It may be raining but Stars for Europe have the perfect solution. Not just a whole host of promotional ideas to help you sell more plants but a chance to win a special, scarlet, strictly limited edition Poinsettia umbrella as well...
It may be raining but Stars for Europe have the perfect solution. Not just a whole host of promotional ideas to help you sell more plants but a chance to win a special, scarlet, strictly limited edition Poinsettia umbrella as well.
Stars for Europe want to find the garden centres that make the best use of all the marketing materials available on the www.sfe-web.com website.
In previous editions of GTN Xtra, Stars for Europe have already told you about:
The training films with inspiring ways to display your plants in store
The short films with design and care tips you can play in store or on your website, to add interest to a display and catch your customer’s attention
Downloadable press releases on how to care for the plants which you can amend with your own details and send to your local media, giving them a great seasonal article with local expert opinion. Local papers often pick up on this sort of thing, especially if you include a gorgeous, high-res image. There are plenty to download on www.stars-for-europe.com.
A whole Quality Campaign section with everything you need to educate your customers on how to look after the plants, with downloadable care cards and posters. There’s even a video with cute cartoons showing how to care for them - really easy to embed in your website, or link to from your Facebook page : http://www.sfe-web.com/en/QM-themenspecial-qualitaet
Picture courtesy of Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre
There’s so much on there that could make a difference to your sales and Stars for Europe want you to have a go at using it. And as an added incentive… as if you need one!… the company will be giving away some of their limited edition Stars for Europe brollies, (like the one Emily is holding above) for you and your staff* in return for the best pictures of you using the materials. What you enter is entirely up to you… for example it could be:
A photo of the poster up in your store A screen-grab of your website with a banner ad on A link to your Facebook page where you have embedded or linked a video Or whatever else you like!
So have a look around www.sfe-web.com! If there’s anything you can’t find, or would like help with, get in touch with Stars for Europe and they'll go through it with you: email hello@purplespotted.com or call 0208 939 6474.
CAMPAIGN FINANCED WITH AID FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION AND STARS FOR EUROPE
151 Products – a leading manufacturer and supplier of quality, discount household, garden and DIY goods – has acquired Doff Portland...
151 Products – a leading manufacturer and supplier of quality, discount household, garden and DIY goods – has acquired Doff Portland.
Established in 1946, Doff is a leading manufacturer of fertiliser, pesticide and garden care products.The Nottingham-based company will continue to be run as a standalone business by chairman, Graham Whyatt, and managing director, Matt Jones.
The acquisition will mutually benefit the two businesses. 151 Products’ expertise in the retail industry is set to complement Doff’s extensive product lines, as the combined business aims to increase its UK market share. With eight brands under 151’s existing portfolio and an in-house design team, it will also offer branding and marketing skills to Doff.
Doff’s longstanding history and well-established name will enable 151 Products to increase its offerings in the garden care sector. The acquisition also signals 151 Products’ ambitious growth plans and places it on track to reach its 2015 turnover goal of £100 million.
Richard Shonn, managing director of 151 Products, said: “The two businesses have got vast synergies with our existing products and allow us to increase our market share at a time when demand is high.
“I am extremely optimistic about the future and enthusiastic about what the new partnership will bring.”
All of Doff’s existing product lines will be continued under the current management team.
Managing director of Doff, Matt Jones, said: “We’re absolutely confident that this is the right move for Doff Portland and our existing customers, as they will benefit from the continued development of garden care products.
“151 Products’ vast experience in the market, combined with our longstanding heritage, will ensure each brand benefits from the new direction.”
For further information visit www.151.co.uk or call 0161 839 5949.
Hidden police watched drugs exchanges take place at Squires Garden Centre before swooping to smash a criminal network flooding London with cocaine...
Hidden police watched drugs exchanges take place at Squires Garden Centre before swooping to smash a criminal network flooding London with cocaine.
Eight men have been jailed as part of the Met Police operation after Vincent Hayward, of Cranbrook Drive, was caught by surveillance officers completing a drugs exchange with Stephen Humphries at Squires.
The Met's central task force team then tailed Hayward to a lock-up site near his home, before he returned to the garden centre for a second exchange,
The unsuspecting 41-year-old was arrested on his driveway after heading home. Hayward had cocaine and £200,000 on him. A money-counting machine,1kg of pure cocaine and MDMA pills were also found in his lock-up.
