In This Issue
Cheer yourself up from the "Lockdown Slump" today by joining in with #FloralFriday for Greenfingers
Year on year sales deficit halved in four weeks
Man dies at Westland factory in Dungannon
Socially Distanced plant sales up by 40%
Marlows , Bury St Edmunds, to close due to Coronavirus trading conditions
Adam, Alliums and Princess Leia joined the #FloralFriday Fun!
It’s Time to Grow Your Autumn Plant Sales!
Aquatic firms boosted by rise in popularity of garden ponds
Fire at Cooks Garden Centre
Designing ways to reduce plastic waste: apply for funding
Recoup Conference 2020 postponement
A speedy solution for queuing in comfort
Harness the power of Neudorff’s natural gardening range in time for peak season, says DLF Seeds
BBC Gardeners’ World Live online celebrations start tomorrow
Tuffgrass and Quick Lawn top Johnsons Lawn Seed’s best-sellers as strong demand drives growth
Dobbies supports virtual Rose Festival 2020
ICL puts support behind Perennial & ‘You’re Not Alone’ initiative
Sorry it's late...
Plant Area General Assistant
Merchandiser/ Area representative
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
New June record for growing media
GIMA announces first virtual Buyer Connect session with Homebase
Pots of Garden Product Sales
Keter Group to manufacture high-quality face masks to help keyworkers stay safe
Double bubble for Grow your Own Veg
The best of last week's
It’s a sell out!
It’s like Christmas, only bigger!
Fire at Millbrook Gravesend destroys compost and furniture
Dobbies sign up on new site that will be the biggest Dobbies in the South West
The biggest week for Growing Media sales, ever!
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to GTN Bestsellers
The popular restaurant at Cardwell Garden Centre has re-opened for takeaway orders!
Situations Vacant
Plant Area General Assistant
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Cheer yourself up from the "Lockdown Slump" today by joining in with #FloralFriday for Greenfingers

With radio stations reporting on many people suffering from "Lockdown Slump" today Greenfingers supporters across the country have a great way to spread some cheer by taking a #FloralFriday picture and posting on social media just as Trevor from GTN and Adam from Taylors Bulbs have already this morning...


With radio stations reporting on many people suffering from "Lockdown Slump" today Greenfingers supporters across the country have a great way to spread some cheer by taking a #FloralFriday picture and posting on social media just as Adam from Taylors Bulbs and Trevor from GTN have already this morning.

 

A regular supporter of the initiative, Adam Taylor, once again brought a little creative floral cheer to social media platforms as his lockdown thoughts took him back to Star Wars – is lockdown getting to Adam!   Alongside his post, he said “So here we have Allium Giganteum AKA “The Princess Leia Allium”. 

 

Speaking about #FloralFriday, Adam said “This initiative has been a lovely distraction during some lonely hours on site and timed really well with the availability of flowers on our trial plot.  We hope that our help, and that of others, broadcasting the Greenfingers message will help to ensure the charity is able to continue valuable work in children’s hospices right across the country.”

 

As this week is British Flowers Week, a national celebration of the wealth and variety of British cut flowers, plants and foliage, Greenfingers Charity invites you to join the fun of #FloralFriday today (19th June), by posting photos of your favourite British flowers or dressed in your favourite floral British attire – a great way to celebrate the fantastic work that is being done by our British growers, seed suppliers and designers and at the same time ensuring the work of the charity continues into 2021 and beyond.  

 

Here’s what you need to do…

  • Post a floral ‘selfie’ or a photo of your favourite British Flower on social media
  • Use the hashtags #FloralFriday #HortIndustry #BritishFlowersWeek
  • Tag @GreenfingersCharity  
  • If you can, make a donation to support the work of Greenfingers Charity by texting FLORALFRIDAY to 70085 to donate £5 or FLORALFRIDAYTEN to 70085 to donate £10.
  • Nominate a friend(s) to do the same

Why support #FloralFriday?

There is no doubt that the benefits of gardening and spending time outside in the fresh air are being felt by children and families more than ever as we continue to navigate through a world in lockdown.  Whilst this additional engagement with gardening can only be good for our industry, this message is also vitally important for Greenfingers Charity as it faces a very challenging road ahead. 

 

To find out more about Greenfingers gardens in the planning stages and other ways you can help the charity contact Director of Fundraising and Communications Linda Petrons by emailing Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or calling 07908 221240. 

Year on year sales deficit halved in four weeks

The wetter and cooler weather at the start of June took some of the heat out of overall garden centre sales, not quite setting a new record for the first week of June.  Garden Product volume sales were up by 43% on the same week last year and that means on a year to date basis the garden product deficit has halved from 52% just before re-opening to 26% after the first week of June...


The wetter and cooler weather at the start of June took some of the heat out of overall garden centre sales, not quite setting a new record for the first week of June.  Garden product volume sales were up by 43% on the same week last year and with more furniture, BBQ and pot sales included in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data there’s no doubt that turnover will have been much higher.

 

That means on a year to date basis the garden products deficit has halved from 52% just before re-opening to 26% after the first week of June.

 

All eyes will be on the next few weeks of Bestsellers data to see if the warmer weather improved sales last week and what the impact on all shops re-opening will be after this week.  Watch this space.

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 23

•           Garden Products Top 50 – up 43%

•           Growing Media Top 50 – up 87%

•           Wild Bird Care Top 50 – up 12%

•           Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 166%

 

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 23

•           All Plants with Barcode index – up 41%

•           All Items with Barcode index – up 35%

Man dies at Westland factory in Dungannon

A tragic accident has happened at Westland's Dungannon factory resulting in a mans death...


A tragic accident has happened at Westland's Dungannon factory resulting in a mans death.

 

Westland have issued the following statement:

 

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of an employee following a tragic accident at our Dungannon site yesterday.

 

"We will be offering support to the family and to our colleagues in the immediate aftermath.

 

"Westland is investigating this incident and is assisting the HSENI with its enquiries.

 

"At this early stage, we have no further details other than what has already been reported.

 

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the family at this devastating time."

 

The Ulster Herald names the man as Phillip Moore and on the Clogher Valley RFC facebook page the following was posted: "It is with deep regret we have been informed that our friend and playing colleague Phillip Moore passed away this morning after an accident at work. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Ruth, daughter Lilly and the family."

 

On the BBC News website First Minister and Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Arlene Foster described Mr Moore as a "real gentleman who loved his family immensely and was a wonderful friend".

 

"He will be missed by his colleagues and I know within Clogher Valley Rugby Club who held him in such high regard."

 

She added: "This news has been a huge shock to Westland Horticulture, where he worked and indeed the entire Clogher Valley area. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family."

 

See the full BBC News story here

 

Photo from Ulster Herald

 
Socially Distanced plant sales up by 40%

Plant sales were up by 40% compared to the same week last year for the start of June.  That’s great news considering the weather wasn’t so good and that stocks of bedding plants were running out.  Instead gardeners appear to have bought other plants, especially veg plants and plants to grow in pots and containers including herbs...


Plant sales were up by 40% compared to the same week last year for the start of June.  That’s great news considering the weather wasn’t so good and that stocks of bedding plants were running out.  Instead gardeners appear to have bought other plants, especially veg plants and plants to grow in pots and containers including herbs.

  • Strawberry plants were the highest re-entry to the GTN Plants Top 50, back in at No 35.
  • Canna Lily sales grew by over 150% to re-enter at No 46.
  • Primula sales doubled as they climbed 22 places up the chart to No 14.

Here's the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 Plants Chart for the first week of June.  Track this chart every week, generated from garden centre Epos data with a subscription to GTN Bestsellers.  Buy your subscription for £145.00 using this link

 

 

 

Marlows , Bury St Edmunds, to close due to Coronavirus trading conditions

After re-opening on May 20th with a 40 minute appointment only shopping system, Marlows Home and Garden in Bury St Edmunds announced on June 9th that it will be closing down...


