Family-owned Notcutts Garden Centres have appointed former Hobbs and M&S executive Nicky Dulieu as non-executive chairman. Her first job will be to find a new CEO for the group.

Notcutts has been run by finance director Andrew Staff since July 2013, when Andy King left to join Dobbies as chief executive.

Caroline Notcutt, daughter of the company’s president Charles Notcutt, becomes vice-chairman.

Dulieu says the new CEO will be required to deliver the group’s ambitious development programme. Notcutts last big acquisition was Garden Pride at Ditchling, its 18th store,  towards the end of 2013.

Dulieu joined Notcutts as a non-executive director in October last year. She was chief executive at Hobbs and finance director at M&S Food. She also currently holds non-executive directorships at Adnams (where she was chief executive for almost six years) and communications company Huntsworth.

She declared a “passion for gardening:” and said she was a long-standing Notcutts customer.

Meanwhile, Notcutts have have reported recording breaking Christmas sales, which were 11.8 per cent up on 2013 in the five weeks to 3 January. Revenue was driven by the sales of artificial Christmas trees, which were 20 per cent up, with a £170 ‘Norway Spruce’ as the top seller. There were 61,000 visits to Santa, 6,000 up on the previous year.

Caroline Notcutt said trading over the Christmas period had built on a strong year for the business in which customers had responded well to improvements. “I am excited at the prospect of working with Nicky to further enhance the Notcutts brand and retail proposition,” she added.

The impact of theft on UK retailers has reached its highest level in a decade according to this year’s BRC Retail Crime Survey, released thius week.

The average value of each theft in-store increased by 36 per cent to £241 per incident, helping to push the direct cost of retail crime up to £603m in 2013-14.

The vast majority of respondents also reported suffering increasing levels of fraud, most of which is now committed online. Retailers warned that they expect fraud to pose the single most significant threat to their business over the next two years.

These trends are thought to be, in part, a consequence of retailers being targeted by more organised, sophisticated criminals. The BRC has recommended that dedicated strategies to tackle business crime need to be developed by police around the country, in close partnership with businesses. A fundamental part of this approach is ensuring that data on business crime is properly collected and analysed by police, so that it can be used to inform operational activity.

Helen Dickinson, director general of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Criminal activity against UK retailers continues to have wide-ranging consequences for businesses, employees and the vast majority of honest shoppers. The average cost to retailers of theft has now reached £241 per incident, the highest in a decade. Fraud committed online also continues to rise.

“It is clear that retailers are facing an increasingly sophisticated criminal. Despite an average investment of £2m per business in crime and loss prevention, retailers need help and support to respond to the threat. Police and Crime Commissioners should follow the lead set by the Mayor of London and work with retailers to develop dedicated business crime strategies to help tackle this growing problem.”

Colder weather in January this year has seen volume sales run slightly below last year’s levels, but ahead of January 2013 when there were prolonged periods of snow.

That means sales of winter products are still to happen, particularly of snow shovels and sledges. But there has been a welcome upturn in wild bird care sales in the Epos data supplied by garden centres to GTN Bestsellers.

As centres turn around from Christmas to Spring gardening all we need now is a season similar to last year that encourages people out into their gardens and into centres.  

With plenty of new and innovative products ready for them, gardening season sales should be high when it all gets going. 

Make sure you use Garden Re-Leaf Day to help kick start your season. 

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

• Garden Products – down 29%
• Veg-2-Gro Products – down 28%
• Growing Media – down 6%
• All items index – down 5%

Tim Clapp, Wyevale Garden Centres ex-head of horticulture and now lead buyer at B&Q, has advised growers to “be honest, innovate and share problems early” when negotiating with retailers.

“Never say ‘I’ll grow whatever you want’,” he told delegates at the HTA’s Contact 2015 conference at JCB’s headquarters in Uttoxeter. He said suppliers should be persistent, give good notice of critical decisions and to think of solutions. He also warned them to never call on a Monday, a buyer’s busiest day.

Before approaching a retailer, he said, growers should aim to know their market – its size, channels and competitors – and to learn about the customer’s demographics and segmentation, as well as understand the buyers’ key metrics.