The fast-paced operation saw other key members of the multi-million pound drug gang arrested and charged soon after. The eight men were jailed for a total of 59 years at Kingston Crown Court on Monday. Hayward was sentenced to nine years and four months for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Wagstaff of the Met's serious and organised crime unit said he was proud of the work of his team."The sentences are the result of some outstanding examples of detective ability and teamwork," he added.
Squires Managing Director Dennis Espley told GTN Xtra that the garden centre knew little about the police operation.
"Because of our location near the M4 and M25, our car park is a convenient meeting place for lots of people," said Dennis. "That's the only reason I can think why these people chose Squires to meet."
Cheshire-based Bents Garden & Home is experiencing record-breaking sales in the lead up to Christmas...
Cheshire-based Bents Garden & Home is experiencing bestselling performances in the lead up to Christmas.
Not only did Bents experience its highest ever footfall – with 9,880 people visiting the centre on Sunday, December 2 – but it has also recorded its best-ever week of sales with takings of £679,239 (week commencing November 26) and its best-ever performing November.
“Summer was literally a wash out so it’s great to be able to report such fantastic figures for the Christmas period,” said Managing Director Matthew Bent.
“It seems as though people are eager to forget about the poor summer months and the glum outlook and are just keen to focus on now and enjoying Christmas as much as possible.”
The Bents Christmas experience combines statement themes and fashion ideas in a number of inspirational displays, all of which provide customers with myriad ideas which can be re-created in their own homes.
This year’s displays include themes such as the boutique inspired Oui Vintage! with shades of pinks and creams, and Geometric with its strong lines and bold colours.
The metallic colours of ‘In With the New’ have proved particularly popular in 2012 with butterflies and birds being among the most popular items purchased both in store and online.
Bents online store has also experienced a spike in sales with figures 15% on forecast.
Picture above: Packed car parks at Bents as the garden centre welcomes record number of visitors.
Sales volumes for the GTN Bestsellers Christmas chart may be down 28% on the same week as last year but there are encouraging signs that consumers are getting into the festive spirit in a big way...
Sales volumes for the GTN Bestsellers Christmas chart may be down 28% on the same week as last year but there are encouraging signs that consumers are getting into the festive spirit in a big way.
Last year the industry ‘benefitted’ from a strike in the public sector as many people spent their ‘day off’ visiting garden centres. There was a definite rise in sales as a result.
Although garden centres haven’t seen a repeat this year, sales of Christmas products are looking promising.
The trend at the moment is for the purchase of things to hang on the Christmas tree like baubles and lights.
Kaemingk Plain Shatterproof 60m Baubles have been in great demand with the red version being the highest re-entry in the chart, jumping straight back in at No 12. The gold baubles have seen a 50% increase in sales to move up 28 places to No 18, while a place behind are the silver baubles, another chart re-entry.
Another outstanding product for the Christmas tree from Kaemingk is their Angel Hair White/Iris, the highest new entry at No 24.
The highest climber is the Premier Decorations Gold Metal Wreath Hanger, jumping 30 places to No 13, and the company has six new entries, including the Battery Operated EVA Robin with Hat at No 29. Christmas tree lights also figure well for Premier Decorations.
See the full GTN Christmas Bestsellers Chart here. Subscribers Only
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WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
It promises to be one of the best party nights of the year so make sure you get your tickets for the Greatest Christmas Awards Party at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, on Sunday, January 13...
It promises to be one of the best party nights of the year so make sure you get your tickets for the Greatest Christmas Awards Party at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, on Sunday, January 13.
Having earned the reputation as The Greatest Christmas Party Ever, it will be a too-good-to-miss event. On the night the awards will be announced and given out to the deserved winners.
Before the winners are announced you’ll be able to enjoy a superb three-course meal with wine. Just take a look at the menu on offer:
Starter: Smoked salmon and prawn tian with a cucumber, dill and lime salsa
Main course: Medallions of beef fillet in Madeira sauce, celeriac mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables and green beans
Desert: Warm pear and almond tart with vanilla ice cream
Followed by: Coffee and mints
The Awards Party is a great opportunity to relax with industry friends and colleagues, and then dance to the City Lights band. One of the best bands in the North, City Lights are a six piece line-up guaranteed to keep the party going.
