James Debbage, Green Pastures, Norwich told GTN Xtra yesterday: “It's proving to be a fantastic weekend (at least for March) by the way. We smashed our daily sales record in the restaurant yesterday and today's shaping up to be fantastic in there too.”

Caroline Owen, Scotsdales, Cambridge said: “Yes a very busy weekend certainly 100%+ up on Mother’s Day weekend last year and very positive comparing Easter Saturday with yesterday.

“Mother’s day trading is always better when the day falls later in the year last year I think it was nearly the earliest and this year nearly the latest in 2019 the day falls on 31st March which I believe is the latest.

“The weather has really helped and this is key and sales are excellent across the whole garden centre plant sales particularly.

“Our restaurant is very busy but we don’t book tables.

“I just would like to be able to open longer on Sundays and as such for Scotsdales Bank Holiday Mondays will always be our busiest days but that of course is a bigger issue.”

Caroline later added “Just to let you know that today (Mother’s Day) has been our best day revenue wise for our Sunflower Restaurant.”

Colin Barrie, Caulders Garden Centres in Scotland: “The sun shone with us yesterday (Saturday) and our figures took a sharp increase!  Plant sales this weekend have been excellent, with this weekend really being the first decent one this year for plants and core gardening.

“Our restaurants have been packed full for Mother’s Day - again, the busiest day since last summer.

“Long may it continue!!”

Andy Bunker, Alton Garden Centre, Wickford, Essex: “We had a very good Saturday considering last year it was Easter Saturday.  Plant dept. up 34% on the day compared to 2016, whole centre plus 10% on same day.

“Our restaurant was plus 28% vs Mother’s Day Saturday 2016.

“You cannot compare exact like for like because of course we were closed on Easter Sunday, but again all those worrying about Brexit yet again forget it.  Weather, weather, weather.

“Although we did not get the supposed heat wave quite a nice 14/15 degrees.  To add in March is a whopping 20% up to date.”

Tam Woodhouse, Millbrook Garden Centres, Kent reports: “It was certainly a record breaking Mother’s Day Saturday.  A bit quieter on Sunday but still amazing.  We were up against Easter weekend last year and the Saturday was 43% up on last year. 

“We were seeing sales across every department.  Brilliant plant sales, great gift sales.  The cafes were really busy – we ran an afternoon tea offer with free prosecco for Mum yesterday (Sunday) and that was great – it is the first year we have offered something like that so we see this area growing. 

“We also ran a Mum and child create a fairy garden workshop on Saturday that was really successful at all 3 centres.  It has been a great start to the season, fingers crossed that it continues!”

Conna Powles, Haskins Garden Centres in the South of England told GTN Xtra: “The sun shone and the customers reacted.  We had great sales in the restaurants being 2% up on last year with Roundstone taking a record breaking £16k!

“Overall for the centre, with restaurants included, the week was +34%, the weekend +40% and Mothering Sunday itself was up a whopping 33%.

“Plants were the winning gift with over 3000 gift wraps (+38% on last year) on houseplants, garden plants and planted containers.

“We always create a Mother’s Day shop and set up gift wrap stations but I think this year the staff did the most amazing job they have ever done.”

Martin Stewart, Stewarts Garden Centres, South of England reported: “The weekend being 3 weeks later has seen it coincide with the start of spring, although the clocks going forward gave us a slower start to the Sunday. A later Mothering Sunday benefits Outdoor Plants, an early one helps Houseplants.

“Over the two days Christchurch was up 18% and Broomhill an amazing 64%.

“Christchurch Outdoor Plants were up 95% and Broomhill 113%. In our game watching a strong plant sales weekend is the most satisfying sight we can witness.

“Coffee Shops, Gifts and House Plants were marginally up in comparison, but overall the weekend growth belonged to Outdoor Plants.”

Justin Williams, Fron Goch, Caernarfon, North Wales said: “It was an excellent weekend. With yesterday being our best ever day to date in restaurant.  We managed 310 carveries in 3 hours. Sales on the day of £7,200 inc vat in the restaurant.”

