Sales during the first Easter week of 2022 bounced back to above 2019 levels, up by 26% on the same week, and were the highest volume sales for the first Easter week since 2015 with the exception of last year...
Sales during the first Easter week of 2022 bounced back to above 2019 levels, up by 26% on the same week, and were the highest volume sales for the first Easter week since 2015 with the exception of last year.
Top line analysis of the weekly GTN Bestsellers Epos data shows that whilst sales were 10% down on the same second week of April last year they were up by 27% on the previous week, and that's without a days trading for Easter Sunday.
Last weeks sales volumes were also 10% higher then the volumes of the first Easter week in 2019 which was later in April that year and bodes well for sales during this second Easter week, provided the weather holds fine.
See the full GTN Bestsellers analysis of Easter trading in the GTN Bestsellers printed newsletter, subscribe here, or see just the edited highlights in next weekends GTN Xtra.
Gary Carvasso, Chairman of Coolings, has recently returned from Krakow in Poland having driven a large van full of aid to a rendezvous point under a bridge in the centre of Krakow, Poland, where Ukrainian minibuses were loaded with aid, having the day before dropped of refugees at the border...
Gary Carvasso, Chairman of Coolings, has recently returned from Krakow in Poland having driven a large van full of sleeping bags, baby milk, medicines, first aid kits, tins of meat and fish plus a huge amount of pasta and rice to a rendezvous point under a bridge in the centre of Krakow, Poland, where Ukrainian minibuses were loaded with aid, having the day before dropped of refugees at the border.
Gary told GTN Xtra: “Operation brock issues in Kent caused by 1000’s of stranded lorries, along with 1,000 miles of driving in the continuous rain to get there was tedious to say the least. However, in context that’s nothing in comparison to the people who have family/friends not seen or heard from for several weeks, and no idea if their house or flat is in one piece or been looted.
“I have heard some awful and harrowing accounts from people I met. The aid was taken back over the border the same day, with now ongoing permission from the Ukrainian military. Other people I spoke to in Poland were sourcing military vests that allow metal plates to be inserted, night vision googles etc, our focus is purely humanitarian.
“My father-in-law, who used to work on and off in the Donbas region regularly 8-10 years ago, had made good friends and has led to the aid being distributed by a known charity and various churches in the country. The most recent aid was to support women and children in the northern Kyiv area.
“In one town last week 10 nappies were given to each family that required them and sadly most of the queue went away empty handed.
“Staff at Coolings have been brilliant at fundraising and Coolings is donating 10p from every customer purchase. Additional valuable support & donations continue to arrive from local businesses, individuals, churches and other charities, including Morrisons supermarket who have offered a generous discount on palletised food, babies milk and nappies.
Coolings are looking to scale up with more vans and volunteer drivers leaving on the 25th April, as many Ukrainians are generally not able to work and are finding that food and basics are scarce or ridiculously expensive.
Part of the feature being created at BBC Gardeners' World Live at the NEC on June 16-19 to celebrate the incredible horticultural work of the late Peter Seabrook MBE is going to be dedicated to a display of ‘new’ plants...
Part of the feature being created at BBC Gardeners' World Live at the NEC on June 16-19 to celebrate the incredible horticultural work of the late Peter Seabrook MBE is going to be dedicated to a display of ‘new’ plants.
We all know one of things Peter was always driving forward, was new plant varieties. One of the few gardening journalists who really ‘got’ the publics desire for ‘new’, Peter championed good new plants in the displays he created at shows for over 50 years. This feature has already captured considerable interest from the gardening press.
How could we honour him better than by incorporating your ‘new’ into this 2022 display? The team of people who have worked for years with Peter creating show displays is now building on his original concept of the display to celebrate the Centenary of the BBC and 60 years of TV gardening, by creating a Mighty Terrace to feature new plants within the 80m² display in the shows Floral Marquee. This display will also highlight two of Peter’s other great interests — The David Colegrave Foundation and Floral Fantasia.
How do you get involved?
Whether you have a new variety of summer bedding plant, hardy shrub, fruit or vegetable, then we want to incorporate it into the display - and you will want it to be there for the public to see.
All we need is a good potfull. Ideally in a plastic or lightweight ornamental pot preferably no more than 450mm (18”) diameter (we do need to be able to move them around!). Your plant(s) need not be grown in that pot, but could be plunged and surrounded by support plants to set off your main subject to create an inspirational look. We do not mind if it is still in just its grower pot straight off your nursery!
What do we define as ‘NEW’?
New for us means launched to the trade for sale to the public to buy for the first time in 2022. Equally it may be something, until now secret, that you have coming on line for the 2023 season.
What do we need?
As we said above a good potfull of plant! Then with your stick in label that has your company name, logo and the plant variety name clearly on it. This needs to be readable by the public who will be held back by the rope and post fence up to 3m away. We also need your ‘magic story’ of the plant and a crib sheet with answers to those questions you know Peter would have asked you! Things like weather tolerance, hardiness, flowering time and period, feeding, pruning and where it can be bought, so those manning the stand can answer questions and promote your plants to the journalists and visitors to the show. Make sure we have any promotion give-a-ways you have too.
When do we need it?
Ideallybring it direct to the NEC on Monday 13th June, but with all that is going on at that time of year we can arrange an earlier date and drop off location if this makes it easier for you to get involved.
What else?
Peter was passionate about new plants. That was one of his driving forces behind Floral Fantasia the display at RHS Hyde Hall, near his home in Essex. If you agree, your plants may be moved to the display there after GWL finishes. The display we are creating in Birmingham is in part to draw attention to the fantastic work being done on Floral Fantasia, so your participation is supporting that industry initiative.
Where we get information in time, we will compile a list of the plants on display and promote them to the Press attending the show. We are considering running an ‘audience participation’ aspect of getting visitors to vote for their favourite plant. We might be able to turn this into a prize winning opportunity for a lucky visitor to win some NGGV? If we can find somebody to do this, we might turn this digital!
What next?
Get in touch today and let us know what plants you would like to bring. You can enter as many as you like, (we may have to restrict numbers) so first come first served. We realise ‘on the day’ you might want to change your ‘what’ if you find something is looking better than you thought it might.
Pictured: Peter Seabrook was always passionate about bringing worthwhile varieties of new plants to market that had commerciality and longevity.
Rachael de Thame with Peter beside his Pyramid of new plants at Chelsea Flower Show 2021 filming a piece to camera for the BBCTv coverage of new plants at the show – here with Verbena Margaret’s Memory.
Growing at home is fuelling volume garden centre sales at the start of April according to analysis of the GTN Bestsellers EPOS data. The volume of the Top 50 Veg 2 Gro lines was up by 45% on the same week in 2019 and even up 12% on 2021...
Growing at home is fuelling volume garden centre sales at the start of April according to analysis of the GTN Bestsellers EPOS data. The volume of the Top 50 Veg 2 Gro lines was up by 45% on the same week in 2019 and even up 12% on 2021.