A panel discussion involving Tim Clapp, Marcus Cousins (Aylett Nurseries), Charles Carr (Lowaters) and Adam Dunnett (Wyevale Nurseries) covered a range of topics across the supply chain. They included the importance of working together to come up with solutions, building relationships, being open and remaining flexible. They spoke about scope for more vertical communication in the production chain with young plant suppliers, as in the US and other parts of Europe.

The event finished with a compelling motivational talk by former Royal Marine, broadcaster and ocean adventurer Monty Halls on the extraordinary things people and teams will do when pressure is applied, highlighting the importance of a team ethic and the need to work together.

Closing the day, Wayne Eady, MD of Delamore Young Plants and conference steering group chair, spoke of the urgent need to do more to promote horticultural careers. Funding from the HTA and HDC (Horticultural Development Company) for the development of people was a possible way forward, he suggested.

Post-Christmas orchid feed product sales are the big story of this week’s GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart. Nine items feature in the Top 50 with Vitax Orchid Drip Feeders taking the No 1 spot for the first time.

Other top performers include:

• Growth Technology Orchid Myst 300ml is the highest re-entry at No 21.
• Fito have four drip feeder lines in the Top 50, including Bonsai and Poinsettia mixes.
• Bayer’s top selling houseplant line is the perennial Baby Bio Original at No 7.

The latest phase in the Bents journey has been completed and the Centre has announced the opening of six new retail departments including leading outdoor clothing retailer Trespass and arts and craft specialists C-Craft.

Valued at £5.1m, the 37-week project has culminated in an additional 30,000 sq ft of retail space on the ground floor together with new offices, and future expansion space for retail at first floor level.

The work has also included the construction of a major new roundabout, providing the Warrington based garden and home centre with a prominent entrance to its extended car park, 40 community allotments and a new community play area.

It forms part of Bents’ vision to become the ultimate garden, home and leisure destination in the North West, by providing customers with more choice in a bigger and better store.

The new departments include:

• 9,000 sq ft Food Hall *:  From fresh, daily produce to a butchers, bakers, continental deli counters and wine shop where trained wine specialists can help source the perfect bottle for any occasion

• 3,000 sq ft Cook Shop:  featuring everything needed to equip the modern kitchen, from must have utensils to stylish accessories and clever gadgets

• 4,000 sq ft Children’s Boutique:  Beautiful clothing and brilliant toys in a new interactive children’s area, which will host regular classes and workshops for parents and their little ones.

• 4,400 sq ft Nevisport|Trespass:  Leading outdoor clothing specialists providing everything needed to enjoy the outdoors; affordable, practical performance for all levels

• 4,400 sq ft C-Crafts:  offering over 15,000 products for just about every craft you can imagine.  C-Crafts stocks leading brands with everything required to create something special.

COMING SOON

• 5,000 sq ft The Pet Place: deli, shop, spa café.  Everything needed to take care of pets with a groom room and pet café where pets can choose from their own delicious menu and dine with their owners.

Matthew Bent, Managing Director at Bents Home and Garden said: “We’ve come a long way since the Bents’ business was established by my grandparents nearly 75 years ago and the journey so far has been hugely enjoyable.  Despite growing in size we want to retain all the great things we already do, keeping the feeling and ambiance we have worked hard to create, but in a bigger store.

“Whilst never forgetting our gardening heritage we’ve worked hard to create a destination that is no longer just focussed on the garden but also encompasses home, lifestyle, leisure and a day out.  We feel our new retail departments help us achieve just that.”

Bents has also opened an additional dining area, bringing the total number of dining options at the Centre to five:  The Fresh Approach Restaurant, Café Lago, Fresh Express, Pet Café and the new Caffe nel Verde which occupies the space left vacant by the former Food Hall.

www.bents.co.uk

After eight months of hard graft, the five finalists in the Garden Centre Association’s Rising Stars programme, sponsored by Westland, are preparing to face their ultimate challenge.

They will take the stage at the GCA’s annual conference in Chester on Monday, to face a discerning audience of garden industry delegates – who will then choose an overall winner.

The five finalists are: Hannah Mason (Chessington), Kirsty Clark (Perrywood GC), Matthew Fay (Stewarts Garden-Lands, Christchurch), Cerys Williams (Perrywood) and Lisa Waim (Haskins Snowhill) .