Garden centres throughout the country will be hoping to pick up one or several of the following awards:
The Greatest Christmas ‘Sizzle’
The Greatest Christmas Grotto Team
The Greatest Christmas Houseplant Team
The Greatest Christmas Display Team
The Greatest Garden Centre Festive Catering Team
The Greatest Christmas Supplier
The Greatest Garden Centre at Christmas
To buy tickets to The Greatest Christmas Party Ever click here or call 01733 775700
Garden centre year-to-date sales for the first nine months of this year are running 9% down on 2011, according to the latest HTA Market Update published this week...
Garden centre year-to-date sales for the first nine months of this year are running 9% down on 2011, according to the latest The HTA Market Update published this week.
The report says centre sales in September were 3% up on September 2011 but October sales were down 8%.
The HTA stress that October 2011 was an exceptionally strong month with record high temperatures for the time of year. Compared to 2009 and 2010, October 2012 was 1% and 3% down to the same point in the year.
HTA’s director of marketing and communications, Andrew Maxted, said garden retail members were reporting encouraging sales of Christmas ranges this year. “The sector can also draw comfort from the knowledge that the industry has previously rebounded from weak years such as the one we have experienced in 2012,” he said.
Compared to 2008, which saw an exceptionally wet spring and poor garden centre sales, the 2012 figures are up 9%. The following season saw a significant rebound, despite consumer confidence hitting a record low in spring 2009.
Maxted added: “Consumers will no doubt be looking forward to getting out in their gardens next year and this should be helped by the small but encouraging signs in the economy.”
A new variety of apple developed specifically for the city of London has been named ‘Core Blimey'...
A new variety of apple developed specifically for the city of London has been named ‘Core Blimey'.
The London Orchard Project, a charity that promotes orchard and fruit tree growing in the capital, has announced the title of the apple following a national competition to name the new fruit.
The Core Blimey is a unique new variety and will be the first London specific apple to be developed in over 60 years.
The apple has been developed by The London Orchard Project, in partnership with nursery Trees for Life and is bred to be strong, durable and resilient to the capital's harsh conditions. The variety, which has been nurtured from a single seed, has been gradually developed over a period of 10 years.
Now the charity has 100 Core Blimey trees that are to be planted in various areas across London to celebrate its creation. The trees will be planted in 40 orchards in public spaces, parks and schools in the city throughout December.
Kath Rosen, the Chief Executive Officer of The London Orchard Project, said: “Introducing the Core Blimey to public spaces will help us to continue to rejuvenate London’s lost heritage of fruit growing. The trees will brighten up the environments they are planted in as well as provide access to free, delicious and healthy fruit to all surrounding communities.”
The winner of the competition to name the new variety will also win their own Core Blimey tree, taken from the original batch of 100.
“The Core Blimey is a perfect name for the new variety, it encapsulates London, it’s fun, and the phrase has a lot of history," said Kath.
Picture caption: The first Core Blimey tree is planted with a little help from London schoolchildren.
The Garden Centre Association has announced the 12 regional winners of its annual Christmas display competition. The two overall winners will be announced later this month...
The Garden Centre Association has announced the 12 regional winners of its annual Christmas display competition. The two overall winners will be announced later this month...
GCA Chairman, Peter Burks, said: “Our congratulations go to all the regional winners in the Christmas display competition. The standard was very high this year so all the winners should be proud of their achievements."
The results are as follows:
North West: Over £4m Barton Grange, Preston; under £4m, All in One Garden Centre
North East: Over £4m, Armitages Pennine Garden Centre; under £4m, Langlands Garden Centre, Shiptonthorpe
Midlands: Over £4m, Van Hage Peterborough; under £4m, Planters Tamworth Garden Centre
Wales & West: Over £4m, Endsleigh Garden & Leisure; under £4m, Raglan Garden Centre
North Thames: Over £4m, Perrywood Garden Centre; under £4m Sunshine Garden Centre
South Thames: Over £4m, Haskins Southampton Garden Centre; under £4m, Squires Shepperton.
Peter added: “GCA judge Roger Crookes is currently carrying out the final judging of the regional winners where one Destination Garden Centre and one Garden Centre will be crowned as overall winners. I’d like to wish all the regional winners best of luck for their final judging.
“The garden centres are judged on the innovation, inspiration and excitement created from the way their Christmas products are displayed. The range of products available, accessibility, how easy it is for customers to find and select products and ‘wow factor’ are also taken into consideration.
