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.
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:
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
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
Plants, Seeds and Bulbs
Growing Materials (growing media, plant feeds, pest & weed control)
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.
Honeyfield’s Wild Bird offers an ethos that revolves around all things sustainable, biodiverse and wildlife-friendly....
WHY HONEYFIELD’S?
Honeyfield’s Wild Bird offers an ethos that revolves around all things sustainable, biodiverse and wildlife-friendly. Where possible, our wild bird foods comprise cereals and seeds grown on Fair to Nature farms. These farms manage over 10 per cent of their land to support wildlife. For example, by growing seed-bearing crops that sustain farmland species such as linnets, skylarks and buntings, and creating habitats for birds, mammals and invertebrates.
WHY FEED THE BIRDS?
Birds usually forage and hunt in hedges, trees and fields, but food can be hard to come by in the winter months. By offering supplementary meals such as seeds, dried mealworms and suet in your garden, you are providing a valuable energy source that will support your local birds through these leaner times, particularly when there is snow or frost on the ground. Garden feeding stations are also incredibly useful in spring, when adult birds need a dependable larder to sustain their growing chicks.
WHICH FEEDER?
The more diverse the food you supply, the greater the variety of birds that will frequent your patch. Honeyfield’s offers an incredibly broad range of feeders, with everything from sunflower heart feeders that can also hold dried mealworms, to peanut feeders that can also be used for suet (sought after by blue tits, woodpeckers and many others!). From those with a classic stainless steel finish to vibrantly coloured, heavy-duty products, as well as prefilled and easy-clean, easy-fill options.
WHAT FOOD?
At Honeyfield’s, you’re spoiled for choice. We offer six different seed blends as well as sunflower hearts, peanuts, dried mealworms and fatballs. Our brand new Suet Range – comprising six suet-based products in various sizes come as both blocks and pellets – the ideal way to offer a high-energy banquet on your bird table.
The Hozelock Healthy Hobbies Survey revealed that more than half of adults count gardening as a hobby, with 70% spending more time sprucing up their garden during lockdown than ever before...
The Hozelock Healthy Hobbies Survey revealed that more than half of adults count gardening as a hobby, with 70% spending more time sprucing up their garden during lockdown than ever before.
But with lockdown easing and summer holidays back on the cards, consumers are now on the hunt for automatic watering solutions which will allow their gardens to continue to thrive even in their absence.
Automatic watering systems help to reduce or completely remove the daily task of manually walking around the garden to water the lawn or plants individually. For those gardeners planning a summer holiday, whether that’s abroad or in the UK, an automatic watering system will be appealing to help keep plants alive without having to rely on neighbours or family members.
Gardens can continue to flourish this summer with Hozelock’s Select Controller, ideal for those gardeners looking to start enjoying the benefits of automatic watering. The Select Controller is simple to install, straightforward to adjust, and features 16 different pre-set watering programmes which are customisable to suit all gardening needs.
Hozelock’s 25 Pot Watering Kit delivers automatic watering solutions for borders, veg patches, patio pots, hanging baskets and greenhouse plants, providing another opportunity for garden centre retailers to help maximise sales and up-sell products. The kit features a Sensor Plus Controller, which is an electronic water timer and daylight sensor that automatically waters the garden at the best time of day - sunrise and sunset.
Both products feature a ‘water now’ button which allows for immediate watering from 10 minutes up to 60 minutes, whilst turning off automatically after the time is complete, which ensures water is used carefully.
Hozelock’s range of automatic watering systems offer effective watering solutions for any type of garden – helping to reduce water usage without compromising on caring for the garden.
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. It’s 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.
The team at Lakeside Plant Centre in Telford were quick off the mark to join in the England Euro celebrations with a Harry Cane 9 promotion to raise funds for their local hospice...
The team at Lakeside Plant Centre in Telford were quick off the mark to join in the England Euro celebrations with a Harry Cane 9 promotion to raise funds for their local hospice.
Kevin Turley told GTN Xtra yesterday: "What a great result for England last night. On the back of this we have created a fundraiser for our local Hospice. Your very own Harry Cane 9.
"There is so much support with this. Harry Kane Supporting England. Harry Cane supporting plants, and Lakeside are pleased to support Severn Hospice."
And the hospice team have joined in the fund baking tese wonderful England cakes for more fundraising.
Have you created your own fundraising promotion based on England's Euro success? Send us photo and details and we'll add it into GTN Xtra: trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk
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.
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
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.
On the same day as Dobbies opened their third Little Dobbies in Westbourne Grove and Environment Minister Rebecca Pow called into the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, the minister paid a visit to Dobbies Woodcote Green to hear from CEO Graeme Jenkins how they are creating new jobs and getting involved in the Plant for our Planet campaign...
On the same day as Dobbies opened their third Little Dobbies in Westbourne Grove and Environment Minister Rebecca Pow called into the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, the minister paid a visit to Dobbies Woodcote Green to hear from CEO Graeme Jenkins how they are creating new jobs and getting involved in the Plant for our Planet campaign.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “As we build back greener and implement our Plan for Jobs, it is encouraging to see new jobs being created which are helping protect and enhance our environment.
“I am grateful to Dobbies Garden Centre for the work they are doing to boost the local economy, increase access to nature and for their support for our Plant for our Planet campaign. By all working together to plant more flowers and trees we can all help tackle climate change and reverse biodiversity loss.”
"The Plan for Jobs is working and is protecting jobs across the whole country, including in London. In the region, 1,627,700 people have been supported by the furlough scheme and 308,187 loans have been offered to businesses, totalling more than £13.7 billion."
Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies, said: “At Dobbies we recognise our responsibility in raising awareness and promoting more sustainable practices. Our 4,000 team members are our most valuable asset in achieving this and we invest a significant amount each year in training and development.
“As we continue to grow, we expect to create around 1000 new jobs across the UK in the next five years. A number of these will be in little dobbies, our new smaller format stores which we have developed to meet the growing demand to shop local. At the same time, little dobbies supports our aim of attracting new gardeners and making gardening accessible for all.”
James Barnes, Chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association, said: “This jobs announcement by Dobbies shows how our sector is vibrant and committed to expansion. As an industry we will launch our ‘growth strategy’ in September. This will be an exemplar on how government and industry can come together to develop a ‘green economy’. Removing barriers to growth can unleash the full opportunity of the British horticulture and landscaping industry - creating jobs and investment in local communities, helping to tackle climate change and achieving net zero emissions.”
The government’s Plan for Jobs has been running for a year now aimed at helping and protecting livelihoods and supporting millions of people across the whole of the UK.
The garden retailer is opening two new ‘Little Dobbies’ in London which will create new, local jobs and help connect people from urban areas with nature. Nationally, the business is set to create around 1000 jobs over the next five years, including 150 apprenticeships to support young people enter horticulture, hospitality and retail industries.
To help the nation build back greener and step up our efforts to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, we recently launched a campaign to inspire people, businesses and communities across the country to plant more trees and flowers: ‘Plant for our Planet’. The campaign is backed by several green organisations, including Horticultural Trades Association, Royal Horticultural Society, The Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust and National Trust, and last week Dobbies Garden Centres joined the campaign.
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.
Even after all the weeks of high plant sales throughout spring, sales last week were not far short of the levels in 2018 when there was a very late summer...
Even after all the weeks of high plant sales throughout spring, sales last week were not far short of the levels in 2018 when there was a very late summer.
It could be that if we keep stock levels up again this summer we’ll have another long and fruitful plant sales period before autumn planting takes over.
Highlights of the week were:
Osteospermum were the only plant group to increase sales in the GTN Top 10.
Lillium were the highest re-entry at No 17.
Yew hedging, Taxus, saw a boost in sales to re-enter at No 30.
