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The judges meeting for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards took place at Horticultural House this week. A 13 hour marathon session looking at the images and listening to the stories behind over 110 garden centre christmas experiences.
We now await the final week of customer votes to pour into the GTN offices and then all of the trophies can be engraved ready for The Greatest Awards Christmas Party in Harrogate on January 8th 2017.
Over the coming weeks the pictures taken by the judges will be available in picture galleries in issues of GTN Xtra so make sure your Christmas team members have their own subscription to GTN Xtra - use this link - then they will be able to browse images of over 110 garden centre's during the Christmas season 2016 as part of their inspiration for 2017.
The results will be announced at The Greatest Awards Christmas Party evening on January 8th at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, during the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair. To book your ticket for what is always a fun-packed and motivational evening click here
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Plant Plot Garden Centre in Lichfield has entered its first month of trading under new owner David Rusholme, after receiving funding from Yorkshire Bank.
The garden centre, which had operated under its previous ownership for a number of years, will now benefit from significantly modernised facilities while preserving popular original features such as the plant nursery and extensive garden sales areas.
David aims to encourage business growth by constructing a new café bistro and creating a via a digital sales platform along with an increase in employee numbers over time.
James Oliver, Relationship Manager, Commercial, Birmingham Customer Banking Centre commented: “David has a wealth of business experience and we’re thrilled to be able to help him with his purchase of the garden centre. The new modernised centre will be a fantastic facility for the local community and we’d like to wish David every success with this new venture.
David Rusholme said: “This funding from Yorkshire Bank has helped me make a life-changing purchase - I am excited to grow the business over the coming years through a new café facility and expansion of the centre.”
David was inspired by the steady growth of the garden centre industry and aims to expand the business over time.
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Evolution Aqua buys the Bermuda from Scotts
Multi award-winning Wigan based manufacturer Evolution Aqua continues its rapid expansion with the purchase of the Bermuda pond equipment brand from Scotts Miracle-Gro. Bob Meacham (pictured), a 26-year water gardening trade veteran, moves with the Bermuda brand to Evolution Aqua...
Multi award-winning Wigan based manufacturer Evolution Aqua continues its rapid expansion with the purchase of the Bermuda pond equipment brand from Scotts Miracle-Gro.
Originally a Solus brand, Bermuda was more recently acquired by Scotts Miracle-Gro, before being put up for sale as Scotts concentrates on its core gardening business.
The Bermuda brand joins Evolution Aqua’s existing pond and koi product portfolio, including K1 Micro, Nexus, PURE, EazyPod, evoUV, eaProPump, Stop Blanketweed and airpumps.
At a different range and price point, Bermuda will operate as a separate business and complement, not compete with, Evolution Aqua and its specialist koi filtration market.
Bermuda will be available to the much wider gardening and water gardening markets, as well as being available to the whole existing Evolution Aqua dealer network.
Bob Meacham (pictured), a 26-year water gardening trade veteran, moves with the Bermuda brand to Evolution Aqua.
“I could not be more thrilled and excited to be at the helm again of the relaunch of one of the UK’s leading Water Gardening brands,” says Bob.
“Coupled with the fabulous backing and technical excellence of Evolution Aqua, I feel extremely confident we will again bring to the marketplace, new and innovative selling products in the months and years to come.”
For more info contact Bob Meacham on bob@bermudawatergardens.com or call 07780 666 048.
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This week’s GTN Bestsellers Top 50 chart indexes show that Christmas sales slowed slightly last week, down 5% on the previous week, while plant sales increased by over 18%.
We’ve seen some really great plant displays both inside and outside in centres we’ve visited for The Greatest Christmas Awards. No wonder sales are so good when customers are provided with beautiful, inspirational ideas for them to add ‘real’ colour to their Christmas decorations.
With just one major week left our Christmas sales index is nearly 30% up on last year. Will this weekend keep that up?
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year...
- Garden Products - down 8%
- Growing Media - down 15%
- Christmas Products - down1%
- All Items Index - down 3%
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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The Provenance Trading Company is launching its all new wild garden bird food brand, Chirpy, featuring high quality ingredients combined with impactful packaging and branding. The product range is packed at source resulting in substantial costs savings thus providing great value for money.
Chirpy uses only the best ingredients. For example, peanuts are carefully sourced premium quality large varieties, sunflower hearts the finest bakery grade, all packed at source, not only for freshness but also to help reduce Chirpy’s carbon footprint, an important consideration in today’s world.
For such consistent quality you would be forgiven for thinking that retail prices must be higher than many others, but this is not the case. The launch range comprises four consumer friendly 1kg packs plus a unique eight ball variety pack of ever popular fat balls with competitive RSP’s ranging from £1-99 to £4-99. Margins are equally healthy for retailers.
These key points, combined with strong branding with bright and colourful packaging clearly differentiating the range, makes for an exciting addition to any retailers garden bird food offering.
The new brand is set to ruffle feathers in the UK bird food market which is reportedly worth some £210m*, and growing.
Growing interest in feeding and caring for our wild garden birds means that consumers are increasingly looking for new and readily accessible options and the Chirpy 1kg launch range really hits the spot in all areas.
The Company is in the process of tying up retail and distribution partners but in the early stage are able to supply retail customers direct from their Lincolnshire warehouse facility.