After re-opening on May 20th with a 40 minute appointment only shopping system, Marlows Home and Garden in Bury St Edmunds announced on June 9th that it will be closing down.

 

"Due to poor trading conditions caused by Coronavirus, Marlows Home and Garden will be closing down. We expect the closure to be complete by the Autumn 2020.


"We would like to thank all of our amazing customers for the support shown during these difficult times."

 

Marlows completed the first phase of a £1m redevelopment and refurbishment at its 3.5-acre site in 2016 and were winners of The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre in the GCA North Thames region in 2017.

 

See our gallery of pictures from Marlows at Christmas 2018 below:

Adam, Alliums and Princess Leia joined the #FloralFriday Fun!

As this week is British Flowers Week, a national celebration of the wealth and variety of British cut flowers, plants and foliage, Greenfingers Charity invites you to join the fun of #FloralFriday this Friday (19th June), by posting photos of your favourite British flowers or dressed in your favourite floral British attire – a great way to celebrate the fantastic work that is being done by our British growers, seed suppliers and designers and at the same time ensuring the work of the charity continues into 2021 and beyond...


See more #FloralFriday pictures

Greenfingers Charity is once again grateful to all those joining the fun of #FloralFriday by sharing their floral photos on social media every Friday and helping to ensure the charity remains in the hearts and minds of the industry as well as the gardening public.

 

A regular supporter of the initiative, Adam Taylor, once again brought a little creative floral cheer to social media platforms last Friday (12th June) as his lockdown thoughts took him back to Star Wars – is lockdown getting to Adam!   Alongside his post, he said “So here we have Allium Giganteum AKA “The Princess Leia Allium”. 

 

Speaking about #FloralFriday, Adam said “This initiative has been a lovely distraction during some lonely hours on site and timed really well with the availability of flowers on our trial plot.  We hope that our help, and that of others, broadcasting the Greenfingers message will help to ensure the charity is able to continue valuable work in children’s hospices right across the country.”

 

As this week is British Flowers Week, a national celebration of the wealth and variety of British cut flowers, plants and foliage, Greenfingers Charity invites you to join the fun of #FloralFriday this Friday (19th June), by posting photos of your favourite British flowers or dressed in your favourite floral British attire – a great way to celebrate the fantastic work that is being done by our British growers, seed suppliers and designers and at the same time ensuring the work of the charity continues into 2021 and beyond.  

 

Here’s what you need to do…

  • Post a floral ‘selfie’ or a photo of your favourite British Flower on social media
  • Use the hashtags #FloralFriday #HortIndustry #BritishFlowersWeek
  • Tag @GreenfingersCharity  
  • If you can, make a donation to support the work of Greenfingers Charity by texting FLORALFRIDAY to 70085 to donate £5 or FLORALFRIDAYTEN to 70085 to donate £10.
  • Nominate a friend(s) to do the same

Why support #FloralFriday?

There is no doubt that the benefits of gardening and spending time outside in the fresh air are being felt by children and families more than ever as we continue to navigate through a world in lockdown.  Whilst this additional engagement with gardening can only be good for our industry, this message is also vitally important for Greenfingers Charity as it faces a very challenging road ahead. 

To find out more about Greenfingers gardens in the planning stages and other ways you can help the charity contact Director of Fundraising and Communications Linda Petrons by emailing Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or calling 07908 221240. 

It’s Time to Grow Your Autumn Plant Sales!

Looking for a Pansy which will cascade over the sides of hanging baskets and planters providing colour even in the dullest days of winter? Well look no further…


Looking for a Pansy which will cascade over the sides of hanging baskets and planters providing colour even in the dullest days of winter? Well look no further.  Ball Colegrave have the answer.

 

Pansy Cool Wave® is like no other Pansy. Plants trail and spread effortlessly up to 60cm to fill baskets, containers and garden borders fast, with exceptional weather performance and superior overwintering qualities.

 

Being far less day length sensitive than other Pansy varieties, Cool Wave® is the first to break into colour in early spring, delivering incredible flower power to the home garden and providing retailers with an early start to Pansy colour sales.

 

The unique natural branching and controlled habit mean Cool Wave® are ideally suited for retail-ready hanging baskets, patio containers and 9-13cm pot sales.

 

Vigorous plants with a unique, true trailing and spreading habit
Extremely floriferous, medium sized blooms
Exceptional overwintering performance… and the first Pansy to re-bloom in the Spring!
Plants naturally branch … no pinching or PGR’s required

Perfect fit for anywhere in the garden; flower beds, baskets, window boxes and containers


Available as Seed or Ball 230 and Ball 104 plugs in 14 distinct colours and 3 mixtures. Ball Colegrave highly recommend the Ball 230 plug for pot and pack production and the Ball 104 plug to drop directly into a hanging baskets and larger pots.

 

How to Create Easy Autumn Colour with Pansy Cool Wave®:
Simply transplant 3 x Ball 104 plug weeks 30-38 into 12-14" hanging pots or 2 litre pots for quick-fill colour in September/October!

For February-March colour sales, transplant in weeks 40-42..

 

See the 2020 Autumn Portfolio online brochure for more details along with all our highly recommended varieties for autumn and spring production, plus stunning new additions released since you received your 2020 Catalogues.

 

If you would like further information on Trailing Pansy Cool Wave® or wish to place an order, please contact your Ball Colegrave Technical Sales Representative, our Customer Services Team on orders@ballcolegrave.com or visit WebTrack® for online ordering and live availability.

Aquatic firms boosted by rise in popularity of garden ponds

The UK’s aquatics and water-gardening industry has been boosted by a huge surge of interest in garden ponds during the coronavirus lockdown.  With the country forced to ‘stay at home’ at the peak of the Covid-19 crisis, it seems many households turned their attentions to building a wildlife or fishpond in the garden...


The UK’s aquatics and water-gardening industry has been boosted by a huge surge of interest in garden ponds during the coronavirus lockdown.

 

With the country forced to ‘stay at home’ at the peak of the Covid-19 crisis, it seems many households turned their attentions to building a wildlife or fishpond in the garden.

 

And that fact has proved good for business for those AQUA 2021 exhibitors specialising in pond-related products.

 

AQUA 2021 is the UK’s leading aquatics and water-gardening industry exhibition taking place at the Telford International Centre on 13-14 October 2021.

 

Show organiser Gordon Thomas has been in regular contact with exhibitors over the past three months and was struck by the amount of companies reporting strong business during the lockdown period, especially those supplying products for garden ponds.

 

Pondxpert, for instance, has seen a large increase in demand since mid-April, and the company’s Tom Jeffery said it didn’t seem to be diminishing any time soon. “We are on course to have our most successful season ever, which was helped by our ability to have all of our full season’s stock ready for sale well before the season started.

 

“We have also seen a continued increase in the number of new retailers coming on board throughout this period as they look to capitalise on the new surge in the popularity of gardening and, by extension, garden ponds. I know that many of our retailers have had their busiest periods ever too, and the industry seems pretty excited by the fantastic demand the public has shown in pond products over the past two months.”

 

It is a similar story for Gordon Low, the leading pond-liner manufacturer. Director Ruth Low said: “We have been incredibly busy throughout the lockdown period. We haven’t experienced anything like it, not even in the days of Charlie Dimmock and Ground Force.

 

“Throughout April and May we received a phenomenal amount of orders. We worked through weekends and extra hours overtime, and still we were only just keeping up.

 

“I hope that all this frantic digging of ponds bodes well in follow-up sales for our lovely retailers who could be busy for years to come.”

 

According to the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association, ponds and home aquariums have been an important source of relaxation during these stressful times.

