IBC, the buying group for builders merchants, is inviting garden centres to join.

The grouped, founded in 2009, manages transactions totalling more than £80 million for its 219 members, with a list of suppliers that includes Zest for Leisure, Ronseal, Tarmac, Haemmerlin and Marshalls. Some garden centres already use it.

Membership for retailers is free, but suppliers pay a fee. IBS reps promote the agreed offers to members and suppliers invoice retailers direct.

IBC’s national sales manager Marc Coulson is reported as saying that, with the demise of Solus and Spread, IBC was able to get retailers better terms and direct contact with the suppliers.

The group is understood to want to recruit more core gardening product suppliers.