Says Nick Charlton of Chirpy: “Largely as a consequence of the growing number of TV nature programmes, plus campaigns by the likes of the RSPB, more and more consumers recognise the importance of feeding garden birds all year round, and not just during the colder winter months. Our new strongly branded high quality range is specifically designed to sit comfortably on the shelf amongst other consumer brands with year round appeal and sales in mind, an attractive commercial proposition for retailers.”
* The Pet Food Manufacturers Association Report – 2015
Range Information:
- Whole Peanuts – 1kg High Quality Large Premium varieties
- Nibbed Peanuts – 1kg High Quality Premium varieties
- Sunflower Hearts – 1kg High Quality Bakery Grade
- Supreme Seed Mix – 1kg High Quality mix - Red Dari (30%), Striped Sunflower Seeds (20%), Oats (20%), Wheat (20%), Yellow Millet (10%)
- Fat Ball Variety Pack– 8 x 85g Fat Balls (2 x Classic, 2 x Peanut, 2 x Fruit, 2 x Mealworm)
For more information contact: Nick Charlton of Chirpy: Tel: 01732 743434, nick@nickcharlton.co.uk Website: www.chirpybirdfoods.com (under construction)
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Blackbrooks celebrate record year
Staff at Blackbrooks Garden Centre rounded off the year with a celebration party held at Leeford Place Hotel, Battle on 13th December in recognition of their outstanding achievements in 2016...
Staff at Blackbrooks Garden Centre rounded off the year with a celebration party held at Leeford Place Hotel, Battle on 13th December in recognition of their outstanding achievements in 2016.
In welcoming everyone to the evening, Managing Director, Mark Winchester acknowledged the contribution of every member of staff in achieving significant growth in all departments. The team were in high spirits because of the excellent response from their customers to the Garden Centre’s Christmas marketing activity. Santa’s Grotto (pictured below) is fully booked right up to Christmas Eve and the Snow Globe has received huge coverage on Facebook.
Blackbrooks has seen enormous change and investment over recent years. The covered sales area for plants and growing media has been extended providing a comfortable shopping environment all year round. A new 150 seater restaurant has been opened and the indoor sales area has been totally re-furbished with thoughtfully designed display areas echoing the core values of Blackbrooks heritage.
The Centre is a member of the Garden Centre Association and also a member of Choice Marketing Ltd of which Mark Winchester is the current Chairman. Located on the busy A21 north of Hastings, the Centre is well positioned to service large areas of East Sussex and West Kent.
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Christmas is nearly over - now it's time to party
Book your tickets for GTN’s Greatest Christmas Party
Tickets are now on sale for GTN’s The Greatest Christmas Awards Party. Come and join us for the party of the year in Harrogate on Sunday 8th January 2017...
Tickets are now on sale for GTN’s The Greatest Christmas Awards Party.
Come and join us for the party of the year in Harrogate on Sunday 8th January 2017. A three course meal with reception drinks and wine is followed by the awards presentations and dancing to a live band.
Ticket prices have been held at last year’s levels: £84 plus VAT per person with discounts for bookings of 3 or more tickets.
It’s the ideal opportunity to combine a buying trip to the Harrogate Christmas & Gift show with a great night out in the company of industry friends and Greatest Award winners.
Call The Greatest Awards team on 01733 775700 or e-mail harry.sinclair@tgcmc.co.uk for booking today or buy on-line using this Pay Pal link:
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Garden centre shoppers have been buying and enjoying Lovania’s Love Gardening range since its launch just five years ago. From January 2017, they will be getting a whole lot more with the launch of Lovania’s LoveGardening mobile website.
Consumers gain Lovania-grown plants, the strength of the LoveGardening brand and now an online resource of gardening tips, plant information and imagery – just by scanning the plant label.The family-run Lancashire nursery supplies over 700 garden centres with Alpines, Potted Bulbs, Shrubs, Perennials and Bedding. Working in co-operation with Floramedia, the UK’s leading plant marketing and multimedia communications provider, from January 2017, these plants will now be supported with full QR coding, linking each Lovania plant label to a wealth of information.
The site at http://lovegardening.floralinq.com also offers tips, tricks and inspiration to help home gardeners get the best out of their Lovania plants and outdoor spaces, with content supplied by Floramedia. Lovania will also launch their newly designed POS. The site has been developed to inspire as well as inform. Alongside a comprehensive database of over 18,000 plants and flowers, consumers can access a range of inspirational garden photography, themed by garden type, plus a wealth of tips and tricks relating to specific plants and aspects of gardening. For example, if a consumer buys a primula vulgaris in store, not only can they scan the label QR code to explore further plant information, they will also find a range of simple, informative video bursts on how to feed it, repot it and prune it. Lovania Head of Sales, Lee Chambers said: “We are renowned for putting our retail clients at the heart of everything we do. We’re now doing the same for the end user with our informative and inspirational Love Gardening website.
“For those of our retail clients who don’t have the luxury of a fully integrated website, this development allows their customers to find the online support that they have come to expect from modern retailers. For those clients who do have an online presence, they can refocus their efforts on selling online, while we take care of the support role.” The site has been mobile optimised to make the most of QR scanning. Consumers can scan the codes on Lovania’s new style lock labels and their phone will redirect to the relevant information on the mobile LoveGardening web page. The site will be continuously updated with new tips, information, inspiration and how-to videos, keeping it at the forefront of all that is relevant in gardening and plant retail.
