The first Homebase store to undergo a Bunnings makeover opened for business in St Albans last week.

After a private “team event” on Sunday attended by 600 staff from across the UK and their families and friends, the Griffin Way store welcomed its first customers on Thursday with a ‘Sausage Sizzle’, a trademark gesture when Aussie parent company Wesfarmers opens stores back home.

Bunnings UK MD PJ Davis told Sunday’s gathering that the event was a thank-you for all their hard work in building the first UK new-look store.

St Albans is the first of a handful of 270 Homebase stores in the pilot scheme to test the company’s price-competitive retail offer on UK consumers. If successful, the rest will become Bunnings Warehouses over the next few years.

"Conversion will depend on how the first handful go – when we're happy with how they go we'll move relatively quickly," Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder told The Australian Financial Review last week. "It will take some time because there are 270 stores, but if we need to make tweaks we'll do that before we do a fast rollout.”

Some analysts say Wesfarmers is wary of a hasty foray into the British DIY market without proper testing.

Commentators in Australia regard the UK home improvement sector as 'sluggish' because of weak wage growth, the emergence of a “do it for me” culture thanks to the abundance of cheap labour and a lack of enthusiasm from today’s young homemakers.

Kadai Firebowls® return to the Spring Fair 2017 with a show exclusive that will revolutionise the outdoor cooking and leisure experience.

Innovation is key to the great success of Kadai Firebowls® by Wilstone, who have been at the leading edge of fire bowl barbecuing for the last decade. Their approach brings together the traditional skills of artisan producers with innovative British designs that have shaped the way fire bowl cookery has evolved.

As Christo Mckinnon-Wood, Co-founder and Managing Director of Wilstone explains “The new Holi Grill is an example of innovation in action and we’re hugely excited to offer an exclusive preview at the Spring Fair ahead of our official launch in May this year. Our newly designed grill system will be incorporated into the Recycled Kadai Firebowl®, allowing wood or embers to be moved, stoked or replenished without the need to interrupt cooking time. This provides unlimited levels of flexibility and control over cooking and heating zones and styles."

The new Holi Grill concept works alongside the interchangeable range of Kadai Accessories® to provide a cooking experience that’s as intuitive as it is pleasurable. Food can be placed in different zones and at different heights to allow complete control over cooking style, timing, taste and experience.  Whether first time novice or old hand, the Kadai Holi Grill takes the fire bowl cooking experience to the next level.

Kadai Firebowls® by Wilstone are built on very personal and privileged relationships with their artisans, stockists and customers and as Christo goes on to say, it’s these regular personal conversations that have shaped product research and development; “product development is where we started to think about what we could, should and would do differently. “Pushing forward the evolution of our designs to enhance customer experiences in ways that really bring people together."

Great design begins with great ideas and the team over at Wilstone have worked closely with their artisan producers for the last 10 years to bring the traditions of Indian Kadai cookery to the fore of  British leisure time, doing so in a contemporary yet time honoured way. Quality, authenticity and environmental responsibility combine to create a product, brand, and service that you can truly rely on.

To find out more and to see the Holi Grill in action, visit the the Kadai Firebowl® team on stand 1H12-G13 at this year’s Spring Fair.

                             

“Pedigree” (definition) – the line of decent of a pure bred animal indicating ‘pure-bred’ ancestry

Pedigree Garden has been ‘born’ to meet the demands of the new generation of gardener where design, elegance, good-look’s and performance matter in equal measure.

We think you will rather take to little Hugo (whose favourite hobby is digging) our new generation of Bulldog who we think does a charming job of representing the new range, combining breeding, strength and performance with over 235 years of manufacturing expertise and know-how.

Little Hugo is so keen to tell everyone about his new job role that we’ve decided to pop his picture and cheeky paw prints on each and every one of our spades, forks, hand tools, rakes and cutting shears, as we think he embodies exactly what the Pedigree Garden range is all about.

Developed into three lightweight “easy-to-choose” collections:

• “Digging”
• “Cultivation”
• “Transformation”

Each one represented by a beautifully coloured ‘Pedigree pattern’ that helps customers to identify the right tool for the right task in the garden, making the selection process an altogether more pleasurable experience whatever your level of knowledge might be.