All other GTN Bestsellers indicators were down on 2021 levels but with the exception of Wild Bird Care were significantly up on 2019 volumes. Comparison with last year is clouded due to the peaks experienced at the end of Lockdown #3 and some panic buying due to the shipping problems caused by the Evergiven being stuck in the Suez Canal. And comparison with 2020 are now set against the weeks of closure during Lockdown #1.
Overall year to date sales are still ahead of last year, up by 7.5% currently and 21% ahead of 2019. Veg 2 Gro sales year to date see growth of 51% on 2019 and Growing Media sales are running 25% up.
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 14.
Garden Products Top 50 – down 42%
Growing Media Top 50 – down 44%
Veg 2 Gro Top 50 –up 12%
Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 18%
GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 14
• All Plants with Barcode index – down 43%
• All Items with Barcode index – down 31%
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
All plant sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers Epos database for the first week of April were 43% down on 2021 and 3% up on 2019. Year-to-date sales are down just 8% on 2021 and 17% up on 2019...
All plant sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers Epos database for the first week of April were 43% down on 2021 and 3% up on 2019. Year-to-date sales are down just 8% on 2021 and 17% up on 2019.
Veg to grow at home provided good sales impetus with tomato, strawberry, pepper, cucumber, bean, courgette and lettuce plants accounting for 25% of all plants sold last week.
Tomato plants stayed the No.1 bestselling plant, increasing sales by 26% week on week.
Osteospermum moved furthest up the GTN Plants chart, climbing 18 places to No 15.
Bacopa were the highest Top 50 re-entry, back in at No 33.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
Evergreen Garden Care has launched its new campaign, ‘Keep Growing’. A campaign that takes a fresh perspective on gardening - that it can be relatable, exciting, and enjoyable, while also being functional...
Evergreen Garden Care has launched its new campaign, ‘Keep Growing’. This campaign takes a much-needed fresh perspective on gardening - that it can be relatable, exciting, and enjoyable, while also being functional.
The new campaign, which focuses on the key brand, Miracle-Gro, has been released in the UK, today, 12th April and is going live across TV, digital and social platforms. It is being released alongside France, Germany and Austria across the month.
Evergreen Garden Care has put a multimillion-pound investment behind the creation of the campaign, in the hope of bringing positive change to the market and leading the way in modernising the industry.
Craig Turner, Head of Group Marketing at Evergreen Garden Care comments: "Gardening adverts and communications are too often stuck in the past, with the whole category missing emotion, modernity and realism. Evergreen Garden Care is on a journey to re-define the future of gardening by making it accessible for all and portray the benefits and positivity gardening can bring."
The Evergreen Garden Care advert depicts a modern and more relatable image of gardening – no more unreal perfect families, unnaturally perfect gardens, sizes that seem artificial and perfectly grown greens lawns. Instead, the advert is purpose lead - championing the doing of gardening and the true successes of it – whether that’s big or small. It highlights the personal wins and shared celebrations that arise from the care of our gardens and green spaces – commemorating the diversity of their people, customers and consumers.
Evergreen Garden Care produces high quality garden care products designed to help people create their own green oasis amid the rush of modern life. Evergreen Garden Care’s mission is to inspire everyone to create and maintain their own green sanctuary, indoors or outdoors, in whatever space they have available. The message is encouraging: keep planting, keep potting, keep going, keep digging, keep nurturing, keep thriving, keep wowing - however you Evergreen, keep growing!
Online registration for Glee 2022 – taking place in late June (28th – 30th) – is now live, enabling buyers and retailers to get online and book their free ticket for the UK’s leading garden retail exhibition...
Online registration for Glee 2022 – taking place in late June (28th – 30th) – is now live, enabling buyers and retailers to get online and book their free ticket for the UK’s leading garden retail exhibition.
In addition to bringing together the biggest and most exciting showcase of established and emerging brands, Glee will also be a hotspot for cross-industry networking and will benefit from a rich educational and inspirational programme of content that is designed to arm retailers with invaluable advice to help grow their businesses.
Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director, said: “Glee 2022 is set to represent the largest congregation of new and emerging brands from across eight thriving product sectors. This year’s edition of Glee will also benefit from a unique festival feel, thanks to the new late June timing. With such an exciting new chapter for Glee on the horizon, and buzz building already, this is an event not to miss!
“Whilst visiting gleebirmingham.com, why not also view the wealth of wider information that is available, helping you to plan your trip around the show. With so much content and so many exhibitors ready and willing to do business, you’ll find that a visit to Glee can be a fully packed three-day agenda, so time spent pre-planning will pay dividends onsite.”
WOLF-Garten, which specialises in garden tools for lawn care, soil and cultivation, tree and shrub care and general garden maintenance, is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year.
WOLF-Garten, which specialises in garden tools for lawn care, soil and cultivation, tree and shrub care and general garden maintenance, is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year.
The innovative company has gone from strength to strength since launching back in 1922, winning multiple awards for providing inventive gardening tools and machinery of premium quality to help make gardening easier and more enjoyable. The numerous quality awards and excellent results document why the trust of novice as well as professional gardeners throughout Europe is justified.
It all began with minor inventions that first put the WOLF company on the map. One of the very first achievements for the business was the draw hoe, a tool designed to make agricultural work easier. Developed by Gregor Wolf in 1927 in the ironware factory that his father August Wolf had founded with his two sons, Gregor and Otto in 1922. This innovation was followed by many others, and over the years the company has developed a clear and distinctive profile in the green area.
In 1953, WOLF-Garten was the first company in Europe to offer lawnmowers with rotating blades. The development of innovative seed and fertiliser products, as well as the extension of its lawnmower range also demonstrated the strength and diversity of the company.
One of its most successful inventions is the multi-change® system that has guaranteed top quality for more than 35 years, launching back in 1982. The lightweight interchangeable gardening tool offers a handle and a tool to suit all gardening needs, and while the tool heads have evolved with changing trends, the initial design of the multi-change® tool has never altered.
As an innovative company, WOLF-Garten is now looking ahead to the next 100 years of business and everything that may bring with it - watch this space!
Miracle-Gro has launched a special edition charity pack in aid of Greenfingers. The special edition pack, which is available now in garden centres nationwide, is an as an industry first, supporting a charity that is close to Miracle-Gro’s heart...
Miracle-Gro has launched a special edition charity pack in aid of Greenfingers. The special edition pack, which is available now in garden centres nationwide, is an as an industry first, supporting a charity that is close to Miracle-Gro’s heart.
Available in stores now, the special edition pack aims to raise awareness of the charity and the incredible work they do for families across the country. On top of their annual support, Miracle-Gro is donating £5,000 to assist with one of the charities latest projects. Greenfingers will be delivering a therapeutic garden within ‘The Nook’, a purpose-built children’s hospice in Norfolk. Miracle-Gro is sponsoring a space within the garden named ‘The Nest’, which aims to be an outdoor oasis where children and their loved ones can go to rest and recharge.
