I know we keep on writing this, but where is all this growing media that is selling through garden centres being used?  Our GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart would indicate a lot is being used for planting in pots, but the scale of the volume increases in soil conditioners, top soil and bark are also very unusual for this time of year.

It would appear the part of the gardening bug that is taking root in many new gardeners is real growing activity rather than just buying artifacts and other decorative items for the garden.

If that is the case we could be in for a great Autumn gardening season and, looking ahead, another good year of plants and gardening sales next year.

Are you asking your customers what they are using their growing media purchases for?  It would be good to know if new gardeners are finding new uses that we need to adapt our sales and merchandising for.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 34

•           Garden Products Top 50 – up 3%

•           Growing Media Top 50 – up 58%

•           Wild Bird Care Top 50 – down 13%

•           Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – down 3%

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 34

•           All Plants with Barcode index – up 23%

•           All Items with Barcode index – up 19%

See the full GTN Bestsellers analysis and charts in the GTN Bestsellers printed newsletter each week.  To subscribe for only £145 a year use this link.

It is time to raise a glass to Specialist Garden Centre Consultancy Pleydell Smithyman. Paul Pleydell and his team are marking 25 years working in partnership with Garden Centres.  

From their base in historic Ironbridge, GTN Xtra spoke to Paul about this special anniversary and what it has meant to be part of the development of the industry: “We are looking forward to celebrating this milestone throughout the year, especially the opportunity to say ‘Thank you’ to our team, to our clients, colleagues and friends for a great 25 years.  Indeed, it is our ‘friends’ across this amazing Garden Centre family that have made working in this sector so special. 

"GLEE would have been the perfect chance to catch up and say ‘thank you’ to each and every one of you who have been a part of our journey reaching 25.  Sadly, our annual gathering at GLEE won’t be possible this year, but instead we have produced a short video to mark the 25 year occasion and show off the work of our talented and enthusiastic team.”

Watch the video here.

Pleydell Smithyman have been at the forefront of the industry, working with Garden Centres across the UK and further afield, helping them get the best from their businesses & sites.

Paul and his team offer strategic business-led design solutions. Paul explained why Pleydell Smithyman enjoy working in the Garden Centre industry: “I often say we help design businesses not just buildings.  It is very much a ‘people’ business and it has been a true privilege to have worked with so many of you over the years, helping garden centres, both large and small, many who are leaders in the industry, to flourish and adapt to challenges that come along. It’s a thrill knowing we have been part of a creative and successful project, whether achieving a meaningful planning permission, developing a great new building, creating an innovative and successful retail area or restaurant.”

The 25 years have seen many changes.  Paul adds: "Looking back to the days when we wielded the trusted hb pencil and fax machines revolutionised communications (remember those?), just as we’ve embraced computer technology in the way we work today, it has been inspiring working alongside the Garden Centre industry as it has grown, embraced change and innovation, challenged convention, to create the ground-breaking and superb retail experiences we see today” .

We have all faced challenges in recent months, but Paul is thinking about the future: “It’s been great to see the sector rising to meet the unprecedented recent challenges and it has reminded us of what we love about working with garden centres - the way the sector comes together; the speed with which it responds to change; the resilience; the way is supports its customers and staff; I could go on...”

“We’re confident about the future; for example, new changes to the planning system will offer a wide range of opportunities and we’re always looking for new ways we can support our clients to help them build their businesses.”

“We’re going to miss not being at GLEE this year and the opportunity to share great conversation and a cheeky bacon butty over a cup of coffee with friends, old and new, from across the sector.  Most of all we’re going to miss the opportunity to say THANK YOU to you all for 25 great years and the possibility of many more exciting ones ahead.” 

Paul and his team may not be at GLEE this year but they are always available to offer advice and support, you can get in touch with them via paul@pleydellsmithyman.co.uk or on 01952 433211.

Winter fuel experts Dizmezs Ltd are launching READYBLAZE, a new firewood brand for the UK Garden Centre market. The brand marries superior performance with environmentally friendly features. Every piece of timber in their firewood products is kiln dried to under 20% moisture content level, leading to cleaner, hotter burning and less harmful emissions.

Backed by the Dizmezs family history of Sawmilling, the READYBLAZE brand offers premium winter fuels for domestic home and outdoor use that are ready to burn. The brand aims to keep people warm via a consistent quality product, manufactured from sustainably managed raw materials and a process designed to reduce carbon emissions.

Dizmezs operate a large 110,000 square metre manufacturing hub in Latvia which has an 18,000 square metre warehouse. The site has modern processing facilities, including a sawmill, a dimension mill and splitting and drying equipment. By using state-of-the-art processes and historic knowledge, the consistency and quality of their products have been refined and perfected since they were established in 1996. 

The range consists of kiln dried hardwood split logs, ideal for use on stoves, open fires and chimineas. In addition to Birch logs READYBLAZE also offer more premium options such as Ash, which burn hotter and longer than Birch logs. 

Food Grade Logs and Kindling are also available for wood fired cooking; specially prepared to reduce unwanted flavours being added to food. Also available in the range are Round Heat Logs and accessories for the fire such as Wood Wool Firestarters and standard Kindling.

The range packaging is well thought out with recyclable consumer packs in the form of plastic bags and cardboard boxes.

READYBLAZE Sustainability pledge

READYBLAZE is committed to sustainable sourcing of raw materials and is a member of the PEFC (Promoting Sustainable Forest Management) scheme. For every 1 tree cut down from a sustainable forest, 8 additional trees are planted in its place.

READYBLAZE is also a member of the Woodsure ‘Ready to Burn’ initiative to reduce harmful air pollution. All timber is kiln dried to less than 20% moisture levels ensuring cleaner emissions and a higher temperature than timber above 20% moisture levels.

