In This Issue
Who have been the best buyers of the past eighteen months?
The National Plant Show returns in 2022
With eight weeks to go until Glee 2021, show organisers unveil a new date for next year’s event
SOLEX 2021 On-Line remains open for buyers looking for next seasons bestsellers
Glee at the Yard becomes permanent showroom at Woodlodge
Coffee Logs manufacturer, bio-bean, recognised as a 'Best For The World' B Corp for the Environment
Coco & Coir™ proves its growing credentials in further trials
Hampton Court project recreated at Perrywood
Create summer vibes in the city with elho’s loft urban range
July’s Market update shows sustained garden centre sales
New Products at SOLEX On-Line 2021 - SOLEX SUN's A-Z guide
Napoleon Grills Kitchen Staff features all-star line-up at Carfest 2021
Squire’s encourage local school children to grow their own
Video, video. Watch the SOLEX SUN video showreel from SOLEX On-Line 2021
Nicholas Marshall interview live on-line now
Sales Manager/Sales Agent to cover Southern Region of England
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Houseplants will suffer from loneliness in a post-lockdown world, horticultural expert warns  
RHS and Oasis announce limited-edition nature-inspired fashion range
RECOUP wins Innovate UK funding for plastics recycling communications research
Nursery Trade Fair Foundation launches novelty showcase
BHETA urges dialogue in preference to supply chain penalties
The best of last week's
Ever Given container ship leaves the Suez Canal 106 days late
First week of July 24% up on 9-year average
New Products, Glee Style
Blue Diamond trials Dansand NO GROW, the joint filling sand with natural weed inhibitors
GIMA judging complete – find out who wins on Nov 11
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour
Perrywood at Christmas 2020 - with correct photo gallery now...
Squires Badshot Lea - Christmas 2020
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
Pet firm's foundation supports dog training to detect COVID-19
Pet Munchies wins major product awards
Small pets at Jimmy’s Farm tuck into free food
James Wellbeloved launches superfood range
Situations Vacant
Sales Manager/Sales Agent to cover Southern Region of England
On target earnings Circa £45K (£25K basic salary)
 
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Who have been the best buyers of the past eighteen months?

Nominations are now open for the Glee Buyers Power List Awards, the winners will be celebrated at Glee 2021...


After eighteen months of all the challenges thrown at buyers and suppliers due to the COVID-19 pandemic Glee will be celebrating the best buyers of garden, leisure and pet products in the Glee Buyers Power List.

 

To acknowledge the immense pressure buyers have been under this year across the wide range of products the feature in garden, leisure and pet retailing there are ten Glee Buyers Power List categories this year and nominations can be made in any of the categories for buyers from independent garden centres and retailers, buyers of high street and DIY retailers and buyers from on-line retailers.

 

Nominations are now being sought from growers, suppliers, agents and wholesalers for the following categories of buyers and buying teams:

 

1.            Plants buyer/buying team of the Year

 

2.            Garden Care buyer/buying team of the Year

 

3.            Outdoor Leisure buyer/buying team of the Year

 

4.            Landscape buyer/buying team of the Year

 

5.            Home & Gifts buyer/buying team of the Year

 

6.            Pet buyer/buying team of the Year

 

7.            Retail Food & Drinks buyer/buying team of the Year

 

8.            Christmas buyer/buying team of the Year

 

9.            Overall Multiple Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year – 6 stores or more

 

10.          Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year – up 5 stores

 

Nominations close on Tuesday 27th July after which voting will commence to decide the winners of the Glee Buyers Power List for 2021.  Nominations can be made using the form in the July issue of GTN or on line using this link: Glee Buyers Power List 2021 nominations  or by e-mail to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk.  All nominations will be handled in strictest confidence.

 

 

The Glee Buyers Power List has celebrated the excellence of buying in the Garden, Leisure and Pet markets annually since 2015, and the winners have included:

Aylett Nurseries, B&M, B&Q, Blue Diamond, Enchanted-Earth.com, Frosts, gardensite.co.uk, Grovewell Garden Centres, Haskins, Homebase, John Lewis, MacKenzie & Cruikshank, Notcutts, Perrywood, Primrose.co.uk, Richard Jacksons Garden, Stax, The Range and Waitrose.

 

 

The winners of the Glee Buyers Power List 2021 will be announced live at Glee 2021 on Wednesday 15th September 2021.  See you there!

 

Nomination Form:

 

I nominate the following buyers/buying teams for the Glee Buyers Power List 2021:

 

Plants buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Garden Care buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Outdoor Leisure buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Landscape buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Home & Gifts buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Pet buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Retail Food & Drinks buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Christmas buyer/buying team of the Year

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Overall Multiple Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year – 6 stores or more

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year – up 5 stores

Buyer/Team Name……………………………………… Retailer Name……………………………………………………….

Why nominated:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Nominated by:…………………………………………………….of:………………………………………………………………

e-mail address:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

All nominations will be handled in strictest confidence

 

 

Send your completed nomination form to Glee Buyers Power List c/o GTN, Potting Shed Press, Dairy Drove, Thorney, Peterborough PE6 0TX or e-mail your nominations to: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk by 27th July 2021 or vote on line using the On-LIne Glee Buyers Power List 2021 form

The National Plant Show returns in 2022

The HTA has announced that the National Plant Show will be back, bigger and better than ever in 2022. The show will run from Tuesday 21 to Wednesday 22 June at NAEC Stoneleigh...


 

The HTA has announced that the National Plant Show will be back, bigger and better than ever in 2022. The show will run from Tuesday 21 to Wednesday 22 June at NAEC Stoneleigh.

 

With over 60 companies, across both halls already confirmed to exhibit, NPS 2022 is not to be missed. It is shaping up to be a fantastic show, providing British suppliers the opportunity to showcase everything from seeds, bulbs, house plants and a wide range of garden plants to labelling and product information, growing media, display benching and machinery.

 

Following the success of the Virtual New Plant Awards in 2020 & 2021, we cannot wait to physically run the 2022 New Plant Awards. With the interest in plants and gardening at an all-time high, these new varieties will provide the perfect burst of colour and interest for garden retailers promoting our industry.

 

Anne Clark, Director of HR and Learning at the HTA, said: “We look forward to welcoming visitors to NPS at Stoneleigh once again next year and to enabling exhibitors in reaching their most relevant audiences and helping horticulture grow for the future of the industry.”

 

Matthew Mein, Event Director of Glee, said: “Glee and the HTA have a long-standing partnership that has been pivotal in the development of Glee’s offering for the garden retail sector. 

 

"We appreciate the support of the HTA and its members, particularly during the recent period of consultation which led us to realign Glee with current buying cycles, with a new-for-2022 June date. This new timing will offer buyers and retailers significant benefits and support business growth, values we know the HTA Plant Show also works to represent. 

 

As always, we remain key supporters of the event, and look forward to working together with the HTA in the future to ensure we continue to offer our industry the tools and support it needs to thrive.”

 

Keep an eye out for updates on the HTA National Plant Show Website (https://www.nationalplantshow.co.uk/) where you can sign up to receive more details as a visitor or exhibitor.

With eight weeks to go until Glee 2021, show organisers unveil a new date for next year’s event

There is great anticipation in the garden retail sector for the long-awaited return of Glee (14th – 16th September 2021, NEC Birmingham) as an in-person event; with suppliers and retailers set to reconnect and create new opportunities at this year’s show. Building on this excitement, the Glee team has confirmed that the 2022 event will move to a new date in order to meet the ever-developing needs of the garden retail sector. As a result, Glee 2022 will take place June 28th – 30th...


There is great anticipation in the garden retail sector for the long-awaited return of Glee (14th – 16th September 2021, NEC Birmingham) as an in-person event; with suppliers and retailers set to reconnect and create new opportunities at this year’s show. Building on this excitement, the Glee team has confirmed that the 2022 event will move to a new date in order to meet the ever-developing needs of the garden retail sector. As a result, Glee 2022 will take place June 28th – 30th.

 

Over several months, the Glee team undertook an in-depth consultation with key stakeholders, representing suppliers, retailers and trade associations. The outcome of these discussions was that a shift to a different time of year would better reflect, and support, the ongoing development of the garden retail supply chain and associated buying cycles.

 

This decision received unanimous support, and it has been confirmed that the annual Glee exhibition will take place in June, effective from 2022. The first show hosted under the new date line to take place on the 28th – 30th June, 2022.

 

The industry shows support for Glee’s new dateline

The Glee team’s realigned timing of the show has already garnered support from across the sector. Exhibitors consulted about the date change said they whole-heartedly support the move. Home and Gift suppliers have also praised the change, as they recognise that it offers improved growth opportunities ahead of the Christmas sales period. From a visitor perspective, Glee will sit more comfortably within the buying calendar, as well as within the wider exhibition cycle.

 

Reactions from the industry

British Garden Centres PR & Communications Director, Boyd J Douglas-Davies praised the decision and stressed the importance of Glee to the entire sector. He said: “I’m delighted to see the team at Glee reacting to the seismic shift in order patterns and moving the show to ensure they maintain their position as the foremost and most useful show for the gardening industry. As we all react to the new world order scene, we need Glee to be there for us all to ensure the industry continues to grow.”

 

Mike Burks, Owner, The Gardens Group, and Chair, Garden Centre Association added: “The only reason for buying in September is because Glee is in September. June is a better time for buying, and independent garden centres will adapt. Also, in recent times with the uncertainties in the supply chain, the earlier ordering can be done, the more forward planning that is possible by the manufacturers, and a much higher chance of having the right product, at the right time for the customer. Glee in June helps enormously with this" 

 

Perrywood Garden Centre Manager, Simon Bourne commented: “I love going to Glee and it is one of the first events to go onto my calendar at the beginning of the year. I go to meet with suppliers and colleagues, source new product and make informed decisions ready for the following year. A move from September to June will allow more time to put changes in place for our business.”

