In This Issue
New highs for Christmas?
Meet the team helping companies grow, Cultiv8 Marketing
Firmans Direct seek experienced Sales Agents
Area Manager for South of England wanted by Traegar
Winter plants boost sales
Arboretum named National Retailer of The Year
Life ‘as normal’ resumes with millions still gardening
Discount retailer's shelves fully stocked for Christmas
Wyevale Nurseries launches retail plant collections for 2022
Zest running man goes extra mile for Macmillan
Garden buildings market increased despite pandemic
Dobbies gets into the festive spirit
Woodlodge to showcase 700 lines at Harrogate fair
Garden Connect: 4 new OpSuite integrated webshops & apps live
GTN October 2021 Issue available on-line
Experienced Field Sales Agent (Commission Only)
Area Manager South England
Get your copy of GTN Xtra
Sweet Christmas
Garden retailers recognised at greeting card awards
Rockin Robins
Tamsin Westhorpe appointed editor of Inside Horticulture magazine
More momentum for growing media
Investment in R&D sparks recruitment drive for sustainable decking brand 
Hillier welcomes new Sales Manager to Amenity team
The best of last week's
Elho takes top prize as GIMA Award winners announced
Picture Special of the glitzy GIMA Awards evening
Dobbies strengthens leadership team
Council grants expansion plans at garden centre
Christmas and plants – the recipe for success
A festive Christmas at Hillier
Brightening up our homes at British Garden Centres
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
Raw food firm lines up Christmas feast for pets
CASCO Pet launches new company website
DogPhone keeps ‘pandemic pups’ in touch with owners
Situations Vacant
Experienced Field Sales Agent (Commission Only)
Firmans Direct
 
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Area Manager South England
Traeger Pellet Grills, LLC  South Ferriby, England
 
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Life ‘as normal’ resumes with millions still gardening

 

The Horticultural Trades Association’s November Market Update Report shows that of the 3 million people who took up hobby gardening in 2020 around two thirds have been retained. 

 

Those that dropped off, likely did so due to the reopening of travel, out-of-home leisure and a return to more typical working patterns.  

 

In June 2020, the HTA’s consumer tracker survey revealed that 64per cent of British adults said they used their gardens for growing plants, trees or flowers. When the survey was repeated in August 2021, the proportion of British adults growing plants, trees or flowers fell to 62per cent, which is around 700,000 fewer people. The largest decline came amongst the youngest age group, those aged 25-44, who are likely to be returning pre-pandemic habits for spending their leisure time.  

 

Despite the decrease in numbers of people gardening, garden centre sales are still up on both 2020 and 2019. Garden/Gardening sales are up 55per cent on October 2019 and although non-gardening sales remain similar to October 2020, pet sales are up again, with an increase of 10per cent on October 2020. Catering sales were also down, with the ending of the temporary 5per cent VAT rate for hospitality, rising to 12.5per cent likely having an impact on sales figures. Still, there are promising increases in food/farm shop sales, which are up 23% on October 2020. 

 

The UK’s job market has reached a record high number of people on payroll and the UK’s unemployment rate currently sits at 4.5%, as of August 2021. Still, consumer confidence has decreased for a third consecutive month as consumers are faced with increased inflation and other economic issues affecting their financial stability. In fact, inflation has reached a 10-year high, largely driven by fuel and energy price hikes. Rising inflation impacts consumer confidence and willingness to spend on non-essentials as disposable incomes are squeezed.  

 

The major purchase index declined by 10 points from September to October, indicating that consumers will be more reluctant to spend in the months leading up to Christmas.  

 

HTA members can read the report here.

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