Phillipa and Libby Stubbs from British Garden Centres were first timers to The Big Christmas Press Show.
British Garden Centres, Dobbies and a host of toy and gift suppliers joined the Christmas promotional band wagon this week at The Big Christmas Press Show in London.
Navigating a tube strike, journalists and influencers were out in force to find the hottest new products for the festive season from companies including Baylis & Harding, Mattel and Ruggable. BGC and Dobbies were promoting their new Christmas lines and spreading the message that garden centres are the perfect place to find everything for the season.
“The garden centre isn’t just about plants,” said Phillipa Stubbs, Head of British Garden Centres. “It’s a massive part, but we are trying show how much we do at Christmas, the quality and the whole experience that you can build on. From displays, to the fun with children and families, to food in the restaurants, it can be a day out. It’s all one big memory experience.”
Libby Stubbs adds: “We have done a lot with influencers over spring summer which has been good for us. Now we have navigated that, we are looking to expand and work with more home and lifestyle people over Christmas to show that maybe even if customers are not the most green fingered, a garden centre can still be for them.”
BCG kicks off Christmas at its Bridgenorth store on Saturday September 19th, followed a day later by Brigg Garden Centre. All centres will be selling Christmas Dobbies stores will be set up for Christmas at the beginning of October and new lines include a festive plush Highland cow in a selection of sizes.by 11th October.
Dobbies welcomed visitors with foam snow and energetic elves. “This event gives us the opportunity to meet with influences, retail and consumer media to showcase what Dobbies has on offer,” said Amelia Whittaker, PR and Communications Manager.
This year it will focus on bringing Christmas to life in every sense with scent being high on the list. “We also have gifts for everyone on all budgets and gifts for gardeners including the newly launched bulb collection with £5 from every pack going towards our charity partner Alzheimers UK.”
Christmas will be in Dobbies stores from October 2nd with Santa from Nov 23rd.
Tom from Burton McCall with Felco leather gardening gloves which now come with a warm lining.
Zoe Southworth of KAP Toys with Mini Garden Mermaid - new from Creativity for Kids. KAP Toys is keen to get more into garden retailers as it sees it as the perfect line for garden centres customers.
From Ravensburger – the new My Little Plants Play+Pretend Collection has a rrp of £29.99.
The Matcha Advent Calendar from Bird & Blend was a Judges Pick in the events Wishlist Awards.
