Wyevale Garden Centres today announced it has acquired the Golden Acres Group, which comprises four garden centres, bringing the size of the WGC estate to 148 centres.

The acquired centres include John Browns Garden Centre and West Parley Garden Centre in Dorset; Landford Garden Centre in Salisbury; and Cadnam Garden Centre in Hants.  Combined, the centres offer 108,000 square feet of covered space and four new food and beverage offerings in areas that complement the existing Wyevale Garden Centres estate.

Kevin Bradshaw, Chief Executive of Wyevale Garden Centres, said: “Golden Acres are well known as a passionate, family-run business where customer service and strong horticultural knowledge bring gardening inspiration to their loyal customers.

"Our mission at Wyevale Garden Centres is to be just such a passionate and inspirational gardening resource in the communities where we live and work, and we are extremely pleased to continue the legacy as we welcome Golden Acres employees and customers to our company.”

With trained horticulturalists on site at every centre, Golden Acres has earned its reputation as a source of excellent customer service and advice when it comes to all aspects of the garden.

This focus on expert knowledge and quality matches WGC’s own commitment to providing the highest quality plants and gardening expertise to our customers. We are pleased to extend our lifetime guarantee on hardy plants to our new customers in Dorset, Salisbury and Hants, helping our centres and the gardeners they serve to go from strength to strength.

Paul Richards, the former owner and managing director of Golden Acres Group, said: “I am very pleased that our employees and customers will have the opportunity to be part of a larger organization with a strong commitment to the gardening industry. I would like to extend warm thanks to my team for all of their invaluable hard work over the years, which has been key to our success.”

Pictured: The signs at Cadnam Garden Centre will soon be changing as it becomes Cadnam, a Wyvale garden centre, as part of the Golden Acres deal.

Top radio and TV comedian Justin Moorhouse will be appearing at the Garden Centre Association’s conference. The talented entertainer will attend the conference’s annual dinner on Tuesday, January 27 at the De Vere Carden Park in Chester to host the awards.

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “Justin Moorhouse is an established favourite on the UK comedy circuit, with more than a decade’s experience as a comedian. His comedy has taken him on tour to Australia, China, Japan and the Middle East and we’re very much looking forward to him appearing at our annual conference this year.”

Justin is about to embark on ‘Phoenix Night’s Live’ in aid of Comic Relief as Young Kenny, complete with a face-painted tiger face. The 15 date Manchester Arena show begins on January 31. 

2014 was a hectic year for radio and TV comedian, having recently filmed the new series of ‘Live At The Apollo’ on BBC1 as well as appearing in ‘Coronation Street’ last summer, as rival Pub Landlord Dean Upton. His other TV credits include: Peter Kay’s ‘Phoenix Nights’, ‘Looking for Eric’, ‘Shameless’ and he was a winner of ‘Celebrity Mastermind’ in 2012.

Justin has also written and starred in two series of his own BBC Radio 4 sitcom ‘Everyone Quite Likes Justin’, is a regular voice on Radio 4’s ‘News Quiz’ and is the current Champion of Champions on BBC Radio 5 Lives’ ‘Fighting Talk’.

Also on the Tuesday Roger Martin-Fagg, a renowned economist turned strategist, will be speaking at the conference. He presents at business events around the world on the economic outlook and its impact on business. His quarterly economic update is sent to 1200 SME’s.

Kevin Gaskell, a businessman and entrepreneur who ran Porsche GB Limited in the early 1990s, will present to the conference on the Tuesday too.

Iain added: “It’s not too late to book for our conference, so if you are hoping to attend, please visit the members’ section of our website via www.gca.org.uk to book your place.

“With a new venue, a great line-up of speakers and plenty of opportunities to catch up with old friends from the industry, the conference is set to be a fantastic event.

“To book, please visit the members’ section of our website via www.gca.org.uk. Sponsorship slots have filled up well too but there are still one or two left so if companies are interested in this, please give me a call.”

The conference kicks off on Sunday, January 25 with an afternoon of fundraising activities for the charity Greenfingers. Two teams will go head-to-head to battle it out for the Greenfingers Challenge Cup.

Scotts and Westland Horticulture are the event’s headline sponsors and David Thomas, who broke the world record for reciting the maths formula Pi (3.14..) to 22,500 digits will be attending. He will speak about techniques for improving memory at the conference on Monday, January 26.

David is the bestselling author of ‘Essential Lifeskills: Improving Your Memory’. His clients range from Olympic athletes, government officials to national businesses.

Professor Greg Whyte OBE, who has helped celebrities complete various physical challenges, will be sharing his secrets on achieving the seemingly impossible at the conference too.