Furthermore, the technology in the sawmill enables all the wood waste to be utilised by using the wood waste as the fuel in the boiler plant to produce heat for the kiln drying facilities.

Production capacity in Latvia

With 55% of Latvia covered in forest, producing timber products and making efficient yet sustainable processes comes naturally. Furthermore, there is at least 3 times more access to well managed hardwood species in Latvian forests when compared somewhere like the UK. As a result, Dizmezs have access to more product and are therefore able to offer a larger production capacity for UK buyers. In a typical season, Dizmezs process 70,000 cubic metres of roundwood in to wintefuels, lumber and furniture components , shipping this around the world and a significant share to the UK market.

Dizmezs owner, Gunars Mitris said “We are proud to offer a firewood brand with solid environmental credentials, harnessing the practices we have been perfecting here in Latvia for many years, in order to make our processes fully sustainable and offer a safer quality product for UK retailers."

‘Ready to Burn’ and Ready to supply

The UK government guidance now states that consumers should use ‘Ready to burn’ accredited fuels in order to reduce harmful emissions that you may experience from timber that is above 20% moisture levels. READYBLAZE is a fully accredited ‘Ready to burn’ fuel so is fully set up for years of future trading and won’t be affected by the expected law changes in selling non accredited firewood.

Neil Sims, Head of UK Sales commented: “Readyblaze represents an ideal brand partner for garden retailers with a concise product range and a clear sustainability pledge from a company that is doing everything to ensure a greener future and a safer product for consumers to enjoy."

With 25 years’ experience of manufacturing and distributing winter fuels behind it, the Readyblaze brand represents the new age of firewood products by offering safer and more efficient firewood solutions from a carbon neutral source with high capacity in order to supply the UK market.

If you would like further details on the Readyblaze brand, please contact Neil Sims on 07368 617124 or email neil.sims@dizmezs.lv

The READYBLAZE website is now live, where you can browse the range – www.readyblaze.co.uk.

ABOUT Readyblaze – Readyblaze is a brand owned by Dizmezs Ltd, a Latvian family business founded in 1996. Backed by a family history of Sawmilling, the Readyblaze brand offers premium winter fuels for domestic home and outdoor use, ready to burn. The brand aims to keep people warm via a consistent quality product, manufactured from sustainably managed raw materials and a process designed to reduce carbon emissions. Readyblaze is committed to sustainable sourcing of raw materials and is a member of the PEFC scheme. For every 1 tree cut down from a sustainable forest, 8 additional trees are planted. Readyblaze is also a member of the Woodsure ‘Ready to Burn’ initiative to reduce harmful air pollution. All timber is kiln dried to less than 20% moisture levels ensuring cleaner emissions. For press enquiries please contact Rob Giles, at Stratrg Ltd – E: rob.giles@thestratrg.com M: 07735 618972 or visit www.thestratrg.com.

The Company:

Apta is the leading supplier of quality flowerpots and accessories to the UK garden trade and is part of the Ames group of companies. We supply products under our own brand and iconic UK brands. 

The company has achieved very considerable growth and now wishes to strengthen its merchandising team with the recruitment of motivated and ambitious Product Merchandisers. This is a full time permanent contract.

Job title:

Product Merchandiser 

Area:

• 1x vacancy for Glasgow and surrounding areas.
• 1x vacancy for Aberdeen and surrounding areas.
• 1x vacancy for Hull, Humberside and Surrounding areas.
• 1x vacancy for Berkshire and surrounding areas.

Salary:

Very attractive salary up to £25,000 plus bonus

Progression:

There will be opportunities to progress within the company

The Role of Product Merchandiser:

• Building upon strong partnerships with existing customers.
• Working with the sales team and head office to ensure that customer experience is always exceptional.
• Planning and working to an effective journey plan, maximising customer contact.

The person for this Product Merchandiser opportunity: 

We are looking for fit and healthy additional members to join our team of merchandisers. The main duties will involve setting up display benches and displaying our products within garden centres in your allocated area. The ideal applicant will live central to these areas. Other locations within reasonable proximity will be considered.

This is an outdoor job involving heavy lifting and only applicants who are fit, healthy and willing to work long hours during our main season should apply. A company vehicle is provided for all work duties along with a fuel card, mobile phone and uniform. 

A full clean driving licence is required and applicants need to be 23 + years of age.

This is a full time position with immediate start available.

Applications for Glasgow Scotland, Aberdeen Scotland and Hull Humberside should be sent by email with your CV and covering letter to Gary Mace, Merchandising Manager, North, gary.mace@apta.co.uk or telephone 07971 534977 for any other details.

Applications for Berkshire should be sent by email with your CV and covering letter to Brian Cobb, Merchandising Manager, South, brian.cobb@apta.co.uk or telephone 07968 153418 for any other details.

Grilling experts Traeger, have been revolutionising BBQ grilling and outdoor cooking for 30 years, using 100% natural hardwood fuel to infuse food with unparalleled flavourful smoke, making food taste absolutely delicious. Today, Traeger continue to lead and revolutionise the industry, as the world’s #1 selling wood-fired grill, perfected by decades of mastering the craft of wood-fired cooking. 

BROADEST RANGE OF WOOD PELLET GRILLS 

With 8 different variants, Traeger’s line-up of grills bring unrivalled wood-fired flavour to the table. From the portable Ranger - great to take traveling or for smaller outdoor spaces - to the Timberline 1300 that can grill a feast for the entire neighbourhood - there’s a Traeger to fit everyone’s needs. 

GRILL SMARTER NOT HARDER 

Traeger’s patented WiFIRE^® technology means grills can be controlled via the smart phone app that maintains precise temperatures, so you can focus on friends, family and flavour instead of constantly monitoring the fire. You can simply monitor and adjust the grill anytime, anywhere, from low and slow to hot and fast, cook everything with ease. 

