceramic look and feel and each comes complete with a glossy gift bag. Designs include snowmen, reindeer, Santa’s sleigh and a stocking full of presents, as well as a magical castle, a fairy, a Choo Choo train, gingerbread men, penguins . . . the choice goes on! Surprisingly, for a seasonal line, the demand is not just limited to November and December and orders are placed throughout the calendar year.

The popular and perennial ‘This Little Piggy Inc.’ range of piggy banks features a choice of 11 large pigs and 13 small pigs. Products include traditional pigs with contemporary designs as well as a castle, dinosaur, jungle animals, cow, ladybirds and a football. Every piggy bank is made from sturdy ceramic with a hard-wearing glaze and pretty, raised artwork. The smaller versions are supplied in a gift box covered in silk finish paper. All feature a removable stopper and a slot that will take a £ 2 coin.

Although both the garden and gift trades need choice and variety, GiftScribes isn’t just playing a numbers game. Impulse buying is accommodated, but a significant proportion of their products meet a known demand; based on key buying decisions. Seasonal events such as Christmas, as well as annual celebrations of birthdays and anniversaries are covered; together with other special moments in life such as christenings, weddings, graduation, a child receiving pocket money for the first time and a baby’s first Christmas.  

Many products are marketed under the “Special Moments” branding so that retailers can make clear distinctions between different lines for different customers, key events and seasonal demands.

GiftScribes have carefully selected their lines to offer wholesale customers proven demand and good margins. Directors Howard and Linda Thomas also promise their customers that “if it’s on the website, it’s available” from UK stock; as well as a high standard of personal service to maintain and build good relationships.

The trade-dedicated website offers online ordering, although Howard and Linda welcome telephone calls first to “make friends”, tailor service standards and offer POS options.

Contact: Linda or Howard Thomas

Tel: 01584 811 190

Email: click this link  

Web: click here

Oldrids & Downtown have submitted a planning application to South Kesteven District Council proposing an extensive and hugely exciting development of its site located adjacent to the A1 in Grantham.

The plans include the development of a 107 unit Designer Outlet Centre; a purpose-built Downtown@Home store; a reconfigured "Garden Centre of the Future"; an indoor leisure complex; a high-tech hub / managed office space for start-up businesses; a tourist information & visitor centre and a new training academy. The existing Downtown and Boundary Mill store will remain.

The scheme will deliver more than 1,700 new jobs as well as helping to secure the jobs of the 700 employees currently employed on the site. Downtown Grantham is the largest single-site employer in the area, with over 90% of employees residing locally.

Downtown say that the existing Garden Centre, which is one of the largest in the UK and a giant within the garden centre trade, presents significant potential. The design of the new store will take into account the needs and expectations of tomorrow’s customer and will look to deliver much more of an experience to its visitors.

Richard Broadhead, Managing Director of Oldrids & Downtown, is confident that the whole regeneration project can be delivered in a relatively short time-frame: “It is the right thing to do for Grantham, for Lincolnshire and for the whole region. Our project ticks all of the boxes in terms of employment, investment and economic benefit. We're in a great location with all the required infrastructure in place, so in terms of delivery we're ready to go. Included within the scheme will be an industry-leading and award-winning “Garden Centre of the Future".

Downtown hope to realise its plans as soon as possible, targeting the end of 2019.

Further details of the proposed scheme are available at www.downtowngranthamdesigneroutlet.com

Christmas has outsold growing media for the first time in October according to analysis of EPOS data by GTN Bestsellers. Whilst the GTN Growing Media Top 50 index was down by 18% for October year-on-year, the GTN Christmas Top 50 grew by 6% to outsell growing media by 18%.

The weather has certainly played it’s part in disappointing October gardening sales – too hot at the start of the month and then wet and windy towards half term – but clearly centres who got Christmas out on sale early have made the most of this key time for weatherproofing the business.