 

The need for earlier ordering was also echoed by suppliers, with AMES’ Managing Director, Paul North, saying: “As long-term partners with Glee, we are excited to confirm our attendance in 2022, and supportive of plans to move the show forward to June accordingly. Given the very real need of many of our customers to plan earlier than ever before, we believe this announcement will be received positively across the marketplace”

 

Leading pot and garden accessory suppliers, Woodlodge is another long-term exhibitor in support of Glee’s latest development. Michael Wooldridge, Woodlodge’s Director, said: “Woodlodge welcome the move of Glee to earlier in the year. With a predominately Far East supply chain and long lead times, it would allow us to showcase all of our products and gauge customer reaction whilst still having the flexibility to adapt ordering levels for the season ahead.”

 

Elsewhere, Mark Portman, MD of Evergreen Garden Care UK & Ireland said how much Evergreen are looking forward to Glee in 2022. He said: “Bringing the dates forward to June works well with our customer meetings and presentations for the following year and will help us with our planning for the following season.”

 

Importantly, Glee’s trade association partners have shown their support for the announcement. GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “With a majority of our members having previously expressed their desire for an earlier show, this latest development is welcome news and something that GIMA is pleased to support.”

 

The HTA echo GIMA’s thoughts. Martin Simmons, Director of Membership at the HTA, said: “The HTA has had a long association with Glee having been the main supporter of the Retail Lab feature in recent years and significant involvement in its seminar programme. Equally, Glee is a strong supporter of the National Plant Show, both organisations recognising the unique benefits of each event and what they provide for our industry. We look forward to working with Glee on what we’re confident will be a very busy and successful show season next year”

 

Referencing the move to a summer show, Glee Event Director, Matthew Mein said: “The new date for Glee follows a period of significant consultation with our stakeholders, including suppliers, retailers and trade associations. Glee’s role is to provide a hub for the industry we represent. The new June timing will open-up new opportunities for all, whilst – more importantly – working more efficiently within the buying cycle. It is a much-needed change that we believe will add significant value to all those that utilise Glee as a central hub for their buying/selling needs. It’s a big move but one we are incredibly excited about. As always, we will work closely with our stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.”

 

Add the 2022 dates to your diary but, don’t forget, the industry has this year’s event to look forward to and the much-awaited opportunity to come together under one roof, meet face to face, make new connections and touch and feel product. See you in September for Glee 2021!

 

Find out more

To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.  To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2021 call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

SOLEX 2021 On-Line remains open for buyers looking for next seasons bestsellers

The SOLEX Brochure and Floor Plan will remain on the SOLEX website so you can always re visit if you want to re connect with any of exhibitors or find out what’s on offer next season...


The SOLEX Brochure and Floor Plan will remain on the SOLEX website so you can always re visit if you want to re connect with any of exhibitors or find out what’s on offer next season.  

 

LOFA Marketing Manager Gina Hinde told SOLEX SUN: "Another Virtual SOLEX has been and gone. The online event kicked off on Tuesday 6th July, and over the three days we had just over 4,000 visitors to our SOLEX website, online brochure and virtual floor plan which is amazing, and a whopping 14,800 of you opened the GTN SOLEX SUN viewing almost 20,000 pages, which are amazing stats and we are, as always, very grateful for the support everyone has shown us, and taking the time to visit and interact with our exhibitors. 

 

"We hope everyone enjoyed it and we look forward to welcoming you all back to the NEC next year, Halls 17/18/19, 12-14 July  2022."

Glee at the Yard becomes permanent showroom at Woodlodge

Following the success of Glee at the Yard in September last year,  Woodlodge’s showroom will open its doors once again to welcome customers and launch the company’s brand new 2022 product offering...


 

Following the success of Glee at the Yard in September last year,  Woodlodge’s showroom will open its doors once again to welcome customers and launch the company’s brand new 2022 product offering.

 

The purpose-built facility will now be permanently based at Woodlodge’s Tetbury head office, where buyers will find the company’s extensive collection of pots and gardenware on display to browse at their pleasure.  Open throughout the year, every customer can talk directly to a Woodlodge representative, renowned for their in-depth knowledge of the on-trend garden range which offers optimum sales solutions for garden retailers.

 

The Gloucestershire based premises will also give buyers a sneak peek at the new product portfolio, which will be showcased at Glee in September.  Opening on 19th July, retailers will be able to view the full Woodlodge market-leading range earlier and will be able to plan their ordering levels accordingly before the exhibition itself. Whilst last year’s restrictions have now been lifted, the safety of our customers remains our priority, with Glee at the Yard set to showcase brand new additions, extending portfolios and existing collections.

 

 

New for 2022 is the RHS range of pots and planters.  Available to pre-order, the range accredited by the Royal Horticultural Society, will include both classic and modern designs in a variety of sizes. This timeless collection will consist of standard terracotta, as well as glazed designs and lightweight fibreclay pots, with the RHS stamp providing consumers with both prestige and confidence when purchasing.

 

The Honey & Wild range of garden décor has been going from strength to strength following the acquisition of Adobe Wholesale and The Garden Foundry last year.  Made up of an exciting and quirky collection of giftable, decorative garden ornaments and accessories, Honey & Wild capitalises on the current trend for taking the ‘inside out’, driving sales both now and well into 2022.  

 

 

Garden centres can expect to see new illuminated garden mirrors to make light go further outdoors,  whilst the introduction of wildlife and insect houses will offer homeowners a significant opportunity to engage with nature, which became a popular pastime during lockdown. The Down to Earth range will also be updated to include the latest ornamental plant supports and garden sundries.

 

With outdoor living and entertaining becoming more important than ever in the past year, Woodlodge’s furniture and fire pit range is being extended. The new, luxury furniture offers retailers al-fresco items that turn gardens into a fifth room and act as extension to homes.  With many investing in such big-ticket items, Woodlodge is also delighted to add furniture covers to the mix to protect from the harsher elements during the cold months.

 

A number of new designs have been added to Water Studio, Woodlodge’s plug-in-and-go water features. The calming new fountains boast both  competitive price points and curated designs and will be able to view in the showroom.

 

 

The explosion in the popularity of houseplants and increase in consumer awareness of their health benefits has brought about an update to the Root Indoor range.  Offering both classic and contemporary planters,  the new designs will blend in with modern and traditional interior décor, allowing buyers to reap the benefits from one of the fastest-growing categories in garden retail.

 

Michael Wooldridge, Director at Woodlodge said: “Glee at the Yard last year was a great success and allowed us to meet up with existing customers and those who perhaps hadn’t considered us before. We wanted to create a facility that gives retailers the chance to view our products earlier in the year so they can reflect and adapt their orders for next season. Our newly built 10,000 sq. ft trade showroom will capture the imagination of buyers with new product development and ranges providing consumers with inspiration for their gardens.”

 

Woodlodge’s showroom tours can be booked by appointment by speaking to their local sales manager or emailing showroom@woodlodge.co.uk . To ensure the safety of staff and all visitors to our site, Woodlodge will provide hand sanitisation facilities.

 

For those retailers that are unable to visit the showroom, Woodlodge will be exhibiting these exciting new releases at Glee on Stand 6J30-20A31.

 

For more information on Woodlodge’s new ranges for 2022, please contact your local sales representative or visit www.woodlodge.co.uk

 
Coffee Logs manufacturer, bio-bean, recognised as a 'Best For The World' B Corp for the Environment

bio-bean Limited, a Certified B Corp and manufacturer of Coffee Logs, has been named a Best for the World B Corp in recognition of its exemplary performance beyond commercial metrics...


 

bio-bean Limited, a Certified B Corp and manufacturer of Coffee Logs, has been named a Best for the World B Corp in recognition of its exemplary performance beyond commercial metrics. 

 

Ranking in the top 5% of all B Corps in its size group worldwide for their sustainable business practices, bio-bean earned this honour because of its excellence in its environmental performance and impact.

 

bio-bean recycles spent coffee grounds from businesses across the UK and upcycles them into Coffee Logs – planet-friendly fire logs for wood burners and stoves – and other bio-based products. By using existing waste management and logistics companies to collect the spent grounds, they reduce road miles and subsequent emissions. And by diverting spent coffee from landfill and instead recycling it into Coffee Logs, bio-bean saves 80% on greenhouse gas emissions, reduces waste and contributes to a more circular economy.

 

But bio-bean doesn’t stop there. The team at the Alconbury facility have developed a Sustainability Improvement Plan to examine their day-to-day operations with the aim of continuously improving how they do things. From using a biomass boiler to power their recycling process to installing timed, water-saving push taps, and from examining their supply chain to their impact on their workers and the wider community, the team behind Coffee Logs are committed to using their business as a force for good.

 

“We are incredibly proud to be recognised as a Best For The Environment. Out of 4,000 Certified B Corporations worldwide, bio-bean is among the top 5% B Corps in this impact area,” said George May, Managing Director of bio-bean. “It’s an acknowledgement of our desire to do business better and of our teamwide effort to positively impact not just the environment, but all our stakeholders. We look forward to continually collaborating with the global B Corp community to share and gain insights into best practices.” 

 

The Best for the World recognition is administered by B Lab, the global non-profit network that certifies and mobilizes Certified B Corporations, which are for-profit companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Today there are more than 4,000 Certified B Corporations across 77 countries and 153 industries, unified by one common goal: transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet.

 

B Corps meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. The B Corp Certification doesn’t just evaluate a product or service, it assesses the overall positive impact of the company that stands behind it—like bio-bean. Using the B Impact Assessment, B Lab evaluates how a company’s operations and business model impact its workers, community, environment, and customers.

 

"Best for the World is a special program for the B Corp community, and we're thrilled to resume it after pausing the program in 2020 due to COVID-19," said Juan Pablo Larenas, Executive Director of B Lab Global. "This year's Best for the World companies are operating at the very top of their class, excelling in creating positive impact for their stakeholders, including their workers, communities, customers and the environment. We're proud of the community of stakeholder-driven businesses we've cultivated over the last 15 years; together we're marching toward our collective vision of an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economic system for all people and the planet." 

