Before George had the first boiler installed, heating bills for the garden centre, accommodation and glasshouses stood at £35,000 a year.

Scot Heating convinced George of the benefits of having biomass and said that the Goulding's site had the capacity for two boilers. It was decided that one boiler would do the job initially.

The initial outlay for one biomass boiler and all the piping was £150,000, which was funded by a five-year bank loan. The cost of the wood chip fuel for the boiler is £8,000 per year, which has been offset by a Renewable Heat Incentive from the Scottish Government for £16,000 paid annually for 20 years. The incentive is also index linked.

“Bearing in mind our annual heating bill for oil was £35,000, (2013 oil prices) the original boiler will have paid for itself in just over four years,” added George.

A second biomass boiler has now been installed at a cost of £75,000 with a wood chip bill of £8,000, and the garden centre receives a further £16,000 per year Renewable Heat Incentive.

“As far as I’m concerned it’s a ‘no brainer’ as we won’t have any heating bills in the future.  Once the loans for the two boilers are paid Goulding’s Garden Centre will be £40,500 better off. This is based on today’s low fuel price therefore the higher the fuel price the bigger the saving."

A full report on Goulding's switch to biomass boilers will appear in the March issue of Garden Trade News.

 

 A Squires and a Wyevale Garden Centre are among a number of sites identified by Windsor Royal Borough Council as potential locations to help fill the borough’s 12,100 new homes by 2029.

Local press reports the aim of the plan is to show how the Royal Borough intends to build 12,000 new homes in the next 15 years. The garden centres would free would free up space for 40 and 35 new homes respectively, according to a report that is due to be heard and decided upon by the councils cabinet on Thursday 26th February.

Dennis Espley, Managing Director of Squires Garden Centres told GTN Xtra yesterday: "We were approached many months ago and asked if we were happy for our Windsor site to be considered as part of the long term planning scheme.  This is the second time the proposal has been taken to cabinet and we have no knowledge of the exact details."

A spokesman for Wyevale Garden Centres said: "We wouldn't comment on the council's potential plans but we appreciate the opportunity to trade in the community."

GTN understands Windsor Royal Borough is not alone in looking at re-designating existing sites to allow for future house building as part of their requirements for future population planning.  Plans such as these allow councillors to remove protected Green Belt and other planning status from certain sites so that housing developments and other new develpements can take place.

The list of potential sites in Windsor includes:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Water Oakley - 16 homes

Squires Garden Centre, Maidenhead Road, Windsor - 40 homes

Wyvale Garden Centre, Dedworth Road, Windsor - 35 homes

Ascot Railway Station Car Park, Station Hill, Ascot - 35 homes

Land at Heatherwood Hospital, London Road, Ascot - 200 homes

Shorts Recycling Centre, St Georges Lane, Ascot - 65 homes

According to the report, councillors will be recommended to remove protected Green Belt status from Braywick Park with a new leisure centre being built at the park to replace the Magnet Leisure Centre.

Squires MD, Dennis Espley went on to say; "I believe this is very much long term planning by the council.  In my lifetime I fully expect our Windsor Garden Centre to be operating on the site."

Garden Centres are leading the way in getting behind the industry wide Love the Plot You’ve Got campaign to ensure maximum success.

A series of Love the Plot You've Got Masterclasses, delivered by Ian Boardman, have been taking place across the country this month with garden centre staff eagerly taking on board the opportunities they have to sell to a new audience. 

After the most recent Masterclass held at William Sinclairs Ellesmere Port facility, attended by GTN Xtra, Ian commented: "I've now run four of these Masterclasses around the country. I've met some highly motivated people determined to get the most from this excellent campaign. They have built some amazing displays in a short time and the quality of the ideas they come up with has been inspiring. Ideas to attract people in to their garden centre or nursery for the first time - then how to show them what they can do with their plot - however large or small. We are very lucky to have such dedicated people in our industry."

Ian Boardman has three further LTPYG Masterclass dates available:  Scotland at Glendoick Garden Centre on 12 March, Harlow Carr on 17 March and an extra date by popular demand at Webbs Wychbold on 30 March.  To book your places contact i.boardman@ibbis.co.uk.  See a gallery of pictures from the Masterclasses below.

Meeting at last month’s Garden Press Event, Garden Industry Marketing Board members (GIMA, HTA, LOFA, RHS, Scotts and Westland Horticulture) called for further support for the initiative, which is aimed at inspiring new audiences to enjoy their outdoor spaces.

Chair of the GIMB, Keith Nicholson of Westland, said: “The campaign is ramping up now with the first roadshow event taking place at Good Life Live next month (details below). Garden retailers are signing up but we really need the whole industry supply chain to be behind this for maximum impact.”

He adds: “This is phase one of a three year campaign and whilst there will not be overnight results it is vital that we gain financial support to help drive it forward. It is about growing the market as a whole – which is in the interests of all businesses no matter their size.”

Love the Plot You’ve Got aims to inspire 30-45 year olds who have access to a garden or outdoor space but don’t currently make great use of it. Importantly the aim is to de-mystify and not dumb down gardening and provide them with achievable and realistic ideas.