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.
British Garden Centre Group have announced a partnership with local Lincolnshire based travel agency Holiday’s By Design. The travel agency will be opening their second store this July inside one of the UK’s largest garden centres and the flagship centre of the group, Brigg Garden Centre, which is based in North Lincolnshire...
British Garden Centre Group have announced a partnership with local Lincolnshire based travel agency Holiday’s By Design. The travel agency will be opening their second store this July inside one of the UK’s largest garden centres and the flagship centre of the group, Brigg Garden Centre, which is based in North Lincolnshire.
Hayley Markham, Holidays By Design Brigg manager, said: “The Holidays By Design team and I are thrilled to be opening our second store and in such a wonderful location. This past year has been difficult for everyone, and we are excited by the prospects of returning to travel and creating bespoke holidays for our customers.”
The British Garden Centres Group are proud to support this local business, and an industry struggling in the current climate. The travel industry has been massively affected during the pandemic and there are still many travel restrictions in place both in the UK and around the world.
On June 23rd, 2021, travel restrictions were protested in London and the Holidays By Design team were there supporting the cause.
“We are all really excited to welcome the Holidays by Design team to Brigg Garden Centre” said centre manager, Robin Bosworth “they have had tremendous success and we are looking forward to seeing their business ‘take off’ at Brigg. They will be a great addition and, I’m sure, loved by all.”
This is the first travel agency to partner with the British Garden Centre Group and is highly anticipated by all.
Dobbies Garden Centres has opened its first London-based little dobbies. It is the third little dobbies to open in the UK...
Dobbies Garden Centres has opened its first London-based little dobbies.
Located on Westbourne Grove, this will be the third little dobbies to open in the UK, following the success of its first two format stores in Edinburgh and Bristol. The store will bring Dobbies’ total open stores to 72 across the UK, with number 73 in the pipeline (little dobbies Chiswick).
With plants at the heart of the Dobbies brand, the core offering of little dobbies Westbourne Grove is horticulturally focused with a carefully curated range of houseplants. Convenience and sustainable gardening products are also available, complemented by a range of selected gifts and seasonal products. Educational point of sale will provide an enhanced customer experience, with top tips on what houseplants will work where and how to look after them.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies, said: “As we open our third little dobbies, we are proud to see our ambitious plans for growth coming to fruition, and the little dobbies format going from strength to strength.
“We were able to discuss this development and more today when our team met with Environment Minister at our store at Woodcote Green.
“Residents around Notting Hill can enjoy a carefully curated Dobbies’ edit featuring houseplants, the latest gardening innovation and sustainable products, all on their doorstep. A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved with this project.”
Opening hours for little dobbies Westbourne Grove are 7am to 7pm, seven days a week. Social distancing measures are in place across the store.
The HTA has called for a greater focus on reducing contamination in food and garden waste collections to help the industry transition away from the use of peat – that was the message they delivered in response to DEFRA’s consultation on consistency in household recycling collections...
The HTA has called for a greater focus on reducing contamination in food and garden waste collections to help the industry transition away from the use of peat – that was the message they delivered in response to DEFRA’s consultation on consistency in household recycling collections.
James Clark, Director of Policy and Communications at the HTA, said: “The horticulture sector is well placed to tackle climate change and achieve net zero. We are committed to removing peat from the horticulture supply chain as early as 2025, but this is conditional on having a viable and consistent source of alternative materials.
“Composted green waste is one of a range of alternative ingredients to help replace peat in both compost and soil improvers. However, we need a greater quantity and quality of this material.
“There needs to be strict limits on contaminants such as plastics or chemical residues. We're calling for food and garden waste to be collected separately to help this.
“There is the opportunity for genuine positive environmental change to take place and with it, creating ‘green jobs’ and investment in British industries.”
The HTA believe that local authorities have a key part to play, through their waste management contracts in enforcing quality standards and in providing households with clear instructions on which materials can and cannot be included in garden waste collections.
The association’s response to the consultation also welcomed the Government’s commitment to eliminating unnecessary plastic waste. They appealed for non-black plastic plant pots, flexible plastics used to bag compost and bottles used for chemicals and fertilisers, to be properly considered for collection.
While we haven't been 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...
While we haven't been 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.
While we haven't been 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.
While we haven't been 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.
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.
Three months sooner than in prior years, Smart Garden Products have updated their showrooms at Peterborough and Abingdon, showcasing their complete 2022 product ranges...
Three months sooner than in prior years, Smart Garden Products have updated their showrooms at Peterborough and Abingdon, showcasing their complete 2022 product ranges.
Renowned for industry-leading product development, they have again added hundreds of new items to their existing portfolio as well as launching a completely new category and brand. The USEFUL range encompasses green-fingered solutions for Growing, Tying, Fixing and Tidying.
Colour-coded for ease of merchandising and selection, the pack designs are clear, fresh and contemporary whilst the packaging itself is all made from recyclable cardboard, avoiding single-use plastics.
Showrooms are open to customers by appointment from July 12th and provide the opportunity to appraise Smart’s NPD, ranges and merchandising at leisure.
“Global supply chains remain incredibly stretched and stressed by the pandemic, this year more than ever. We strongly advise all our customers to book their pre-season requirements as early as possible to avoid disappointment. We have brought forward our product and showroom launches with this objective in mind,” said Jonathan Stobart, Managing Director.
Smart’s Virtual Showroom has also proved to be a hit with buyers wanting to review ranges in their own time and the updated version will be available to visitors from July 30th.
“Our VS is a great tool for customers that are unable to visit us. We of course hope the majority of our retail friends and partners will be able to come in person and give us the opportunity to roll out the red carpet for them,” added Jonathan.
The UK’s leading plug and liner supplier has this month (July 2021) partnered with a plant information company to offer its customers a library of images for webshops and websites...
The UK’s leading plug and liner supplier has this month (July 2021) partnered with a plant information company to offer its customers a library of images for webshops and websites.
Seiont Nurseries has been looking at ways to help garden centres promote new plants via their webshops and websites and now contributes to Berkshire-based Joy of Plants’ ‘PlantShare’ library.
Neil Alcock, Managing Director at Seiont Nurseries Ltd in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, said: “For many years we have been working with leading breeders and agents to bring their new plants to market. There hasn’t been an easy way for us to help garden centres promote those new plants in store, and now that a digital presence is so important, via their websites and webshops. We were looking for a way to feed images and information about new plants from the breeders and agents we work with through to the garden centres.
“By collaborating with Joy of Plants on their ‘PlantShare’ library, we are giving garden centres an easy way to promote our new plants via an image library that they can all use for webshops and websites.
“Joy of Plants helps breeders and agents by selecting appealing images and adding copyright protection to them, by making sure that plant names are correct and plant information is of the highest quality. And, by making the images and information available via their services, Joy of Plants vastly reduces both the time spent by breeders and agents in sending information out to garden centres, and the time spent by retailers adding that information to their websites and webshops. It’s a win-win for all parties.
“Our new plants include fantastic new varieties like Berberis thungerbii ‘Orange Ice’ from Breeder Plants, Buddleja ‘Grand Cascade’ from Walters Gardens Inc. (c/o Botanics International), Heuchera vilosa Frilly ‘Alchefril’ from Genesis Plant Marketing Ltd, Escallonia ‘Good as Gold’ from Peter Moore, Weigela Picobella Rosa ‘Tvp2’ from Plantipp, Geum Tempo™ Rose ‘Tngeutre’ from Terra Nova Inc, Chionochloa falvicans ‘Taupo Lights’ from van Vliet New Plants and Perovskia ‘Crazy Blue’ from Walter Blom Plants BV.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with Joy of Plants. Their services give customers a quick and easy way to add new plants to their webshops and websites, all customised to match our customers’ own branding.”
