Ken Davies, Director of Area Sales for LeisureGrow also commented “LeisureGrow would like to thank Choice Members for an exceptional and well attended show. Buyers are proactive in visiting stands, viewing products and placing orders, making the event extremely worthwhile. Working with Choice is collaborative, engaging and rewarding in many ways. Being awarded the 2023 Furniture and Outdoor Living supplier of the year award, is an absolute honour”.

other winners copy etc

See GTN's photo gallery of the Choice Marketing Conference Awards and Trade Show below

As well as innovative new product launches, Charles Taylor has continued with its smart promotions on original product lines at original prices.

In the early days Charles Taylor introduced the £99 retail Two-Seater Bench which quickly accelerated the company’s growth and footprint within the industry. With its buying power of raw materials Charles Taylor has announced that this key retail price is achievable for the 2024 season.

Director Richard Ball said: “It’s great news for our loyal base of customers that the nett cost on this key line is reduced to be able to provide a fantastic retail price point of £99.

“The bench is fantastic, quality manufactured in the UK from FSC sustainable sourced raw materials, and with an oil-based water repellent offering. It also comes with a unique 10-year rot-free guarantee.

“We have the raw materials in stock to supply at this special price for the 2024 season, providing not only quality but tremendous value for money. BUY BRITISH!”

HEX Living hosted their first Golf Day at the fabulous JCB Golf & Country Club in Staffordshire. Helping raise money for the incredible charity MIND North Staffs, who offer constant support and help to people struggling with and fighting mental health problems.

With complete wall-to-wall sunshine, there was nothing not to enjoy whilst experiencing this fantastic venue. Starting the day with breakfast in the Champions Lounge, the driving range had a good proportion of round preparation before the first tee at 10 a.m. Throughout the day, guests joined in the popular Beat The Pro, Longest Drive, and Closest Pin and, of course, took their chances with the iconic 17th hole, over the water before finishing the course and heading to the bar for a well-deserved drink and rest.

Evening entertainment included a delicious three-course meal, prize presentations, a raffle, and a comedy sketch from the highly popular and hilarious John Stiles. 

The day ran seamlessly from start to finish, with guests truly digging deep, resulting in a wonderful £1986 raised for MIND North Staffs.

HEX Living would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to our amazing guests for such a memorable and fun-filled day. We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did!

www.hexliving.co.uk

Certikin International Ltd, the UK leading wet leisure specialist, has concluded the acquisition of Bermuda, the water gardening and pond equipment brand, from Evolution Aqua Ltd. The move comes following five years of partnership between Certikin and Evolution Aqua which saw the Bermuda brand return to the UK market and flourish.

Through this partnership Evolution Aqua managed the sales and marketing functions of the business whilst Certikin managed the logistical and accounting elements - now all functions come under the control of Certikin.

“The acquisition of the Bermuda brand is great timing for Certikin and we aim to take it to its next stage of development in the market, whilst retaining the key personnel and brand identity that are important to Bermuda” says Steve Nelson, Commercial Director of Certikin

For our existing Bermuda customers it is business as usual as you have already been dealing with Certikin for the accounts side and your existing contact will still be Bob Meacham or Adam James.

Bermuda products will join the existing ranges from Certikin, including Heissner and AquaForte, which are already distributed in the water gardening and aquatics market. By combining ranges Certikin will be able to offer a complete portfolio of products for this unique and exciting market.

This week the task of decorating a display Christmas tree was set for a team from GIMA who auctioned their time as part of a Greenfingers charity raffle during this summer’s GIMA Golf Day.

The highest bidder was Allison Novell and her son Josh, owners of Polhill Garden Centre in Kent, where Dan Banning, Head of Retail, gave Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director; Jenny Douthwaite, President and Kate Ebbens, Vice President, hints and tricks of the trade during their briefing. He stressed the importance to creating depth by arranging lights far into the boughs of the tree and using decorations in groups of three for maximum effect.

They set about with vim and vigour even though neither Vicky, Jenny or Kate had decorated a display tree in the past. “It’s a definite skill’, said Vicky, “and it makes you appreciate how much time and effort goes into decorating trees for Christmas displays.” 

Several hours, 150 baubles and 4000 lights later, the tree looked magnificent. “I didn’t know it was so technical,” said Kate. Jenny was unaware just how many decorations the tree would need. “I’m clearly not buying enough lights for my tree at home!” she said.

Dan said he appreciated the time and effort given by the GIMA team which contributed to the store’s Christmas offering. Already 80% has been completed and the aim is to have all the displays finished for the half term school holidays in October.

The final total raised for Greenfingers during the Golf Day will be unveiled at the GIMA Awards on 19^thOctober.

The Greenfingers Charity has been selected by the President of the Sandringham Association of Royal Warrant Holders (SARWH) as his chosen charity.

Over the next year, The Greenfingers Charity will benefit from a wide range of fundraising activities undertaken by SARWH. This includes their annual charity event for over 250 members and their guests held in a marquee located at the end of the Royal Procession at the Sandringham Flower Show on 31st July 2024.

President Johan Huibers, who alongside his wife Rachael run Tamar Nurseries in Norfolk, has long seen the impact of Greenfingers’ work and how the garden retail sector has embraced the charity. With a number of royal warrant holders already supporting the work that Greenfingers undertakes, Johan felt that his year of the presidency was the perfect time to extend this support further.

Johan Huibers said: “I am so pleased to be able to support the Greenfingers Charity throughout 2024. There is no question that this is a wholly deserving charity, with great synergies with many of our warrant holders as well as my personal background. I sincerely hope that our fundraising efforts, and that of Tamar Nurseries, over the next 12 months will enable the team to continue to build such important garden spaces at children’s hospices long into the future.”

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications at the Greenfingers Charity added: “We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to Johan, Rachael, and SARWH for their incredible gesture of generosity. We have no doubts that their support will offer real value to our charity and our work during this wonderful partnership.”

About The Royal Warrant Holders Association

The Royal Warrant Holders Association was founded in 1840. The Head Office in London is supported by five local Associations based in Windsor, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Highgrove, and Sandringham.

SARWH was founded in 1979 and has over 100 members who supply the Royal Household. It supplements the parent Association by promoting relationships with the Sandringham Estate and holding local social and business events. 

Find out more

You can also join in the conversation by joining Greenfingers on social media - https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn

Dobbies is supporting the Tree Council’s seed gathering campaign with a special edition of its Little Seedlings Club workshop on Sunday 1 October. The free event will offer children aged 4-10 the chance to learn about "Super Seeds" and the vital role they play in bettering the environment and wider ecosystem.

