Burgon & Ball picked up the prestigious Sword of Excellence for a second successive year plus four other main prizes during a glittering GIMA Awards night at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales...
Burgon & Ball picked up the prestigious Sword of Excellence for a second successive year plus four other main prizes during a glittering GIMA Awards night at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.
Managing director Heather Culpan told GTN Xtra: "These awards are the culmination of such a lot of hard work from the team at Burgon & Ball, and the recognition by our customers and our peers withing the industry is humbling. It's beyond our wildest dreams. I'm lost for words, actually, which is unusual for me."
This year’s GIMA Awards saw winners being crowned across 16 closely fought categories.
GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall, comments on Thursday’s event. “I would like to be the first to extend my congratulations to all of the winners. It’s been another tough year of judging, due to the incredibly high standard of entries. In fact the quality has been so high this year that we have actually introduced an additional award in order to accommodate excellence across the board. My sincerest congratulations to all our winners, who are truly deserving of the accolade given to them. They have all demonstrated exceptional qualities, from cutting edge design to inspirational retail support.
“My thanks also go to the panel of dedicated judges who gave up their time to take part in this year’s judging process. Their expertise and knowledge has been invaluable, and we are grateful for their assistance. Thanks must also be given to all of those companies that entered and sponsored the awards, without them this event would not take place, so we are extremely grateful for their ongoing support.”
GIMA AWARDS 2015 – THE WINNERS
GIMA Sword of Excellence
Winner: Burgon & Ball – Weed Slice
About the winner: “The amazing new 'Sheffield made' wonder weeder is set to revolutionise weeding in borders, vegetable gardens, gravel driveways and paths. The key to Weed Slice's performance lies in its uniquely designed head. The sharpened front edge and point allows it to skim just under the surface of the soil, slicing through weeds. The two points on the back of the head cut through soil, meaning it can be used it in both directions, cutting weeding time in half!
The judges have also awarded Eden Greenhouses with a GIMA Sword of Excellence Special Commendation for its Zero Threshold Birdlip Greenhouse. Eliciting a strong response from all judges thanks to the simplicity of design, this award representing the first time a special commendation has been added to the Sword of Excellence award roster.
What the judges said: Smart Garden Products was praised by the judges for its ability to listen to what both retailers and consumers need, and acting accordingly. Smart Garden Products is a company which you can rely on to deliver lots of new product development, reliable stock availability, good margins, and unrivalled customer service levels. Together this means that retailers have confidence in the company, something that pays dividends for both all parties.
Gardenex Export Achievement Award
Winner: Eden Hall Greenhouses
What the judges said: The judges selected Eden Halls due to its well planned and executed strategy of overseas expansion, which included the ongoing consultation of the UKTI through its Passport to Export programme. In the last 12 months Eden has set up new distributor relationships in Poland, New Zealand, USA and Ireland, with export sales growing from £1.12m in 2013 to £2.0m in 2014.
When it came to the export category the judges were inundated with entries from both garden and pet suppliers, with pet supplier entries matching garden suppliers entry for entry. As a result the 2015 GIMA Awards included a newly introduced PetQuip Export Achievement Award. The winner of this award in its inaugural year was Beco Pets.
What the judges said: The judges selected Beco Pets due to its belief in building strong relationships with distributors, and its unrelenting hard work resulting in worldwide distribution in 43 countries. In the last year, the company has visited Canada, America, China, Australia and Europe, helping export sales to now account for 68% of the company’s annual turnover.
About the winner: Growbags sell in excess of four million units per year, however they are still heavy, unwieldy, and often too shallow for tomato plants. William Sinclair thinks there is a better way – introducing the GrowQube - a handy carry home, ready to use pack, which contains a special mix of compost and nutrients giving up to 50% more tomatoes than a growbag.
About the winner: PotatoPot – easy, clean, delicious! Designed to make it even easier to grow potatoes at home. The unique design means that after harvesting the first new potatoes the plant will continue to produce new potatoes.Currently exclusively distributed in the UK by Chelsea award winners, Agralan.
Garden Tools, Machinery and Implements
Winner: Burgon & Ball – Weed Slice
Finalists: Wolf Garten – Telescopic Bypass Tree Loppers; Burgon & Ball – RHS Endorsed Culti Rake; Batavia – Multi-Shifter
About the winner: Made out of hardened and tempered high carbon steel with a polished FSC Ash handle, the Weed Slice is an attractive looking tool, which is also supported with strong marketing and a highly visual display system for maximum retail impact.
About the winner: The Cheltenham Arbour is designed to comfortably seat two and has an eye-catching roof line with its bowed facia curves. Not only is it visually striking the Cheltenham's roof is sturdy and provides sheltered seating come rain or shine. With its handy large under seat storage it makes for a versatile piece of outdoor furniture ready to add style to any garden.
About the winner: GroBox Gardens is a simple idea aimed at the absolute novice gardener, who want to grow something from seed. Each of the four GroBox variants is available as a takeaway pizza sized cardboard box containing four varieties of seed in a growing medium. To grow, simply remove the outer film and printed wrap, plant the box flat just below the soil surface in open ground or a suitable container and water.
Garden Landscaping
Winner: Eden Hall Greenhouses – Zero Threshold Birdlip Greenhouse
Finalists: Kelkay – Granite Cobble Mat Sets; Kelkay – 2.4m Abbey Circle Patio Kit
About the winner: Representing a rare development within the aluminium frame greenhouse market for many years, is the new Eden Birdlip Greenhouse from Eden Halls Greenhouses. Aimed at consumers with small gardens who want to enjoy the superior technical benefits and build quality generally associated with larger footprint garden buildings. This four-foot Eden Birdlip boasts a whole series of game changing design breakthroughs, which the company claims will transform greenhouse gardening even in a small outdoor space, including the revolutionary patent pending Eden Zero Threshold Sliding Door System, which offers users 'no trip' access for added safety and convenience.
Garden Clothing & Gifts
Winner: Burgon & Ball – Love the Glove
Finalists: Fallen Fruits – Nature Print Collection; Town & Country – Fleecy Cloggies; Briers – Gruffalo Garden Tool Bag
About the winner: Gardening gloves with a striking difference! The concept of the Love the Glove range is about bringing style and fashion into gardening gloves through colour, pattern and materials. Twelve stylish designs - each available in two sizes, and also machine washable.