Or perhaps centres are selling less gardening and plants because customers are distracted by the Christmas offer? Bestsellers analyst Trevor Pfeiffer would love to hear what you think - email him here. 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 43

• Garden Products Top 50 – down 8%
• Growing Media Top 50 – down 16%
• Wild Bird Care Products Top 50 – down 8%
• Christmas Products Top 50 – down 12%
• All Plants index – down 4%
• All Items index – down 1%

Tong Garden Centre at Bradford has been awarded Highly Commended in the Outstanding Customer Service category of this year’s White Rose Awards awards.

The awards, hosted by Welcome to Yorkshire, celebrate of tourism excellence and recognise businesses and achievements across 17 categories.

Co-owner, Mark Farnsworth said: “Exceptional customer service is at the heart of everything that we do at Tong and it is very rewarding for the team to see their efforts being recognised in this way.”

The judges said the centre’s management and staff were what impressed them most. “Their warm welcome for all customers and the wealth of knowledge and useful tips that Tong's expert gardeners pass on are hugely appreciated by its growing number of visitors.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The White Rose Awards are a great opportunity for us all to celebrate the wonderful Yorkshire businesses that work so hard to make this county a world-class visitor destination.”

Grange Fencing says its commitment to an advanced pressure treatment technique across means it can offer a 15-year on all its timber products.

The company says the technique, which enables a unique mixture of preservatives to penetrate far deeper into the wood than is the case with conventional dipped treatments, ensure its timber product range is one of the best performing options on the market in defence against rot and decay.

“Unlike our market competitors, we are committed to using the pressure treatment system across our full range of timber products, rather than a select few,” said Mark Morris, Grange’s marketing manager. “Thanks to the long lasting nature of this advanced treatment, Grange products require minimal maintenance and provide peace of mind for years to come.”

Grange now offers a full15-year guarantee on its full range of pressure treated products

Information visit the website , call 01952 588 088 or email 

Smart Garden Products has expanded its Abingdon office export team following strong overseas sales growth.

Following her recent promotion, Elvire Beugin has recruited Silvia Staudenmaier and Sabrina Laloui to help promote and support the Smart business in continental Europe.

Smart’s MD Jonathan Stobart said: “We are always looking for talented individuals and I am delighted to welcome Silvia and Sabrina who are joining the business at a really exciting time of growth and opportunity.”

Information: visit the website

Pictured (left to right):  Silvia Staudenmaier, Elvire Beugin and Sabrina Laloui

A social enterprise based near Dorchester that supports students with learning disabilities and special education needs has taken over Thorngrove Garden Centre in Gillingham, Dorset, with the aim of using it as a training centre.

Employ My Ability says it will start work next month on regenerating the site and introduce training for post-16 special educational needs (SEN) students. A new café is planned for next year.

The Scope charity currently runs the centre as a special needs day care business, with 12 staff and 18 day service users, all of whom will continue under the new ownership.

Employ My Ability started out in The Walled Garden in Moreton in 2014 when its three founding partners set out to change SEN education experience locally. It provides ‘real life, real work experiences’ for students who gain skills, training and qualifications in the gardens, café, garden centre shop, small plant nursery, kitchen gardens and small animal area. The organisation currently has 30 SEN students accessing the site in Moreton. Courses include catering, retail, admin, horticulture and animal care.

Managing director Steve White said: “We are really excited to have been able to purchase the site and secure the future of the centre for the staff, its service users and members of the public.”

He added: “We are working with the all staff and service users at Thorngrove and are in the planning stages of a big redevelopment of the site. This will all start with the new café and spruce up of the site.

“We are looking forward to welcoming students on vocational courses from September 2018 and already have had several referrals for courses here.

Thorngrove Garden Centre growers remain busy cultivating plants for all year round plants sales and during the renovation work the centre will remain open to its service users and visiting members of the public for plant and gift sales.

For information about Employ My Ability call Steve White on 01929 405685 or email him,

Garden Design students at Capel Manor College in Regents Park campus were tasked earlier this year with redesigning the planting on an area known as The Island, a popular part of Regents Park and a focal point for visitors to the Rose Wheel.

The project is part of an ongoing collaboration with Provender Nurseries in which garden design students redesign an area using only plants found on the Provender Nurseries website.  Each student then gives a three-minute presentation of their design and answers questions from Capel Manor design staff and Liz Hughes of Provender Nurseries.