Inspiration and activity will be focused around www.loveyourplot.com with Scotts assisting with content development. There will also be a series of roadshow events across the country featuring ‘before and after’ gardens the size of a shipping container. The events will be supported by horticulturalist and broadcaster Chris Collins, who will provide tips and demonstrations helping to draw people in. Transported by Westland Horticulture, the inspirational gardens will be visiting garden festival and city centre venues across the country with the first roadshow taking place on 20-22 March at Good Life Live at Alexandra Palace in London.

Love the Plot You’ve Got Roadshow dates

20-22 March: Good Life Live, London

April : Garden centres including Webbs of Wychbold (25-26 April)

2-3 May: Cardiff (tbc)

8-10 May: Belfast

23-24 May: Glasgow

29-31 May: Edinburgh

June: Garden centres (tbc)

23-24 June : National Plant Show (tbc)

7-9 July: Solex

17-20 July: Home and Garden Show, Stratford upon Avon

To find out more about the retailer and supplier packages available, contact Garden Industry Marketing Board project manager David Arnold. Tel: 07876 643638. Email: daaltd@virginmedia.com

Van Hage MD Chris Roberts says he remains positive about proposals to build a Waitrose store next to the company’s Great Amwell store, despite continuing objections from one neighbouring local authority.

Waitrose want to replace their Hertford store at Bircherley Green in 2016 with one double the size on the Van Hage site. But Hertford Town councillors, fearing the negative impact on the town created by the loss of Waitrose, unanimously objected for a second time, citing the detrimental affect on traffic and their town centre economy.

The application, withdrawn in December largely to resolve outstanding highways and transport issue, was re-submitted to East Herts District Council, the local planning authority, in January. A decision is expected by the end of March.

Chris Roberts told GTN Xtra: “It’s East Herts who will decide, not Hertford. As far as we are concerned, we believe the only sticking point now is the objection by Hertford, who are not happy about losing Waitrose.

“We have been working with the local planning officials at East Herts on the issues raised last time and there has been a lot of progress. I’m still very positive the plans will have enough support.

“We have taken legal counsel on this application because the site is in the Green Belt, but it is a fully built-up site with full Class A retail use, so we’re confident.”

Hundreds of Van Hage customers have signed petitions in support of the plans and further support is being canvassed via the centre’s website and 33,000 local homes this week

With the GTN Bestsellers All Products Index following last year’s trend line, now is the time for all garden retailers to be making the most of Garden Re-Leaf Day – Friday 27th March 2015 – to give your teams the best chance of making gains when the season kicks in.

Garden Re-Leaf Day activities are a great way of gaining good local press and social media coverage to help get the message out and about that your garden centre is the place to visit this Mother’s Day and beyond.

As well as a host of event ideas, including the Garden Re-Leaf Day Celebrity Gardening Quiz that are suggested on the Garden Re-Leaf Day website: www.gardenreleaf.co.uk, there is one activity every gardening business can easily take part in...Glovies!

Glovies are the new phenomenon gaining huge media coverage and set to go viral in the run up to Garden Re-Leaf Day. All it involves is taking and posting photos featuring the Greenfingers Gloves – it’s the gardening version of a selfie!

Briers, the suppliers of The Greenfingers Gloves, are delivering a pair with every issue of Garden Trade News at the start of March – all you have to do is get them photographed with staff, customers and celebrities and post on social media with the #glovies.

Then on Garden Re-Leaf Day itself you can get your customers to take part in setting a new world record for the highest number of people to be in Glovies at one time. At 11am precisely, garden centres across the UK will be holding mass glovies to set the new record. Make sure your centre is part of that!

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

• Garden Products – static 0%
• Veg-2-Gro Products – up 1%
• Growing Media – up 62%
• All items index – up 2%

Fleuroselect, the international organisation for the ornamental plants industry, announced six new Gold Medal awards this week. The plants will be available to the wholesale trade this year and in retail in 2016.

The Fleuroselect Gold Medal is awarded to new varieties that have been tested by Fleuroselect's independent judges at trial grounds across Europe and proven to clearly supersede existing varieties in terms of breeding, innovation and beauty.

Calamintha nepeta ‘Marvelette Blue’

Breeder: van Hemert & Co.

Attractive to bees, this compact Calamintha from seed is a first-year flowering perennial, blooming in 12 weeks from a spring sowing. Early flowering and large flowers of Marvelette Blue will have POS impact and shelf life is excellent.

Cosmos bipinnatus Xanthos

Breeder: van Hemert & Co.

This new Cosmos bipinnatus is a unique, soft, stunning yellow colour. Dwarf, early flowering and uniform, the plants are well branched and very suitable for containers. Its compactness, makes it ideal for transport. Xanthos adds a new colour in the compact Cosmos range and the short production time will make it a top attraction on garden center shelves.

Echinacea purpurea ‘Feeling Rose’

Breeder: HM Clause

‘Feeling Pink’ is more compact and floriferous than its comparisons in the trials and is easy to produce thanks to its shorter cycle, allowing a higher rotation. Compact with a good basal branching habit, it is also earlier flowering than others.

Helenium autumnale ‘Western Mixture’ (pictured above)

Breeder:  HM. CLAUSE

Western Mixture will be appreciated by growers for its early flowering and better branching, allowing this variety to be grown in a wider range of pots. Although not required, cutting back plants will reduce plant height and encourage branching. Fabulous flame colour make it easy to sell at retail. Its compactness and tolerance of even difficult conditions will go down well with consumers.