Pet Care, Aquatics and Wild Bird Care Products
Winner: Gardman – Ernest Charles range of dog foods
Finalists: Wildlife World – The Urban range; Deco-Pak – Bayside Beach Hut Birdhouses
About the winner: All feeds in the range are hypoallergenic and free from wheat, dairy and artificial flavourings, making them ideal for dogs with skin or digestive sensitivities. Made in the UK from responsible sources, the range includes Turkey & Rice, and Salmon & Potato flavours, and is suitable for dogs at all stages of development.
Garden Lighting, Water Features & Ornamentation – NEW FOR 2015
Winner: Smart Garden Products – Cornish Jar Lantern
Finalists: Gardman – Cole & Bright Solar Powered Motion Sensor Black Nickle Wall and Post Lights; Smart Garden Products – Ollie (owl rattan ornament)
About the winner: The Cornish Jar Lantern features a traditional rope handle perfect for hanging on border hooks or tree. Easy to use as there is no mains wiring required, but are charged in direct sunlight. This stunning lantern automatically turns on at night and will create ambient lighting for any garden or patio.
Best Point of Sale Material
Winner: Burgon & Ball – Love the Glove mobile display stand
Finalists: Burgon & Ball – Weed-Slice display system; Briers – Gruffalo range merchandising stand
About the winner: The Love the Glove mobile display stand is simple yet effective. It highlights the product with strong, informative POS, a cute potting shed aesthetic and is totally flexible. It is also fitted with castors which makes it easy to move within the store at any time. It is compact at only 46cm wide and deep and delivers an incredible £1,435 on just a single stock turn.
Best Consumer Product Packaging
Winner: Burgon & Ball – Essential Tools packaging
Finalists: Briers – Kids range packaging; Briers – Digital Weather Station
About the winner: The Essential Tools packaging is presented to appeal to not only the gardener but also to those looking for a gardening gift. The packaging increases the perceived value of the product, whilst the colours and bold retro aesthetic are eye-catching, modern and are designed to appeal to both the male and female market. Cleverly designed to be able to hang or stand independently on a table top, these products can easily be merchandised on specially designed stands, on clip strips or on tables as part of a collaborative display of associated products.
Finalists: Ronseal – Garden paint launch campaign; The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company – launch of the new Weedol Power Sprayer
About the winner: An integrated TV, digital and in-store demonstration campaign launched Resolva Liquid Shots to the market in 2015 and helped secure an 88%* growth in the concentrates market for the brand, and 36% growth in sales overall year on year**.
See the full GIMA Roll of Honour in the August issue of Garden Trade News.
Suppliers, retailers and associates from the garden industry applauded the recent announcement by Greenfingers - that the fourth annual Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day (27th March) was the most successful ever, raising in excess of £95,000...
Suppliers, retailers and associates from the garden industry applauded the recent announcement by Greenfingers - that the fourth annual Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day (27th March) was the most successful ever, raising in excess of £95,000.
This year, fundraising highlights included the i2i's Glee team organised London Thames Path Walk; Richard Jackson's QVC shows that raised over £40,000 over three days; 'guess the length of string', 'soak the boss' and Easter egg hunts all taking place at garden centres across the UK; and of course the 'Glovies' campaign which raised over £10,000 thanks to donations from the sales of gloves by Briers and Town and Country.
Greenfingers Trustee and Garden Re-Leaf Day Founder Boyd Douglas-Davies announced the total raised in 2015 as exactly £95,025.31 - 30% up on the total reached last year. Speaking to attendees at the annual GIMA Awards at Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales last night, he praised the combined efforts of the hundreds of garden centre teams, suppliers and individuals that took part over the past four years.
The grand total raised now stands at over £270,000, which Boyd summarised as being over a quarter of a million pounds raised in only four days; an incredible achievement. Rosy cheeks all round Greenfingers' Rosy Cheeks Fund - a two year campaign to raise £750,000 to build at least 10 new gardens was also hailed as a success, bringing the total number of children's hospice gardens built by Greenfingers to 49.
The charity's Head of Fundraising, Linda Petrons attended the GIMA Awards, and expressed her gratitude to those she met. She said: "The support we continue to receive from the garden industry is just amazing. Without your help, children and families that use hospices would not have access to an outside space for which to play with their children away from the pressures they face in care, and would also sadly not have a special place to remember those that have passed. Thank you so very much - we hope you will all continue to support us in the future!"
New campaign - 'Million Moments'
Looking ahead to the 2016 campaign and beyond, it has been confirmed that the focus will be on raising £1million in three years, helping the charity to source additional funds for 16 new gardens at children's hospices across the UK. More details on how to get involved in next year's fundraising day will be available at Glee this year.
Langlands Garden Centres have just completed the purchase of Garden Style in Sheffield...
Langlands Garden Centres have just completed the purchase of Garden Style in Sheffield, formerly known as Rhinegold Garden Centre, to add to their existing centres at Shiptonthorpe and Leeds.
Watch out for a special GTN Xtra during this week for the full story.
Bob Hewitt is to retire as chief executive of the Klondyke Group at the end of next year to take up the position of executive chairman...
Pictured: Bob Hewitt (left) with his planned successor, David Yardley
Bob Hewitt is to retire as chief executive of the Klondyke Group at the end of next year to take up the position of executive chairman.
David Yardley, currently group operations director, will take over as CEO on 1 January 2017. Dorothy Gault, widow of Klondyke’s founder and the current chairman, will become group president.
Bob Hewitt said: “We have been planning succession for some time. David has significant knowledge of both the Klondyke business and the garden centre industry and I am confident that under his leadership and my chairmanship we can continue to drive the business forward.”
Dorothy Gault added: ‘’Bob has made a significant contribution as chief executive and the Klondyke business has made great progress under his leadership. I have every confidence that the core strategy will continue to be successful under the future leadership of David and the chairmanship of Bob.”
Klondyke has an on-going strategy of redevelopment and refurbishment. Following the redevelopment of Mayfield Garden Centre, Kelso in the autumn of 2014, a revamp at Stokesley Garden Centre is underway. Following the closure of Savilles in Garforth, Leeds in July 2014, a new build is scheduled to start in late autumn 2015.
Redevelopments are planned at Edinburgh, Northwich and Polmont (where the head office facility will also be upgraded).
Bob Hewitt said the previous the redevelopments at Northallerton, Astbury Meadow, High Legh, Wilmslow and Kelso had been hugely successful in terms of sales, profit growth and return on capital investment. “The five-year redevelopment plan will ensure that sales and profit continue to grow,” he added.
Klondyke Group operates 24 garden centres, with annual sales of £48m. and EBITDA of £6.5m.