Seed Gathering Season, a month-long campaign run by The Tree Council, begins on the Autumn equinox on September 23, and is a crucial time of year where everyone can get involved in gathering tree seeds, nuts and fruits that will grow to become the next generation of life-giving trees, shrubs and hedgerows.

The workshop on 1 October will be a fun and interactive morning led by Dobbies’ gardening experts. Children will be introduced to a variety of seeds commonly found in gardens and parks, including pinecones, sycamore and apples.

The workshop will delve into the essential role seeds and plants play in nature, from producing oxygen to providing food and habitats for animals, as well as enriching the soil. Dobbies' gardening experts will demonstrate the journey of tree growth, from planting to germination, helping children understand how seeds travel, whether that’s through the wind, animal fur, or many other ways in everyday nature. 

There will be a special focus on acorns and oak trees, showcasing their unique characteristics and remarkable lifespan of up to 1,000 years. Kids will also get the chance to create their very own acorn collage to take home, fostering their connection with nature.

Dobbies’ Community and CSR Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, said: "We're thrilled to join forces with our good friends at The Tree Council for this special Little Seedlings workshop. At Dobbies we have a commitment to nurture young minds and ensure the preservation of our natural environment for future generations.”

Chief Executive from The Tree Council, Sara Lom, added: “At the Tree Council we are committed to helping young people connect, learn, share and care about the vital role trees play in our environment.  By partnering with Dobbies, we can reach a wide audience of engaged youngsters who will help inspire the next generation to protect and nurture trees for people, wildlife and our planet.”

Dobbies is supporting the planting of 500 trees and 100 metres of hedgerows across the UK, as part of its partnership with The Tree Council, formed in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. This commitment from Dobbies, alongside 69 like-minded and green–hearted partners, will see over 35,000 trees and 7 kilometres of hedgerows planted across the country

For more information about how to take part, visit October Little Seedlings Club Workshop | Dobbies Garden Centres.

To find out more about The Tree Council’s Seed Gathering Campaign, visit Seed Gathering Season - The Tree Council

Premium garden furniture brand Bramblecrest has announced a new partnership with Dormy House, the award-winning Cotswolds rural retreat hotel & SPA.

The collaboration has resulted in a newly designed ‘Bramblecrest Back Garden’ concept in the lush gardens at Dormy House, connected to the Michelin rated Back Garden restaurant and MO, the chef’s table dining experience.

The Bramblecrest Back Garden features multiple branded zones for drinking, dining, and relaxing outdoors, showcasing a range of their popular garden furniture, including the classic style Sahara sets in the main Back Garden patio as well as the intimate Pagoda at the end of the garden. Also on display is Bramblecrest’s modern La Rochelle corner sofa and bench set with a showstopping firepit centerpiece positioned on a raised terrace platform for special cosy moments.

Other key design elements in the Bramblecrest Back Garden include statement outdoor mirrors, a picture-perfect wooden trellis covered in vines and an abundance of colourful potted plants for a scenic English garden experience. As a finishing touch, Bramblecrest has added a selection of their best-selling accessories including assorted scatter cushions, outdoor rugs and festoon lighting giving a homely atmosphere and inspiration for how to create a seamless indoor-outdoor living space.

Dormy House guests can also enjoy a bespoke Bramblecrest Back Garden Spritz cocktail with freshly picked herbs from the garden’s vegetable patch, as well as an exclusive discount code for future Bramblecrest furniture purchases.

Commenting on the partnership Charlotte Baron, Marketing Manager for Bramblecrest said: “Partnering with Dormy House is the perfect match for Bramblecrest, in terms of style and setting. Bringing together our two brands, both equally passionate about outdoor living, has allowed us to create a wonderful experience for the guests and visitors of Dormy House. We look forward to expanding the Bramblecrest Back Garden concept further, over time.”

In addition, Dormy House’s Executive General Manager, Stephen Browning, added: “We are thrilled with the outcome of the Bramblecrest Back Garden and believe this space has transformed an important part of this countryside hotel where guests really want to connect with nature and enjoy the fresh air as much as possible. Already we’ve had amazing feedback from guests, and after seeing the space in person, many have moved existing indoor restaurant bookings to sit here instead. Our Operations team have also been flooded with interest and enquiries about the furniture sets and firepit so we are confident that they will be re-creating their own Bramblecrest Back Gardens at home.” 

The Bramblecrest Back Garden at Dormy House is the first phase of an ongoing partnership with Farncombe, with plans in the works for additional branded collaborations.

Garden and pet product buyers from Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands have confirmed that they will be travelling to the UK to meet with UK suppliers at the next ‘Meet the Buyers’ event being staged by the Gardenex and PetQuip associations.  

The event will be held on Wednesday 18 October 2023 at the Federation’s offices in Brasted, Kent (just off junction 6 of the M25). 

It is the latest in a series of highly successful ‘Meet the Buyers’ initiatives organised by the two associations; during the COVID travel restrictions, the associations operated successful ‘virtual’ meet the buyer events but this will be a welcome return to an in-person event with face-to-face discussions between the buyers and potential suppliers. 

This latest initiative from Gardenex and PetQuip is a very cost-effective way for suppliers to meet with key buyers from leading overseas markets.   

The international buyers travelling to the UK to meet with British suppliers are:

GARDEN BUYER:

A manufacturer of greenhouses that is also one of the leading German mail-order companiesspecialising in garden products.  The company’s main focus is on greenhouses, greenhouse accessories, cold frames and quality practical gardening equipment from tools and pest deterrents to composters and water butts, but it also offers a small range of garden decoration, outdoor leisure and wild-bird/wild-life items.  The company is a family business and in 2023 is celebrating its 50^thanniversary.  It issues every year in January around 1 million printed catalogues (the 2023 edition is 126 pages) and also sells all products via its online store. Its manufacturing base, administration offices and warehousing extend over more than 16,000m² and it employs around 70 staff.  The company already imports from a number of Gardenex members.

The buyer is looking for new quality garden products to expand the range.

GARDEN & PET BUYERS

The company is part of a privately-owned Swiss online retail group, which had sales of CHF1.17 billion in 2022, 1.2 million private and business customers and over 1,250 staff.  It has a 75,000m² state-of-the-art e-commerce logistics centre.  The company buys and holds at the logistics centre a range of 250,000 items from 4,700 manufacturers and ships 3.9 million packages a year.  The logistics centre alone employs over 630 staff and uses 400 robots.  