Eliot Mair, Raemoir, Banchory, Scotland: “Settled warm weather proved to be the perfect conditions for the start of the gardening season. All departments busy. Very positive trading weekend.”

Matthew Bent, Bents, Warrington: “It has been a good day with the overall sales for the garden centre up, but our restaurant is similar to last year as customers were focusing on their garden and enjoying the sunshine.”

Boyd Douglas-Davies, Hillview Garden Centres in the Midlands said: “Excellent week! Started just over a week ago and just got better and better.

“Superb weekend that beat Easter last year by a long way. This is already a record March for us.

“Plants, both Garden and Houseplants had a great week, as did gardening. Particularly pots and compost.”

Nigel Wallis, Baytree Garden Centre, Spalding commented: “Yes a fab weekend for us, sales across the centre were up in every department and catering especially. Saturday was better than Sunday for some reason.”

Martin Cowell, Cowells, Newcastle summed up their performance as: “Well what a scorcher!! Just goes to show how the weather still heavily influences our business.

“Sales Mothering Weekend 2016/2017 +124%, sales same Weekend last year +123%.  Very good weather this weekend.  Last year 5/6 degrees this year 17/18 degrees and Mother’s Day 20 days later this year.

“Our Top 5 Departments Mothering weekend were: Perennials +289%, Compost +242%, Shrubs +200%, Bedding +167%, Terracotta +97%.  All very core gardening.

“In the week leading up to Mother’s Day we saw sale of National Gift Vouchers +206% and Cowell’s Gift Vouchers +153%”

Neil Gow, Fresh @ Burcot Garden Centre gave us this detailed analysis: “We took the decision to close bookings for Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea earlier in the week as we would rather do what we were going to do well, than more but not so well. So I think we can claim to be fully booked!

“We end to look at 5 year averages rather than comparison to "last year” to get a true picture of trade. Given how much Mother’s Day moves around the month of March, in the 5 years there is only 2014 where it came later than this year which was in 2014 when it fell on the 30th March. That year the weather was warm and sunny too so no wonder that was a big year! In that 5 year period there is also 2013 when Mother’s Day was on the 9th March and a week later our road was blocked for 5 days because of the snow!!

“Mothers Day Saturday 2017 was  22.4% up on our 5 year average and 17.75% up on our biggest previous day which was 2014.  Mothers Day Sunday  2017 was 31% up on our 5 year average . So yes Mothers Day Weekend 2017 has been a good one for us being 24.1% up on our 5 year average.       “We also tend to look at whole weeks as being a smaller centre, a big sale or two can distort figures, and you never can tell when a big order comes! Mother’s Day week -  the 7 days trading from Monday to the end of Mothering Sunday – sees 2017 at 25.2% up on our 5 year average.

“March 2017 is to date, also our highest gross turnover in the 5 year period running 19.98% up on 2016 on a like for like basis which by now had also included Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday trade.”

Simon Bourne from Perrywood, Tiptree, Essex added: “Yes, I can echo what others are saying. I haven't run all the numbers yet but it looks like a record Saturday for March and a record day in the restaurant yesterday.

“March will be a record, beating 2014, our previous record comfortably.”


And over in Northern Ireland, Philip Gass from Greative Gardens tells us: "Mother’s Day weekend was good for us – 46.5% increase on last year.  In our favour with it being a bit later this year and also the weather was good. 

"Increases were really across the board, some better sales of higher price ticket items in Furniture and BBQ departments, but also good increases in plants and gardening."

David Yardley, Klondyke Strikes Garden Centres, North of England and Scotland has just given us some highlights:  "Scotland didn’t perform as well as the North of England as we were comparing 7 days against 7 because we don’t have to close on Easter Sunday up here.  