The results of an HTA eye tracking research project could provide the key to unlocking increased plant sales for HTA members in the coming years. David Denny, research manager for the HTA, and Boyd Douglas-Davies presented the initial findings of some eye tracking research at the HTA Plant Retailing seminar held as part of the Ball Colegrave Summer Spectacular this week...
The results of an HTA eye tracking research project could provide the key to unlocking increased plant sales for HTA members in the coming years.
David Denny, research manager for the HTA, and Boyd Douglas-Davies presented the initial findings of some eye tracking research at the HTA Plant Retailing seminar held as part of the Ball Colegrave Summer Spectacular this week.
The eye tracking research took place at Hilltop Garden Centre earlier this year and the initial findings already highlight some key points that can be acted upon to increase sales. The full research analysis will be completed and presented at the HTA Futures conference in September.
Three of the results that Boyd and his Hilltop team have been able to work upon are:
1. Watering. The eye tracking clearly shows that when watering is taking place customers spend more time focussed on the potential trip hazards rather than looking at the plants they intended to purchase. Hilltop solution: employ someone to come in and water at 5.30am through until 9am so that no hoses are out as potential hazards and sales distractions during opening hours.
2. Living labels. Living labels are big attractions and focal points – the bigger, more colourful and more scented the better. Hilltop solution: make more of arches to display climbing plants and use signs to give customers permission to enjoy the scent of plants.
3. Plants first, labels second. The eye tracking illustrated that customers look at plants first - flowers in particular - and only after looking at a plant or group of plants do they look at the signs and labels. Hilltop solution: Don't place any POS in front of plants. Put good signage at head height, clearly visible behind where the plants are displayed, and use bigger fonts – 98% of adults over 50 need to wear glasses. Places to attend the HTA Futures Conference, to be held on September 30 at Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire can be purchased at www.gardenfutures.org.uk
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year...
A raft of new promotions for autumn 2015 has just been launched by Town & Country, offering retailers numerous opportunities to generate increased sales and excellent profit margins across a comprehensive product line-up...
A raft of new promotions for autumn 2015 has just been launched by Town & Country, offering retailers numerous opportunities to generate increased sales and excellent profit margins across a comprehensive product line-up.
New additions have been made to some of the company’s most popular gardening gloves, including the Master Gardener, Weed & Seed and Premium gloves. Already the UK’s best-selling gardening glove, with one pair sold every minute, the Master Gardener will be available in three brand new colours - navy, mint and purple – for the autumn season.
Also brand new for autumn are Fleece Lined Cloggies. Comfortable and lightweight with a warm fleece lining, they are expected to be popular purchase with consumers during the colder months. Each deal comprises 60 pairs of cloggies covering a selection of the three colours available – aubergine, navy and green.
Other products featured in the new autumn promotions include men’s and ladies’ triple packs of gloves, boot socks, boot jacks, kneepads and kneelers, garden tidy bags, secateur set and brush set, as well as a range of clocks from the Weathereye collection.
All promotional deals are delivered with free, high-visibility merchandising displays to maximize impact in store.
For further information, contact Town & Country on 01530 830990 or email info@townandco.com.
GTN’s Greatest Awards ON TOUR for 2015 made their third appearance of the year at the GIMA’s this week to present The Greatest Garden Re-Leaf Day Retail Fundraising Awards.
In advance of the main event the GIMA Council very kindly allowed GTN to present a Gold Award to Andy Bunker of Altons, Silver to Katie Eckley of The Old Railway Line and Bronze Awards to Bob Hewitt of Klondyke Garden Centres and Conna Powells from Haskins.
The finalists for the award, who all raised over £1,000 for Greenfingers on Garden Re-Leaf Day 2015 were:
Alton Garden Centre
Aylett Nurseries
Haskins Garden Centres
Hillview Garden Centres
Klondyke Garden Centres
Longacres Nursery
Perrywood Garden Centre
Simpsons Garden Centre
St Peters Garden Centre
The Old Railway Line Garden Centre
Gold Award winner Andy Bunker, who created the quiz that was used in garden centres across the company said “next year’s quiz will be better than ever, with a general knowledge option as well as a gardening quiz. That way more garden centres should be able to take part and help push the fundraising for Garden Re-Leaf day 2016 past the £100,000 mark.”
The next stage of The Greatest Awards ON TOUR 2015 is The Greatest Outdoor Leisure Sales Awards which will be presented at spoag+gafa at the end of August, with the final Greatest Awards ON TOUR at HTA Futures Conference Dinner on September 30th.
For sponsorship opportunities for The Greatest Awards ON TOUR please contact Mandy Atkin: mandy.atkin@tgcmc.co.uk
Five gold winners of The Greatest Outdoor Living Sales Awards will have the added prize of receiving their prizes at this year's spoga+gafa exhibition in Cologne, Germany. One person from each of the five winners will be treated to travel to and from Cologne plus one night's accommodation as The Greatest Awards really celebrate going on tour this year.
Five gold winners of The Greatest Outdoor Living Sales Awards will have the added prize of receiving their prizes at this year's spoga+gafa exhibition in Cologne, Germany.
One person from each of the five winners will be treated to travel to and from Cologne plus one night's accommodation as The Greatest Awards really celebrate going on tour this year.
spoga+gafa runs from Sunday 30th August to Tuesday 1st September, and is the ideal time to have a European summer break and take in some business opportunities as well.
As well as garden furniture and BBQs spoga+gafa covers plants, garden sundries, machines, tools, garden equipment and sheds. In total the show will occupy 12 halls.
To nominate your garden centre teams for any of the categories below, e-mail thegreatestawards@tgcmc.co.uk by Friday 10th July with your centre name, postcode, contact details, the categories nominated for and tell us why they should be The Greatest.
The Greatest Outdoor Living Categories
The Greatest BBQ Sales Team of the Year
The Greatest Garden Decoration and Lighting Sales Team of the Year
The Greatest Inspiration for New Gardeners Team – Love The Plot You've Got Award
The Greatest Outdoor Leisure Sales Team of the Year
Once we've received your nomination we will contact you to arrange a visit from one of our Greatest Awards experts and collect more information.
Poplars, Groves and Barton Grange have all won Gold in The Greatest Awards. Which garden centres will be leaving the HTA Futures Conference with Gold this year?
Poplars, Groves and Barton Grange have all won Gold in The Greatest Awards. Which garden centres will be leaving the HTA Futures Conference with Gold this year?
To nominate your garden centre teams for any of the categories below, e-mail thegreatestawards@tgcmc.co.uk by Wednesday 24th June with your centre name, postcode, contact details, the categories nominated for and tell us why they should be The Greatest.