The Pedigree Garden range makes for a wonderful gift for a friend or loved one, each tool has it’s own  “Lifetime Guarantee” as standard, is elegant, collectable and bears it’s very own Hugo branded tag (covered in little paw prints) on which to scribe your personal good wishes.

Each tool is made from ‘easy-to-clean’ lightweight stainless steel for ease of use which gives you the strength and quality for which we are renowned by professionals within garden industry - just ask them whose tools they use.

Each one of our spades and forks are tested beyond the British Standard, with all shafts and handles made from sustainably sourced FSC certified Ash.

We hope that you enjoy using Pedigree as much as we have done in developing it and wish you endless hours of happy gardening with Hugo.

To see the Pedigree Range and to meet the team at Spring Fair in Birmingham come and see us on Hall 6 Stand J06 or for more information contact: Sarah Cottle, Brand Manager, on 0773 606 1255 or email: sarah.cottle@rollins.co.uk

Or visit www.pedigreegarden.co.uk

Scotts Miracle-Gro’s finance chief in the US has re-iterated the company’s plans to sell its European business – but told investors: “We’re not looking to give it away.”

In a Q1 results conference call last week (Tuesday), Randy Coleman (executive VP and CFO) said: “We maintain our bias to exit the European marketplace, and as we said in the past, we've been marketing this business for some time. We still view this as a good business, and we're not looking to give it away. So anything we do must be based on an attractive valuation. I'm cautiously optimistic we will get something done, but I don't want to commit too much, too soon.”

He said he was still hoping for a deal “by spring” but they would continue to run the business if a buyer was not found, despite the adverse effect on the company’s operating margin.

CEO Jim Hagedorn suggested that if the company hit its targets this year, operating margin would increase by more than 250 basis points [2.5%]. “If we exit Europe, that improvement climbs to 350 basis points....I don't think you find a more sort of American company than us.”

During the call, Hagedorn confirmed he was a supporter of Donald Trump. “I voted for him largely because, I expected it to be good for our business, and I hope that turns out to be the case,” he said.

The sell-off is designed to enable the group to focus on its Stateside core business and new ventures, including its fast-growing hydroponics division. It will remove a significant distraction for the US company, but last week’s comments will reassure Miracle-Gro stockists that the company still regards its European business as a valuable commodity.

• Garden Products - up 2%
• Veg-2-Gro - down 20%
• Growing Media - up 4%
• All Items Index - down 3%

karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Squire’s Garden Centre in Chertsey is now open after a complete re-build. This boutique garden centre has a new outdoor plant area, a garden centre shop with a range of gifts, and a brand new Café Bar – perfect for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea.

Squire’s is a successful family owned business, and £1.5 million was spent on building the new garden centre, with Chairman Colin Squire very involved with both the design and build.

Sarah Squire (Deputy Chairman) commented: “We are delighted to open our new garden centre in Chertsey. It has a totally fresh outdoor plant area, new shop and new Café Bar – which is in a octagonal lodge building that dates back to the Napoleonic wars.

"Chertsey is a small but perfectly formed garden centre where you can find what you need and be back in your garden in no time. Do pop in and say hello to our team.”

Squire’s Garden Centre, Holloway Hill, Chertsey, KT16 0AE. www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk

With its growing popularity in recent years, catering is becoming an all-important add-on and proving a significant revenue stream to a growing number of garden centres, with catering overtaking sales in more traditional categories such as outdoor plants in 2015.* Recent statistics also show that over 50% of garden centres now offer on-site catering facilities, with an estimated 55 million visits to garden centre cafes taking place in 2011 alone**. This clearly shows that garden centre catering is big business.

Sales promotion is another area where garden centres and retailers have been increasingly flexing their entrepreneurial muscle and innovative spirit to increase footfall and maximise sales, particularly after Christmas.

Mike Burks, of The Garden Group, explains how his team helps to drive footfall in the quieter post-Christmas period. He said: “We utilise times of high footfall to promote events and promotions in time of low footfall. We also look at creating a variety of events and content that will appeal to the full breadth of our customers, including everything from festive decoration sales and incentives such as offering discounted vouchers valid for January, to extra activities such as in-house talks from keynote speakers, calendar events such as ‘Orchid Day’ and half-term events for children.”

These methods also encourage impulsive spending among consumers and an opportunity to entice customers via inspiring PoS displays. This is something important to bear in mind when visiting this year’s Glee, with many of the UK's top suppliers of PoS displaying products to offer fresh, creative ideas to attract further business.

