Smart Garden Products Ltd increased sales by 35% to £14.6m in 2014 (£10.8m in 2013) while a loss of £645k was made, compared with a profit of £244k the year before.

The directors say the loss is in line with the business plan adopted following the acquisition of a majority stake by Paris Natar in 2013.

“We are building a substantial business that necessitates a short term loss of profitability while we invest in the required team and infrastructure, including a new Head Office in Abingdon and Distribution Hub in Corby. This year (2015) will see another giant leap in sales coupled with further planned losses. We now have the required platform to deliver profitable sales growth in 2016 and beyond,” said MD Jonathan Stobart.

Paris Natar added: “The past 2 ½ years have been exciting and rewarding in equal measure as we have transformed the business into a major garden industry supplier. Our team and our customers have all been amazing which has helped us to make the journey an incredibly smooth one. We are looking forward to 2016, full of optimism and determination to be the best at what we do.”

If customers don’t know what, when or why they should buy something they have no reason to purchase. For some product lines it is either obvious  or quick to convey. It is more complicated in many core gardening and environmentally linked areas, but essential to optimize sales.

We assume customers know much more than they do; often a simple revelation can have a big impact on sales. Many areas of core gardening and bird care are not at all obvious to the average customer. Once they realize the benefits of doing or buying something they’ll do it or buy it. The trouble is, in many cases, they don’t.

How many customers know even the ‘basic’ things like the benefits of products such as cloches, fleece, cold frames and grow houses? Would they know what vegetables are the easiest to grow, the most economical, how to extend the season and have a continual supply of home grown produce throughout the year? Would they know which fruit and vegetables they could grow in containers or what the most endangered species of birds and wildlife are, just how serious the problem is and how they can help? Explaining ‘what’ ‘when’ and ‘why’  is the first step  and the more motivational it is the better.

You can also initiate more general interest in activities like grow your own by communicating key messages that resonate with the modern consumer. There are increasing concerns about not only the heavy use of pesticides on commercially grown crops, but also the quality of the soil they are grown in.  Due to intensive growing methods, this  is significantly lower in quantity and range of minerals than it used to be. Not only does this affect flavour, it reduces the nutritional value of the crops which has a knock on effect on human health and nutritional status, eg:

• To get the same amount of iron you got from one apple in 1950, by 1998  it was estimated that you’d have to eat 26 apples
• The recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A could be met by eating 2 peaches in 1950; by 2002 this had gone up to 53 peaches!

The desire to look and feel good is a powerful buying motivator and there is potential to attract more of the green smoothie brigade into growing their own. If their green smoothies were that much better for them and they realized it was possible to harvest the greens all year round from their own garden, that would certainly attract many more health conscious consumers. The old-fashioned image of allotment gardening is gradually shifting.

According to the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners there is a 90,000 strong waiting list for allotments and a higher and growing proportion of younger allotment holders generally. Companies like Agralan and Maxicrop are also seeing a different, much younger breed of customer, indicating the growing interest in organic gardening amongst the young.

Many potential motivators will be discussed on the Roadshow, as well as the best ways to educate both consumers and staff about plants, products and activities using materials provided in order to make the most of them.

Education, communication, co-ordination

Staff need to be knowledgeable to sell effectively and customers are put off trying new things if they lack skills and confidence. Making complicated things easier to grasp without losing important content takes thought and time. It also requires skill and planning to communicate strategically without having a sea of signage and leaflet dispensers.

Co-ordination of activities is essential to multiply results and target as wide a range of consumers as possible. Delegates attending the Roadshow will benefit from the time and planning that has gone into the course and materials to help them fast track results back at their centres.

Who should attend and why

The roadshow will be beneficial for:

• Shop floor staff as they will learn about activities, products and effective selling in addition to getting merchandising and display tips.
• Marketing staff  will benefit through increased horticultural knowledge and ideas for how to use this and the materials supplied.
• Management staff will see the opportunities and rationale first hand and be in a better position to co-ordinate among departments.

The materials include full course notes, appendices for quick reference, dozens of monthly tips applicable to many areas of trading, numerous ideas and images for social media, factsheets that may be personalized, sample press releases and wall planners to help co-ordinate, one of which will be partly completed as guidance.

Whilst there is supplier support the majority of the material is non brand specific. The main aim is to inject new life into core gardening and support the retail trade.