THE MOST VERSATILE GRILL 

Traeger Grills use hardwood-fired grilling to provide the utmost versatility to outdoor cooking, from BBQ, grilling and smoking, to baking, roasting and braising – creating BBQ meals to perfection every time.

For more information, please contact Joann McDonald jmcdonald@traegergrills.eu or +44 (0) 7884115817, or visit www.traeger.co.uk 

On the back of the success of their trendy face masks Global Journey are thrilled to announce the launch of a new Christmas range featuring 8 stunning designs, 4 kids and 4 adults.

These fabulous festive face masks are certain to be popular this Christmas as winter draws in.

Commenting on the sales of Global Journey Face Masks, Darren Clift of Tates and Paradise Park Garden Centres said: "We took delivery into our sites on the Thursday and by Friday morning had sold over 100 face masks and were placing a re-order straight away!

 "Over 3 days we had sold 529"

• Fabric Content - Breathable baby soft polyester
• Anti-Microboal Finish - Prevents the growth of bacteria on the surface of the mask
• Shaped to hug - Shaped to hug the face for comfort
• Washable at 60 degrees
• Reusable
• On-trend designs
• Firm sale

To order simply email isamuels@global-journey.com or call 0161 8720333

Also coming soon from Global Journey; Children's Personalised Christmas Jigsaw Puzzles

The Greener Gardening Company has experienced phenomenal growth as a result of unprecedented nationwide demand for compost – having successfully stepped-up production to satisfy demand from retailers who have been scrambling to secure stocks of quality growing media. 

As lockdown eased, demand for compost soared, leading the company to report that it was 17% up on budget by the end of June, marking a 41% rise in sales compared to the same month in 2019. Consumers’ appetite for quality growing media continued to go through the roof in July, resulting in sales that were 98% up on budget. 

To help retailers obtain sufficient stock to satisfy customer demand, The Greener Gardening Company is operating with 24-hour production throughout summer and into autumn, instead of scaling back to single shifts after peak season, as in normal years. The strategy is succeeding in building up healthy levels of stock that will ensure continuity of supply in the event of any future challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic – with the aim of having all garden centre stock on the ground by Christmas, ready for the 2021 season. 

With supply issues affecting the entire growing media industry post-lockdown, The Greener Gardening Company has been working around the clock to ramp-up production in response to unprecedented demand. When the government allowed garden centres to re-open in May, lead times for compost across the sector extended to as long as six weeks, as consumers rushed to catch-up on springtime planting just as suppliers faced challenges in obtaining raw materials. Supplies of coir from India were subjected to delays, for example, while availability of composted bark, a key ingredient in peat-reduced compost, was also hampered as wood mills had remained closed down during lockdown.

Despite the challenges, The Greener Gardening Company ensured that it was well placed to address supply chain requirements with socially distanced production, while 24-hour manufacturing helped to successfully pull lead times back to within two weeks – a situation that’s improving on a daily basis and is assisting retailers’ efforts to replenish stock. 

The Greener Gardening Company’s Sales and Marketing Director, Steve Harper said: “The 2020 season has been unprecedented in every way, but despite the challenges, our team has pulled together to overcome every hurdle, helping the business to forge closer relationships with retailers and deliver sales results way above forecasts. As the UK’s largest manufacturer of peat-free growing media, we are pleased to report that our newest brand, Happy Compost, launched in 2019, has sold well into the marketplace, demonstrating the enormous consumer appetite for 100% peat-free growing media that’s proven to perform.” 

The Greener Gardening Company’s 2021 portfolio will be divided into three distinct offerings, to help retailers to cater for their customer base while delivering clear messaging for consumers. An expanded Happy Compost range will lead the way in 100% peat-free innovation, while the company’s established Growise brand will meet demand for traditional specialist growing media. The buoyant market for volume-driven, multibuy-led offers will be enhanced by the company’s Richmoor garden professional brand.  

Innovative and creative point-of-sale materials, including roadside banners and Correx boards, are available across all brands, delivering powerful messaging and enhancing brand identity instore, helping to drive sales at the point of purchase. 

To ensure continuity of supply and efficient operation during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, The Greener Gardening Company has invested in a fogging system, so that offices and machinery can be regularly sanitised to keep facilities Covid-secure. The company has also brought in a policy of restricting meeting sizes, to enhance staff protection, in addition to social distancing measures throughout the business. 

Find out more 

To find out more about The Greener Gardening Company’s leading range, please visit www.thegreenergardener.com

August plant sales are currently 6% up on last year with a Bank Holiday weekend of sales still to be added into the GTN Bestsellers Epos data.  

Calluna, Pennisetum and Primula saw the biggest week on week sales increases.

• Calluna heathers moved up 10 places to No 7.
• Pennisetum were the highest placed re-entry at No 25.
• Primula sales started to accelerate, more than doubling in sales to re-enter at No 31.

Get your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter. Click here for details

The Look on The Brightside Launch Event is a ground-breaking multi-channel programme of digital events, interactive digital content and socially distant appointment-based physical events. WIDDOP will launch 700 brand-new products across 14 key ranges.

“Given the current climate, we knew we had to bring new products, to match the rapidly changing tastes in the marketplace but we knew we would probably need an alternative to large tradeshows, which we would usually use as the main showcase for our new launches. We wanted to ensure the safety of our customers and staff, while ensuring that we could give retailers the new products that they need to capitalise on in the important autumn period following the return to bricks & mortar retail post lockdown. So we developed the multi-channel Look on The Brightside campaign.” Says Product Development & Marketing Director Stephen Illingworth.