Ocimum basilicum Purple Ball

Breeder: NARIC Fruitculture Research Institute

This purple, ball-formed basil, is a brand new colour, enabling retailers to promote both its ornamental and culinary value. It makes a decorative pot in the kitchen or a unique filler in balcony boxes and flower beds.

Petunia x hybrida ‘Tidal Wave® Red Velour’

Breeder: PanAmerican Seed

A truly unique, rich red colour sets it apart from all other seed Petunias on the market. Thanks to its spreading habit, this fast grower can wind around a fence to create an attractive hedge, make ground cover in the bed or fill a large container as a patio showpiece. It boasts terrific botrytis tolerance, quick recovery from rain, and long-lasting flowers.

Pictures of the varieties not shown here can be found in the gallery below.

Incidents of crime have influenced an unexpected trend for ‘crunchy gravel’ - according to leading decorative aggregates supplier Deco-Pak.

Gravel has been the first choice for homeowners for many decades, thanks to its variety of colour choices, natural aesthetics and ease of maintenance, however a new benefit has recently been cited, in doing so it is helping to keep our homes safe from thieves. 

‘Crunchy gravel’ is so named thanks to the satisfactory crunch noise it makes underfoot.  Police constabularies in the UK regularly consult with homeowners to advise them to install gravel paths and driveways, especially around the house and by the garden shed.  

The reason is obvious - burglars look for low risk, easy targets - and the crunchy sound of gravel presents too high a risk of getting caught.

Deco-Pak's general manager Rod Slater said:  "All of our decorative aggregates provide consumers with the crunchy effect, especially bestsellers Moonstone and Golden Flint which are two I would recommend as being most effective.  Retailers can also advise their customers of our home delivery service to encourage upselling quantities with the benefit of a richer crunching sound and therefore greater security."

As well as making the home safer, laying aggregates on driveways also improves the value of the home, which is a message that is being reinforced by what are known as 'crunchy gravel programmes'. 

TV shows like Downton Abbey depict long sweeping drives with servants waiting for their lords and ladies' carriage as it crunches over the gravel, and consumers, say Deco-Pak, are definitely buying into this idea more than ever.

Rod Slater added: "This increase in demand is a great opportunity for retailers to supply two solutions at once - added security and increased property value.  For retailers the message is simply to advise the customer to buy enough to ensure their home deters burglars and encourages well heeled guests."

The annual Scotts Miracle-Gro TV advertising campaign will be hitting TV screens across the country again this spring and summer  with the company spending £7.5 million in a bid to drive customers into stores.

Scotts will be promoting several of their biggest brands, best-selling products and new launches throughout the busy gardening seasons on primetime TV – including ITV, Channel 4 and selected Sky channels. 

The series of four adverts will promote Miracle-Gro®, EverGreen®, Roundup® and Weedol®. The new Weedol® ad is something completely different, extremely memorable and will definitely stick in consumers’ minds! The Miracle-Gro® advert will concentrate viewers’ thoughts on ‘the need to feed’ to get the best from their gardens.

The advertising campaign will start to air week commencing 30th March and run throughout spring and into summer, with peaks around Easter and the May Bank Holidays.

Scotts have a core conviction that TV advertising works. It increases brand building and awareness, and helps turn products into best sellers.

Targeting consumers

Scotts' extensive consumer, trade and market research, plus their knowledge of the garden market, ensures the TV adverts target keen, affluent gardeners who show pride in having a fabulous, good looking garden and will spend the money needed to achieve this. This produces huge benefits for the whole gardening market, driving customers to garden centres and other stores stocking our products.

The TV campaign is backed up with in-store promotions, national consumer magazine advertising, colourful and compelling point of sale material, packaging and merchandising to ensure retailers can make the most from the TV advertising, and so look forward to great sales.

Don’t miss out – get orders in quickly

To ensure you don’t get caught out, and are fully prepared for a busy gardening year, get your orders in now. Contact your local sales representative to find out more and to place orders.

Pictured: Scotts UK General Manager Sheila Hill shows off the Weedol Power Sprayer, which will be part of an extensive TV ad campaign this year.

Squire’s Garden Centre hosted their first ever “Plant Supplier Show” in West Horsley, Surrey, with 35 suppliers from all over the UK and abroad showcasing their latest plants to the Squire’s team.

Employees from the 15 Squire’s Garden Centres came to meet the suppliers, and were able to see at first-hand the plants that will soon be on sale to customers.

“This was a truly inspirational show, and we are very grateful to all our suppliers who attended and to our teams for making the time to come along in force. 

"We all had a wonderful day and it was such a treat to see some of the superb quality plants available to our centres as well as the exciting new plants for spring 2015.  I think we all came away with great enthusiasm for the season and having learned something new” said Sarah Squire (Deputy Chairman, Squire’s Garden Centres). 

All 15 Squire’s Garden Centres were asked to vote for their “best” supplier in two categories – Hardy and Bedding.

Bridge Nursery won the “Hardy Plant Supplier of the Year” award, due to the excellent quality of their plants and their informative point of sale materials.

Above: Sarah Squire (Squire’s Deputy Chairman), Pete Lodge (Bridge Nursery), Steve Lodge (Bridge Nursery), Colin Squire (Squire’s Chairman), Tim Jacob (Plant Buyer).

