HTA President says we must make sure we understand the modern gardeners needs
On New Years Eve HTA President, Boyd Douglas-Davies told GTN Xtra: "As one diary closes and the next opens I feel that we leave 2020 in a much more positive position than might have been hoped in the spring.
"Garden Centres being classified as ‘essential’ gives not only the retailers but also the growers and suppliers much more confidence in 2021. Spending time in the garden has become the number one pastime in the UK and I believe we will see that reflected in sales throughout the coming year.
"The adoption of digital communications by so many will be beneficial to us as an industry – events like the 10th Garden Re-Leaf Day in March will be able to go ahead across the country and yet we will all be connected. Inspiring consumers via social media will play a larger part in our business than ever before.
"As an industry we should be proud of the recognition we have received but not abuse the privilege. We showed the world that we can work together and we mustn’t lose sight of that, by collaborating we can all benefit.
"I think importing from anywhere in the world will be challenging in the next few months, but not impossible. Garden based activity will remain at an all-time high, we must make sure that we understand the modern gardeners needs. 2021, whist challenging, will be a good year for our industry.