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 Gardman launches the first phase of its 2017 Christmas Emporium in January with a comprehensive range of 40 artificial Christmas trees taking centre stage.
The updated line-up features a number of new designs, including the Pre-lit Kindersley Tree, Pre-Lit Christmas Centrepiece (pictured) and an Automatic Adjustable Tree Stand. The Kindersley is a natural-looking tree with pine cones and red berries, pre-lit with warm white LEDs. It comes in a full-colour box with carry handle. Uniquely, all Gardman’s trees are sourced from a single factory, enabling buyers to create a mixed container in any combination. The trees, available now as pre-sell lines, can be viewed at Gardman’s Peterborough showroom from 3 January and can be ordered online. The second phase of Gardman’s Christmas Emporium 2017, to be launched in June to run alongside the Autumn/Winter Event sell-in, will feature outdoor solar lighting, festive doormats and other Christmas essentials.
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Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant honours Trimetals
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, has visited specialist garden storage manufacturer Trimetals Limited to make a formal presentation of the prestigious Queen’s Awards for Enterprise...
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, has visited specialist garden storage manufacturer Trimetals Limited to make a formal presentation of the prestigious Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
The award is specifically for International Trade, recognising the Dorset based company’s significant and sustained growth in global markets.
Representing the Crown, the Lord-Lieutenant took a tour of the factory, meeting the company’s 28 staff and learning about the wide range of products that has brought international success for the specialist metal storage manufacturer.
During the formal ceremony the Lord-Lieutenant presented the coveted crystal bowl to Trimetals International Sales Executive Ben Smith, honouring some impressive export figures. In the last six years the company’s international sales growth has averaged 33% per annum and totalled 283%. Overseas trade now accounts for 18% of the company’s revenue.
Ben Smith said: “This is an incredibly proud day for all of us here at Trimetals and for British manufacturing. The entire team works tirelessly to ensure every product made here in Dorset is world-class – whether it’s destined for a local retailer or some exotic shore in the southern hemisphere.”
Alongside its established metal garden sheds and storage units for lawnmowers, tools and patio furniture, Trimetals is also renowned for the durability and security provided by its ranges of bicycle and motorcycle storage for domestic users. Trimetals products are also utilised by numerous companies and organisations such as landscapers, golf and football clubs and schools.
This Queen’s Award is the second royal badge of honour for Trimetals, with its products having recently achieved status as the only metal sheds and garden storage approved by the Royal Horticultural Society.
At home in the UK, Trimetals’ attention to build quality and functionality has earned it deals with major retailers including B&Q, Argos, Homebase, Sainsbury’s, Wickes, Screwfix, Travis Perkins, Halfords and Jewsons. The company also sells directly via its website www.trimetals.co.uk
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Talking UK plant health at HTA Contact Conference
HTA Contact Conference – ‘Surviving and Thriving’ 17-18 January 2017
UK plant health, reforms to the water abstraction system and plants for the sustainable 21st century city are all on the agenda for the HTA Contact Conference 2017...
UK plant health, reforms to the water abstraction system and plants for the sustainable C21st city are all on the agenda for the HTA Contact Conference 2017.
‘Surviving and thriving’ is the theme for this biennial event, held for growers and nurserymen, which takes place on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 January at Whittlebury Hall, Northamptonshire.
The event is proud to be supported by Headline partner, London Stone and Conference partner, ICL.
UK Plant Health: challenges and opportunities
Protecting our trees and plants is enormously important for all of us. One of the biggest challenges is to scan the horizon and predict what the new threats are. Nicola Spence, Chief Plant Health Officer and Deputy Director Plant and Bee Health, Varieties and Seeds, Animal and Plant Health, DEFRA, will present progress on pre-border activities to reduce the risk of pests and diseases arriving here from overseas, including work with countries beyond the EU to drive up standards; activities at the border to reduce the risk of pests and diseases entering the EU and the UK and action inland to step up surveillance and improve preparedness.
What’s in the pipeline?
With the much publicised reforms to the water abstraction system that are likely to affect most growers, John Adlam, Dove Associates, will outline the proposed government strategy, details of how time limited licence renewals could be treated, the future of licences of right and how drip irrigation will be brought into the system. It will include ways in which you could build in resilience into your water supply to cover the unexpected. John’s talk will also outline the outlook for UK pesticides, post Brexit.
What sort of plants do we need for the sustainable C21st city?
What sort of plants do we need to grow and use in order to effectively respond to national policy agenda? How different might these plants be from those that we currently grow? James Hitchmough, Head of Department and Professor of Horticultural Ecology, Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield, will look to identify key challenges from plant use and supply perspectives and how are we going to develop a more strategic view of the changes that are coming. It will also reflect on what our response should be to international treaties such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and national Biosecurity measures that are putting a brake on the ingress of the new genetic material that we need to respond to our changing world.
In addition to the HTA Contact Conference, the APL Stone Seminar ‘Paving the Way’ will take place on Tuesday 17 January and the BPOA Spring Conference will take place on Wednesday 18 January, both also at Whittlebury Hall. The shared lunches and breaks will offer unrivalled networking opportunities across sectors of the industry which do not often come into contact with each other
Delegates at each event are also welcome to attend the joint dinner, which takes place at Whittlebury Hall on the evening of Tuesday 17 January. The dinner will also include an engaging after-dinner talk from Adam Frost.
