In This Issue
Kärcher watering range set for New Year UK launch
Trelawney deals make it sweet 16 for Blue Diamond…and 142 for Wyevale?
Half-term will kick Christmas into gear
New website will help garden centres promote Garden Re-Leaf Day events
Longacres launch first UK garden centre 'click and collect' bays
Last chance to nominate your teams for The Greatest Christmas Awards 2014
Two promoted on Kingfisher sales team
If catering and food are your growth areas our new Food Xtra will help you
Join Carol, Bob, Adam, Pat and Chris on the Santa Run
Planteria Manager
Garden Care Team Leader - Hertfordshire
Assistant Centre Manager
Nursery Site Manager - West Sussex
Garden Centre Manager - Hampshire
E-Commerce Marketing Executive - Worcestershire
Pundits believe Dobbies could be on Tesco sell-off agenda
GCA Rising Stars finalists announced
Former Wyevale exec to join B&Q?
Christmas is 'Frozen"....
Garden product sales could do with a leg-up from Jack Frost
Still a whole lot of growing going on...
Hard landscaping sales paved the way in September
Possible candle scam - beware
Glee TV draw raises cash for charity
Allensmore to supply Christmas wreath for 10 Downing Street
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
Situations Vacant
Planteria Manager
Circa £23k, Scotland
 
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Garden Care Team Leader - Hertfordshire
Up to £20,000pa
Read more»
Assistant Centre Manager
Circa £28K, Scotland
 
Read more»
Nursery Site Manager - West Sussex
Up to £25,000pa
Read more»
Garden Centre Manager - Hampshire
Up to £30,000pa
Read more»
E-Commerce Marketing Executive - Worcestershire
Up to £26,000pa
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Contact us with your news.  Email neil.pope@tgcmc.co.uk, or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call the GTN News team on 01733 775700

 


Kärcher watering range set for New Year UK launch


The watering range unveiled by Kärcher to great acclaim at Glee in September is to be rolled  out to UK garden centres in the New Year...



The watering range unveiled by Kärcher to great acclaim at Glee in September is to be rolled  out to UK garden centre in the New Year.

The launch is designed to bring insight, innovation and investment to the watering category and create new profit opportunities for retailers.

The range was developed following intensive research by Kärcher into how UK gardeners view, use and shop for watering products. The resulting shopper solution is designed to engage and inspire the target customer,  driving increases in weight and frequency of purchase and market penetration, with the ultimate aim of growing the UK market.

The comprehensive range of high quality watering products will be distributed UK-wide launch direct from Karcher’s European factories through Handy Distribution, a highly regarded and well established UK distributor. Handy are offering short lead times and a minimum order drop of only £150. Kärcher’s European manufacturing base and UK warehousing will ensure continuity of supply.

Marketing support for the launch will be spearheaded by a national TV campaign during key Spring weeks, backed up by digital and press activity. This above-the-line activity will be accompanied by a national PR campaign, including extensive social media engagement.

With garden centre partners, Kärcher are keen to install watering bays during January and February ahead of the season. There is the option of 2.5m or 3.75m wall bays or a free standing fixture, complemented by a combination of an Auto-Reel FSDU and a pre-season promotional tower.

As with their previous category launches, like the Window Vac, Kärcher have left no stone unturned and aim to quickly establish themselves as a customer-focussed and dynamic manufacturer within the category. 

Over and above the watering range, Kärcher will also offer Pressure Washers and Window Vacs at key selling periods.

The company believe their plans willsignificantly contribute to the sector’s performance in 2015 and present new and existing garden centre partners with exciting sales opportunities.

To discuss the Kärcher watering range further, contact Danny Adamson on 07921 409014 or via e-mail danny.adamson@karcher.co.uk

 
Trelawney deals make it sweet 16 for Blue Diamond…and 142 for Wyevale?
Wyevale also poised for acquisition in Wales?
Trelawney Garden Centre at Wadebridge will become the Blue Diamond Group’s 16th outlet next week, following a deal with the owners that also includes a second unbuilt destination centre the Cornish company has had on the drawing board for almost 10 years. Meanwhile, Trelawney's Barnstaple centre is understood to have been bought by Wyevale...