The “Bedding Plant Supplier of the Year” award was won by Bryants Nurseries.  Holly McNeil, Bedding Superviser at Squire’s in Hersham commented: “Bryants are a super company, and the customer service is truly excellent the whole way through the process; from Caroline Shove, who is wonderful, to the delivery drivers, who are so helpful. Excellent stock quality, good communication, and quick turn-around of orders, and even Sunday deliveries! Who could want more?”

Tim Jacob (Squire’s Plant Buyer), Sarah Squire (Squire’s Deputy Chairman), Colin Squire (Squire’s Chairman), Richard Bryant (Bryants Nurseries) and Caroline Shove (Bryants Nurseries).

Darlac’s new Tri-Blade Garden Shear won a Gold Award for ‘Best Garden Product’ at the DIY and Totally Tools Show this week.

MD Peter Darban (pictured below, celebrating the tool's launch)  said it was “the icing on the cake” as large numbers of orders were taken throughout the show.

The Tri-Blade is exclusive to Darlac.

The unique three-blade configuration mean hedges and topiary can be trimmed in far less time than it would with a traditional two-bladed shear. In recent consumer-focused trials, users reported that greater speed is unquestionably one of the major benefits. The trials also reported improved accuracy of cut as the central blade remains static, whilst the outer blades cut against it.

The two outer blades of this high spec shear are Teflon coated to reduce friction and reduce the likelihood of rust forming in the metal,  whilst the central blade is  chrome armoured and completely heat-treated, not only to prevent rust but to act as a central point of focus. This in turn improves stability and adds ‘bite’ to the cut.

Unlike conventional shears, Tri-Blade shears outer blades are also heat-treated but to a different level than that of a traditional set, with particular attention to the cutting edge.

There are three models:

DP900 with glass fibres handles (weight 887g). SRP £30

DP905 with aluminium handles (927g). SRP £30

DP910 with Aluminium telescopic handles extending from 660mm to 890mm (1,125g). SRP £35

An attractive introductory stand deal package includes all three models in small quantities. The stand is free of charge, with pegs, and measures, 1.5m high x 0.7m wide by 0.5m deep, with an eye-catching  header. It can also be free-standing, for double-sided use, or placed against a wall.

The starter package includes six x DP900, 6 x DP905 and 12 x DP910

Information 01753 547790

Garden centres that are members of the Garden Centre Association are being offered expert advice on ‘how to achieve inspection excellence’ through a series of regional presentations.

The events will take place in six area groups – Wales & West, South Thames, North Thames, Midlands, North West/North East and Scotland/Northern Ireland – from now until the end of the month (February 26).

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, said: “This is the very first time we have done these presentations and our aim is to help improve standards in GCA member centres while assisting members to achieve the highest possible score in their annual inspections.

“Our four inspectors this year, Liz Hutson, Andy Campbell, Ian Boardman and Roger Crookes, will give the presentations, which will include an explanation as to why we have an inspection process and how it helps improve retailing standards, and on to how better standards lead to greater turnover and profitability.

“The presentations are intended for garden centre managers and their teams. The presentations will not tell members how to run their businesses nor are they just about displays. We value the individuality of all our members and uphold their independence but we also espouse the sharing of best practice and learning from each other to the benefit of all.”

For further information call 0118 930 8918 or visit www.gca.org.uk

Pictured: Cowells was crowned GCA Garden Centre of the Year for a fourth time last month.

A strong turnout of garden centres, wholesalers and exporters from home and abroad braved the wintry weather at the Floralis Boskoop Spring Fair 2015, which took place earlier this month. Organisers said buyers were cautiously optimistic about the coming spring.

The use of digital purchase channels by the trade was more apparent than ever. When the fair’s Shop app was launched 18 months ago, visitors were hesitant, but many took the plunge to order via their smart phones this year.

Regular users of the Floralis Boskoop Web shop choose to purchase from the fair stock online, rather then visiting the fair itself. Says Martin Bokhorst of Floralis Boskoop. “This trend has increased more and more during the last year,” he added.

The organisers said garden centres were also using the fair to buy smaller quantities of a wider range of plants, in order to maintain customer choice but reduce wastage levels. They were buying single pieces or trays as well as full trolleys or shelves.

Garden centres appeared happy to wait for the season to get going before making big commitments.  “Garden centres and wholesalers first have to regain confidence in the market situation and want to wait and see how early sales will go,” said Floralis Boskoop MD Frans van Dijk. “Also there is plenty of nursery stock available, which can be easily ordered through the Web shop or Shop app at any time”, says.

“Early Spring and more…” is the theme of the next Cash & Carry at Floralis Boskoop (17-19 March 2015).

More information: www.floralisboskoop.nl

Smart Garden Products unveiled its new website for trade customers and consumers earlier this month to complement the company’s new branding. It showcases 500 products across six key categories.

The site has been aligned to Smart’s 2015 catalogue.

Smart launched more than 350 products in five new categories at Glee.

French and German translations will be added to the site to meet the demands of Smart Garden Products’ growing European markets.

You can viewe it at www.sgpuk.com

Meanwhile, the launch of more than 30 battery powered seasonal lighting products at the recent Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair has been well received, say the company. Product review highlights included the Stellar Glass range of orbs, lanterns and string lights, Topiary hanging baskets, Silhouette uplighters and a collection of lanterns.