 

Close to 800 B Corps from more than 50 countries were named to the 2021 Best for the World lists, including 4G Capital, KeepCup, Natura, The Big Issue Group, TOMS, Too Good To Go, and Patagonia. The 2021 Best for the World lists are determined based on the verified B Impact Assessments of Certified B Corporations. 

 

The full lists are available on https://bcorporation.net/.

Coco & Coir™ proves its growing credentials in further trials

Southern Trident is celebrating yet another success for its quality coir composts. Two of the company’s Coco & Coir™ products have outshone the competition in plant growth trials...


Southern Trident is celebrating yet another success for its quality coir composts. Two of the company’s Coco & Coir™ products have outshone the competition in plant growth trials.

 

Throughout this year, Southern Trident has been involved in a series of trials carried out by Stockbridge Technology Centre, the UK’s premier independent horticultural growing and testing facility. The trials vigorously tested Coco & Coir Coco Grow+ – a seed and cuttings compost containing coir and perlite – and Coco & Coir Coco Boost – an all-purpose compost containing coir and balanced nutrients. These composts were up against stiff competition – the UK’s best-selling peat-based compost, an own-label peat-free compost and the top-selling branded peat-free compost. The trials were carried out from April to June.

 

Coco & Coir Coco Grow+

 

In germination tests using petunias, Coco & Coir Coco Grow+ produced 15% better germination rates than the peat-based compost and three times better than the branded peat-free competition. Germination failed with the own-label peat-free compost.

 

Poor germination in the competing composts was due to high pH and high electrical conductivity (EC) levels; EC is an indicator of soluble salt content, and high levels can be very damaging to seeds and plants. We monitor and control salt levels in our coir composts and ensure they are maintained at a suitable quantity for excellent plant growth.

 

Coco & Coir Coco Boost

 

In growing tests using tomato plants, Coco & Coir Coco Boost performed as well as the peat-based compost, produced plants 36% larger than the top-selling branded peat-free compost, and 13% larger than the own-label peat-free compost.

 

In tests using petunias, Coco & Coir Coco Boost again performed on par to the peat-based compost, but 30% larger with 144% more flowers than the branded peat-free, and 270% larger with eight times as many flowers as the own-label peat-free compost.

 

Again, high pH and EC levels affected the own-label peat-free compost when growing these sensitive plants, and there were lower overall nutrient levels in the branded products

 

These trials consistently showed that growing media based on 100% coir outperforms all peat-free blends it has been tested against.

 

Advantages of coir

 

Coir, like peat, can hold up to 20 times its own weight in moisture. Unlike other peat-free alternatives, coir has a pH range of 5.8-6.8, which is close to what the vast majority of plants need. It contains high levels of lignin and cellulose, so doesn’t decompose, slump and compact in containers like some other alternative materials.

 

The future

 

Growing trials at the Stockbridge Technology Centre are on-going.

 

Southern Trident has invested in its own growing facilities at its site in Scunthorpe to be able to more readily improve its mixes even further before independent trialling.

 

Southern Trident is testing new products, new innovations and new materials that can be added to its coir composts to improve their already proven results even further. News of new products will be revealed later in the year.

 

Further information

 

For more details on our range of products, visit www.southerntrident.com/product-range

 

View our short video on the range youtu.be/W_pGSgrrVv4

 

 

www.facebook.com/cocoandcoir

www.instagram.com/cocoandcoir

www.twitter.com/cocoandcoir

www.linkedin.com/company/southerntrident

 

To book an appointment with your local sales representative, visit southerntrident.com/sales-agents

 
Hampton Court project recreated at Perrywood

A Suffolk-based horticulture star who designed a unique edible garden at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival has recreated the project at local garden centre, Perrywood, Sudbury...


A Suffolk-based horticulture star who designed a unique edible garden at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival has recreated the project at local garden centre, Perrywood, Sudbury.   

 

Lucy Hutchings, better known as She Grows Veg, was challenged with transforming a small plot at the prestigious show into an edible yet ornamental display of plants, fruit, vegetables and herbs. 

 

 

 

To create the ‘Get Up & Grow’ garden at RHS Hampton Court, Lucy partnered with the independent, family-owned garden centre and nursery, Perrywood. Lucy and the Perrywood team grew many of the plants used for the garden at their Tiptree nursery. A wide variety were nurtured including everything from artichokes and prickly pears to bananas and climbing beans. 

 

Following the show, which saw Lucy’s project recognised as one of the highlights of the festival, the garden was carefully transported back to Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury where it has been rebuilt for the public to visit and explore.  

 

Inspired by Lucy’s new book, ‘Get Up & Grow,’ the garden includes a selection of the projects from the publication, which aims to inspire those with limited outdoor space to grow their own food, and features everything from an IKEA glass cabinet used for propagation to a vertical cutlery pot wall.  

 

Lucy comments: “Creating an edible allotment garden at an RHS Show has been a dream come true! I wanted to demonstrate that growing your own fruit and veg is not only incredibly rewarding, but also achievable regardless of space and skill, while also showing that allotment areas can be both edible and ornamental.  

 

“Bringing the garden home and rebuilding it at Perrywood Garden Centre where each plant was carefully nurtured and grown is a real honour, and I hope that the community who may not have been able to visit RHS Hampton Court will enjoy the garden and have a go at growing their own, too!” 

 

Hannah Powell, Communications and HR Director at Perrywood, visited the festival on press day she comments: “Our customers will have a chance to see the garden for themselves from 15th July at Perrywood Sudbury. There are so many ideas for innovative ways to get growing, with the arch and vertical gardens proving particularly popular at the show and appearing on the BBC’s TV coverage several times. We hope the garden inspires local people to recreate something similar in their own small spaces at home.” 

 

Published by Hardie Grant, ‘Get Up & Grow’ uses Lucy’s background as a designer to illustrate how inspiring growing your own food can be and includes a range of projects for all skill levels and spaces. The book is available on Amazon and all major book retailers now. 

 

To see the ‘Get Up & Grow’ garden at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival,  as well as get more grow your own garden inspiration, follow Lucy via www.instagram.com/shegrowsveg, head to her YouTube channel, and visit her website at www.shegrowsveg.com

Create summer vibes in the city with elho’s loft urban range

The arrival of summer brings with it warmer days, lighter nights, and the opportunity to get outside and embrace all that nature has to offer. Adding plants to outdoor spaces is a great way to create a bright summertime haven and cleanse spaces of the dull, cold winter months that have passed...


 

The arrival of summer brings with it warmer days, lighter nights, and the opportunity to get outside and embrace all that nature has to offer. Adding plants to outdoor spaces is a great way to create a bright summertime haven and cleanse spaces of the dull, cold winter months that have passed.

 

Everyone can create a lush outdoor space and benefit from surrounding themselves with nature, even those in urban environments with restricted exterior areas. Sustainable plant pot producer, elho, recognises the importance of this and its ‘loft urban’ range helps people create a plant paradise with ease, no matter how small the space.

 

The loft urban collection has been designed with urban balconies and roof terraces in mind and the products style and applications reflect this inspiration – resulting in the perfect selection of pots for city dwellers. With a robust, matt finish and a range of bright, warm colours the loft urban range allows plant lovers to create a dynamic and personal look to their outdoor areas.

 

If you can't grow out, grow up!

Vertical gardening helps to bring nature to even the smallest surroundings. Adding plants to balcony railings creates a tumbling display of colour that can be admired whilst relaxing on the balcony during the first whisper of dusk. The elho loft urban balcony potholder is a small, convenient planter that is sold together with the holder and can be directly attached to the balcony railing.

 

The integrated water reservoir will also save a lot of time and water: when it rains the surplus of water is stored for when plant need it most. The only decision to make is what to plant in it.

 

Create a vibrant sea of colour

For those with limited outdoor space, the loft urban round pot is the perfect choice as it adds a flurry of plants and injects bright colours to balconies and terraces without taking up a lot of space. With a range of sizes available, ranging from 19cm to 49cm, city dwellers can transform even the smallest spaces into a sea of flourishing nature, adding depth and texture to external sanctuaries.

 

The pots are also available in 11 vivid colours – including delicate pink, ochre, white, cherry red and vintage blue – providing a huge range to choose from.

 

Create a window or wall of colour 

Windowsills and ledges are the perfect places to add greenery and are great for creating small herb gardens that can garnish alfresco lunches in the sun. Windowsills are also an ideal place to add an array of colourful foliage, injecting a vibrant sea of nature and masking the urban scenery.

 

The loft urban trough is great for narrow spaces such as windowsills and tapered ledges, with its oblong design and robust finish created with smaller spaces in mind. The built-in reservoir also makes sure that plants and herbs are watered when they need to be and, with the addition of a saucer, no nasty stains will be left behind on surfaces. The loft urban trough is available in white, warm grey, anthracite and brique – adding subtle shades of colour to balconies and terraces that suits every style.

 

A wilderness of plants and greenery, even in small spaces 

With elho’s loft urban flower bridge, creating a personal collection of nature is a lot easier, especially for those who don’t have space for planters or larger pots. With its simple design and two different sizes, people can better display their plants, creating a personalised oasis of flourishing flowers and greenery that can be easily admired when relaxing with a coffee on a warm summer morning.

 

The flower bridge can also be easily attached onto the top of balcony railings with clips to fixate the pot, making them easily manoeuvrable as the clips can be unclipped and re-attached once they have been moved. This makes for the perfect design for sun-loving plants, such as festuca glauca and senecio cineraria, as the pots can be moved around so they can savour every bit of the sun, keeping them flourishing and healthy.

 

With a wide choice of colours – white, cherry red, anthracite, vintage blue and brique – doses of bright colours can be introduced to urban outdoor sanctuaries, helping to keep them looking vibrant for many summers to come.

 

As with all elho products, they are 100% recyclable and made with 80% recycled plastic, reflecting their commitment to sustainability and catering to the continuously growing need for ethical buying options.

 

Everyone can enjoy the benefits of surrounding themselves with nature, and with summer approaching, it’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy its offerings. With elho’s loft urban range, even those just starting out on their gardening journey can create lush outdoor spaces, no matter the size – forming the perfect summer paradise.