Above: Trelawney owners David Symons (left) and David Danning

Trelawney Garden Centre at Wadebridge will become the Blue Diamond Group’s 16th outlet next week, following a deal with the owners that also includes a second unbuilt destination centre the Cornish company has had on the drawing board for almost 10 years. Meanwhile, Trelawney's Barnstaple centre is understood to have been bought by Wyevale, although a spokesman for the group declined to comment (the company's standard response to speculation).

Blue Diamond are to take a 25-year lease on the £4.6 million turnover Wadebridge site, where the business was founded 44 years ago by Frank Danning and has been run by his son David in partnership with David Symons for the past 40 years.

Guernsey-based Blue Diamond have also agreed to take a similar lease on the site at Probus, near Truro, for which a new planning application will be submitted following the expiry of the original permission based on ground-breaking designs by Malcolm Scott Consultants. The targeted opening date is now spring 2016.

Trelawney’s other garden centre, at Ashford near Barnstaple, is to be sold to Wyevale, but further details were not available as this edition was being finalised. 

“We are confident that the business and all our loyal staff at Wadebridge will be in very good hands under Blue Diamond,” David Danning told GTN Xtra today. “We run it as a family business and I think Blue Diamond will be keen to see run it along the same lines.”

Alan Roper, chief executive of Blue Diamond, said he was very pleased to have secured the deal. “The business and its customers are a perfect fit for our retail ethos and the Trelawney brand will be in safe hands. The name will live on.”

The sale was disclosed to staff on Thursday. “It was a tough meeting,” Danning said.

Although the Probus project must go through the planning process with new plans by Blue Diamond, it is believed to have the support of local planning officials in an area where a destination centre would benefit tourism.

Danning, a former chairman of the Garden Centre Association, and Symons are to stay on to help Blue Diamond develop the Probus site. Danning says he may eventually take a role within the Blue Diamond buying operation, while Symonds will take temporary “retirement” until the Probus project gets under way. The pair will retain ownership of the land and buildings on both lease sites.

The acquisition will take Blue Diamond’s combined annual turnover to more than £80 million.

Meanwhile, Wyevale is believed to be poised to buy yet another centre, possibly on Welsh soil.

Left: The two Davids receiving a GCA Centre of Excellence Award.

Half-term will kick Christmas into gear
It’s been a slower start for Christmas sales so far this year, according to Epos data supplied for GTN Bestsellers, so all eyes and tills will be on sales during half term week...




It’s been a slower start for Christmas sales so far this year, according to Epos data supplied for GTN Bestsellers, so all eyes and tills will be on sales during half term week.

 Interest in Christmas events is certainly running at an all-time high.  Ruxley Manor report that their Christmas Grotto tickets all but sold out within two weeks of opening their on-line ticket sales.  “We are ahead of last year,” said MD Andrew Evans, “and with our Christmas displays now fully open we’re expecting a busy half term.”

 At Chessington Garden Centre a host of Halloween events includes a Spooky Zoo, Scary films and a Spooky Tea for half term. MD Jolyon Martin said: “We are using Halloween to create new garden centre events in advance of our award winning Christmas Grotto.  We’ve got a good level of bookings on-line with Halloween itself the best day.”

The Wyevale group’s Bridgmere store is also advertising a Skeleton Hunt, Creepy Crafts and a Wicked Witch Ball.

The weather may of course play a part in sales volumes over the next few weeks.  A colder spell with some frosts would boost wild bird care sales as well as get more people thinking about Christmas. 

 
Above: weeks 36 to 42 Top 50 volumes

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

l Garden Products – down 162%

l Xmas Products  – down 40%

l Growing Media – up 14%

l All items index – down 16%

 To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers, email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

New website will help garden centres promote Garden Re-Leaf Day events


A new website has been launched that allows garden centres to publicise their Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day events to customers, local and national press and a much wider audience via social media...



A new website has been launched that allows garden centres to publicise their Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day events to customers, local and national press and a much wider audience via social media.

Hundreds of garden retailers are expected to participate in the fourth annual Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day, which takes place on 27 March 2015 to help boost the early spring sales season, whilst raising funds for Greenfingers, the charity dedicated to creating gardens in UK children’s hospices.

Garden centres who register on the website can take advantage of free publicity for their events, by filling in a form online at www.gardenreleaf.co.uk/register-an-event.