The 5-channel programme consists of:

Digital Content:

• Interactive digital catalogues with the capability to place orders for all key launches
• Video content for each launch, available for use by stockists in-store & online
• An amazing 360-degree virtual showroom with the facility to shop while you tour
• Social media “Brightside Awards” scheme giving customers the chance to nominate their retail heroes to win great prizes

Digital Events:

• The Brightside Launch webinar on August 27^th kick starts it all– discussing all of the new products and the trends behind the autumn/winter season in giftware
• 4 webinars in September on key product trends and new products with guest speakers. These will include one for Jewellers, Garden Centres, Gift Shops and Card Shops.
• The “Brightside Awards” live event on social media – 30^th September
• eCRM Baby & Infant – a chance for Baby & Infant buyers to meet 1:1 with our team to discuss our baby brands & bespoke options at this important digital tradeshow
• The Evening Sessions from 7-9pm throughout September with your territory sales person to show you our virtual showroom and preview the new launches

The Roadshow

• Book a private session with your territory rep aboard our mobile showroom
• 10 locations across the south-east & south-west
• Over 100 appointments available
• Gourmet food & refreshments

The Showroom Show

• For the ultimate hands-on tour of all 8000 products
• Adhering to the highest standards of safety and hygiene
• Enjoy the famous WIDDOP hospitality with bespoke advice from the award-winning customer service team & free food & refreshments

LOFA and the GCA have joined together to offer an online e-learning training course to get the LOFA Assured message out to GCA Members and Garden Centre staff across the UK. 

The Garden Centre Association’s e-learning initiative – GCA GROW (Garden Retail Online Workshops) is the modern way to bring comprehensive training to garden centre teams. It has been developed to improve the knowledge of individuals and the service levels to valued garden centre customers. 

LOFA Assured is the initiative that LOFA developed to make sure that all cushions sold by their members comply with current Government Fire Safety Regulations in Partnership with Hertfordshire Trading Standards and FIRA (Furniture Industry Research Association) 

The LOFA Assured initiative is targeted at their members who manufacture furniture, these members are subjected to an educational audit scheme and all their cushions are tested by FIRA to make sure that the cushions are compliant with current Government Fire Safety Regulations. The audit requires the members to have full traceability on all cushions that they supply into the marketplace.  

LOFA approached the GCA to see if there was a way that they could work together and get this message out to the GCA members across the UK to help them ensure they have performed all due diligence in their purchasing process and are stocking safe and compliant furniture and equally important to inform the garden centre staff, who will be selling the furniture in store, why it is important that all outdoor furniture cushions meet these standards. 

This e-learning module was released at the end of July via the GCA website https://gca.org.uk/ via their GROW User portal.

We encourage every GCA member to take part to make sure the cushions they are selling in their stores are safe and compliant. 

To find out more about LOFA Assured visit https://lofa.co.uk/lofa_assured.html

The Summer Trials at Ball Colegrave were probably one of the only Professional Trial Grounds in the UK, or even Europe, opening its doors to its customers this season.  

“Trialling is at the heart of everything we do as we believe it is incredibly important for anyone involved in production and retail to see how the up and coming new plant developments perform in real growing and garden conditions,” said Stuart Lowen. 

“So, we were delighted to have been able to open our doors and receive so many trade visitors this summer."

The ‘working trials’ this summer focussed on both Annuals and Perennials and provided some great insight into both existing, new and over 1,000 experimental varieties.  

As always, Ball Colegrave offers visitors the opportunity to vote for their favourite varieties from any of the trials or displays and are delighted to share these results with you. This year they have presented the results of the top Annual and Perennial varieties separately. There was certainly a significant increase of interest in Perennials this year, demonstrated by 50% of the votes being cast for Perennial varieties.

Customers’ favourite varieties for 2021 – Annuals

NEW Nemesia ‘Lady Lisa’… voted for by visitors as their overall favourite Annual Plant variety

There appears to be an almost insatiable market demand for Nemesia. This is somewhat driven by the incredible advances of breeders to develop outstanding colour breaks such as those in the Lady™ and Sundae series coupled with their reliability for growers in pot production, great retail colour presence and outstanding garden performance in all weathers. 

One of 4 outstanding new colour additions for 2021 to the Lady™ series of British bred Nemesia, Lisa remained a clear leader throughout the summer trials.  

Its remarkably large, exquisite bicolour flowers have a most unique clean deep colouring, a light scent and is quite different from many other varieties currently on the market. The long flower performance and strong, yet compact and controlled  habit makes Lady™ Lisa ideal for 10cm - 1 litre retail pot  sales. 

Other colours in the Lady™ series include Dawn, Emma and Jane, with additional new colours for 2021; Anne, Kate and Mary. 

Garden height and spread 25 – 30cm. 

Available from Ball Colegrave as a Ball 84 and Ball 142 plug, delivery weeks 6 - 20. The plugs are ready-pinched and ‘breaking’… perfect to simply pot and sell! A high impact colour Ball label is supplied with the plugs.  

Osteospermum ‘Serenity Sunshine Beauty’ and Calibrachoa ‘Can Can® Orange Punch’.

Customers Favourite Varieties for 2021 – Perennials

NEW Rudbeckia Sunbeckia Series...voted for by visitors as their overall favourite Perennial plant variety

This genus was thoroughly trialled at Ball Colegrave this summer, coinciding with extensive trials also carried out across Europe by Fleuroselect, including Floral Fantasia in the grounds of RHS Hyde Hall. 

So, we were delighted to discover that it was a Rudbeckia which stole the show for Perennial varieties at our own summer trials this July. 

Out of all the Rudbeckia we trialled, the Sunbeckia® series has truly been outstanding, especially considering that just one plug filled a 23cm pot and produced over 50+ flowers in one season!

From the series the most popular variety has been Sophia, a plant with good vigour and large, long-lasting happy yellow flowers with a central green eye. 

Other colours in the series available for 2021 include; Alicia, Laura, Luna, Mia, Ophelia & Victoria.  