“Customers visit more frequently if we can offer them interest and something going on, so how do we consistently do that? It’s a question of good staff and great product selection – a combination of value and relevance while providing solutions, plus inspirational and aspirational products,” Richard Cumming, Managing Director of Orchard Park Garden Centre explains.  “All year round is our aim, an absolutely vital factor for any retailer wanting to stay on top of their game and maintain a consistently healthy bottom line.”

It is non-weather dependent products such as this that have seen the most recent surge in exhibitor sign ups, reveals Glee Event Director, Matthew Mein:“Glee offers retailers more options than ever for ensuring more stable cashflow opportunities during seasonal slumps.  Whether you are looking to buy homewares or giftware, food or clothing, you'll find it all under the same roof at the exhibition come September." 

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits within core product categories including garden care, landscaping, outdoor living, garden design, pet, speciality food and catering, home, gift and clothing, and plants. Each year the show attracts thousands of buyers from top retailers, such as leading UK garden centres, builders’ merchants, multiple retailers, and DIY stores. To keep up-to-date on all the latest news visit www.gleebirmingham.com or for details on exhibiting at Glee 2017, call 0203 033 2160.

Blue Diamond has won planning permission for its Newbridge, Horsham, garden centre in West Sussex.

The development, which is due to get under way later this year with an opening scheduled for Spring 2018, includes an extra 3,000 sq.m. of sales space and a second restaurant. The existing restaurant will also be enlarged.

Blue Diamond’s Coton Orchard site in Cambridge, acquired before Christmas, is due to be redeveloped this summer, with planning proposals for Fermoys (Devon), Harlow (Essex) and Fryers (Cheshire) awaiting outcomes.

The company is also understood to be investigating a small handful of greenfield sites

Thanks to sales of Gardman Charity Poppy Bird Feeders and Bird Seed in garden centres across the UK, £218,359 has been raised for The Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland, with funds going towards supporting individuals and families from across the Armed Forces community. This total amount exceeds the projected target of £200,000 and reflects the soaring popularity of the Poppy Feeders amongst the British public.

Gardman, the UK's leading garden products and wild bird care supplier, pledged to donate 50p for every sale of its cast-iron Poppy Bird Feeder and up to £1.50 for sales of its Wild Bird Seed Blend to the Armed Forces charities.

Peter Utting, Chief Executive at Gardman, said: “We are immensely proud to have raised such a significant amount of money for The Royal British Legion, whilst at the same time creating a consumer proposition that has been in phenomenal demand.  The feeder alone has generated £2.5 million of incremental sales within the wild bird category. I would also like to thank the Gardman team and all our customers for supporting such a worthy cause.  Our plan is to go bigger and better for 2017!”.

Claire Rowcliffe, Director of Fundraising at The Royal British Legion, said: “We are extremely grateful to Gardman for the monies raised through the sale of their beautiful Poppy Bird Feeder and Wild Bird Seed Blend, which will support the Armed Forces community and their families. Gardman have managed to raise an incredible total in just the first year of our corporate partnership, exceeding expectations.”

Victoria Wershof, Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Royal British Legion, continued “The success of this corporate partnership has been unprecedented, especially in such a short amount of time. Since the partnership launched in August, Gardman has become one of our top five corporate partners, in terms of donations, thanks to the success of the poppy bird feeder campaign.”

Hundreds of garden centres across the UK joined forces with Gardman to support the fundraising effort with eye-catching retail displays of the stunning Poppy Bird Feeder and engaging social media campaigns helping sales soar and products to sell out within weeks.

Benjamin Smith, Marketing Manager at Garden King garden centre in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, comments: “The Poppy Appeal from The Royal British Legion is so close to everyone’s hearts both locally and nationally. Our striking Gardman Poppy Bird Feeder display drove footfall to the centre with hundreds of customers picking up a Gardman Poppy Feeder for their own gardens.”

As well as exceeding their donations target for The Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland through the sale of Poppy Bird Feeders and bird feed, Gardman also provided six care homes and a break centre that support veterans and their families across the country with all the essentials for encouraging wild birds to visit and feed. Gardman donated more than £2,500 worth of bird care kits – which included a mix of Poppy Bird Feeders, bird baths and feeding tables - to The Royal British Legion services. These kits were very well received by the beneficiaries, bringing a touch of colour to their gardens, as well as incorporating the joy of bird feeding into their daily routine.