Once registered, listed events searchable by area. Early registration on the site will also mean events can be publicised by the central Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day communications team, bringing industry wide recognition to individual garden centres’ fundraising plans.

Garden Re-Leaf Day founder and Greenfingers trustee Boyd Douglas-Davies, CEO of Hillview Garden Centres, is enthusiastic about the new website: “This is a fantastic opportunity for all garden retailers, especially those looking to ensure the best promotion of their fantastic Garden Re-Leaf Day events which is so important to the success of the day, “ he said. “In just five minutes, you can fill in our online form, effortlessly setting the promotional ball rolling, putting yourself in front of customers, local people and the media.”

The website features news, galleries of events from previous years and information on how the money raised is spent, including images of Greenfingers children’s hospice gardens which have already benefited from Garden Re-Leaf Day fundraising.

Event ideas already on the cards include hosting the popular Greenfingers Garden Re-leaf Day Gardening Quiz, getting involved with the Loose Change promotion, simple yet unique ways to put on your own sponsored cycle ride and fun family day activities such as making cress heads and sowing sunflowers (the Home Garden Association’s plant of the year for 2015).

To explore other opportunities for supporting the 2015 event as a supplier, or participating as a retailer, email: info@gardenreleaf.co.uk.

Longacres launch first UK garden centre 'click and collect' bays
Longacres at Bagshot have launched an automated drive-in click-and-collect service, believed to be a UK garden centre ‘first’...


Longacres at Bagshot have launched an automated drive-in click-and-collect service, believed to be a UK garden centre ‘first’. It’s a response to the centre’s growing online business.

Using a dedicated drive-in lane, customers check in at a touch screen kiosk and advance to a nominated parking bay. Staff equipped with mobile devices use the customer name, order reference and parking bay number to deliver items to the car.

Longacres ecommerce manager Mike Ainley says the solution, provided by Collectec, has reduced average customer collection time by more than 50% to just five minutes and freed up staff to take order straight to their cars.

The average check-in time is nine seconds because customers no longer need to search for a parking space, walk into the store or join a queue.

Last chance to nominate your teams for The Greatest Christmas Awards 2014
It’s that time of the year again. Now that your Christmas Displays are open and your Christmas events are selling fast, this is the last chance to nominate your teams in The Greatest Christmas Awards before the judges plan their visit schedules...

The sponsors for The Greatest Christmas Awards are:  

            

It’s that time of the year again. Now that your Christmas Displays are open and your Christmas events are selling fast, this is the last chance to nominate your teams in The Greatest Christmas Awards before the judges plan their visit schedules.

The Greatest Awards team of experts will be out on the road twice this Christmas season, once at the start of November to visit Christmas Display teams and then again in December to meet the teams behind The Greatest Santa events of the year.

Here are the categories you need to nominate your teams for:

  • The Greatest Christmas Display Team – awards for small centre, mid sized centre, destination centre and a centre that is part of a group.
  • The Greatest Grotto Team – regional and national awards for small and large centre teams.
  • The Greatest Christmas Sizzle Team – for exceptional BBQ sales in the run up to Christmas.
  • The Greatest Miniature Christmas Display Team – for teams excelling at displays and sales of miniature Christmas scenes and even the new craze of Fairy Gardening.
  • The Greatest Catering with Santa Team – for teams that create those truly memorable meals with Santa.
  • The Greatest Festive Plant Sales Team – for plant teams who enter into the festive spirit and maximise sales of plants and trees while centre footfall is at it’s highest.

There will also be the chance for your customers to vote for your total garden centre team as The Greatest Garden Centre at Christmas 2014.  Just send your nominations and register for the public voting by e-mail to trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk.

The sponsors for The Greatest Christmas Awards are:  

           


The Greatest Christmas Awards will be presented at The Greatest Christmas Party, sponsored by Premier Decorations, on Sunday 11th January in The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate.  Watch this space for ticket details.

Two promoted on Kingfisher sales team
Kingfisher (Bonnington Plastics) has strengthened its sales team with two promotions.

Kingfisher (Bonnington Plastics) has strengthened its sales team with two promotions.

Hannah Walker (far left) is to become Sales Managerr,  following 14 years with the company during which she has made a significant contribution towards the growth of the business.  She has considerable experience dealing with major store groups, handling national accounts and liaising with Kingfisher's China office.