After seeing 27 designs with some clever interpretations of The Island and inventive use of social media to promote the venue within Regents Park, the judges chose ‘Light and Reflection’ by Tessa Parikian as the winner, commending its clever use of reflection in the water, adding another dimension to the overall planting scheme. They said Tessa’s design and plant choice showed “an excellent theme and excellent planting”.

Tessa’s design proposal added structure and opened views across The Island to create a lighter, airy feel. The plant choice created long seasonal interest with focal points throughout.  Three Betula utilis var. ‘Jacquemontii’ stand sentinel with the winter sun catching the white bark set against unfurling ferns, snowdrops and primulas in the spring.  Dierama, Rheum and Anemones provide height and structure through the later seasons. The use of Stachyrus chinensis ‘Celine’ and Euonymus alatus compactus showed an excellent choice of shrubs.  The dense planting enhances light and reflections in the water. The presentation drawings were of excellent quality and showed a great understanding of where The Island is viewed from by most visitors.

The winner’s cheque for £250.00 was presented to Tessa by Richard McKenna, MD of Provender Nurseries.

Tessa’s background in the creative arts and her lifelong experience of gardening and horticulture led to her decision to study garden design. She completes her course this month. You can see more of her work at Tessa Parikian Garden Design.

The judges were Mark Rowe, assistant park manager of Regents Park and Liz Hughes, marketing manager at Provender Nurseries.

The humble spud takes centre stage in January and February when Potato Days are celebrated across the country. It's the perfect time to encourage customers to stock up on seed potatoes ready for Spring planting.

With the Green Basics Potato Pot from Elho, even more people can boil, mash and bake this versatile vegetable straight from their own garden. The Potato Pot makes it possible to cultivate potatoes on a small scale, from even the tiniest balcony or patio, and is a fun way to get young gardeners involved.

The Potato Pot has a clever inner and outer pot design. Place the seed potatoes in the inner pot and follow their progress by occasionally lifting the pot and checking the crop. When they are ready, harvest what’s needed and allow the plant to keep on growing throughout the season. The outer pot keeps fungus and diseases at bay, has drainage holes in the bottom, is UV resistant and retains its colour in full sunlight.

Inspire customers beyond the simple tuber with the Green Basics Moveable Garden - a garden on wheels suitable for many types of vegetables and fruits. Even heavyweights such as pumpkin or aubergine are possible. With integrated wheels, it's easy to move plants into the sunlight or temporarily out of the way.

By combining the Moveable Garden with a Green Basics Grow House, it’s possible to create perfect cultivation conditions.

Handy rotasliders help to regulate air circulation and temperature, and the lid protects seeds and young plants from pests. Specially developed UV filters also protect plants from harsh UV rays.

Green Basics Potato Pot (13-litre) is available in living black, leaf green and lime green at SRP £10.99. Green Basics Moveable Garden (95-litre) is SRP £44.99. Green Basics Grow House Super XXL is £28.34

Information: visit thw website or 07910 212155 (David Nicholson, email).

The Garden Life tool collection was initially launched following research into the needs of ladies, older gardeners and people with restricted movement or mobility issues. The range offered consumers the lighter way to garden, making it easier to garden for longer. The reaction from retailers and initial demand exceeded expectations by a large margin and it became clear that Garden Life appealed to a much larger audience than had been anticipated.

In fact, a new sector within the garden tools market had emerged.

Natalie Searle, Head of Marketing commented “Garden Life has created a new category which has really hit the mark and appeals to gardeners of all ages and abilities who prefer tools that are fit for purpose without being heavy or cumbersome. We have cultivated a new market not previously covered to this extent and which does not take sales from existing products resulting in substantial incremental sales for retailers”.

There are 12 tools in the range covering all aspects of the category including tools for digging, hand tools for cultivation and even hedge shears, loppers and secateurs. As Natalie explained, “There are very few secateurs on the market for small hands and the larger models are simply not practical for long periods of use as they open too wide”. The full range carries a 15 year Kent & Stowe guarantee on the tools and 5 years on cutting. 