 

OATA’s chief executive Dominic Whitmee said: “Lockdown offered people more time to concentrate on home-based hobbies, including setting up or looking after aquariums. The weather was also perfect to spruce up gardens and to add a pond. It’s great to hear that people have been investing in home aquariums and garden ponds because we know how good both can be for mental health.”

 

Now firmly established as a biennial event, AQUA 2021 is set to attract the major companies in the trade, who acknowledge the importance of exhibiting their products and services to aquatic and garden centre retailers, all under one roof.

 

As well as getting to see all the new products to be launched on to the market, visitors will also be invited to join exhibitors at an AQUA dinner on the first evening of the exhibition. The dinner is one of the main highlights of the event, where guests get the chance to relax with fellow industry colleagues.

 

To discover more reasons why AQUA has become a vital date in the water gardening and aquatics trade calendar, retailers and suppliers can view comments about the 2019 event in a special video at https://vimeo.com/371139081.

 

More details about AQUA 2021 can also be found on the website  www.aquatelford.co.uk

 
Fire at Cooks Garden Centre

Award winning Cooks Garden Centre in Stourbridge is open as normal following a fire at their Bewdley Road Nursery on June 5th.


Award winning Cooks Garden Centre in Stourbridge is open as normal following a fire at their Bewdley Road Nursery on June 5th.

 

"As you may be aware there has been a fire at the Bewdley Road Nursery today," said Cooks on their facebook page.

 


"We would like to personally thank the fire service for their super quick response which kept damage and stock loss very minimal.  More importantly nobody got hurt!


"Thank you for everyone’s concern and messages but we’re all ok."

 
Designing ways to reduce plastic waste: apply for funding
Businesses can apply for a share of £800,000 to look at innovative designs for products, services or business models that make plastic use more sustainable.

The UK Government has published details of a fund that garden product manufacturers could apply to for business projects that seek to better understand the behaviour of customers and users and use that understanding to create innovative design concepts...


The UK Government has published details of a fund that garden product manufacturers could apply to for business projects that seek to better understand the behaviour of customers and users and use that understanding to create innovative design concepts.

 

The world produces around 350 million tonnes of plastic every year. Europe recycles about 40% of its plastic waste. Some of the rest goes to landfill or for incineration and some still leaks out into the environment.

 

Better design of products, processes and services is one way of reducing the environmental impact of plastics. However, the design must be one that consumers and users will want to adopt and it needs to fit with the way they behave.

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, has up to £800,000 from the Plastics Research and Innovation Fund, to invest in business projects that seek to better understand the behaviour of customers and users and use that understanding to create innovative design concepts.

 

Projects must base ideas on customer research


Projects must develop design concepts that do not rely on single-use plastic using customer and user research. They could look at redesign of existing goods, services or business models or design of entirely new ones. The design concept should prioritise reuse of products and extending the life of products over recycling.

 

If a project is looking at ‘design for recycling’ then it must be compatible with existing recycling technology and infrastructure.

 

Design could include contributions from engineering, materials science, service design, circular design and systems thinking.

 

Find out more about applying for Innovate UK funding. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/innovation-apply-for-a-funding-award

 

The competition is open, and the deadline for applications is at midday on 16 September 2020.  Businesses of any size may apply.  Innovate UK expect projects to range in size between £20,000 and £80,000 and last between 3 and 6 months.


Watch the online briefing event https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMsY7lEC5bY&feature=youtu.be


Find out more about this competition and apply. https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/631/overview#summary

Recoup Conference 2020 postponement

Plastics Recycling Charity RECOUP’S eagerly awaited Conference has become another casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic...


Plastics Recycling Charity RECOUP’S eagerly awaited Conference has become another casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic.   It is with a heavy heart that the organisation has announced that the 2020 Conference is postponed until Thursday 30th September 2021.   

 

Anne Hitch, the Citizen and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, commented “whilst disappointing it is crucial that we put the safety and welfare of attendees and staff first.  Despite efforts to put procedures in place to comply with social distancing guidelines it became clear that we have no alternative but to postpone the 2020 event.  It is a double disappointment as 2020 marks 30 years of RECOUP’s influence and work within plastics resources and recycling.”  Stuart Foster, RECOUP CEO added “the Conference has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and we will be back, better than ever in 2021.”

 

RECOUP have seen increased workloads, requests, and membership interest over recent months, with the team working from home at this time.  RECOUP have, in response, announced an extensive programme of webinars throughout September and October 2020 to allow for quality discussion and debate on the key issues facing plastics recycling and resources.  As this year has brought added pressures for the plastics recycling industry the webinars have been designed to allow for the value chain to be able to come together to help solve some of those challenges and discuss opportunities given that  long term targets and ambitions remain the same.  

 

Registrations for the web programme, which is free to all, is available at www.recoup.org/webinar2020.  The 2021 Conference is already open for registrations, with all previous registrations having the opportunity to carry forward their booking or request a refund via the Eventbrite system at www.recoup.org/conference2021.

A speedy solution for queuing in comfort

Industry construction experts Fordingbridge have introduced their latest product designed specifically to aid the Garden Centre industry...


Industry construction experts Fordingbridge have introduced their latest product designed specifically to aid the Garden Centre industry.

 

 

Having consulted with customers and having heard the strains they are currently facing with regards to allowing for safe social distancing, the firm have developed a new product to provide a solution now, which can also be repurposed for future use. Their new walkway system provides a bright, weather protected area for your customers with no need for any groundworks. It is not only efficient and quick to install, but also flexible for the future.

 

Once its requirements as a walkway have passed, the 5m sections of the structure can be redeployed and permanently positioned elsewhere in the store. You may join them together for a covered plant area, you may use it as a trolley or cycle store; the choice is yours.

 

 

The walkway uses unique ‘Flowerpot Foundations”; designed specifically for quick, temporary installation with no need to reinstate any groundworks once removed. Covered in artificial grass, the top of the ‘Pot’ is left open to plant up with your latest plant stock, creating not only a warm welcome for shoppers, but also providing you a fantastic merchandising opportunity.

 

The 3m span of the roof  is covered by their industry-favourite Opal 60 fabric, so you can be assured the area will be bright and well protected, but with reduced UV for your customers comfort and safety. The customer facing gable end of the canopy can also be branded with your logo, to add further to the welcome.

 

Fordingbridge have designed the walkway in both steel and timber options and are currently taking orders for delivery.

 

https://www.fordingbridge.co.uk/canopies-and-walkways/walkways/instant-flexible-walkway/

 

 

Harness the power of Neudorff’s natural gardening range in time for peak season, says DLF Seeds

 

DLF Seeds, the UK distributor for Neudorff’s portfolio of environmentally conscious gardening products, is urging retailers to leverage the full sales potential of the company’s innovative fertilisers and pest controls as peak season approaches...


DLF Seeds, the UK distributor for Neudorff’s portfolio of environmentally conscious gardening products, is urging retailers to leverage the full sales potential of the company’s innovative fertilisers and pest controls as peak season approaches.

 

Neudorff, which has the widest range of products certified by the Organic Farmers and Growers Association (OF&G), is now exclusively distributed in the UK by DLF Seeds, owner of Johnsons Lawn Seed, the UK’s oldest lawn seed supplier.

 

The company is urging retailers to ensure that sufficient stock is available to coincide with the season’s highest levels of demand for products that effectively control common pests such as slugs and ants. The sales season for tomato and plant fertiliser is also about to peak as consumers plant out young ornamental and edible plants from June onwards.

 

Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Consumer Manager, Guy Jenkins, said: “The warm, sunny spring combined with a resurgence of interest in grow-your-own during lockdown is set to create considerable demand for natural plant protection products and fertilisers. Neudorff has a long and prestigious heritage in natural gardening and its tried-and-tested formulations are ideally positioned to appeal to the UK’s growing band of eco-friendly, organic and vegan consumers who are actively seeking gardening products that are gentle to people, pets and the environment.”