The new Battery Products Catalogue 2015 details the range launched at Harrogate.

Sales Merchandiser

Gardman Limited is a highly successful, leading manufacturer and distributor of a wide range of quality products for the garden leisure industry. It has developed a highly focused five-brand strategy that embraces the full product range, strengthening and simplifying its market offering and providing a solid platform for future growth and development of the Gardman business.

As the business expands and continues to strengthen its sales team and supporting processes, a requirement exists for a number of Sales Merchandisers to be located across the country to support and assist the Regional Sales Management team. These positions which will primarily concentrate on small to medium sized garden centres will be based and provide coverage in the South of England, Midlands/Wales and North of England/Scotland respectively.

Role profile

• Effectively merchandise products in line with agreements and promo plans.
• Build strong, productive relationships with key contacts within the trade and centres.
• Develop positive relationships with our Sales Agents /Account Managers ensuring that both centre Agents and Sales Managers KPI’s are exceeded.
• Work with Buyers/Sales Agents to maintain stock levels and maximize product placement.
• Appropriately merchandise displays with proper signage/shelf placement.
• Implement/manage special promotional campaigns and new product launches.
• Monitor/report on sales volume and inventory activity during the promotional period

Benefits

• Salary range £18k-25k subject to experience
• Bonus
• Company vehicle
• 25 days annual holiday
• Lap top and mobile phone
• Pension scheme

Candidates interested in this position should apply by email to recruitment@gardman.co.uk

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our flagship store for a highly motivated and experienced Retail Manager to join the Blue Diamond Group. 

We are currently recruiting for a Centre Manager for Redfields Garden Centre in Fleet. 

Blue Diamond Group is one of the UK’s largest Garden Centre Groups, turning over £70m annually with centres throughout the UK and in the Channel Islands.

Whilst having responsibility for the management of the Garden Centre, the successful candidate will be able to recognise sales trends in detail from our reports package and use this information to improve sales performance and the profitability through replenishment and merchandising. 

Only candidates with retail experience and commercial skills will be considered, in order to ensure that sales are driven and that the level of service exceeds customer expectations. 

The salary is dependent upon experience.

Should you require any further information regarding this role, or wish to apply for the position, please contact the HR department on recruitment@bluediamond.gg

I am currently seeking a talented plant manager for a large independent garden centre based in Angus in Scotland.   

I am seeking a manager that is looking for a challenge as this is a busy department in the centre and will need a strong retail manager to run the day to day operations.   

You will have experience managing the financial side of a department and will have good purchasing and merchandising experience. 

A thorough understanding of seasonality is key to this role so a wide and thorough level of plant knowledge is desired for this position. The variety of stock maintained throughout the seasons will require a manager who is up to speed with the product range required in Scotland. 

Experience with Sundries and Pots is also desirable. 

Could suit a candidate looking to relocate. Commuting is possible due to good local transport links.  

For a confidential discussion, please call Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530 quoting reference #7032

I am currently looking for an experienced and commercial retail manager to take up an exciting General Manager role in our thriving garden centre.

The successful candidate will be highly motivated and will be able to maximise performance by leading and inspiring the team to deliver exceptional customer service. 

Responsibilities will include the day to day management of the Garden Centre and all operational, commercial and financial areas of the business. 

Experience working in a retail environment at a senior level is essential and although an interest in Horticulture would be an advantage, no formal qualification is required.  

Salary dependant on skills and experience  

For a confidential discussion, please call Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530 quoting reference #7064

• Are you a talented, experienced, business-focused account manager?
• Do you have a proven track record in developing long-term, profitable relationships with customers?
• Are you a strong team player - someone who can bring fresh ideas, excellent communication skills and plenty of energy to an already dynamic sales team?
• Are you hungry to take your career to the next level within a fast-growing family-owned business?

STV, the UK's leading supplier of pest control products to garden and hardware stores, is looking to recruit an experienced Key Accounts Manager with an impressive contacts book and extensive knowledge of the UK homes and gardens sector.

This office based role is exciting and varied. You will be expected to:

• manage and develop selected national accounts in line with STV’s overall business plan
• build on STV's existing category-leading position
• work with senior managers and STV's commercial team to contribute to the overall sales, marketing and NPD strategies
• provide accurate but challenging revenue, volume and profit forecasts – and achieve them

Think you can do that? Then we’d love to hear from you. Send your CV and covering letter to marketing@stvpestcontrol.com. A full job description is available on request.

         

www.stvpestcontrol.com 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and experienced Retail Manager to join the Blue Diamond Group.  We are currently recruiting for a Centre Manager for St Peters Garden Centre in Jersey. 

Blue Diamond Group is one of the UK’s largest Garden Centre Groups, turning over £70m annually with centres throughout the UK and in the Channel Islands.

Whilst having responsibility for the management of the Garden Centre, the successful candidate will be able to recognise sales trends in detail from our reports package and use this information to improve sales performance and the profitability of the through replenishment and merchandising.

Only candidates with retail management experience and commercial skills will be considered, in order to ensure that sales are driven and that the level of service exceeds customer expectations. 

The salary is dependent upon experience, however up to £50,000 plus benefits.