He has led 18 celebrity Comic Relief challenges, which have raised more than £33 million for the charity.

Professor Whyte, who is an advisor to the Benetton and Renault Formula 1 Teams and several Premiership football clubs, will also be speaking at the event on Monday, January 26.

SnowTime return to Harrogate Christmas & Gift in 2015 bringing with them an extensive choice of Christmas must-haves. 

Drop by their stand D11 in Hall D to see their selection of artificial trees, superior specification blossom trees and fibre optics, award-winning indoor and outdoor lighting and accessories, plus many new lines and licences.

Their exclusive Thomas Kinkade licensed range grows again this year to capture the Christmas festivities illustrated in the artist’s famous paintings, on a new collection of collectables that will delight your customers.



SnowTime's 2015 decorative Christmas vase collection appeals to both those who prefer traditional or contemporary styling. Mains powered, these stunning, white opaque vases come to life, diffusing a delightful, soft warm glow when the white LEDs are illuminated.

Available in a choice of designs and styles: Traditional Festive Santa Scenes, Modern Winter Woodlands and Contemporary Glittered Trees.  Plus, an exciting addition not to miss: World renowned artist, Thomas Kinkade’s famous, festive paintings.  Another SnowTime exclusive!

The collection is attractively priced and comes beautifully packaged, making it equally suitable for the festive gift market.

The quest for The Greatest Christmas teams is nearly at the finishing line.  The expert team of judges have already visited over 130 garden centres to meet teams nominated in this years The Greatest Christmas Awards.  

You’ll find out who are The Greatest at Christmas this year by joining us at the first awards event of 2015, The Greatest Christmas Awards Christmas Party, sponsored by Premier Decorations, on the night of Sunday January 11^th at The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate.

Our annual awards presentation and Christmas party is an event not to be missed whether you are visiting the Harrogate Christmas and Gift show or just want to have another great Christmas Party with some great garden centre people.

Tickets are now on sale for the party, which includes reception drinks, a 3 course meal with wine, the awards presentation and dancing the night away to a live party band.

Early Bird Ticket prices for The Greatest Christmas Awards Party, sponsored by Premier Decorations.

Please call The Greatest Christmas Awards team on 01733 775700 or e-mail harry.sinclair@tgcmc.co.uk to book your Early Bird tickets today – or buy on-line using these links:

Prices below include VAT

Tickets

1 Ticket £100.80 GBP2 Tickets £201.60 GBP3 Tickets £288.00 GBP4 Tickets £384.00 GBP5 Tickets £456.00 GBP6 Tickets £547.20 GBP7 Tickets £638.40 GBP8 Tickets £729.60 GBP9 Tickets £820.80 GBPTable of 10 £864.00 GBP

The sponsors for The Greatest Christmas Awards are:  

It has been a funny old year reporting for GTN Bestsellers and analysing garden centre EpoS data every week. After a brilliant spring when sales volumes went through the roof, the summer was above average, but only just, and now we see sales volumes dipping off during Christmas.

In the background of our analysis we can see a reduction in the number of different products sold, a trend that has increased during the Christmas period.

Could it be that range rationalisation at Christmas simply leads to fewer sales or has footfall dropped off?

More than ever it has been a mixed bag of performances from the centres which provide us data every week.

In previous years they have all followed the same pattern, but this year we have a range of cumulative sales volume changes for 2014, ranging from plus 10% right through to minus 12%.

The weather played its part as ever and in general provided an excellent year for core gardening, and the trend towards instant decoration of the outside room has certainly gathered pace with outdoor lighting sales booming.

On a sour note for the year, Wild Bird Care sales have stagnated since the summer, a victim of the weather possibly. So now it’s time to wish you all well for next year. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for another early spring (surely we are due two in a row) and a sizzling summer, and a couple of weeks of snow and cold weather around the end of January and early February. Now that’s not too much to wish for, is it?

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

• Garden Products – down 42%
• Xmas Products – down 17%
• Growing Media – down 16%
• All items index – down 16%

Have we forgotten about Christmas houseplant linked sales opportunities? The sales volumes of three key past Top 10 bestsellers – Poinsettia drip feeders, red and glossy cream cover pots – are 80% down on the same week last year, which together with a drop in sales of floral foam bricks almost entirely accounts for the total year-on-year change.

• Burgon and Ball’s Kneelo is a Christmas gift hit, new into the Top 50 at No 24.
• Oasis Floral Foam Bricks are the highest re-entry at No 11, albeit on lower total volumes.
• Gardman Ice Orb Solar lights continue at No 1.

