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

In-person ticket sales for the 2023 BPOA Technical Conference, taking place on Wednesday 1^st February 2023 at the NFU Conference Centre, Stoneleigh, close on Wednesday 25^th January – don’t leave it too late to book! Read more - open to all

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

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

“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

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

Call for raffle and auction prizes as only a handful of tickets remain for the annual Greenfingers Charity Fundraising Dinner on the December 1^st  Read more - open to all

Lords to debate industry concerns that ornamental horticulture and landscaping are not being included within government definitions of ‘green jobs’ Read more - members only

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

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. An unique chance to meet your collegues and get inspired! Read more - open to all

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

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 figures show a fall in March sales, but comparisons can be misleading.  Garden Centres are in a good place says chief executive, Iain Wylie. Read more - members only

GIMA’s Buyer Connect events are back with the Stax Trade Centres’ full buying teams kicking off the 2022 schedule on April 26th at The Worsley Park Marriott Hotel in Manchester. Read more - open to all

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

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

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 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

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

The latest company results published on Gardenforum show how garden centres prospered during and after the 3^rd Covid lockdown. Read more - members only

Last month Boris Johnson resigned on the 6th.  HM The Queen died 2 days later pitching the nation into mourning.  On 23^rd the fatal mini budget was delivered.  No surprise therefore that Garden centre sales fell. Read more - members only

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

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

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 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

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

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

A blogger at The Frustrated Gardener and former senior buyer at John Lewis launches Dan Cooper Garden on April 5th to partner the best products and with sound, expert advice. Read more - members only

Good news says BHETA, many (but not all) garden and DIY products could be excluded from The Offensive Weapons Act (OWA), scheduled to come into force this Spring. Read more - members only