Joy of Plants’ mission is to make plant information easy and accessible to all. It has created a library of more than 15,000 UK garden plants and trees and offers a platform of tools to help garden centres, retailers and growers maximise their plant sales.
It provides information in many forms including an Image and Text Library for ecommerce sites, Plant Finder for websites and Touchscreen Kiosks, Bed Cards and Apps.
Terri Jones, Managing Director at Joy of Plants, explained: “We’re thrilled to be working with Seiont Nurseries and the breeders and agents it works with to offer our plant information services to their customers.
“Our Image and Text Library makes it quick and easy to add high quality images of new plants to webshops based on WooCommerce, Shopify or Bluepark and our Plant Finder can be added to almost any website.
“We’ve created a ‘new plants’ group in our Plant Finder to highlight all the new plants to garden centre customers and staff, which will help to generate demand.”
Seiont Nurseries Ltd. was established in 1978 and is a well-known wholesale plant supplier with annual production of 1,200,000 liners and 600,000 plugs.
New and unusual varieties are its speciality and it ships these across the UK and Europe via a weekly delivery service. The nurseries pride themselves in providing a top-quality product and service to customers of all sizes.
Zest 4 Leisure is to sponsor a hot-air balloon to mark the 25th anniversary of Wrexham-based Nightingale House Hospice. The company’s logo will feature on the balloon alongside those of a number of other businesses.
Zest 4 Leisure is to sponsor a hot-air balloon to mark the 25th anniversary of Wrexham-based Nightingale House Hospice.
The company’s logo will feature on the balloon alongside those of a number of other businesses.
It is hoped that the first flight will be at the Oswestry Balloon Carnival, weather permitting.
Based on the number of flights and uses, it is estimated that the hot-air balloon will have a lifespan of between four and six years.
The Nightingale House Hospice provides specialist palliative care services, free-of-charge, to patients and families across an area stretching from Wrexham, Flintshire, and East Denbighshire to Barmouth and the border towns including Oswestry and Whitchurch. Zest 4 Leisure has supported both it and a number of other local and national charities for several years.
Zest’s Managing Director, Steve Morgan said, “We were honoured to be approached by Nightingale House to feature on the 25th Anniversary balloon. Supporting charities and the community has always been important to Zest 4 Leisure and we recognise the outstanding work the Hospice does. The hot-air balloon will also be a great opportunity to get all the staff involved watching some ballooning over the summer at various locations.”
Laura Parry, Head of Fundraising at Nightingale House Hospice added, “It’s great that Zest is helping us with this project. It will really enable us to maximise the impact of the balloon in 2021 and beyond.”
Zest 4 Leisure was established in 2005 to bring high quality, FSC® certified timber garden products to garden centres, online retailers, builders’ merchants, and major purchasing groups across the UK. For further information about Zest 4 Leisure’s GYO, decorative and furniture products, visit www.zest4leisure.co.uk.
Garden machinery specialist, Cobra, has donated a range of lawncare equipment to East Midlands based charity, Rainbows, to help with the maintenance of its grounds and outdoor spaces...
Garden machinery specialist, Cobra, has donated a range of lawncare equipment to East Midlands based charity, Rainbows, to help with the maintenance of its grounds and outdoor spaces.
Rainbows is the only hospice in the East Midlands providing care and support for children, young people and families impacted by life-limiting conditions. Opening in 1994, the charity provides end of life care, symptom management, short breaks and respite care bringing support and happiness to their lives. It also provides bereavement support for parents and siblings.
The hospice has faced difficulty maintaining its outdoor spaces over the past year with COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting any volunteers from entering the site, and maintenance staff being limited to just one.
Cobra understands how important outdoor spaces can be to people, so wanted to do something to help support this very special charity.
Following a site visit by Cobra Machine Specialist Roger Lawson, it was determined that the MX5645PB 22 inch Briggs & Stratton powered lawn mower and the Kawasaki powered multi-tool MT270K kit, which includes a long reach hedge trimmer, pruner and brush cutter, would be most suitable for the Rainbows site and would provide the greatest benefit. The donation, which took place on 22nd June, will make it easier for the charity to look after its grounds and outdoor spaces, helping to create a beautiful, restorative space for patients, visitors, and staff.
Kate Golding, Head of Organisational Giving at Rainbows, commented: “We would like to thank Cobra for their donations, which will help us to keep our gardens in a fantastic condition. Our outdoor space is such an important part of the hospice and is enjoyed by the children, young people and their families – often at a time of reflection. The support of companies like Cobra is pivotal to our work.”
Cobra Managing Director, Peter Chaloner, said: “We’re delighted to be donating a range of our lawncare tools to Rainbows. Its work provides vital support to those suffering with life limiting illnesses and their families, so we wanted to help them maintain their outdoor spaces, as we know how a well-kept garden can offer a host of benefits. We are honoured to be a part of making a great space for the staff and families at Rainbows.”
The next generation has used gardens at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival this week to raise awareness of the climate change crisis and urgent need for the nation to help ‘Save our Planet'...
The next generation has used gardens at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival this week to raise awareness of the climate change crisis and urgent need for the nation to help ‘Save our Planet'.
The RHS Garden for a Green Future at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is throwing the spotlight on the impact of climate change on UK gardens and gardeners. At a photocall on the Garden on Monday 5 July, Rose, aged 8 and her brother Charles aged 6 held a poster made at their school with other pupils saying ‘Save our Planet’ and called on the nation to mitigate climate change through gardening.
The RHS Garden For a Green Future, designed by Jamie Butterworth, is a demonstration of adapting to, and embracing, climate change. The future of the quintessentially British garden is changing, and this space aims to encourage people to adjust and improve their approach to gardening within a changing climate. Mounding landforms undulate throughout the space, decorated in drought tolerant perennials and tough meadow mixtures. These are broken up with dry river beds that are full of water during winter flooding, but in July are mostly dry, arid areas where only cobbles, shingle, pebbles and self-sown flowers subsist. Gone are perfectly manicured lawns, replaced by low maintenance, biodiverse meadow mixes.
In the Extinction Garden, which addresses the 6th Mass Extinction threat to our planet caused by our continual exploitation and destruction of its natural resources, features a recently crashed aircraft.
To jolt people into both understanding the scale of the crisis and to appreciate the extent of the behavioural change that we need to affect, a photocall on the garden saw children in deflated life jackets tentatively emerging from the wreckage door through clouds of 'smoke' and into the bright light of day. Like the primordial planting on the garden, they too are survivors - the new generation who will emerge from this threat extinction and change the way we live to save our planet.
Rose said: “In school we talk about climate change and how it is destroying our world. We know we need everyone to change and we believe that everyone can make a difference by growing more plants to help fight pollution and feed bees and make things better. We want everyone to help save our planet by doing good gardening and growing more plants.”
RHS Director of Science, Alistair Griffiths said: “Fundamentally, the Garden for a Green Future, is to inspire and educate gardeners to adapt their outdoor space for the future. Our RHS scientists have been involved in its creation, sharing their knowledge on using water sustainability, the importance of peat free and how we need to grow different plants as we adapt to a changing climate and try to do more to mitigate this crisis.”
The prestigious Best Show Garden at the 2021 RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival was awarded to ‘The Cancer Research UK Legacy Garden’ designed by Tom Simpson (London). The garden is a celebration of Cancer Research UK legacies and those who have left them to support research on beating cancer.
The Royal Horticultural Society has announced the winners of the 2021 RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, sponsored by Viking, on the opening day of the RHS’ first major show since 2019.
The prestigious Best Show Garden was awarded to ‘The Cancer Research UK Legacy Garden’ designed by Tom Simpson (London). The garden is a celebration of Cancer Research UK legacies and those who have left them to support research on beating cancer. The garden also won Best Construction for a Show Garden.