“We will be announcing the overall winners before Christmas and they will then receive their prizes at the GCA annual conference, which takes place from January 27 until 29, 2013 and will once again be held at the Crowne Plaza Heythrop Park near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.”
Pictured: Roger Crookes in the process of judging.
Malcolm Scott Consultants have secured planning permission for major development proposals at Highfield Garden World in Gloucestershire...
Malcolm Scott Consultants have secured planning permission for major development proposals at Highfield Garden World in Gloucestershire.
The proposals include the relocation and expansion of Greenways Restaurant into a new large attractive building with far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside.
Equally important, 5,300m² of unrestricted A1 Retail Covered Heated Sales Space has been achieved, and an important extension to the customer car park.
The planning permission will enable Highfield Garden World to develop further into a major destination garden centre.
Malcolm Scott Consultants and garden centre owners Joan and Tim Greenway developed the Highfield concept. Malcolm Scott Consultants then prepared the planning application which included a Retail Statement, Transport Statement and Planning Statement and subsequent promotion to Stroud District Council to approve the application.
This year’s Glee was the platform for a number of new product launches from Town & Country and the company is already seeing the benefits that come from stimulating the gardening sundries market through innovation...
This year’s Glee was the platform for a number of new product launches from Town & Country and the company is already seeing the benefits that come from stimulating the gardening sundries market through innovation.
“Despite another very challenging year for the industry, we have enjoyed above average sales across gloves and footwear," said Barry Page, Chief Executive of Town & Country.
"New product innovations introduced in September included additions to the footwear range - with our new flagship Rutland neoprene-lined boots and short wellington boots - as well as a number of new gloves products, including the UK’s first Bamboo gloves and our Touch gloves.
“These went down very well at GLEE and have contributed to a huge increase in demand and we are now seeing above average repeat orders coming through. We expect this trend to continue well into summer 2013.”
Gardeners have been rushing out to buy products to protect their tender plants from the first real hard frosts of the winter...
Gardeners have been rushing out to buy products to protect their tender plants from the first real hard frosts of the winter.
Gardman have seen a 100% increase in sales of their Frostgard, 17gsm 8m x 1.5m roll, which has been reflected in its No 4 place in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart.
The Frostgard 20m x 1m roll has also sold well and is a new entry in the chart at No 31.
Sales data from the Bestsellers chart confirms that consumers are continuing to buy gardening products to give as gifts this Christmas
Burgon & Ball’s Knee Pads make the perfect gift, and the Moss version is the highest re-entry at No 27.
Gardening gloves are another item being snapped up by Christmas shoppers. Town & Country have a number of gloves, for both men and women, in the Top 50 this week. The Winter Master Gardener Gloves, Large, are the highest new entry at No 21, while the Triple Pack of Ladies Gloves (pictured) jumps nine places to No 11.
Continuing on the gift theme, the Stewarts Kitchen Garden Propagator Set is another new entry at No 41.
Products connected with houseplants are figuring highly. Fito Drip Feeder For Orchids and Drip Feeder For Poinsettia & Christmas Cactus hold on to their lofty positions at Nos 1 and 3 respectively after increasing their sales from the previous week.
One interesting item that continues to raise questions is the Classic Wheelie Bin Numbers. Now we think they’re being used for other purposes. If you have any clues let us know by email at trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk
See the full GTN Garden Products Bestsellers Chart here. Subscribers Only
To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £120.00 per year click here WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.
The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra printed newsletter and on the GTN website www.gardentradenews.co.uk.
Access is by subscription only. For £120.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most upto date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales. To subscribe call 01733 775700, or subscribe on-line here
WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
Although you are now in full Christmas mode, reaping the benefits of wise product choices made earlier in the year, you are probably also taking note of buying trends and planning ahead for the 2013 festive season.
A not-to-be-missed date for your diary is Harrogate Christmas & Gift (13-16 January 2013) - a fantastic opportunity to see exciting new product launches months before the crowds arrive at trade fairs in the spring.
Harrogate is one of the fastest growing shows in its sector, catering not only for Christmas (with probably the greatest selection of trees, lights and festive decorations in the UK) but novelties and gifts for every occasion from Hallowe’en and Mother's Day right through to furniture, ornaments, flowers and giftware for the home and garden.