Garden height and spread 45-50cm 

Available from Ball Colegrave as a Ball 40 plug, delivery weeks 18 & 20. All plugs are ready-pinched and ‘breaking’… perfect to simply pot into 3 to 5 litre pots and sell in as little as 8 weeks or, bump-up into much larger patio tubs to maximise retail sales opportunities right into autumn.  

Agastache Morello and Penstemon Dakota Burgundy.

The impact of climate change is back on the agenda as the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the important role of plastic and packaging, and how carbon use is equally, if not more important than plastic elimination in addressing environmental concerns.

In Summer 2020, the full picture of the global impact of Covid-19 has yet to become clear, as well as how ‘green recovery’ ambitions will play out. RECOUP’s latest report, Covid-19 Impact Report, highlights the importance of a green recovery for the UK, but there are questions around what this looks like and how can it be translated into tangible actions with sustainability at the heart of it.

Looking across the many sectors that operate through the plastics value chain, there has been some common themes cited as being impacted by Covid-19: 1) product sales; 2) material, product and ingredient availability; 3) staff availability; 4) changes in consumer purchasing choices; and 5) volatile recycling markets. All sectors have put additional and necessary emphasis on health and safety precautions to protect both employees and the public.

Looking to the future, there are concerns about the availability of all physical resources, from ingredients for food and fit-for-purpose packaging, to human resources levels. As a result, it has been made clear planning and risk management strategies will need to be deployed to minimise the impact on product availability.

There is also an ever-present concern with sales, possibly including a permanent reduction in demand for certain types of products, including changes in the consumption and disposal of items away from home, product availability at point of sale and changes in attitudes and behaviours of consumers.

Meanwhile, Local Authorities across the UK reported an average increase of nearly 30% of both recycling and general waste collected from households through kerbside collection schemes. This quantity, although somewhat offset by the widespread closures of Household Waste Recycling Centres, other communal sites, and reduction of business waste collection quantities, has meant that services have had to be adjusted and prioritised. None-the-less, the majority of Local Authorities have been able to provide a scheme to households that has been, more-or-less, business as usual.

Steve Morgan, Policy & Infrastructure Manager at RECOUP said: “As the ‘new normal’ is established, there are questions for every business and the Government. The consumer has their role, which on a practical and personal level could encourage lifestyle changes and responsible consumption.

“However, there are significant commercial realities and barriers, and will these blunt the opportunity?Commercial incentives and strong commitments are needed to reduce carbon emissions and embed environmental sustainability into all areas, in addition to developing material supply chains and the waste and recycling infrastructure to underpin Circular Economy models.

“The UK now has the opportunity to reset, reposition and reclaim progress that could have already been made, and it’s an opportunity everyone can have an active role in.”

The green recovery for all sectors is only as good as the priority and drive that goes into it, and one large UK food retailer thinks there could be a change of theme, asking: “Will the current situation highlights the importance of climate change, sustainability and brings a new future where packaging and plastic is appreciated in the roles they play, and carbon use becomes more important than plastic elimination." Will the opportunity be grasped? Time, as always, will tell.

The Covid-19 Impact Report is available to RECOUP members only. For information on RECOUP membership please contact rebecca.davis@recoup.org.

RECycling of Used Plastics Limited (RECOUP) is a charity and leading authority providing expertise and guidance across the plastics recycling value chain. Built on a network of valued members, collaboration is central to its activities. RECOUP is committed to securing sustainable, circular, and practical solutions for plastic resources both in the UK and world-wide.

Every year, Squire’s Garden Centres give local schools the opportunity to grow their own potatoes, and once harvested, Squire’s Café Bar teams normally cook them up into chips for the children to enjoy.

It couldn’t go ahead as normal this year, but Squire’s in Frensham provided their local school with everything they needed so that the children could grow their spuds at home.

Pupils from St. Mary’s Infant School in Frensham managed to successfully grow their potatoes at home with amazing results!

The school secretary commented: “All the children enjoyed growing the potatoes, and eating them! Let’s hope that next year we can take part again, and have a harvest over at Squire’s Garden Centres.”

Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s, added: “Well done to these students for nurturing their crops so well – a brilliant lockdown achievement!”

The mobile showroom will stop at 14 destinations across the south-west and south-east, offering customers who wish to stay local to their centre with the chance to meet 1:1 for a bespoke tour of the WIDDOP offering.

Guests will be treated to complementary gourmet food & refreshments, as well as multi-award-winning bespoke customer service.

Spaces are limited to make sure you reserve your appointment early to avoid disappointment.

LINK TO REGISTRATION PAGE

Who will be the winners in the Glee New Product Awards, in association with GTN, for 2020? 

Despite Glee not taking place for real at the NEC the teams at Glee and Garden Trade News are pulling out all the stops with Gee Gathering "exhibitors" to create a virtual showcase of New Products for 2021.

All Glee Gathering "exhibitors" have the opportunity to enter up to five new products in each of the following categories:

• Garden Plants, Seeds and Bulbs
  Garden Growing Materials (Plant feeds, pest and weed control, growing media, cloches, seed trays etc)
  Garden Growing Containers (All pots, planters, hanging baskets etc)
  Garden Decoration (Garden ornaments, garden lighting, plant supports, wall art etc)
  Garden Tools & Machinery (Hand and powered garden tools, garden gloves, garden kneelers etc)
  Garden Landscaping (Paving, statuary, garden buildings etc)
  Garden Leisure & Entertaining (BBQ's, garden furniture and accessories etc)
  Garden Wild Bird and Wildlife Products (Wild bird feeds, feeders, wild life products etc)
  Garden Home, Giftware and Clothing
  Garden Retail & Industry Services
  Pet Products

A team of judges, led by GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer, will sift through all of the entries, submitted on-line with pictures and videos, and select a shortlist for each category that will be announced on Monday 14th September in Glee Daily News.