Head of RHS Judging, James Alexander Sinclair, said: “The Cancer Research UK Legacy Garden is elegantly designed, beautifully constructed and planted with both style and grace. The beauty of the garden will no doubt draw attention to the admirable cause, Cancer Research.”
Best Small Garden was presented to ‘The Fashion Footprint Garden’ designed by Baz Grainger (Kent) who also received the Best Global Impact Garden trophy. This category calls for innovative planting and design ideas to convey hard-hitting messages, something Baz Grainger achieved to represent the fashion industry’s environmental impact and some of the actions being taken to combat it.
On this garden, James Alexander Sinclair said: “The Fashion Footprint Garden is extremely topical and the garden successfully gets the important message of the impact the fashion and textile industries have on the environment in a clever and original way.”
The smaller Lifestyle Gardens, designed to represent the typical garden and the people and lifestyles of those who use them, saw Mike Long (Suffolk) win the trophy for the Association of Professional Landscapers’ ‘A Place To Meet Again’ Garden. The garden focuses on upcycling and repurposing materials to reduce landfill and challenge innovation.
The Best Construction Award in the Small Gardens categories was presented to ‘The Communication Garden’ in support of Mental Health UK designed by Amelia Bouquet (London) who is exhibiting for the first time at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.
Joining the Show’s winners, Dibleys Nurseries (Denbighshire) received Best Exhibit in the Floral Marquee for their display of streptocarpus. A total of 22 Gold Medals were awarded in the Floral Marquee, a testament to the standard of horticulture on display in the area.
It is with great sadness that Norma Read, co-founder of Podington Garden Centre, near Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, announces the death of her husband Colin, on 16th June, aged 85...
It is with great sadness that Norma Read, co-founder of Podington Garden Centre, near Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, announces the death of her husband Colin, on 16th June, aged 85.
Colin and Norma established Podington Nurseries in 1971 initially as vegetable-produce growers selling to the wholesale market chains along with a range of own-propagated and traded hedge-plants , the latter being sold via small newspaper advertisements, with hardwood garden plant propagation/potted-from-liners and bedding plant production soon following.
Colin initially helped Norma develop the nursery, whilst also continuing his role as a marketing director for a computer data services company, until leaving that role in what was then a huge leap of faith to join Norma full time during 1976, and successfully applying that year for full planning permission for Podington to become a garden centre…and so Colin and Norma began to convert what was the retail nursery into a fully-fledged garden centre without really knowing, according to Colin, what exactly a “garden centre” actually was.
They soon, however, as is so often the way when creating a business from scratch , through sheer endeavour and hard work, found out. As the nursery-growing unit contracted, traded plants grew along with the rebuild and successive expansions of the indoor-shop areas as the business started to rapidly grow, aided by the induction of Colin and Norma’s sons, Philip and Jonathan, into the company.
Joining Podington into the Garden Centre Association (and the company trading name at that point becoming ‘Podington Garden Centre’) was probably, for both Colin and Norma, the most influential move from which they drew inspiration for the expansion of the centre. That, and perhaps Colin’s “battle cry” for excellence within the garden centre: “Good enough isn’t!”
One of the greatest legacies Colin bestowed on Podington Garden Centre as a very successful independent business was that of his insistence of heavily investing in carefully-selected, customer-facing staff numbers of both motivated and , perhaps above all, inspired staff whom were trained over a considerable period to not only place customers at the front of any priority list, but to make certain each customer went away with at least one piece of very useful, and above all , accurate information , and for customers to realise this was enthusiastically delivered. This, in his view, both supported returning custom without excessive advertisements/promotions, and maintained margins most effectively.
Colin and Norma became regular attendees of garden centre association events and, during the late 90’s and early 00’s, also attended various trips whilst assisting on the UK committee for International GCA trips - the most notable of which was one USA garden centre tour, in August 2001 when during a extremely special visit to the inside of the White House, Washington DC, Colin was the only garden centre tour visitor to get ‘caught short’ within what was an extremely tight schedule and was duly kept under tightest constant-surveillance by two heavily-armed guards without a single second of privacy given.
Right at the end of Colin’s involvement with Podington, he was especially proud to receive, along with Philip and Jonathan, the GCA Best Overall award in the North Thames group for 2014. (Colin pictured bottom centre)
Colin’s retirement years were unfortunately later encumbered with the gradual onset of Parkinson’s disease, and the Read family have asked for any donations to be made to Parkinson’s UK instead of flowers at the service on the 10thJuly , 11.00AM at the Nene Valley Crematorium, Wellingborough.
Rupert Sleight has been appointed Garden Centre Manager at Squire’s in Chertsey. He has worked in horticulture for 16 years, and has been at Squire’s Garden Centres for over five years...
Rupert Sleight has been appointed Garden Centre Manager at Squire’s in Chertsey.
Rupert has worked in horticulture for 16 years, and has been at Squire’s Garden Centres for over five years, with previous roles as Assistant Manager at Squire’s in Cobham, West Horsley, Milford and most recently Badshot Lea.
Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres said: “I am very delighted that Rupert has been promoted to the position of Garden Centre Manager at Chertsey. Rupert has worked in a number of Squire’s centres of all sizes, and his passion for plants and gardening shines through. I am sure his knowledge and experience will prove invaluable in his new role.”
Squire’s in Chertsey is a boutique style garden centre. But though it may be smaller than many it is a real gem offering a carefully curated and comprehensive range of gardening products.
The stunning outdoor plant area has a wide range of plants, shrubs and trees, and inside you’ll find a selection of gifts, homeware and gardening accessories, as well as the popular Café Bar, which is a great place to come for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea.
Ant and slug controls featured as big movers in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart for the first week of July, and bees continue to be popular for garden decoration...
Ant and slug controls featured as big movers in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart for the first week of July, and bees continue to be popular for garden decoration.
Highlights of the week were:
Vitax Nippon Ant Powder 500g is the highest climber up the GTN chart, up 13 places to No 12.
Westland Growing Success Slug Killer Advanced Organic + 15% Extra Free moves up 10 places to No 6.
Woodlodge Small Bumblebee Planter is the highest re-entry at No 13.
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.
Community gardeners will sit alongside horticultural heroes such as Alan Titchmarsh, Carol Klein and Roy Lancaster in the UK’s annals of history as the Royal Horticultural Society introduces a new RHS People Award category...
Community gardeners will sit alongside horticultural heroes such as Alan Titchmarsh, Carol Klein and Roy Lancaster in the UK’s annals of history as the Royal Horticultural Society introduces a new RHS People Award category.
Considered a who’s who of gardening for over a century, the new Community Award category will sit alongside five others, including The Victoria Medal of Honour and Associate of Honour, and celebrate the difference gardening can make to communities and individual’s lives.
The introduction of the new award reflects the importance that the RHS places on community gardening and its growing influence in delivering health and wellbeing and environmental benefits.
Announcing the new award at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival, Tim Upson, Director of Horticulture, Education and Communities at the RHS, said: “Increasingly, the UK’s thousands of community gardening heroes have the power to bring about real change in their local areas; inspiring action in confronting very real challenges. This has never been more true than in the last 18 months, particularly when it comes to tackling loneliness and fostering a sense of togetherness. Gardening has long been a force for good and it’s time we recognised this important contribution as the benefits become ever clearer.”
The Award is open to anyone in the UK who has made an outstanding contribution to a community gardening programme over a period of time including community gardens, orchards, urban and rural programmes that bring value to the wider community that they are based in. Nominations are open to the public until the autumn via the RHS website before being assessed by the RHS Awards Committee.
RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival puts community gardening centre stage and this year features a brand new allotment feature focusing on the community aspect of growing fruit and vegetable as well as bug hotels designed and built by local school gardening groups. For more information on how you can get involved in gardening in your community visit www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/community-gardening.
How long can the record demand for growing media continue? Last week’s sales volumes were 35% higher than the average volume sold in the first week of July from 2014 through to 2019...
How long can the record demand for growing media continue? Last week’s sales volumes were 35% higher than the average volume sold in the first week of July from 2014 through to 2019.
That is great for garden centre sales and pleasing customers as they decorate their gardens with plants. But, as the demand increases the problems with making the changes to Peat-free become even greater. A lot has to change in a short time unless a case can be made for the responsible use of peat in appropriate cases.
Highlights of the week were:
Westland Multipurpose Compost with John Innes 50 litres remains at No 1 in the GTN Chart.
Westland Multipurpose with John Innes 10 litres is the highest re-entry at No 23.
Westland Gro-Sure Lawn Seeding Soil 30 litres climbed furthest up the growing media chart, up 19 places to No 28.
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.
Charity, and leading plastics recycling organisation, RECOUP, have again reiterated their commitment to improving plastics packaging recycling by educating and informing on the principles of good design when it comes to determining recyclability...
Charity, and leading plastics recycling organisation, RECOUP, have again reiterated their commitment to improving plastics packaging recycling by educating and informing on the principles of good design when it comes to determining recyclability.
From the first publication of ‘Recyclability By Design’ in 2006, RECOUP have worked tirelessly to promote the core principles in pack design that give plastics packaging a greater chance of being recycled with the existing UK infrastructure. Throughout this time RECOUP have highlighted sector issues with case studies with clear examples of good and bad design to allow brand owners, manufacturers, and designers to see how and what influences pack recyclability in the sorting and reprocessing processes.
RECOUP have also begun work looking at the challenges and opportunities presented by plastics in the medical sector. With the latest version of ‘Recyclability by Design’, the release of a case study on Over-the-Counter medicines, (which is usually only available to members initially) has been made available to all with an interest in plastic recycling and recyclability, to underpin and focus attention on areas where pack design although complex, is fundamental to moving forward with improved circularity in this sector.
Paul East, Head of Packaging Recycling and Design, commented “The RECOUP Membership supported the idea of releasing to all with an interest in plastic packaging, to help with RECOUP’s aim of engaging with our members to support all aspects of plastic recycling.”
Along with updated polymer specific recyclability tables, the 2021 version of RBD includes facts sheets on coloured PET, recyclability of PP, compostables and flexible packaging.
Iain Ferguson, RECOUP Trustee and Environment Manager, Co-op commented “Good packaging design is essential to get the best value out of recycling systems and help to maximise the amount of packaging that we can recycle. This guidance, while very detailed, is easy to navigate, and will help designers, brands and retailers to develop and select the best plastic packaging design to deliver national recycling targets.”
RECOUP will be discussing this topic at their annual conference on 30th September 2021. The Conference is a hybrid event and tickets can be secured via www.recoup.org/conference2021.
The organisers of Casual Dining have revealed a world-class Keynote Speaker line-up for their comeback show at London ExCeL on 23-24 September...
The organisers of Casual Dining, the definitive restaurant, pub and bar event, have revealed a world-class Keynote Speaker line-up for their comeback show at London ExCeL on 23-24 September. The seminars take place alongside the event across three Keynote Theatres (sponsored by Yumpingo) and offer trade attendees exceptional access to industry leaders and experts.
The award-winning trade show has announced the welcome return of industry leader Peter Norg-Neal, Chief Executive of Oakman Group, which was recently named by Alix Partners as the UK’s fastest growing pub business. Peter recently said that “Casual Dining has very quickly become a must visit event in the industry calendar. As well as learning about new innovations on the supply side it provides a great networking opportunity and some hugely informative debates and speaker sessions.”
Also returning to the show are Nick Collins, who in only six years as CEO of Loungers has overseen the group’s expansion from 56 to 166 sites across the UK; and Zoe Bowley, Managing Director, Pizza Express. A regular at the show, Zoe recently commented that “the sheer scale of Casual Dining and seeing our industry brought together in one place always reminds me that this an industry that people can join and thrive in. It reflects how big and great we are and, particularly post-COVID, it demonstrates how our industry will be a force for good in the future.”
Casual Dining has also confirmed a ream of fantastic first-time speakers gracing the stages this year, including Chris Miller, Founder & CEO, White Rabbit Projects; Darrel Connell, Partner, Imbiba; Duncan Mcewan, Executive Development Chef, The Big Table Group; Laura Morris, Co-owner Director, Yard & Coop; Paul Barham, Founder and Director, Red Engine – Flight Club and Electric Shuffle; Rob Pitcher, CEO, Revolution Bars Group; Steve Wilkins, Founder, Little Gems Country Dining; TV Charlie McVeigh, Founder, Bunker Projects; and Winston Matthews, Commercial Director, Busaba.
As in previous years, the show is supported by UKHospitality, whose CEO Katie Nicholls will be leading an exclusive session providing an overview of the government strategies needed to help the sector recover and grow.
The organisers have also confirmed an array of compelling panel sessions, including the first ever Casual Dining Investors Panel, looking behind the scenes at how some of the most talked about brands are funded. The panel features Charlie McVeigh, Founder, Bunker Projects; Chris Miller, Founder & CEO, White Rabbit Projects; and Darrel Connell, Partner, Imbiba.
Other panels bringing together industry leaders, experts and chefs include Menu Innovation for Multi-Site Restaurants Panel,featuring Steven Mangleshot, Global Executive Chef & Brand Ambassador, Wagamama; Winston Matthews, Commercial Director, Busaba; and Duncan McEwan, Executive Development Chef, The Big Table Group. At the new-for-2021 Pub & Bar Keynote Theatre, sponsored by Yumpingo, the Pub Leaders Panel will feature Simon Bunn, Managing Director, Brewhouse and Kitchen; Joycelyn Neve, Managing Director, Oakman Group; and Anthony Pender, Co-Founder, The Yummy Pub Co., whose discussion will cover business rates, staffing, wages, Brexit, rooms and surviving the pandemic. Other panels will also focus on key business areas and innovations – operations, marketing, going global and the next big thing.
Reflecting the challenges and innovations of the post-COVID landscape, Peter Bachman will be presenting a session on delivery and virtual brands. Attendees can also gain invaluable market insights from KAM Media, The NPD Group, CGA, Peach 20/20 and FutureFoodservice, whose Founder Simon Stenning recently described the show as “an absolute must attend for all stakeholders across restaurants, pubs and fast food, as it is the place to see, share, hear and meet all of the most important trends and people leading the way in which consumers eat out.”
Event Manager Eva Ellis commented: “With this year’s show there is a real sense of coming together and celebrating the innovations that have emerged from a challenging 18 months. The calibre of this year’s Keynote Speaker line-up (not to mention the exhibitors and buyers!) really reflects just how passionate and resilient this sector is.”
Other speakers include Brian Trollip, Managing Director, Dishoom; Laura Harper-Hinton, Co-Founder, Caravan; Mark Derry, Executive Chairman, Brasserie Bar Co.; Mark Selby, Co-Founder & CEO, Wahaca; Mark Wogan, Creative Director, Homeslice; Seamus O'Donnell, Culinary Director, The Alchemist; Simon Potts, CEO, The Alchemist; Simon Wilkinson, CEO, Famously Proper Ltd; Steve Holmes, CEO, Azzurri Group; Susan Chappell, Divisional Director, Mitchells & Butlers; Toby Harris, CEO, State of Play Hospitality (Bounce); and Tom Barton, Co-founder - Director of Food, Innovation & Sustainability, Honest Burgers.