They will present at the GCA Conference in Chester on Monday 26 January – the finale of an eight month programme in which 28 young candidates attended three merchandising Masterclasses run by IBBIS director and training facilitator Ian Boardman. Thanks to Ian’s efforts, many of the Rising Stars, even those who did not make the final cut, went on to increase sales in their departments by keeping hotspots fresh, creating clear signage and organising themed displays throughout the year.

Ian Boardman said: “All the Rising Stars who took part in the programme were top notch and I’d like to thank every single one of them for their efforts and praise them for the progress they have made. The results of their achievements in their workplace prove they are all stars in their own right!”

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland Horticulture said: “On behalf of Westland I’d like to congratulate the Rising Stars finalists for getting this far. We now face a very exciting GCA conference final where delegates will get the chance to vote for the winner – Rising Star of the Year 2014.”

GCA chief executive Iain Wylie said: “The five finalists have some really exciting presentations prepared for delegates. It is always the highlight of the GCA conference and this year will definitely not disappoint.”

The winner will be announced at the GCA Annual Dinner on Tuesday 27th Janaury.  You'll see the results in a special GTN Xtra LIVE from the Conference on Wednesday morning.

Read the stories of all five finalists by clicking on the ‘associated articles’ links below.



2014 joint winners George Bishop and Will Michieli presenting to last year's conference.

Briers made an instant impact in the GTN Bestsellers chart in the new year, with four of its most recently launched products appearing in the Top 50 for the past two weeks.

GTN collects and analyses garden centre EPOS data every week to produce the industry’s most reliable guide to topical volume sales.

Briers made the chart with the following quartet, all launched at Glee 2014:

Bamboo Gloves Purple – bamboo linings with a textured coat for grip. In on-trend purple. SRP  £3.99

Jersey Mini Grip Gloves Lavender and Jersey Mini Grip Gloves Pink – fluffy on the inside for comfort, grippy on the outside palm for functionality, with a knitted cuff  to keep dirt out. SRP £2.59

Secateurs and Glove Set –All Seasons glove and co-ordinating secateurs. SRP £5.00

Briers MD Jackie Eades said it confirmed that their trend predictions were “spot on”. The company used the latest research to rebrand its point of sale materials and in-store presentation to create a dynamic new look.

The horticultural charity Perennial has confirmed the first details of its Hort Aid fundraising activity for 2015. They include a mud run, a Three Peaks challenge, a 10k Run and the second Go Green for Hort Aid campaign.

Grubby Gardeners’ Dirty Dozen (18 April 2015) The team of intrepid fundraisers, formed in 2014 via Twitter, first tackled the Dirty Dozen Mud Run in 2014 before going on to celebrate World Naked Gardening Day in style at The Roof Gardens, Kensington, and posing for the first ever Naked Gardeners Calendar. They went on to raise around £15,000. This year’s mud run  will cover a gruelling 12K course with 20 military style obstacles. To get involved email: michael_john_perry@hotmail.com  

Three Peaks Challenge (22-23 May 2015) A team of horticulturists from Integritas Landscapes will tackle the three highest peaks in the UK (Ben Nevis, Scaffell Pike and Snowdon), attempting to climb all three in under 24 hours. The team have set themselves a fundraising target of £10,000

The British 10K London (12 July 2015) Perennial has 12 runner places to join 25,000 who take part in this event. Taking in some on London’s iconic landmarks, the course is a popular one with plenty of support on race day. Each of Perennial’s runners will pledge to raise at least £200 for the charity, with an overall target of £5,000 for the team. To get involved email Paula Sargeant: psargeant@perennial.org.uk  

Go Green for HortAid (1–14 September 2015) Perennial’s inaugural Go Green campaign raised more than £10,500 in 2014. Highlights included: Tony Arnold, head gardener at Newnham College, Cambridge and Chair of the Professional Gardeners’ Guild, who donned green lipstick, nail varnish and stockings for a day to raise £1,500. The charity hopes to encourage even more to take part this year. “Whether you cycle to work for a week, bake a batch of green cakes to sell at work or enter a more grueling race or challenge, we will support your fundraising efforts on social media and with PR,” they say.

Perennial is the only UK charity committed to helping professional horticulturists in need.

Deco-Pak make their second appearance at Spring Fair next month with an extended Garden Bazaar range of birdhouses and feeders and a number of show-only promotions and competition opportunities.