 

Guy added: “With novice gardeners who dabbled in grow-your-own for the first time during lockdown now heading to retail outlets in addition to experienced gardeners, it is vital that stockists maximise the full potential of Neudorff’s iconic sunflower logo-emblazoned portfolio at a time when the opportunity to inspire and capture a new audience has never been greater. Neudorff’s innovative and creative merchandising solutions offer retailers the highest opportunity to drive footfall and further develop the expanding naturals sector.”

 

Key Neudorff products to ignite staycation summer sales
Neudorff Organic Tomato Feed is a liquid fertiliser that’s approved for vegan use. It contains a high level of potassium to help consumers achieve bumper crops of healthy, flavoursome tomatoes, and produces excellent results on all edibles.

Neudorff Organic Multipurpose Plant Feed appeals to consumers who are looking to grow bigger blooms and longer-lasting flowers. The organic liquid fertiliser is child and pet safe and can be used on all ornamentals as well as house plants.

​​​​​​​After the dry spring created ideal conditions for ant infestations, Neudorff’s AntFree Ant Killer Granules are the go-to choice to help consumers control tunnelling and hollowing-out of gaps around the house on paths, patios and terraces.

Neudorff’s metaldehyde-free Sluggo Slug & Snail Killer Ultra features powerful micro-pellets that are ideal for targeting slugs and snails that emerge when consumers plant out ornamentals and edibles now that the risk of frost is over.

The period from June onwards offers the greatest potential to maximise sales of Neudorff’s BugFree Bug & Larvae Killer – an effective, ready-to-use spray that’s free from neonicotinoids. It can be used to control sucking and biting insects on a variety of ornamental plants as well as apple, pear and kohlrabi.

 

To find out more about the availability of Neudorff’s leading gardening products via DLF Seeds’ exclusive distribution network, please call 01386 791113 or email info@johnsonslawnseed.co.uk. Or for more information about Neudorff’s natural gardening portfolio, visit www.neudorff.co.uk

BBC Gardeners’ World Live online celebrations start tomorrow

We can’t go to BBC Gardeners’ World Live this year, so it’s going to come to us, tomorrow and Friday...


We can’t go to BBC Gardeners’ World Live this year, so it’s going to come to us, tomorrow and Friday.


On what would have been the first two days of the Show, Thu 18 and Fri 19 June, BBC Gardeners’ World Live is taking the celebrations online, with a taste of the gardening inspiration that visitors would have found at the Show.

 

 

Online highlights include:

· Monty Don will give an exclusive interview to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine editor Lucy Hall, where he will share insights of his filming experiences over the past few weeks (Thu 18 June, 5pm).

· Adam Frost will be joined, virtually, by BBC GWL host David Hurrion in a full-length demo sharing practical and easy to follow projects to help climate-proof your garden (Fri 19 June, 5pm).

· There’ll be a chance to watch-again the BBC2 Gardeners’ World ‘viewers garden videos’ that have aired on the programme to date.

· An interview with Toby Buckland about his ‘Navigator Garden’ which will headline the rescheduled Show in 2021.

· The Golden Rules of Gardening, video tips from award-winning specialist nurseries, filmed by BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine at BBC Gardeners’ World Live over the years.

· Summer food inspiration in how-to videos and plot to plate recipes, all from the BBC Good Food Show team.

 

The celebrations will take place throughout the two days on Facebook and Twitter, and you can also find it at bbcgardenersworldlive.com from 18 June. #GWLCelebration

Tuffgrass and Quick Lawn top Johnsons Lawn Seed’s best-sellers as strong demand drives growth

Johnsons Lawn Seed, the UK’s oldest lawn seed brand, is reporting healthy sales of two of its most iconic consumer brands, despite the nationwide lockdown that gripped the garden trade during peak season...


Johnsons Lawn Seed, the UK’s oldest lawn seed brand, is reporting healthy sales of two of its most iconic consumer brands, despite the nationwide lockdown that gripped the garden trade during peak season.

 

Sales of the company’s leading Tuffgrass and Quick Lawn brands have witnessed a year-to-date increase of 35% and 30% respectively, with performance driven by innovation which saw both lines refreshed for 2020 to incorporate the latest seed technology.

 

Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Guy Jenkins said: “Performance of the Tuffgrass and Quick Lawn brands has been outstanding, despite the unprecedented hurdles that the garden industry had to overcome this season. The sales figures speak for themselves: consumer-focused innovation has the potential to drive lawncare category sales even in the most challenging of circumstances. There is enormous pent-up demand for gardening across the UK, and the sunniest spring on record, combined with a warm start to the season, has fuelled consumers’ desire to own a lawns that will be the focal point of family activity during the enforced staycations that are a reality of this summer.”

 

After a strong pre-season sell-in to the retail trade for Johnsons Lawn Seed, and Neudorff’s portfolio of environmentally conscious gardening products that are now exclusively distributed by the company, Johnsons is extending its thanks to trade organisations such as the HTA and GIMA, which worked tirelessly to lobby for the safe re-opening of garden centres during the Covid-19 lockdown. The campaign saw the plight of the horticulture industry raise up the national news agenda and succeeded in persuading the government to allow garden centres to re-open well in advance of High Street retail.

 

Guy added: “Efforts made by garden retailers to reinvent their business models during lockdown, including the launch of online ordering and home-delivery services, remain thoroughly appreciated by the supply chain. We are also hugely grateful for the incredible work carried out during the nationwide shut down that saw garden retailers work tirelessly to adapt store layouts, so that strict social distancing measures could be adhered to, allowing safe reopening and capturing the remainder of the peak spring sales season.”

 

Johnsons Lawn Seed, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary during 2020, is urging stockists to replenish lawncare categories as a priority, ahead of high demand anticipated in the wake of the driest May on record since 1896. The unseasonably dry conditions, which saw little rain fall across much of the UK during April and May, left lawns parched early in the season, which consumers will be seeking to reinvigorate and repair.

 

Innovative lawncare essentials to stock
Leading the way in innovation for 2020 is new Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance. A UK first, Tuffgrass now contains naturally tolerant grass species that won’t turn yellow when dogs use lawns as their toilet – finally solving a problem that has blighted consumers’ lawns for decades.

 

Ideal for staycation summers, the scientifically proven mix is tough enough to stand up to wear and tear as families and their pets holiday at home. It is suitable for sowing new lawns, overseeding, fixing patches and creating play areas. With dry spells set to become commonplace due to climate change, Tuffgrass offers excellent drought resistance and has been proven to also stand up to low temperatures and snow.

 

Another key launch to drive sales growth this year is child and pet-friendly Quick Lawn with Accelerator-treated seed. The new Accelerator treatment – which spurs seeds into growth faster by speeding up the absorption of water and directing bio stimulants in a smart coating into the seed – meets consumer demand for rapidly germinating lawn seed that thrives in dry conditions. Quick Lawn requires just a third of the amount of water that’s usually needed for lawn establishment, resulting in 38% more grass within the first seven days, compared to non-coated seed.

 

Growth in the number of consumers looking to garden organically, combined with lawns needing repair after the dry spring and summer staycations, make stocking Johnsons’ Super Smart Lawn Feed essential. The 100% organic, three-in-one formulation, contains a mix of beneficial bacteria that feed lawns, micronutrients to enhance a lawn’s lush green appearance, and mycorrhizae that can increase the root system of grass by up to 150%. It can be applied between February and September, apart from during drought or freezing conditions, giving the fertiliser a long season of consumer appeal.

