Cirencester to welcome GCA members for 2024 conference
The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has announced that the location of its 2024 annual conference will be Cirencester in Gloucestershire (March 2023). Read more - open to all
Cirencester to welcome GCA members for 2024 conference
The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has announced that the location of its 2024 annual conference will be Cirencester in Gloucestershire (March 2023). Read more - open to all
News from the aisles of the Garden Press Event
The 2023 Garden Press Event was filled with innovation driven by the quest for greater sustainability; and bloggers feeding the interest of younger plant lovers. Read more - members only
We are being misinformed about the economy
We are being misinformed about the economy, an independent expert tells the GCA. We are going to have a recession but it will be mild. It will not be a problem. Read more - members only
BPOA 2023 Technical Conference - In-person ticket sales end soon!
In-person ticket sales for the 2023 BPOA Technical Conference, taking place on Wednesday 1st February 2023 at the NFU Conference Centre, Stoneleigh, close on Wednesday 25th January – don’t leave it too late to book! Read more - open to all
GCA members reminded to book places for first face-to-face conference since 2020
The Garden Centre Association (GCA) is reminding its members to book their places at its first face-to-face conference since 2020, which takes place at the end of this month. Read more - open to all
GCA members to compete for Worrall Cup
Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) are being invited to put their marketing campaigns to the test as part of the organisation’s annual Worrall Cup competition. Read more - open to all
Get ready for the most JUMPERFUL time of the Year 2022!
“Put your Christmas sweater on, it's got to be done” are the words of Christmas crooner, Michael Bublé, and who are we to disagree especially when it is for charity? Read more - open to all
Fears of a poinsettia import ban subside
Reports earlier this week that the UK had put a total halt to poinsettia imports from Holland have been quashed by Defra. Read more - members only
Only a handful of tickets remain for Greenfingers dinner
Call for raffle and auction prizes as only a handful of tickets remain for the annual Greenfingers Charity Fundraising Dinner on the December 1st Read more - open to all
Lords to debate jobs in Ornamental Horticulture
Lords to debate industry concerns that ornamental horticulture and landscaping are not being included within government definitions of ‘green jobs’ Read more - members only
The future looks good for horticulture
Looking over the horizon, the HTA Conference hears that despite a gloomy economic outlook, the winds are set fair for our sector. Read more - members only
What will our industry look like in 2030?
The HTA Conference 2022, in September, is an important opportunity for business leaders to step back from their day to day challenges and peer over the horizon. “What should we do today …?” Read more - members only
IGCA 2022 welcomes almost 200 delegates
IGCA 2022 welcomes almost 200 delegates. An unique chance to meet your collegues and get inspired! Read more - open to all
Online retail growth in freefall in May
UK online retail sales reported a -8.7% Year-on-Year decrease in May 2022, with home and garden one of the worst performers. Read more - members only
2022 sales are up 7% but only thanks to catering
For the first 4 months GCA garden centre revenues are +7% ahead of last year. This includes the re-opened catering. If catering is excluded, sales are down around -12% ytd. Read more - members only
GCA calls for applications for GCA Trust Dick Allen Scholarship Award
Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) are being urged to put forward their staff for the GCA Trust’s Dick Allen Scholarship Award Scheme. Read more - open to all
Dobbies & British Garden Centres to headline GIMA Day Conference
The UK’s two largest garden centre chains will both be addressing GIMA members at the forthcoming Day Conference being held on 14th March at Wyboston Lakes, Bedfordshire. Read more - open to all
Klondyke dominates the GCA awards
Bents became the best GCA destination garden centre, while Klondyke Morton is the garden centre of the year as the group dominates the awards for smaller sites. Wyevale Nurseries is named best supplier. Read more - members only
Predictions for 2023 from garden centre leaders
2022 turned out better than many garden centres feared, but the outlook for 2023 is uncertain. “We can’t sit back and let the economy dictate the rate of growth,” said one garden leader. Read more - members only
The headlines that made 2022 unique - a round-up
2022 was dominated by the recovery from the distortions to trade caused by Covid. It was a year of acquisitions. There were some game changers and sadly we lost some leading characters. Read more - open to all
Applications open for RHS work-based training
Applications for RHS work-based training positions are open, giving prospective horticulturists and those wanting to progress their career, training with leading experts and the opportunity to learn hands-on skills while getting paid. Read more - open to all
Extended support for garden Centres in Hunt’s autumn statement
The Autumn Statement by Jeremy Hunt aimed particular support at the much-beleaguered hospitality, leisure and retail sector, meaning that garden centres and farm shops will benefit from increased and extended relief. Read more - open to all
2021 turnover up +25% or more for most garden centres
The latest company results published on Gardenforum show how garden centres prospered during and after the 3rd Covid lockdown. Read more - members only
Sales continued to fall in a momentous September
Last month Boris Johnson resigned on the 6th. HM The Queen died 2 days later pitching the nation into mourning. On 23rd the fatal mini budget was delivered. No surprise therefore that Garden centre sales fell. Read more - members only
Furniture sales flourish in August
There was a late flush of garden furniture sales in the August heatwave, boosted by stock clearances. Plant sales predictably withered. For the year garden centre revenues are close to 2021. Read more - members only
Barnes writes to Truss and Sunak
HTA Chairman James Barnes has written to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak as the final leadership candidates seeking to become Prime Minister. Read more - members only
Online gardening sales hit by cost of living concerns
The total online market was down -16.7% in the first 6 months, with categories such as gardening and homeware plummeting over -30%. Cost of living concerns are changing consumer priorities. Read more - members only
Supplier concerns about overstocks as sales fall
Supplier concerns about overstocks is growing as the season tails off early. But leading suppliers say they will deal with it and will not lose their long-term focus. Read more - members only
HTA launches Grower support campaign at The National Plant Show
With the aim of supporting the technical training needs of their Grower membership, the HTA is launching an exciting series of training and networking programmes this month at The National Plant Show (NPS) 21st-22nd June. Read more - open to all
Will 2022 be the new normal for garden centres?
Senior garden centre figures talk about the rest of the year, stock levels and discounting. Will 2022 be the new normal? Read more - members only