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

Additional storage at Woodlodge

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

The Frustrated Gardener launches Dan Cooper Garden

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

Dan Cooper

Some good news from revised OWA guidelines

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

Shears by Kent & Stowe

Garden centres called to back Sunflower for Ukraine

Elizabeth McKenna, once a finalist on the Apprentice with her floristry business, has set up an appeal for Ukraine that is focused on Mothers Days and promoted through garden centres and florists. Read more - open to all

Will Putin’s war impact houseplant prices for Mother’s Day?

Garden centres have noticed that the prices of house plants from Holland softened a few days ago following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but they have risen again since.  Read more - members only

Mother's Day display at British Garden Centres

HTA wins ‘Best Sector Representation’ Award

HTA wins ‘Best Sector Representation’ Award at Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2022. The awards are designed to recognise excellence, innovation and best practice amongst Trade Associations in the UK.  Read more - open to all

Last chance to join GIMA’s forthcoming Day Conference

Last chance to join GIMA’s forthcoming Day Conference focused on Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations. Taking place on February 17th, GIMA’s first Day Conference of 2022, focused on the forthcoming changes to the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations (EPR), has just a few places remaining. Read more - open to all

HTA agrees with Brexit report – more costs and burdens to follow

The HTA says the British horticulture industry agrees with the Public Accounts Committee Brexit trade burdens report – more costs and burdens will follow they fear. Read more - members only

Horticulture, The conference - save the date

The HTA are excited to announce the return of our annual conference on Wednesday, 14 September at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in central Birmingham. Read more - open to all

GCA postpones this month’s conference because of COVID

The Garden Centre Association’s annual conference due to start on 23rd January has been postponed due to the ongoing spread of Omicron. Read more - members only

GCA Chairman elect, Tammy Woodhouse

Strong Christmas sales for Garden Centres

The HTA reports  sales figures in the last four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve up on 2020 by between 10% and 20%. Read more - members only

The Blue Diamond Scholarship

As one of the leading garden retailers in the UK, Blue Diamond is keen to help horticultural students.  Up to £2,500 funding is available. Read more - open to all

Blue Diamond at Bicester Avenue

Sales of Christmas products fall in November

The HTA Market Update reports a fall of Christmas sales in November compared to 2020, although they remain ahead of 2019. 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

Clothing sales are up 29% this year

Trading figures are down for March but up for the year

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

GC Customers queuing in the coffee bar

GIMA Buyer Connect: Stax Trade Centres

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

Applications now open for GCA Rising Stars programme

Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) are being encouraged to put forward their employees for the organisation’s Rising Stars programme taking place throughout the year (2022). Read more - open to all

UK Gardeners rescue refugees and deliver aid

Compelled to do more than watch the plight of refugees on television, members of the garden community have driven to Ukraine to rescue refugees and deliver aid. Read more - members only

Paolo Arrigo in body armour that proved unnecessary

New Guide to Potentially Harmful Plants

Working with specialists, the HTA has launched a new Guide to Potentially Harmful Plants. For the first time it covers the risk to pets. Read more - members only

GCA announces its 2021 winners, remotely

Barton Grange and Old Railway Line win the best garden centre categories and Allensmore is named Supplier of the Year in the 2021 GCA Awards. Read more - members only

GCA Chairman, Tammy Woodhouse announcing the awards

AIPH to reunite at 2022 Spring Meeting in Dubai

Following two years of restrictions and uncertainty, the AIPH announces its first in-person event in two years - the 2022 AIPH Spring Meeting, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dubai, UAE. Read more - members only

Expo 2020 Dubai

More details revealed ahead of GIMA Day Conference

Ahead of its first Day Conference of 2022, GIMA has revealed more details about what attendees can expect to learn during the one-day event focused on Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations (EPR). Read more - open to all

What are the biggest challenges for Garden Centres?

Omicron, Brexit, inflation, recruitment or will it be the weather? What do garden centres see as the biggest challenges for 2022? Read more - members only

Catering at Haskins

Final call for horticulture scholarship applications

With just three weeks left to apply for a scholarship, the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) is urging students to take advantage of available horticulture funding.  Read more - open to all

Garden centres hold on to post-Covid gains in November

The GCA Barometer of Trade indicates how garden centres have continued to thrive with a big increase in gifts sales (+19%) in November.  But growth is not even.   Read more - members only

Success for HTA lobbying

Partial success for HTA lobbying…  in 2022 Government will allow ornamental and tree growers to join food growers importing seasonal workers.  But there's to be no overall increase in the number allowed in. Read more - members only

GCA reveals top 10 Christmas displays in the UK

Past winners Barton Grange Garden Centre in Preston and Castle Gardens at Sherborne, Dorset top the GCA list of the best garden centre Christmas displays. Read more - open to all

Castle Gardens

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