"Overall we were 30.2 % up for the week compared to Easter last year, 27.9% Garden Centres only, 39.1% up in restaurants. Compared to Mother's Day week last year we were up 66% overall, Garden Centres up 90% and Restaurants up 42% with Mother's Day itself up 82% overall, Gardens Centres up 101% and Restaurants up 48%.

"Figures very good at the moment but not getting carried away, still a lot of weeks to go before we can declare it a good season."


Adrian Goodall, Waresley Park, Bedfordshire send us this summary of trading:  "Saturday was a record day in the garden centre, the busiest ever day in March and April.  Sunday was a record day in the restaurant +22% up on Mother's Day last year.

"Our Mother's Day weekend comparison is +122% on last year and March is already our busiest ever, currently running at over +28% on last year.

"Top sellers are plants, furniture, gifts, garden sundries and farm shop.

"We've had an excellent first quarter, long may it continue. Our customers are in a very positive mood."

Russell Winteridge, Barton Grange, Preston tells us that: "Footfall was down 8% Mothers Day Weekend year on year but turnover up 12% driven by leisure and outdoor sales.  We put this down to being completely covered so we tend not to peak and trough as much as most centres. With good weather, the browsers tend to go eslewhere leaving the committed shoppers to enjoy the experience more, therefore spending more per head on average.

"Straight week comparison; the site was up £60k (+20%), leisure up £20k, catering up £15, the rest spread over various categories. Interestingly, perennials showed a massive increase with most other hardy plant categories similar to last year except conifers which took a bit hit."



Did you have a record breaking Mother's Day weekend?  Send us your trading highlights and we will add them to this story.  e-mail: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or use the comments button below.

Walking the walk

100 walkers - the most ever fundraisers for any single Garden Re-Leaf Day event - took part in this year’s walk through Cambridgeshire, which was sponsored by Scotsdales, GTN, LOFA, Outback, Briers, Cadix UK Ltd, GIMA, Kelkay, Town & Country’s Mark Butler, Hozelock, SBM Life Science, Youngs Coaches and Quinton Edwards.  The event has so far raised £25,000 - smashing last year’s total of £9,000.

Special thanks must go to  Scotsdales. As well as beingthe main sponsor of the event, fielded a team of walkers and fundraised in-store, raising over £1k for Greenfingers Charity. They are now busy planning their 24 hour Plant-athon which takes place next month.

Thanks too, to Garden Re-Leaf newcomer Mr Fothergill’s, who have so far raised over £3,986 from the walk and also the company’s ‘Go Green’ event held at their base in Suffolk. 

Bayer’s new owners SBM Life Science were another company that jumped in to support Garden Re-Leaf for the first time, raising £2,180.53 from fundraising in the office and the walk – for sponsoring medals, providing items for the goody bags as well as two welcome refreshment stations along the route of the walk.

Special mentions also to Garden Store Gallopers (Boyd and his team) who raised £3,003; Cadix UK Ltd, who not only raised £2,221 also sponsored a support car.

Head of Fundraising and Communications, Linda Petrons, said: “This year’s Garden Re-Leaf walk was a record breaker that boosted publicity for Greenfingers Charity like never before.  I know it was a real challenge for many of those that took part, and with many giving up their valuable time, travelling and organising overnight stays, it really was an incredible effort and on behalf of Greenfingers I must say we are so very grateful to you all.”

Garden Centres raise over £20k and rising…

• Klondyke’s plant-athons are expected to raise over £8000
• Adrian Hall, vintage tea party with raffle raised £320.00
• Aylett Garden Centre’s mad hatter day, with Pippa Greenwood raised £918.20
• Alan Down’s hellebore tour at Cleeve Nursery raised £433
• Haskins raised a whopping £3,000
• Holiday Inn Colchester’s Quiz night raised over £400
• Longacres raffles, food tastings and special offers raised a total of £2,565.85
• Millbrook Garden Centres spring launch raised £2,437.66
• Old Railway Line’s quiz and curry night raised £617.90
• Perrywood’s quiz night raised £1,155
• Orchard Park Garden Centre has beaten its target of £500