In fact, Harrogate Christmas & Gift has seen a steady increase in all gift and homeware ranges, attracting discerning buyers from large department stores, novelty and souvenir shops, traditional gift stores, as well as DIY stores, garden centres, museums, country estates, castles and farm shops. Be sure to join them in 2013!
Glee is the only UK trade show that gives garden retailers the opportunity to buy across all product categories under one roof. Sectors covered include garden care, landscape and garden design, outdoor leisure, nursery and plants, home and gift, retail support, catering and speciality food.
Glee is organised by the i2i Events Group and is held annually at the NEC. Make a note of next year's Glee dates - Monday 16–Wednesday 18 September 2013.
Kaemingk, leading suppliers of festive products to UK garden retailers, open their new showroom in Holland early next month. Special open days on which you can preview their collections for Christmas 2013 will run from 5 to 19 December. Kaemingk are acknowledged trend leaders in their field and will be exhibiting at Harrogate Christmas & Gift in January (stand M02-04)
Premier Decorations are leading designers and importers of Christmas lighting, trees and decorations; garden lighting and outdoor living products; and Hallowe'en products and party decorations. Garden centres voted them Greatest Christmas Supplier of the Year in 2010 and 2011. Their products regularly feature in the GTN Bestsellers Christmas Top 50. www.premierdec.com
SOLEX AT THE NEC is LOFA’s summer outdoor and indoor leisure event, now an established fixture in the trade show calendar, bringing together the world’s leading garden and leisure furniture and barbecue brands under one roof. The show moves from Telford to the NEC, Birmingham, next year (8-10 July 2013).
Vision Commercial Kitchens have helped many UK garden centres to launch, enhance or re-fit their catering operations, offering everything from an initial expert consultation to a full installation. They pride themselves on helping garden centres make the right decision for their businesses. The kitchens at the fabulous catering operation at the award-winning Barton Grange Garden Centre at Brock - the Riverside and Willows restaurants - were supplied by Vision.
The sponsors of this category are Snowtime, leading suppliers of Christmas lights, fibre optics, illuminated décor, artificial trees and floral products. In 1995 they pioneered the supply of fibre-optic Christmas trees to the UK market.
Snowtime have the UK’s broadest and most comprehensive range of high-quality artificial trees. The hottest Christmas product in many years is their range of Thomas Kinkade-designed fibre optic tapestries, which are licensed to Snowtime and were introduced two years ago (example below). Many retailers had sold out by the end of September. There are some cheap copies on the market but it's the signed originals that are selling.
The Arena ice rink installation at Van Hage, Great Amwell in 2011
The Arena Group has a 250-year history supplying specialist infrastructure to live sporting, music and public events. In 2012 clients included The Open, Wimbledon Championships, X Factor, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the event of the year, The London 2012 Olympic Games.
Arena Group provides turnkey solutions to install ice rinks and pop up cafes at Garden Centres, building partnerships with clients to create temporary event environments that are fine-tuned to reflect their aspirations. Visit http://www.arenagroup.com/index.php/products/ice_rinks for further information. Follow Arena on twitter @arena_group.
Scotsdales Garden Centre near Cambridge has been voted UK Garden Centre of the Year at the 27th Graines d’Or ceremony, which took place in Paris on Wednesday... Scotsdales Garden Centre near Cambridge has been voted UK Garden Centre of the Year at the 27th Graines d’Or ceremony, which took place in Paris on Wednesday.
Scostdales Managing Director and HTA President Caroline Owen was also announced as ‘European Personality of the Year’ at the ceremony, which recognises excellence and innovation in the garden industry across Europe.
HTA Director General Carol Paris said: “Many congratulations to Caroline and her team at Scotsdales for winning this European recognition for the fantastic work in putting the garden centre at the heart of the community.
The “Graines d’Or” awards are run by French garden industry magazine Jardineries (www.jardineries.com) alongside the 2nd European Garden Congress which took place on Thursday.
UK garden centres nominated included: Hayes Garden World, Haskins Garden Centre (Roundstone), Melbicks Garden & Leisure and RHS Wisley Plant Centre.
UK garden centres nominated included: Hayes Garden World, Haskins Garden Centre (Roundstone), Melbicks Garden & Leisure and RHS Wisley Plant Centre.
Scotsdales has been voted UK Garden Centre of the Year.