 

To find out more about Johnsons Lawn Seed products please visit http://www.johnsonslawnseed.com/product-range.aspx

Dobbies supports virtual Rose Festival 2020

Dobbies Garden Centres are supporting Sun Gardening’s virtual Rose Festival. Running from 20 to 28 June, the Rose Festival will celebrate the nation’s favourite flower online with growers, gardeners and kids encouraged to get involved...


The UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, is supporting Sun Gardening’s virtual Rose Festival. Running from 20 to 28 June, the Rose Festival will celebrate the nation’s favourite flower online with growers, gardeners and kids encouraged to get involved.

 

As part of the festival, the Children’s Prettiest Rose Drawing Competition will be in partnership with Dobbies, encouraging kids to get creative and draw a beautiful rose. The colouring competition is open to children across the UK and split into three age categories: up to age 6, age 7-10 and age 10 and up.

 

The winners will be chosen by the Sun Gardening team, and editor and television broadcaster, Peter Seabrook. There will be three winners in each category, each winning a £25 Dobbies’ voucher, with the aim of inspiring a young generation of gardeners.

 

Entrants are asked to upload their rose-themed masterpieces to the Sun Gardening website to be in with the chance of winning, and they can also share their creations on social media with the hashtag #rosefestival20.

 

Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies, said: “The virtual Rose Festival is a fantastic idea and a great way to celebrate one of Britain’s best loved flowers. We offer a wide selection of roses in store and online which always prove popular with our customers.

 

“At Dobbies we’re passionate about getting kids into gardening and the Prettiest Rose Drawing Competition is a brilliant way for children to get creative and learn more about the gardening world.”

 

To encourage children to get involved, Dobbies will be sharing rose related activities on its Little Seedings at home webpage, a free online resource packed with ideas to inspire and educate children on all things gardening.

 

As part of the festival, Dobbies’ own Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, will also be hosting a special rose-themed Facebook Live Q&A. Taking place on Saturday 20 June, 11:00-11:30, Marcus will be talking gardening trends and sharing top tips on how to grow and care for roses, as well as answering questions from the public.

 

Peter Seabrook, Editor at Sun Gardening, said: “2020 marks the third year of the Rose Festival and we’re delighted to have the support from Dobbies. Our Sun Gardening column has backed many initiatives which encourage young people to grow plants and open their eyes to the natural beauty in gardens, parks and the countryside, and we can’t wait to see the entries for the Prettiest Rose Drawing Competition.”

 

Full competition details and entry criteria for the Children’s Prettiest Rose Competition can be found on the Sun Gardening website: www.sungardening.co.uk/News:Prettiest-Rose-Competition-2020

 
ICL puts support behind Perennial & ‘You’re Not Alone’ initiative

Partnering with Big White Wall - Perennial has launched a new initiative ‘You’re Not Alone’ - providing access to free mental health support...


During these unprecedented times, Perennial’s services supporting those in the horticultural industry experiencing difficulties have perhaps never been so important. Having been a corporate supporter and fundraiser for several years, ICL is delighted to lend the charity its full support as its Diamond Partner.

 

“Partnering with Big White Wall - Perennial has launched a new initiative ‘You’re Not Alone’ - providing access to free mental health support,” says Adam Ferjani, ICL’s Marketing Communications Manager. “It has been a particularly challenging few months for many in the industry and this timely new initiative has our full support.”

 

“At different times in life everyone can feel down and it’s helpful to have somewhere to go to find out more about your own level of anxiety, or simply meet people who you can talk to - in order to lift your mood,” says Perennial’s Corporate Partnership Manager, Phil Swainston. “Now, more than ever, is the time to be aware of the impact the current lockdown is having on mental health. This new service gives everyone in the industry the opportunity to access a place to meet and talk to others totally anonymously.”

 

I am delighted ICL has increased its support of Perennial, through our Corporate Partnership scheme, and I am looking forward to working with Adam and the rest of the team. They will be invaluable in spreading our message that Perennial is here to help all those working in horticulture that need our help”

 

The You’re Not Alone service can be accessed for free from any device with an internet connection, at any time of the day or night. The community is monitored by trained therapists. (Perennial.org.uk/bigwhitewall/)

 

In direct response to the challenges brought about by the pandemic, Perennial is supplying valuable assistance and information via its Coronavirus Support line – 0800 0938543. As well as the latest Government Advice for individuals and businesses, regular emails provide useful information on managing your money and news of Perennial's vital online fundraising initiatives - including the Weekly Online Quiz night.

 

Meanwhile, Perennial continues to support those in the industry experiencing problems with housing or accommodation, disability, long-term illness, financial hardship, bereavement or the unique challenges that come with old age.

Sorry it's late...

Sorry we missed an issue of GTN Xtra last week.

 

An accident with a circular saw and a right thumb, followed by a thunderstorm which took out our Internet and IT systems for a week, means we've been peddling hard this week to catch up...


Sorry we missed an issue of GTN Xtra last week.

 

An accident with a circular saw and a right thumb, followed by a thunderstorm which took out our Internet and It systems for 5 days, means we've been peddling hard this week to catch up.

 

Apologies if we've missed any stories, we'll catch up with more this weekend.

 

Have a great week and do take part in #FloralFriday for Greenfingers, it really does help spread cheer in these still troubling times!

 

Trevor

 
Plant Area General Assistant
£18k - £20k, Bristol

With a rich history spanning nearly 80 years, Almondsbury Garden Centre is Bristol’s largest independent garden centre. Based five minutes from Cribbs Causeway, we are passionate about plants and helping our customers to achieve their gardening goals, whether that’s an ambitious outdoor project or adding some luscious greenery to their indoor space.

 

We’re one of the best-stocked garden centres in the South West and are proud of our reputation for finding the perfect plant or flower for any gardening project.

We are now looking for a Plant Area General Assistant to join our dedicated team and assist with the sales of our vast plant range.

 

The Benefits

- Salary of £18,000 - £20,000 per annum DOE
- 28 days’ annual leave including Bank Holidays
- Staff discount scheme
- Subsidised social events
- Benefits package commensurate with a progressive company

 

If you have a real passion for plants of all kinds and experience of working in a garden centre or department, this is a fantastic opportunity to transform your enthusiasm into a flourishing career.

 

Joining a friendly team of experts, you will be provided with the ideal environment in which to develop and thrive.

 

We believe that plants bring joy, beauty and wellbeing to the world. If you share these values and are looking to join a forward-thinking company that will support your growth, we’d love to hear from you.

 

The Role

As a Plant Area General Assistant, you will deliver an exceptional service to customers and maximise plant sales.

 

You will use your outstanding knowledge to advise customers on plant care and encourage purchases.

 

About You

To join us as a Plant Area General Assistant, you will need:

 

- Experience of working in a garden centre or garden department within a larger retail store
- Have a passion and strong understanding of bedding plants and house plants
- Fantastic communication skills

 

Ideally, you will have a qualification in a horticultural-related subject, but this is not essential. Due to our location, a full and valid driving licence and access to your own vehicle would also be beneficial.

Other organisations may call this role Plant Area Assistant, Garden Department Assistant, Garden Centre Assistant, Retail Assistant, Plant Shop Assistant, or Plant Department Assistant.

 

Applications, please to: richard.truscott@almondsbury.co.uk

 
Merchandiser/ Area representative
M4 Corridor Oxford/Buckinghamshire/Berkshire, Full-time, £21k pa

We are currently seeking a hard-working, dedicated full time merchandiser/area representative to merchandise our dedicated In-store TV display stands. Previous merchandising experience is preferable, as is some experience of customer service, although full training will be given.

 

You will be responsible for approximately 60 customers who will need visiting every 4-6 weeks. These customers are a mixture of garden centres, High Street retailers and out of town retailers.

 

The work can be physical.

 

This vacancy would suit a person with experience of FMCG.