The firm is the largest independent B2C online shop in Switzerland and supplies customers in its home market and Liechtenstein.  It offers a broad spectrum of products: IT & multimedia, home & living, supermarket & drugstore, family & baby, DIY & hobby as well as sport & leisure.  The garden range includes practical accessories, tools and irrigation, decoration & lighting, furniture & barbecues.  The pet range covers food, care, toys and accessories for dogs, cats, rodents, fish and reptiles – along with accessories for wild-birds and other garden creatures. It also operates a number of other online stores including one for professionals, one for IT, telecoms, security, themed specials, home & living and healthcare.

The garden and pet buyers are both taking part in our event.  They are looking for new, complementary items to add to its B2C range.  The garden buyer is open to all kinds of items suitable for online sale.  The pet buyer is interested in food, equipment and accessories for all types of pet. 

PET BUYERS:

A Dutch chain of 15 wholly-owned garden and pet centres, all but one of which includes a veterinary clinic, grooming parlour and dog-wash. There is also an online shop.  While most of the stores are large format (the biggest being 14,500m²), it has recently started developing a smaller 1,500m² city store concept too.  The total sales area is 165,000m². The company has recently acquired another garden centre which is currently being remodeled and modernised and will open as the firm’s 16^th centre in March 2024.  

The chain has a much greater emphasis on pet than is the case in most UK garden centres; pet sales contribute around 50% of its overall turnover.  Its pet sections stock a broad range of up to 8,000 items, including food, pet care and accessories for dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, fish and reptiles.  The focus is on offering both a broad and an in-depth range to differentiate it from its competitors.    

Two pet buyers are taking part.  They are looking for new, innovative items for all kinds of pets, along with wild bird products.  They are particularly interested in expanding their rodent, aquatics and caged bird sections. For rodents, they are looking for food, accessories and bedding – and also any Christmas present type items.  They are also interested in suppliers of dog and/or cat food that are prepared to give them exclusivity for the Dutch market.  Other specific requests include everyday purchases for horses (ie not saddles), and accessories to prevent boredom in chickens.  Sustainability and durability are important – brands should have a story behind them.  The buyers are purchasing for the firm’s vet clinics as well as for the stores.

‘Meet the Buyers’ events held by the two associations over many years have all resulted in export business for attending delegates.  To ensure that you don’t miss out on the opportunity to apply for 25 minute one-to-one meetings with any of the buyers on 18 October, please contact eleanor@gardenex.com , eleanor@petquip.com as soon as possible.

Gardenex and PetQuip are trade associations that work on behalf of British companies to help their members increase sales worldwide.

Tel:  +44 (0) 1959 565995   www.gardenex.com or www.petquip.com

Quality – and quantity – were the themes of the bumper PATS Telford 2023 show, with exhibitors and visitors alike commenting on the amount of great business being done across the two days.

The second day started off as busy as the first with pet retailers and industry professionals flooding through the doors eager to see the array of innovations coming to market.

With more than 260 companies and brands showcasing hundreds of new products in all three halls of Telford International Centre, it proved to be a record-breaker.

There was also a lot of excitement around the news that PATS Telford 2024 would become a three-day show.

Exhibitors found they were busy from the start with a steady stream of inquiries. Rogz experienced lots of interest in its New Product Award-winning product range. Sallie-Ann Reed, the company’s managing director for UK and Ireland, said: “We’ve had an amazing show. It’s great to see so much support for the exhibition and I’ve been particularly pleased with the interest shown it our product ranges. PATS Telford creates a real buzz in the UK pet industry, and I’m 100% behind the move to a three-day show next year.”

Ancol Pet Products was another exhibitor welcoming the prospect of showcasing its products over three days from 2024 onwards, with director Simon Lane saying: “This year’s show has been brilliant. Our stand was busy from start to finish and there was a good mix of retailers and buyers showing interest in our ranges. I really love the idea of being able to have an extra day.

And Daniel Vander, of we.pet, said: “It’s been a very busy show for us. We’ve taken on some new customers and new orders and we really like the layout this year – another great show!”

Rita Sohal, relationship manager at Earthbound UK, commented: “We’ve had a really nice steady flow through the stand with a lot of new customers and people looking to restock or take on new business. A few customers told us the New Starter Zone was a draw for them and we think that has been a great attraction for those looking for something new and innovative.”

Cristina Gavilan, category manager at Company of Animals, added: “It’s been a great show – we’ve had a lot of visitors, a lot of interest and already a few orders. Now we are planning on a few innovations for the next one.”

Meanwhile, first-time exhibitor Oh So Precious was thrilled with its decision to take a stand with the company’s Helen Davies saying: “We’ve had a very busy first exhibition, which just goes to show that PATS is the place to be for the pet trade – it’s the absolute focal point.”

The show also got the thumbs-up from visitors, who flocked to the show on both days.

Toni Thornton of Four Oaks Country Store, who has been in the pet trade for over 30 years, said: “There’s a really good vibe here this year – everyone’s so upbeat and happy to be doing business. And there’s so much to see – we are going to struggle to get round in two days to be honest.”

Darren Porter, owner of Urmston Pet Shop in Greater Manchester, added: “I’ve really enjoyed the show. I like how PATS has separated out the New Starter Zone – especially near the free drinks – as it has massively helped to identify who is new and I think it’s also helped them all to feel they are in it together. I find they are dead keen to do business and meeting them at PATS is the only way to find out what’s new and up and coming.”

Olga Olesheva, of Happy Dug, travelled from Edinburgh and admitted it was well worth the trip. “I loved the layout of the exhibition, it’s so easy to navigate. And there’s so much to see – brilliant.”

With an increasing number of pet retailers introducing grooming salons into their stores, the PATS programme of demos, in association with For All DogKind, provided invaluable insights into this side of the business.

On both days of the show expert groomers gave demonstrations of specialist grooming techniques, as well as advice on how to grow your grooming business.

Laura Redstone, of For All DogKind, said: “It’s a great honour to have the opportunity to run the grooming demos for PATS. It’s really helped with our brand awareness – we’ve never had our logo so visible before – and we’ve loved the chance to speak to so many people and show what we can do.

“We are trying to raise awareness among groomers about the opportunity to expand their businesses via pet retailers – and for retailers to have an additional opportunity to get people through the door. Our exposure at PATS will really help with this.”

Date for the diary:

PATS Telford 2024 – Telford International Centre, 29 September -1 October 2024

The outdoor heating category has remained largely unchanged…until now! Forget your firebowls, and firepits, Firestorm Heaters are here to show you what the future of heating looks like.