Kent & Stowe not only offers a comprehensive range of gardening tools and accessories, but also the perfect solution to merchandise the products. A design-led, space efficient, full colour, educational display stand measuring just 100x60cm holds the complete Garden Life range.

www.kentandstowe.com

The immediate future of glyphosate weedkillers is likely to be decided at an EU Commission committee meeting next Thursday (9 November)...

The committee will be asked to vote on a proposal for a five-year approval, following the failure of the initial plan for a 10-year extension to gain sufficient support last week. The UK was among those who voted in favour of the longer term.

It was the second time in a month that the 28 member states had delayed a decision that needs to be taken before the current licence expires on 15 December this year.

Europe has been in a dither over glyphosate after the World Health Organization’s cancer agency concluded in March 2015 that it was “probably carcinogenic”.

The EU approved an 18-month extension in June 2016 to allow for further scientific study, which resulted in the European Chemical Agency concluding in March that there was no evidence to link glyphosate to cancer in humans.

The European Parliament last week called for glyphosate to be phased out over the next five years. They wanted an immediate ban on sales to consumers and its use in public spaces such as parks.

France, one of the countries opposing a 10-year approval, has said it would now be prepared to accept a four-year license extension.

Readers may be interested to hear what environmental health experts in New Zealand think about glyphosate. You can access a recent radio interview using this link:

The video produced by the My Garden Choice group may also help you to answer customer questions about the safety of glyphosate. Click here to access the site.

The Fast Grow Fertiliser company, a leading Irish supplier of seaweed fertiliser, is expanding into the UK, targeting an eventual 250 stockists.

Since Shane Walsh founded the company in 2015, the Fast Grow name has developed rapidly in Ireland with over a third of Irish garden retailers now stocking the brand. Thanks to increased production capacity, Walsh is now introducing two products – Fast Grow Seaweed Fertiliser and Fast Grow Chicken Manure  – to the UK retail market.

Walsh says that while the products have been available to UK gardeners, purchased principally by veg growing enthusiasts, for a while, he is now ready for a full retail launch.

He has hired the services of business consultant Neville Stein to help develop the market. “We had a fantastic response on our initial sales visit picking up over 30 quality customers,” Stein said.  “It seems there is a growing interest and demand for seaweed fertiliser and so I am confident that Fast Grow will become a key item stocked by many garden centres.”

Walsh has also commissioned sales agent Bob Haward to represent the company in the east of the UK.

Walsh aims to further develop the Fast Grow brand. “My garden centre customers in Ireland are getting many repeat sales from gardeners who have had great results from using the fertiliser so we are looking at new blends in order to provide gardeners with a range of great fertilisers,” he said.

Both products come in 10kg bags. Minimum order for free UK delivery is 100 bags.

Information: call (00 353) 87 990 6146, email here or visit the website 

While overall plant sales volumes for half term week were down by 4%, sales of the top six plant genera – Cyclamen, Pansies, Erysimum, Viola and Primula – were all up and accounted for 57% of all plants sold.

• Cyclamen sales were up by 9% on last year to hold onto the No 1 Bestsellers position.
• Cacti and succulents are selling well, Aloe plants were the highest re-entry at No 18.
• Pernettya (prickly heath, pictured) plants are looking good with vibrant coloured fruits, hence their entry at No 34.

Pernettya image: Ashwood Nurseries

Fertiliser specialist ICL is to join the HTA Nursery Supply Show in 2018 as headline partner.

With close relationships with both growers and fellow supply chain businesses, it will support the show’s learning and development opportunities, offering expert advice and business support in the Grow, Nurture, Protect hub and running guided tours of the hall and workshop areas, led by ICL marketing communications manager for professional horticulture Adam Ferjani and the HTA team.

The workshops will cover topics such as plant growth, plant labelling, POS and image use and identifying gaps in the market.

Ferjani commented: “We are excited to be a part of the event and in particular supporting professional learning opportunities, which we see as a benefit for those in the trade new and old. By helping cultivate a learning atmosphere at the show it presents the chance to introduce experienced horticulturalists and those less so to the new technologies and concepts in all of the workshop areas.”

