Rising Stars put their nerves aside to deliver outstanding presentations on merchandising during their final masterclass at Van Hage in Peterborough...

Judges on the panel of the Westland Horticulture/Garden Centre Association (GCA) Rising Stars Programme were so impressed they are still deliberating over who has made the final 5 and will go on to present at the GCA Conference in Chester in January, where the overall winner will be chosen by delegates.

The presentations were packed full of success stories. These included Rising Stars who had quadrupled sales through clever and impactful merchandising, as well as showing great attention by keeping hotspot areas fresh and creating clear signage and themed displays for events such as Mother’s Day and food retail.

Ian Boardman, IBBIS Director and training facilitator for the Rising Stars Programme said that it was clear the stars had ‘not only taken notes and listened to advice throughout programme, but also demonstrated an unrivalled level of passion for implementing this advice in their own garden centres with spectacular results.’

Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland Horticulture said: “The quality of the presentations show how much the Rising Stars are a credit to the centres they are representing and the wider industry, They have throughout the course shown a wide range of skills and produced clear insights into shopping behaviour and then acted upon them to drive sales and engagement. It’s going to be really tough to select the final five this year.”

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, said: “We’ll be announcing the final five over the coming week, so keep your eyes peeled to find out who you will be voting on at the GCA’s annual gala dinner on January 27.”