Launched exclusively for the 2023/4 season, Firestorms offer a new look at the outdoor heating market. A futuristic design sees a 5ft glass tube adorn the fuel loading device, together taking up just a 2 sq ft footprint. But this small footprint packs a mighty punch, with temperatures reaching 350°C; perfect for warming those cold evenings, whilst adding mesmerising ambience to outside spaces.

Each heater comes complete with an accessory kit (Long Reach Cleaning Sponge, Metal Shovel, Metal Scraper, Metal Poker, Fixtures & Fittings, and Instruction Manual) and can be set up in a matter of minutes. Maximum heat can also be achieved in just 20 minutes. Plus, with a RRP of £499 these are hugely competitive products that offer increased quality and longevity compared to the ranges currently dominating the marketplace.

Award-winning British construction

However, Firestorm isn’t just about looks. This is a product with heart. Hand constructed in the Herefordshire countryside, Firestorm Heaters have already scooped the 2023 Glee New Product ‘Best of British’ award, where a panel of industry leaders awarding this much-sought-after accolade were impressed by the detailed and meticulous approach to the design and material sourcing. If that wasn’t enough, the Firestorm brand was also presented with the Glee ‘Leisure & Entertaining’ award at the same time, with judges amazed by the unique design and the company’s commitment to bringing to market greener heating solutions.

But what does ‘greener’ heating solutions mean? In the case of Firestorm, it means using an environmentally sustainable fuel made up of renewable wood pellets. Sourced from biomass energy experts, who exclusively source from FSC™-certified UK-based, responsibly managed forests and use sawmill co-products or surplus logs, these pellets offer a much-reduced carbon footprint when compared to traditional fuels, such as gas or coal. What’s more, these wood pellets offer a ‘clean burn’, meaning minimal harmful emissions are emitted during use. An additional benefit is that wood pellets are also kinder to the pocket, with a 30kg bag offering over 12 hours of burn time.

Ready for 2024

With Firestorm Heaters now the new name on everyone’s lips, it is the perfect time to find out about becoming a stockist. Stock availability remains high, with a minimum order quantity of just four units, making it an attractive proposition. Plus, with winter and the year’s biggest gifting period on the horizon, stock can be instore within a matter of days to ensure the maximum window of sales potential.

New point of sale has also been created to clearly outline the multiple features and benefits, while a mock flame is also available to ‘create the look’ in store and inspire customers.

Firestorm’s spokesperson said: “It’s about time that we offered consumers something new. For too long people have been huddled around firepits, pretending to enjoy smoke in their eyes, the smell clinging to their clothes, and heat that disappears with a single gust of wind. As a nation, we’ve normalised rusty, rain-filled fires that are past their prime after just one season, but we say, ‘no more!’

“With Firestorm Heaters, not only have we created a heater that will last but we’ve developed one that performs significantly better than any other solution, including electric and gas-powered models. We want to offer consumers longevity, with a 12-month warranty and replacement parts available, should accidents happen. And, perhaps more importantly, the Firestorm offers a story. We truly believe we’re offering something not yet seen in the UK. These products are hand constructed and finished here in the UK, bolstered by strong environmental values, making it an exciting proposition and one that has kept us very busy since launching at Glee 2023. As the new season approaches and winter closes in, we now want the market to know that we’re ready to respond to demand. We believe in our product and know it will sell well, so what are you waiting for?”

Find out more

For further information regarding Firestorm Heaters, and to find out more about becoming a UK stockist, please visit www.firestormheaters.co.uk, email info@firestormheaters.co.uk or call 01432 667 567

Tree grower Frank P Matthews has joined the list of key British nurseries that have achieved Plant Healthy certification. This important status is now an industry recognised standard that helps to ensure nurseries adhere to best practices to safeguard biosecurity.

Lorna Maskell, Production Director at Frank P Matthews, said: "The Plant Healthy self-assessment process encouraged us to look more closely at our biosecurity systems. It was reassuring to find out that we already had robust systems in place. Ongoing, in accordance with the scheme, we will proactively fine-tune our procedures, committed to continual improvement.”

Sales Director Matthew Thomas, added: “More customers are beginning to talk about Plant Healthy and it’s great to be able to reassure them that we are now certified.”

Plant Healthy is a sector-wide Environmental and Social Governance system, with the specific aim of helping protect the health of our cultivated and native flora. Growers, garden retailers, landscapers and arborists are encouraged to apply for the certification scheme. By adhering to rigorous plant biosecurity systems and complying with the Plant Health Management Standard, the risk of introducing/spreading destructive plant pests via our supply chain is reduced.

Sheffield-based Burgon & Ball, creator of beautiful premium gardening tools and accessories since 1730, is helping retailers boost impulse sales this autumn with a choice of limited-edition packs.

Firstly, there’s a selection of bundle packs of gloves with a Kneelo® kneeler. Created to support upselling of seasonal favourites, the bundles are available in a choice of four colourways. And for a tempting new gift idea, there’s a choice of three gift packs of little gardening essentials, perfectly priced for stocking fillers, secret Santas and impulse self-purchases.

The kneeler and glove bundles combine two accessories which work hard for self-purchase as well as for gifting, and are set to tempt shoppers as autumn gardening sales move into the Christmas season. With an RRP of £29.99, the packs add the incentive of a discount on the items’ separate RRPs, and they offer a healthy margin for retailers too.

Two of the bundles include the popular Love The Glove ‘Oak Leaf’ design, in Poppy and in Navy, combining them with the matching Kneelo memory foam kneeler. The remaining two bundles feature unique limited-edition glove designs. There’s the striking Deco pattern in teal, to match the Eucalyptus kneeler; and completing the line-up there’s an understated grey glove, paired with the complementary Evergreen kneeler.

Turning to the limited-edition gift sets, there are three ‘Perfect Gardening’ options available. Sow & Grow includes planting essentials for growing from seed; Perfect Potting contains two popular accessories for transplanting seedlings; and Herby Harvest focuses on harvesting fresh herbs – perfect for keen cooks, as well as gardeners.

Attractive gift packaging adds an extra level of appeal. The plastic-free, premium kraft card packaging and colourful wrap stand out on the shelf to grab shoppers' attention. Accessibly priced at just £9.99 RRP, they’re ideal for stocking fillers and secret Santas. These packs make a tempting pick-up purchase as shoppers search for Christmas inspiration.

These new introductions are part of Burgon & Ball’s new series of limited-edition WIGIG promotions at appealing price points. Smart, creative and very easy to implement in store, the new promotions have been designed to attract interest and drive sales, tempting shoppers to treat someone special this season – and maybe treat themselves, too!