Greenfingers is a national charity supporting children in hospices around the UK. Whether it is a quiet space for relaxation and reflection or an area to socialise and grow, the charity work closely with children’s hospices to design and build gardens to suit the needs of the children and their families.
Mark Portman, Managing Director of Evergreen, explains why Greenfingers is such an important charity to support, “We are honoured to help support the creation of a magical garden for life-limited children and their families. As a business, it’s important for us to give back. We know how precious spending nature can be and to be able to help fund a space for families to create these memories is very special.”
Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Greenfingers, explains how the support from Miracle Gro has made a difference to the charity. “Time spent outdoors, away from the bedside, and being at one with nature is an extremely powerful tool. We are incredibly happy to be partnering with Miracle-Gro at The Nook to create a space which will allow these children to create precious memories with their loved ones outside in nature.”
Greenfingers Special Edition Peat Free Premium All Purpose Compost 40L is available now in Garden Centres Nationwide- RRP £7.99.
Darlac, the garden and cutting tools experts, is to be carried in the five RHS Garden Centres across the UK from Spring 2022...
Above: The Darlac brass irrigation product display in the RHS Wisley Garden Centre within their visitor centre.
Above: The Darlac brass irrigation product display in the RHS Wisley Garden Centre within their visitor centre.
Darlac, the garden and cutting tools experts, is to be carried in the five RHS Garden Centres across the UK (at RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey; RHS Garden Bridgewater, Salford; RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate; RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Chelmsford and RHS Garden Rosemoor, Devon), from Spring 2022.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is the UK’s leading gardening charity and represents the paragon of excellence in horticulture in the UK. With 5 gardens across the UK with retail outlets attached to their visitor centres, footfall is high with over 2 million visitors being welcomed to the gardens every year.
The products in store are carefully curated by the RHS; the organisation approached Darlac to support their aim to move away from plastic products in stores. Included are the sustainable bamboo range of hand tools and Darlac’s brass irrigation accessories which will help the RHS strengthen their in-store offering. The Expert cutting range is also to be included, offering Darlac’s professional quality pruners, loppers and shears to shoppers.
Duncan Mclean, RHS Senior Plant Buyer, said: “The Darlac range of brass irrigation and bamboo hand tools is a great addition to our stores in line with our commitment to stock more sustainable alternatives. We’ve also added the Darlac Expert cutting range which offers our customers a great price alternative and makes an accessible option in store.”
Chris Owen, General Manager for Darlac, added: “Inclusion of the Darlac bamboo and brass irrigation ranges in RHS retail outlets is great news. Shoppers at the RHS gardens are a highly discerning audience and very much a part of our target demographic, so getting our product out to this audience is a really exciting development for us. The Royal Horticultural Society were particularly interested in our bamboo range of hand tools and the brass irrigation products to support their commitment to carrying more eco-friendly products across all their retail outlets. We are delighted to have been included in these high-profile retail settings.”
Contact the Darlac wholesale sales team on info@darlac.com. For more details of the full range in stores, take a look at the Darlac website – darlac.com
Poised to topple pre-pandemic numbers, Glee 2022 – which is entering a new chapter this year with a move to a late June time slot within the exhibition calendar – is on course to maximise its allocated floorspace with over 85% of the show already occupied and over 400 exhibitors anticipated to be exhibiting this June...
Poised to topple pre-pandemic numbers, Glee 2022 – which is entering a new chapter this year with a move to a late June time slot within the exhibition calendar – is on course to maximise its allocated floorspace with over 85% of the show already occupied and over 400 exhibitors anticipated to be exhibiting this June.
Suppliers and manufacturers new and old have been quick to capitalise on the ongoing popularity of gardening, recognising that Glee is the place to be seen by leading buyers from the multiple and garden centre sector, high street stores, e-commerce giants, home & gift retailers, plus representatives from builders’ merchants, garden designers and landscapers. Now, with just over two months to go until the show takes place, interested parties are urged to book their space now to avoid disappointment.
Glee’s Event Director, Matthew Mein said: “The appetite for Glee 2022 has outstripped any of our expectations. With an anticipated 400+ exhibitors set to fill four halls of the NEC, this year’s event will be bigger and more vibrant than before, proving that our sector is stronger than ever, and that innovation is helping to create an exciting future for gardening.
“With a maximum capacity show on the horizon we are keen to work with any brands wanting to exhibit at the show to ensure they don’t miss out.”
Get set for Glee
This year’s event will deliver more value than ever for both suppliers looking for new and enhanced retail listings, and for those retailers that are wanting to source new and unique brands to help set their offering apart. Featuring eight dedicated show sectors - Garden Care, Landscaping & Garden Decoration, Food & Catering, Retail Experience & Services, Outdoor Entertaining, Home, Gift & Clothing, Plants and PAW for pet and animal wellbeing - the 2022 edition of Glee will be home to thousands of the most exciting product innovations and merchandising support tools to ensure that the 2023 sales season is the most exciting yet.
Supporting Glee’s three-day schedule will be a host of live content including the Glee New Product Awards, home to the newest product launches; the Buyers Power List, a celebration of those buyers and buying teams that go above and beyond; plus an unrivalled schedule of seminar content created to provide insight and thought-provoking debate on those issues shaping the garden retail sector and driving consumer demand. In a move to support visitors further, it has been confirmed that all seminar content will be made available online after the show.
Find out more
To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com. To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2020 call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.
Register now!
Registration for free entry to Glee 2022 – 28th-30th June – is now open.
Simply visit www.gleebirmingham.com to secure your ticket and get ready to connect with quality exhibitors, nurture existing relationships and grow new ones at the UK's leading garden and outdoor living trade show.
Azpects have launched two brand-new products in the EASYCare product range...
Azpects have launched two brand-new products in the EASYCare product range:
Wood Revive is an easy-to-use solution to refresh and restore both softwood and hardwood. Remove silvering and greying caused by UV damage to restore natural tones, ready for wood to be over-coated or refinished. Wood Revive will be available as a ready-to-use solution in a 750ml trigger spray and 3 litre bottle.
Rattan Revive is three products in one. Clean, restore, and protect in one simple application. Give a fresh new look to tired and faded synthetic rattan furniture. Special ingredients bond to the surface to protect from weather damage. Ideal for other surfaces such as PVC, plastic etc. Rattan Revive will be available as a ready-to-use solution in a 750ml trigger spray.
Additionally, three of Azpects’ most popular cleaners are being made available in 3 litre ready-to-use bottles: Algae Remover, Patio & Deck Cleaner, and Porcelain Cleaner & Sanitiser. Already available as 1 litre concentrates, the new 3 litre bottles offer greater flexibility to suit most budgets and garden needs.
Staff and skills shortages at garden centres across the country can be plugged with touchscreen technology says a plant information company at the forefront of the latest developments...