Visitors to the stand (Hall 6, P09) will see a showcase of the full gift collection, with the heart of the display given over to latest Garden Bazaar designs. New for the 2015 season are the Kensington Birdhouse and Bayside Beach Huts (pictured).

The company will also use the event to promote National Nestbox Week (14-21 February) and the opportunities it provides retailers and consumers. With natural nest sites for birds on the decline as gardens are 'tidied' and old houses are repaired, there has never been more of a need to provide birds with additional shelter and breeding sites.

Customers will get a chance to win the Kensington birdhouse, as well as a bespoke silver birch retail display - and throughout the exhibition minimum carriage paid orders will be reduced to £100 to encourage retailers to start stocking Deco-Pak.

Horticultural celebrities from TV and radio are busy recording questions for the 2015 Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day Quiz at the moment, and garden centres who sign up to take part in what is set to be the biggest and best quiz yet can take advantage of the ‘early bird’ entry fee of just £50 - if they sign up before 1st January 2015.

Popular stars of TV and radio Christine Walkden and Chris Beardshaw are currently recording questions for the quiz, along with their BBC Radio 4’s Gardener’s Question Time colleague Eric Robson and BBC weatherman Peter Gibbs. Other well-known gardening experts such as Anne Swithinbank, Bob Flowerdew, Pippa Greenwood, Bunny Guinness, Matthew Biggs and Matthew Wilson (Greenfingers Chairman) are also contributing to the esteemed quiz.

All monies raised from the quiz, with questions this year written by Andy Bunker of Altons Garden Centre and produced in the studios of Garden Radio, will once again go to the Greenfingers ‘Rosy Cheeks’ campaign. The campaign aims to provide much needed gardens for children who spend time in hospices around the UK, along with their families, by creating inspiring gardens and outdoor spaces for them to relax in and enjoy.

The 2015 Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day Quiz is available to all garden centres, gardening societies and other organisations and is the perfect way to participate in the fourth, annual Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day, which takes place on 27th March 2015.

For the £50 early bird rate (£100 after 1st January 2015) participants will receive a pack containing all they need to host the quiz – it includes a special CD or Mp3 download of pre-recorded questions (and answers) to play to the audience, everything needed for the picture round, and a bonus pack of fundraising ideas, hints and tips.

Bosworth’s Garden Centre in Burton Latimer were one of the many garden centres that received great interest in last year’s Garden Re-Leaf Day Quiz. Marketing Co-ordinator, Jonathan Biggs, said: “The quiz was so easy to run, our teams were delighted to hear celebrities’ voices asking the questions, and the ‘heads and tails’ game was great fun.”

Garden centres wanting to take part should register on the Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day website, and can also take advantage of free publicity for their events, by filling in the simple form online at www.gardenreleaf.co.uk/register-an-event. Once registered, each individual event appears on the site’s ‘events’ section, and is searchable by area to help the public find their local participating garden centre.

The quiz is just one of many ways to raise funds for Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day. Other retailer participation ideas include in-store sponsored cycle rides, as well as fun family day activities such as making cress heads and sowing Sunflowers – the Home Garden Association’s plant of the year for 2015. Suppliers can also get involved with the Loose Change promotion.

To ensure maximum exposure for your event, make sure to register soon via www.gardenreleaf.co.uk/register-an-event. To order your 2015 Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day quiz pack, explore other opportunities for supporting the 2015 event as a supplier, or participate as a retailer, email info@gardenreleaf.co.uk.

It was another year of momentous change for the garden centre industry - and, predictably, it was the troubles of the former Solus business and the latest re-shaping of the Wyevale Garden Centres group that topped the list of GTN Xtra's best-read stories.

Through the year, we posted more stories than ever before  – more than 3,000 – to keep readers informed, and on a number of occasions, we were first with the news.

We're pleased to say that GTN Xtra continues to grow in popularity, with around 80% of the email database now opening stories published in the weekly e-newsletter. Many of you tell us you now rely on GTN Xtra as your main source of up-to-the-miniute industry information and especially appreciate our 'breaking news' mailings.

Using the data we collect weekly, we can once again publish the Top 100 Most-Read Stories of 2014 (see below). If you've missed any of these stories just click on those of interest (one at a time) to see them in full or search the GTN Xtra Archive using the link at the top of the page.