The Greatest Garden Centre Team Awards Categories
The Greatest Garden Care Retail Team of the Year
The Greatest Garden Centre Customer Service Team of the Year
The Greatest Garden Centre Training Team or Initiative of the Year, sponsored by MorePeople
The Greatest Garden Centre Merchandising Team of the Year
The Greatest Gardening Supplier of the Year
The Greatest Garden Centre of the Year (Public Vote), sponsored by National Garden Gift Vouchers
Once we've received your nomination we will contact you to arrange a visit from one of our Greatest Awards experts and collect more information.
The Greatest Garden Centre Team Awards will be presented on the evening of Wednesday September 30th at The HTA Futures Conference Dinner.
As usual The Greatest Awards team of experts will be out and about meeting nominated teams, gathering information and taking photos of their work so that the Gold, Silver and Bronze Greatest Awards winners can be chosen.
Plus your team have the chance to become The Greatest Garden Centre Team of 2015 by involving your customers in the public voting later this summer. The Greatest Garden Centre Teams, small, medium and large will be the teams that have the best relationships with their customers and generate the most votes (taking size of centre into account) and in the event of a tie, the centre with the most complimentary comments form their customers. To take part in the public vote please e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call The Greatest Awards on 01733 775700 to request an in store voting pack.
As this issue of GTN Xtra goes to press the expert judges are meeting to decide the winners of The Greatest Plant Retailing Team Awards in advance of The National Plant Show. Make sure your Outdoor Leisure, Garden Care and Garden Centre teams are nominated for visits later in July and August.
The Greatest Awards would like to thank sponsors, Elho, National Garden Gift Vouchers, MorePeople and The HTA plus the event organisers at The HTA Catering Conference, National Plant Show, GIMA Awards and HTA Futures for agreeing to be presentation venues for The Greatest Awards ON TOUR 2015. The date and venue for The Greatest Outdoor Leisure Awards will be announced in a future issue of GTN Xtra.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for product and service suppliers seeking to gain the highest possible exposure between now and November this year. Please contact mandy.atkin@tgcmc.co.uk for details.
It will be an exclusive Christmas at Wyevale Garden Centres this year...
Wyevale Garden Centres showed their 2015 range to the National, consumer and regional press this week in central London and the range includes many Wyevale exclusive lines.
An exclusive box of Gardening crackers, just for Wyevale gift sets by Burgon & Ball, exclusive Woodwick candles and over 40% of exclusive trim items.
Last year Wyevale’s Christmas Preview generated over 450 separate pieces of Christmas media coverage and this year’s event, taking place on the same day as the NEXT and M&S Christmas previews is set to achieve even higher profile with many more journalists attending.
The range features three themes which will be in all 149 centres with a total of seven themes in the top 18 centres .
In all centres; Traditional, Secret Garden and Vintage. In 132 centres; Wintry White. In 45 centres; Midnight and in the Top 18 centres; Merry and Bright and Collectables.
Pictured: The Wyevale Christmas Team at their preview event in central London last week.
The importance of working together was stgressed at this week's joint HTA/Ball Colegrave ‘Plant Retailing – Fit for the Future’ event at the Ball Colegrave Summer Showcase...
The importance of working together was a common theme to come from the joint HTA/Ball Colegrave ‘Plant Retailing – Fit for the Future’ event held this week at the Ball Colegrave Summer Showcase in Oxfordshire.
The event, attended by more than 90 growers and retailers, looked at the opportunities for selling more plants in garden centres. Plant sales in the UK are currently worth £1.5 billion and one third of these sales are made through garden centres and retail nurseries.
The latest findings from the HTA eye tracker research highlighted the importance of viewing the customer experience through their eyes. Boyd Douglas-Davies, whose Hillview Group is working with the HTA on the eye tracker project, said it was proving invaluable to really see how customers viewed and shopped the plantarea. “You may think you know your garden centre and customers but believe me you don’t”, he said. Clear lines of sight, physical barriers such as hoses, eye level of displays, availability of trolleys and baskets, visible pricing and positioning of signage are just a few of the issues highlighted by the research.
Andy Bunker from Alton Garden Centre and plant buying chair for the Tillington Group, spoke about the changing nature of customers and their desire to find solutions that look good and provide colour. His centre had seen a huge shift towards seasonal plants and plants that “have their moment”. Lavenders and, this year in particular, supersize lupins have been especially popular with demand outstripping supply. The relationship between growers and retailers is important to makes these sales work and he encouraged growers to talk to retailers early in the planning stage to obtain the maximum benefit.
Retailer trainer and consultant Kevin Waters encouraged retailers to re-engage with their customers and “become an authority on plants rather than just sell a commodity”. He spoke about the importance of creating a brand and culture within businesses that really involves staff and then passes on to customers. Keep the messages simple and help customers shop by providing recipe cards, living labels, solutions, stories and integrating the plant offer throughout the whole store, he said. He also spoke of the need to provide different solutions for different customers. For example, an older gardener will be looking for a different grow-your-own solution to a young family.
The importance of new plant introductions was emphasised by Graham Spencer from Plants for Europe, who encouraged people not to be frightened of trying something new. It is not enough just to say that something is new, he said. “ You need to talk about the benefits, tell the story behind the plant, capitalise on media exposure and make use of the point of sale materials often provided.”
Alongside new plants, “new to you” plants would provide huge opportunities. Customers still want pretty, colourful plants that are appropriate for their needs and wants. Closer relationships between growers and retailers are key and Graham also encouraged retailers to visit the Flower Trials in Holland and Germany so that they have a heads-up on introductions planned for a few years down the line.
‘We still have the best product and still get really excited about new plants and we need to pass this onto our customers” said Neil Grant of Ferndale Garden Centre near Sheffield. “We do need to look at who are customers are and provide for their differing needs though.” He spoke about the opportunities to influence those customers through the traditional media and social media, particularly during the non-gardening early part of the year when people are ‘winter daydreaming’. “We need to be creative in our approach and find the stories to tell, working with growers to achieve this.” Neil concluded: “It is the most exciting time ever for the industry. Customers are hungry for it and are looking for something fun, rewarding, easy and it has to look good.”
Event sponsors were XL Horticulture, Floramedia, Alpha Packaging, EcoVision and HTA Utilities.
The Ball Colegrave Summer Showcase runs until Friday 31 July.
If you haven't made a trip to the Ball Colegrave Summer Spectacular yet, take a look at our picture gallery and get your team organised to make a visit...
If you haven't made a trip to the Ball Colegrave Summer Spectacular yet, take a look at our picture gallery and get your team organised to make a visit.