Dates, venues and cost

Prices start at £80 per person depending on numbers attending. This includes refreshments, lunch and all training materials. Dates and venues are as follows:

• Maidstone – 16^th February
• Guildford – 18^th February
• Cambridge – 23^rd February
• Birmingham –  25^th February
• Chester – 29^th February
• Perth – 2^nd March

For further details and booking

Contact Liz Hutson 01531 631592, liz.hutson@ledburybband.co.uk

So Liam from Briers popped into Palmer Gardens on Thursday and donated a cheque for £200.

Here is Liam with Palmer Gardens students Luke and Hayley presenting the cheque and enjoying a cheeky festive #gluvie at the same time.

The team at Briers were heartened to bring a little festive (g)love and support to this fantastic charity enterprise.

The first judges' meeting for GTN’s The Greatest Christmas Awards took place at the HTA’s offices in Theale on Friday, when they got into the spirit of Christmas Jumper Day...



Over the coming weeks all of the pictures taken by the judges will be available in picture galleries sponsored by Kaemingk so make sure your Christmas team members have their own subscription to GTN Xtra - use this link - then they will be able to browse images of over 100 garden centre's during the Christmas season 2015 as part of their inspiration for 2016.

The results will be announced at The Greatest Awards Christmas Party evening on January 10 at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, during the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair.

To book your ticket for what promises to be a fun-packed evening click here

Meadow View Stone are looking to appoint a Sales Agent who is highly experienced and motivated with excellent connections and sales experience within the Garden Centre sector.  We are suppliers of decorative aggregates, paving and compost, though specific product experience is not required.

Job Description

Reporting to the Sales Director you will be responsible for securing new accounts and maintaining and managing existing stockists to ensure the continued growth of the business.  The ideal candidate will be:-

• A highly organised and motivated individual, living preferably in the above region.
• An experienced agent with proven experience of selling into the Garden Centre Sector
• Skilled in a customer-facing, new business generating role, with a proven track record
• Acquainted with connections and contacts within the Garden Centre sector
• A proficient driver with a clean driving licence.

This position provides an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to join a progressive, forward thinking company in a front line position with potential to develop a strong sales area. Applicants should apply in writing with CV to:-

Sarah Hill- Marketing Director,

c/o Long Rake Spar Co Limited, Youlgrave, Nr Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE 45 1LW

or by email to Sarah@meadowviewstone.co.uk

Do you have good horticultural skills, and understanding of conservation and some teaching/training experience? Would you like to be part of an organisation that counts on the professionalism, insight, expertise and passion of its staff to inspire individual recovery for the people they work with? Then join us as a Horticultural Trainer. 

Recovery Focus are expert partners with the shared aim to inspire individual recovery nationwide. Between us we have a track record of more than 200 years of developing and running personalised services that work with people with mental health, substance misuse and other complex needs to achieve their ambitions. Each partner organisation has its own rich history of success, but together we believe we can lead the way in evidence-based recovery pathways that we can tailor to meet local and individual needs. 

Right now, one of our partners, Richmond Fellowship, is looking for a Horticultural Trainer to join the team at The Old Moat Garden Centre in Epsom. An integral part of the local community, we provide retail and horticultural services to the public and training and work-based opportunities to adults with mental health problems. But, it’s only possible with the help of people like you.

Day-to-day, you’ll assist with the supervision and training of clients, both on and off site, and contribute to the development of the service. We’ll also rely on you to open the garden centre and serve customers to enable the sale of plants and associated products during the week and weekends as well as selected bank holidays and weekends. Providing horticultural advice and maintaining all plant stock in good condition will be important too, as will helping to assess risk and getting involved in team evaluations and reviews. And, when it comes to promoting an environment of service user involvement and recovery, again, you’ll be there, ready and willing to play your part. 

As well as a proven ability to motivate and train others, including running group activities, you’ll need good time management skills and a creative yet practical approach to problem solving. We’ll also be looking for lots of initiative and an enthusiastic, flexible and innovative approach to work. A commitment to working with people with mental health problems is, of course, a given, while a flair for maintaining appropriate records and implementing new procedures is also essential. 

In return, you can expect some great benefits, including 25 days' annual leave plus 8 public holidays, contributory pension scheme and life assurance cover. 

So, get inspired today. Visit our website and take the first steps towards a more fulfilling future.

Please quoteref: 15/316 when applying. 

Closing Date: 31 December 2015

Bedding Department Head - (full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire, with GCA award winning plant areas.  We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in plant and horticultural retailing.  We want our employees to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic, customer focused environment. 

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards.

You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our West Horsley Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area. 

You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification. A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential. 

You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays. Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Plant Area Manager (Full time, including alternate weekends)

West Horsley KT24 6AR

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire, with GCA award winning plant areas.  We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in plant and horticultural retailing.  We want our employees to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic, customer focused environment. 