1          Solus Garden & Leisure goes into administration

2          Scotts Miracle-Gro purchase Solus brands

3          Solus 'close to a deal' with new investors - updated

4          Redundancies, resignations and new appointments...it has been a dramatic week at Wyevale

5          Comment on the Solus-Scotts situation from leading garden centre owners and buying groups

6          Dismay as The Garden Centre Group stores shut at 5pm

7          Scotts & Solus partnership off

8          Scotts and Solus in negotiations to join forces

9          Solus reviews options following Scotts deal breakdown

10        Administrators make 91 redundant at Solus to stem losses

11        “Thursday was very painful for the family and the staff." Ross Yealland

12        Solus answers key questions

13        New centralised retail operations structure for The Garden Centre Group

14        Solus 'regret' that negotiations break down

15        CEO and sales director set to leave Scotts Solus Brands

16        Crest Garden reveal sales team of '12 knowledgeable, well known and respected agents'

17        Tim Clapp is leaving Wyevale

18        Senior buyers and garden centre staff 'set to leave The Garden Centre Group'

19        Wyevale's expansion could result in a stronger independent trade, says leading garden centre boss

20        The Garden Centre Group adds more High Street talent

21        Wyevale Garden Centres acquires four Golden Acres Group stores to take its number to 148

22        What next for Wyevale Garden Centres?

23        Solus: too much change, too soon?

24        Blue Diamond set to buy 16th centre

25        Westland Rising Stars shine during final masterclass

26        We'll speak to key suppliers next week say Solus administrators

27        Garden centres concerned over supplies after Scotts-Solus split

28        Anxious times for suppliers and retailers waiting for more news of Scotts-Solus deal

29        Scotts-Solus brands aim to restore confidence in service levels

30        The Garden Centre Group to rebrand as Wyevale Garden Centres

31        Boyd adds 6 centres to Hillview

32        More Solus jobs to go as Edinburgh depot closure is announced

33        Redundancy fears as TGCG undertake staffing review at Garden & Leisure centres

34        Are The Garden Centre Group about to change their name?

35        Wyevale's Christmas displays unveiled – first pictures!

36        Dobbies U-turn over bid to charge charities £400

37        Solus administrators admit to being "hopeful of completing a sale"

38        Wyevale Garden Centres acquires Raglan Garden Centre

39        Nick Davies unveils his new business...Crest Garden Ltd 

40        Solus would be sorely missed, says Westland boss

41        Big changes imminent at Garden & Leisure as TGCG carries out major restructure of the business

42        "We’ll be at £200 million in 10 years" - Alan Roper, Blue Diamond

43        Sale of Solus Garden & Leisure edges closer

44        Jury dramatically discharged in Thomas Hayes trial for a second time

45        Trelawney makes it sweet 16 for Blue Diamond…and 17th is on the way

46        Solus merger talks 'making good progress'

47        Wyevale Garden Centres acquires Moreton Park Garden Centre

48        Choice group drops Chapelwood birdcare brand 

49        Gardman save the day as garden centre is let down on Chapelwood delivery

50        Timing wrong for merger with Solus implies Gardman CEO

51        Terra Firma to stay as owners of Wyevale Garden Centres...for the time being

52        Bayer Garden ensures security of supply

53        Stagecraft founder Tom Davis dies aged 66 

54        Gardman exploring sale options

55        Wyevale Garden Centres appoint new Head of Garden 

56        David's is No.5 for Home & Garden group 

57        Van Hage Peterborough soon to have supermarket neighbour

58        Wyevale Garden Centres acquires Podington Garden Centre

59        Scotts Solus Brands shows off linked sales opportunities

60        Garden centre boss resigns after being jailed for 18 months

61        Announcement on sale of Solus due next week

62        Tesco trial Dobbies offering at 10 stores

63        Growing trend for centres to de-stock outdoor plants in winter 

64        Choice stick with Solus but plan a back-up

65        Smart Solar reorganises sales team to manage sharp increase in sales

66        Chessington's Rising Star is full of confidence

67        Scotts head off fears over Solus deliveries

68        Blue Diamond offer 'confidential talks' in quest for growth

69        Scotts create "the biggest sales force in UK gardening" 

70        Gateacre Garden Centre in Liverpool closing down as owners concentrate on award-winning Burleydam

71        Terra Firma intends to add to TGCG's growing number of garden centres, reveals chairman

72        Solus brands: give us time, urges Scotts MD

73        Undercover intern shakes up garden centre for TV show

74        Littleheath makes it 9 for Hillview