To book your place or for more information on the event, please email events@hta.org.uk
The event is proud to be supported by Headline partner, London Stone and Conference partner, ICL. As well as Exhibitor partners, Towergate HTA Insurance, XL Horticulture, Citation, Melcourt, CambridgeHOK and Global Stone Paving.
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Do customers think you're The Greatest at Christmas?
The ultimate accolades at GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards are The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Teams, as voted for by garden centre customers. Voting starts now and runs through to Thursday December 22nd and to be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is download the posters and voting forms below for in-store voting and add our voting link to your facebook, twitter or website to get customers voting on-line too!
 The ultimate accolades at GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards are The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Teams, as voted for by garden centre customers. Voting starts now and runs through to Thursday December 22nd and to be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is download the posters and voting forms below for in-store voting and add our voting link to your facebook, twitter or website to get customers voting on-line too!
As we head towards the busiest weeks of the year it’s time to ask your customers to vote for you as The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team. There's no entry charge for taking part in The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre voting but we are looking to raise funds during November and Decemnber for Greenfingers. If you'd like to make a donation to Greenfingers, please use this link.
GTN Xtra and the Greenfingers Team are also looking for great new Christmas fundraiing ideas for Greenfingers, so get your creative thinking caps on, let us know what ideas you've come up with and you never know, you may be inline for a special award at The Greatest Awards Christmas Party in January.
So, what are you waitiing for? All you have to do is download the voting posters and voting postcard artworks from GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards Dropbox 2016 folder or these links:
GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2016 Voting Postcards.pdf
GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2016 Poster A1.pdf
GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2016 Poster A3.pdf
GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2016 Poster A4.pdf
GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2016 Post Your Votes Here Artwork.pdf
Print them out and get your customers voting. They can post them to our Greatest Christmas Awards office or you can create "Post your Votes" here boxes for votes to be posted in store. You can also ask your customers to vote for you on line this year, just paste this link: http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/GTN/s9lzjxs25b7 into your social media pages, e-mail newsletters and websites. The link will take them straight to our voting form. Last year we recieved a record number of on-line votes and we expect the number to grow even further this year. The closing date for votes, both on-line and posted in-store is 4:30pm on Thursday 22nd December. If you collect votes in-store, please send them through to us on a regular basis to help with the counting and then make sure you send your final batch of votes off directly after Christmas. The Greatest Christmas Awards are presented in Harrogate on January 8th 2017 so the cut off for final votes to be received and counted in our office is Monday 4th January 2016. Remember to look through all your votes before you post them to us - your staff will love to know all the wonderful things your customers say about you as they vote for The Greatest Christmas Garden Centre Team. When all the votes are counted, size of centre and number of staff are taken into account, so there are as many chances of small and medium sized centres winning this ultimate Christmas accolade as that of a big centre. If you have any problems downloading any of the files please e-mail thegreatestawards@tgcmc.co.uk and we’ll send you them by e-mail straight away.
Good luck!
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This year you can ask your customers to vote for you on-line in The Greatest Christmas Awards.
All you need to do is copy and paste this voting link into your website or your social media posts: http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/GTN/s9lzjxs25b7
You can add The Greatest Christmas Awards logo too:
GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards logo
The closing date for on-line votes is 4:00pm on Thursday 22nd December 2016.
Please note: To avoid unscrupulous multiple votes the system will only accept one vote per IP address, so please do not use on-line voting in store, the postcards are better for in-store voting.
We'd love to know how you use your social media, e-mails and website to drive your customer voting. Please send us links to your activity and we will report on them in GTN Xtra: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
When all the votes are counted, size of centre and number of staff are taken into account, so there is as much chance of small and medium sized centres winning these ultimate Christmas accolades as that of a big centre. If you have any problems downloading any of the files please e-mail thegreatestawards@tgcmc.co.uk and we’ll send you them by e-mail straight away.
Good luck!
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Coles Nurseries have an exciting opportunity for a Retail Plant Centre Manager to manage the day to day operation of Coles Plant Centre.
The applicants will preferably have Garden Centre management experience, the ability to work with and develop a team, be forward thinking and interested in joining a business established over 100 years and one of the largest wholesale nurseries in the UK.
The business has plans to develop the Plant Centre in the future, and would like the applicants to be part of that process. Both roles are an opportunity for someone to make a real difference and grow their career in retail management. Salary will be appropriate for the position.
Reporting to
James Coles (JRC) and Mark Cade (MJC).
Responsibilities (initial guidelines)
• To operate the Plant Centre within Company policies
• To manage and control stock and purchases to maximise sales, profitability and stock turn.
• To ensure an annual stock take is planned and executed with accuracy.
• To ensure the team maintain the quality of stock, dry and green, offered at all times.
• To engage with JRC when planning new product lines, and developments.
• To be aware of Health and Safety protocols and inform JRC where action is required.
• Check frequently security around the site.
• Planning staff rotas ensuring sufficient cover is maintained in all departments at all times.
• To be aware of the ranges available from Coles Nurseries, and include in purchasing if appropriate.
• Ensure all staff are aware of cash handling procedures, sales/refund procedures.
• Train and develop staff members where required or desired.
• Annual appraisals of the staff team.