To book a stand or register for free as a visitor, please click here for the National Plant Show or here for the Nursery Supply Show or email the events team for more information.

Booming sales of Angels, Snowmen and Christmas Chocolates (even chocolate sprouts!) during half term week pushed the GTN Christmas Products Top 50 up 54% on the previous week but couldn’t beat the half term sales from last year, ending down 12%.

That still puts Christmas at 8% up year to date.

• Suki Angel decorations grew sales by 50% to surge further ahead as the No 1 bestselling Christmas product of the year so far.
• Albert Premier Chocolate Coins, 100g, were the highest new entry, straight in at No 3.
• Kinnerton Chocolate Sprouts in a net, 75g, were not far behind, entering our chart at No 6.

The Garden Centre Association has launched its 2017 Worrall Cup marketing competition, which is now open for entries.

The garden centre with the best marketing campaign or initiative will be announced during the GCA's annual conference in Stratford-upon-Avon (Crowne Plaza Hotel, 21-24 January 2018).

GCA chief executive Iain Wylie said both flair and commercial success would be rewarded. “We're searching for the garden centre that has developed the most creative marketing campaign in the past 12 months. We want to see creative initiatives that inspire other members to follow suit.”

Entries will be judged by an experienced independent panel. Unlike other GCA awards, the Worrall Cup is not influenced by the annual inspection, so all entries have an equal chance.

Members are asked to complete a short form (which can be downloaded from www.gca.org.uk or requested by email to be returned to the GCA office by 5pm on Monday15 January.

The submission of supporting material, such as photographs, print examples and web-links is encouraged. An additional sheet of written detail is acceptable. Entries can be sent electronically via email or by post.

The winner will be announced at the annual dinner and awards ceremony on the evening of Tuesday 23.

Pictured: (From left to right) The 2016-2017 Worrall Cup winners' were The Gardens Group. Directors Michael and Louise Burks accept their award from Julian Winfield, GCA chairman, and the award evening compere, radio and TV comedian Fred MacAulay, at the 2017 GCA Annual Conference in Scotland.

Winter preparations took centre stage in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products Top 50 last week as the first frosts prompted a surge in fleece and pot feet sales. Gardman Frostgard sales volumes jumped by 145% and four lines of pot feet featured in the Top 50, increasing pot feet sales by almost 200%.

• Apta Standard Pot Feet climbed 20 places to No 9.
• Possibly linked to Christmas sales, Premier Decorations LED Pull Light & Bulb was the highest climber.
• Scheurich cover pots were the highest new entry – one of four Scheurich lines in the Top 50 as the popularity of cacti and houseplants continues to grow.

Stonework manufacturer Haddonstone has introduced two new collections of stylish planters – the Box and Heritage ranges.

Illustrated (left to right) are: Box planter (Small) in Slate, Heritage planter (Large) in Terracotta and Box Planter in Bath.

The Box planter is contemporary in design whilst the Heritage planter range is more traditional, featuring raised moulding detail. Both come in small, standard and large sizes, all manufactured in Haddonstone’s TecLite material to ensure that stone thickness, and consequently weight, is kept to a minimum.

Although TecLite closely resembles traditional cast stone and natural stone in appearance, the use of thin wall construction and Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC) technology means the component weight is reduced by approximately two thirds when compared with similar Haddonstone pieces.

Established is the UK’s leading manufacturer of fine garden ornaments, interior and exterior stonework in traditional, classical and contemporary styles. Haddonstone itself is a unique form of cast limestone with a surface texture similar to Portland stone. The material matures and weathers like natural stone. Haddonstone’s designs range from fountains, planters and bird baths to balustrades, follies and fireplaces.

Information: wwwhaddonstone.co.uk or call 01604 770711.

Although there was a small uplift in growing media sales volumes during half term week, overall growing activity, as measured by growing media sales, was down by 17% year-on-year for October at the lowest level since 2014.

That combined with a near 10% drop in plant sales volumes shows the importance of garden centres getting Christmas on sale during October to weatherproof the business.

