It's been a busy first five years for Hillview Garden Centres who celebrate their fifth annivarsary this month now with over 300 staff and turnover on target to break £13m next year.
GTN Xtra caught up with CEO Boyd Douglas-Davies who joined The Hillview Group, an independent merchant bank, to create a group of Garden Centres in 2011. "We acquired Studley Garden Centre from Hilliers the Friday before Glee 2011. Hilltop followed in summer 2012 and then in 2014 we added Little Heath Garden Centre and the 6 Garden Store sites. Scotland Nurseries in Derbyshire made it 10 in June this year."
" We've introduced new categories to stores such as Pet Products, Christmas, Interior Living, increased footfall through on site events such as Ice rinks, Circus, Motor Shows and free Santa grottos at all stores."
"The launch of the Seasons Reward Card in 2015 has been very well received with 55,000 members already signed up and receiving regular emails and 5 direct mail reward leaflets per annum. Membership is anticipated to break the 100,000 mark sometime during 2017. EPOS from Corby & Fellas was rolled out across the group in summer '15 and is the backbone to the reward card scheme."
"Ecommerce team was established early '15 and full website www.gardenstoreonline.co.uk launched November of that year."
"Investments in the stores has shown great results. The introduction of the Soft Play Barn at Hilltop has been a great success, 44,500 children have visited since it opened in Oct '14. A further two Soft Play Barns will be opened this year. Hilltop had a £400k refurbishment that has worked very well and elements of that are now being applied to the rest of the group."
"Investment in existing stores will see over £1m invested in store improvements with planning applications underway for 4 of the sites. Work is currently taking place at 5 of the stores with the others due for work prior to next Spring.
"Hillview operate 8 catering units within the stores and this will rise to 10 this year when the Pizza Bar Cafes open within the Soft Play Barns."
"We are very pleased that Hilltop was recognised as GCA Most Improved store in the country at conference this year so received the Dick Allen trophy."
Boyd ended by adding that the Hillview Group are actively looking to acquire further stores and any centre wishing to contact should e-mail:
Boyd.Ddavies@hillview-group.com