• The logging of staff attendance and hours.
• Maintain staff uniform quality and presentation.
• Ensure that customers come first and are at all times greeted with a friendly yet efficient team.
• To assist in development and implementation of marketing plans
• To comply with waste regulations, and ensure the site is safe and tidy.
• To be proactive, enthusiastic and driven to succeed.
• To work with Steve Myatt and Joy Lamb (Garden Retail Success) in developing the business in
the Making it Happen programme.
• Any additional duties for the benefit of The Business.
Please send your applications including your CV and references to: Mr J Coles
James Coles & Sons (Nurseries) Ltd
624 Uppingham Road, Thurnby, Leicester LE7 9QB
recruitment@colesnurseries.co.uk
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Following a recent internal promotion we are now looking for a new garden centre manager to lead the team at Little Heath Garden Centre. This store is about to embark on a refurbishment programme so this is a great time to join us. Having had previous experience at management level, preferably within a garden centre, you will be a natural leader with a 'hands on, can do' attitude. This is a busy site with a strong Aquatics Department and popular Cafe. The introduction of garden furniture and a broader range of leisure goods has been very successful and we anticipate the imminent improvements to lift the store even further. A horticultural background is preferable but not essential. Computer literacy is required as you'll be responsible for a lot of the product purchasing at store. Managers are encouraged to run the store as if their own business so you need to be highly organised and commercially savvy. Please send CV and introductory letter to Boyd.ddavies@hillview-group.com Closing Date 8th January 2017
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Coles Nurseries have an exciting opportunity for a Retail Plant Centre Senior Supervisor to assist in the day to day operation of Coles Plant Centre. (Weekend Duty
Manager). The applicants will preferably have Garden Centre management experience, the ability to work with and develop a team, be forward thinking and interested in joining a business established over 100
years and one of the largest wholesale nurseries in the UK. The business has plans to develop the Plant Centre in the future, and would like the applicants to be part of that process. Both roles are an opportunity for someone to make a real difference
and grow their career in retail management. Salary will be appropriate for the position.
Reporting to The Plant Centre Manager. Responsibilities (initial guidelines)
• To work with Steve Myatt and Joy Lamb (Garden Retail Success) in developing the business in
the Making it Happen programme.
• To work with the Manager to ensure the smooth running of the Plant Centre and the quality of
products offered both dry and green.
• To provide cover for the Manager when on days off or leave/sickness.
• To work with Plant Centre assistants ensuring that set tasks are completed to satisfaction, and
support the team where needed.
• To work with the team to ensure the site is clean, tidy and well presented at all times.
• Ensure the staff team are well presented and timely with attendance.
• To assist the Manager with cash handling, ordering systems and invoices, plus any additional
paperwork required.
• Ensure deliveries are checked and that inward delivery systems are adhered to, and claims for
breakages/short deliveries are made immediately.
• To assist with purchasing where required, and discuss with the Manager any stock issues you
are concerned about.
• Always discuss any areas that you feel could be improved with the Manager.
• Remind the team of holiday date embargoes, and be aware of Health and Safety issues around
the Centre
• Any additional duties for the benefit of The Business. Please send your applications including your CV and references to:
Mr J Coles
James Coles & Sons (Nurseries) Ltd
624 Uppingham Road, Thurnby, Leicester LE7 9QB recruitment@colesnurseries.co.uk
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 The Company: Apta is the leading supplier of quality flower pots and accessories to the UK garden trade, under its own brand and iconic UK brands, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Laura Ashley. The company has achieved very considerable growth and now wishes to strengthen its merchandising team with the recruitment of additional Product Merchandisers. The role will appeal to motivated and ambitious individuals. Job title: Product Merchandisers (Full-Time). See Areas below. Area 1: Kent Area 2: Southwest and surrounding areas Area 3: Sussex, West Kent, south London, Surrey Salary: £22,000+ after training with immediate start. Generous bonus scheme & company vehicle. Progression: Apta has a track-record of promoting its staff. The Role of Product Merchandiser: - Building upon strong partnerships with existing customers
- Working with the sales team and head office to ensure that customer experience is always exceptional.
- Planning and working to an effective journey plan, maximising customer contact.
The person for this Product Merchandiser opportunity:
We are looking for committed, fit and motivated individuals to join our excellent merchandising team. The main duties involve setting up display benches and displaying our products within garden centres.
Area 1: mainly covering Kent, Sussex, and surrounding areas. Candidates must be well located in the territory, ideally in the Ashford area. Other well located locations within the territory will be considered. Area 2: mainly covering the Southwest and surrounding areas. Candidates must be well located in the territory, ideally in the Exeter area. Other well located locations within the territory will be considered. Area 3: mainly covering Sussex, Kent and surrounding areas.Candidates must be well located in the territory, ideally in East Sussex. Other well located locations within the territory will be considered. This is an outdoor job involving heavy lifting and only applicants whom are fit, healthy and willing to work extended hours during our main season should apply. A company vehicle is provided for all work duties along with a fuel card and mobile phone. A full clean driving licence is required and applicants need to be 23 + years of age.
Applications should be sent by email with your CV and covering letter to Brian Cobb, Merchandising Manager, brian.cobb@apta.co.uk or telephone 07968 153418 for any other details.