 

Sales or merchandising experience in the Garden Centre retail sector a distinct advantage.

 

You will be confident, have a smart appearance with the ability to develop good customer relationships.

 

The candidate should hold a full clean driving licence. Some overnight stays will be required as well as visits to our head office in Lincolnshire every 3-4 weeks.

 

Company van, telephone and laptop provided. Company Pension Scheme also offered.

 

Starting salary in the region of £21,000 with a potential increase after completion of successful 3-month trial period.

 

Apply in the first instance along with your CV to Sally Ginever Sally.Ginever@creativeproducts.ltd.uk

 

 
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New June record for growing media

Despite the cooler wetter weather and continued Social Distancing measures, growing media sales for the first week of June 2020 set a new June volumes sold per week record...


Despite the cooler wetter weather and continued Social Distancing measures, growing media sales for the first week of June 2020 set a new June volumes sold per week record.  Volumes of the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media Top 50 were 49% higher than the previous June week record set in 2016.

  • Westland Multi Purpose with John Innes 60 litres moves up 14 places to No 1.
  • Evergreen Garden Care Miracle-Gro Peat Free All Purpose 40 litres re-enters the chart to make it five peat free compost lines in the Top 50 Bestsellers.
  • Bloomin Amazing Soil Enricher 70 litres, another recycled growing media product climbed 14 places to No 15.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 

 
GIMA announces first virtual Buyer Connect session with Homebase
Closing date is Thursday 18th June

GIMA has announced that they are hosting a virtual Meet the Buyer session with Homebase to be held on Thursday 25th June 2020. This speed networking event will allow potential suppliers to meet with key garden retailer buyers in timed 20-minute appointment sessions...


GIMA has announced that they are hosting a virtual Meet the Buyer session with Homebase to be held on Thursday 25th June 2020. This speed networking event will allow potential suppliers to meet with key garden retailer buyers in timed 20-minute appointment sessions.

 

It is hoped that this will be the first of many virtual Buyer Connect sessions, and GIMA would welcome hearing from any retailers interested in taking part in future sessions.

 

The Homebase event is being held with the gardening buying teams who are interested in meeting with potential suppliers of suitable products for the Spring/Summer 2021 season, for the following categories:

Outdoor Furniture, BBQ, Outdoor Accs and Winter Fuel, Outdoor and Indoor Plants, Garden Care (compost, pesticides & chemicals), Birdcare, Garden Tools and Watering, Garden Power, Landscaping, Garden Buildings & Storage, Garden Décor and Solar Lighting

 

For more details on this and other planned virtual events visit the GIMA website and complete the online application form and return it to info@gima.org.uk.

 

Closing Date for applications: Thursday 18th June 2020

 

To find out more please visit www.gima.org.uk or call 01959 564947.

 
Pots of Garden Product Sales

It was another bumper week for garden product sales in the first week of June, even though the weather wasn’t so good.  Sales were 43% up on the same week last year with core garden growing lines and pots the biggest beneficiaries...


It was another bumper week for garden product sales in the first week of June, even though the weather wasn’t so good.  Sales were 43% up on the same week last year with core garden growing lines and pots the biggest beneficiaries.

  • Evergreen Garden Care Levington Tomorite 1L + 30% Free continues to be the No 1 Bestseller.  Evergreen tell us demand has been up by 50% overall for Tomorite this year and more stocks are on their way.
  • Woodlodge Spang Pot 5.5 inch climbed 35 places to No 7.
  • Smart Garden 180cm Bamboo Canes Extra Thick, Bundle of 10, was the highest re-entry.  ‘Must be all that growing going on!

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
Keter Group to manufacture high-quality face masks to help keyworkers stay safe

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, AP Medical, Keter’s medical division, has developed a re-usable face mask to help health care and key workers stay safe...


Keter is already recognised globally for its leading household and garden ranges.  Now, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, AP Medical, Keter’s medical division, has developed a re-usable face mask to help health care and key workers stay safe.

 

The new face mask is ergonomically designed to be comfortable to wear over time.  It creates a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and any contaminants in the immediate environment.

 

The reusable mask also limits waste. It is durable, easy to clean and can be sterilised. Each mask comes with 10 filters which are easy to replace and can be washed up to 20 times. Further filters are available so the mask can be worn multiple times.

 

Keter is committed to supporting its local communities and will be donating a quantity of face masks to hospitals, care facilities and schools across Europe.

 

Kerry Murfin, Keter’s Marketing Director Europe, said: “In these challenging times it has never been more important to support our local communities and healthcare professionals.  Face masks are now being made compulsory on transport in several countries and as restrictions ease, masks can help to protect healthcare professionals and other workers as they undertake their duties.

 

“The Group is delighted that along with AP Medical we have been able to apply our innovative design resources and agile manufacturing capability to create and deliver the masks so that they can get to those who need them the most. We plan to donate a number of these as quickly as possible and help in the ongoing supply of required equipment.”

 

 
Double bubble for Grow your Own Veg

Veg 2 Gro sales for the first week of June were double that of the same week over the past three years as new stocks became available and gardeners hunger to grow their own continues.  Bigger 1 litre veg plants sold especially well...


Veg 2 Gro sales for the first week of June were double that of the same week over the past three years as new stocks became available and gardeners hunger to grow their own continues.  Bigger 1 litre veg plants sold especially well.

  • Quantil Runner Bean White Emergo Strips were the No 1 single bestselling veg line, as they were this time last year.
  • Quantil Sweet Pepper Red New Ace 1 litre was the highest new entry at No 4.
  • Farplants Garden Mint 1 litre pot size re-entered at No 7.

See the full GTN Bestsellers Top 50 charts, compiled from garden centre Epos data every week, with a years subscription to the printed newsletter for only £145.00 using this link.

 
The best of last week's

If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...


 
It’s a sell out!

As news filters through about plant centres getting back to year on year sales and some centres that changed hands last year actually being up year to date now, GTN Xtra has been hearing from garden centres that they are selling out of some lines, especially BBQ’s Charcoal and Gas as lockdown relaxations add fuel to spending at garden centres...

 

“We’ve sold out of BBQ’s, we’ve run out of charcoal today (Monday) and we can’t get any more gas for 2 weeks."

"Last week we were asked not to sell any new gas bottle contracts. You can imagine how that went down when trying to sell gas BBQs!  Are other brands as bad?”

“Turf has been selling especially well despite the dry weather."

“Due to amazing amount of hardwork from the teams across the business we have had a very encouraging month. Sales have certainly been in excess of anything we hoped for."

 


As news filters through about plant centres getting back to year on year sales and some centres that changed hands last year actually being up year to date now, GTN Xtra has been hearing from garden centres that they are selling out of some lines, especially BBQ’s Charcoal and Gas as lockdown relaxations add fuel to spending at garden centres.

 

At Altons Garden Centre in Essex, Derek Bunker told GTN Xtra: “Every day is the same.  The biggest nightmare is getting stock.  We’re running at half capacity with only 100 cars being allowed to park and our May sales will not be far behind where we would have been ina “normal” year.

“We’ve sold out of BBQ’s, we’ve run out of charcoal today (Monday) and we can’t get any more gas for 2 weeks.

Jay Bunker, who runs the BBQ department at Altons added: “So far we’ve sold 911 BBQ’s this year compared with 1171 in the whole year for 2019. All of our fire pits and pizza ovens have sold too.  I’m working really hard to find more stock as we’ve got loads of customers on waiting lists.  All of the social media activity during lockdown (see Altons BBQ YouTube and Instagram channels) meant we kept selling high numbers while the centre was closed and since re-opening it’s gone bonkers.”

 

When it comes to garden care products Derek said it was getting harder to find stock.  “Some pest control products and some key plant foods appear to be in very short supply.  I understand the issue with the lack of John Innes compost is that the manufacturers are running out of grit.”