We look forward to hearing the final totals raised by Hillview’s megathons and:

• Andy Bunker and the team at Alton Garden Centre whose Plant-athon has so far raised over £500
• British Garden centres static push bike
• Chessington Garden Centre, drinks, pots and gardening sets sales        
• Coletta and Tyson Garden Centre               
• Fairweather Garden Centre             
• Ross Garden Store
• Langlands Garden Centres
• Paradise Park who were planning daytime events and a quiz night
• Pondkeeper’s raffle
• Rolawn’s miniature spring fair and product promotion     
• Squire’s Garden Centre, Hersham’s afternoon tea
• Whitehall Garden Centres
• HTA fundraising at the APL Awards
• Deco-Pak’s play pit sand promotion

Garden Re-Leaf on TV and Radio

QVC and its gardening experts gave Garden Re-Leaf Day a huge boost once more this year.  Hosted by Greenfingers Founder President and QVC presenter, Richard Jackson, two special shows on Saturday 18th March and Sunday 19th March helped to raise a magnificent £37,000.

Very special thanks to Richard Jackson’s Garden, Hayloft Plants, De Jager, Plants2Gardens, Thompson & Morgan, Mont Rose of Guernsey for their generosity.

BBC Radio Cambridge held a special Garden Re-Leaf show on the 15th March, promoting the walk and the event in general, with local TV reporters appearing at Scotsdales alongside the Ely Standard and other local media.

Social success

Orchard Park’s 24hr Plant-athon event attracted visits from local press, but was also involved in the first ever live stream on Facebook with additional vlogs, one of which was a record breaker for the Garden Re-Leaf page, reaching 714 people with 106 engagements.  Over on Twitter, the number of individuals that saw the #gardenreleaf hashtag was an incredible 100 times that of the year before, with 267,490 reached during the week of the event.  Gardening celebrities supported Garden Re-Leaf Day too; Greenfingers Charity Patron Ann-Marie Powell along with David Domoney, Richard Jackson and Michael Perry also helped to drive social activity amongst their followers and promote the event to a wider audience.

Linda adds: “We are delighted that once again that so many garden centres, suppliers and organisations took part this year.  It isn’t always easy to put on events like these, but we hope that the business benefits of getting involved in Garden Re-Leaf Day have been realised by all those who took part and that, coupled with raising money to make a difference to life-limited children, and their families who spend time in hospices will be reason enough to see everyone return next year for more fun and FUNdraising.”

Keter Group BV, a leading global supplier of resin consumer products for the home and garden, said last week it had agreed to acquire Stewart Plastics.

The acquisition supports the UK’s continued growth strategy and brings together two complementary product portfolios.

Keter, which operates in more than 90 countries, specialises in a broad portfolio of resin consumer products including sheds and storage boxes, furniture, tool and hardware storage and home solutions.

Bsanburuy-based Stewart, a UK brand leader in the grow-your-own and decorative planters categories as well as a leading supplier of professional catering products to commercial kitchens, food retail and hospitality sectors, has 70 years of brand and manufacturing heritage. Stewart products are present in more than 1,600 outlets across the UK.

Lee Mellor, head of Europe at Keter, said: “As a combined company, we will have the resources and capability to provide our customers with an unmatched offer, consisting of an innovative product portfolio, a stable of enviable market leading brands, and a service promise that will be strengthened by our extended manufacturing footprint and enhanced supply chain capabilities into the garden centre channel’ comments.”

Stewart’s MD Andy Burns added: “We are excited to become a part of the highly respected Keter organisation, it creates significant growth opportunities for Stewart. Together, we have the capability to accelerate our market leading presence in our core garden and catering categories through greater product innovation and access to resources that come from being a part of a global organisation”.

Both businesses will continue to be managed by their current leadership teams.