July’s Market update shows sustained garden centre sales

The latest market information suggests the beginning of a new normal, with garden centre sales for June 2021 down just 3% from June 2020, when sales rocketed due to the national lockdown. This is  up 40% from June 2019, pre-pandemic, so it appears the high demand is here to stay...


 

The latest market information suggests the beginning of a new normal, with garden centre sales for June 2021 down just 3% from June 2020, when sales rocketed due to the national lockdown. This is  up 40% from June 2019, pre-pandemic, so it appears the high demand is here to stay, perhaps as those who took up gardening during the pandemic continue their new hobby.  

 

Garden centre sales from June 2020 and June 2021 indicate the demand for garden tools and equipment remains high - sales were 73% higher than June 2019 and 1% higher than June 2020. Good weather during the first half of the month may have inspired consumers to do more garden maintenance. 

 

Average Transaction Values (ATVs) in garden stores are also up 35% from June 2019 and, despite reduced sales and hinderances caused by continued social distancing restrictions, catering also saw improved ATVs – up 58% from the same time.  

 

As shown in the Market Update Report, 20% of British adults indicated that they expect to do more gardening over the 12 months following March 2021 compared to pre-pandemic times. This is most prevalent amongst consumers aged 25-34, 27% of whom indicated they will do more gardening throughout the next year, encouraging news for garden centres following their reopening earlier this year.  

 

Market Research Executive for the HTA, Laura Jeffery, said: "This time last year, garden centre sales were experiencing a boom following the first national lockdown; with consumers  at home,  much leisure and travel unavailable, and  garden centres amongst the first retailers to reopen. Encouragingly our figures show that this demand for gardening has been sustained, with an audience of younger gardeners for the industry to keep inspiring  as travel, leisure and socialisation opens back up." 

New Products at SOLEX On-Line 2021 - SOLEX SUN's A-Z guide

While we were not able to physically peruse the New Product Showcase at SOLEX 2021, the Solex Sun and GTN team have been looking through all of the on-line "exhibitor" entries and this is our selection of New Products that have taken our eye...


See our pick of SOLEX New Products

While we were not able to physically peruse the New Product Showcase at SOLEX 2021, the Solex Sun and GTN team have been looking through all of the on-line "exhibitor" entries and this is our selection of New Products that have taken our eye.

 

A to Z are listed and galleried here with links below to find out more information.

 

4Seasons Outdoor           4 Seasons Accor Dining

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/4 seasons outdoor uk ltd/

 

A. Mir                                    A MIR Faro 4 piece Cube set

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/a mir co ltd/

 

A&E Leisure                        AEL Max Green Bali 6 Seater Dining Set 1

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/ael outdoor solutions/

 

Alexander Rose                 Alexander Rose Sorrento Dining

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/alexander rose/

 

Alfresco Chef                     Alfresco Brands Petromax ft9 Feuertopf im Feuer Dutch Oven in the fire

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/alfresco brands/

 

Ascalon Design Ltd           Ascalon Floral Stems

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/ascalon design ltd/   

 

Barlow Tyrie       Barlow Tyrie Layout collection Table and Stacking Armchairs

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/barlow tyrie ltd/

 

BBQ Gourmet    BBQ Gourmet BBQ Rubs

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/bbq gourmet/   

 

BDP Imports (Bramblecrest)        Bramblecrest Chedworth Triple Hanging Cocoon including S P Herringbone Barley Cushions Sandstone

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/bramblecrest/

 

Beefeater Europe            Beefeater Cabinex Lifestyle Kitchen

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/beefeater europe/

 

Cadac UK             Cadac E Braai electric BBQ

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/cadac leisure ltd/

 

Char Broil             Char Broil Gas2Coal 2.0 330

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/char broil/

 

Culcita Ltd           Culcita Summerfly 6 seat dining

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/culcita/

 

Dansons Britain Limited                 Dansons Pit Boss Pro Series 3

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/pit boss and louisiana grills by dansons/  

 

Daro                                      Daro Langley lounging set

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/daro trading ltd/

 

Desser & Co Ltd                                 Desser Aruba Corner Casual Dining Set with Square Fire Pit Table

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/desser/  

 

Europa Leisure                  Europa Leisure Nardi Libeccio table with Bora chairs

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/europa leisure uk ltd/  

 

Extreme Lounging            Extreme Lounging Pastel B Bag

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/extreme lounging/

 

Fallen Fruits Ltd                 Fallen Fruits MGO Fire Bowl FF445 BBQ

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/fallen fruits ltd/

 

Firepits UK Ltd                   Firepits UK Ash leaf seat

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/firepitsuk/

 

Firmans Direct Ltd            Firmans Miami Pearl Petite Corner Dining Set

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/firmans direct ltd/

 

FLOGAS                Flogas Lighter bird flying with Gaslight cylinder

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/flogas britain ltd/

 

Garden Furniture Global Ltd        Garden Furniture Global Harbo Trieste 8 chair recline

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/garden furniture global ltd/

 

Ginique Ltd                         HOFATS CONE the first charcoal grill where you can adjust the heat directly

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/ginique/

 

Glencrest Seatex              Glencrest Mayberry Grey

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/glencrest seatex limited/

 

Grakka                                  Bradley Flavour Bisquette Range

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/bradley smoker/

 

Garden Impressions        Garden Impressions Belle Vue. Innovative Dining Collections       

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/garden impressions outdoor/

 

HartmanUK        Hartman Dubai Square Corner Casual Dining Set

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/hartman outdoor products/

 

Innovators International               Innovators International Sarasota Furniture

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/innovators-international-ltd/

 

Jonart Design     Jonart Design Antique Blue Church Outdoor Mirror 1

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/jonart design/  

 

Kadai Ltd              Kadai Asado Cross

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/kadai/

 

Kaemingk B.V.                   Kaemingk Decorative lighting

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/kaemingk ltd/  

 

Kamado Joe                        Kamado Joe 1

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/kamado joe/  

 

Leisuregrow Products                    LeisureGrow Casa Mia Pizza oven and stand

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/leisuregrow lg outdoor/

 

Lifestyle appliances         Enders® from Lifestyle NOVA LED Flame

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/lifestyle appliances ltd/

 

Lifestyle Garden               LifestyleGarden Nassau carver chair and square table

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/lifestylegarden scancomuk ltd/

 

MazeRattan                                       Maze Oslo Reclining Sofa

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/maze rattan/

 

Mercer Leisure                                  Mercer Amalfi Fire Pit

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/mercer agencies ltd/

 

Minster Stylish Living                      Minster Doormats Lanterns and Cages

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/minster stylish living ltd/

 

Munro Importers Ltd (Pagoda)   Pagoda Cassano Corner Set

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/pagoda/

 

Norfolk Leisure Lifestyle Ltd         Norfolk Leisure Pandora Leaf Gazebo

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/norfolk leisure lifestyle ltd/

 

Pacific Lifestyle Limited                 Pacific CosiDrum Fire Pit

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/pacific lifestyle/

 

Premier Decorations                       Premier Decorations Garden Grill Company BBQ Tools Group

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/premier decorations/

 

Primo Grill UK Ltd.                           Primo Grill Green Mountain Grills Ledge Trek Peak

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/primo grill uk ltd/

 

Que Fresco                                          Que Fresco Ozpig Big Pig 4

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/que fresco ltd/

 

Quest                                                    Quest Leisure Vienna Pro Comfort F1362

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/quest leisure/

 

Rotospa                                               RotoSpa DuoSpa

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/rotospa/

 

Summit International                     Summit International BCO Flask Range

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/summit international/

 

Supremo Ltd                                      Supremo Leisure Melbury 4 Seat set FP

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/supremo ltd/

 

The Old Basket Supply Ltd            TOBS Wicker Chairs

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/tobs/

 

Traeger Pellet Grills Europe          Traeger Ranger

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/traeger pellet grills europe/

 

Tramontina UK Ltd                           Tramontina Cutlery Sets

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/tramontina united kingdom ltd/

 

Tripod Home Ltd                               Tripod Home Wood Chip Dinosaur

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/tripod home ltd/

 

Waspinator                                         Waspinator on the balcony

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/waspinator ltd/

 

Zest4Leisure (P&A Fencing)         Zest 4 Leisure Charlotte 2 Seater Bench with EASY BUILD

https://www.solexexhibition.com/exhibitors/zest4leisure/

 

Napoleon Grills Kitchen Staff features all-star line-up at Carfest 2021

Napoleon Grills, the internationally renowned barbecue and outdoor kitchen specialist, is set to host an all-star chef line up on the Kitchen Stage at CarFest North & CarFest South 2021...


 

Napoleon Grills, the internationally renowned barbecue and outdoor kitchen specialist, is set to host an all-star chef line up on the Kitchen Stage at CarFest North & CarFest South 2021. 

 

CarFest, founded by Radio presenter Chris Evans in 2012, is the UK’s greatest family festival, hosting an extravagant celebration of cars, music and food, all in aid of raising money for UK children’s charities. As a result of the pandemic, both festivals were postponed in 2020, making the upcoming fundraising events even more important for all involved. 

 

Napoleon Grills is the Sponsor of the Kitchen Stage at both events – the first Barbecue Manufacturer to do so.  “CarFest is a wonderful place for Napoleon Grills to continue to raise our profile in the UK,” commented Martin Sobey, UK National Sales Manager. “With our specialisation in complete outdoor kitchens we will be demonstrating, via a host of celebrity and Michelin-star chefs, that anyone can cook more or less anything with a Napoleon barbecue. These events attract a dedicated foodie audience and the Kitchen Stage is a real hotspot attraction, quite literally with our signature infrared Sizzle Zone side burners bringing the flames!”

 

“The Napoleon Grills team will be proudly led by our featured guest chef Neil Rankin as well as Ben Tish, Spain’s Omar Allibhoy and South African Hylton Espey among a stream of high profile chefs visiting the stage and using our products.”