Casual Dining is being described by many as a critical event for the industry, with Steve Holmes, CEO, Azzurri Group calling it “the most important Casual Dining show yet”, and Steven Mangleshot, Executive Chef, Wagamama commenting: “We need to get together, find innovation and support each other more than ever. See you at Casual Dining 2021.”
Casual Dining takes place on 23-24 September at ExCeL London and is co-located with lunch! and Commercial Kitchen. Registration is free and strictly for members of the trade only.
More big-name speakers from across the restaurant, pub & bar event sector will be announced in the coming months.
For further information and to register for a free trade ticket, please visit
Established by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) in partnership with FloraCulture International, the IGOTY Awards have been championing outstanding achievement in the ornamentals sector since 2009...
Established by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) in partnership with FloraCulture International, the IGOTY Awards have been championing outstanding achievement in the ornamentals sector since 2009.
Supported by Headline Partner, Royal FloraHolland, they recognise best practice in horticultural production by the top ornamental production nurseries from around the globe, celebrating the expertise and energy they give to horticulture. The awards also stimulate and promote best practice by giving global attention to outstanding producers and promoting knowledge throughout the industry.
In January 2020, Anthura won the coveted ‘Gold Rose’ award, presented by Royal FloraHolland CEO, Steven van Schilfgaarde, at the AIPH IGOTY Awards Ceremony at IPM Essen, Germany. The breeder was also awarded Gold in the ‘Young Plants’ category and Gold in the ‘Sustainability’ category.
Iwan van der Knaap, Anthura’s Director, said: “Winning the Gold Rose Award and the Sustainability Award was a significant recognition for Anthura as well as for the entire horticultural sector. Especially the international confirmation that we are on the right track as a company is very valuable to us.”
Based in the Netherlands, Anthura is known as a worldwide specialist in anthuriums and orchids. As a breeder and propagator, this organisation is continually working to develop new techniques, stimulate entrepreneurship and make the process chain more sustainable.
Iwan added: “We are very proud and that feeling can still be felt throughout the organisation after more than a year. This prestigious prize stimulates us to continue to make the world more beautiful and sustainable together with our partners.”
Candidates can enter the IGOTY Awards 2022 online and entry closes on Friday 10th September 2021. Judging will then take place by a panel of industry experts who will assess the entrants on five key criteria;economic performance, innovation, market insight, sustainability and human resources policy. From the entries a shortlist will be selected.
Last week’s Wild Bird Care sales in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data show signs of improvements with 32 of the Top 50 lines increasing their sales week on week...
Last week’s Wild Bird Care sales in the GTN Bestsellers Epos data show signs of improvements with 32 of the Top 50 lines increasing their sales week on week.
Highlights of the week were:
Westland Peckish Xtra Goodness Energy Ball, Pack of 6 plus 6 Free, climbed furthest up the chart from No 42 last week to No 4 this week.
Tom Chambers Fat Balls 50 Multi Seed & Nut was the highest placed chart new entry at No 35.
RHS Suet Balls 60 Tub stay at the top of the Wild Bird Care Bestsellers chart, for the third week in a row.
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.
The garden at Buckingham Palace opens to visitors this week until September, allowing the grounds of Her Majesty The Queen’s official London residence to be explored through a self-guided tour for the first time...
The garden at Buckingham Palace opens to visitors this week until September, allowing the grounds of Her Majesty The Queen’s official London residence to be explored through a self-guided tour for the first time.
Following exceptional demand, additional tickets have been made available on dates throughout July to September.
Visitors will be free to explore a route through the garden that encompasses the 156-metre Herbaceous Border, plane trees planted by and named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and views of the island and its beehives across the 3.5-acre lake. The unique opportunity to enjoy a picnic on one of the sweeping lawns will be part of the visit. Features in the south-west of the garden, including the Rose Garden, summer house and wildflower meadow, can be viewed through one of the guided tours that will run each day.
The current landscape of the historic 39-acre garden dates back to the 1820s when George IV turned Buckingham House into a palace. Despite its urban location, the garden is home to a remarkable array of flora and fauna, including rare native plants seldom seen in London. The garden is a rich biodiverse habitat, with more than 1,000 trees, the National Collection of Mulberry Trees and 320 different wildflowers and grasses. It is also home to several botanicals used to make Buckingham Palace Gin, including lemon verbena, hawthorn berries, bay leaves and mulberry leaves.
Daily talks by Visitor Services Wardens and trails for families are included as part of the visit. Art and craft activities will be available in locations throughout the garden for visitors with children on Mondays in July and August (from 19 July) and as part of two Family Festival days on 26 and 30 August, where Warden-led family tours will also be available.
A new range of summertime products has been launched to mark the opening of the garden to the public. Featuring a design inspired by royal ceremonies and summer flowers, items include a picnic blanket, cotton napkins, a reusable water bottle and a sandwich bag. Strawberry and champagne jam and buttery shortbread biscuits can be enjoyed during picnics at Buckingham Palace, in the park, or at home.
The best of last week's
If you missed last week's GTN Xtra, below are the most-read stories...
Despite volume sales dropping below last year’s levels for the last two weeks of June, the month total was enough to beat even 2020’s post re-opening sales by 10% and be 50% higher than June 2019. That means we reached the half year 61% up on last year, 14% up on 2019 and 16% up on 2018.
Despite volume sales dropping below last year’s levels for the last two weeks of June, the month total was enough to beat even 2020’s post re-opening sales by 10% and be 50% higher than June 2019.
That means we reached the half year 61% up on last year, 14% up on 2019 and 16% up on 2018.
When you consider all the issues with product availability and the relatively poor weather during the spring and the so-called summer so far, the growth in garden centre sales versus 2019 and 2018 should be giving everyone a warm feeling about continued growth, albeit at a lower level, in future years.
The cooler and wetter than usual June weather has certainly got everything growing well so there’s plenty to keep people occupied outside and people should be getting great pleasure from their gardens, even if they aren’t spending too long just sitting in the sun.
There’s a rumour we may get a heatwave in a week or so time and who knows what the effect may be if England keep on winning in the Euros!
Please note our last week, year on year comparisons, below, are now back to 2020.
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week in 2020: week 26.
Garden Products Top 50 – down 22%
Growing Media Top 50 – down 12%
Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 75%
Wild Bird & Wildlife Care Top 50 – down 12%
GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week in 2020: week 26.
All Plants with Barcode index – down 14%
All Items with Barcode index – down 10%
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.
The British Garden Centre Group have donated a selection of plants from their Coventry Garden Centre which were used to decorate the set of BBC Breakfast on Monday 21st June 2021 at their University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire set up...
The British Garden Centre Group have donated a selection of plants from their Coventry Garden Centre which were used to decorate the set of BBC Breakfast on Monday 21st June 2021 at their University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire set up.
Dan Walker presented the piece on Margaret Keenan, the first person to have a COVID-19 vaccine, live from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, which was set up in their staff outdoor wellbeing area.
Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer said, “University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust would like to thank the British Garden Centres Group for their support in the special broadcast of BBC Breakfast.
“We would like to recognise their generous donation of plants for the broadcast which will form an integral part of our outdoor staff wellbeing area.”
Boyd Douglas-Davies, Director of Communications at British Garden Centres said, “We were thrilled to work with both the BBC and the NHS on this project, creating a lovely set and back drop for the breakfast show particularly with them discussing such an important topic”.
Coventry Garden Centre is a plant focused centre with an extensive selection of products and a dedicated team. The centre joined the family-owned British Garden Centres Group in 2019 and is proud to provide the local area of Coventry and Warwickshire with a first-class garden centre.
YouGarden, a leading multi-channel retailer of horticultural products, has acquired Gardening Direct, an online and mail order supplier of live plants...
