Haxnicks have announced they have joined forces with Tildenet to offer a comprehensive range of horticulture sundries to the garden retail industry, a wealth of industry knowledge and a pipeline of exciting new products. The new partnership starts on June 1 once their current arrangement with Smart Solar ends.

Damian Cardozo, Managing Director of Haxnicks, who started the business in 1995, says: "It’s a great match. The enthusiasm and drive of the Tildenet MD and management team is infectious. They are highly motivated to develop the business and to impress the industry with their ever expanding range of professional quality products.

"It is a real pleasure to be working with such a dynamic and forward thinking company where new ideas are welcomed and put straight into action. Tildenet are well established in the industry and highly respected. They are well positioned to promote and develop the Haxnicks brand as we go forward with our emphasis on new product development.”

The move offers retailers the welcome opportunity to purchase a wide and comprehensive range of gardening and DIY essentials from one supplier. Haxnicks will join the existing Tildenet Group offerings including the extensive range of Fieldfare garden accessories which give retailers the benefit of flexible and profitable ‘own brand’ products, as well as the top quality horticultural fabrics and netting that the business was founded on in 1975.

A background in supplying professional products to commercial growers coupled with respect for their horticultural expertise means that both brands are well trusted and enjoy excellent consumer loyalty throughout the outdoor leisure market.

Andrew Downey, Managing Director of Tildenet, says: "Having Haxnicks on board will be the perfect complement to our existing business. 

"Haxnicks have developed a category of plant protection which appeals to both the experienced and novice gardener and have built their reputation on easy to use, accessible products – great impulse purchases which our customers will love! 

"Our companies are united by a common culture and this sense of integrity and the value we both place on looking after long term relationships puts us in a great position to bring immediate benefit to our existing markets and develop further collective opportunities to make gardening interesting and enjoyable for people of all ages."

Jonathon Stobart, MD of Smart Solar, told GTN Xtra that the current deal with Haxnicks had come to an amicable conclusion.

"Our strategy is to concentrate on our own brand products so the Haxnicks arrangement didn't figure in our plans."
 
For enquiries about Tildenet and Haxnicks products contact sales@ffgw.co.uk;  tel: 0117 9341799.

The first week of the Easter period 2014 didn’t quite match up to the previous high recorded by GTN Bestsellers in 2011 but anecdotal feedback about Easter Monday being VERY busy across the country means we could still be on for a record period.

The warmer weather of this week and children going back to school could be the deciding factors.

Certainly, any possible upheaval following the Scotts – Solus deal falling through appears to be unfounded as centres have been able to keep shelves and compost areas well stocked to keep up with demand.

The big unkown now is whether the momentum of good sales will continue through to May Day and beyond. From the garden centre messages being recorded by Garden Radio for May broadcasting in store there are plenty of great events being planned to keep footfall as high as possible – for example, BBQ days, machinery demos, children’s activities for half-term, hanging basket workshops, outdoor living weekends and strawberry events.

What events have you got planned to make the most of May? Let us know, we’d love to cover them in the GTN Xtra e-newsletter. Email trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

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

• Garden Products – up 19%
• Veg-2-Gro – up 3%
• Growing Media – up 11%
• All items index – up 6%

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Sales of garden products are moving in the right direction, according to the latest GTN Bestsellers data, with volumes up by 37% on the previous week.

The star performers this week are lighting products:

• Gardman Solar Stainless Steel Border Light moves to top spot.
• Kaemingk Solar Stainless Steel Marker Light is the highest climber, moving up 31 places.
• Vitax Slug Gone (3.5 litres) is the highest re-entry.
• The highest new entry is Apta Terracotta Pot Feet.
• Another newcomer is Gardman Weedstop Performance Fabric.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

In a statement, HTA said: “We fully support the recommendation that Government should take a coherent joined-up approach to the problems around managing invasive species. There are common elements in the currently separate approaches being taken to manage biosecurity, pollinators and invasives.”

Advocating “a more broad-based landscape approach”, the association said it realised this may not be easy or quick to do. “We welcome the recognition of the need to raise public awareness and would encourage this in addressing plant health issues as well as invasive species. Any public awareness campaign needs to be properly resourced and needs to avoid scare-mongering, which could prove counter-productive.”

HTA backs the recommended targeted blacklisting. The Japanese Knotweed example (pictured left), where a significant business has developed around one piece of legislation on invasive non-natives, is, they say, a useful illustration of the unintended consequences of regulation.