Louise Lees (above right) is promoted from key accounts manager to internal sales manager.  She has been with the company for five years.

Sales director Sergio Tartaglia said: “Over the past year I have been working towards getting the right people in the sales team to drive this company forward.  Both Hannah and Louise have shown commitment and dedication to Kingfisher over a number of years, and have become part of the company.  That is why I have decided to promote them.  I am confident in their ability to take the company to the next level.”

If catering and food are your growth areas our new Food Xtra will help you
To see our NEW GTN Food Xtra e-mail newsletter...
Join Carol, Bob, Adam, Pat and Chris on the Santa Run

Bob Hewitt, Adam Wigglesworth, Pat Adams and Chris Ramsden have agreed to join Greenfingers Trustee and CEO of The HTA, Carol Paris, in the 2014 Santa Run to raise money for Greenfingers, but more Santa's helpers are still required...


Greenfingers Trustee and CEO of The HTA, Carol Paris is looking for “Santa’s Helpers” to join her in the 2014 Santa Run to raise money for Greenfingers.

Keen runner Carol told GTN Xtra “What a great idea to link into the Santa theme that will be generating so much business for garden centres, but this time to raise money for our industry charity.”

Already, Bob Hewitt - Klondyke Garden Centres, Adam Wigglesworth - Ayletts Garden Centre, Pat Adams - GCA and Chris Ramsden - Suttons Seeds have signed up to run with Carol, but more helpers are still required.

The Santa Run 2014 takes place at Victoria Park in London on Sunday 7th December and Carol is looking for at least 9 other members of the garden industry to join her in the Greenfingers Santa Run team.  The run has options of 5k or 10k.

If you’d like to run with Carol and be a part of the Greenfingers Santa Run Team, please contact Carol via: carol.paris@the-hta.org.uk

More details about the Santa Run can be found at:  http://www.doitforcharity.com/difc-santa-run-2014.aspx

According to the Santa Run website:  No previous experience is required for this event and with a bit of training the 5km or 10km distances should easily be within your capabilities. The spirit of the event is 'taking part' not 'winning' so you can run, jog or walk - you decide!



 
Planteria Manager
Circa £23k, Scotland

An opportunity for an experienced Plantarea Manager to join our business has arisen. You will be responsible for the overall sales and success of the outside plants department. This position requires excellent plant knowledge, along with good plant purchasing skills and the ability to maintain stock to high standards of retailing.

You will be a manager who is confident to lead and inspire a team of staff to achieve high standards. Good horticultural knowledge and excellent management qualities are essential. Excellent package available to the successful candidate. The role involves weekend work.

CV’s can be submitted in the strictest confidence to aileen@brechincastlecentre.co.uk


My client is a large independent garden centre with an award winning pedigree.

This vacancy will be working alongside the centre management team and will have direct responsibility for the product range of this department. I am looking for an ambitious individual who wants to have a sense of ownership over the retail area. 

Retail experience is a must and garden centre retail experience is preferred.

Applicants must have experience of staff management, with a minimum of 1-2 years experience, and be able to lead and inspire a team of up to 13 staff.

They must also have proven buying experience and an ability to successfully negotiate with suppliers.

They must operate with good standards of merchandising and presentation, coupled with an element of creativity. 

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Gillian Muir or apply with your CV, quoting reference #6609 to info@morepeople.co.uk

 
Assistant Centre Manager
Circa £28K, Scotland

The ideal candidate will have 3 years experience at management level, able to manage, motivate and develop a team of staff. 

Excellent cross department experience would be beneficial as there will be multiple areas covered by this role. 

Man management skills along with proven retail skills are key and experience of managing people must be evidenced in your experience. Delivery of training and staff appraisals will be required.

Although not essential, it is desirable that the appointed person will have a good understanding of garden centre retailing, will be a good team leader who is able to prioritise tasks in line with seasonal changes and deliver excellent customer sales and service.

Excellent package available to the successful candidate. The role involves weekend work.

CV’s can be submitted in the strictest confidence to aileen@brechincastlecentre.co.uk

Our Client is grower of quality Nursery Stock destined for the major multiples and garden centre chains. They are currently seeking a driven and experienced Nursery Site Manager who can assist in the culture of quality stock. 