The displays are really inspirational and give plenty of ideas for stunning plant displays next summer as well as a chance to see new varieties your customers will be queuing up to buy.
Are you talented, enthusiastic and a team player? We are looking for a numerate, articulate and experienced person to join our busy buying team. You will have extensive horticultural and plant knowledge, with proven experience of buying and range planning.
You will be based at our Marlborough office in Wiltshire, but will need to travel to visit plant suppliers and horticultural trade fairs and events on a regular basis. You will report directly to the Managing Director.
Your role will involve keeping up-to-date with the current trends, developing new horticultural ranges, tracking competitor activity and ensuring our bulb, plant and seed offer is unique, exciting and commercial. It will also involve working with Sarah and her gardening team to log seed and plant trials and visiting Perch Hill approximately 4 times per year in key seasons to view trials as well as key horticultural shows and events. You will also work closely with our web and customer service teams to assist with the content posted on our website and on social media. You will have a keen eye for detail, be very proficient at Excel, have a clean driving licence and be keen to join a busy and fast-growing company.
Salary dependent on experience.
To apply please send an email with subject title ‘Horticultural Buyer’ with your CV, and current employment and salary details to sally@sarahraven.com.
We are looking for a resourceful Restaurant Manager to join us as we plan to re-invent our restaurant...
We are a family run centre based in Lincolnshire and have been trading for over 40 years.
JOB BRIEF
We are looking for a resourceful Restaurant Manager to join us as we plan to re-invent our Restaurant to look after our existing customer base and introduce a new generation of customers, with new menus and a new atmosphere.
You will be responsible for meeting all restaurant revenues, profitability and quality goals. You will ensure efficient operation and maintain high production, productivity and customer service standards.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Coordinate the restaurant operation.
Organise and supervise shifts.
Estimate consumption, forecast requirements and maintain stock.
Control costs and minimise waste.
Manage health and safety and hygiene.
Report directly to the directors of current and future operations and financial states.
Create a positive working environment and lead by example.
Respond efficiently to customer complaints.
REQUIREMENTS
Experience in garden centre catering or similar.
Proven working experience as restaurant manager.
Extensive food knowledge.
Computer literacy and familiarity with restaurant ‘EPOS’ systems.
Strong leadership, motivational and people skills.
Please send your CV with application to: Nigel Wallis, General Manager, Baytree Garden Centre, High Road, Weston, Spalding, Lincolnshire. PE12 6JU. Tel: 01406 370242 or by e-mail to: nigel@baytree-gardencentre.com
Garden Centre Manager | South London | Newly Developed Site (ref:BP7468)
Location: London Salary: £32,500 to £36,000 Job Type: Full-Time Duration: Permanent
Garden Centre Manager
The Business
My client is a national business with a good reputation in horticulture. They are currently redeveloping a large retail site that is part of one of their managed properties. They are looking to continue to develop this site in accordance with the groups strong retail offering.
The Role
This role will take on the day to day leadership of the operations team at this scenic centre. The site has been redeveloped recently to take on the companies branding and to promote a better more linked consumer experience across the property. The site is very strong on plants and is plant led in a lot of its retail space. It benefits from being able to offer a full range of stock in a historical setting.
The Person
I need a leader for this role first and foremost. The operations team on site are very strong but need a directing force to keep them moving in the right direction. The role will likely change as the site develops and we will need a candidate who can be flexible and adapt. A more analytical brain will be needed to take on strategic planning for the site and to formulate plans to be approved by senior management. This is a retail role first and foremost and that is where we will expect the background of the candidate to come from.
Please submit your CV in the first instance, or to discuss further contact Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530
Plant Area Supervisor | Hertfordshire | Boutique Garden Centre (ref:BP7428)
Location: London Salary: £18,000 to £19,000 Job Type: Full-Time Duration: Permanent
Plant Area Supervisor
The Business
This small group is based with the majority of its stores in London. They have a good spread of centres covering different demographics throughout the capital. The business originally started with a landscaping offer and has since progressed to a sizeable garden retail business with a good online offering.
The Role
This role will be instrumental to plantarea leadership team, deputising for the planteria manager and managing a team of passionate plants people. You will be responsible for the maintenance and care of the stock but first and foremost you will be managing the customer experience through your department.
The Person
We need a talented and ambitious retailer. The ideal candidate will be looking to step up into this role and will be looking to be a leader. Plant knowledge is essential to the role however is does not need to be supported by an academic qualification. A good level of self taught plant knowledge would be acceptable.
Please submit your CV in the first instance, or to discuss further contact Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530
Location: Wiltshire Salary: Salary dependent on experience but Circa £25-35,000 Job Type: Full-Time Duration: Permanent
Horticultural Buyer
The Business
Our Client is a leading Horticultural Company who trade on-line and through mail order. They are currently seeking a Horticultural Buyer. Someone who is numerate, articulate and an experienced person who is happy to join a busy buying team.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director.
The Role
The role will involve keeping up-to-date with the current trends, developing new horticultural ranges, tracking competitor activity and ensuring our bulb, plant and seed offer is unique, exciting and commercial. It will also involve working with the owner and her gardening team to log seed and plant trials and visiting them approximately 4 times per year in key seasons to view trials as well as key horticultural shows and events.
You will also work closely with our web and customer service teams to assist with the content posted on our website and on social media. You will have a keen eye for detail, be very proficient at Excel, have a clean driving licence and be keen to join a busy and fast-growing company.
The Person
You will have extensive horticultural and plant knowledge, with proven experience of buying and range planning. You will be based at their office in Wiltshire, but will need to travel to visit plant suppliers and horticultural trade fairs and events on a regular basis.
Salary dependent on experience but Circa £25-35,000
Please submit your CV in the first instance or to discuss further contact Dianne Saunders at MorePeople on 07929013910
Location: West Sussex Salary: £16,000 to £20,000 Job Type: Full-Time Duration: Permanent
Assistant Propagator
The Business
Our Client is a wholesale horticultural nursery, which grows high quality herbaceous perennials and herbs to supply garden centres and multiples nationwide. This position is within the Propagation department which is responsible for the establishment of various crops from seed or cuttings for on-growing by other departments.
The Role
Based at their site near Arundel
Hours Full time 39 hours per week plus overtime
Main Responsibilities
Assist the Propagation Supervisor to organise, supervise and run the Propagation Team.
Deputise for Propagation Supervisor as required.
Take charge of specific activities, areas or staff as delegated by the Propagation Supervisor.
Carry out pesticide/bio-control applications as directed (subject to PA certification).