Then, during the Glee Gathering, 15th and 16th September, representatives of the three shortlisted products in each category will have the opportunity to "pitch" via live video to the judges, and the assembled Glee Gathering Audience, before they make their final decisions on the winners.

By the end of the Glee Gathering on 16th September we'll have announced winners in each of the categories above, plus the judges will also decide who should be the winners of the following overall Glee New Product Awards:

• Best House Plants and Accessories
• Best of British Award
• Best Eco Initiative Product Award
• Best Overall New Product at Glee

Entries are already pouring in for the Glee New Product Awards, in association with GTN, so Glee Gathering "exhibitors" who've not made their entry yet should use the form on the Glee Exhibitor Zone at www.gleebirmingham.com and make sure their entry is completed by Friday September 4th 2020.

Products that are eligible for entry need to have been launched / announced to the trade after last years Glee and at or before Glee Gathering 2020, that is between 1st October 2019 and 15th September 2020.

The opening of a new purpose-built warehouse by Garland /Worth Gardening has proved to be timely as the company is experiencing unprecedented growth in sales for its extensive range of garden care products.  Already this season, the company has achieved an impressive increase in turnover of almost £1 million.  The warehouse, close to the company’s factory in Kingswinford, provides over 4,000 extra pallet spaces and extends Garland’s storage capacity in the Midlands by 70 per cent.

Commenting on the buoyant situation being experienced by the company, sales director Mark Dedman said: “The early completion of our new warehouse facility will enable us to deal speedily and efficiently with the high level of orders experienced so far this season and for the foreseeable future.  We have been amazed at the level of business throughout this season.  A great pre-season has been followed by record sales figures month after month, with both June and July registering increases of over 150 per cent and smashing all previous records.  Despite lockdown, we have remained positive and have been forward thinking by maintaining extensive stock levels in order to meet the demand when stockists re-opened for business.  That demand has been even bigger than we expected but our new warehouse capacity will ensure that we have the necessary stocks to accommodate the busiest of seasons and at the same time provide more space for our own manufactured products.” 

The Garland Products Group specialises in the manufacture of plastic injection moulded products and is one of the fastest growing suppliers to the garden industry.  The products available to both keen and hobby gardeners have beendesigned through the company’s own experience as keen gardeners. 

Pictured: Garland/Worth Gardening’s new warehouse facility increases the company’s storage capacity in the Midlands by 70 per cent.

While we can't all meet up at the NEC in September, the team and GTN will still be bringing you the Glee Daily News to keep you in the Glee mood.

We'll be providing updates about the wonderful Glee Gathering that's taking place, on-line, on Tuesday 15th September and Wednesday 16th September and bringing all the news from the exhibitors taking part in the Glee Gathering throughout the week that we would have been at the NEC.

After the initial Preview Issue we'll be publishing another preview during week ending 6th September and then an issue every day of the Glee week beginning on Monday 14th September.

Glee Daily News will bring you the results of the Glee New Product Awards, in association with Garden Trade News and we'll end the week with a #FloralFriday celebration for Greenfingers Charity.

Read the first issue of Glee Daily News for 2020 using this link

If you'd like other members of your team to receive Glee Daily News 2020 they can sign up via this link.

We hope Glee Daily News helps fill the gap this year and provides plenty of inspiration when it comes to buying decisions for 2021.

Any Glee Gathering participating exhibitors that would like to place adverts or advertorials in Glee Daily News 2020 should contact alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

See you soon!

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Garden products sales slowed last week but were still 3% up on last year.  Pots and pot feet again figured large in the GTN Bestsellers garden centre Epos data with three pot line new entries in the Top 50 and six re-entries.

• Apta 31cm Standard Pot is the highest re-entry at No 8.
• Elho’s Provence Cylinder 30cm Black is a new entry at No 12.
• Woodlodge Pot Feet Large move up two places to be the No 2 Bestselling Garden Product of the week behind Tomorite which stays at No 1.

Get your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter. Click here for details

NHS Ayrshire & Arran Test and Protect team has carried out Covid-19 contact tracing around the restaurant at Dobbies Garden Centre in Ayr and Public Health England will also be tracing customers from British Garden Centres at East Durham...

Medical director Dr Crawford McGuffie said: “Those who have been identified as close contacts through this process have already been contacted directly by the Test and Protect Team and advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

“Dobbies have robust distancing and hygiene processes in place to minimise the risk of viral spread and to support Test and Protect. The risk to the public remains low.

“We are however asking customers who have been in the restaurant on Friday 21 August to be extra vigilant and, if they develop any of the symptoms of a fever, new persistent cough or loss of taste or smell they need to self-isolate immediately and book a test for Covid-19.

"All relevant Public Health measures are in place and our Public Health Team are working to manage and monitor the situation.

“Dobbies Garden Centre and restaurant remain open with continued focus on their well-established social distancing and hygiene procedures.

“To respect and maintain patient confidentiality it is not possible to release any further information at this time.”

British Garden Centres received a Covid-19 Notification on Thursday 27th August and as a result the management team voluntarily closed the centre for a deep clean before re-opening on Saturday morning.

GTN Xtra understands Publlic Health England have the necessary track and trace information from the centre and will be making contact with customers to advise them of the notification.

]With one week still to go for August sales the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media Epos data is showing that growing media volumes this year are already 50% up on August 2019 and any August for the past 5 years.

• Westland Landscape Bark 90 litres is the highest chart climber of the week, up 26 places to No 16.
• Evergreen Garden Care Miracle-Gro Premium Rose Tree & Shrub Compost 40 litres is the only new entry for the week at No 45.
• Taylors Bulb Fibre 10 litres is a re-entry at No 50 as early bulb buying and planting gets underway.  If new gardeners are planting bulbs in pots there could be a lot more bulb fibre sold this year.

Get your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter. Click here for details

Wild Bird Care saw an increase last week, the first since June.  Perhaps the cooler weather has got gardeners thinking about feeding their garden visitors instead of feeding themselves with the BBQ.

