Stax to open new, multi-channel trade centre
Stax called together over 200 suppliers to hear about a new multi-Channel trade centre, a new website and an autumn marketing campaign. Read more - members only
Stax to open new, multi-channel trade centre
Stax called together over 200 suppliers to hear about a new multi-Channel trade centre, a new website and an autumn marketing campaign. Read more - members only
Garden companies show big sales increases
The latest updates to Company Results show big turnover increases for Scotsdales, Alexander Rose and J Parker Dutch Bulbs. Read more - members only
Homebase to draw on Argos’ digital investment
The Homebase Productivity Plan will mean closer interaction with Argos and the closure of about 80 stores as the retailer seeks to become a multichannel leader in home improvement. Read more - members only
Morpeth traders oppose Wyevale’s clothing expansion UPDATED
Wyevale faces massive opposition from local traders as the group seeks to amend its planning permission at Heighley Gate garden centre. UPDATE - Permission has been granted Read more - members only
The NT re-opens Morden Hall as a peat-free garden centre
Having ousted its tenant, Capital Gardens, the National Trust will officially reopen Morden Hall Park next month as a peat free garden centre. It claims to be the UK’s first but is it? Read more - members only
Haskins CEO challenges popular industry practices
Haskins CEO, Julian Winfield, challenged the industry focus on engaging young people. He also said he does not believe e-commerce is necessary for a business to be successful. Read more - members only
Toolbank digs into the garden market
Toolbank’s distribution agreement with Crest Garden has given it a platform to dig into the garden market. Garden centre buyers are being invited to register for the distributor’s spring trade shows. Read more - members only
Kingfisher to standardise garden products across Europe
“One” Kingfisher is the goal for the new CEO as she seeks to bring its businesses together to create a Europe wide offer. Gardening and bathrooms are first on the list. Also, B&Q is to close 60 stores. Read more - members only
Scotts’ USA lawn app could come to the UK
Scotts has launched a free mobile app in the USA that gives users their own lawn care plan. It could be adpated for the UK. Read more - members only
New Leaf Plants changes hands and plans relocation
Sales director David Higginson has purchased the entire share capital of Evesham-based New Leaf following Peter Hoddinott’s retirement and plans are underway to resite the company at Hill View Nurseries in nearby Sedgeberrow. Read more - members only
One of the UK’s biggest garden centres starts a nationwide online service
Hayes pilots a nationwide delivery service for online sales having nearly completed a £5m re-development project. Last season it sold over £500,000 Christmas trees online. Read more - members only
2015 sales start lower for Homebase
End of year results from Home Retail show Homebase closed 30 stores in the last 12 months. 2015 sales have started lower. Read more - members only
Who is the Home & Garden Group?
It has been announced that Home & Garden has acquired its 8th garden centre but the group, which was formed only last year, is not well known within the industry. Read more - members only
Carr Farm opens 300 seat restaurant as part of major expansion
One year into a 3 year expansion project and Carr Farm Garden Centre has opened a restaurant and two new concessions. Read more - members only
Positive start to 2015 for garden centres
Members of the Garden Centre Association started 2015 positively with sales up 6%, building on the 13% increase in January 2014. However one in three garden centres missed out. Read more - members only
New owners re-launch Cranborne Garden Centre
Cranborne garden centre, well-known for its old fashioned roses, was re-launched over the weekend with the aim of being different to the chain garden centres. Read more - members only
Sinclair shares drop on stock exchange statement
William Sinclair says preparation of its turnaround plan is progressing well but warns of further exceptional losses reflecting difficulties at Ellesmere Port. Read more - members only
Shoot raises £200,000 in less than a week
Nicola Gammon’s Shoot is seeking to raise £350,000 from a crowdfunding website. She has raised over 50% in less than a week. Read more - members only
B&M opens garden centres across the country
Each week, discounter B&M is opening new home & garden stores across the country as it aims to double number of sites to 850. Many are in sites vacated by Homebase. Read more - members only
Tesco knocks £83 million off the value of Dobbies
The £6.4 billion loss announced by Tesco included a £116 million write-down in goodwill and other impairments of UK businesses. £83m related to Dobbies. Read more - members only
Blue Diamond boss tells suppliers to ‘Knock our door down’
Alan Roper, managing director of Blue Diamond, told suppliers to “knock our door down if you have products that are right for us” as he outlined his vision for the future to GIMA members. This includes arranging the funding for a major acquisition. Read more - members only
Glee to introduce a Retail Power List
Glee should be at capacity this year with increased bookings and well-known names returning. New features will include the Retail Power List and the PetQuip Village. Read more - members only
Worldpay predicts record-breaking April sales for garden centres
With weather forecasters predicting a scorching Easter weekend, says Worldpay, Britain’s garden centres could see record-breaking trade in the next four weeks. Landscapers are also having a good time. Read more - members only
White Stores opens garden furniture showroom in Oxford garden centre
Online garden furniture retailer White Stores has opened its first concession at Yarnton Nurseries Garden Centre in Oxfordshire as a pilot. Read more - members only
Wyevale opens the new Percy Thrower’s Garden Centre
See pictures of the new Percy Thrower’s, the first garden centre designed by the current Wyevale management. Week one sales shot it into the group’s top five. Read more - members only
Powles to take GIMA inside the mind of a buyer
Headline speakers at next month’s GIMA day conference include Julian Winfield and Conna Powles from Haskins Garden Centres, and Alan Roper of Blue Diamond Group. Read more - members only
Bayer loses libel action over pesticide harm to bees claim (Updated)
Bayer has failed in its attempt to sue Friends of the Earth Germany over its claims that thiacloprid, a pesticide manufactured by Bayer, harms bees. Read more - members only
Big questions ahead for Kingfisher and B&Q
The Telegraph speculates that the new chief executive of Kingfisher, who faces pressure on all fronts, will introduce major changes including store closures and modernising at B&Q. Read more - members only
William Sinclair chief exec departs with immediate effect
William Sinclair has announced the departure of Peter Rush as chief executive with immediate effect. He is replaced by a turnaround specialist after a poor start to the spring.
Read more - members onlyScotts to spend £7.5m on four TV adverts
Scotts Miracle-Gro is spending £7.5m this spring and summer on TV campaigns to drive customers in store. The advertising will start to air week commencing 30th March. Read more - members only