They also welcomed the recommendation for action plans for those species on the EU and national lists, to enable more targeted and effective funding allocation. “This will go a long way to prioritising control action and not wasting resources where there are no clear outcomes.”

Martin Emmett, who represented HTA at the Select Committee hearing, said: “During the Select Committee's session with the HTA it was clear that they were prepared to consider all possible approaches to tackling this issue – including some that would have been very unpalatable to gardeners and growers. It is now good to see final conclusions that are pragmatic, proportionate and likely to constructively engage both consumer and industry in dealing with known threats from invasive species.”

Released on April 17, the figures show sales of barbecue and furniture were up 102.28% compared to March 2013, which was badly affected by a severe cold spell.

GCA chairman Will Armitage believes this spring’s fine weather was a major influence. “It has certainly had an impact on sales at our member centres as lots of gardeners got back out into their gardens”, he said. “This is also the time of year when many of us inspect our garden furniture or barbecue ahead of the season ahead and realise that it needs replacing.

Other good performers during the month were outdoor plants sales (+123.80%), hard landscaping (+114.39%), garden sundries (+82.05%) and seeds and bulbs (+43.38%).

The GCA’s figures are compiled using actual sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement. They are made available mid-month following the end of the prior month after all member garden centres have submitted their results. The reports allow members to compare their trading positions with other centres.

William Blake, manager at St Peters Garden Centre in Worcestershire, said: “We are really pleased with how our furniture and barbecue sales have performed during March.

“After a really difficult February, due to the impact of the flooding in the surrounding area, it is great to see people are confident enough to invest in high ticket value items. We spent a lot of time last year making sure we had good range of furniture for this year, based on both quality and value, and that hard work seems to be paying off.

Launched in 2010 in response to a long-standing demand from grower and retail members for an affordable, stand-alone plant show held at the best time of the year for them, the event provides a national showcase for UK ornamental plants and enables retailers to plan future business and assess new products.

As a result it is now fully established as the leading plant Show for UK suppliers gaining higher visitor numbers than anticipated when the Show started out.  Every year has seen a higher number of exhibitors - 90% of stands were sold by February 2011 following the first Show - resulting in the event having to move from its original site of Hall 1 at Stoneleigh Park to the larger Hall 2 in order to make space for  the rise in demand.

The show was rebranded in 2013 and a new identity for 2014 will help to celebrate the show’s fifth anniversary.

HTA Chief Executive, Carol Paris said: “All this success would not be possible without the support of partners and in particular, Hortipak, our long standing  headline partner who have provided a huge investment and immeasurable support from the very beginning. The growth of the Show has resulted in higher levels of sponsorship and a greater variety of opportunities available to those companies that wish to be involved.

The HTA would like to take the opportunity on its fifth birthday to thank our exhibitors for making the Show the success that it is and encourage you to celebrate this landmark occasion with us.”

Exhibitors already signed up include: Allensmore Nurseries, Ball Colegrave, Bell Brothers, Bransford Webbs Plant Company, Kernock Park Plants, New Forest Plants, Osberton Nurseries, Pentland Plants, Quality Ornamentals, Seiont Nurseries, Whetman Pinks and Young Plants. For a full list of exhibitors visit www.nationalplantshow.co.uk <http://www.nationalplantshow.co.uk>

Designed to help nurture valuable grass-roots product development and one-off design ideas, the Innovators Zone scheme will be exclusively available to small-scale manufacturers and those with prototype or pre-entry level designs. For a low-cost, one-off fee, entrepreneurs will receive a ready-to-use 4m. shell-scheme booth, a high profile location within the show, plus ongoing marketing support from Glee’s marketing and PR teams in the lead up to, and during, the exhibition.

The aim, said i2i’s Matthew Mein, Glee event manager, is to bridge the gap between market-ready new product launches from established companies — such as those are highlighted within Glee’s dedicated new product showcases — and pre-commercial product ideas.

He said: “Launched in 2009 the Innovators Zone has helped over 150 companies to take their first tentative steps into the industry, with many going on to achieve phenomenal success. Our aim is to benefit both the entrepreneurs taking part, and decision makers from across the industry who are looking for brand new commercial opportunities. 

“Perhaps an inventor has something they have put together in their shed, or they’ve got a great new idea but they don’t know how to get it to market or get it exposed.  Glee’s Innovators Zone could provide the stepping stone into the industry that they have been looking for.  With thousands of buyers and influencers visiting the show each year participants will have an unrivalled platform to achieve their goals — whether that means meeting suppliers or manufacturers, finding an agent or distributor, attracting the retailer’s eye or sourcing investment.”