• Garden Products - up 27%
• Veg-2-Gro - up 71%
• Growing Media - up 43%
• All Items Index - up 15%

Greatest Awards winning garden centre owners James Debbage and Michelle Evans came within minutes of being involved in the Westminster terrorist attack last week.  "Stopping to take this "selfie" quite possibly saved them from being near that car at the very moment it hit the wall!" James told GTN Xtra.

The couple had been visiting London having been crowned the East of England Champion in the Countryside Alliance "Rural Oscar Awards" for the "Farm Enterprise" category to attend the awards celebration at the House of Lords when the National Winners were announced.



James explained "We weren't lucky enough to win the National Award but we are still more than happy to have won what we did, we do have a certificate and aprons as regional champions.

They have since been on local TV and the Eastern Daily Press ran the following report:

James Debbage and Michelle Evans, who run Green Pastures, spoke of their shock as they heard gunshots ring out while walking outside of the Palace of Westminster and told to run by nearby police officers.

They had been presented with an award at the House of Lords and as they were leaving they “heard shots just a few yards ahead”.

Mr Debbage said: “A policeman turned to us and yelled at the top of his voice, “run, run away”. There were people in front of us who turned and fled. There was another policeman on one of the turnstiles into Westminster who told us to come in as it was safe.

“Before we knew it we were standing in the cloakroom of the House of Lords.

“We were locked in and we could hear lots of shouting outside. A lady came to us who turned out to be Shami Chakrabarti, who told us to come with her, and she actually took us to where all the Lords were. We got to talking to one person who said they had seen a body fall from the bridge into the river. “As we were there in a courtyard outside there were armed police yelling at someone to gets their arms up just underneath where we were standing. That was about half an hour after the shooting.

“My wife has been quite shaken up by the whole thing and she just wants to get home to the kids. “There was just complete carnage around. When we went into Westminster Hall there was an ambulance outside with all sorts of litter around it from treating people.”

The pair were taken into Westminster Abbey for their safety as police secured the scene. “The thing that stood out in my mind was the number of armed police,” added Mr Debbage. “There was an unbelievable amount of them.”

http://www.edp24.co.uk

Woof woof! No time to ‘paws’ for thought this week, my friends, as the pace quickens at Dobbies now that Mr Marshall is getting into his stride.

Didn’t take him long, mind you. By all accounts, just two weeks in and he had already recruited a dozen senior staff…and some of them will be names you know from Mr M’s last spell in charge at Wyevale/The Garden Centre Group, before the new brooms from Terra Firma got sweeping.

Among those reported to have joined Mr M at Dobbies in his quest for experienced personnel is the former head of restaurants at Wyevale, Costas Constantinou, who will take on a similar role.

Then there’s Andrew West, who, some of you may recall, was head of home and garden at The Garden Centre Group, then joined Hillier garden centres as head of purchasing. He will now be Dobbies purchasing director, apparently.

Lorrie Robertson is reported to be back, too – as chief operating officer, a role she performed as acting CO back then.

Marcus Eyles, who once worked with Mr M at Country Gardens before building up his Garden Store group and selling it to Hillview, is said to be taking over Dobbies online operation.

The developer of The Garden Centre Group’s much-admired staff e-learning project, has also been recruited, apparently to do something similar for Dobbies.

‘Sources’ (a word the President of the US of A hates, I hear) say there are more appointments to come.

Looks like the HR department at Lasswade is going to be pretty busy…

Until the next time, woof….and woof again.

During the proceedings Chris Ramsden of Hozelock was re-elected as GIMA President for another year, as was Richard Pyrah of Kelkay as Vice President.  Kate Ebbens of Cadix remains in the role of Honorary Secretary and Nigel Thompson of Nigel Thompson Associates (representing Stewarts) retains the role of Honorary Treasurer.