• Scotts Levington Essentials Top Soil, 35 litres was the highest climber, up 25 places to No 5.
• Westland Jack's Magic All Purpose Compost, 60 litres increased sales by 32% to move up to No 3, indicating keener gardeners are the ones still active at the moment.
• Bord na Mona Growise Multipurpose Compost, 20 litres, saw a 300% increase last week to re-enter at No 35.

A member of staff at Wyevale Nurseries is growing a moustache in aid of a hospice in Hereford.

Geoff Godsall, who has worked at Wyevale Nurseries for 30 years and is currently a Trading Foreman, will be growing a moustache for the second year running to fundraise for St Michael’s Hospice.

Geoff, who is 64-years-old and lives in Hereford, said: “I chose to support St Michael’s Hospice again this year as it’s such a vital local charity. It offers a fantastic service to the community during particularly hard times. Both the hospice and Macmillan Nurses have helped my friends and family in the past. I just had to show my support again this year for such a worthy cause.

“I will be growing my moustache during November and I will be able to shave it off on December 1. Last year I managed to raise £260 for the hospice so I am hoping to match that figure this year.”

People can sponsor Geoff via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/geoff-godsall1

St Michael’s Hospice in Bartestree looks after people age of 18 and above with progressive life-limiting illnesses at various stages of their journey. It also provides care and support for patients’ families, friends and carers.

Earlier this week Oracle in Redwood Shores California announced that Wyevale Garden Centres have invested in the Oracle Retail Stores suite of solutions including the latest version of Oracle Retail Xstore Point-of-Service, Oracle MICROS Hardware and Oracle Retail Customer Engagement with Oracle Retail Consulting.

Oracle say that the significant investment (reported elesewhere to be £7.5m) builds on the relationship between Oracle Retail and Wyevale as the brand transitions from MICROS solution Retail J to Oracle Retail Xstore Point-of-Service.

Andrew Parr, IT Director, Wyevale Garden Centres said: “Oracle Retail Xstore Point-of-Service will deliver a substantially improved experience for both customers and colleagues and is the foundation for our future development of an integrated omnichannel platform. With the migration, we look forward to taking advantage of the benefits of the integration and modern functionality of the Stores Suite with the Oracle MICROS hardware”

“Oracle Retail Consulting has been working hard to create a rapid deployment model for our Oracle Retail Stores Suite of Solutions. We are committed to Wyevale’s success from pilot through the rollout,” said Lou Frio, Vice President, Oracle Consulting.

“We are thrilled with the expansion of our partnership with Wyevale. Our hardware and software are engineered to work better together. We have integrated design and user experiences that give consistent content delivery across multiple devices, from tablets to workstations to empower associates and consumers,” said Ray Carlin, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Oracle Retail.

International Toy Retailer Hamleys deployed Oracle Retail Xstore Point-of-Service across its UK, Republic of Ireland and Finnish store estate earlier this year.

Australian Business media experts are asking questions about Bunnings in the UK after owners Wesfarmers revealed in its first quarter sales update that Bunnings United Kingdom and Ireland division had sales of £276 million in the first three months of the financial year, down from £320 million a year earlier.

BUNNINGS has hit a snag. The $700 million UK expansion is looking like a bad idea, with one analyst warning of “disaster” is the headline on news.com.au

Bunnings sustaining big sales losses with Homebase stores reports diysummit.org

Is Wesfarmers about to join a long list of Australian companies have entered the UK economy and been forced to retreat after missteps or worse? asks sharecafe.com.au

In the Wesfarmers 2018 First Quarter Retail Sales Results the company reports:

Total sales for the quarter were £276 million, a decrease of 13.8 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Store-on-store sales decreased 11.9 per cent.

The early trading performance of the first eight Bunnings Warehouse pilots is encouraging, with solid sales uplifts achieved across the pilot group. The coming months will test performance in different seasonal
conditions and BUKI will continue to patiently trial a range of formats, locations, and competitive environments to achieve proof of concept.