In addition to these new gifting lines, there’s a choice of new counter-top units created to highlight Burgon & Ball’s most popular RHS-endorsed hand cutting tools: the Flower and Fruit Snip, and the Pocket Pruner. These displays bring together an irresistible combination of attractive pricing, striking presentation, and appealing handle colours.

These new limited-edition promotional initiatives are being offered to retailers on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. The appealing new presentations and attractive pricing are sure to help retailers make the most of seasonal sales opportunities this autumn and Christmas.

Garden centres all over the UK are increasingly aware of the benefits of stocking natural health products to entice customers and to increase sales – and can now take advantage of the recent launch of CBD range HEMPE into the gardening centre sector.

The CBD industry has been hitting headlines for some time and growing fast on a daily basis as people increasingly choose natural health alternatives for ailments as opposed to traditional medicines or opioids. The UK market – second only to the USA – is expected to be close to £1 billion by 2025.

Health International Research’s CBD range HEMPE includes the following products:

HEMPE CBD Hot Muscle & Joint Gel – a powerful natural warming formula enriched with CBD, Clove Leaf Oil, Menthol, Eucalyptus and Eugenol to provide rapid relief of gardening stiffness in the muscle and joints

HEMPE CBD Ice Muscle & Joint Gel – a powerful natural cooling formula enriched with CBD, Mentha Arvensis, Pinus Sylvestris, Menthol and Laurel Leaf oil to provide rapid relief of gardening stiffness in the muscles and joints

HEMPE CBD SOS Balm – a natural, multi-purpose, nourishing, soothing and regenerative balm which is perfect for gardeners suffering from dry, inflamed, or irritated skin.  Fragrance free and free of any other potential irritants, this balm is suitable for treating common skin issues and dry or cracked hands

Health International Research’s Commercial Director Ross Whittaker comments “CBD products represent a hugely exciting opportunity for gardening centres to extend their offering in natural health, and we are committed to supporting our trade customers by providing the very best quality, legally registered, natural cannabinoid-based health products, backed by strong scientifically proven research. We recently launched our CBD range HEMPE into the gardening centre sector, and we are delighted with its success to date. Our customers are reporting great response back from consumers, and sales are growing steadily, offering welcome incremental revenue for retailers.”

Ross Whittaker continues “Gardening can be tough on your body, and CBD can make a significant contribution in terms of keeping green fingers healthy and well. Irrespective of whether you are a professional gardener or enthusiastic amateur, gardening can place a lot of strain on muscles and joints and leaves you with dry and cracked hands. An abundance of scientific research supports the benefits of CBD for use in pain relief, and we ourselves have now released six white papers highlighting and summarising research in the CBD pain relief field. Our CBD range HEMPE provides the very best natural ingredients for relief and combines them with CBD during a rigorous formulation process, resulting in three powerful topical products designed to alleviate aches and pains and skin complaints. We are delighted to be introducing our HEMPE range to our trade gardening centre customers and look forward to working together to grow significant sales success”.

In a heartwarming collaboration between The Old Railway Line Garden Centre and Three Cocks Matters Community Group, 300 households in Three Cocks are set to experience a burst of spring colour with a donation of daffodil bulbs.

Nick Pritchard, representing Three Cocks Matters, expressed excitement about this special initiative stating, “We are thrilled to announce a partnership with Three Cocks Matters Community Group and The Old Railway Line Garden Centre. Our aim is to add a vibrant touch of spring to our beautiful community while also benefiting our biodiversity. We hope everyone comes together to make our community bloom with these cheerful yellow flowers.”

As part of this initiative, family-run Garden Centre The Old Railway Line has generously provided a handful of daffodil bulbs to 300 households in Three Cocks with help from Kapiteyn. The cheerful yellow flowers are sure to bring a sense of joy and renewal to the community.

Operations Director, Katie Eckley, from The Old Railway Line Garden Centre added, “As an independent garden centre, we are passionate about not only our impact on the environment but also doing all we can to provide for our local community. We’d like to also thank Kapiteyn for helping us make it possible to donate enough bulbs for 300 households. We’re delighted to be part of this initiative and can’t wait to see the results in spring.”

This collaborative effort not only promises to enhance the visual appeal of Three Cocks but also serves as a symbol of community spirit and environmental stewardship. Residents are encouraged to participate in this blooming endeavour and share the joy of spring with neighbours.

For more information about The Old Railway Line Garden Centre visit www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk or call 01497847055.

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

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

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After 23 years at Bransford Webbs, and over 40 years in the horticultural industry, Adrian Marksell is retiring.

Having studied at Pershore College of Horticulture in the 1980s, Adrian went onto work for both Klassman and Unwins, joining The Bransford Webbs Plant Company in 2000 as Sales and Marketing Director. Adrian became Managing Director in 2017.

“Adrian has been an excellent Managing Director, steering the nursery through the tough times of Covid and has since honed it into a healthy shape for the future in all dimensions of people, planet and profit”, commented Will Tooby, Chairman. 

“He has also made valuable contributions to the trade through the HTA and will be very much missed as such a good, level-headed, all-rounder. I'm sure everyone will want to join me in wishing him a very healthy and happy retirement. Thank you, Adrian.”

Christine Burton, current Production Director, and Richard Colbourne, current Financial Director will assume the roles of Joint Managing Directors. The board at Bransford Webbs is completed by Will Tooby, Chairman, Ed Webb, Director, David Chilvers, Sales and Marketing Director and Karl O’Neill, Technical Production Director.

Following the success of the inaugural RECOUP awards in 2022, the awards returned bigger and better this year as part of the Pre-Conference Networking Dinner the evening before the highly anticipated RECOUP Plastics Resource and Recycling Conference. Yet again the awards generated a lot of interest from across the plastics resources and recycling value chain with strong entries received for all categories.

Presented by Tom Heap, and RECOUP Chairman, Jim Armstrong, the first winner announced was for the ‘Best Development or Innovation to enhance plastic products for recyclability or re-use' award which was presented to Apetito & Wiltshire Farm Foods Ltd for their ‘boomerang’ initiative. Apetito have created a sustainable closed-loop recycling system for ready meal trays. Working with Wiltshire Farm Foods, plastic trays are collected from customers each week, leaving them with nothing but the film lid. 100% of the trays collected will then be made into brand new trays, all here in the UK.

The winner of the second award for ‘Recycled Plastic Product of the Year’ was presented to SEAQUAL INITIATIVE for their high quality 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn, SEAQUAL® YARN. Useful for a multitude of applications SEAQUAL® YARN is a sustainable fabric containing approximately 10% SEAQUAL® MARINE PLASTIC (from plastic marine litter), with the remaining 90% being post-consumer PET from land sources.