Nicola Gammon, founder of Shoot, was thrilled to win 'Website of the Year' at the Garden Media Guild Awards for her unique online resource for gardeners...
Nicola Gammon, founder of Shoot, was thrilled to win 'Website of the Year' at the Garden Media Guild Awards for her unique online resource for gardeners.
Shoot offers its 50 000 members a database of 14,000 plants, garden design tools, the facility to enter the details of your own planting scheme and so generate a gardening care programme plus the facility to talk to experts and fellow enthusiasts on the Shoot members forum.
Shoot has 18 000 followers on pinterest, over 10,000 followers on twitter and the website gets up to 1 million unique hits per month.
Shoot is now launching Shoot Marketplace, offering a single, independent shop front for 55 specialist growers and producers, offering over 4000 gardening-related products.
Shoot Marketplace is set to trigger a revolution in garden retailing and has been dubbed 'gardening's answer to notonthehighstreet.com'.
The Garden Centre Association is relocating into the HTA premises at Theale, Reading...
The Garden Centre Association is relocating into the HTA premises at Theale, Reading, from the start of February next year.
Both organisations have been keen to develop closer working links and look forward to sharing premises again.
Carol Paris, Director General of the HTA said, “HTA and GCA have been discussing this move for some time. It is important that both organisations retain their individuality yet have the opportunity to work more closely together on issues affecting the industry. It will be much easier to do this when we are sharing offices.”
Peter Burks, GCA Chairman, commented that he shared Carol’s enthusiasm for the organisations to collaborate more whilst serving the needs of their individual members.
He added, “Both myself and Carol are committed to the various parts of our industry working together to make it stronger, more vibrant and prosperous. There is no benefit in duplicating effort and working from one office will enable us to more readily determine and address the unique needs of our members.”
Chris Harrop, Marshalls’ group marketing director, responsible for sustainability, has been awarded a prestigious BITC’s Game Changer accolade...
Chris Harrop, Marshalls’ group marketing director, responsible for sustainability, has been awarded a prestigious BITC’s Game Changer accolade.
In its 30th year of campaigning on responsible business issues, BITC has launched the one-off Game Changers accolade to recognise and celebrate the critical role that individuals have played in driving forward the responsible business movement.
This award honours 123 professionals that have been most influential and transformed the responsible business agenda over the last 30 years.
Stephen Howard, Chief Executive at BITC, said: “We are delighted to be able to recognise some of the brightest stars in corporate responsibility through our Game Changers award.
"As a campaigning membership organisation we are dependent on individuals from business to help us drive the agenda. Without the energy and passion of Game Changers like Chris I doubt very much if the UK responsible business movement would be quite so mature. They truly deserve this recognition which I hope will act as an inspiration to others.”
Graham Holden, Marshalls Chief Executive commented: “Chris has worked long and hard to develop the sustainability agenda within Marshalls and to drive positive change within the organisation and throughout the wider landscaping sector.
"I’m delighted that his passion and drive have been recognised by BITC in this very public way. Under Chris’s guidance, Marshalls really is delivering on its promise of “Creating Better Landscapes”, socially, environmentally and economically.”
Under Chris' direction Marshalls became a member of BITC in 2007 and his pioneering spirit and vision saw the Company become a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact in 2009.
The impact of his work spans both corporate and product sustainability in the UK and overseas; from reducing Marshalls’ environmental impact, being the first in the world at the time to carbon footprint over 3,500 products, developing products which alleviate flood risks, and driving a programme of human rights impact assessments.
“It’s fantastic that this Game Changer Award acknowledges and recognises the individuals who continually push the boundaries and challenge their organisations to do more," said Chris.
"I count myself very fortunate to be in a position to influence and drive the sustainability agenda and to work within my areas of influence to shift corporate responsibility from niche to mainstream."
The GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart has revealed there is still some planting activity going on among gardeners, especially with potting and repotting compost posting good sales at this time of year...
The GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart has revealed there is still some planting activity going on among gardeners, especially with potting and repotting compost posting good sales at this time of year.
There are signs that smaller bags are being bought – perhaps they’re being purchased as Christmas presents. For instance, the 10-litre bag of Westland West+ Container & Basket Compost & 4 month Feed has seen encouraging sales, to become the highest new entry at No 36.
See the full GTN Growing Media Bestsellers Chart here. Subscribers Only
To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £120.00 per year click here
WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