75        Decco and Glee look to be the initial winners following the Solus Scotts breakup

76        Van Hage work with Waitrose on re-development plan for Great Amwell

77        Suppliers taking the strain

78        Autumn promo gets Crest Garden off to flying start

79        “Focussed, adrenalin pumping,” that’s Stewarts Rising Star

80        Carol Paris enters into the festive spirit dressed as Santa

81        TGCG announces new Non-Executive Board Director

82        Haskins Garden Centre chain eyes national expansion

83        More reaction to the destocking-in-winter debate

84        The Garden Centre Group acquires Brooks in Bude to bring its number of stores to 140

85        Trial of Thomas Hayes to resume with new jury

86        William Sinclair issue trading statement announcing disappointing sales

87        Revenues at The Garden Centre Group increase by £17m

88        Bradley Garden Centre to close with loss of 18 jobs 

89        Trelawney deals make it sweet 16 for Blue Diamond…and 142 for Wyevale?

90        Kaemingk win The Greatest Christmas Supplier Award

91        QD group buy 10th garden centre

92        Oakham is new group's fourth site - and target is 10

93        Wyevale Garden Centres acquires Trelawney Ashford Garden Centre

94        Choice switches to Gardman for core gardening products as well as wild bird care

95        The Garden Centre Group poaches director from Gap Inc

96        Rebranding is a possibility for The Garden Centre Group, admits marketing director

97        Proposed new garden centre would create 300 jobs

98        Will the supply chain pull through? We speak to leading distributors

99        Statement on supply issues likely from Solus on Monday

100      Scotts Miracle-Gro purchase Solus brands

Analysis from Newsweaver compiled by Trevor Pfeiffer, managing director, The Garden Communication & Media Company Ltd

Charlecote Garden Store, part of Hillview Garden Centres, is looking for a Deputy Manager.

Serving the gardening communities of Stratford Upon Avon / Warwick the store has a great reputation for horticultural excellence.

Plant sales are a major part of the business therefore a Plant Department Manager looking for the next step in their career‎ would be an ideal candidate. 

Hillview Garden Centres has grown rapidly and now operates 9 centres across the Midlands. With further plans to grow through ‎acquisition and store development this is an exciting time to join the company. 

Please send your cv and introductory letter to boyd.ddavies@hillview-group.com

www.gardenstoreonline.co.uk

Assistant Garden Centre Manager - full time, including alternate weekends.

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

Washington, West Sussex is situated within the Sussex Downs surrounded by small local villages attracting a wide variety of customers. We have a strong team of staff that all have a level of interest in gardening. This GCA garden centre was refurbished in 2011 and features a large Pets & Aquatics section and a Pottery department.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dynamic family-owned company, which has seen significant growth in recent years.

We are looking for an experienced Assistant Manager to support and deputise for the Garden Centre Manager at our Washington Garden Centre.

Previous managerial experience of working in a Garden Centre retail environment is essential, along with horticultural experience/knowledge. The ideal candidate will have a passion for retail and thrive in a fast paced environment.

You will have the ability to lead and inspire your team to deliver the best possible shopping experience for your customers. You will have a ‘can do’ attitude and will be able to make things happen.

Free Parking on Site

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

I am currently looking for an experienced garden retail management candidate to join the senior leadership team of a large garden centre. 
  
You will be required to lead a team of section managers ensuring excellent customer service and standards at all times enabling the business to grow and meet objectives.

Garden retail experience is preferred but general retail experience may suffice if at a high level.
  
A working knowledge of health & safety legislation is also required.

To discuss further, please call Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530 quoting reference #7012

• Are you a talented, experienced, business-focused account manager?
• Do you have a proven track record in developing long-term, profitable relationships with customers?
• Are you a strong team player - someone who can bring fresh ideas, excellent communication skills and plenty of energy to an already dynamic sales team?
• Are you hungry to take your career to the next level within a fast-growing family-owned business?

STV, the UK's leading supplier of pest control products to garden and hardware stores, is looking to recruit an experienced Key Accounts Manager with an impressive contacts book and extensive knowledge of the UK homes and gardens sector.