“Some suppliers are being brilliant at getting stock through to us and they will be the big beneficiaries as we can keep on selling if there are products on the shelves.

Back in March, Derek predicted that if we could get back selling May we could make up a lot of lost ground and that the season would run for longer than usual.  “We’ve just got to find a way of making the most of the next 2 months of this, both suppliers and retailers.”

 

In Northern Ireland, Alan Mercer at Hillmount said: “The demand for Garden Furniture & BBQ’s was so high that we shut our website down on Wed.  We were selling 25 BBQ’s and struggled to keep up with online & in store orders. 

“We have a complex waiting list for current garden furniture orders and have asked people to simply make us a wish list of what they like allowing us to contact them when we know stock is available again.  Our 3 x March Kettler garden furniture containers will arrive next week so that should help us fulfill orders and give us a better in store display.

“We purposely carry 120 gas bottles & we have just run out on Tuesday.  We have stockpiled Weber charcoal & briquettes.  At one point we had 22 pallets of charcoal/briquettes.”

 

At Coolings Green & Pleasant, Paul Cooling reports: “Whilst we have increased sales of garden furniture nicely over May 2019, the sales of Weber Barbeques have more than doubled and are back to where they were in 2018.  Frustratingly we are now waiting on supplies of charcoal along with many other products that our customers are asking for.

“I don't know what it is about Calor gas that every Summer the depot runs out of stock.  I first got involved in this side of the business 6 years ago and I thought that maybe we were doing something wrong, but now I have come to expect a new excuse each season.  Last week we were asked not to sell any new gas bottle contracts. You can imagine how that went down when trying to sell gas BBQs!  Are other brands as bad?”

 

Sam Bosworth at Bosworths near Kettering said: “What a couple of weeks!  Our Online sales really helped during lockdown, with our regular local customers, who would never normally buy Gardening products on the internet, using us for Gardening Products initially, then Furniture. 

“We shipped very little beyond a 25 mile radius of the Garden Centres, so it was our 'normal' customers rather than us tapping into the overall online market. 

“When we opened plants, and compost have been very strong, with Compost being the new 'loo roll'. 

“Furniture was quiet initially for us during lockdown, but in the last three weeks it has taken off dramatically with some excellent sales across all price points. 

“We do not have room for BBQ's, so little to offer there, but the demand for Patio Gas has been massive, with Calor being useless at supplying.  They will not allow new issues, nor give us any extra stock, and take ages to deliver.  BP Gas light have been better, but it is not so widely used. 

“Garden Sundries including Pots, Tools and Watering have also been strong.  But it is Plants and compost that have really driven our business and put significant cash in the tills on a daily basis.

 

Bosworths also have a small centre at Elton near Peterborough where daily sales have been higher with just the Garden Centre this year than they were last year with both catering and Garden Centre open.  “Again, Plants, Compost and Pots have been great.  It is a lot older clientele in that area, so numbers have been down, but spend up significantly,” added Sam.

“We are really struggling to know where to go with Catering, it was around 45% of sales at Elton, so a big part of the business, but switching it back on immediately puts overheads back up to where they were and with reduced numbers and a reduced spend.  I cannot see ATV increasing by so much in the Cafe like it has in the Garden Centre. It really does not make sense to open without a lot of thought and cost control.

“It all seems very calm at Elton, no queues, no fuss, and much more relaxed.  But we are doing all deliveries and online out of Burton Latimer, which is where all the stress, communication issues and workload come from!  Having said that, we are actively improving our online website daily, with more images and information, as we feel it is here to stay.  We also feel it is going to have a big part to play in Christmas sales, so we need to get it right now.”

 

Julian Winfield at Haskins told GTN Xtra: “Last week was record sales for many gardening categories and furniture and BBQ's.  On the gardening side availability has been difficult but our buying department orders over 90% of our stock centrally which has made it much easier than local ordering. 

“Fortunately, we pre-bought a higher percentage of our garden furniture compared with previous years and this has been massively helpful in maximising sales over the last few weeks.   It has been encouraging how much pent up demand is still in the system, but we realise that once gardening slows and the restaurants are still shut it will be a different picture.”

 

Gerald Ingram at Planters in the West Midlands said on Monday: “We currently have no compost; pots are in short supply but arriving as we speak.

“BBQ’s have sold very well and will be a record for us.  Weber have kept us well stocked with only a few minor out of stocks.

“Furniture has continued to sell well with more customers willing to pre book their furniture of lines that we are waiting for.

“We are getting regular stocks of gas but have been out of quite a few lines.

“Turf has been selling especially well despite the dry weather.

“Tools have been difficult but we are currently placing new orders.

“Wild bird food is another problem area with two suppliers missing deliveries last week.

 

“What a month of May Days!” said Boyd Douglas-Davies, Communications and PR Director for British Garden Centres.  “Due to amazing amount of hardwork from the teams across the business we have had a very encouraging month. Sales have certainly been in excess of anything we hoped for.

“No doubt the weather has played a major part but without the incredible support of our suppliers as well we couldn't have maintained the momentum.

“The first few days were all about plants and compost but as the month progressed we saw a wider range of goods being purchased. The last few days of the month saw a good mix of everything selling.”

 

Boyd also sent us the following verse which you might like to add to over the coming days:

“On the 12th day of May,

“Boris said... you can open tomorrow way,hay!!

“In the west they wanted to be best

“So Wales opened ahead of the rest!

“Sadly over the Northern border

“They didn't receive the same go, go order…

 

Please add your verses using the comments button below or send to trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

 

(Eds note: The verse did have suitable emojis included but our GTN Xtra Newsletter software doesn’t like emojis, sorry if that loses effect Boyd.)

 

 
It’s like Christmas, only bigger!

The number of new lines selling through and being recorded in the GTN Bestsellers Epos database was on a par with the start of Christmas.  Gardeners are buying EVERYTHING they can to be enjoying their garden this summer...


The number of new lines selling through and being recorded in the GTN Bestsellers Epos database was on a par with the start of Christmas.  Gardeners are buying EVERYTHING they can to be enjoying their garden this summer.

 

As a result, despite social distancing limitations, total volume sales of products sold with a barcode were up 16% on the same week last year.  And that’s with some centres not having all departments open yet and a lot of plant sales not being able to be reported in GTN Bestsellers as they are having to go through tills on dump codes.

 

The GTN Index for the week was an all time record for Week 21 and only 3% behind the record high of the May Bank Holiday in 2018.

 

With massive new all time records being set in the GTN Growing Media, Garden Products and Veg 2 Gro charts it’s clear that there is a huge love for garden centres and gardening and that as a retail sector we are able to transact Christmas like volumes of sales even with social distancing measures in place. 

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 21

•           Garden Products Top 50 – up 57%

•           Growing Media Top 50 – up 68%

•           Wild Bird Care Top 50 – up 54%

•           Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 66%

 

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 21

•           All Plants with Barcode index – down 3%

•           All Items with Barcode index – up 16%

 

To see the full GTN Bestsellers Charts each week and use them to maximise your sales, buy a subscription for only £145.00 using this link.

 
Fire at Millbrook Gravesend destroys compost and furniture

"Luckily everyone was safe and the fire brigade put it out before it spread too far. We lost compost and garden furniture as well as the contents of our Christmas grotto..."


A fire at Millbrook Garden Centre Gravesend on Thursday evening last week damaged an outbuilding and two storage containers. No casualties were reported by Kent Fire Brigade who believe the cause to be accidental.

 

Tam Woodhouse, Managing Director at The Millbrook Garden Company told GTN Xtra: "Luckily everyone was safe and the fire brigade put it out before it spread too far. We lost compost and garden furniture as well as the contents of our Christmas grotto."