West Horsley, a traditional GCA garden centre and nursery with a strong horticultural background set deep in the beautiful Surrey countryside between Guildford and Leatherhead.  An enthusiastic team who know their customers as well as their subject and who strive to make the centre a hub of the local community.  

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our garden centre at West Horsley. You will be responsible for managing the outdoor plant department which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.

You must have experience and/or horticultural qualifications and garden centre retail experience.

You will be able to manage your department to achieve sales and profit targets whilst motivating your team to maximise all sales opportunities and inspiring them to offer the highest standards of customer service.

You must have the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment, have a passion for plants, be highly motivated, commercially aware and able to create dynamic, inspirational display

Free parking on site

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

We have an immediate vacancy for an experienced Key Account Professional to manage a portfolio of 8 – 10 national accounts.

The job will involve some overseas travel, mainly to S. E. Asia and attendance at our Oldbury head office for 2 – 3 days each week.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of managing and developing business with major retail accounts, preferably with Outdoor Living / Gardening products.

Consideration will also be given to anybody currently working in a field sales position selling Outdoor / Conservatory furniture.

The successful candidate can expect a substantial basic salary, bonus scheme and fully maintained company car.

Initially, please email your cv, in complete confidence, to john.chester@a-mir.co.uk

Bedding Department Head - Full Time including alternate weekends

Twickenham TW2 5PA

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire, with GCA award winning plant areas.  We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in plant and horticultural retailing.  We want our employees to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic, customer focused environment. 

Squire’s oldest site with a new centre built in 1993, and is about to undergo a significant facelift.  A garden centre that takes a very high turnover for its size, with a strong horticultural focus in plants and sundries, often winning GCA category awards, with the recent addition of new Pets & Aquatics and Craft areas.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards.

You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our Twickenham Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.

You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification.  A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential. 

You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays. Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Apply here

Bedding Department Head - (full time, including alternate weekends)

Stanmore HA7 3JF

Squire’s is a family owned group of 15 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire, with GCA award winning plant areas.  We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in plant and horticultural retailing.  We want our employees to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic, customer focused environment. 

Stanmore is a thriving site in a busy suburb of North London, winner of GCA category awards, also featuring a large Pets & Aquatics department and cafe.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our forward-thinking family-owned company, which is committed to our staff, growing our business and setting high standards.

You will be responsible for the bedding plant department at our Stanmore Garden Centre which has an extensive and well stocked plant area.

You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification. A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential.

You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays. Free parking on site.

To apply, please visit our website www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk 

Your opportunity to join a forward thinking, fast growing business.

This is a key “front-line” position, directly connecting and working with the Vivid Arts customer base (and sales-force) to ensure individual customer display and turnover goals are achieved.

You will be required to merchandise product and assist in creating customer displays to best display practice guidelines. A creative approach and the ability to “communicate, transfer and implement” successful merchandising initiatives are vital to the role.

The ideal candidate will be :-

• a highly organised, physically fit individual.
• preferably living on the East / South side of Manchester, ideally within 5 miles of the M60
• conscientious with the natural drive to maintain high standards in their daily work.
• computer literate
• willing and able to occasionally work away from home involving overnight stays 
• proficient driver with a clean driving licence

Closing date for applications is Sunday 29^th November.

Interviews will take place locally in December.

Initially, please submit a covering email and your CV to Paul McGuire : paul.mcguire@vividarts.co.uk

• Responsibilities will include
• Overseeing the implementation of contracts to strict deadlines and budgets
• Assisting in development and bidding for new works
• Liaison with clients
• Implementation and management of health & safety and quality procedures
• Supervision of Teams
• Maintaining contract files
• Reporting to the Regional Manager and Operations Director

• Scheurich Pot Cover, 7cm, is the highest re-entry at No 13.
• Stewart Clear Drip Saucer 25.5cm is the highest new entry at No 40.
• Scheurich Cover Pot Dark Red 15cm takes over at the top.

• Premier LED Battery Operated Lights Multi Action 20 Warm White are the highest re-entry at No 6.
• Premier Battery Operated Warm White 35 LED Lights are the highest new entry at No 11.
• Playwrite Magic Snow Tube (pictured) is also a new entry at No 12.

• Scotts Levington John Innes No 2 (25 litres) is the highest climber, jumping 25 places to No 15.
• Westland Plant Protection Bark (90 litres) is the highest re-entry at No 21.
• Westland Horticultural Sand 20kg is the highest new entry at No 40.

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.



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



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



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

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