Within the GTN Bestsellers garden centre Epos data the biggest increases were seen by fat and suet feeds, followed by sunflower hearts and peanuts.

• Tom Chambers Luxury Fat Balls-6 Pack No Nets were the highest chart re-entry, back in at No 9.
• Henry Bell Sunflower Hearts 2kg, were the only new entry of the week at No 39.
• Gardman Hedgehog Bites 650g climbed 12 places up the chart to No 11 after a 67% increase in sales.

Get your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter. Click here for details

The imminent closure of a popular South Yorkshire garden centre has been met with shock and sadness by customers.

Fosters Garden Centre in the village of Thrybergh near Rotherham is set to shut down at the end of October.

In a post on the centre’s Facebook page, Sally Foster wrote: “It is with heavy heart that I officially announce that sadly Fosters Garden Centre will be closing at the end of October. 

“As some of you may be aware - the Foster family have been in business in Thrybergh for over a hundred years and this decision has not been taken lightly. 

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our lovely loyal customers and team of dedicated staff for all their support over the years. 

“We will miss you all greatly and if you get chance - please pop in to say goodbye.” 

The announcement brought an immediate response from saddened customers with more than 260 comments being posted on social media.

Comments like:

• “So sad to see a long standing business close. The staff there are fab. They’ve helped me so many times with items and even put heavy stuff in my car for me. It has been a pleasure shopping at Fosters since I was little.”
• “I am genuinely heartbroken that Fosters is going to be no more. It is the heart of Thrybergh. Over the years I have bought many beautiful things and received lovely service. Thank you to each and everyone of you involved. You will be sorely missed.”
• “That is so sad. Fosters is one of my favourites and the staff are all wonderful. My wife and I will miss this great store. Rotherham will miss such fantastic service.”

After the heatwave came a weekend of heavy rain and thunderstorms and guess what, sales from garden centres dipped, but they are still ahead of any of the previous four years sales for the same August week.

Hopefully a weekend of drier, all be it windier weather will encourage people back out into their gardens and to garden centres to buy some more plants, growing media, pots and bulbs for the Autumn.  

From the depths of the GTN Bestsellers Epos data we can also see that where a few Christmas lines have been put out on shelves they are selling through straight away.

Decorative facemasks and sanitiser products are a new area of sales that garden centres are benefitting from.  The volume of facemasks and sanitisers sold last week was higher than our recorded sales of Wild Bird Care products and Veg-2-Gro lines.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 33

•           Garden Products Top 50 – up 44%

•           Growing Media Top 50 – up 93%

•           Wild Bird Care Top 50 – down 20%

•           Veg 2 Gro Top 50 – up 50%

GTN Bestsellers All Sales volumes compared to the same week last year: week 33

•           All Plants with Barcode index – up 40%

•           All Items with Barcode index – up 23%

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.

After the longest school break in living memory, the inaugural back-to-school photo, traditionally taken on the front doorstep, is going to be more important than ever.

Inspired by the window display of a shop in Windsor during last year’s IGCA conference, and keen to keep the interest of newbie-lockdown gardeners, Cowell’s have launched a campaign to help customers get their front doors looking #FirstDayPhotoReady.

Martin Cowell, joint Director of Cowell’s, enlisted the help of his youngest daughter, Una, to launch the campaign this month and so far the response has been fantastic.

Martin said: "I launched the campaign in the hope of bringing a bit of fun to what has been a difficult year for so many. I wanted to involve Una as she is the third generation of Cowell’s – she was a bit confused though when I asked her to put on her uniform in the middle of lockdown!"

Keen to utilise the talents of the plant team at Cowell’s, Martin enlisted the help of Outdoor Plant Supervisor, Sam, to design the gardens. Sam came up with three designs, all very different, but all achievable for customers to implement in their own gardens. In order to keep waste to a minimum, customers were asked to donate any unwanted doors and Sam and Glen (Alpine Supervisor) set about building the displays. 

The campaign is being promoted throughout the centre, as well as on Cowell’s social media channels and through their growing mailing list. It ends with a competition to find the best ‘first-day-back’ photo at the beginning of the school term with the winner receiving a £100 Cowell’s gift voucher to spend in store.

Martin added: "We have really enjoyed implementing this campaign, not only has it been great fun but I hope that it will help to keep the new amateur gardeners - who we have seen a lot of during lockdown - interested in gardening. I would love it to become a nationwide campaign in future years as it’s something that can appeal to new and experienced gardeners alike."

Marketing expert Liz Dowling worked with the Cowell's team on the campaign. lizdowlingmarketing.co.uk

Details of the designs can be found here https://www.cowellsgc.co.uk/news/713/is-your-front-door-firstdayphotoready.

To see the campaign’s social engagement, please visit https://www.facebook.com/CowellsGardenCentre1/

There's more good news for the range of Global Journey Face Masks.  After eight weeks of incredible sales of Face Masks, Global Journey have been listening to their customers and are delighted to announce the launch of 8 new plain designs to add to the range.

Commenting on the sales of Global Journey Face Masks, Darren Clift of Tates and Paradise Park Garden Centres said: "We took delivery into our sites on the Thursday and by Friday morning had sold over 100 face masks and were placing a re-order straight away!

"Over 3 days we had sold 529"

The aggregated sales of their face mask range make them the No 1 selling face masks in garden centres according to GTN Bestsellers.

Compared to sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart they would be at No 3, sitting between Tomorite 1 litre + 30% free and Tomorite 1 litre!

Since the launch of the Global Journey Face Masks earlier this month, sales in the garden centres have been astounding, with some customers reporting sales of £400 - £800 per day.