The third winner announced was for the ‘Best Innovation in Equipment or Technology to Improve the Collection, Sorting, Reprocessing or Re-use of Plastics’ award which was presented to Greyparrot for their AI Waste Recognition System. Greyparrots’ AI Waste Recognition System uses cutting edge AI-based Computer Vision to automate waste composition analysis at scale, providing insights that inform our decision-making on how to optimise our processes helping to increase recycling rates, reduce the cost of manual sampling, enhance product quality, and empower next generation smart systems.

The Chairman’s award, presented by Tom Heap and RECOUP Chairman, Jim Armstrong, was awarded to recognise individuals outside of RECOUP and the Board who have enabled the organisation to fulfil its aims of driving forward plastics recycling and resource management through dedicating their time, knowledge and support. This year two individuals were chosen to be recognised by this award.

The first Chairman’s award was presented to Hannah Clifford, Strategic Development Manager, Biffa. Anne Hitch, Business and Project Development Lead, RECOUP, commented “Hannah was nominated for the award as throughout the last year she aided RECOUP in the drive to move up plastics recycling, aiding the team to bring partners together on a range of projects from citizen communications in the region to MRF trials as well as facilitating team visits. Nothing has been too much trouble.”  

Nominated by the Packaging team at RECOUP, the second Chairman’s award went to Jonathan Attwood, Head of Technical, Bright Green. The Packaging team commented “For the past year, Jonathan has provided the RECOUP packaging team with invaluable support. His knowledge and advice have been a great help to the team particularly with some of the more challenging questions. Jonathan is always willing to help no matter how big or small or the request. From site visits and regular communications, the guidance he provides has helped the team expand their knowledge and respond to members. We thank Jonathan for his support and expertise and hope to continue working with him.”

Congratulations to the award winners and thank you to the judges and all the entries for this year’s awards. Don’t miss out on submitting an entry next year, the application process will be announced in due course.

For more information about RECOUP, the work they do and how to become a member, please email enquiry@recoup.org, visit www.recoup.org or call 01733 390021.

How to make the seed industry future-proof by reducing climate change and stimulating biodiversity was the key theme of Fleuroselect’s International Home Garden Conference that took place in Noord-Holland, The Netherlands. 

Approximately 75 professionals from nine countries reunited to exchange business views and seek inspiration. Offering a well-balanced mix between topical presentations and company visits, the Home Garden Conference has become a key annual event for the international seed industry.

Embrace diversity

The first day of the conference focused on biodiversity. Pierre Byache-Kersemaecker, owner Graines Lecouf Mailliet, gave a comprehensive overview of the latest breeding developments and uses of Salvia. The breeding of vegetatively propagated, perennial varieties is on the rise with sales shifting from spring towards summer. In terms of use, annuals are still used in carpet bedding or mono-plantings but are increasingly mixed with perennial varieties, dahlia’s and bulbs whereas perennial varieties gain popularity in landscaping with grasses or dry gardens.  Annemarie Kruize from De Bolster explained how this cooperative around organic breeding is looking at sustainable food and flower production by taking ‘natural resistance’ as the main criterium when selecting new varieties. Bulk seed is sold to the professional grower, pictorial packets to the home gardener. Patents on seed being a challenge to the development of new varieties, Annemarie pleaded to maintain a wide range of genetics to serve the different climates and needs worldwide. 

The programme continued with two company presentations from Philipp Klein Samen and Econ Seeds. Director Teresa Hessel gave a corporate overview of Philip Klein Samen, a German family company in its 6th generation and owner of established pictorial packets brands Frankonia and Samen Pfann. The management team has recently decided to join Fleuroselect to expand their international professional network. Hubert Keller, General Manager of Econ Seeds, showed how the company is embracing diversity in all its aspects and aims at preserving nature and genetic variety. An international team based in The Netherlands and France strives to develop a wider product assortment in flower seed mixes and single open pollinated flowers, as well as being a reliable seed producer for pictorial seed packets, pot and bedding and landscaping.  Hubert invited the group to take up current challenges such as water availability, climate change and biodiversity and translate these into opportunities the sector can use to its advantage and communicate with its clients.

Flower displays and sunshine galore 

The sunlit afternoon was spent visiting Econ Seeds in Hoogkarspel where the group received a guided tour through the brand new seed storage and packaging facilities followed by individual time on the truly outstanding trial field with thousands of plants on display. The journey continued with a visit to one of the PanAmerican Seed trial fields in Hem where the group was welcomed by General Manager The Netherlands / Breeding Director Europe Ruud Brinkkemper.

Leon Vrijland, cultural officer at PanAmerican Seed and Fleuroselect judge, expertly showed the current Fleuroselect annual trial where new breeding achievements from the members are compared to existing varieties on the market. At the end of the season, varieties that perform better than the comparisons will be awarded a Gold Medal or granted Approved Novelty Protection. Also a trial of Impatiens Beacon and a selection of PanAmerican’s assortment for home gardening was on display.

How to make the ornamental seed industry future-proof

The second day of the conference put corporate social responsibility in the spotlight. Martin de la Harpe, independent sustainability expert, gave a general introduction to CSR. He showed which regulations are in place to protect the workforce, how the Paris Agreement is protecting the planet by fighting climate change and how companies will need to contribute by planning their transition to a low carbon footprint. Norma Wouters-Snell, country representative The Netherlands for Amfori urged the group to start mapping the supply chain by researching the provenance of all goods and services, identifying potential problems, improving any adverse impacts and communicating to customers. Elise Wieringa, sustainability manager at Royal Lemkes, invited all attendees to contribute to climate change reduction by calculating/reducing the carbon footprint and making the supply chain transparent. Future new varieties will need to be resistant to diseases, produced without pesticides and grown in a peat-free medium to make it to the shelves. As retailers and consumers will need to be made aware of the true cost of environment friendly plant breeding and production, breeders need to start measuring and calculating the additional costs.

The conference was concluded with an excellent keynote speech by Rob Baan in which he encouraged the participants to change the way they think about food. Food is crucial for health and horticulture should take up a key role. In order to remain healthy, people should refrain from ultra processed food and eat like we did in the past with a traditional 80% plants, 20% meat repartition. As children need to learn again how vegetables are grown, Rob encouraged all companies to get involved in a school gardening project.

2024 Conference takes place in Czech Republic

The 2024 Home Gardening Conference will be hosted by SEMO and take place early September in the Czech Republic.