It was agreed at the 2016 AGM that the GIMA Council would be reduced from 16 to 12 at the 2017 AGM, enabling a smaller but more accountable council of representatives to move the association forward. The rest of the GIMA Council for 2017/18 is made up of the following:

• Matt Jackson, Briers Ltd
• David Carey, Mr. Fothergill’s Seeds Ltd
• Chris Holloway, Thompson & Morgan
• John Gomersall, Forest Garden
• Mark Butler, Town & Country
• Simon McArdle, Westland Horticulture
• Heather Culpan, Burgon & Ball
• Craig Hall, Deco Pak

During his address, GIMA President Chris Ramsden of Hozelock said: “GIMA continues to work tirelessly for its members.  They are the reason we exist and we will continue to develop our membership benefits around them.’” He thanked the GIMA members for their support and encouragement and also the GIMA Council & Hozelock for their support during 2016.  Chris continued: “I look forward to working with Vicky & the team towards GIMA’s goals in 2017.”

The Association also reported a strong financial position with a healthy operating profit being recorded.

GIMA membership continues to grow steadily, with a net growth of 3% being recorded in 2016 and plans to grow again in 2017.

New full members to GIMA include Aigle International, Ailsa Wood Products, Corona Tools, Coleman, Durston Garden Products, Future Thinking Retail, Onduline Building Products, Pantharella, Pots of Distinction, PondExpert, Rollins Bulldog Tools, Teleview Marketing, TopBuxus Growing Solutions, Unipet International, Urban10 Essentials, VivaGreen, Wagner Systems GmbH, Wilma’s Lawn & Garden Ltd, Fargro, Garden Pride Marketing, Ecoegg, Wilstone and Select IP.  Cedar Associates has also joined GIMA as a new Associate Member.

Membership of GIMA is open to all manufacturers and suppliers of products to the garden retail sector, with a UK or European base.

For further information about GIMA and the benefits membership brings visit www.gima.org.uk or contact the GIMA office on 01959 564947 or email info@gima.org.uk

Gardenex staged another of its highly successful ’Meet the International Buyers’ events at its headquarters in Brasted, Kent, and the early indications are that it will result in new export orders for many of the 20 British suppliers that attended. 

Other UK companies could also benefit from the event, as their products attracted interest from the buyers from Dubai, Norway and Sweden during the Gardenex-organised tour of garden retail outlets prior to the main business meetings.

The Norwegian online retailer buyer, Henrik Haukelidsæter of Tilboligen, who held one-to-one meetings with several UK suppliers, stated that he expected to do business with more than half of the companies he had met.

A similar reaction came from Jean-Charles Hameau from Green Chapter, a Dubai online garden company and distributor who stated that he was expecting to do business with several of the companies that he met during a very full day of meetings.  

As an added bonus, Gardenex managed to arrange a last minute meeting with a supplier whose products had attracted the buyer during the retail tour the previous afternoon, and the federation has also provided links to three other suppliers whose products were identified of interest to the Dubai buyer.

The Swedish online retailer and wholesaler buyer, Lena Ljungquist from WEXTHUSET / Honey Pot Garden AB, reported that she had found the day extremely useful and expected to deal with at least four of the British companies she met, and that there was a possibility of future business with other suppliers.

All three buyers plan to follow up with visits to Glee in September and appreciated the chance to network and exchange knowledge with fellow international importers during the tour of three garden centres and also at the buyers’ dinner arranged by Gardenex.

The next ‘Meet the International Buyers’ events to be staged by Gardenex and its sister association PetQuip will be held at the Federation’s head office in June.  

Two garden buyers from German mail order/e-commerce retailers are already lined up for 7 June and a Canadian retailer/mail order company is attending on 20 June. 

Details of these and other international buyers that are keen to source products from UK suppliers of garden and pet products will be announced in the coming weeks.

To ensure that you don’t miss out on the opportunity to apply for 25 minute one-to-one meetings with any of the buyers on 7 June or 20 June, or to find out more about other Gardenex or PetQuip initiatives for both the garden and pet sectors, contact theresa@gardenex.com or emma@gardenex.com.

The UK domestic garden leisure market - which includes garden furniture, barbecues and accessories - grew by 6% in value terms in 2016, according to a new report by analysts AMA Research

They say the performance of the market has been linked to improving economic conditions in recent years, also underpinned by reasonable spring and summer weather overall. There has also been a trend towards higher priced items as people invest in their homes.