Should you require any further information regarding this role, or wish to apply for the position, please contact the HR department on recruitment@bluediamond.gg

http://www.bluediamond.gg/

We have an exciting development opportunity to join the team at a large destination garden centre in a senior role within the business.  

This is a great challenge for someone with a background in warehouse management to utilise their skills and experience in developing new and effective procedures which will enable the organisation to make substantial improvements to the movement and storage of our products  

This is a unique and demanding hands -on role, working closely with a small team and which will require an enthusiastic and resilient attitude; it would also be beneficial for candidates to have experience in or understanding of a retail operation and hold a valid fork lift and reach truck licence.

Salary dependant on skills and experience.

To discuss further, please call Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530 quoting reference #7065

I am currently seeking an experienced Assistant Manager for a large independent garden centre based in Angus in Scotland.   

I am seeking an experienced retailer to join the senior leadership of a successful centre and help drive the business forward.  Experience in a equivalent role of 3 years should be sufficient. 

You will have a broad experience managing in retail. A destination site such as this would benefit from a manager with a wide range of experience. Candidates should be from a more quality focussed retail background. 

Although horticultural experience is not essential previous experience working in garden retail previously would be preferred. This position may suit a retail manager looking broader role or a step up.

I am looking for a real leader and fantastic 'man manager' who can deliver aspects of team building and training.  

Could suit a candidate looking to relocate. Commuting is possible due to good local transport links.

For a confidential discussion, please call Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530 quoting reference #7031

Mr Fothergill's Seeds are putting their weight behind a Europe-wide celebration of the once-humble, but now trendy sunflower by introducing nine new varieties, including brand new 'Sunny Babe' and 'Buttercream' F1, to their range for 2015.

The initiative comes from the home gardening division of Fleuroselect, the organisation that assesses new flower varieties from around the world to determine their suitability for European conditions.  Mr Fothergill's Tracy Collacott is the sole UK seed company representative on the Fleuroselect Home Gardening committee.  2015 has been declared the Year of the Sunflower by the organisation, which hopes to see them grown in gardens everywhere.  Easy to grow, great favourites with children and now available in so many different colours and plant forms, sunflowers are really versatile subjects for modern gardens.

Sunny Babe is a multi-stemmed variety, producing an abundance of golden orange 3-4in wide single heads on plants which grow up to 5ft.  ‘Buttercream’ F1 has soft, butter-yellow heads which are pollen-free.  Again multi-stemmed and reaching around 5ft, its blooms are slightly larger at around 6in across.  Both varieties are great for garden display and for cutting.

Other F1 hybrid sunflowers being introduced by Mr Fothergill's include ‘Infrared’ in a range of rich bicolour shades, ‘Summer Breeze’ with unusually green centres and ‘Copper Queen’, a superior 'take' on the traditional sunflower and pollen-free.

Early season growing media sales are now at record volume levels – the highest in seven years of GTN Bestsellers January and February analysis.

Multipurpose compost continues to sell well and soil improvers are seeing big growth – manure is at No 5, No 12 and No 30.

Potting and seed composts are also showing plenty of early greenhouse activity.

• Westland Multipurpose (50 litres) continues at No 1.
• The highest re-entry is Vital Earth Farm Manure (50 litres) at No 12.
• Scotts Miracle-Gro All Purpose Compost (50 litres) is the highest climber, moving up 23 places to No 13.
• The highest new entry is Arthur Bowers John Innes Seed Sowing Compost (35 litres).

Vitax has added to its organic range with the popular 6x brand which includes 6x 100% natural fertiliser and 6x easy spread pellets.

With a host of composts and fertilisers already on the market, 6x provides every gardeners’ needs in just one product.

6x 100% natural fertiliser is a traditional chicken fertiliser but concentrated so that one sack is equivalent to six packs of farm manure.  It contains all the nutrients and trace elements that plants require plus the fibrous, organic content needed to condition the soil.

Gardeners have been using 6x 100% natural fertiliser for over 50 years and because it has a natural pH balance it is great for all plants.  A fully versatile product, it will help open up soil to prevent water-logging if the soil is heavy, whilst if the soil is light it will help hold moisture and add bulk to stabilise it. Available in a 15kg sack.

6x easy spread pellets have all the advantages of 6x 100% natural fertiliser but in a pelleted format.  Easy to spread, the pellets can be used close to the house in patio planters and conservatories.  They are also ideal for use in a spreader for lawns.  It is available in two sizes – an 8kg bucket and a 20kg sack.

For further information on 6x visit:www.vitax.co.uk / www.6-x.co.uk.

According to GTN Bestsellers data, it seems that gardeners are getting ready for growth, with three feeds used in soil preparation moving into the Top 10.

Solar light sales getting brighter again and there is some early lawn activity.

• Westland Organic Chicken Manure Pellets, 2.25kg, has jumped to the top position after being the highest climber the previous week.
• The highest re-entry is Gardman Solar Black Nickel Glass Marker Light.
• Highest new entry of the week is Woodlodge Standard Spang Pot (2.5in).

Onion set sales continue to dominate the Veg-2-Gro sales chart – the top five places being filled with Taylors varieties.

They are headed by Red Baron, which moves up four places.