 

Barbecue enthusiast Neil Rankin loves cooking over flames and founded three open-fired restaurants in London. His latest venture is Symplicity foods which produces unique plant-based meat and cheese products, now supplied to major outlets such as Soho House, Dishoom, Gordon Ramsay among many others.

 

Another flame fan, Ben Tish, currently the Culinary Director of Norma restaurant and The Stafford London, wrote his second cook book under the title Grill Smoke BBQ which is rightfully felt to be a bible for outdoor cooking. Much of his cooking is inspired by the flavours of the Mediterranean and ‘Moorish’ has recently been followed by ‘Sicilia’which he describes as “a love letter to the food of Sicily”.

 

Omar Allibhoy is the founder of Tapas Revolution a critically-applauded Spanish tapas restaurant group which shares the name with his best-selling book. Omar trained under ‘the world’s greatest chef’ Ferran Adria before coming to London to open Tapas Revolution. He has won many awards and is frequently seen on TV demonstrating his food art.

 

Born in Cape Town, chef Hylton Espey is well versed in traditional South African braai culture and spends as much time as possible outdoors surfing on Cornish breakers, sailing, fishing and diving. He is passionate about using only the finest and best-sourced ingredients under his philosophy “What Grows Together Goes Together” and is currently the Chef Patron at luxury hotel and spa Merchants Manor in Falmouth. 

 

Anjna Raheja, Show Director for CarFest said “We are thrilled to be welcoming such a range of talented and sought-after chefs with Napoleon Grills. There’s already a huge buzz in the CarFest community around the Kitchen Stage with confirmed A-Lister chefs appearing such as José Pizarro, Atul Kochhar, Prue Leith and many more, and this latest batch of brilliant chefs bringing the best of barbecue to the stage will delight our foodie fans and adds to what I think is our best-ever kitchen stage line up yet!”.

 

 

Napoleon Grills will also operate a demonstration and retail area at both shows where guests can meet the team and view or purchase the range. Napoleon’s guest chefs Neil Rankin, Ben Tish, Omar Allibhoy and Hylton Espey will also appear at the Napoleon Grills stand to demonstrate their grill skills and showcase some exclusive recipes up close on their range of gas and charcoal barbecues. 

  • CarFest North will be held at Bolesworth Estate from 23rd – 25th July 2021
  • CarFest South will be held at Laverstoke Park Farm from 27th – 29th August 2021

CarFest donates 20% of ticket sales directly to its UK children’s charity partners: BBC Children in Need, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Rainbow Trust, Starlight Children’s Foundation and Teenage Cancer Trust each year. 

 

For more information visit Napoleon.com and CarFest.org

Squire’s encourage local school children to grow their own

Children at two schools in Surrey have been learning to grow their own thanks to a vegetable planter pack from Squire’s Garden Centres...


Children at two schools in Surrey have been learning to grow their own thanks to a vegetable planter pack from Squire’s Garden Centres worth over £230!

 

Danetree Primary School in Ewell and Bisley Primary School in Woking both won the prize after people nominated their favourite school on Squire’s Facebook page, then two winning schools were drawn at random.

 

Squire’s delivered the planter pack to each school, which contains a stand up metal raised planter, five bags of peat-free compost and a lovely selection of vegetable plants.

 

 

Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres commented; “We are absolutely delighted to give this prize to both Danetree and Bisley Primary Schools. Children always love to get their hands dirty, and growing vegetables is a fun way to teach them where food comes from. It may even encourage some of the children to try different vegetables and eat their five a day!”

 

If you want to grow and display vegetable plants this summer, then the new stand up metal raised planter (£69.99 from Squire’s) is the perfect addition to your patio or garden. It includes a fabric liner and has a handy shelf for tools and accessories. Shop online for local delivery or in-store. www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk

Video, video. Watch the SOLEX SUN video showreel from SOLEX On-Line 2021

As there will now be a break with no live football on TV until Sunday, it's coming home, how about gorging yourself on a smörgåsbord board of SOLEX videos.  Here's the SOLEX SUN video showreel...


As there will now be a break with no live football on TV until Sunday, it's coming home, how about gorging yourself on a smörgåsbord board of SOLEX videos.  Here's the SOLEX SUN video showreel, enjoy!  And if you want to watch even more just go to the SOLEX On-Line website and watch to your hearts content.

 

 

4Seasons Outdoor

 

A&E Leisure

 

Alfresco Chef

 

Ascalon Design Ltd 

 

Barlow-Tyrie  

 

Bramblecrest

 

Cadac UK

 

Dansons 

 

Daro   

 

Extreme Lounging    

 

Firmans Direct Ltd      

 

FLOGAS           

 

Ginique Ltd     

 

Grakka           

 

HartmanUK   

 

Kadai Ltd      

 

Kamado Joe    

 

LeisureGrow Products  

 

Lifestyle Appliances      

 

Lifestyle Garden @ ScanCom     

 

Maze    

 

Norfolk Leisure Lifestyle Ltd    

 

Pacific Lifestyle Limited          

 

Que Fresco       

 

Quest  

 

Rotospa    

 

Supremo Ltd   

 

Traeger Pellet Grills Europe        

 

Tramontina UK Ltd  

 

Zest4Leisure (P&A Fencing)      

 

 

 
Nicholas Marshall interview live on-line now

Nicholas Marshall is back - with aspirations to open many new plant centres.


In this issue of news and information for garden centre professionals:

  • Solex Online - “exhibitors preview”
  • Marshall is back… again
  • Garden Re-Leaf Day 2021 raises £75,000
  • New Products - Glee style
  • Glee Buyers Power List - nominate your top buyers
  • GIMA Golf Day - full results and pictures
  • Hillier Heritage at Syon Park - GTN Photo Tour
  • Signs of the times at Thetford - GTN Photo Tour
  • Jam on top at BGC Bressingham - GTN Photo Tour
  • HTA Column – 20/20 Vision… so last year.

 
Sales Manager/Sales Agent to cover Southern Region of England
On target earnings Circa £45K (£25K basic salary)

The Company: Whistler Grills is a wholesale / distribution company selling premium grade BBQ’s and Outdoor Modular Kitchens to the BBQ Retail industry, including specialist BBQ Retailers, online Retailers and Garden Centres. As the business continues to grow at a rapid pace, we are looking for enthusiastic, professional sales people to help expand and develop the business further. 

 

The Role: As a Sales Manager, you are responsible for opening and maintaining new, quality Retail accounts in the Southern Region of England whilst managing your own portfolio. To represent the full and ever growing range of products from Whistler Grills Limited (www.whistlergrills.com). To promote the brand at every opportunity and drive profitable sales through your portfolio, reporting directly to the Managing Director. 

 

Requirements:

You must have at least 2 years of sales experience.

Ownership of a full UK drivers licence and own transport, though travel expenses will be covered.

 

Working conditions:

On target earnings Circa £45K (£25K basic salary)

Home based, but expected to be out on the road majority of the time.

Working hours - 09.00 - 17.00hrs Monday to Friday.

Holidays - 25 days per year.

Mileage allowance paid.

 

Industry:

Wholesaler & BBQ industry 

 

Employment Type:

Full-time, 09.00 - 17.00hrs Monday to Friday.

 

Apply with CV to: steve@whistlergrills.com 

 

 
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Houseplants will suffer from loneliness in a post-lockdown world, horticultural expert warns  

Hayes Garden World are cautioning Brits that houseplants may suffer from loneliness when you’re not around as much...


It’s safe to say that in the past year we’ve spent more time than ever in our homes. As the end of lockdown is on the horizon, Brits are starting to adjust to venturing out into the world again - but our houseplants are not ready to say goodbye.

 



Hayes Garden World are cautioning Brits that houseplants may suffer from loneliness when you’re not around as much, as is backed by science…

Horticultural expert, Angela Slater, explains the five reasons your houseplants will miss you when you’re not around.

 

1. Many believe that plants can sense when you’re not around.
“Studies have shown that plants can sense water, light and gravity, “Angela explains. “They can even defend themselves and send signals to other plants near them to warn that danger is near. They’ve much more aware than people may think, so it’s very likely that they’ll be able to sense when their owner isn’t at home.”

2. Plants love the sound of human voices and grow better around it.   
“Talking to your plants is extremely beneficial for their health and wellbeing. It is unclear exactly what proportion of people who keep plants do communicate with them, but committed vegetable growers have long spoken words of encouragement to their prized specimens.”

“There are numerous studies which demonstrate the phenomenon. In 2009, the RHS ran trials on tomato plants, discovering that those that were spoken to grew taller than the ones left in silence. They also found female voices to be more effective than males”.

“The fact that houseplants thrive by our presence shows that they also have needs which go beyond just needing food, water and a nice ambient temperature. It’s safe to say that plants will not fare as well in the silence when their owner isn’t home.”


3. The house will be colder with no humans around which is not good for plants.

“The ideal temperature for indoor plants to grow is around 23 degrees in the daytime (source). This is similar to Britain's average ideal room temperature, which a recent study discovered is 21 degrees (source)”. “However, despite Brits’ preferences, the average room temperature in the UK is 18 degrees. Brits will not be around to adjust heating as they did when working from home, meaning plants will start to get chilly.”

 

4. The lack of Co2 could be damaging.

“Studies have shown that carbon dioxide increases photosynthesis, therefore spurring plant growth. (source). With humans around less, there will be lower Co2 levels in the air which may stunt your houseplants growth.”

 

5. Brits are more tentative and intuitive to their plants when they’re around them more.

“Naturally, being around your houseplant more means that they get more attention.” “Owners have more time to water their plants, adjust their positioning for different levels of light and can be more intuitive with what they need when they’re looking a little thirsty or overwatered. When you’re gone, your plant will notice the difference in care and routine.” 

 

How can we combat loneliness in plants? Angela Slater suggests:

1. Buy your plant a friend to keep it company

“Plants can sense when they’re around another plant, and it’s been proven that it’s better for their wellbeing if they’re around a “sibling” plant, as they don’t use up energy trying to compete with a non-familiar plant.”