However, while significant change in expenditure on domestic garden leisure products is due to a combination of factors that include the economy, consumer disposable income and confidence levels, the impact of the weather on the garden leisure sector in any given year cannot be underestimated, particularly relevant around the time of major sporting events and Bank Holidays, which provide opportunities for socialising outdoors.

Garden furniture continues to account for the largest share in terms of value mix, although sales growth of more affordable accessories and easier to use barbecues has seen this share decline.

Metal garden furniture had the highest share by value in 2016, closely followed by wood, with plastic/resin (including rattan effect) estimated to be slightly lower. In recent years, metal and plastic have gained share at the expense of wood, but while the trend towards weather-resistant all-year-round materials continues, there has been some renewed interest in different types of hardwood.

“The barbecue market in 2016 has been characterised by an element of trading up to more sophisticated models within each fuel sector, but also the continuation of the trend for replacing charcoal with gas” comments Jane Tarver of AMAResearch. “Other characteristics include a better-informed customer base who are seeking product improvements and innovations for replacements, as well as the desire to use garden spaces for more regular outdoor dining and entertaining.”

The barbecue accessories sector includes barbecue fuel, domestic outdoor heaters, and other accessories such as tools, covers, cooking utensils, replacement parts, etc. The sector is dominated by fuel, which is estimated to account for over 60% value share.

Garden leisure products are primarily sourced and manufactured abroad with key source regions including the Far East, China and Eastern Europe. DIY multiples channel has the lion’s share of sales, with an estimated 44% in 2016. However, the growth of internet sales has been a key characteristic of the market in recent years with sales increasing for specialist e-tailers as well as other more traditional channels as omni-channel approaches are increasingly taken up.

Growth in the domestic garden leisure market is forecast to slow from 2016-17 onwards, with annual growth rates of 3-4% currently forecast to 2021. The domestic garden leisure market is mature, with high household penetration levels, and volume growth is likely to be moderate in the short to medium term. In addition, the UK is currently facing economic uncertainty over the short-medium term as the Brexit process begins.

The issue of increasing import prices is likely to be a key feature of the domestic garden leisure market into the medium-term due to the high levels of import penetration and this may result in a swing back towards cheaper replacement products for garden furniture, barbecues and accessories. Household incomes could also be squeezed due to inflationary pressures and uncertainties regarding job security and the wider economic environment may lead to the deferment of replacement garden leisure products.

However, the key determinant for the garden leisure market remains the British weather which can lead to wide annual variations in performance. AMA’s forecasts assume that conditions remain relatively benign, similar to previous years, with largely favourable weather in spring and summer when consumers make most use of outdoor equipment.

The ‘Domestic Garden Leisure Market Report - UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report (price £745), can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.

The 68th edition of Keukenhof has started. The official opening was dedicated to Dutch Design and the new entrance building. Over 100 varieties of tulip are already in bloom at the park. At Keukenhof, spring has truly begun. Keukenhof is the place to enjoy the millions of flowering tulips, daffodils and other bulb flowers this spring.

Keukenhof’s theme for 2017 is ‘Dutch Design’. Dutch designers are globally esteemed for their ground-breaking ideas in the field of fashion, graphic design, architecture and furniture design. They inspired the theme for this Keukenhof season. Dutch Design has been incorporated into the bulb mosaic, one of the themed year’s highlights.

Furthermore, the flower shows at the Oranje Nassau Paviljoen are dedicated to Dutch Design. One of the inspirational gardens has also been given over to the theme, and fashion and furniture design inform the orchid and anthurium shows at the Beatrix Paviljoen.

After years of preparation, Keukenhof will be taking its new entrance building into operation. A beautiful design by the world renowned firm of architects Mecanoo from Delft.
The entrance building houses public functions such as box offices, the information desk and shops. The use of natural materials – wood, copper and brick lends the building its exceptional character.