Staff and skills shortages at garden centres across the country can be plugged with touchscreen technology says a plant information company at the forefront of the latest developments.
Vacancies are at a record high and garden centres nationwide are struggling to fill positions so need to invest in technology says Joy of Plants, which offers digital assistance with its ‘Plant Finder’ Touchscreen Kiosk.
Terri Jones, Managing Director at Joy of Plants, said: “There are significant workforce shortages in many sectors including horticulture.
“The Learning and Work Institute thinktank says there are 1.1 million fewer people in the workforce than pre-pandemic. The population is now smaller, as many people have left the UK and fewer are coming in. Also, young people are spending longer in education. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development says there just aren’t many candidates out there and we’re certainly hearing from our garden centre clients that finding and retaining staff with horticultural knowledge is harder than ever.
“We’re now entering an era where garden centres, which have traditionally not been technologically driven and perhaps have even been technology adverse, are coming to us to ask for help and advice and to find out how our Plant Finder Touchscreen Kiosk can help fill their skills and staffing shortages. Our kiosks act as guides for customers to the plants a garden centre sells and it’s like having a new team assistant in the plant area ready to answer any plant related questions.
“The Home screen can be personalised to specific plant groups, such as easycare plants, fruit or trees for small gardens and there are buttons to quickly find plants by name or criteria to meet a customer’s precise needs.
“As well as customers using the kiosk, staff members can also use it to find answers to plant questions quickly and efficiently.”
Garden centres can also use the Touchscreen Kiosk as a digital advertising tool while the Plant Finder is not in use. Customers can be made aware of seasonal offers, promotions and daily specials. Content can be scheduled any time of the day and kiosks can run targeted campaigns to a single screen or to a network of units across multiple sites.
Terri added: “We have kiosks in 60 centres across the country now with more being added each week. Garden centres are following the kiosk trend started in other retail and hospitality sectors.”
Review Systems Digital Signage, who supply the Kiosk hardware, has recently launched smaller, cheaper 21-inch digital touchscreens as freestanding kiosks or wall mounted units.
Joy of Plants can also apply the Plant Finder technology as a plugin to retailers' websites. The Capital Gardens Group has recently added it to its website along with kiosks in three of its five centres.
Oscar Beardwood, Plant Area Supervisor at Capital Gardens, said: “The Plant Finder is a massive help in the day-to-day operations within Neals Nursery and across all Capital Gardens centres where we have them in use.
“As we continue to navigate these troubling times, while doing our absolute best to make every customer feel as comfortable as possible, but still receiving the best service and care, the Plant Finder is a great help. We are now able to assist all our customers while respecting everybody’s wishes, with the additional help from the Plant Finder, as well as being able to find help from a member of staff.
“Features such as the ability to email plant lists and all necessary care information to customers from the Kiosk, or email directly to us for further research or planning, have been amazingly helpful, as well as the ability for the customers to use the touchscreens and gain access to all the information in peak times when all staff members are busy. Moving forward, I think that the Plant Finder will be an extremely helpful tool that we will look to utilise to its full capabilities, as our team and customers get even more comfortable using all the useful features.”
Capital Gardens has Kiosks at its larger centres at Alexandra Palace in north west London, Wandsworth in south west London and outside London at Sherfield-on-Loddon.
The centres offer customers a diverse and large collection of plants throughout the seasons, suited to our country’s varied climate and seasons.
Joy of Plants’ mission is to make plant information easy and accessible to all. It has created a library of more than 15,300 UK garden plants and trees and offers a platform of tools to help garden centres, retailers, growers and breeders maximise their plant sales and income.
It provides information in many products including an Image and Text Library for ecommerce sites, Plant Finder for websites and Touchscreen Kiosks, and print on-demand Bed Cards.
Wyevale Nurseries played host to 60 landscape architect students from the University of Gloucestershire. They were given a tour of the nurseries and learned about the day-to-day running of the business...
Wyevale Nurseries played host to 60 landscape architect students from the University of Gloucestershire.
The students were given a tour of the nurseries and learned about the day-to-day running of the business.
Ian Wright, Commercial Sales Director at Wyevale Nurseries based in Hereford, said: “We were thrilled to welcome the students from the University of Gloucestershire. We gave them a guided tour of the nursery and spoke to them about the production of containerised and open ground shrubs and trees, as well as how Landscape architects can work more effectively with Landscape contractors and nurseries.
“It was great to see the students who were interested and engaged in all we had to show them. We are big on promoting careers in horticulture to the younger generation including apprenticeships with us and our management trainee programme, so we hope the tour inspired them.”
Wyevale Nurseries’ product selection is envied across the industry and the talented team regularly introduces new, award-winning plant varieties.
Its main business is to supply garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners with a comprehensive array of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants.
Bill Burford, Academic Subject leader for Architecture, Construction and Environment at the University of Gloucestershire, said: “We’d like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Wyevale Nurseries for hosting our students, providing expertise on how to specify and design with plants, as well as inspiring them to work with the plant nursery industry more effectively as professionals when they get jobs in the profession.
“Through this visit, post pandemic, we have rekindled an historic working relationship between the two organisations, and we look forward to working closely with Wyevale Nurseries in the future.
For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, which is based in Hereford, please call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk.
New for 2022 from British garden manufacturer Webb is the latest range of Webb 2-stroke lightweight petrol chainsaws, which come with a host of features that deliver outstanding power, performance and durability, at an affordable price...
New for 2022 from British garden manufacturer Webb is the latest range of Webb 2-stroke lightweight petrol chainsaws, which come with a host of features that deliver outstanding power, performance and durability, at an affordable price.
There are two models in the range: the Webb 40cm (16”) 2-stroke 45cc petrol chainsaw and the Webb 45cm (18”) 2-stroke 50cc petrol chainsaw. Both machines are supplied with the easy start recoil system, which takes away the traditional arm strain of conventional chainsaws. Each is equipped with a world-renowned original Oregon™ guide bar and chain as standard to ensure outstanding cutting efficiency. Both chainsaws can tackle a range of garden tasks such as pruning, cutting firewood and DIY related projects quickly and safely.
Featuring the latest in EURO-5 technology, these Webb petrol chainsaws significantly reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions without compromising on speed or power. Each machine is fitted with a large 600ml fuel tank, whilst the 260ml oil tank keeps the chain lubricated with its automatic pump with a manual adjuster.
Easy and comfortable to use the Webb petrol chainsaws come with ergonomic handles and initiative controls, plus an anti-vibration system that isolates the handles from the engine and reduces operator fatigue. The 2-stroke engine keeps weight low (5.6kg without guide bar and chain) whilst maintaining maximum output. The standard safety chain brake gives the operator peace of mind.
All Webb petrol chainsaws come with a two-year warranty (T&C apply). A full range of accessories and spares are held in stock.
Webb petrol chainsaws are the latest addition to the Webb range of quality gardening tools and products which offer exceptional performance at an excellent price point.