Bunnings Group Managing Director Michael Schneider said that, while still early days, the engagement of customers, suppliers, team members, and local communities with the Bunnings stores remains pleasing.
Despite steady sales in core home improvement and garden categories, Homebase’s trading performance relative to the previous comparable period was adversely affected by the significant clearance of
discontinued ranges last year.

“While the performance of Homebase is disappointing, we continue to be encouraged by the performance of the Bunnings pilots. The BUKI team remains focused on stabilising the performance of the Homebase
stores as well as delivering proof of concept for the Bunnings format,” Mr Schneider said.

There were 244 Homebase stores and eight Bunnings stores as at 30 September 2017. A total of 15 to 20 pilot stores are expected to be either trading or nearing completion by 31 December 2017, subject to
relevant approvals.

Squire’s are celebrating after being awarded the title of ‘Best Garden Centre’ at the Express Home and Living Awards 2017.

Squire’s with 15 garden centres across the South East, fought off strong competition to take home the prestigious award.

A star-studded ceremony was held last Thursday 26^th October in London’s West End, where the biggest and brightest names in homes and gardens were celebrated.

Daily Express owner Richard Desmond championed the awards as a tribute to businesses that turn our houses and flats into happy living spaces. The judging panel included Mr. Desmond, as well as BBC One presenters Martin Roberts of Homes Under The Hammer, and Gabrielle Blackman of DIY SOS.

Mark Dolan, comedian, writer and star of Channel 4’s Balls of Steel, kept the glitzy audience amused as master of ceremonies.

Karen Smith, Group Marketing Manager at Squire’s commented, “We are absolutely delighted to have won the award for Best Garden Centre! I was honoured to pick this award up on behalf of the whole team at Squire’s, who always work so hard and provide excellent customer service. We are so proud of all our centres, and we were up against some tough competition, which makes this win even more special.”

The long-term future of domestic weedkillers containing glyphosate is back on a knife-edge following last Wednesday’s decision by the EU Commission to defer a definitive vote on a proposed 10-year re-approval of the chemical, just weeks before the current licence runs out.

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in best-selling Roundup and a number of other systemic weedkillers that kill weeds back to the roots, is an important herbicide for gardeners and farmers, but it was deemed “probably carcinogenic” by the World Health Organisations’s cancer agency (IARC), leading to a review by the EU Commission. Monsanto, the manufacturers of glyphosate, have consistently challenged IARC’s findings and the European Food Standards Agency has concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to cause cancer in humans.

After two years of debate, the European Parliament last week called for glyphosate to be phased out by 2022. Twenty-four hours later, the EU Commission’s Standing Committee on Plants and Animals Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) – Europe’s policy makers and administrators – failed to reach a concensus on a proposal for a 10-year extension to glyphosate’s licence, which runs out on 15 December. An ‘indicative vote’ (like an informal show of hands) suggested that a shorter period of relicensing (closer to the five years called for by MEPs, perhaps) might get support – so the matter will now be considered yet again by the 28 member states before another vote by SCoPAFF some time in November. Meanwhile, the deadline looms…

The UK was one of 16 governments who said they would have voted in favour of the 10-year extension – but 10 were against it. Germany and Portugal abstained, with the result that member support for the plan reached only 47%, short of a qualified majority.

According to the UK’s Agriculture Industries Federation, the Commission will now consider lowering the approval period and sound out member states before putting a new proposal to the vote.

Last week's votes clearly bring the prospect a of a ban closer, but observers believe it is far from a fait accompli.

Darren Brown, head of the UK and Ireland division of SBM Life Science, who sell glyphosate products, told GTN Xtra: "We will roll with any changes because we have both natural and synthetic products, but we  support the industry view that what we need is science-based legislation representing a balanced view after considering all the evidence. We were glad to see the UK's support for the re-approval this week, in line with most other member states - which gives us cause for optimism."

Monsanto and Westland Horticulture had not responded to GTN's request for comment before this edition was finalised.

This article in New Scientist makes interesting reading: Ban on weedkiller glyphosate won’t save anyone from cancer

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 2015 as well as 2016 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

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

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

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

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

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

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

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

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

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

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

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