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Horticultural / Plantarea Manager (ref:DS8896)
Location: Wiltshire
Salary: £18,000 - £22,000
Date: 07 Dec
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
We are seeking an outstanding plants person with great merchandising and retail skills to take the role of Horticultural Manager of this Wiltshire based garden centre which is part of a Nationwide group that are continually growing and developing their leading garden centres across England and Wales.
The Role
The role will be to take responsibility for one of the largest departments within the centre. As Horticulture / Plantarea Manager you will look after the day to day merchandising and maintenance of the plant stock as well as motivating the team to provide the highest standard of customer service. The role will also have duty management responsibility across the entire centre.
The Person
For this role we are seeking a leader with superb retail experience to head this busy department.
Candidates MUST HAVE strong horticultural knowledge both practical and academic and be able to demonstrate a very high level of plant knowledge.
The plantarea is the focus point of any garden centre and your standards for customer service, merchandising and the little details that make a department special will make you stand out. Experience within a garden centre is desirable as is supervisory skills.
To apply for this role click here
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Senior Plant Centre Retail Manager (ref:DS8889)
Location: Leicestershire
Salary: £25,000 - £30,000
Date: 07 Dec
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
Our client is the UK's largest grower of trees and shrubs for the amenity and commercial markets. Based in the East Midlands, they supply stock nationwide via their own delivery vehicles to clients including landscapers, garden designers, wholesale nurseries and local authorities, for projects ranging from new housing developments and business parks, to show gardens and plants for private individuals. In addition to this they have a thriving retail operation and it is for this that they are seeking a top retailer to manage their busy Plant Centre.
The Job
The successful candidate will be a hands-on Manager within the retail nursery.
Daily duties will include:
- Providing an excellent standard of customer service.
- Ensuring that the plants are well displayed and in good condition.
- Assisting with ordering additional plants, incoming deliveries and merchandising stock.
- Answering the questions of customers and providing advice.
- Managing the staff within the Plant Centre.
- Opening and closing the centre, cashing up, preparing reports and ensure that the centre is profitable and thriving.
The Person
All the staff in the nursery are keen plants people, so it is essential that the new manager has a good knowledge and a passion for horticulture. Good communication and customer service skills are also essential. Some training in horticulture would also be an advantage and a proven background in horticultural retailing at management level is essential.
To apply for this role click here
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Garden Centre Horticultural Manager (ref:DS8904)
Location: Middlesex
Salary: £27,000 - £28,000
Date: 16 Dec
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
This large well stocked Garden Centre Plantarea is part of a Nationwide garden centre group who are currently seeking a knowledgeable and experienced Horticultural Manager to run this large garden centre department based in Middlesex.
The Job
The successful candidate will be a hands-on Manager within the retail plant department.
Daily duties will include:
- Providing an excellent standard of customer service.
- Ensuring that the plants are well displayed and in good condition.
- Assisting with the husbandry of the plants, incoming deliveries and merchandising stock.
- Answering the questions of customers and providing advice.
- Managing the staff within the Plant Centre.
- Completing administration tasks and regular reports.
The Person
This is one of their leading plant centres so it is essential that the new manager has a good knowledge and a passion for horticulture. Good communication and customer service skills are also essential. Some training in horticulture would also be an advantage and a proven background in horticultural retailing at management level is essential.
To apply for this role click here
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Wholesale Nursery Growing Supervisor (ref:DS8884)
Location: Herefordshire
Salary: £20,000 - £30,000
Date: 07 Dec
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent
This leading Hereford based wholesale nursery is looking for 2 Growing Supervisors to join their team. Their mission statement is to strive at all times to supply, exceptional quality plants. Provide outstanding customer service, whilst maintaining a sustainable, ethical business model with a well-trained, motivated and developed team working within the 'culture' of a family business, one of; efficient and focused work ethic, respect, professionalism and friendliness where their people all feel valued, challenged and fulfilled in their work.
The Job
To manage and to be a key part of the day to day growing across the production site, whilst ensuring the delivery of site performance targets and business strategy. Leading, managing, training and mentoring the Cultural team so that they continually work to a continuous improvement cycle, delivering outstanding quality and customer service whilst working in an efficient and effective way, profitably growing plants to customer specification following business policies and SOP.
- Required to deputise for the immediate line manager (this would include shift patterns), or during high workload times of year.
- To provide support in specific key areas of the business as directed by the line manager.
- To be responsible and accountable for key business goals and targets that may be assigned from time to time as and when required by the business.
- To continually look at and suggest how the business can increase its effectiveness, efficiency, quality and customer service.
The Person
- Must be an effective, accurate and honest communicator up and down, both within and across departments.
- Needs to be familiar with crops grown ideally, but not essential if they come from a horticultural and growing background.
- Must have experience of leading, motivating and developing teams preferably at management or supervisory level.
- Must have PA1, PA6 ideal PA2.
- Must be able to lead and manager a small team of cultural staff.
- Ideally have a formal horticultural qualification, but other similar qualifications / experience with a proven track record would be considered too.
- Must be well organised with excellent attention to detail and the ability to prioritise work.
- Must have a flexible approach to work and able to demonstrate problem solving skills.
- Must be proficient in the use of IT systems, including, but not limited to Microsoft Excel.
- Must have an understanding of process improvement and LEAN systems.
- Must have a working knowledge of Quality systems.
- Must be a great team player and be able to motivate, mentor, train, support and develop their teams.