The ideal person will possess:

Knowledge and training within a horticultural discipline preferably from a commercial production background 

Excellent record of managing and supervising staff

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including good IT skills

A strong team builder and player with initiative, drive and enthusiasm who can progress within the company. 

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Gillian Muir or apply with your CV quoting reference #6666 to info@morepeople.co.uk





I am currently looking for an experienced garden centre management candidate to join the team of a large independent garden centre. 

This position will sit underneath the centre manager alongside another assistant manager and will be part of the senior leadership team of the site. 

Excellent cross department experience would be beneficial as there will be multiple areas covered by this role. IT and Horticultural experience would be ideal. 

Man management skills are key and experience managing teams must be evidenced in your experience.

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Gillian Muir or apply with your CV, quoting reference #6658 to info@morepeople.co.uk



Our client is an exciting e-commerce business who source and supply a range wonderful garden products and plants to a discerning mail-order audience across the UK.

They wish to appoint a dynamic E-commerce Manager- Ideally a person with some plant knowledge and good e-commerce experience to run their e-mail marketing, social media and to provide horticultural content to our website.

Someone with fabulous communication skills, real entrepreneurial characteristics, creative flare, drive and with plenty of get up and go!  

Please call Dianne Saunders on 07929 013910 or apply with your CV quoting reference 6653 to info@morepeople.co.uk


Pundits believe Dobbies could be on Tesco sell-off agenda
Tesco’s disappointing second quarter results and surrounding issues have refuelled speculation that the group could sell off Dobbies Garden Centres...

Tesco’s disappointing second quarter results and surrounding issues have refuelled speculation in the city and the financial press that the group could sell off Dobbies Garden Centres.

It could be one a number of peripheral operations earmarked for the chop by the supermarket giant in a bid to turn around its fortunes. Tesco have so far declined to comment on any of them, but Dobbies has been mentioned by a number of retail analysts during the past week.

New chief executive Dave Lewis may consider Dobbies too peripheral to the core food business on which Tesco ultimately depends. However, some believe that garden products and grocery go well together. After all, Waitrose are making a success of it.

Unsurprisingly, with the prospect of juicy bait in the water, analysts have been quick to name Terra Firma, owners of Wyevale Garden Centres, as the nearest predator.

Others remind us that, despite its current troubles, Tesco is still the UKs most profitable supermarket and has shown legendary resilience over many decades.

GCA Rising Stars finalists announced
The names of the five finalists of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) Rising Stars Programme, sponsored by Westland, have been announced...

The names of the five finalists of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) Rising Stars Programme, sponsored by Westland, have been announced.

Kirsty Clark (Perrywood GC), Matthew Fay (Stewarts Garden-Lands, Christchurch), Lisa Waim (Haskins Snowhill), Hannah Mason (Chessington) and Cerys Williams (Perrywood) have all made it through to the final challenge, where they will present at the GCA Conference in Chester on 26 January. The overall winner will be chosen by conference delegates.

The results are the culmination of an eight month programme in which candidates attended three merchandising Masterclasses run by IBBIS director and training facilitator Ian Boardman. Thanks to Ian’s efforts, many of the Rising Stars went on to increase sales in their departments by keeping hotspots fresh, creating clear signage and organising themed displays throughout the year.

Ian Boardman said: “All the Rising Stars who took part in the programme were top notch and I’d like to thank every single one of them for their efforts and praise them for the progress they have made. The results of their achievements in their workplace prove they are all stars in their own right!”

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland Horticulture said: “On behalf of Westland I’d like to congratulate the Rising Stars finalists for getting this far. We now face a very exciting GCA conference final where delegates will get the chance to vote for the winner – Rising Star of the Year 2014.”

GCA chief executive Iain Wylie said: “The five finalists have some really exciting presentations prepared for delegates. It is always the highlight of the GCA conference and this year will definitely not disappoint.”

Watch GTN Xtra over the next few weeks for profiles of all the finalists.

Former Wyevale exec to join B&Q?

Rumours that a former Wyevale Garden Centres executive is about to join B&Q’s gardening division have been gaining ground over the past week...


Rumours that a former Wyevale Garden Centres executive is about to join B&Q’s gardening division have been gaining ground over the past week.