YouGarden, a leading multi-channel retailer of horticultural products, has acquired Gardening Direct, an online and mail order supplier of live plants.
The acquisition will enhance the YouGarden’s product proposition around smaller bedding plants and enable it to leverage its specialist infrastructure, management expertise and operations to improve the overall Gardening Direct consumer experience.
The acquisition will also enable YouGarden to apply its proven data-led approach to marketing and procurement, with the aim of enhancing customer acquisition and value as well as strengthening the Gardening Direct product range, including by integrating the Group’s proven best-selling products.
The acquisition provides YouGarden the opportunity to drive synergies by leveraging its outstanding supplier relationships and purpose-built 11.5-acre nursery in Lincolnshire. This well-invested infrastructure, which enables YouGarden to keep live products in optimum conditions whether in open air, under glass, in polytunnels or in designated cold and warm storerooms, supports high quality fulfilment and best in class delivery.
Underpinned by its unique data-driven model as well as its curated easy-to-understand product proposition and market-leading customer service, YouGarden has disrupted the UK gardening market to achieve consistent, profitable growth and establish itself as the UK’s leading multi-channel retailer of horticultural products.
The acquisition builds on the copmpany's long-term track record of profitable organic growth, including a pre-Covid 5-year CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) for both revenue and EBITDA of 45+%, and FY19-FY20 CAGR for both revenue and EBITDA of 100+%.
YouGarden’s data-led approach to emerging and established customer acquisition channels has ensured a track-record where repeat customers spend more with YouGarden each year, helping to underpin this consistent growth to date and the Group’s exciting future prospects.
Peter McDermott, Founder and CEO of YouGarden, commented: “We are delighted to complete this acquisition of a well-regarded brand in the growing garden home shopping sector. We look forward to, amongst other things, applying our procurement, fulfilment and customer service capabilities to provide our new Gardening Direct customers the same levels of outstanding service that have been the building blocks of YouGarden’s success to date.
“Over recent years YouGarden has disrupted the fragmented UK gardening market by developing a truly multichannel business built on data-led decision making and specialist infrastructure. We firmly believe that gardening is for everyone, which is why we aim to make things simple for our customers by speaking in plain English, giving great advice, and using data analytics to curate a targeted range of products that appeal to customers and that really work and perform. As more and more consumers benefit from the experience of buying horticultural products online, we are very excited about our future opportunities for continued growth.”
The HTA has launched Let Britain Grow, a campaign calling for the Government to negotiate a plant health agreement between the UK and the EU that will enable the multi-billion pound sector to boost the nation’s economic growth and fuel international trade post-Brexit...
The HTA has launched Let Britain Grow, a campaign calling for the Government to negotiate a plant health agreement between the UK and the EU that will enable the multi-billion pound sector to boost the nation’s economic growth and fuel international trade post-Brexit.
Highlighting additional and excessive regulations forced on the sector by Defra, Let Britain Grow has been set up by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and supported by VBN, the Association of Dutch Flower Auctions. It signposts the opportunities that European trade offers and call for an agreement that will remove current barriers and help mitigate the rising costs that are hampering trade.
Last year, plants fell under the same category as weapons of mass destruction, torture equipment, explosives and arms, when they were included in the list of controlled goods by the UK Government. Although the classification was removed, the disproportionate requirements for pre-notification and import inspections remain.
Trade is currently being obstructed by the increase in time and costs for businesses in importing plants and trees into the UK. From the 1 June 2021 a substantial fee was added to import inspections, while in January controls were imposed on plant border movement, adding layers of complex and lengthy pre-notifications, certificates and inspections. Meanwhile, checks and fees will not be required for most other sectors until 2022, such as the importation of products of animal origin, like dairy and sausages.
The British horticultural industry is worth over 2£24 billion in GDP to this country and supports over 568,000 jobs. The UK brings in £400m-worth of plants and plant material, such as seedlings, cuttings and young starter plants every year. It exports around £80m-worth of plants. EU countries are the UK’s single biggest trading partners.
Meanwhile, small businesses that operate on tight overheads are facing disproportionate additional costs. Commercial grower members are reporting an extra cost of over £3,500 on average, per business, just on inspection fees and additional working hours alone.
“This is the biggest single non-tariff barrier to trade in the history of our industry,” says James Barnes, Chairman of the HTA.
“We all support having a robust biosecurity regime, but the UK Government needs to get a better balance on the regulations and restrictions, which are limiting responsible trade. The spiralling staff hours to administer the paper mountain, inspection fees, phytosanitary certificates and cost increases amounts to £25m-£30m.
“We are speaking with the Government, but they are not reacting. We need to trade more freely if we are to open up our industry to the economic powerhouse it can be and work on a plant health agreement that instils recognition and trust and remove the green tape.
“Let Britain Grow is a chance for the government to get behind an industry that has huge ambitions for growth. We have a real opportunity of developing a post-Brexit opportunity for increased trade in our sector and for the UK internationally.”
Eveline Herben of VBN, says the impact is causing some Dutch companies to think twice before doing business with UK horticulture businesses:
“Since January 2021 trade to the UK has changed considerably with the new UK regulations adding in requirements for extra paperwork and physical inspections of all plants alongside time-consuming pre-notification and pre-export processes. This also leads to considerable extra costs.
“For some products, although artificially propagated and therefore previously exempt from extra requirements, you must also acquire an import permit - another lengthy process which adds up to exporters choosing not to export these products (like Cacti) to the UK anymore.”
While many plants are grown in the UK it is impossible to produce all species here and Britain still has to import substantial amounts from abroad to meet consumer demand. From the retailers surveyed, 72% import plants and plant material from the EU, while nearly all growers (96%) need to import young plants.
According to a new HTA survey, the increased plant health restrictions by Defra have had a negative impact on 78% of members asked (for small businesses – under £1m turnover - it rises to 88%). Currently the UK faces barriers exporting to markets in the EU due to the ban on certain species, growing media and soil attached to plants and despite one temporary ease on trade into Northern Ireland, difficulties exist.
The current restrictions are hitting the pockets of UK gardeners and reducing the choice of products available to them - member retailers estimate an 8% reduction in product ranges with an 8% price increase on hugely popular products like house plants.
Petface, the pet product experts, have reinvented the “showroom”, and launched the Petface Emporium, a fun filled immersive experience, showcasing thousands of products from the Petface collection...
Petface, the pet product experts, have reinvented the “showroom”, and launched the Petface Emporium, a fun filled immersive experience, showcasing thousands of products from the Petface collection.
Covering an area of 120 square metres, the concept inspired by the ever growing ‘Pets are Family’ trend in the ‘humanisation of pets’, and aimed towards the change in demographic Pet owners.
The Birmingham based JAMRAR Design, built on the creative ideas and the strong Petface branding, resulting in a product playroom not just for fur babies, but their grownups alike! Trade customers can even bring their four-legged friends to share in the fun!
Featuring branded FSDUs, integrated digital screens with the Petface trade portal, and architectural elements that have been specifically designed to enhance each of the product ranges, the Petface Emporium is the next step in creating interactive showrooms for the trade customer.
Katrina Hall, Senior Category Manager at Petface said: “The feedback from our trade customers has been huge, with many planning to use the ideas we've created as inspiration for presenting products in their own stores and garden centres”.
The Petface Emporium has also been digitally scanned into a virtual 3D environment for customers who are unable to travel still as we emerge from the pandemic.
For Hageland, a well-known Norwegian chain that consists of more than 100 garden centres, Smiemans Projecten is realising a new garden centre in Tau. This modern multipurpose building will have an internal sales area of ca. 1,100 m2 with additional outdoor plant sales area...