Carry out the general responsibilities and duties of a permanent member of staff and supervisor.
Undertake any other nursery work when necessary.
Carry out weekend duties on a rota
The Person
Crop and pest knowledge
Propagation experience (ideal but not essential)
Good communication and organisational skills
Computer literate (Excel and Word)
PA1 and PA6 certificates (not necessary but an advantage)
Has personal transport and/or clean driving licence
Please submit your CV in the first instance, or to discuss this role further contact Dianne Saunders at MorePeople on 07929013910
John Ashley was officially named this week as the new chairman of Greenfingers, the charity dedicated to creating inspiring outdoor spaces for children in hospices around the country...
John Ashley was officially named as the new chairman of Greenfingers, the charity dedicated to creating inspiring outdoor spaces for children in hospices around the country.
John, who has previously held the office of vice chairman, takes over from Matthew Wilson. The official handover took place at Clifton Nurseries in London.
John Ashley is a respected member of the horticultural community, having started in 1972 with Fisons. He subsequently set up the Miracle-Gro business in Europe, which eventually became part of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. He is still involved in the Scotts business and with Scotsdales Garden Centre.
Deborah Skillicorn, Greenfingers’ charity director, said: “After three very fruitful and successful years with Matthew Wilson at the helm we know John will continue to take our charity forward, particularly as we are also launching a major new appeal.”
Matthew Wilson said his time as chairman of Greenfingers had been immensely rewarding. “To have been involved in the development of some of the amazing gardens Greenfingers has created has been an honour. I wish John a huge amount of luck as the new chairman, I know he will do a fantastic job and am sure he will enjoy it as much as I have.”
Matthew Wilson will stay on the board at Greenfingers and continue to be closely involved in the charity’s Garden Expert Group, which oversees the garden design elements of Greenfingers’ work.
The new Greenfingers ‘A Million Moments’ Appeal will see the charity aiming to raise £1 million to create 15 more gardens and reach at least a further 5,000 children and their families.
There are clear signs in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart that gardeners are really active on their plots with gloves, stakes and ties in high demand. Feeding and lighting products are also still selling in good volumes...
There are clear signs in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart that gardeners are really active on their plots with gloves, stakes and ties in high demand. Feeding and lighting products are also still selling in good volumes.
Star performers:
Town & Country Ladies Gloves (3 pairs bonus pack) have had a good sales week to re-enter the chart, along with Gardman Gard Stakes (8mm x 90cm), the highest returning item at No 13.
Gardman also have the highest climber in Clip Twist with Cutter (30m), jumping 21 places to No 24, and the highest new entry in Solar Mosaic Lanterns (pack of four) at No 43.
Trans-Continental will be opening their 2016 garden furniture showroom on Monday (July 20), featuring well-known brands SunTime, Plantation Rattan, Allibert, Symphony Cast Aluminium, Fairy Dwellings and the latest addition to their portfolio, CoSi Outdoor Lifestyle...
Trans-Continental will be opening their 2016 garden furniture showroom on Monday (July 20), featuring well-known brands SunTime, Plantation Rattan, Allibert, Symphony Cast Aluminium, Fairy Dwellings and the latest addition to their portfolio, CoSi Outdoor Lifestyle.
The highlight will definitely be CoSi. The full range will be available from the company’s UK warehouse in Preston, and all five styles are on display in our brand new showroom for 2016.
Trans-Continental are holding a four-day trade event (open to general trade) and then booking bespoke appointments, offering exclusive visits from Friday, July 24 onwards.
Contact your account manager to arrange an appointment.
Three varieties of Taylors Autumn Planting Seed Potatoes – Charlotte, Maris Piper and Duke of York – are the significant movers in the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart, all re-appearing in the Top 50...
Three varieties of Taylors Autumn Planting Seed Potatoes – Charlotte, Maris Piper and Duke of York – are the significant movers in the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart, all re-appearing in the Top 50.
Other star performers this week include:
Quantil Lettuce Little Gem jumps to the top spot.
The highest climber is Turnip, moving up 34 places to No 15.
The highest re-entry is Lettuce Butter Head at No 13.
Woodlark Basil (1 litre) is the highest new entry at No 24.
Quantil Courgette and Salad Leaf (Spicy Mix) have also had strong sales weeks.
The planned introduction of the so-called ‘living wage’ will present a huge challenge for the horticultural industry, the HTA said this week...
The planned introduction of the so-called ‘living wage’ will present a huge challenge for the horticultural industry, the HTA said this week.
Speaking at the HTA Joint Committees during the Ball Colegrave Summer Showcase, HTA chief executive Carol Paris said: “As a people based service industry the impact of an increase in the minimum wage presents a huge challenge for horticultural industry.
“Whilst we cannot change the travel of direction, we are looking at what mitigating factors will help us to deliver this and achieve efficiencies to counter the additional costs which will be incurred.”
As members of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the HTA are taking part in wider discussions with other retail players likely to be affected.
The current minimum wage of £6.50 per hour rises to £6.70 in October - but the government wants to replace it with a Living Wage of £9 by 2020.
The growing activity is starting to wane as the summer progresses and now attention is turning to indoor plants like orchids as the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart reveals with the highest re-entry being Growth Technology Orchid Focus Medium Compost (3 litres). However, Scotts Levington Multi Purpose Compost (50 litres) retains the top position for another week.
The growing activity is starting to wane as the summer progresses and now attention is turning to indoor plants like orchids as the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart reveals with the highest re-entry being Growth Technology Orchid Focus Medium Compost (3 litres).
Star performers include:
Arthur Bowers New Horizon Multi Purpose (60 litres) is the highest climber, jumping 30 places to No 16.
Arthur Bowers John Innes No 2 (25 litres) has seen the biggest sales increase on the previous week to return to the chart.
Scotts Levington Multi Purpose Compost (50 litres) retains the top position for another week.
Following two years of record growth in sales, garden giftware company, Fallen Fruits has expanded its workforce to handle the increase in business...
Following two years of record growth in sales, garden giftware company, Fallen Fruits has expanded its workforce to handle the increase in business.
Lawson Jay has been appointed as warehouse supervisor and Katie Dexeter has joined the company as mail order manager. Lawson has worked with Countrywide Stores and also has considerable experience in automotive industry warehousing. In his new role he will be managing an extensive and growing pick and pack operation. Katie, who has a degree in web design and was previously with Gtech, has been appointed to run the mail order part of the business with a brief to facilitate and develop this discrete and also growing part of the business.
The new appointments follow on from a 19 percent growth in turnover year on year for the financial year 2014/15, preceded by a 24 percent growth figure for the previous financial year.