A spokesman at the B&Q media office said he had heard nothing and could therefore neither confirm nor deny the story. “Announcements of that kind are often made early in the month so I suggest you call back in a week or so,” he told GTN Xtra.

 

Christmas sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers Christmas chart have almost frozen this week as the warmer weather continues. The top 50 total is only 6% up on last week, but 40% down on the same week last year.

 However, the success of Disney’s latest animation hit ‘Frozen’ is now feeding through into garden centre sales.

  • Two Disney ‘Frozen’ books from Baker & Taylor are new into the Top 50 this week.
  • Kaemingk’s white Polar Bear with glitter is the highest climber, up 20 places to No 9.
  • Premier Decorations have 23 lines in this weeks Top 50.

 To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers, email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Garden product sales could do with a leg-up from Jack Frost
Frost may not be the gardener's best friend but we could do with some soon to help pep up garden product sales...

Frosts sooner rather than later will be welcome. Although the growing season, and lawn care in  particular, have extended way beyond previous years, a drop in temperature will re-invigorate garden product sales with the need to protect plants, pots and taps from the cold weather.

  • Scotts Evergreen Lawn Soil is the highest re-entry at.No 7.
  • Gardman’s Ice Orb Solar light is the highest climber, up 30 places to No 9.
  • Tree ties and tree stakes feature in the Top 50 as a result of the predicted high winds.

 To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers, email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Still a whole lot of growing going on...

Core gardening activity continues at levels much higher than the past two years, as sales of growing media in this week's GTN Bestsellers chart indicate...


Core gardening activity continues at levels much higher than the past two years as sales of growing media, recorded in the GTN Bestsellers chart, achieve a 37% increase on the same week in 2012 and 14% increase on last year.

  • Scotts Levington farmyard manure 56L is the highest climber this week. Sales are up 214% as the line moves up 34 places to No 14.
  • Westland Landscape Bark 100L litres moves up 16 places to No 25.
  • Vital Earth Farm Manure 50L moves into the top 20 at No 18.

 

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers, email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 
Hard landscaping sales paved the way in September
Sales of hard landscaping sales increased by 27% at GCA garden centres in September - thanks to the continuing good weather...


The continuing dry weather in September saw hard landscaping sales increase by 27.12% compared to the same month last year, according to the Garden Centre Association’s Barometer of Trade returns.

Hard landscaping sales were up 27.12% for the month as compared to September, 2014 according to the results, which are the only official GCA September trading figures to be released.

GCA chairman Will Armitage said the mild and dry September had definitely contributed to increased purchases of products to improve outdoor spaces.

Furniture and barbeques also sold well during the month, up 19.03% up, with outdoor plants up 14.64%, garden sundries up 12.48%, houseplants up 7.25% up and catering up 4.6%.

The GCA reports are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results.

The reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

Matthew Bent, MD of Bents Garden & Home said the good summer weather had helped to make 2014 “a fantastic year”.

“During the summer months anything garden related proved successful, from our plants and garden care products to garden furniture and outdoor living. This trend continued through to September as customers were keen to make the most of the continued warmer weather.

“We, like most other garden centres, experienced increased sales in garden furniture, accessories and outdoor lifestyle, with figures significantly up on both budget and  last year’s figures. It has been a great end to the summer and further demonstrates the importance of good weather.”

At Coolings in Kent, catering has been a star performer. MD Gary Carvosso said year to date catering figures were 13 per cent up. “We are budgeting for £1m turnover this year,” he said. “The key areas for growth have been hot food, coffee and cake in that order. We pride ourselves on serving fresh food, and serving the food direct from the kitchen.

“We introduced a coffee loyalty card to our ‘Arthurs’ restaurant this year, which has lifted coffee sales and we now have two bakers full time supplying almost 100% homemade  cakes. Afternoon tea has also been a very popular introduction this year.”

Possible candle scam - beware
The HTA have asked us to pass on the following information about a possible telephone scam, involving the purchase of candles...

The HTA have asked us to pass on the following information:  

"A member in Hertfordshire has alerted us to a possible telephone scam, involving Yankee Candles.

"The customer rang up to place a telephone order for 140 Yankee Candles worth £15 and £19 each, as “wedding gifts”. She couldn’t come in to the store, so she said she would pay by credit card over the phone and  her mother would call in later to collect them for her.