 

 
Dobbies sign up on new site that will be the biggest Dobbies in the South West

Dobbies Garden Centres have signed an agreement to lease with Cheltenham-based developer Robert Hitchins Ltd to open a 75,000 sq ft flagship garden centre.


Dobbies Garden Centres have signed an agreement to lease with Cheltenham-based developer Robert Hitchins Ltd to open a 75,000 sq ft flagship garden centre.

 

The new store, to be built at junction 9 of the M5 near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, will be the largest Dobbies in South West England.

 

The garden centre, on a greenfield site fronting the A46 trunk road, will feature the very best of Dobbies including an extensive plants and gardening department, food hall, cookshop, pet department, table service restaurant, soft play area for kids, its own 500-space car park and much more.

 

It will be on the same overall 180-acre site as the proposed 195,000 sq ft Designer Outlet Cotswolds which will feature some 90 retail units, restaurants and cafés.

 

Infrastructure works to open up the site for development are due to commence in Autumn 2020 with the garden centre and outlet village planned to open in Autumn 2022.

 

Detailed negotiations are under way with a number of high-quality retail brands that have been attracted by Designer Outlet Cotswolds’ strong location and communications links and its affluent and growing catchment.  The outlet village will feature aspirational brands across fashion, athleisure, footwear and lifestyle at up to 70% off RRP throughout the year along with quality restaurants and coffee shops.  Both the designer outlet and garden centre are part of a wider development by Robert Hitchins which will also include 850 homes, a school and a local centre adjacent to an existing M&S supermarket, Starbucks and BP petrol filling station.

 

Graeme Jenkins, Dobbies CEO, said: “The new garden centre will be our fourth largest in the UK and the jewel in the crown for the South West region. Not only do we want to delight our customers with our plants and gardening offer, but also feature a variety of other attractions and product ranges. With such an excellent location, right on the junction of a busy motorway, we look forward to welcoming local residents, passing motorists and visitors to the region.”

 

Simon Tothill, Property & Development Director of Robert Hitchins, said: “A Dobbies Garden Centre as the leisure anchor for Designer Outlet Cotswolds will offer a tremendous attraction for customers. Working closely with ROS Retail Outlet Shopping, one of the top outlet operators in Europe, we have managed to secure strong interest from major global brands which we hope to announce in the near future. We have put much thought into the architectural appeal of the scheme and the spectrum of choice for visitors when we open. Dobbies will be a significant addition to the development.”

 

The Designer Outlet Cotswolds will create one of the most accessible retail and leisure destinations in the UK. As well as the nearby M5 motorway, the site fronts the A46 trunk road which links to the M42. More than 21 million vehicles pass the site each year and the development is within walking distance of the Ashchurch-for-Tewkesbury railway station which serves the Bristol to Birmingham main line. Additionally, more than 9.8 million people live within a 90 minutes’ drive and the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) attracts over 23 million visitors annually.

 

When fully open, visitors to Dobbies will be drawn through the store entrance by the visual appeal and aroma of house plants. The store will feature a large food hall with on-site bakery, butchery and an eye-catching ambient grocery offer, including fresh fruit and vegetables. Additional attractions include a 500-seat table service restaurant with an extensive menu, cookshop building on an award-winning format, a pet department plus an extensive plant area with a wide range of plants for all seasons.

 

The agent acting for Robert Hitchins on the Dobbies deal was Gilbert Evans.

 
The biggest week for Growing Media sales, ever!

Sales of Growing Media during the second week after re-opening soared to the highest levels ever recorded by GTN Bestsellers and not by a small margin...


Sales of Growing Media during the second week after re-opening soared to the highest levels ever recorded by GTN Bestsellers and not by a small margin.  The volumes of the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 Growing Media lines were 47% higher than the previous week’s high set during the early May Bank Holiday in 2018.

 

With all that pent up demand coming through in sales there was a concern that sustainability issues might drop away, however Westland’s New Horizon All Plants Compost 60 litres has been the post lockdown bestseller, last week again selling 2 x the volume of the No 2 line.

  • Westland Hortus Multi Purpose 50 litres was an instant bestselling newcomer to the GTN Chart last week, debuting at No 2.
  • Evergreen Garden Care Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Pot & Basket Compost 40 litres was the highest chart climber, moving up 19 places to No 12.
  • Westland Alpine Planting Mix was also a new entry at No 49, the first time an Alpine specialist compost had featured in the GTN Top 50.

To see the full GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart every week and use the information to maximise your sales, buy a year's subscription for only £145.00 using this link.

 
 
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m...


Read more and see GTN Xtras photo tour of the new centre

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m.

 

The new centre boasts a retail space of 11,813 sq.m., including an outdoor plant area and 440-seat restaurant complete with a newly installed pizza oven. Additional space has also been created to accommodate 170 restaurant guests on an outdoor patio.

 

Up to 70 new jobs have been created to accommodate the centre's expansion. Car parking has increased to 346 spaces.  See GTN Xtra's photo tour of the new centre below.

 

Chief executive Julian Winfield said the Snowhill team worked tirelessly to ensure the centre was able to remain open for the majority of the project, with minimal disruption.

 

“We can't wait to receive our customers' feedback on our new and improved facilities,” he added. “Over the years, we have built a loyal customer following and we are proud to be able to give back to them in this way with our new expanded centre.”

 

Haskins acquired the Snowhill site in 2003, inheriting a number of ageing buildings.

 

Haskins also has centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone in West Sussex. The family business recently acquired Forest Lodge Garden Centre, Bird World and Garden Style in Farnham.

 

Pictured (left to right): Julian Winfield, Jamie Haskins, Ally Haskins (married to Jamie) and Warren Haskins, the group's chairman. 

 

The opening event was attended by the current GCA Chairman Mike Burks and three past Chairs; Warren Haskins, Sue Allen and Julian Winfield.

 

 

 
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week

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 newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 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.

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

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


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

 

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care Products chart for this week are here

 

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro 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.

 

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters 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 £100m.

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.

For further information contact karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.

The popular restaurant at Cardwell Garden Centre has re-opened for takeaway orders!

The Patio Restaurant at Cardwell Garden Centre is now providing a range of baking, including its famed scones, strawberry tarts and meringues, as well as takeaway teas, coffees, sandwiches, toasties, paninis, baguettes and ice cream cones...


The Patio Restaurant at Cardwell Garden Centre is now providing a range of baking, including its famed scones, strawberry tarts and meringues, as well as takeaway teas, coffees, sandwiches, toasties, paninis, baguettes and ice cream cones.

 

The garden centre, near Gourock has been busy since it re-opened on May 29th after the Scottish Government eased lockdown restrictions and entered Phase 1 of the Route Map out of the coronavirus pandemic. Cardwell is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm.

 

One of the first customers to try the new Cardwell takeaway service was Rebecca McGarrity, from Inverkip who said: “It’s great that the restaurant is now open for takeaway food.

 

“I’m a regular at Cardwell and I always pay a visit to The Patio Restaurant.

 

“At least with the takeaway service being launched, we know we’re starting to get back to some sort of normality.”

 

Cardwell director, Kieran Gallagher said: “We know a big part of the Cardwell experience is paying a visit to our Patio Restaurant for breakfast, lunch or even just a cuppa and a cake.

 

“I’m sure people will appreciate that under the Scottish Government’s current coronavirus guidelines we can’t open the restaurant as normal, but we thought the next best thing would be to offer a takeaway menu, since we are allowed to do that.

 

“The first of the delicious treats available will be our chef and brilliant baker, Bernadette’s range of home baking that includes her superb scones and amazing meringues.

 

“And some of us working at Cardwell can’t wait to get some tasty homemade food at lunchtime, instead of a pot noodle!”