Keukenhof continues to work to improve quality and service for its guests. “Today, after a long, cold winter we celebrate the start of a new spring with the opening of Keukenhof. In recent years, Keukenhof has undergone wonderful development. Visitor numbers are up. The park has become even more beautiful and now blooms from the first to the last day. And we have made substantial investments in improving facilities at the park,” says Siemerink, director Keukenhof.

Keukenhof is open to the public from now until 21 May 2017, by which time well over 1 million people will have visited the flower exhibition from all over the world.

Plantarea Supervior / Manager (ref:DS9190)

• A proven track record in the industry along with good management and supervisory skills.
• Excellent plant knowledge and a good background in horticultural retailing is a must for this role as they offer over 3 acres of quality plants from their own nursery as well as choice plants sourced from a variety of other suppliers.

To apply for this role click here

Buyer Houseplants & Bulbs | Maternity cover (ref:DS9159)

Location: Berkshire
Salary: £35,000 - £45,000
Date: 16 Mar
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Interim


Do you have great horticultural retailing experience? Are you a capable buyer and negotiator and are looking for a new challenge in the industry? We are currently seeking an outstanding individual to step into a maternity cover role for a top garden retailer as Buyer of houseplants, bulbs and veg sets.

Ideally they are looking for someone with previous experience of buying for a multiple who can step into this role until November. The ideal candidate will have excellent previous experience and be able to hit the ground running.

To apply for this role click here

To apply for this role click here

• To operate as the lead point of contact for any and all matters specific to your customers.
• Build and maintain strong, long-lasting customer relationships.
• Develop a trusted advisor relationship with your account contacts and other stakeholders.
• Ensure the timely and successful delivery of solutions according to customer needs and objectives.
• To deliver sales performance in accordance with agreed business plans.
• Communicate clearly the progress of monthly/quarterly initiatives to internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify and grow opportunities within your portfolio of accounts, and collaborate with sales colleagues to ensure business growth.
• Maintain the position of market leadership, and assist in the development of new business in both existing and new markets.
• Develop detailed knowledge of customers and markets, and of the complete range of products and services.
• To work positively with all teams, to help meet demanding customer requests and achieve deadlines.

• You will have 4+ years of experience of sales in an Account Manager/Executive role, within a design agency or print company.
• You will be able to demonstrate an appetite for problem solving and the stamina to work to deadlines.
• You will be a capable communicator, and an affective influencer at any level in an organisation, with a manner that is positive and supportive.
• You will be good at listening, identifying customer needs and delivering focused solutions.
• You will relish the challenge of a demanding role, able to manage multiple projects at a time while paying strict attention to detail.
• You will go the extra-mile to ensure customers get an exceptional experience.
• You will enjoy negotiating.
• You will have good verbal and written communications skills.

• Quantil Tomato Tumbling Red Tom 8cm was the highest re-entry, going straight to the top spot.
• Quantil Tomato Sweet Aperitif 8.5cm was the highest new entry at No 44.
• Quantil Strawberry Honeoye Strips was the highest climber, jumping 22 places to No 6.

• Scotts Levington Ericaeous Compost (56 litres) was the highest climber, moving up 22 places to No 19.
• Scotts Levington Multipurpose Compost (56 litres) was the highest re-entry at No 33.
• Kelkay Alpine Grit 25kg was the highest new entry.

• Highest re-entry this week are Prunus as cherry trees come into blossom.
• Lithodora is the highest new entry to the chart, spreading its way to No 31.
• Climbing 21 places up to No 26 are Clematis.

• 2x 3" flower pot, multipack of 10
• 2x 5" flower pot, multipack of 5
• 2x traditional watering can 2ltr
• 1x 52cm essentials unheated propagator
• 1x scoop
• 3x 20cm seed trays
• an informative booklet with tips and to help to get started

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

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

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2014 as well as 2015 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £195.00 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 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

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

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

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

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

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