Sebastian Rosito (43) is returning to Koelnmesse to take over as Senior Vice President in Cologne with responsibility for the International Hardware Fair, Asia-Pacific Sourcing, spoga+gafa, spoga horse and h+h cologne. He will also manage the relevant outbound events in the division portfolio as part of his global portfolio responsibility. He is taking over from Markus Oster, who has been temporarily managing the business unitalongside his regular role.

Currently Vice President Corporate & Business Development at Messe Berlin, Sebastian Rosito has an impressive international track record. He managed the German Pavilion at EXPO 2020 in Dubai for Koelnmesse with great success and has put a lot of work into developing the foreign trade fair participation business.

“Sebastian Rosito has already proven his exceptional innovative spirit and strong leadership skills in various roles at Koelnmesse,” says Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Koelnmesse. “As an established product developer, he is extremely attuned to the market, knows how to successfully implement products and, together with his team, will continue to pursue Koelnmesse’s growth strategy with vigour.” The international portfolio in Rosito’s future division is experiencing particularly dynamic growth: Key trade fairs include the China International Hardware Show, International Hardware Fair Italy, h+h americas and, from December, the new International Hardware Fair India.

For Sebastian Rosito, the move to Cologne is a homecoming. From his initial internship in 2004, followed by a trainee programme, group management of foreign trade fair participations and finally management of the German Pavilion at EXPO 2020 in Dubai, the business informatics graduate already has a long history with Koelnmesse.

“I am really looking forward to returning to my roots. This is where I grew up and took my first professional steps,” says Sebastian Rosito. “With my love of complex corporate issues and past professional experience in roles with real creative opportunities, I am really looking forward to managing the strategically important issues – both nationally and internationally – that will help secure Koelnmesse’s success.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Markus Oster, who not only took on responsibility for the business unit alongside his actual role but has overseen its successful development during challenging times as the sector was reawakening,” says Oliver Frese. Markus Oster will remain responsible for his regular global event portfolio. “He is handing over the trade fairs he has been managing in addition to his own portfolio in a thriving state, and we wish Sebastian Rosito every success as he returns to Koelnmesse to take over the division.”

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has completed the sale of Wellingborough Garden Centre in Great Doddington, Northamptonshire to the Howard Family.

Albeit newcomers to the garden centre industry the family already operates successful construction, plant hire and building repairs businesses and hopes their wealth of experience in horticulture and landscaping will translate quickly into continued success at the soon-to-be-rebranded garden centre.

This large, established plant and garden centre sits on a prime 3.49-acre site just off the A45. The site was sold by Christie & Co on behalf of Wyevale back in 2018, so it is one of the first former Wyevale sites that Christie & Co’s specialist garden centre retail team have sold for a second time.

Tom Glanvill, Director – Garden Centres & Retail at Christie & Co, who brokered the deal, comments, “The sale of Wellingborough Garden Centre reinforces the appetite for the garden centre sector, with a diverse range of purchasers, many who are not currently operating a garden centre, keen to enter the market.

“During the marketing process, we received a wide range of interest and offers from seven potential purchasers, and we are delighted to see the Howard family secure the business. The site offers huge scope for growth and having spoken to the family about their plans, I am sure that the reopening of the café and other improvements will bring this garden centre back to its full potential.”

The Howard family comment, “ We are extremely excited in our acquisition of the garden centre and the possibilities for development that come with it.

“We’ve visited the garden centre for many years and know the strong reputation for customer service and customer satisfaction that the team remaining in place have worked so hard to maintain. Our immediate efforts to refurbish and re-open the cafe sit central to our plan to increase our offerings to those within Doddington Village, and the wider Wellingborough area.

“We want the already successful business to continue to grow, whilst installing a community feel at the heart of the way we run the business. We will rebrand to reflect this, trading as Doddington Nurseries for the foreseeable future.”

The Horticultural Trades Association and the Royal Horticultural Society marked a significant milestone in sustainable horticulture with the launch of the first peat-free workshop, part of the RHS Transition to Peat-Free Fellowship. 

The workshop, hosted in Hertfordshire brought together growers and industry experts to share knowledge and delve into the latest insights and trials on peat-free plant production.

The ‘Practical Management of Peat-Free Growing Media’ workshop highlighted the importance of quality control, monitoring, and actively managing peat-free growing media to obtain the best results. Participants gained valuable insights into various peat-free growing media performances across a range of plant species from the RHS Transition to Peat-Free Fellowship. Additionally, there was an opportunity to understand how fellow growers have approached their own trials while learning how to instigate technical crop monitoring to manage media performance and prevent nutritional deficiencies.

In addition to the insights from the RHS Fellow Dr Raghavendra Prasad, the event featured presentations from Dr Gracie Barrett at The Farplants Group, Dr Neil Bragg of Bulrush, and Andrew Wilson from ICL. The day concluded with a visit to Allensmore Nurseries, giving participants a firsthand look at the RHS trials being staged there, along with the nursery’s own trials and peat-free commercial crops.

Wayne Brough, Technical Horticulture Manager at the HTA, said: "This partnership underscores our joint commitment to sustainability. It's heartening to witness our members actively participating in the RHS Transition to Peat-Free Fellowship's peat-free trials, contributing to a more environmentally conscious future. Our members remain resolute in their mission to reduce professional peat usage, as evidenced by the significant decline recorded in the Growing Media Monitor. In 2022, peat constituted just 24% of the total volume of growing media, compared to 36% in 2021, and this trend continues to decline. Credit goes to the collaborative efforts of UK suppliers, growers, and retailers in embracing peat-free practices. The workshop highlighted that despite many successes, there are still challenges, including the need for more support for businesses to transition.”

Dr Raghavendra Prasad, RHS Peat-Free Fellow, added: “We were delighted to hold the first in what will be a series of workshops, providing growers with the latest information and technical expertise to help their transition to peat-free. The RHS knows that we will only achieve peat-free by working together with the industry[i] and government, sharing knowledge and success stories. We felt it was particularly important to give an insight into peat-free trials being undertaken by the RHS with the partners in the Fellowship and demonstrate the ways horticultural businesses can conduct their own trials in a commercial setting for their plant ranges. Presentations and key messages from the workshop will soon be made available so that all growers can have the chance to learn from this event, and we will be sharing more details of further regional workshops very soon.”

The HTA is committed to ongoing support for growers through regular Grower Technical Workshops and events such as their National Conference next month (5 October).