• The highest climber is at No 8, a jump of 39 places by Taylors Seed Potatoes Taster Pack, Pink Fir Apple.
• One place behind is the highest re-entry – KinderGarden Tomato Gardeners Delight, 4 Cell Plugs.
• KinderGarden also have the highest new entry in Tomato Sweet Million, 4 Cell Plugs.
• Thompson & Morgan have two newcomers in the chart – Pea Kelvedon Wonder and Sweetcorn Early Xtra Sweet F1 Hybrid.

VegTrug, the original, self contained, raised vegetable garden company has launched a wholly owned subsidiary in the USA, which commences trading on March 1. 

The expansion is in response to overseas demand and follows another a year of record sales in the UK, which has shown 32% growth. 

The move sees the UK company’s founding directors taking on new responsibilities.

Paul Owen becomes Managing Director of the UK business and Vice President of the US business. Joe Denham becomes CEO in the UK and President & CEO of the US business.  Kosuke Kuwabara has been appointed as General Manager of VegTrug USA Inc., which is based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

VegTrug attributes its continuing growth to the massive success of its iconic V-shaped product design, combined with the significant sourcing and manufacturing capabilities and investment of its parent, Japanese garden expert,Takasho. 

The V-shaped VegTrug design has a winning combination of aesthetic appeal and superior functionality over and above traditional raised beds, thanks to better soil depths for root crops and larger scale fruit and vegetable growing. 

It has given rise to a number of development products in materials such as aluminium and colourful foldaway synthetic felt (for the VegTrug Poppy) alongside the plantation grown cedar originals. 

These have all proved GYO successes aimed at different price points and consumer lifestyle choices.  Alongside GYO, the company has stretched the brand into birdcare and wildlife gardening and latterly, decorative structures with more development promised for the 2016 season. 

Committed to traditional garden retail routes to market, the company has a significant online presence through which it pioneers an extensive consumer education and demonstration programme.

Joe Denham said: “The company is now five years old and our runaway success in the UK and Europe combined with the backing of Takasho over the last two years has demonstrated massive export opportunities.  Opening a company in the USA is one of the ways in which we intend to maximise our potential globally and continue the mission to make VegTrug a global brand.”

The SnowTime team has got a real spring in their step following a fabulously successful Spring Fair at the NEC, Birmingham earlier this month – the brand’s biggest and most successful show to date!

Sales Director at Trans-Continental Group Ltd, James Marshall says: “It was a culmination of several months’ hard work, planning and preparation, coupled with a steely determination to be the best at what we do; as well as dedicated, teamwork in between! The result was something the entire team can be proud of and we hope our customers can benefit from too. 

“It was great to see a wealth of familiar faces and to be introduced to many new ones. To see and hear the overwhelmingly positive response to SnowTime’s 2015 Collection offers yet more encouragement for another great year. On behalf of myself and our entire team here at Trans-Continental Group, we would like to say a big thank to everybody who visited us for your valued custom and we look forward to working with you and serving you throughout the year.”

SnowTime’s 2015 collection includes hundreds of exciting new products, brand exclusives and 4 new licenses - the biggest yet to be unveiled!

Always keen to share their knowledge and assist customers with those important buying decisions, SnowTime will again be producing their ‘Hidden Gems’ catalogue; a special collection of products, carefully selected from the buying trends at Spring Fair. 

James comments: “Hidden Gems will not contain the obvious lines; it will uncover those important products that may have inadvertently been overlooked; most likely to become Christmas 2015 must-haves and potentially this year’s best-sellers.”  

Six important buyers of garden, leisure and pet products will be at the next ‘Meet the Buyers’ event being staged by the Gardenex and PetQuip export associations on Thursday 26 March 2015 at Lea Marston Hotel, Sutton Coldfield. 

The event is the latest in a series of highly successful ‘Meet the Buyers’ initiatives and will run alongside a number of free workshops, designed to help exporters by providing practical advice, market information and sources of help.

This latest initiative from Gardenex and PetQuip is supported and part-funded by UK Trade & Investment, making it a very cost-effective way for suppliers to meet with key buyers from leading European markets.   

‘Meet the Buyers’ events held by the two associations over many years have all resulted in export business for attending delegates.  This latest initiative will involve buyers from Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Hungary, The Netherlands and Sweden.  All of the buyers have expressed interest in sourcing British products and will be taking part in one-to-one meetings with suppliers whose products are compatible with their requirements. 

The overseas garden product buyers travelling to the UK to meet with British suppliers will be:

• Fausol A/S  – a leading Danish importer and wholesaler of practical gardening accessories for hobby gardeners and producer of soil, mulch and fertiliser. 

• Hortex Oy – a Finnish wholesaler handling quality horticultural products, mainly for home gardeners but also for professionals. Hortex Oy can also help suppliers looking to sell into Estonia.

• Samen Mauser AG – one of the longest established garden-related businesses in Switzerland, wholesaling and distributing seeds, bulbs and garden accessories. 

• Oázis Kertészeti Kft – a leading garden centre chain in 20 stores in Hungary and 2 in Slovakia. The buyer wishes to meet with both garden and pet suppliers. 

The overseas pet product buyers will be:

• Eye4Pets – an importer/distributor of innovative, high quality products for dogs and cats, based in The Netherlands but supplying stores in Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

• Häromi Hundtillbehör AB –a Swedish on-line store focusing on all types of supplies for pet dogs, show dogs and working dogs. 