- Should have a record of continual personal improvement.
As this is a growing role the position involves early morning, late night and weekend working on a rota basis during the season and may involve the use of an annualised hours contract.
To apply for this role click here
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Independent garden centres know that 2017 and beyond will be a period of change. E-commerce will increasingly erode retail visits, BOPUS (Buy Online Pick Up In store) will develop further and consumers concerned about the future will create further issues that will effect change. Once in store, the new consumer asks WHY before HOW and as a result, we are about to see changes in the way goods are merchandised and sold in garden centres. 
A group of leading independent garden centre owners and directors are facing this challenge and the opportunities it brings by holding a two day gathering from the evening of 22 January until 24 January in Paris. The group from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech, Denmark, France, Holland, Switzerland, USA and UK, has been put together by John Stanley (above, pictured with his wife Linda) of John Stanley Associates.
The aim is to develop new ideas to help them to grow their businesses by looking at new ways of marketing and business development. According to John, this is the first time such a global group has been brought together in one place to develop new ideas. At the time of writing there are 18 attendees with a ceiling of 25.
If you would like to attend, email John asap by clicking here
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UK plant health, reforms to the water abstraction system and plants for the sustainable 21st century city are all on the agenda for the HTA Contact Conference 2017 (Whittlebury Hall, Northamptonshire, Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 January). ‘Surviving and thriving’ is the theme for this biennial event, held for growers and nurserymen, supported by headline partner, London Stone and conference partner ICL. Nicola Spence, chief plant health officer and deputy director plant and bee health, varieties and seeds, animal and plant health, DEFRA, will present progress on pre-border activities to reduce the risk of pests and diseases arriving here from overseas, including work with countries beyond the EU to drive up standards; activities at the border to reduce the risk of pests and diseases entering the EU and the UK and action inland to step up surveillance and improve preparedness. With the much publicised reforms to the water abstraction system that are likely to affect most growers, John Adlam, Dove Associates, will outline the proposed government strategy, details of how time-limited licence renewals could be treated, the future of licences of right and how drip irrigation will be brought into the system. It will include ways in which you could build in resilience into your water supply to cover the unexpected. John’s talk will also outline the outlook for UK pesticides, post Brexit. What sort of plants do we need to grow and use in order to effectively respond to national policy agenda? How different might these plants be from those that we currently grow? James Hitchmough, head of department and professor of horticultural ecology, department of landscape, University of Sheffield, will look to identify key challenges from plant use and supply perspectives and how are we going to develop a more strategic view of the changes that are coming. It will also reflect on what our response should be to international treaties such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and national biosecurity measures that are putting a brake on the ingress of the new genetic material that we need to respond to our changing world. In addition to the HTA Contact Conference, the APL Stone Seminar ‘Paving the Way’ will take place on Tuesday 17 January and the BPOA Spring Conference will take place on Wednesday 18 January, both also at Whittlebury Hall. The shared lunches and breaks will offer networking opportunities across sectors of the industry which do not often come into contact with each other. Delegates at each event are also welcome to attend the joint dinner, which takes place at Whittlebury Hall on the evening of Tuesday 17 January. The dinner will also include an engaging after-dinner talk from Adam Frost. To book a place or for more information, email here
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Johnson's offers Kalettes for just £1 to promote a Great British vegetable
Kalettes is the new name for the delicious, nutritious vegetable formerly known as Brukale or the flower sprout. And seed company Johnsons has teamed up with its British breeder to offer UK gardeners the chance to try the unique Brussels sprout and kale hybrid for the special price of £1.00 for a packet of 25 seeds...
Kalettes is the new name for the delicious, nutritious vegetable formerly known as Brukale or the flower sprout. And seed company Johnsons has teamed up with its British breeder to offer UK gardeners the chance to try the unique Brussels sprout and kale hybrid for the special price of £1.00 for a packet of 25 seeds.
Kalettes are the result of 15 years of hard work, having been developed by traditional hybridisation and not by genetic modification. The breeder's aim was to create a kale-type vegetable which was eye-catching, versatile, mild- and sweet-flavoured, easy to prepare and nutritious. Kalettes® fit the bill on all counts.
The attractive, rosette-like shoots can be steamed, boiled, microwaved, stir-fried, sautéed or eaten raw, have a delicious taste and contain twice as much of vitamins E and B6 as Brussels sprouts, on top of which 100gm supplies an adult with two thirds of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
Already widely produced by commercial growers, popular with many consumers in Britain and Europe, and available from several major UK supermarkets, Kalettes® are as easy to grow as other brassicas and, not surprisingly in view of their parentage, the plants are ultra-hardy, and are capable of cropping from October to March, thereby providing a really worthwhile winter vegetable. Now Johnsons is giving everyone the chance to grow Kalettes® in their own gardens.
Kalettes® even boasts its own website - log on at http://www.kalettes.com/uk/
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With the increased sales of plants this week it’s no surprise to see two drip feeder lines at the top of the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart.
There must be some great linked sales activity going on! Customers are also buying more flower arranging materials as they look to bring their garden into the house as part of their seasonal decorations.
What sales have you generated from inspirational Christmas floral display?
The main highlights this week were:
- The highest new entry was Woodlodge 4 inch Glazed Saucer at No 19.
- Scheurich Cover Pot Glossy Cream was the highest re-entry at No 12.