"The store became suspicious when she wouldn’t leave a phone number for a return call and questioned her further when she did ring back. They also said they would take payment in cash, if the customer called into the store. She did eventually leave a telephone number – but it wasn’t working when the store called back. They haven’t been in to collect and pay for the goods.

 "This may have been genuine, but the concern is that the pair may have been working a scam using a stolen credit card, which would become invalid once the goods were taken."

The HTA suggest you make your staff aware of the issue.

Glee TV draw raises cash for charity
The Premier Barbecook / Finlux TV promotion that was drawn at GLEE and won by Sue Travis at Barton Grange...

The Premier Barbecook / Finlux TV promotion that was drawn at GLEE and won by Sue Travis at Barton Grange has now raised £300 for a very worthy charity.

The TV was auctioned last Saturday night at a Ball for Sutty’s Shooting Stars which is a local charity set up by a couple who lost their son after he fell from a 3rd floor window in New York. He was a football coach and their charity supports clubs who get kids involved in sport and they also run a football academy for 4-7 year olds.

Guy Topping reports "It is a brilliant charity and they were so grateful for the support."

 
Allensmore to supply Christmas wreath for 10 Downing Street
Allensmore Nurseries Limited are the Winner of ‘The Best Festive Wreath’ competition for 2014...

Allensmore Nurseries Limited are the Winner of ‘The Best Festive Wreath’ competition for 2014.

The competition is organised by ‘The British Christmas Tree Growers Association’ and as a result Allensmore will supply this year’s wreath to the front door of Number 10 Downing Street.

Allensmore Nurseries produce in excess of 100,000 wreaths from their nursery in Herefordshire’s Golden Valley for retailers throughout the UK.

Brian Taylor, the Chairman of Allensmore Nurseries said "it was an honour to have been selected from the many British wreath suppliers who entered this year."

Here are the rest of the BCTGA Awards results:

DOUBLE WIN FOR HEREFORD IN CHRISTMAS TREE CONTEST

It’s a double victory for the county of Hereford, after two Christmas Tree growers picked up top prizes in the British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association’s annual competition.

Results were declared today at the event in Oxfordshire, confirming who from the Association’s large membership of growers will get to present a Christmas Tree to Downing Street for the festive season.

Colin Griffith, of Dinmore Hill Christmas Trees in Wellington, Hereford, was announced as the winner of the Champion Tree category.

A tree from his farm will now take pride of place outside Number 10 from the first week of December.

Meanwhile, in the Champion Wreath category, Brian Taylor – of Allensmore Nurseries in Hereford – was awarded top prize.

Over 100 growers took part in this year’s national competition, with prizes awarded by John Howell, Conservative MP for Henley.

The event saw hopeful contenders – who span in age from 18 to 80 – come together to showcase their trees to expert growers, and be judged by fellow members.

Each farmer, who will have spent around 10 years nurturing the tree to full ‘competition’ height, is able to enter categories including Best Nordman, Best Other Fir, Best Pine, Best Norway Spruce, Best Other Spruce, Best Container Grown, and Best Festive Wreath.

Finalists were permitted to submit only one tree into each category, and trees entered must be commercially cultivated and be 1.8 metres ( +/- 400mms) high from base to tip. Each is judged for foliage, colour, shape and marketability.

Following the verdict from the prestigious competition day, the winning grower supplies Downing Street’s 20 ft Christmas tree, while the winner of the wreath category creates a wreath to hang at the front door of Number 10.

Runner up of the Champion Tree category – which this year went to Swansea grower Rob Morgan, of Gower Fresh Christmas Trees – is then asked to provide the tree for INSIDE Number 10. It will be placed in the Pillared Room for the season.

Harry Brightwell, secretary of the British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, said: “We were thrilled with the standard of entries this year, and with the huge effort put in by such a large number of growers.

“The competition is taken very seriously by all members and the winners deserve huge applause for their achievement.”

He added: “We view the contest as a chance to recognise what incredible year-round work goes into being a Christmas tree farmer. Now we simply encourage all homeowners to consider a British grown tree for their seasonal celebrations this year.”

 
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts...

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra 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 Christmas Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

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

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

 


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

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnoiver 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.

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