“Think how well plants grow in the forest when they’re surrounded by other plants; a group of plants placed together will create their own beneficial micro-climate. Create your own woodland environment by placing tall, medium height and low growing plants together. Not only is it beneficial for the plants but can also add interest to a dull corner, providing a focal point. If you choose specific plants, such as Peace Lilies, which take out impurities in the air, they will provide you with a much healthier environment, essential if you suffer from respiratory problems.” 

 

2. Leave the radio on
“We all know that talking to houseplants helps them thrive, as well as benefiting our own mental health. Consider leaving the radio on when you’re out to mimic the sound of your voice, or make sure to compensate for those lost conversations by speaking to your plants more in the evening when you’re home.”

3. Take your plant to work day
“Reduce your plants' sense of isolation by taking them to work with you. Hayes Garden World are considering a ‘take your plant to work day’ to combat loneliness in houseplants once we return to the workplace and to give your houseplants some valuable work experience."

 
RHS and Oasis announce limited-edition nature-inspired fashion range

The Royal Horticultural Society has announced a partnership with renowned British fashion brand Oasis for an exclusive limited-edition 27-piece collection of contemporary women’s apparel celebrating the joys of nature and horticulture...


 

The Royal Horticultural Society has announced a partnership with renowned British fashion brand Oasis for an exclusive limited-edition 27-piece collection of contemporary women’s apparel celebrating the joys of nature and horticulture.

 

Using imagery from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world’s finest collection of botanical art, the Oasis design team worked closely with the RHS to carefully select and adapt a handful of the most striking drawings. The team then re-sketched the chosen images by hand, incorporating these prints into a new collection that is full of romance and timeless appeal. The 27-piece collection includes 11 enchanting prints in all.

 

The styles include delicate maxi dresses featuring classic magnolias or bold multi-coloured blooms finished with intricate embroidered trims and ruffle details. Unique bird prints captivate the eye on elegant, tailored separates and corseted midi dresses that are perfect for special occasions. And floaty, boho-inspired pieces make for effortlessly chic summer dressing in both mini and maxi lengths, exuding luxury with crinkle georgette fabrics, lace yoke inserts and dramatic, tie-up sleeves.

 

The core target market for Oasis is women in their early-mid 30s who seek quality, intricate details and print designs with a story. However, the secondary market for Oasis apparel is a significant one, and the association with the UK’s best-loved gardening charity is expected to further enhance the appeal of this new range to a wide age group.

 

 

The collection is available online at Oasis-stores.com from the 14th of July.

 

Since launching in 1991, Oasis has created easy, trend-led, effortless pieces that are made for modern life. Signature florals, art-inspired prints, trending colours and considered details breathe life into midi dresses, jumpsuits and more. The RHS-inspired range is part of a very successful series of limited-edition Oasis ranges celebrating nature.

 

Michelle Evatt, Head Of Design at Oasis, comments: “We are extremely pleased to launch our first limited-edition collaboration with the RHS. As a brand that celebrates nature and weaves storytelling into print design, the opportunity to explore the RHS botanical print archives was priceless. Our design team carefully selected a handful of striking designs and re-sketched by hand, to incorporate these breathtaking prints into a collection that’s contemporary yet full of romance and timeless appeal, while capturing the essence of the RHS.”

 

Cathy Snow, Licensing Manager, RHS, says: “From sketch to store, Oasis worked closely with the RHS to capture the essence of the work in our vast library. The results are some truly enchanting prints and captivating styles that together form a beautiful collection that celebrates the joys of nature in a delightful and original way.”

 
RECOUP wins Innovate UK funding for plastics recycling communications research

Charity, and leading plastics recycling organisation, RECOUP, hassecured a grant from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, to co-fund an industry led communications and behaviour change research project in Kent...


Charity, and leading plastics recycling organisation, RECOUP, hassecured a grant from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, to co-fund an industry led communications and behaviour change research project in Kent.    

 

RECOUP has brought together key industry partners, Kent Resource Partnership, Veolia, Viridor, Ocado, Ecosurety, British Plastics Federation, Plastics Europe and PPS Recovery Systems to deliver this groundbreaking piece of research aimed at understanding better the connection between communications and plastics recycling.

 

RECOUP’s Pledge2Recycle Plastics citizen facing brand will connect with the 673,00 households across Kent over a 12-month period, to gain citizen insights, deliver plastics recycling messages and evaluate the resulting tonnage and contamination data.     

 

The project is the first of its kind to both deliver and measure, (over an extended period) the impact recycling communications campaigns have on behaviour change.  It is expected that the insights collected will provide evidence to support future plastics recycling engagement strategies.

 

Anne Hitch, Head of Citizen & Stakeholder Strategy at RECOUP and Pledge2Recycle Plastics project lead, commented: “This project represents a fantastic opportunity for the plastics industry opportunity to better  understand better how we can reach 2025 recycling targets.  

 

"The citizens of Kent have an opportunity to help formulate future policy and provide the UK with a blueprint demonstrating the links between plastics recycling communications and behaviour change.”  

 

The ambitious project will connect with over 1.5 million citizens in a controlled structured way.  The advice on plastics recycling has been pre-agreed with all Kent Councils, Veolia and Viridor to provide a consistent message with resources based on previous piloted Pledge2Recycle Plastics ‘Cutting the Confusion’ campaigns and resource pack aligned with WRAP and Recycle Now.  

 

The project will provide understanding on how plastics recycling targets can be met with clear and the linkages between communications investment and recycling growth.   

 

Cllr Nick Kenton, Chairman of the Kent Resource Partnership said: “The 13 Kent councils are very pleased to be working alongside RECOUP and other partners to deliver this Kent-wide plastics recycling campaign. The aim of this project is to engage with Kent residents to understand if there is any confusion when it comes to plastics recycling and how we can encourage citizens to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics. We look forward to seeing which interventions help with the quality and quantity of plastic recycling here in Kent.”

 

The British Plastics Federation Commented:

“The British Plastics Federation is proud to be a part of this project, which will provide great insights into how to influence behaviour change and engage more people in plastic recycling. We look forward to being able to share the results to help show the most effective ways to communicate and ultimately drive-up recycling rates throughout the UK.” Helen Jordan, Snr Recycling Issues Executive

 

Ocado Retail Limited Commented:

'We’re delighted to be involved in this project to engage, educate and drive sustainable change in people’s recycling behaviours. This forms a fundamental part of our being an industry leader in sustainability, helping customers to do the right thing; recycle more and better.” Daniel Costigan, Sustainability Lead Ocado Retail

 

Viridor Waste Management Ltd Commented:

“Viridor knows that most people are committed to doing the right thing and recycling more. As a company which recycles and reprocesses plastic, Viridor is pleased to be part of an initiative that seeks to engage with residents and understand any confusion or barriers which exist. Following up on this research is the key ensuring residents are armed with the knowledge and the confidence they need. Above all, we want them to understand that their efforts to separate and retain valuable recycling really does make a difference, underpinning the circular economy which is the UK ambition.”    Viridor’s Sustainability Director, Tim Rotheray

 

Veolia Environmental Services (UK) Ltd Commented:

David Fitzgerald, General Manager, Veolia, said: “At Veolia, recycling is at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to support this project which helps make significant steps towards building a circular economy and a greener future. This innovative project will provide great insight into influencing behaviour change and help increase recycling rates in the areas in which we operate.”

 

Plastics Europe Commented:

“Plastics Europe welcomes the vision of UKRI in funding this first of a kind research to develop new communication approaches that will catalyse behaviour changes helping households maximise both the quantities and qualities of their recyclables. Using a multi-stakeholder approach will help identify workable, replicable communication approaches in providing the essential recyclable streams required for the attainment of the UK’s Circular Economy goals.” Adrian Whyle, Resource Efficiency Senior Manager.

 

Ecosurety Ltd Commented:

“Ecosurety is delighted to be supporting this project and recognises the importance of educating and helping residents to ensure the quality of material that is generated at the kerbside is to a high standard to achieve a circular economy.  This project will provide useful information into household recycling practices and help developed a clear and simple communication strategy to drive up recycling rates.”

PPS Recovery Systems Ltd Commented:

“Good data and robust analysis are key to understanding and improving the resources sector. This includes scheme performance bench marking and measuring consumer interactions with recycling messages. We are very excited to be involved in this initiative and look forward to bringing our data analysis and industry expertise to the project.” Laura Hutchings, Projects Officer

 
Nursery Trade Fair Foundation launches novelty showcase

The board of the Nursery Trade Fair Foundation is launching a novelty showcase to take place during the GROEN-Direkt autumn trade fair to start building enthusiasm for the next in-person fair, Plantarium 2022....


 

The board of the Nursery Trade Fair Foundation is launching a novelty showcase to take place during the GROEN-Direkt autumn trade fair to start building enthusiasm for the next in-person fair, Plantarium 2022.  

 

Since there is no in-person trade fair this year, GROEN-Direkt will host the novelty showcase. The autumn trade fair will take place on 25 and 26 August 2021. On the first day of the fair, Wednesday 25 August, the novelty showcase entries will be presented and the best novelty of 2021 will be announced.

 

Organisation

The Nursery Trade Fair Foundation will organise the novelty showcase. An expert panel from the Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society (KVBC) will judge the entries. Together they will decide which plant shall be crowned the best novelty of 2021.

 

How to enter

You can enter your novelties until 11 August 2021 with this form.

 

The Nursery Trade Fair Foundation aims to promote trade in nursery stock products. Raising awareness of novelties is extremely important for this. That is why the board has decided to offer those in the field an opportunity to celebrate their novelties with this showcase.

 
BHETA urges dialogue in preference to supply chain penalties

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is urging UK retailers and suppliers to work closely together and share latest data to mitigate current international supply chain issues – in particular, potential problems in fulfilling orders in total, to contracted time..


The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is urging UK retailers and suppliers to work closely together and share latest data to mitigate current international supply chain issues – in particular, potential problems in fulfilling orders in total, to contracted time.  

 

Specifically, it is urging dialogue ahead of any resort to the legal sanctions and rapid fill rate penalties, starting to be seen in Europe and the rest of the world.