As the countdown starts to the Totally Tools Show in Coventry in February, Berkshire-based garden tools and accessories company Darlac are keeping their customers guessing as the company prepare to unveil their most revolutionary tool to date.

Darlac return to the show for a third year running with even more ‘Best Buys’ under theirbelt and the launch of a tool which is guaranteed to get the trade and consumer  press talking for some time to come.

With the first of its kind in the UK, and exclusive to Darlac, this unique NEW tool, is due to be unveiled on Darlac’s Stand i39 on the first day of the show and will undoubtedly be a tool that all DIY, Garden Centre and Retail Buyers will want to get their hands on.

Peter Darban, joint managing director of Darlac, says, “As a company we are continually reviewing and adding new products to our ever growing range of garden tools and accessories, however, I can honestly say that I have never been more excited in all my years in this business as I am about the launch of this particular product. One thing I can reveal is that this product has been based on one of the most heavily used tools in our gardens to date and a product that all gardeners, whatever their level and expertise will want to own”.

Other products that have recently been added to Darlac’s collection include an Ergo Pruner, Ergo Snips, Limited Edition Ratchet Pruner, Telescopic Bypass Lopper, Telescopic Anvil Lopper, Swop Top Cobweb Brush and the Cut-n-Hold Flower Snips.

Darlac have also added more products to its latest Expert Range, to include: Expert Bypass Fine Pruner, Expert Left Handed Pruner as well as NEW Topiary Shear, whilst a Rapid Rotor Sprinkler has been added to Darlac’s Watering collection.

Darlac’s latest stands are  sharp black  in colour to compliment packaging and product,  with bright headers which will create an eye catching display in any DIY store or retail outlet.

Measuring 0.9m (w) x 0.4m (d) x 2.14m (h) the stands can be loaded with a bespoke selection from Darlac’s extensive ranges, including: Lightweight Tools, The Swop Top Range, Irrigation Products or a selection from their latest Expert Range.

For more information visit Darlac on Stand i39.

Dates and venues have been announced for the ‘Love the Plot You’ve Got’ Masterclasses planned for spring.

The one day masterclasses, designed to help garden centre teams help their customers ‘love their plot’, will be run by Ian Boardman of IBBIS (UK) Ltd. The high-profile consumer promotion has received widespread support across the industry.

Aimed at garden centre teams from the plantarea, garden care and outdoor living departments, the sessions will cover different aspects of the campaign. They will include the findings of the consumer research into what 30-45 year olds want from their outdoor spaces plus information about how the campaign is being publicised, how retailers can link in with the activity and ideas on maximising sales opportunities.

The masterclasses, which will run from 9.30 am - 4.30 pm with tea/coffee and biscuits provided, cost £75 per person (plus VAT). To find out more and to book your place contact Ian Boardman – i.boardman@ibbis.co.uk

Wed 4 Feb – RHS Wisley

Thurs 5 Feb – Europlants tbc

Tues 17 Feb – Woodlodge

Thurs 19 Feb - Westland, Peterborough

Fri 20 Feb – Sinclair

Thurs 12 Mar – Glendoick Garden Centre

Fri 13 Mar – Creative Gardens, Donagadee

Tues 17 Mar – RHS Harlow Carr

Love the Plot You’ve is a new garden industry campaign to demystify and popularise gardening amongst consumers who currently see the pastime as hard work and primarily for older people. The campaign is targeting consumers aged 30-45 years who have access to a garden or outdoor space but don’t currently make great use of it.

A consumer website will go live in early 2015 and a series of regional roadshows across the country will provide examples of themed gardens and projects.

Information: click here or contact Garden Industry Marketing Board project manager David Arnold (07876 643638, email: daaltd@virginmedia.com),

At Wyevale Garden Centres we are looking to grow our specialist team of horticulturists, and now have some fantastic opportunities at four of our leading garden centres; Huntingdon & Bicester - two of our destination garden centres and Thatcham & Hungerford - two of our established horticultural centres. We are looking for experienced and highly motivated individuals to manage their indoor and outdoor plantareas.

The Horticultural Manager will be responsible for delivering excellence within their department; developing and leading their team; continually improving operational retail standards and delivering industry-leading standards of customer service, plant quality and display.

The successful candidate will have a broad knowledge of horticulture and garden retailing, possess good commercial acumen, be capable of analysing and interpreting business data, able to demonstrate effective leadership qualities and be capable of motivating and managing a team.

A competitive remuneration package is offered providing, in addition to the basic salary, a generous staff discount and contributory pension scheme.