This office based role is exciting and varied. You will be expected to:

• manage and develop selected national accounts in line with STV’s overall business plan
• build on STV's existing category-leading position
• work with senior managers and STV's commercial team to contribute to the overall sales, marketing and NPD strategies
• provide accurate but challenging revenue, volume and profit forecasts – and achieve them

Think you can do that? Then we’d love to hear from you. Send your CV and covering letter to marketing@stvpestcontrol.com. A full job description is available on request.

         

www.stvpestcontrol.com 

I am currently looking for a talented site manager who is looking for a challenge. 

The role will be managing a large site in the midlands. 

This role is highly confidential at the moment and more details will be provided upon receipt of application.

For a confidential discussion, please call Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530 quoting reference #7000

Plant Area Assistant (full time, incl alternate weekends) – Hersham

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

Hersham won GCA’s ‘Best Garden Centre’ in the South Thames Area 2013 has a fully opening plant canopy. The modern technology keeps the plants, trees and shrubs in excellent condition and protects customers from the weather.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated individual who is quick and willing to learn and who sees customer service as their main priority.  Candidates must have relevant experience and/or a horticultural qualification.

The role will involve bending and lifting some heavy items therefore applicants must be physically fit.

Free Parking on Site

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

Woking Plant Area Department Head - full time, including alternate weekends.

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

Situated near Horsell Common, on the outskirts of Woking, this currently smaller centre, rebuilt in 1995, has high standards and a friendly atmosphere.  Planning permission was recently granted for a significant extension.

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

You must have experience and/or horticultural qualifications and garden centre/retail experience.  You will be able to manage your department to achieve sales and profit targets whilst motivating your team to maximise all sales opportunities and inspiring them to offer the highest standards of customer service.

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

Free Parking on Site

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

West Horsley Bedding Supervisor - full time, including alternate weekends.

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

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

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

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

You will have extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and a horticultural qualification.  A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment are essential.  You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays.

Free Parking on Site

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

I am currently seeking a bright plant area retailer to join the team at a large award winning independent. 

I am seeking candidates with previous plant retail experience who can join a challenging environment. 

Horticultural qualifications are preferred but experience in a garden centre will also be of interest. 

Candidates must be excellent at customer service and will be keen to take on a role where excellence is expected.

To discuss further, please call Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530 quoting reference #6881

Stanmore Plant Area Department Head - full time, including alternate weekends.

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

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

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

You must have experience and/or horticultural qualifications and garden centre/retail experience.  You will be able to manage your department to achieve sales and profit targets whilst motivating your team to maximise all sales opportunities and inspiring them to offer the highest standards of customer service.

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

Free Parking on Site

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

My client is a large independent garden centre with an excellent reputation in the industry.

They are currently looking for a talented horticulturist with good retail experience to join their team.

You will be responsible for leading a team in the shrub area of the plantarea, and will be responsible for maintaining quality of both the customer service and the plants.

The planteria team must have excellent plant knowledge and would be able to potentially cover other areas outside of shrubs.

For a confidential discussion, please call Brad Peck at MorePeople on 01780 480530 quoting reference #6291

Savvy pet department managers should be taking full advantage of the ‘noise’ surrounding this week-end’s Big Garden Bird Watch.

No, that's not about watching BIG garden birds – it’s the RSPB’s annual ‘audit’ of the UK’s garden bird population, in which the public are the ‘auditors’.

Homeowners and bird lovers across the country are called upon to spend one hour over the weekend (24-25 January) and record the different species of birds that visit their gardens.

The RSPB have been asking the public to register for this year’s Watch and report back with the approximate number and variety of birds they see. There are events across the country run by RSPB members, including quizzes, family outings etc, creating plenty of opportunities for garden centres to promote bird feeding.

The RSPB have been collating numbers and monitoring trends since 1979 to help better understand which birds are on the decline and how we can help to prevent the fall. Since then, over 7 million have been counted. Yoo could flag up the top 10 most common garden birds spotted in 2014 on a chalk board this week-end as a reminder – and, of course, point out which feeds on your shelves attract which species.

1.         House sparrow

2.         Blue tit

3.         Starling

4.         Blackbird

5.         Woodpigeon

6.         Chaffinch

7.         Goldfinch

8.         Great tit

9.         Collared dove

10.       Robin

Although the house sparrow is still at number one, this cheerful chap has remained on the red-list as their numbers were still down by a massive 62% from the first Big Garden Bird Watch. Unfortunately, it’s the kind of decline seen in many of our common birds.