 

This campaign is part of a Europe-wide initiative from the combined efforts of the European DIY-Retail Association (EDRA), the Global Home Improvement Network (GHIN) and the Home Improvement Manufacturers Association (HIMA) who are urging European suppliers and retailers to work together to find solutions to the impact of the supply chain crisis. More than 800 suppliers are represented across Europe by the various trade associations backing this campaign. Attached is a joint statement by HIMA, EDRA and GHIN.

 

Chief Operating Officer of BHETA, Will Jones explained, “We are all aware of the combined impact of the pandemic and the volatility of consumer demand, together with the Ever-Given incident in the Suez Canal.  Numerous companies depend on well-timed shipments of product or product components to fulfil time-sensitive orders to retail customers.  Based on what we are seeing in markets outside the UK, they could be at risk of penalties should these shipments not be fulfilled. 

 

“Other companies are facing difficulties due to huge price increases in transport cost, shortage of transport capacity, increased prices of raw materials such as steel, wood, oil derivates. This is creating pressure on manufacturing plants worldwide and especially the sourcing of goods from China.  Many supplier members have had to raise their own prices just to maintain normal profitability. 

 

“Now more than ever, BHETA is calling upon all stakeholders in the UK supply chain network to find reasonable solutions in the event of possible delivery disruption.  Good consultation, mutual understanding and open ‘as it happens’ communication on the facts are key. The ability, openness and flexibility to offer alternative products at short notice, and the possibility to review supply contracts to cover difficulties in fulfilling existing obligations by force majeure clauses, can help ensure a comprehensive supply of products to consumers, which is what we all need be paramount.  This will also enable suppliers to continue taking every measure to protect employees from Covid-19.”

 

Will concluded, “In this challenging set of circumstances, all parties must work together in a fair and practical manner. Only by doing so, and exchanging all possible data, can we ensure the best results in bringing goods designated essential to consumers around the world.”

 

BHETA has around 300 supplier members, representing £15.5 billion at retail sales and 15,000 employees.  For more information about its data, business support, export and networking services, contact Helen Farnell at the BHETA Member Services Team on 0121 237 1130 or alternatively, email on hf@bheta.co.uk

 
The best of last week's

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


 
Ever Given container ship leaves the Suez Canal 106 days late

The Ever Given container ship which ran aground and blocked the Suez Canal for six days in March this year has this week been allowed to continue on its journey after a financial settlement agreement...


The Ever Given container ship which ran aground and blocked the Suez Canal for six days in March this year has this week allowed to continue on its journey after a financial settlement agreement.

 

The ship is loaded with about 18,300 containers, some of which have products destined for LOFA members in the UK, has just reached the Port of Said where it will undergo a dive inspection of its hull before sailing to its next port to discharge its cargo.

 

No details of the financial settlement between the ships owners and the Suez Canal Authority have been revealed. The initial amount asked for by the SCA was $900 million for the salvage operation.

 

The incident caused a delay of at least 106 days for the containers on board and held up more than 180 other ships while the Canal was blocked.

 
First week of July 24% up on 9-year average

Garden centre sales volumes, as measured in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data, nearly got back to parity with last year for the first week if July, missing by only 2%...


 

Garden centre sales volumes, as measured in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data, nearly got back to parity with last year for the first week if July, missing by only 2%.

 

Compared to the average for the same week every year from 2011 to 2019 sales were 24% up, keeping up with our suggestion there is at least a quarter more gardening going on this summer.

 

Now, with the Met Office long range forecast saying “there is a greater chance of warmer and drier than average conditions overall” next week, and then for the rest of July and August “there is a chance of conditions being warmer and drier than average overall” we could be in for a bumper summer as people make the most of their outdoor spaces.

 

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2020: week 27.

  • Garden Products Top 50 – down 22%
  • Growing Media Top 50 – down 16%
  • Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 64%
  • Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 14%

 

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2020: week 27.

  • All Plants with Barcode index – down 2%
  • All Items with Barcode index – down 2%

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.

 
New Products, Glee Style

It’s time to get planning ahead for what many will be the first port of call at Glee 2021 in September; the Glee New Product Showcase and Awards, in association with GTN...


The Glee New Product Awards, in association with Garden Trade News, is one of Glee’s most inspirational features and is sure to be the place for buyers to source the most unique and sought-after products during Glee 2021. The showcase features the latest and greatest products on the market, offering visitors a chance to see all the newest products all in one place.

 

Exhibitors who display their products also get entered into The Glee New Product Awards. The winners are decided by a panel of expert judges who award the best products in their categories based on innovation, saleability and aesthetics. The Top 3 products in each category will also have the chance to make a live pitch to the judges and the Glee audience as part of the judging process.

 

New Product Awards Glee 2021

  1. Plants, Seeds and Bulbs
  2. Growing Materials (growing media, plant feeds, pest & weed control)
  3. Growing Accessories (cloches, seed trays, hanging baskets plant supports garden gloves, garden kneelers, gardening clothing, etc)
  4. Garden Growing Containers (All pots, planters, indoor & outdoor)
  5. Garden Decoration (Garden ornaments, statuary, garden lighting, wall art etc)
  6. Garden Tools & Machinery (Hand and powered garden tools)
  7. Landscaping & Garden Buildings (Paving, pergolas, garden rooms, sheds & greenhouses)
  8. Garden Leisure & Entertaining (BBQ's, garden furniture & accessories etc)
  9. Wild Bird Care and Wildlife Products (Wild bird feeds, feeders, wildlife products etc)
  10. Homewares, Giftware, Toys & Games, and Clothing
  11. Pet Food
  12. Pet Health & Beauty
  13. Pet Accessories
  14. Retail Services & Experiences (Physical & digital)

Plus:

  • Best of British
  • Eco-Initiative
  • Overall Best New Product

With over 300 new products expected to be entered and displayed in the Glee New product Showcase, exhibitors need to make sure they have made their entries via the Glee Exhibitor Zone. Due to “Safe and Secure” guidelines there won’t be a facility to make entries at Glee this year so entries must be made on-line well before the show.

 

We look forward to seeing you at the Glee New products Showcase and hope you’ll be able to join us for the announcement of the Glee New Product Award winners on Wednesday evening, 15th September 2021.

 
Blue Diamond trials Dansand NO GROW, the joint filling sand with natural weed inhibitors

Leading branches take stock and promote Dansand NO GROW to customers who can now enjoy weed free patios, driveways and paths...


 

Leading branches take stock and promote Dansand NO GROW to customers who can now enjoy weed free patios, driveways and paths.

 

Infused with minerals to create desert like conditions, Dansand naturally inhibits weeds. Its simple to use and effective at preventing weed growth for up to 10 years, allowing paved areas to stay attractive for longer.

 

Nick Gregory, Landscape Manager, Newbridge Garden Centre is confident Dansand NO GROW will appeal to his customers and adds, “we’re often asked for this kind of product, so it makes sense to give it a try.  I’m happy to promote it alongside the pavers, fancy aggregates and outdoor patio furniture.”

 

Dansand NO GROW is supplied on pallets of 49 bags with free point of sale and product leaflets.  Staff product training is also provided and there are no stock issues, so delivery will be prompt.

 

Application instructions can be found here: www.dansand.co.uk

 

Please contact your local agent mark.watson@active-products.co.uk or call the national sales enquiry line on 01371 872 842.  Further products, see dansand.co.uk

 
GIMA judging complete – find out who wins on Nov 11

Hot on the heels of its Charity Golf Day, the GIMA team was out and about again, this time onsite at Warwick Racecourse to oversee the (socially distanced!) 2021 GIMA Awards judging...


 

Hot on the heels of its Charity Golf Day, the GIMA team was out and about again, this time onsite at Warwick Racecourse to oversee the (socially distanced!) 2021 GIMA Awards judging.

 

With almost 250 products entered, the judges had their work cut out for themselves, with winners having to wait a little longer to find out who has scooped this year’s highly contested awards with the annual celebratory dinner taking place on November 11th at the five-star Celtic Manor Resort.

 

Selecting products from across 10 product and three marketing categories, plus the newly introduced sustainability award, were a panel of eager judges. Each bringing something different to proceedings, the judging was a vibrant affair that considered the merits of each product in a number of different ways including commercial appeal, innovation, uniqueness, design and build.

 

This year’s judging panel was made up of Alexa Blackmore The Gardens Group; Andy Bunker, Alton Garden Centre; Matthew Bent, Bents Garden & Home; Trevor Pfeiffer, Garden Trade News; Victoria Redshaw, Scarlet Opus; Phillippa Stubbs, British Garden Centres; andStuart Whalley, Rosebourne.

 

The two additional Special Achievement awards – the Export Achievement, and Supplier of the Year – have been judged by Gardenex and the GCA respectively.

 

GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “A huge thank you to all the judges for helping to maintain the integrity of the event despite current pressures. The input and enthusiasm for the judging process made for a truly enjoyable day, and we now have an incredible list of winners that we cannot wait to unveil in November.

 

“To those that entered, a huge thank you also. It was heartening to see so many new products being launched since 2019 when we last celebrated together. The fact that so many suppliers have faced adversity and have seen it as an opportunity to innovate, stands to show the resilience and brilliance of the garden retail sector.”

 

This year, the GIMA Awards will be sponsored by a wealth of fantastic industry brands, including Glee which returns, once again, as headline sponsor, as well as the HTA, GCA, Gardenex, Decco, Ebay, Evergreen Garden Care, Hozelock, SBM, Primeur, CJ Wildlife, Garden Trade News, Gardenforum, Garden Radio, Garden Centre Retail, Garden Centre Update, Horticulture Week, DIY Week, CM Ventures and Hornby Whitefoot PR.  Additional sponsorship opportunities are also available - please contact GIMA to find out more.

 

Book now to avoid disappointment

Available spaces for the 2021 GIMA Awards are now limited so interested parties are urged to book their place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Booking your place can be done via www.gima.org.uk/gima-awards. Prices for GIMA members: £319 + VAT per person, or £2,999 + VAT for a table of 10, whilst non-member costs are: Non-Members:   £389 + VAT per person, or £3,699 + VAT for a table of 10 (all costs include dinner and accommodation).