Due to the unrivalled success of our e-mail newsletter publishing operation we need now need to expand our sales team.

We’re looking for the ideal person to take on the sales of our unique mix of banners, buttons, Webitorials and E-mail Advertorial special issues for Pet Trade Xtra, GTN Xtra and GTN Food Xtra.

If you have telephone and face to face sales experience, have a good understanding of digital media and an interest in either the pet, gardening or catering markets then joining our team could be the ideal opportunity for you.

Our company is renowned for producing excellent b2b editorially led products that fully engage with our audiences and provide real results for our advertisers and commercial partners.

To find out more about this great opportunity, please send an e-mail to Trevor Pfeiffer making your case to be interviewed, together with your current CV.  E-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk.

It’s Quantil and Suttons’ week in the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart. Quantil have 31 of their young plants inside the Top 50, and Suttons have 18 entries.

Allensmore are the only other company in the chart, with their Rhubarb Timperly Early being highest re-entry.

• Quantil Tomato Supersweet is the highest climber, moving up 23 places to No 18.
• The only new entry is Quantil Chilli Pepper Scotch Bonnet.
• Suttons Grafted Tomato F1 Sweet Petit retains top spot for another week.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Arthur Bowers Bark Chips 60 litres is the star performer in the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media Chart, with an impressive sales performance making it the highest climber.

• Their Landscape Bark has also had a good week.
• Arthur Bowers have two new entries in New Horizon Organic Garden Compost and Moisture Holding Compost.
• The highest re-entry is Scotts Levington Multipurpose Compost.
• Westland have seen their Ericaceous + John Innes return to the chart.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Family-owned Daisy Nook Garden Centre in Oldham is about to undergo one of its biggest upgrades since opening in 1972.

The improvements will be funded by a £60,000 loan from Manchester Business Loans, the £24 million fund designed to help businesses across Greater Manchester grow.

The grant will be used to improve the centre’s facilities over the next five years. Plans include a children’s playground and repair and maintenance of the retail areas, more tables in the cafe, more sales space and a reduction in energy costs.

Owned by the Calder family, Daisy Nook employs 25 people on a five-acre site in the shadow of Medlock Hall, Oldham, and has built up an enviable reputation for its plants and customer service over the past 40

Napoleon Grills has just been designated one of Canada’s Best Managed companies.

Each year 250 companies are asked to participate and undergo a rigorous review before 50 are selected. It is a distinction awarded and sponsored by the CIBC World Markets, Deloitte, The National Post, Queen’s School of Business and CEO Forum.

Companies are evaluated on their business strategy and commitment to core values, their capability to provide superior customer service, foster a culture of teamwork and support a healthy bottom line and a commitment to set and achieve goals, support their surrounding community and invest in their staff and associates.

The Napoleon Group of Companies began in the mid-70s making woodstoves and now employs almost 1000 employees and occupies 1.4 million square feet in manufacturing and warehouse space in Canada, the USA, China and Europe. The company is 100% family owned and manufactures gas and charcoal grills, wood and gas fireplaces and outdoor living products.

 Visit http://www.napoleongrills.co.uk/ email info@napoleongrills.co.uk call 01676 522788 to find out more or to become a stockist.

Over the first quarter of the year, gardening/DIY was one of three sectors enjoying double-digit growth compared to a year ago (the others were small domesatic appliances and consuimer electronics, both very ‘indoor’)

GfK estimate the combined value of DIY and gardening as £10.8 billion out of a total durables market of £36 billion.

Online sales across both categories during March was 66 per cent up March 2013.

GfK say the more favourable weather in March this produced double or even triple digit growth for key seasonal gardening product categories.

The Flower Trials open days are being held for the 10^th successive year in Holland and Germany this summer (10th to 13 June) – an opportunity for garden centre plant buyers and growers to source new stock ahead of the competition.

A record number of 42 breeders companies will present innovations and timeless classics. Special displays are being planned to cleebrate the event’s 10^th anniversary.

Professional advice, marketing programmes, concepts and trend information will all be available. Growers shoiuld get a good overview to help them choose crops that will help them to differentiate in the market. Retailers will discover the  latest trends and developments at the source

Locations are open from 08.00 to 17.00. To see as much as possible in four days, visitors can prepare their visits online. On the Flower Trials website (www.flowertrials.nl) there are maps of the regions available to download to help plan your route through the Westlans, Alsmeer and Rheinland areas. With the barcode received after registration, a badge is printed at the first location that is then valid for all following locations with a simple scan.

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 Veg-2-Gro 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.