For more information please contact Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480 530 or apply with your CV, quoting reference #6826 to info@morepeople.co.uk

I am currently seeking a sundries manager to join the team of a large independent garden centre.

Retail management experience is a must for this role as you will be leading a large team. 
Experience at supervisory level may be adequate but will be evaluated on a application by application basis.

I am looking for someone who is a driven retailer. The goal of this store is to be the best and their managers need to lead from the front and be hands on. 

Garden Sundries experience would be ideal but an interest in gardening and a knowledge of the products would be sufficient.

To discuss further, please call Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530 or apply with your CV, quoting reference #6951 to info@morepeople.co.uk

I am currently seeking a bright plant area retailer to join the team at a large award winning independent. 

I am seeking candidates with previous plant retail experience who can join a challenging environment. 

Horticultural qualifications are preferred but experience in a garden centre will also be of interest. 

Candidates must be excellent at customer service and will be keen to take on a role where excellence is expected.

To discuss further, please call Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530 or apply with your CV quoting reference #68807 to info@morepeople.co.uk

To build on the strong NOMA traditions and deliver on their key strategies, LeisureGrow have backed Sales & Marketiing Manager Frank Kaminski to put together a strong senior team.

A former NOMA employee Mark Shanks returned to the company as Category Manager in May this year, while Phil Swainston (pictured) is also rejoining as National Accounts Manager at the beginning of January.

Another prominent appointment in time for the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair is that of James Quigley, who will take up the role of Commercial Director.

“It is important to have good people in key positions,” said Frank. “We also want to build on our knowledge base and the new appointments will help us achieve that aim.”

NOMA will be unveiling their new products at Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair.

Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair is the UK’s only dedicated event for Christmas and celebration products. It is the show where garden centres from all around the UK visit to select products for retail and Christmas displays for the year ahead (with one eye on The Greatest Christmas Awards!) 

Taking place at the Harrogate International Centre, 11-14 January 2015 in the beautiful, historic spa town of Harrogate, it’s the first event for the industry in the whole of Europe and a perfect way to help give your business a leading edge in the New Year. Garden Trade News in conjunction with the organisers are offering you an opportunity to win a VIP visit to this fabulous event. 

The prize includes: 

• Two nights bed and breakfast at the luxury Majestic, Harrogate’s leading hotel. 
• Dinner for two on Saturday evening (up to the value of £80) 
• Two places at the prestigious Greatest Christmas Awards on Sunday evening, organised by Garden Trade News and supported by Christmas & Gift Harrogate 
• A bottle of champagne 

There is also a runners-up prize of two tickets for GTN’s fabulous Greatest Christmas Awards Party, which is held at the Majestic on the first evening of the show. The prize includes a superb three-course meal and dancing to a great live band. 

As well as leading companies such as Premier Decorations, SnowTime, Festive Productions and Kaemingk displaying all their new lines, there will be a host of new companies all offering something new for the very first time. 

Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair is one of the UK’s fastest growing trade show with visitor numbers increasing every year. 

“The influx of garden centre buyers has created a new dynamic which in turn has attracted new exhibitors with product ranges for the entire year,” says show organiser Simon Anslow. 

Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair is the event to kickstart your new business year, combining business and pleasure. For the perfect way to kick-start the New Year, find out more by visiting www.harrogatefair.com  

How to enter 

To enter the free prize draw simply answer the following question: 

When did flashing Christmas lights get introduced, the 1930s or 1950s? 

Email your answer to: mandy.atkin@tgcmc.co.uk 

Entries close Friday, January 2, 2015. The winner will be announced in GTN Xtra on Sunday 4th January 2015.

Good luck!

Despite the volume of the GTN Bestsellers Christmas Top 50 being down by 17% on the same week last year the volume of the Top 5 Bestselling Christmas lines are up by 23% with the No 1 line this year, History and Heraldry’s Spinning Tree Decoration continuing to sell at record levels for a single Christmas product.

• Premier 200 Multi-action Supabrights are the highest chart climber, up 29 places to No 10.
• Kaemingk Durawise battery Operated lights are the highest new entry at No 28.
• SnowTime 240 LED Chaser lights are new into the chart at No 48.

Seasoned industry professional James Marshall has joined the Trans-Continental Group as Sales Director, having had 14 years commercial experience, working within high pressure sales, marketing, trading and management environments. 

James comes from a Blue Chip, FMCG background, has both sales and buying expertise and brings with him a proven track record of meeting deadlines and surpassing targets set.

James says: “I am delighted to be joining such a progressive, innovative and forward thinking business – this is an exciting time and a new chapter in their journey.