The event is open to members of Gardenex or PetQuip and to non-members. The deadline for registration for the ‘Meet the Buyers’ meetings and workshop is Monday 2 March 2015.  Details of the workshops, more information on the buyers and how to register for the buyers’ meetings are available from Theresa Swann on e-mail: theresa@gardenex.com

Having won ‘best new hardware product’ at last year’s Totally DIY show, the team behind the world’s first mouldable glue, Sugru, took two ‘best DIY product’ awards at this year’s show at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena.

The first was awarded by the British Hardware Federation, who said the mouldable glue was ‘a great household solution’. The second was awarded by a panel of judges at the annual DIY Week Awards ceremony, who tagged Sugru a “truly innovative and exciting product.”

Inventor and CEO Janeni Dhulchaointigh (pictured right at the show, with colleagues) was delighted with the double win. “This has been a fantastic start to what will be our busiest and best year to date. When we launched the brand online back in 2010, and the first 1000 packs sold out in six hours, we knew we had something special.

“Last year we made great strides in British retail and the challenge for the year ahead will be opening 5000 more doors in the USA. These two awards are undoubtedly dedicated to the team of 35 people working out of a small factory in Hackney who are making this all possible.”

Used by people in over 160 countries, Sugru is made to stick to as many materials as possible forming a strong bond to aluminium, steel, ceramics, glass, wood and other materials, including some plastics and rubbers.

Handy for any number of small home improvement projects, Sugru’s durable cured properties mean it will stay strong and securely bonded anywhere from the freezer to a hot shower, from the garden to the great outdoors.

Sugru was listed at No.22 in TIME Magazine’s Top 50 inventions in the world in 2010 (iPad was No.34).

With all stand space now sold, Casual Dining 2015 will feature over 150 sector leading exhibitors when it returns to the Business Design Centre, in London, next week (February 25-26).

Showcasing a vibrant choice of food and drink, equipment, interior design, furniture, technology and table top supplies, the most recent additions to the eclectic line-up include Belvoir Fruit Farms; World Beers, Bear Brewery; frying oil filter machine specialists VITO UK; and Venue10, previewing its new reservation and marketing platform.

McCain Foodservice (GB), Cheese Cellar, Potts Partnership, Stokes Sauces, Purbeck Ice Cream, Lamb Weston / Meijer, Pidy, Liberty Wines, UCC Coffee UK & Ireland, Glen Dimplex Professional Appliances, and Winterhalter, are just some of the exhibitors also unveiling new launches at this year’s Casual Dining.

The latest exhibitor news includes the announcement of a brand new carbonated drink from innocent drinks, typically known for its juices and smoothies.  While Appletiser (Coca-Cola Enterprises), recently named Official Soft Drink of Ascot Racecourse, is offering great deals on both their classic Apple and new Apple & Pomegranate 275ml variants.  Appletiser also has two pairs of Premier Admission tickets to an Ascot Raceday to be won at the show. 

Casual Dining attracts big name brands

Thousands of hospitality and foodservice buyers from some of country’s biggest pub groups and restaurant chains are preparing to gather at Casual Dining 2015.  They include representatives from well-known brands like JD Wetherspoons, ASK Italian, GBK, Browns, Burger & Lobster, Carluccio’s, Harvester, La Tasca, Mitchells & Butlers, Pizza Express, Pizza Hut, Greene King, TGI Fridays, Whitbread, Nando’s, Zizzi, The Restaurant Group (Frankie & Benny's, Chiquito, Garfunkel's), Tragus Group (Café Rouge, Bella Italia, Strada), Wagamama, and more.

Leading foodservice contract caterers (like BaxterStorey, Bidvest 3663, Elior, Harbour & Jones and Sodexo), hotels (including The Ritz, Four Seasons, Generator Hostels, GLH Hotels, AB Hotels, and more), plus over a 1,000 independent outlets are also among the ‘who’s who’ of buyers pre-registered to attend.

Continuing widespread support from across the industry has also helped to shape this year’s Keynote Theatre programme, which includes sessions by Karen Forrester (TGI Friday’s), Stephen Holmes (ASK Italian and Zizzi), Alasdair Murdoch (GBK), Scott Macdonald (Bill’s), Kate Nicholls (The ALMR), and industry legend Ian Neill (in conversation with CGA Peach's Peter Martin).  Martin is also hosting a casual dining pioneer panel debate featuring Martin Morales (Ceviche), Harald Samuelsson (Côte), Brandon Stephens (Tortilla).

While this year’s Propel Info Panel, hosted by Paul Charity, will feature four leading multi-site pub operators discussing how they are diversifying their offering.  Panellists include James Nye (Anglian Country Inns), Tim Foster (Yummy Pub Company), Oliver Thain (Cambscuisine), and Kevin Charity (Bulldog Hotel Company).

New show features include a second theatre dedicated to Drinks Innovation and the Speciality Wine Village, which joins the Craft Beer & Cider Showcase and Artisan Spirit and Cocktail Lounge.

Casual Dining returns to the Business Design Centre, in Islington, London, on Wednesday and Thursday 25-26 February 2015.  To register for a free trade pass, visit www.casualdiningshow.co.uk

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 2012 as well as 2013 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 upto 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 Veg-2-Gro 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.