Commenting on the recent recruitment, managing director Michael Hall said, “We have increasing sales in the garden centre channel, largely attributable to massive repeat orders of existing lines. Mail order custom is also strong and we see the appointments of Lawson and Katie as the perfect way to nurture our growth and ensure our new and existing customers are well looked after. We offer perfect lifestyle choices for style conscious garden centre shoppers as well as ideal gift options, even including wedding or setting up home potential. Fallen Fruits has fantastic appeal for both gardening enthusiasts and consumers who just want to enjoy their outdoor space.”
Fallen Fruits specialises in themed and designer collections inspired by both by nature and the impetus to recycle and make anew and many of its product blend UK and European heritage with contemporary trends in garden design. The company offers sixteen themed ranges plus miscellaneous garden giftware and retailers can list these individually or buy into the Fallen Fruits ‘shop within a shop’ merchandising concept.
Garden retailers can contact Fallen Fruits for more information about this and other collections by contacting the company on 01584 873377 or by emailing sales@fallenfruits.co.uk.
New products will be launched by most of the 34 UK garden and leisure product suppliers exhibiting in the British group at spoga+gafa in Cologne in September...
New products will be launched by most of the 34 UK garden and leisure product suppliers exhibiting in the British group at spoga+gafa in Cologne in September
Numerous new growing accessories are on show, ranging from micro-grow light gardens and portable greenhouses to novel garden netting designs, plant supports, link stakes and garden arches. Among the revolutionary watering accessories are a mobile telephone operated control system, a daylight sensored water controller and a weather responsive system. There are new lightweight and multi-purpose hand tools, outdoor clocks, garden storage buildings, patio brooms and barbecue accessories. Items to meet the demands of the expanding wildlife market include funky-style bird boxes and feeders.
Two-thirds of the British group have been awarded £1,500 UKTI government cash grants towards stand space and fitting costs under an arrangement secured by Gardenex.
Within the main British exhibitor pavilion is a UK garden industry information stand, manned by the Gardenex federation’s team of multi-lingual staff.
A new feature this year is a British Innovation and Business Zone that will display new, innovative and first time products or services. The Zone will be adjacent to the Gardenex stand and UK garden industry information stand.
The British exhibitors are:
ALM Manufacturing (Hall 9.1, Stand C38a) Parts for garden power machinery, including trimmer spools and line and plastic blades suitable for almost every electric grass trimmer on the market, including private label brands. The company also supplies oils, safety equipment, chainsaw chains, lawnmower blades and greenhouse parts.
Bambrella (Hall 9.1, Stand C40/D41) Strong parasols made from laminated bamboo are supplied to some of the most prestigious hotels, drinks companies, restaurants and retailers in more than 30 countries. Due to demand, they will launch a range of aluminium parasols that are as strong as the bamboo range and have been wind-tunnel tested up to 90kmph.
BarbeSkew (Hall 7.1, Stand D59) Charcoal and gas rotisserie barbecuesthat enable the user to cook using two individual rotisserie motors. As the meat is turned, it self-bastes.
Bosmere (Hall 9.1, Stand E30) Their garden covers ranges feature new colours, new packaging and new technically advanced materials. There will be a new Thunder Grey added to the successful Storm Black range of urban chic covers.
Briers (Hall 10.1, Stand B029) are showing rubber clogs and boots, gloves, umbrellas and garden product collections. The company’s Historical Royal Palaces collection is selling worldwide.
Catwatch by Concept Research (Hall 9.1, Stand D34) UK manufactured animal deterrents from ther inventors of the original cat deterrent, Catwatch. A new range of European packaging is being introduced.
Crest Garden (Hall 9.1, Stand E33) offer traditional hand-crafted garden tools manufactured by Kent & Stowe since the 1600s, based on designs as close to original versions as possible. A brand new range of eight lightweight garden tools is being introduced.
G Plants (Hall 9.1, Stand D38) UK manufactured retail packages of seeds, flower bulbs and garden products both under the company’s brand name of G Plants and own label for supply to local, regional and national multiple retailers.
Gardenskill Ltd (Hall 9.1, Stand E35) Pop-up fruit and vegetable cages, poly houses and tunnels. New products include a range of plant supports, suitable for shrubs, perennials and vegetables such as peas and beans.
Garland Products/Worth Gardening (Hall 9.1, Stand C30) have more than 70 new products, including a compact tidy tray, a colander trug, a one-top electric propagator and a micro grow light garden. A new garden basics range of garden sundries comprises more than 40 lines such as plant labels, tree ties, greenhouse fittings and coils of garden wire.
Greenman Garden Tools (Hall 9.1, Stand D31a) New ergonomic garden tools that takes design cues from traditional British farm tools, with ease-of-use and functionality as the main aim. Initial lines include a digging fork and spade with extra-long handles that have been steamed and bent.
Grumpy Gardener by GreanBase (Hall 9.1, Stand D36) Flagship product of the Grumpy Gardener Range is the Wheelbarrow Booster, a novel way of extending a wheelbarrow’s capacity by up to 300 per cent. New for 2016 are the Cultimate Weeder multi-purpose hand tool and the Plantwell watering aid for basket and pot plants.
Harrod Horticultural (Hall 9.1, Stand D37) UK designed and manufactured arches, obelisks, plant supports, crop cages and grow-your-own innovations. New silk-grey and lichen green powder coated finishes have been introduced for the arches and obelisks.
Haws Watering Cans (Hall 9.1, Stand C32) Quality metal and plastic indoor and outdoor watering cans, including a hand painted Union Jack design traditional 4.5 litre can, together with a range of hand tools, leatherware, gift products, jugs and vases.
Hozelock (Hall 6.1, Stand B10/C11) The new Hozelock Cloud offers an easy way to control garden watering from a mobile phone, via an App (available on Apple and Android operating systems) that allows you to remotely set, pause and adjust watering schedules, as well as informing the user about current conditions and changes to weather. A hub that will link with up to four remote taps in the garden is connected directly to an internet router.
Irrigatia (Hall 9.1, Stand E31a) Weather responsive solar automatic watering systems (below) that can water from a barrel every three hours, apply more water when it is sunny and water during the owner’s absence.
Laura Ashley/Treadstone Products (Hall 9.1, Stand C33) New styles and new products in two popular ranges, upgraded with fabric manufactured in the UK. goatskin leather is now used in all gloves.
London Ornaments (Hall 9.1, Stand B1) Vintage style home, gift and garden ware. The company’s popular stone ornament range, hand made in the UK, inccludes bird baths, buddhas, gargoyles and animals.
