Choice Marketing Group, the UK's marketing & buying group of independent garden centres with 36 members, has appointed the Mr Fothergill's Group as a seed supplier in a two-year deal. 

Initial results for the new partnership are encouraging, with Choice reporting seed sales are so far (November 2014) up 25 per cent year-on-year.

All three of its seed brands - Mr Fothergill's, Johnsons and Country Choice - will be stocked by the garden centres, with the Mr Fothergill's Group now supplying at least 60 per cent of all seed stocked, making it the lead seed supplier.  Choice members will also be able to choose from the company's seed-related and added-value gardening products, which form an increasingly important part of its portfolio.

Choice Marketing Group's Michelle de Lavis-Trafford confirmed "We are pleased to be working with Mr Fothergill's, as the company is both a traditional seedsman and has a dedication to innovation, service, quality and sales development."  

David Carey, joint managing director of the Mr Fothergill's Group said "Our team is delighted our brands will be stocked in so many leading garden centres, and we look forward to cementing our new relationship with Choice and working closely with its members."