Gardman Poppy Bird Feeders are on sale in garden centres across the country, with 50p from each sale being donated to the Legion.

A list of stockists and more information about the campaign can be found at www.gardmanpoppy.co.uk.

Pictured: Gardman CEO presents cheque to The Royal British Legion: (Left to right) Heidi Pointet (Area Administrator for London, TRBL), Victoria Wershof (Corporate Partnerships Manager, TRBL), Ryan Allain (Area Manager for London, TRBL), Claire Rowcliffe (Director of Fundraising, TRBL), Peter Utting (CEO, Gardman), Sarah Stephenson (Membership Support Officer, TRBL), Ben France (Interim Head of Corporate Partnerships, TRBL).

Plant Buyer | Essex (ref:DS9045)

• Experience of purchasing bedding plants on a commercial scale.
• Liaising with suppliers for the best possible terms and quality plants.
• Working with the Department Manager with regards to incoming goods.
• Informing stock control and accounts of terms and discounts agreed.
• Working as part of the Plants team.
• Buyer administration duties
• Undertake such other duties as may be required in the post.

To apply for this role click here

Bedding Area Assistant | Essex (ref:DS9039)

Location: Essex
Salary: Depending on experience
Date: 02 Feb
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent


This vibrant growing business prides itself in providing great customer service and this starts with understanding and knowing their customer needs. They have been in the business for over 25 years and firstly and foremost they love plants! Anyone that visits the garden centre will be able to see that they are dedicated to providing their customers with choice plants that have been cared for and that they know their customers will enjoy in their gardens or homes.

As part of providing this for their customers they are looking for a Bedding Area Assistant. Someone who has a passion for plants and experience in gardening or some horticultural experience. The successful candidate must have:

• A basic knowledge of bedding and seasonal plants.
• Produce visually eye-catching displays.
• Ensure displays are merchandised to the highest standard.
• Work with customers and provide excellent customer service.
• The successful candidate will be happy to load, unload and run trolleys to and from our nursery area.

To apply for this role click here

• Utilising the appropriate skills and tools available, ensure that their service enhances customer's environments and exceeds their expectations.
• Embedding their values within all projects, creating a platform to increase revenue streams with both current and potential clients.
• Supporting the development of their business to increase revenue and profitability through the provision of effective analysis of proposals and client needs to produce commercially viable estimates.
• Creating partnerships with key suppliers, reducing overall costs, whilst retaining quality and working within agreed budgets.
• Working closely with the Finance team to ensure that projects works generate, and where possible exceed, the expected income, on time and to the exacting standards of the company.

Garden Centre Booking In | Essex (ref:DS9042)

Location: Essex
Salary: Depending on experience
Date: 02 Feb
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

This vibrant, growing, Essex Garden Centre business prides itself in providing great customer service and this starts with understanding and knowing their customer needs. They have been in the business for over 25 years and as part of their expansion are looking for a:

• Booking In - Full Time
• Have a structured approach to paperwork.
• Enjoy working outdoors in all weathers.
• Good communication skills with suppliers.
• Assembly of stock for collection for all departments (this involves pulling trolleys).
• An ability to remain calm and operate within a structured process when faced with large volume deliveries.

To apply for this role click here

• Taylors Seed Potatoes Taster Pack Pentland Javelin and Taylors Seed Potatoes Taster Pack Red Duke of York are other re-entries at No 9 and No 15 respectively.
• Thompson & Morgan Courgette Defender F1 Hybrid is the highest climber, jumping 30 places to No 17.
• Mr Fothergills Runner Bean Lady Di (Stringless) is the highest newcomer to the Top 50, coming in at No 23.
• Taylors Onion Sets Red Baron retained the top spot.

• Arthur Bowers Multipurpose Compost 50 litres stays at No 1.
• Westland Gro-Sure Perlite Pouch (10 litres) is the highest re-entry at No 22.
• Growth Technology Houseplant Focus Repotting Mix is the highest climber, moving up 21 places to No 17.

• Ligustrum is the highest new entry at 13.
• Rose is the highest climber, jumping 28 places to No 16.
• Bacopa is the highest re-entry at No 19.

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.