Mac’s BBQ (Hall 7.1, Stand E23) Barbecues, food smokers and accessories under the ProQ brand. New products include commercial grade smokers for use in restaurants and outdoor catering events and a new barbecue accessory, the Flip ‘n Grate.
Oakthrift (Hall 9.1, Stand D30) Bird feeders, growing systems and plant ties, including their 100 per cent squirrel-proof bird feeders and the Home Farm Grow Tower, which trebles crop yields from a given ground space. Magnetic plant ties provide a plant-friendly method of adjustable and re-usable support.
Plantworks (Hall 9.1, Stand D34a) Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi is the only product of its type to be licensed and endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. It helps gardeners grow plants using sustainable, organic and natural methods. New products include a tomato starter, basket starter and a bulb starter.
Popadome (Hall 9.1, Stand D36a) have a new garden netting product based on a dome tent design, available in several sizes with cloche and fleece accessories. Its green credentials include copper tape sewn into the base and 10mm square netting to allow pollination by bees while keeping out cabbage white butterflies and other larger insects.
Porous Pipe (Hall 9.1, Stand C36a) Premium soaker hose in 16mm, 20mm and 5mm diameters for easy watering. New to the range are kits for raised beds, a pots and planters, 4-row garden irrigation and ring irrigation.
Smart Garden Products (Hall 9.1, Stand C39) Decorative garden lighting and a new range of weather-resistant ‘Outside In’ clocks and lanterns.
Straight (Hall 9.1, Stand D32) Water butts (from 100ltr to 350ltr) and composters (220ltr and 330ltr) using recycled materials. New for 2016 is the multi-piece water butt stand that allows barrel style water butts to be delivered as complete kits, reducing transport costs.
Strata Products (Hall 10.1, Stand G58) Decorative plastic planters and garden sundries, including imitation wood, metal and new stone-effect planter designs for 2016.
STV International (Hall 6.1, Stand B20) Pest control products for home and garden. On view will be STV’s YouTube channel, Live Pest-Free TV, comprising videos designed to help retailers and end-users to fully to understand how STV products work.
Tildenet Gardenware/Haxnicks (Hall 9.1, Stand D31)Garden care, plant protection and propagation products. Haxnicks, now part of the Tildenet Group, will sow the versatile Sunbubble, a portable greenhouse that provides flexible protection for plants and a sheltered workspace for gardeners.
Town & Country (Hall 9.1, Stand E31) Gloves, footwear and sundries. A raft of new products includes new colours for the best-selling Master Gardener glove range and fleece-lined cloggies.
Trimetals (Hall 6.1, Stand A43) Metal garden storage buildings. They will launch a new version of the popular bicycle storage unit, incorporating a robust front ramp that can be quickly lowered to allow easy access to stored bicycles.
Tubtrugs® (Hall 9.1, Stand D35) Brooms, containers and tools for home, garden, construction and agriculture, including a new concept in broom design.
VegTrug (Hall 9.1, Stand D33) Raised bed planters along and three new product collections. The VegTrug Wildlife Range includes the Tweetie Pad bird box and the Tweetie Feeder bird table, available in a choice of natural wood or funky colours.
What More UK (Hall 9.1, Stand A11) Plastic houseware, storage and garden products. Among its exhibits are products from its Studio, Eden and Vista collections, all manufactured in Northern England.
Yardmaster International (Hall 6.1, Stand E30) DIY metal garden buildings flat packed for home delivery, from small pent-roof models suitable for balconies and patios to apex-roof models ranging from 2 sq m to 11 sq m.
St Peters Garden Centre in Worcester opened a community garden commemorating soldiers from the Worcestershire Regiment on Thursday this week, 16th July...
St Peters Garden Centre in Worcester opened a community garden commemorating soldiers from the Worcestershire Regiment on Thursday this week, 16th July.
The event was attended by local dignitaries and many military representatives as well as children from the local Norton-Juxta-Kempsey First School, following a competition. The focus for the competition was on designing a garden that would commemorate the Norton Barracks and the soldiers of the Worcestershire Regiment and was part of a 4 year programme of education and information projects. The winning design was then transformed into a special garden built at St. Peter’s Garden Centre.
As part of the celebrations St Peters had also created a super display of the Gardman cast iron poppy bird feeders which are being sold to raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. “We are selling 200 a week at the moment,” Will Blake, told GTN Xtra, “so we are on target to sell all of the 4,000 we have ordered and raise £8,000 for the poppy appeal.”
The poppy charity fundraising as part of the poppy appeal was started by Anthony Gould at Goulds Garden Centre in Weymouth last year and for 2015 is a Choice Marketing initiative. If any other garden centres wish to get involved please contact Lolly Lee at Gardman: l.lee@gardman.co.uk
Pictured: St Peters General Manager, Will Blake and Garden Centre Manager, Chris Schofield admire the garden just prior to its official opening.
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 printed newsletter.
As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2013 as well as 2014 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 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.
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 delivered via the post 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 £120m.
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.
Used correctly bread can really drive sales in cafés and coffee shops, says Doug Stewart, Garden Centre and Catering Consultant...
Catering tip of the week by Doug Stewart, Garden Centre and Catering Consultant
Gales Artisan Bakery in London proudly declares that they bake 30 different types of bread every day.
During the recession simple peasant foods such as bread have had a makeover and used correctly they can really drive sales in cafés and coffee shops
Scrambled eggs on charred sourdough toast, sounds so much more appealing than the old scrambled eggs on toast.
Fabulous breads offer an interesting upselling opportunity, “would you like one of our speciality breads with that” Bread is an upsell to salads, soups, stews and many of our dishes.
Who could resist mashed potato and beer bread, rosemary sourdough, or an oatmeal and honey roll?
Not only are artisan breads full of flavour, they are also better for us, as the gluten in the loaf is partly broken down by the fermentation process. With their price premium they are also a great way to boost customer spend.
GIMA Sword of Excellence 
GCA Supplier of the Year 
New campaign - 'Million Moments' 
David Denny, research manager for the HTA, and Boyd Douglas-Davies presented the initial findings of some eye tracking research at the HTA Plant Retailing seminar held as part of the Ball Colegrave Summer Spectacular this week.
John Ashley was officially named as the new chairman of Greenfingers, the charity dedicated to creating inspiring outdoor spaces for children in hospices around the country.
The planned introduction of the so-called ‘living wage’ will present a huge challenge for the horticultural industry, the HTA said this week.
Catering tip of the week by Doug Stewart, Garden Centre and Catering Consultant