As the RSPB points out, there are lots of things people can do to encourage birds into the garden, particularly at this time of year when food in nature is scarce. Providing plenty of good quality food on bird tables, and hanging fat balls is a sure way of drawing them in. Retaining some “untidy plant” areas over the winter months also encourages insects, another important source of food – a good tip to highlight on your wild bird display.

Onion sets and seed potatoes from Taylors Bulbs are the flavours of the moment in the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart.

With 25 of the Top 50 bestselling lines by volume it’s no surprise that eight Taylors products make up the bulk of the Top 10 with Stutgarter Giant Onion sets just outselling Red Baron again at the top of the chart.

Other strong performers:

• Mr Fothergill’s Beetroot Boltardy seed packs are this week’s highest new entry at No 20.
• Thompson & Morgan Rocket Dragons Tongue and Suttons Climbing French Bean Cobra are venomous new seed entries this week.

Jack’s Magic from Westland looks set to dominate the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart for January again.

Last year it was the No 1 bestselling line all the way through to February as keener gardeners take advantage of early bird offers.  This year it’s at No 1 for the third week running with sales volumes equal to the total of the next 17 lines. 

Other strong performers:

• Ericaceous compost sales have seen a boost this week.
• Scotts Levington Ericaceous Compost 50l jumps nine places with a 70% increase.
• Westland’s 25l Gro-Sure Ericaceous Compost packs are the highest entry at No 36.

Sinclair’s fortunes took a turn for the better in the full year to 30 Setpember 2014, with a pretax profit of £1.95m following the previous year’s £1.67m loss. Turnover was down fractionally from £46.5m to £46.2m. The board decided not to pay a dividend.

CEO Peter Rush said the company had “changed significantly” during the year and could begin to look forward to benefiting from the strengths and opportunities created.

"The substantial part of the £25 million investment at Ellesmere Port is complete and we now consider William Sinclair to be the most technically advanced manufacturer in the UK in terms of production capacity, consistency and efficiency,” he said.  “Ellesmere Port will drive our strategy of seeking to increase our share of the growing media market and capitalising on some of our leading brands."

"Solid foundations have now been built. Further investment and activity will be required to complete the modernisation strategy. However, the re-launch and promotion of our key brands have resulted in positive reactions from our customers against a backdrop of competitive market conditions. Together with the restructured sales force the Company intends to rebuild sales lost during the disruption caused by Ellesmere Port's development.

"William Sinclair has changed significantly during the year and we can begin to look forward to benefiting from the strengths and opportunities the Company has created."

A final payment of £12.25m from Natural England following the closure of the Bolton Fell peat bog helped to offset what chairman Rupert King described as disappointing EBITDA results, which showed an operating loss of £0.85m.

“The market has been competitive, we have suffered from some historic quality issues and we have been distracted by the negotiations with Natural England and the time and energy absorbed in relocating various elements of production.  Overall, although gaining business from The Garden Centre Group, we lost business elsewhere,” he said

The group reduced its bank debt to £3.4 million last year (£9.6 million in 2013).

The HTA will be holding Cost Reduction Programme (CRoP) Clinics at the end of February, where HTA members can meet CRoP partners and learn how to reduce costs to their business.

Two free events will take place over two days providing the opportunity for members to network, meet their Regional Business Manager and find out about the savings available to them through their HTA membership.

CRoP partners including 2Circles, Alpha Packaging, B2B Links, Barclaycard, Citation, Ecovision, Garden Radio, HTA Utilities, Paskett PR, SWR and HTA Insurance will present their business offers and will also be available to chat one-to-one with members.

Members are advised to bring bills and statements in order to make the most of this opportunity to save money and reduce their business costs.

A free lunch will be provided by the venue for attendees at the events which take place on:

• Tuesday 24 February, Gardman Showroom, Peterborough
• Wednesday 25 February, William Sinclair, Ellesmere Port

To reserve places members are advised to contact their Regional Business Manager.

Gardman: Andrew Whelan Andrew.whelan@the-hta.org.uk  07850 721429

William Sinclair: Andrew Dunkley Andrew.dunkley@the-hta.org.uk 07540 126463

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra printed newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2012 as well as 2013 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 upto date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

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

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