Year to date sales volumes of the GTN Garden Products Top 50 dropped below 2021 levels for the first time this week at the end of the first week of April. Sales were, however, 6% up to the same week in 2019...
Year to date sales volumes of the GTN Garden Products Top 50 dropped below 2021 levels for the first time this week at the end of the first week of April. Sales were, however, 6% up to the same week in 2019.
Plant feeds were the most prolific garden product for volume sales, accounting for 15% of the Top 50 volume from 15 lines. Given the high sales of tomato plants it’s no surprise that tomato feeds lead the way.
Evergreen Garden Care Levington Tomorite 1 litre + 30% Free moves back to No1.
Westland Big Tom Concentrated Tomato Food 1.9 litre moves up one place to No 10.
Maxicrop Original Organic 1 litre is a re-entry at No 50.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
The first week of April 2022 saw the highest Top 50 Veg-2-Gro volumes for the same week since 2017, but in 2017 we’d had a very slow start to the year and year-to-date 2022 volumes are 41% higher than 2017...
The first week of April 2022 saw the highest Top 50 Veg-2-Gro volumes for the same week since 2017, but in 2017 we’d had a very slow start to the year and year-to-date 2022 volumes are 41% higher than 2017.
Tomatoes dominate the GTN Chart with 31 out of the Top 50 volume sales lines accounting for 66% of the Top 50 volume.
Quantil Tomato Moneymaker 8cm is the single biggest selling line at No 1.
Gardeners Delight is the biggest variety overall with Quantil Tomato Gardeners Delight 8cm at No 3 and Cheers Tomato Gardeners Delight 9cm at No 4.
Quantil Tomato Roma 8cm is the highest re-entry at No 24.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
Whilst the heat has gone out of growing media sales volumes compared to last year, GTN Top 50 sales volumes in the first week of April were the highest since 2017 and sit at 29% up on 2017 year-to-date and 25% up on 2019 year-to-date...
Whilst the heat has gone out of growing media sales volumes compared to last year, GTN Top 50 sales volumes in the first week of April were the highest since 2017 and sit at 29% up on 2017 year-to-date and 25% up on 2019 year-to-date.
While we wait for the outcome of the DEFRA review into peat use in compost, last week saw Peat Free products make up 26% of the GTN Top 50 compost volume sold with 21% of the total Top 50 volume being made up of top soil, manure, bark and other soil-improver lines.
Westland New Horizon All Plant Organic Compost 20 litres was the highest climber up the GTN Growing Media chart, moving up 20 places to No 16.
Strulch Organic Straw Mulch 100 litres was the highest placed Top 50 re-entry, back in at No 43.
AHS Heart of Eden All Purpose Compost 50 litres saw the highest percentage week on week change with sales up 87%.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
Wild Bird Care sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers Epos database continue to show decline versus last year and the three years leading up to the pandemic and the closures of 2021...
Wild Bird Care sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers Epos database continue to show decline versus last year and the three years leading up to the pandemic and the closures of 2021.
That may not be a concern to many if prices and values of sales have increased, however it does point to a long term reduction of interest in looking after garden birds.
Gardman Seed Mix 12.7kg stays at the top of the GTN chart for the 3rd week.
Marriages Honeyfields Calciworms 1kg are the highest placed chart re-entry at No 20.
Henry Bell Sunflower Hearts 2kg saw the biggest percentage week on week sales growth to re-enter at No 49.
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
The RSPB is calling for everyone to join the wildlife-planting revolution after a YouGov survey revealed that three quarters of people are now doing at least something in their garden or outside space to help wildlife...
The RSPB is calling for everyone to join the wildlife-planting revolution after a YouGov survey revealed that three quarters of people are now doing at least something in their garden or outside space to help wildlife (with 19% trying a lot, 30% trying a fair amount, and 26% trying a little).
The survey, commissioned by the RSPB as part of their Nature on Your Doorstep campaign, also revealed the wide range of ways that people are already gardening with wildlife in mind - over two in five (43%) consider how a plant can benefit pollinators when choosing what to grow in their garden, just under a quarter (24%) leave areas of grass to grow long for nature, and nearly half of people feed birds (49%). With UK gardens and balconies covering over 4,000km2, twice the size of Greater London, all these actions put together create a vital network of refuges for wildlife).
Many previously familiar garden species are in decline. Starling numbers have fallen by two-thirds in Britain since the mid-1970s, for example, with populations of half of our bumblebee species falling, and hedgehog numbers crashing from 30 million to an estimated one million since the 1950s across England, Wales, and Scotland.
Planting for wildlife in gardens and outdoor spaces presents a fantastic opportunity to help struggling wildlife and is also a hugely popular activity. When asked in the survey to choose what one thing they would most like to do in a new empty outdoor space, half of people (50%) chose having more plants (either having a wildflower meadow (most popular at 16%), or planting fruit trees (11%), other kinds of trees (6%), shrubs (7%), or space for more flowers (10%)).
The survey also showed the potential for even more people to take up action and welcome wildlife into their gardens. Two thirds of respondents want to see local birds (68%) and pollinators (64%) in their local space, two groups of species that are easily attracted by growing wildlife-friendly plants.
Adrian Thomas, the RSPB’s wildlife gardening expert, said: “I’m thrilled to hear how many people are now taking steps to help wildlife in their gardens and outdoor spaces. It feels like a movement is underway in which people are recognising that our gardens can be wonderful, shared spaces for us and for wildlife, to the benefit of all.
“To play your part, the best and easiest place to start is to grow more plants. They provide varied, healthy food sources, and offer shelter and nesting spots. And the lovely thing is that lots of plants that are good for wildlife are also beautiful, colourful and richly scented, making outdoor spaces more welcoming, relaxing, and interesting for all of us to enjoy. So this Easter weekend, why not give planting a go, maybe starting with some wildflower seeds? They produce beautiful flowers in just a few weeks, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you see pollinators buzzing into your garden!”
Here are five wildlife-friendly, easy-growing plants to get anybody started:
Sunflowers – beautiful and easy to grow from seed, these classic flowers are great for pollinators and are a great food source for birds when they set seed.
Cornfield annuals – for just a couple of pounds you can have the glow of red poppies and blue cornflowers within weeks
Mini-meadow – just let parts of your lawn grow for a few months, or even better until late summer, and be rewarded with drifts of clovers and other meadow flowers
Lavender - the familiar lovely-smelling herb that’s brilliant for bees and butterflies.
Foxgloves - tall purple, pink and white flowers that are bee magnets.
For more suggestions, tips, and inspiration on how to give planting a go and join the wildlife-planting revolution visit www.rspb.org.uk/NatureOnYourDoorstep.
Wildlife specialist, Vivara, has launched a range of new wildlife borders as part of its plants with purpose campaign, designed to help keen gardeners give a corner of their green space back to wildlife...
Wildlife specialist, Vivara, has launched a range of new wildlife borders as part of its plants with purpose campaign, designed to help keen gardeners give a corner of their green space back to wildlife.
