The winners of The Greatest Christmas Awards 2012 will be announced on Sunday 13th January. After meeting over 200 garden centre christmas teams the judges chose their winners from the following list of finalists...
Tickets are selling fast for this years Greatest Christmas Awards Presentations and Party Night at the Majestic Hotel Harrogate on Sunday 13th January. Secure your tickets for The Greatest industry Christmas Party of the year by buying on-line now...
If the weather returns to a normal pattern, then given the disconnect from gardening that occurred in 2012 (due to the wettest year on record) I sense that 2013 will be energised with customers keen to engage with their gardens.
The industry will continue to consolidate in 2013 – a trend that will persist for some years with increasing intensity. There will be some high profile acquisitions in 2013. I expect Tesco to continue with their new builds. DIY stores will continue to build on their gardening offer (given home improvement sales are flat)
There is still plenty of opportunity within the garden and leisure sector and larger retails like Tesco and Next along with private equity have recognised this at a time when other sectors are struggling.
Overall the gardening sector still retains a strong consumer appeal, with only the weather able to stem growth.