- Bayer Baby Bio Original 175ml was the highest climber, jumping 17 places to No 16.
- Fito Drip Feeder For Orchids 32ml reclaimed top spot with Fito Drip Feeder for Poinsettia & Christmas Cactus 32ml moving up to No 2.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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It may be winter outside but in garden centre planterias plant displays that look great are generating high sales volumes, according to GTN Bestsellers.
As well as the specific plant genus listed in our chart right there are a huge number of planted arrangements being sold both for outdoor colour as well as indoor plants.
- Poinsettia stay at No 1 with a 40% week on week increase.
- Helleborus, Christmas Rose, moves up one place to No 4 with a 75% increase.
- Hippeastrum, Amaryllis are the highest climbers, up 22 places to No 18.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
Christmas sales ease off after busy period
As stocks are selling out the foot has eased off on the accelerator for Christmas sales. Selling out of individual lines appears to have happened more than ever this year as it’s notable that more products than usual have featured in our GTN Bestsellers Christmas charts...
As stocks are selling out the foot has eased off on the accelerator for Christmas sales. Selling out of individual lines appears to have happened more than ever this year as it’s notable that more products than usual have featured in our GTN Bestsellers Christmas charts.
Next week we’ll do an analysis to see how many products have been in the Top 50.
Here are the highlights:
- Snowtime LED Snowman Colour Changing Water Ball was the highest new entry at No 20.
- Premier Red Berry Pick was the highest re-entry at No 9.
- Festive Gold Butterfly Pick was the highest climber, jumping 28 places to No 18.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
Core gardening is 7% up for the year...
Small volumes of growing media are selling now we get into the last few weeks before Christmas. Whatever happens next week sales for the year will be 7% up which is great news for everyone in the industry.
Small volumes of growing media are selling now we get into the last few weeks before Christmas.
Whatever happens next week sales for the year will be 7% up which is great news for everyone in the industry.
That indicates 7% more core gardening during the year and potentially much more container gardening, a trend we believe will continue to grow in 2017.
The main highlights were:
- Scotts Levington Ericaceous Compost (50 litres) was the highest climber, jumping 34 places to No 16.
- Scotts Miracle Gro Moisture Control Bark (55 litres) was the highest re-entry at No 9.
- Other products returning to the Top 50 were Scotts Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Pot & Basket (50 litres), Westland Orchid Compost (10 litres) , and Arthur Bowers Multipurpose Compost (50 litres).
- Scotts Levington Multipurpose + John Innes (56 litres) retained the top spot.
To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
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The HTA Benevolent Fund has announced the appointment of Caroline Owen of Scotsdales to its Board of Trustees.
Having started her career in John Lewis, Sainsburys and BUPA, Caroline Owen joined the family owned business Scotsdales in 1982.
Caroline has spent the last 30 years developing the company into a £20m pound business adding two smaller centres to the large Cambridge centre in the last five years. Caroline is a former President of the HTA and a former member of the HTA Board of Directors. She is currently Chairman of the HTA Marketing Committee and is also a trustee of Greenfingers.
She will sit alongside fellow Board members: Chairman, Andrew Richardson of Johnsons of Whixley, and Vice Chairman Dougal Philip of New Hopetoun Gardens, as well as Tim Woodland of Simple Pleasures, a bulb wholesaling company, Robert Hillier of Hillier Nurseries, Tom Wood of Oakover Nurseries, and Eddie Topping of Barton Grange Garden Centre.
Chairman of the HTA Benevolent Fund, Andrew Richardson, says: “HTA Benevolent Fund is delighted to welcome Caroline as a new Trustee who brings with her a wealth of industry experience as well as a long standing history with the HTA and its members. This combination will greatly assist the charity in how best to offer support."
The HTA Benevolent Fund was set up by the HTA to care for the welfare of its members past and present. Recent years have seen the support of several members with grants to assist them in difficult circumstances.
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Mr Fothergill's vegetable seeds support Chernobyl
Mr Fothergill's has again donated vegetable seeds to the Chernobyl Children's Appeal, set up by Peterborough couple John and Rosie Sandall to support families of victims of the world's worst nuclear power accident...
Mr Fothergill's has once again donated vegetable seeds to the Chernobyl Children's Appeal, set up by Peterborough couple John and Rosie Sandall to support families of victims of the world's worst nuclear power accident, which happened in the former USSR in April 1986.
The Sandalls have visited Chernobyl in Ukraine twice yearly for the last two decades, taking with them much-needed supplies and funds raised solely by themselves; in that time they have also helped to fund a sanatorium. It is believed that nearly a million people have died as a result of the disaster, and its after-effects are still being felt by the people who live there.
Mr Fothergill's has been giving vegetable seeds to the cause for four years, with tomatoes, squashes and cucumbers being particularly popular with the families who grow them wherever they can in their gardens. Chernobyl's continental climate means temperatures can range from 35°C in summer to well below 0°C in winter, which can be challenging for vegetable growers.
"We are delighted to play a part in the great work Rosie and John continue to do for the people of Chernobyl, who are still in need 30 years after the shocking incident", said Mr Fothergill's David Turner.
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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 printed newsletter.
As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2014 as well as 2015 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period. Access is by subscription only. For £195.00 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.
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Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters delivered via the post for only £195.00.
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.
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