Claire Jenner at Frosts Garden Centres said: "Great sales on the face masks last week. You went in as our No.2 supplier on clothing last week at £1.6k. We are now chasing our tail on replenishing.  How soon could you get a stand and stock to our Brampton store? We didn’t include them in the original offer, but with the sales so strong it seems daft they haven’t got it."

Customer feedback is mainly focused on the great quality, superb designs, and great retail price of £3.99. There are 48 designs, 24 adult and 24 kids (48 x 6 @ £1.70) displayed on a slimline stand measuring only 46cm width.

They are breathable baby soft polyester, with an Anti-Microbial finish. They are shaped to hug, washable and re-usable. They have been so successful, that new designs are already being worked on in time for Autumn / Winter.

To order or for more information simply call 0161 8720333 or email isamuels@global-journey.com

Glee Gathering is a unique two-day digital experience designed to inspire whilst engaging buyers and connecting our community together.

The Glee Gathering will host a virtual showroom of our exhibitors, engaging product showcases, exclusive content sessions and panel discussions, a platform to connect buyers and suppliers in a one-to-one environment, and the 2020 New Product Awards. All from the comfort of your home or office.

How to get involved 

Glee Gathering brings the gardening community together this September. Register for your space to benefit from the latest insights, best new products, exclusive networking opportunities and more. https://www.gleebirmingham.com/register-Glee-Gathering-2020

Showcase your brand at Glee Gathering and reconnect with the industry.  https://www.gleebirmingham.com/glee/apply-for-a-stand

Read the first issue of Glee Daily News for 2020 using this link

Green-fingered Brits have spent an average of £105 each sprucing up their gardens with a makeover since the start of lockdown, equating to £3.7 billion being spent across the UK, according to new research from American Express.

The most popular purchases are outdoor plants, closely followed by compost and seeds. 

More time at home and savings on leisure activities may be responsible for the flourish of investment into gardens, as Brits have looked to make the most of their space during lockdown. 

Most popular gardening and outdoor products bought during lockdown:

Brit’s relationship with their outdoor space evolved during lockdown, with almost half of respondents with a garden (49%) enjoying it as a space to relax, or safely meet with friends and family (20%). In comparison with 2019, the research reveals that 62% admitted having spent more time in their garden or outdoor space this year.

Furthermore, Brits have seized the opportunity to express themselves through their outdoor environment, with one in seven (14%) redesigning their garden or outdoor space during lockdown, and 12% sharing pictures of their upgrades on social media. 

The joy of gardening has also spread to neighbours, family and friends for some, with 15 % admitting they have received a plant or home-grown fruit and vegetables from someone they know during lockdown. 

Haskins Garden Centre in Snowhill, Crawley, has opened its doors to customers following a 12-month refurbishment costing £15m.

The new centre boasts a retail space of 11,813 sq.m., including an outdoor plant area and 440-seat restaurant complete with a newly installed pizza oven. Additional space has also been created to accommodate 170 restaurant guests on an outdoor patio.

Up to 70 new jobs have been created to accommodate the centre's expansion. Car parking has increased to 346 spaces.  See GTN Xtra's photo tour of the new centre below.

Chief executive Julian Winfield said the Snowhill team worked tirelessly to ensure the centre was able to remain open for the majority of the project, with minimal disruption.

“We can't wait to receive our customers' feedback on our new and improved facilities,” he added. “Over the years, we have built a loyal customer following and we are proud to be able to give back to them in this way with our new expanded centre.”

Haskins acquired the Snowhill site in 2003, inheriting a number of ageing buildings.

Haskins also has centres in Ferndown in Dorset, West End in Southampton and Roundstone in West Sussex. The family business recently acquired Forest Lodge Garden Centre, Bird World and Garden Style in Farnham.

Pictured (left to right): Julian Winfield, Jamie Haskins, Ally Haskins (married to Jamie) and Warren Haskins, the group's chairman. 

The opening event was attended by the current GCA Chairman Mike Burks and three past Chairs; Warren Haskins, Sue Allen and Julian Winfield.

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.

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 Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Wild Bird Care chart for last 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.

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.

For further information contact karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.

Burston St Albans Garden Centre put pets and their owners in the spotlight when International Dog Day was celebrated this week.

On Twitter the garden centre tweeted: “It’s no secret that we love dogs here at Burston. 

“We have a dedicated are for dog owners to enjoy treats from our restaurant as well as a huge range of treats and accessories just for them.”

Supreme  Petfoods is capitalising on two of the biggest names in small pets retailing – Russel and Gerty.

The company has launched Gerty Guinea Pig Tasty Nuggets under its Tiny Friends brand following the success of Russel Rabbit mono-component format, which has seen sales increase fourfold in the past year.

Supreme’s marketing manager Claire Hamblion said: “We’re seeing guinea pig owners follow the same trends as rabbit owners as they swing towards the nugget format.”

The new product is an extruded diet that delivers crunch and a high fibre matrix for extended chewing time. Known for its ‘no sugar’ message, Supreme has also ensured that palatability is high, without the addition of harmful syrups or molasses. 

As with all its guinea pig foods, Gerty Guinea Pig Tasty Nuggets contains additional vitamin C which has been stablised in line with the shelf life of the product. There’s also linseed for healthy skin and glossy coat and added vitamins and minerals.

Claire added: “While specialist retailers offer a much wider choice of products, it’s important that they reap the benefits of their recommendations on staples like food, to ensure customers keep returning. 

“A specialist only brand like Tiny Friends Farm and Gerty offers an opportunity to be proactive and to pick up on the one nugget trend, whilst cross-selling treats, hay, bedding and hygiene across the range.”

Available in a 1.5 kg bag with the packaging designed to sit alongside Russel Rabbit Tasty Nuggets for instant brand recognition, Gerty Guinea Tasty Nuggets has an RRP of £4.99. Supreme provides a Tiny Friends Farm loyalty scheme to help keep shoppers loyal to specialist pet stores.