"2015 marks the 21st birthday for Trans-Continental Group Ltd – it's a momentous year and, to celebrate the fact, our aim is to make it the most successful to date for both us and our customers.

"Together with our fantastic sales force, I take comfort in the knowledge that we have a wealth of new product developments and range expansions planned for our SunTime, SnowTime and HomeTime brands in 2015. We’re also targeting new channels of distribution as well as continued International growth.

"To support our growth plans and strategy, we have a renewed set of values – we’re committed to being at the forefront of innovation, delivering operational excellence in every corner of the company and putting our customer at the heart of everything we do.

"I look forward to working with the business, my team and above all, our customers to fulfil and surpass their expectations into 2015 and beyond."

• Shoppers urged to check store's returns policies and their rights
• Nearly one in ten (9%) Brits returned Christmas presents last year
• £50 = average value of returned Christmas presents
• 45% of those returning unwanted gifts in the past have been unsuccessful

£223m worth of unwanted Christmas gifts are set to be returned this year and Gocompare.com is urging people to check retailer's returns policies before heading to the shops, as 45% of Brits who have tried to return gifts in the past said they had been unsuccessful.

The survey, commissioned by Gocompare.com, questioned over 2,000 UK adults about unwanted Christmas presents. It revealed that just under one in ten (9%) of Brits returned presents last year, worth on average £50.

Over the years, 29% of shoppers say they have attempted to return a Christmas present. While the main reasons for returning presents was to exchange them for a better fit or colour (45%) or simply because the recipient didn't like what they had been given (40%), 12% said that they had returned a gift because they wanted the cash.

When questioned about their experience in returning an unwanted gift:

• 45% said that they have been unsuccessful;
• 44% said that they have always been successful when returning presents;
• A quarter said that they were told by the retailer that they couldn't get a refund or exchange without a receipt;
• 12% said that the retailer had told them they were beyond the time limit for returns;
• 11% said that the shop had refused the return claiming that the item had been used or was damaged;
• One in ten had been told that the retailer didn't accept returns.

In addition, 38% of those surveyed said they have kept an unwanted Christmas present because they didn't want to upset the person who gave it to them, while 17% did so because they didn't think they could get a refund or exchange without a receipt.

Only 16% of those surveyed said that they were always honest with the giver about returning gifts, 14% said that they tend to avoid the subject of unwanted presents while 9% admitted to lying to the giver about returning a gift.

The survey also revealed that only 8% of gift-givers always enclose a gift receipt in the presents they buy other people, 31% enclose a gift-receipt with some presents, while well over half (56%) of gift-givers never give receipts with presents.

Commenting on the research findings, Claire Peate, Gocompare.com's customer insight manager said: "At some time in our lives, most of us have experienced that awkward moment of receiving a present which we either don't like, doesn't fit or we already have. But, retailers are under no legal obligation to give a refund for unwanted gifts - unless they are faulty, not as described or unfit for purpose.

"However, as a goodwill gesture, many high-street stores operate a ‘returns policy' which allow you to exchange, or receive a refund, credit note or gift voucher for unwanted presents. These policies typically require items to be in unused, perfect condition and sealed in their original packaging and exclude perishable items such as food and drink and specially commissioned or personalised gifts. Shops generally impose a time limit within which you have to return items but, many extend this period to allow for Christmas. You can find details of retailers' returns policies on their till receipts, in-store signs and websites."

Claire Peate continued: "When returning unwanted presents most retailers will require you to produce a receipt as proof of purchase. But, some will exchange items without one. However, if the shop is having a sale when you return the item and you don't have a receipt, you will probably only be refunded the current selling price.

"Any refund for unwanted gifts bought using a credit or debit card, will normally have to go back on the same card. So, if you want to exchange your present for cash, you'll probably have to get the person who bought it for you to arrange a refund." 

Over 100 varieties were trialled in both flower beds and containers last Summer at RHS Wisley and Kew. The Divine series put on a fantastic performance in such a large class of New Guinea Impatiens.

The F1 Divine series offers the whole bedding industry a product with great all-round performance.

As a seed-raised variety it has proven an easy, affordable and reliable New Guinea option for growers, retailers and parks to produce commercially in 9 -13cm pots and premium packs.

In the garden and containers, Divine exhibits strong branching, free flowering, tolerance of many weathers and great colour range, making this a most worthy plant for any patio or garden.

New Guinea F1 Divine is available in 10 colours and 5 mixtures (including Islander Mixed as pictured) and is supplied as both seed or plugs.

For more information visit http://www.ballcolegrave.co.uk/Growers/_catalogues.aspx

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

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

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2012 as well as 2013 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most upto date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Christmas Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

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

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