Launching this spring, each pack provides everything nature enthusiasts need to create a haven for birds, butterflies, bees and insects, making it perfect for experienced gardeners who want to invite more wildlife into their outdoor area.
Designed to fill a one metre by three metre space, the wildlife borders contain a handpicked array of plants which are beneficial and nutritional to wildlife, as well as a selection of feeders and shelters to help promote biodiversity on your doorstep.
With four bundles available, including the Butterfly Garden, the Bee Friendly Garden, and the Bird Friendly Garden, each is designed to support different types of native wildlife, while bringing gardens to life with the buzz of nature and beautiful plants.
The Butterfly Garden includes a Butterfly & Bee Box, a limited-edition Butterfly House, and a range of butterfly-friendly plants including Black-Eyed Susan, Lavender Hidcote, White Coneflower, Garden Catmint, Iron Hard ‘Lollipop’ and White Dwarf Buddleja.
For bee lovers, there are two options available; the Bee Friendly Garden, with two Bee Hotel Pantelleria’s, a Bee Hotel Ustica, and a variety of plants including White Coneflower, East Friesland, Pink Lavender, Lesser Dalamint, Soapwart, and Ladys Mantle, and the Bee Rose Garden, which comes with a Bee Hotel Pantelleria, a Tabarca Insect Hotel, and four varieties of Bee Perfect Roses in pink, yellow, white and red.
Vivara, which provides a range of ideas and solutions to help create more habitats and food for all kinds of creatures, has launched the wildlife gardens as part of its mission to bring wildlife back into all kinds of environments, from large green spaces to small urban areas.
Sarah Hancocks, Marketing Projects Manager for Vivara, commented: “We are so excited to launch our range of wildlife gardens this spring. We’re incredibly passionate about nature, and believe that all types of wildlife, from birds and butterflies to bees and bugs, play a vital part in our ecosystem. That’s why we’re on a mission to help give parts of Britain back to nature and help to restore the balance of biodiversity in back gardens across the country.
Blue Diamond Garden Centres have opened The Parlour, an Edwardian restaurant in Springfields Shopping Centre, Spalding.
The restaurant is in a stand alone unit that overlooks the Festival Gardens and is connected to the garden centre via a retractable covered walkway which traverses the rear of other shop units delivery areas.
Matthew Upton, previously Head Chef at Blue Diamond East Bridgford, has created the menu and is managing the restaurant working with the team from the Noshery in the garden centre.
The Edwardian style decor, with the added touch of a grand piano, creates sense of calm and occasion with a menu of Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Afternoon Tea that is quite different from the garden centre offering.
After Mother’s Day set a new record March week for volume sales, cooler weather at the start and end of the month meant the GTN Bestsellers volume sales index closed 18% down for March, but year to date up 15% on 2021 and 23% up on 2019...
After Mother’s Day set a new record March week for volume sales, cooler weather at the start and end of the month meant the GTN Bestsellers volume sales index closed 18% down for March.
But as that compares with a March in 2021 when we had just come out of Lockdown #3 the real comparison should be year to date sales for the first quarter which are 15% up on 2021 and 23% up on 2019.
For some, that may not mean increased turnover as we’re not seeing the same volumes of early garden furniture sales this year. However, conversations with several garden centres this week reveal they are more than happy with the rate of furniture sales at the moment.
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 13.
Garden Products Top 50 – down 33%
Growing Media Top 50 – down 36%
Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 26%
Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 16%
GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2021: week 13
All Plants with Barcode index – down 37%
All Items with Barcode index – down 28%
See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.
Over the past couple of years, an increasing number of people have embraced gardening in small spaces, whether it is a courtyard, terrace garden or a balcony, to create a green retreat out of the space they have available...
Over the past couple of years, an increasing number of people have embraced gardening in small spaces, whether it is a courtyard, terrace garden or a balcony, to create a green retreat out of the space they have available.
The challenge that many urban gardeners face is finding the most appropriate garden tools that meet the requirements of smaller outdoor spaces, as often gardening equipment can take up storage that those with a small garden do not have. This presents an opportunity for garden centre retailers to promote the latest innovations in lightweight watering systems, which includes the compact Micro Reel from Hozelock.
The Micro Reel, which has an RRP of £36.99 is ideal for garden centres who want to appeal to both new and urban gardeners, as the product includes a 10m hose and comes with fittings. The Micro Reel weighs a little over 1kg and is an ideal watering solution for urban gardens, balconies, courtyards, and targeted areas of larger gardens.
To offer users flexibility when watering, the Micro Reel features an innovative ‘Click & Go’ design that allows users to simply ‘click’ the connector onto the tap and let the rotating drum unwind the hose whilst walking.
The product has also been designed for versatility and for those gardeners using the Micro Reel for their balcony garden that don’t have an outdoor tap, the hose can be connected to an indoor mixer tap using a Hozelock indoor tap solution such as the Mixer Tap Connector.
Due to its compact nature, the Micro Reel can easily be stored away in small cupboards, on a shelf or in a shed, without taking up too much room.
Hannah Powell’s memoir The Cactus Surgeon has been awarded the winner of the Selfies UK Book Awards in the memoir/autobiography category. These national awards recognise the UK’s best indie-published books...
Hannah Powell’s memoir The Cactus Surgeon has been awarded the winner of the Selfies UK Book Awards in the memoir/autobiography category. These national awards recognise the UK’s best indie-published books.
Hannah is Communications & HR Dircector at Perrywood Garden Centres, and her debut book was written in lock down after joining the Michael Heppell 'Write That Book' Masterclass. Hannah followed Micahel on social media after hearing him speak at two GCA conferences. Her memoir outlines her relationship with nature and the amazing way it has positively influenced her health and wellbeing, as well as telling stories about growing up living next to a garden centre.
There were just eight titles shortlisted, and winners were announced on April 5 at the London Book Fair. The judges praised "the simplicity of [the] storytelling", a cover that was "perfect for this kind of writing", and "integrated photos enhancing the narrative and the book's sense of renewal". Judges: Alan Staton (Booksellers Association), Alan Samson (ex-Weidenfeld), Ben Hughes (IngramSpark).
BookBrunch managing director Jo Henry said: "We have been thoroughly impressed by the wide range of topics covered and the professionalism of the publishing expertise shown by the 25 authors on this year's shortlists. The powerful stories told in the memoir/autobiography category made immersive reading for our judges, while the winner is very much a book for our time.
Hannah says: “As a new, and self-published, author it can be quite challenging to gain interest and recognition. This award is just wonderful. It’s given me a huge confidence boost, and a desire to keep writing.”
Hannah received a cash prize of £750, which she is donating to charity FND Hope UK. They support those suffering from FND. She will also receive a profile in BookBrunch, a winner’s certificate and other publishing opportunities and packages from sponsors and supporters.
The Cactus Surgeon outlines how, when living in London, Hannah suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help her, she found her own way to get better.