For Hageland, a well-known Norwegian chain that consists of more than 100 garden centres, Smiemans Projecten is realising a new garden centre in Tau.
This modern multipurpose building will have an internal sales area of ca. 1,100 m2 with additional outdoor plant sales area.
The wide-span construction and the flat utility building are adapted to Norwegian conditions with good insulation and maximum transparency.
Both parts are optimally combined in this unique design. The building with the flat roof will include a warehouse and office. In the glass construction, the customer receives the optimum green experience though the garden centre via a perfected routing. To further highlight the entrance we will create a wooden portal frame around the glazed front door.
Smiemans Projecten will start construction in the autumn of 2021 and the garden centre is expected to open its doors to their customers in the spring of 2022.
Lily Dallimore, the daughter of GTN’s advertisement manager Alan Burdon, has battled against horrific and deteriorating health problems for most of her life, and now her best friend is raising funds to help her bucket list dreams come true...
Lily Dallimore, the daughter of GTN’s advertisement manager Alan Burdon, has battled against horrific and deteriorating health problems for most of her life, and now her best friend is raising funds to help her bucket list dreams come true.
Evie Taylor-Knowles is going to do a skydive from 15,000 ft on July 25 to help Lily “make every second that she has count”.
“Lily is the kindest, bravest and happiest person I know,” said Evie. “She has battled everything and kept going for so long, always with a smile on her face, no matter what life throws at her.
“Lily has suffered for most of her life with a very rare condition – esonophillic panocolitis – and for the last even years, severe life threatening multi-organ Faliure. She also suffers from Epilepsy, Chronic Intestinal Pseudo Obstruction, hemeplegic migraines, GORD and Hyper-mobility and more.
“Lily has spent many years of her life in Great Ormond street hospital. One admission even lasted a whole year. All of this has been a major contribution to her missing out on many aspects of her life.
“Her rapidly deteriorating health has led her to create a bucket list. It will help her to achieve everything she wants too in life, within the time she has left. It will help to ensure all her hopes and dreams are completed and ensure that her last few months or years are spent doing all the things she loves and could have ever dreamt of.
“So I’m doing this skydive to make sure that this is possible.”
For anyone wishing to contribute to Evie’s fundraising attempt for her best friend Lily then go to her Go Fund Me page by clicking here
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Pet Industry Federation has announced it is in discussion with its members and an international logistics company to help pet companies overcome the post-Brexit barriers to export and more easily get their products to pet markets in the EU...
The Pet Industry Federation has announced it is in discussion with its members and an international logistics company to help pet companies overcome the post-Brexit barriers to export and more easily get their products to pet markets in the EU.
Since the end of the transition period, many pet industry companies have found the export situation increasingly challenging. A recent survey of PIF members revealed that pet food and pet product exports to the EU had halved since the beginning of 2021. The survey also revealed that the biggest issue being faced by PIF members was on transport to the EU with many hauliers now refusing to carry groupage (one or more pallets) due to the complexity of the paperwork and the risk of the whole load being rejected at the border post.
Nigel Baker, PIF CEO said: "The situation for pet companies attempting to export to the EU has become hugely frustrating. 67% of respondents to our export survey reported that they were now experiencing barriers to exporting.
"Customs procedures, increased paperwork and time, the need for veterinary sign-offs and a lack of consistency between any EU countries, combined with an increase in shipping costs, are just some of the issues faced by our members.
"Many of our members enjoyed strong exports to the EU prior to the end of the transition period, but trying to maintain these in this post-Brexit world has become almost untenable.'
A collaborative solution is therefore being sought to bring together an end-to-end export process for UK pet companies. PIF is in discussion with a number of different companies, including a logistics company and a leading veterinary certification company to develop a more streamlined and cost-effective approach which aims to open up the EU pet export market to UK companies once again.
Nigel continued: ‘It’s clear that something needs to be done and PIF is working with its supplier members to develop a solution which really works for them. As a membership association, we represent our members, so I’d urge non-members who are also experiencing export problems but who want to be part of the solution to become a PIF member to ensure their views are also heard.’
Natural Instinct has recalled several of its frozen raw pet food products made using duck because of the presence of salmonella...
Natural Instinct has recalled several of its frozen raw pet food products made using duck because of the presence of salmonella.
These products, which have been sold online and by independent pet store, are:
Working Dog Duck, 1kg and/or 2x500g
Pure Duck, 1kg and/or 2 x500g
Working Dog Puppy, 1kg and/or 2x500g
Duck Carcass, Pack of 2
Duck Necks, Pack of 6
In a product recall notice the company said: “Natural Instinct takes its obligations regarding pet food safety very seriously and has therefore agreed with the Food Standards Agency to undertake a recall of the products. Natural Instinct apologises for any inconvenience caused.”
Point of sale notices have been displayed in all retail stores selling the affected products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.
In its advice to pet owners the Food Standards Agency said: “If you have bought any of the products do not use them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.
“When handling and serving raw pet food it is always advised to clean utensils and feeding bowls thoroughly after use. Consumers should wash hands thoroughly after handling raw pet food, bowls, utensils or after contact with the faeces of animals.
“Raw pet food should be stored separately from any food (especially ready to eat foods). Care should be taken when defrosting to avoid cross contamination of foods and surfaces.”
The Fish4Dogs brand is putting the spring back into the paws of our beloved canines this summer, with the launch of a new mousse recipe – Fish4Dogs Finest Cod Mousse Light...
The Fish4Dogs brand is putting the spring back into the paws of our beloved canines this summer, with the launch of a new mousse recipe – Fish4Dogs Finest Cod Mousse Light.
The product has been introduced to the brands’ existing Finest mousse range and has 60% fewer calories than the salmon and trout flavours.
"We are all very excited about this launch," says Jo Mulgrew, Marketing Director at Fish4Pets.
"Many dog owners love the convenience and completeness of dry food, but still want to add something to make it more interesting for their pet.
"However, anything added also adds calories, so our ‘Light’ option is the perfect solution. It’s made from 99% cod, has more moisture content than the salmon and trout varieties, and its lighter recipe has substantially lower calories per pouch than the other flavours."
Karen Hubbard, Product Portfolio Manager at Fish4Pets adds: "This product comes as a direct response to changes in our lifestyles since the pandemic.
"Many dog owners and their families have spent more time with their pets since the start of the pandemic and some are feeding and treating them more frequently as a result, dramatically increasing calorie intake. By introducing a lower calorie option, it can provide a solution for those dog owners looking to readdress their dogs diet, and they can be assured it’s just as tasty."
The Finest Cod Mousse Light product is the third in an extensive programme of new product introductions for the Fish4Dogs brand this year. The brand introduced a senior variant to its Finest Dry Complete range in January and a range of new puppy treats in May. The company has plans for more exciting new food and treats launches later in the year.
For more details on Fish4Dogs Finest Cod Mousse Light product, please contact your representative or call Fish4Pets® on +44 (1299) 252 352.
WHICH FEEDER? 
To help the nation build back greener and step up our efforts to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, we recently launched a campaign to inspire people, businesses and communities across the country to plant more trees and flowers: ‘Plant for our Planet’. The campaign is backed by several green organisations, including Horticultural Trades Association, Royal Horticultural Society, The Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust and National Trust, and last week Dobbies Garden Centres joined the campaign.
“Global supply chains remain incredibly stretched and stressed by the pandemic, this year more than ever. We strongly advise all our customers to book their pre-season requirements as early as possible to avoid disappointment. We have brought forward our product and showroom launches with this objective in mind,” said Jonathan Stobart, Managing Director.
Lily Dallimore, the daughter of GTN’s advertisement manager Alan Burdon, has battled against horrific and deteriorating health problems for most of her life, and now her best friend is raising funds to help her bucket list dreams come true.