 

For further information please contact the GIMA team on (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk

 
Barton Grange Christmas 2020 - Exclusive GTN Xtra Photo Tour

In advance of the launch of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, GTN's Northern Correspondent, Steve Myatt, paid a visit to Barton Grange to bring you this first GTN Xtra Christmas photo tour.


In advance of the launch of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020, GTN's Northern Correspondent, Steve Myatt, paid a visit to Barton Grange to bring you this first GTN Xtra Christmas photo tour.

 

To add your garden centre Christmas photo tour to GTN Xtra simply get snapping and enter The Greatest Christmas Awards.  See the categories here.  Send an e-mail to trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk for more details

 

 
Perrywood at Christmas 2020 - with correct photo gallery now...
Sneak preview of Perrywoods Greatest Christmas Awards entry
See Perrywoods Christmas Awards Entry Photo Tour here

 

Here's a sneak preview of Perrywoods photo tour entry in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards for 2020, including the vital ingredient for all entries, team photos. See the gallery of photos below.  Apologies for the wrong photos being included in yesterdays edition.

 

There's over £7,000 worth of prizes to be won in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards so get snapping and enter today.  Full details can be found here.

 

 
Squires Badshot Lea - Christmas 2020
Sneak preview of Squires Badshot Lea Greatest Christmas Awards entry
See Squires Bashot Lea's Christmas Awards entry photo tour here

 

Here's a sneak preview of the photo tour submitted by Squires at Badshot Lea as part of their entry in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020.

 

There's over £7,000 worth of prizes to be won in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards 2020 so get snapping and enter your garden centre team today!

 

Full details are here.

 

 
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 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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

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

 

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

 

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care Bestsellers chart for last 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@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

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

All the latest news from the world of pet products


 
Pet firm's foundation supports dog training to detect COVID-19

The Royal Canin Foundation is helping to fund ground-breaking research by the UK charity Medical Detection Dogs, which could play a vital role in preventing further spread of the pandemic in future...


 

The Royal Canin Foundation is helping to fund ground-breaking research by the UK charity Medical Detection Dogs, which could play a vital role in preventing further spread of the pandemic in future. 

 

The project will train dogs to sniff out COVID-19 in people, even when they display no symptoms. The specially trained dogs could be deployed to any public space to provide rapid, non-invasive screening for COVID-19 of up to 250 people per hour – to supplement ongoing testing. This would be a valuable early warning system for those that may be unaware that they need to self isolate.

 

The Medical Detection Dogs research is just one of five projects from around the world that will receive a share of the US $1 million fund from the newly created Royal Canin Foundation this year. The Royal Canin Foundation has three focus areas: the health and welfare of working dogs, pets in support of medical health and pets in support of human mental health. 

 

Medical Detection Dogs is at the forefront of innovative research into dogs’ ability to detect the smell of human diseases and save lives. The charity is working in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Durham University on the COVID-19 project.

 

Suzy Roffey, Professional National Sales Manager, said: “At Royal Canin, we believe that pets make our lives better and that is why our purpose is to the Make A Better World for Pets. The Royal Canin Foundation is a fantastic program that enables us to live our purpose by providing funds to projects that support the positive role of pets in human health and welfare.

 

"The nomination for Medical Detection Dogs, COVID Research was submitted by Royal Canin Associates and every Associate is given the opportunity to vote for those that they believe should be supported by the Foundation. We were ecstatic that the nomination won the vote and extremely proud of the ongoing work we do in partnership with the organisation.”  

Pet Munchies wins major product awards

Pet treat specialist Pet Munchies is celebrating after picking up two prestigious product awards...


Pet treat specialist Pet Munchies is celebrating after picking up two prestigious product awards.

 

The company received an award for the Best Gourmet Pet Treat Product Range (UK) in the Lux Life Pet Products and Services Awards 2021, and also won Product Innovation of the Year in the PPM Retailer Recommended Awards 2021 for its Wild Salmon Training Treats.

 

Suzanne Rothman, founder and owner of Pet Munchies, said: “We are delighted to win these awards. It’s great to be recognised in this way, and a reward for the team’s hard work in bringing these innovative products to market.” 

 

The Lux Life Pet Products and Services Awards recognise and reward those companies who are innovating in the pet services industry and advocating exceptional care for companion animals. 

 

Commenting on the Pet Munchies range of 100% natural treats, the judges said: “The variety, value and quality of the products is amazing. This phenomenal range will continue to be enhanced as Pet Munchies works to ensure it remains at the forefront of the emerging trends within the ever-evolving pet treat market.”

 

In the PPM Retailer Recommended Awards, the Wild Salmon Training Treats were recognised for their ‘all natural’ qualities as well as being great value for money.

 

The treats do not contain any artificial colours or flavours, are grain and gluten free, and are also a single source fish protein. Wild salmon is known to be one of the few natural food sources of vitamin D, a healthy source of minerals and Omega 3, which contribute towards joint mobility and healthy skin and coat. The soft bite of the treat makes it the perfect training aid.

 

Suzanne added: “It’s an exciting time for Pet Munchies and we have some great plans for the future. We’ll continue to innovate with our product range, and look forward to meeting our customers in person at PATS Telford in September when we’ll be unveiling more new products.”

 

For more information on the natural treat range from Pet Munchies visit www.pet-munchies.com or email hello@pet-munchies.com

 
Small pets at Jimmy’s Farm tuck into free food

Generosity reigns in the heart of Suffolk as Supreme Petfoods, a manufacturer of high-quality healthy food for small pets, is providing free food for some of the smaller creatures at Jimmy’s Farm.


 

Generosity reigns in the heart of Suffolk as Supreme Petfoods, a manufacturer of high-quality healthy food for small pets, is providing free food for some of the smaller creatures at Jimmy’s Farm.

 

A familiar setting from the well-known TV series, Jimmy’s Farm is home to many different species of animals and is situated just outside Ipswich. Supreme Petfoods is local to the same area and is pleased to do a good deed for their neighbour. 

 

Jimmy’s Farm is a popular destination for a family day out, with its wildlife park hosting a whole range of species from crocodiles to traditional farm animals. Supreme Petfoods is providing food for the smaller residents and the generous donation adds up to nearly 500kg of food per year, which would normally come at a recommended retail price of over £2,200. 

 

“We’re delighted to sponsor the small pets at Jimmy’s Farm,” says Claire Hamblion, Supreme Marketing Manager. “Jimmy’s farm provides great care for an amazing array of animals, and we’re pleased to give our specialist diets to help some of these creatures keep healthy and happy.”

 

The dinner queue for Supreme’s free meals contains some unexpected characters. As well as three giant continental rabbits, eight guinea pigs and three ferrets, the offer extends to their more exotic cousins the coati, raccoons, meerkats and skunks.

 

 

“It’s great to cater for these fascinating animals too,” says Claire. “We’ve chosen our ferret diet for them as the nutrients in it will meet their requirements.” 

 

The dietary needs of small creatures can vary quite widely between species, so selecting the right diet for the residents at Jimmy’s Farm is very important. The staff report that all the animals enjoy the food from Supreme, and it suits them well as they have good body condition and shiny coats.

 

Supreme Petfoods is passionate about meeting the special dietary needs of small pets, and the company works with expert vets and nutritionists to produce healthy foods for many different species. With 25 years of experience specialising in small pet diets, the company has developed recipes that taste appealing without any added sugar. All foods are rich in high-quality natural ingredients, and herbivore diets are high in fibre to support their specialised digestive systems and teeth. 

 

With this focus on healthy diets, Supreme is committed to improving small pet health and welfare, and the company is also keen to raise awareness about the needs and care of these animals. As part of this work, the company hopes to work in collaboration with the team at Jimmy’s Farm. 

 

“We’re hoping to help out with some onsite educational events and school trips at Jimmy’s Farm in the future as restrictions ease,” says Claire Hamblion. “Raising awareness about small pet care can make a real difference to pet welfare, and it’ll be great to work with the team at Jimmy’s Farm to spread the word.”

 

As well as their rabbit, guinea pig and ferret diets, Supreme Petfoods manufactures species-specific foods for many other small pets from hamsters to chinchillas. Diets are formulated to provide the ideal nutritional balance while retaining a delicious taste.

 

To find out more about Supreme, visit www.supremepetfoods.com.

James Wellbeloved launches superfood range

Leading brand James Wellbeloved has launched its first superfoods dog range to meet the demand for premium and wholesome petfood.


Leading brand James Wellbeloved has launched its first superfoods dog range to meet the demand for premium and wholesome petfood.

 

Almost a third (30%) of millennials, in particular, see natural benefits as a key element when making pet food purchases, representing an opportunity to recruit younger consumers into the brand.

 

The range has had strong, positive consumer reaction during testing, with the dual shaped kibbles being perceived as healthier by pet owners. The packaging also proved a hit among these shoppers, with clear messaging communicating the natural and premium nature of the product.

 

Arthur Renault, Marketing Portfolio Director at Mars Petcare, comments: “The new superfoods range from James Wellbeloved is the brand’s biggest innovation in 15 years. Offering a premium petcare proposition for both adult dogs and puppies, it supports retailers in encouraging trade up.

 

"Since the pandemic began, consumers have started spending more time with their pets, with 72% of dog owners saying they prefer the company of their dogs to humans, leading to an increased desire to treat their companions to the very best. 

 

“The ingredients in this dry food draw upon the super power of nature, with kale being a natural source of antioxidants, chia seeds containing omega 3, and the quinoa and sweet potato being a source of fibre. The importance of wellbeing among consumers is translating into the choices they are making for their pets, with 75% of pet owners reporting concerns over health, and it is becoming a key driver for purchase.”

 

The James Wellbeloved Superfoods range is rolling out in stores now in 1.5kg and 10kg bags with an RRP of £12.99 and £39.99 respectively.

 

The launch will be supported by in-store and online POS which call out the key benefits of the product and increase awareness of the launch.