On 20 November, the RHS is holding a ‘Transition to Peat Free and Sustainable Practices’ event at Lindley Hall, Vincent Square, London. The event will bring together experts from industry and the RHS Transition to Peat Free Fellowship to share information and technical support with growers from across all sectors of horticulture. Growers, manufacturers, suppliers and industry experts will be holding technical workshops, and there will be trade stands spanning sustainable horticulture, including growing media, biological controls, sustainable packaging, irrigation, fertilisers and plug plant suppliers.

For more information get in touch with Nikki Barker at NikkiBarker@rhs.org.uk

Hyve Group, owner of Spring and Autumn Fair and Glee, has announced that its connections programme Connect will not be running in 2024, while the business collaborates with the industry and key partners to create better shows and experiences for the future.

Nicola Meadows, Divisional Managing Director, Hyve Group says, “I would like to thank our exhibitors for reaching out to us with their candid feedback on this year's Autumn Fair. As a business, our purpose is to help our customers to succeed by helping them meet with new and existing buyers. We understand better than most that face to face is the best way to make meaningful business connections, discover new products, and build relationships in the world of retail. We don’t take our responsibility - to help this community thrive - lightly. We know how important these shows are to the sector, much of which is made up of independent businesses which are the pride of the nation.

"I recognise that, during what are increasingly challenging times for everyone in retail, the introduction of Connect did not add value in the way we expected it to. Whilst for most the Autumn Fair was successful and produced great outcomes, it is clear that Connect became a distraction and cause of disruption. Up to now, our shows have been highly reliant on an analogue format which has remained the same for decades. We introduced Connect with the aim of improving how buyers and sellers do business at our events in a way which makes the most of time and resources. We hold our hands up that we fell short on executing this at Autumn Fair. For that reason, we will not be running Connect in 2024 at Spring Fair, Autumn Fair or Glee.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers again for their patience during this time and the continued support of these historic shows. We have listened to what they have to say, and we care about getting this right.”

Looking ahead, Meadows says there is an opportunity to provide the industry with a considerably better show which delivers increased return on investment through the smart use of data and technology. Committed to innovating and finding ways to improve the show while making an increased effort to keep exhibitors and visitors at the heart of its decision making, they have announced the introduction of working groups to help shape the future of the shows. Exhibitors and buyers are invited to get involved to share their views and opinions by emailing SpringAutumnFairMarketing@hyve.group.

Focusing on the future of their retail portfolio beyond 2024, Spring and Autumn Fair and Glee are committed to creating meaningful experiences and on delivering quality buyers to the shows.

Exhibitors have been contacted with full details on the adjustments to fees and contract details relating to both Spring and Autumn Fair 2024.

The Horticultural Trades Association’s August Market Update highlights the industry's resilience in plant sales, but customers have been reducing their spending on higher-value items. 

While the garden retail sector continues to see people buying more plants, they are generally of lower value in their baskets, putting pressure on a sector that is already facing significant concern over rising costs, economic fluctuation, workforce shortages, unpredictable and challenging weather patterns and wavering consumer confidence.

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the HTA, commented: "Once again, August's results underscore the resilience of our industry amidst the ever-shifting landscape of 2023. Garden centre sales overall grew by +3% compared to August 2022, and the number of transactions also grew by +8%, suggesting strong footfall levels, with robust growth in categories like bulbs, bedding, and hardy plants, showing that our plants continue to thrive and capture hearts within a nation of gardeners. However, we hear directly from the sector that concerns remain over unsold stock and continued economic uncertainty. Notably, garden furniture saw steeper discounts as retailers sought to clear excess stock with fewer dry days to tempt people outdoors. The sales were down by -42% last year and contributed to 8% of total sales for August, compared to 14% in August 2022. COVID also pulled forward the product replacement cycle for these items, and the poorer summer 2023 weather likely contributed to the lower average basket value.”

August’s Consumer Confidence Index recovered +5 points, showing consumers have more positivity for their future financial outlook. However, as consumers grapple with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, they've become savvier shoppers, seeking savings amid rising expenses.

The constant success story of 2023 has been the non-garden/gardening categories, witnessing a +14% growth in August compared to the prior year. This vibrant activity extends to garden centre cafes and restaurants, where transaction numbers in catering spiked by +17%.

The report also sheds light on inflation rates within the industry. Over the 12 months leading up to August 2023, noticeable inflation rates were observed in various product categories, driven by escalating input and ingredient costs.

The report serves as an indispensable tool for HTA members, offering insights into their positioning within the membership and identifying areas of resilience, challenges, and opportunities.

The full report is available to HTA members on the association's website.

Squire’s Garden Centres has confirmed its Group Operations Manager, Andy Bunt, has decided to step down from his full-time role after 15 years to allow him to pursue a number of personal projects.  Andy will continue to work for Squire’s as a part time Retail Projects Manager, delivering major site investment projects and ongoing minor site improvements.

Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, comments: “Andy has played an integral part in promoting high standards throughout Squire’s centres as well as in the integration of new centres we have acquired over the years.  Andy has also been pivotal in many of the major projects we have undertaken. We really appreciate all the work Andy has done over the years for Squire’s and are pleased he will be continuing to play a key role on a part-time basis.”

Plans to appoint a new Group Retail Operations Manager will be announced in due course.

Meadow View Stone, a renowned leader in the landscaping industry, is delighted to introduce its eagerly awaited 2024 brochure, featuring an impressive selection of over 10 new products. This latest release includes three aggregates and five stunning stepping stones. In addition, the company has taken steps to elevate its Edging range with fresh designs to ensure a continuous supply of high quality products.

Our 2024 brochure reflects contemporary and future trends in outdoor living. With a focus on modern colours, styles, and sizes, the collection is designed to cater to a diverse range of landscaping needs. Whether you're looking to revamp your garden, create a picturesque pathway, or craft an outdoor space that stands out, our new products offer endless possibilities.

In addition to product innovation, Meadow View Stone has enhanced its merchandising capabilities. At this year's GLEE, our themed POS vinyls stole the spotlight, creating an immersive and captivating backdrop for displaying landscaping products within various garden designs. Retailers now have the flexibility to build displays tailored to their specific stock profiles, positioning these products strategically for cross sales and a seamless shopping experience for their customers.

Product innovation has long been a cornerstone of Meadow View Stone's success, driving rapid growth for both the company and its customers. Our dedication to refreshing product lines, boosting sales, and enhancing visual appeal remains unwavering. We proudly offer the widest collection of exclusive, superior-quality landscaping products on the market.

For your copy of the Meadow View Stone 2024 brochure, please email: info@meadowviewstone.co.uk. Or view an online version at https://issuu.com/www.longrakespar.co.uk/docs/brochure_design_2024-low_res_pages

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