Growing up living on the same site as Perrywood Garden Centre in Tiptree her childhood was full of nature and plants. This was in stark contrast to the concrete of London, where she became unwell. In searching for the answers to her illness, she wonders whether being torn from her pot and replanted in a more hostile environment was the reason her body started to malfunction.
After seeking out alternative therapies, and moving to the countryside of North Essex, her ‘green recovery’ continued. It’s a book of mindful moments, savouring the small wonders of nature.
The Cactus Surgeon is available at www.thecactussurgeon.com, via any independent or chain book shop (just ask them to order it in) plus via other online retailers including Amazon.
New names at Glee introduce themselves and tell us what they’ll have in store for the show this summer...
With gardening booming and the value of exhibitions stronger than ever, it will come as no surprise that Glee 2022 – taking place in late June 28th – 30th – at the NEC Birmingham – will be a hotbed of new and emerging brands, all ready and willing to build new retail partnerships with buyers from across the UK garden centre network. Here, these new names at Glee introduce themselves and tell us what they’ll have in store for the show this summer.
GARDEN CARE
Bioefekts Ltd – offers unique bioeffect microbial products that contain many different plant-friendly microorganisms (bacteria and fungi), that, when released in the soil, release growth stimulants and natural antibiotics, improve the supply of minerals to plants and bind atmospheric nitrogen.
Why is Bioefekts Ltd making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“Bioefekts Ltd. company has 29 years’ solid experience in production of microbiological products. With our extended production and research results our aim is to expand export markets and support Green Deal initiatives with our natural products for horticulture and agriculture sustainability. We would be delighted to cooperate with you in the future.”
Greenman Garden Tools - a fourth generation family business, with a proud heritage in supplying artisanal garden tools to the trade. Creating tools designed to be functional and beautiful is Greeman Garden Tools’ passion.
Why is Greenman Garden Tools making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“Having the opportunity to bring our tools to a wide market is exciting and key to our ambitious growth plans. As keen visitors in the past, we’re looking forward to being on the other side of the fence this year.”
Greensmart Pots - self watering planters for growing vegetables and herbs
Why is Greensmart Pots making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“Greensmart has launched in UK and made a huge impact in the grow your own market already. The team continue to engage with many garden centres and we want to continue to scale our business with the networking and business opportunities that Glee can offer!”
Hex Living - a division of the multi award-winning business, Alpha Manufacturing, Hex Living is the UK’s leading manufacturer of premium-quality metal sheds and garden storage solutions.
Why is Hex Living making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“Hex Living has invested significantly in research, design, production and marketing to get the product here today. We see Glee as the perfect opportunity to showcase our brand and products.”
Kingston Tools - give your seedlings the best start in life with Kingston Tools fibre pots. Discover the full range of nursery pots, wood fuel, pots and planters at Glee.
Why is Kingston Tools making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“If there is a place to launch our gardening range, it is definitely at Glee.”
Kink Out ltd – remove those annoying kinks/creases from your hosepipes with Kink Out Ltd offering, whilst also saving hosepipes from landfill. The full offering is supported with plantable plant your packaging, making it a highly sustainable product offering.
Why is Kink Out making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“I have decided to debut at Glee because the networking is second to none. The Kink Out product deals with four separate issues and I look forward to sharing it.”
Oregon - specialises in a wide range of products for the forestry, lawn, and garden industries.
Why is Oregon making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“Over 75 years Oregon has carved out a reputation as a leader in saw chains, bars, outdoor equipment and accessories, and we are excited to be sharing our range at Glee.”
TGW Distribution – offers British Organic Bio, an organic nutrient range for organic growers which harnesses a suite of key technologies and high-quality organic ingredients, not used anywhere else in organic farming.
Why is TGW Distribution making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“We are debuting at Glee to help organic growers get the best results with our organic nutrients, while spreading the importance of using natural/organic products to keep our planet healthy.”
The Magic Molecule Co - offers a range of biostimulants for garden lovers and enthusiasts; natural products helping plants grow to their fullest potential. The Magic Molecule Co’s natural supplements work wonders, improving plant health within your garden.
Why is The Magic Molecule Co making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“Glee 2022 offers us the ideal opportunity to showcase our unique biostimulant products to the ideal retailers working within the garden centre and retail marketplaces.”
LANDSCAPING & GARDEN DECORATION
Dyofix – offers colours for garden ponds as well as Water Clarity Treatments.
Why is Dyofix making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“We have decided to debut at Glee this year as it provides a great platform to showcase our company and products.”
fenceBUDDY UK Ltd – offers quality, reimagined garden accessories, full of colour and offering multi-purposes uses. No tools required and all fenceBUDDY products are fully recyclable. Designed for every level of gardener and enthusiasts, no matter their mobility or dexterity.
Why is fenceBUDDY UK Ltd making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“We've had a lot of interest, and we wanted to showcase the brand, our new products and designs at the UK's largest garden trade fair – Glee 2022.”
Patterson & Rothwell – offers a comprehensive range of planters, available in a variety of different designs, styles and colours. All Patterson & Rothwell indoor and outdoor planters are proudly manufactured in the UK from recycled polypropylene.
Why is Patterson & Rothwell making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“Glee 2022 is the perfect opportunity to showcase our range of stylish planters, ready to enhance any garden. Our pots are weather-resistant, lightweight, extremely durable and manufactured from recycled polypropylene.”
RUBI UK - offers a range of manual and electric tile cutters, as well as products for cutting, drilling, handling and laying external tiles, with a particular focus on porcelain paving.
Why is RUBI UK making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“With the change in paving materials, porcelain paving has become a larger part of the construction industry; making our debut at glee 2022 was the natural progression in our growth.”
The Garden Village Limited - is a UK manufacturer of FSC® certified timber garden products handmade in Lancashire, including the original wheelie bin and recycle box store.
Why is The Garden Village Limited making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“Our goal is to introduce our brand to key buyers across the garden sector within the UK and abroad. What better platform to do this than Glee!”
UK Bamboo Supplies Ltd - is the UK’s leading supplier of bamboo poles, fencing and plyboards. From gardeners to interior designers and architects, the company supplies a range of industries.
Why is UK Bamboo Supplies Ltd making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“Our bamboo poles, fencing, and planters are very popular and the demand for bamboo is increasing as people become more environmentally conscious. It is our dream to supply UK garden centres.”
UK Garden Buildings Ltd - manufacture, deliver and install garden buildings, including insulated garden rooms, sheds, summerhouses and playhouses. The company sells its buildings through a range of independent garden centres and building suppliers, as well as operating two show sites of in Burton on Trent and Chester.
Why is UK Garden Buildings Ltd making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“We have been working on improving our product range by offering different types of garden rooms – timber, cedar and composite – and want to showcase this to Glee’s engaged visitor audience.”
OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING
Firedragon - Green & Clean, Eco-Friendly Fire Lighters - FireDragon Fuel is made from rotten vegetable matter rather than being wood or petrol based, resulting in products that do not produce any harmful smoke or fumes when burning, so it doesn't taint your food, BBQ or Fire Pit. It also means you are releasing harming chemicals into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming. All FireDragon products can be used with multi-fuel cooking stoves, indoor ethanol fireplaces and is excellent for kick starting your barbecues, fire pits or bonfires.
Why is Firedragon making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“Because we want to spread the eco-friendly message to as many people as we can, and Glee is the perfect place to do that!”
Firmans Direct Ltd – offers over 40 years’ experience in the design, creation, and delivery of outdoor furniture to the commercial sector, including the ever-popular maintenance free Miami Collection.
Why is Firmans Direct Ltd making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“Firmans is excited to exhibit at Glee 2022, being held in June for the first time. Glee’s prestige reaches a diverse range of businesses, which we believe will help Firmans attain greater brand awareness.”
Smartwares – offers camping equipment and garden lighting, from gas stoves and cool boxes, to solar and rechargeable lights. The company aims to make the outdoor fun and affordable.
Why is Smartwares making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“We want to engage with the correct retailers in the correct markets, and Glee will offer us the best opportunity to showcase our array of outdoor products.”
Thermapen - is the UK’s number one selling food and BBQ thermometer. Used by hundreds of thousands of discerning cooks worldwide, it offers a combination of speed, accuracy and convenience.
Why is Thermapen making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“Thermapen will be joining the most exciting brands and innovative products at Glee and look forward to connecting with visitors to explore new opportunities and grow new industry relationships.”
HOME GIFT & CLOTHING
ART WOW® - is a gifts and homeware wholesaler that supports independent artists by selling their beautiful designs on a variety of homeware, gifts, and art. The team partner with talented artists and print their designs on a range of products. Each product sold pays a commission to the artist.
Why is ART WOW® making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“We want to continue to promote and support our independent artists and designers by giving them the opportunity to showcase their artwork to garden retailers.”
ELSATEX - the home of quality and affordable textiles - offers household textiles including kitchen, bathroom, bedding, blankets, baby, dust sheets and Christmas.
Why is ELSATEX making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“We feel that home textiles within the garden centre sector have boomed over the Covid years, and it seemed like an ideal time to expand into a new market.”
Henry & Co Home Fragrance - produces luxury wax melts, scented candles, reed diffusers and aroma oils, all put together and poured by hand in its Yorkshire workshop.
Why is Henry & Co Home Fragrance making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“With the success Henry & Co Home Fragrance is having at garden centres we couldn't miss taking part in Glee and introducing Henry & Co to more potential suppliers.”
PAW
PARK LiFE Pet Limited - make great tasting, junk-free canine treats, with more benefits than you can shake a stick at! Including Fris-Bix, “Frisbee” shaped biscuits, for throwing, catching, and playful snacking.
Why is PARK LiFE Pet Limited making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“PARK LiFE has a product offering and bold branding that is unlike anything else on the market, so it’s important for us to get the physical product in front of potential customers. Glee comes highly recommended as the best place in the UK for any innovative pet start-up who wants to drive their availability in the garden centre sector.”
RETAIL EXPERIENCES & SERVICES
TagShopUK.com - is the UK’s leading web supplier of retail tagging consumables and systems, which prides itself on its market leading prices and stock levels.
Why is TagShop.com making its debut at Glee in 2022?
“We are exhibiting at the show for the first time as we believe that our philosophy will resonate with the shows visitors and that we can offer real added value to their operations.”
Toucan Mobile Sales and Analytics - provides two sales enablement solutions: a sales order taking app, and an intuitive sales analytics platform. Both solutions are designed to help retailers work more efficiently and increase sales revenue.
Why is Toucan Mobile Sales and Analytics making its debut at Glee in 2022? “We believe we can add real value to businesses in the garden and outdoor living sector and aim to build some strong relationships at Glee.”
Find out more
To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com. To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2020 call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.
Burford House (BGC), Brigg (BGC), Squire Badshot Lea, Silverbirch, The Old Railway Line and Bents have picked up Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Team golds in GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards, presented at Spring Fair on Monday. Kaemingk walked away with The Greatest Christmas Supplier gold...
Burford House (BGC), Brigg (BGC), Squire Badshot Lea, Silverbirch, The Old Railway Line and Bents have picked up Greatest Garden Centre Christmas Team golds in GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards, presented at Spring Fair on Monday. Kaemingk walked away with The Greatest Christmas Supplier gold.
Here are all the winners:
The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team - kindly sponsored by Woodlodge
The Greatest Group Garden Centre Christmas Team - kindly sponsored by Woodlodge
Smaller Group Centres
Gold:Burford House - BGC
Silver: Albrighton – BGC
Bronze: Blue Diamond Newbridge, Little Dobbies Richmond, Thatcham – BGC
The Greatest Group Garden Centre Christmas Team - kindly sponsored by Woodlodge
Larger Group Centres
Gold:Squires Badshot Lea, Brigg – BGC
Silver: Blue Diamond Cadbury, Blue Diamond Derby
Bronze: Braintree – BGC
All Group Centre Finalists: Albrighton – BGC, Blue Diamond Cadbury, Blue Diamond Derby, Blue Diamond Newbridge, Braintree – BGC, Brigg Garden Centre – BGC, Burford House – BGC, Little Dobbies Richmond, Squires Badshot Lea, Thatcham – BGC
The Greatest Small Garden Centre Christmas Team - kindly sponsored by DCUK
Gold:Silverbirch
Silver: Newquay Garden Centre
Bronze: Pengelly Garden Centre
Finalists: Hillmount Cheshire, Newquay Garden Centre, Pengelly Garden Centre, Pughs Wenvoe, Silverbirch
The Greatest Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team - kindly sponsored by DCUK
Gold:The Old Railway Line
Silver: Fron Goch
Bronze: Woodlands Garden Centre
Finalists: Bosworths, Fron Goch, Perrywood Sudbury, Tates South Downs, The Old Railway Line, Woodlands Garden Centre
The Greatest Large Garden Centre Christmas Team - kindly sponsored by Festive
Watch out for The Greatest Christmas Awards photo tours of the centres in future issues of GTN Xtra, starting this coming weekend and in the next issue of GTN magazine.
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 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.
Access is by subscription only. For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales. To subscribe call 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.
Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for last week are here
Highlights of the GTN Plants Bestsellers chart for last week are here
Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for last week are here
Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Bestsellers chart for last week are here
Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care Bestsellers chart for last 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 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 turnover in excess of £100m.
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.
Miracle-Gro has launched a special edition charity pack in aid of Greenfingers. The special edition pack, which is available now in garden centres nationwide, is an as an industry first, supporting a charity that is close to Miracle-Gro’s heart. 
Staff and skills shortages at garden centres across the country can be plugged with touchscreen technology says a plant information company at the forefront of the latest developments.
