Modest increases over Christmas
Sales over the Christmas period showed modest increases, but some Christmas categories and houseplants sold well. Some garden centres are +10% for the year. Read more
Modest increases over Christmas
Sales over the Christmas period showed modest increases, but some Christmas categories and houseplants sold well. Some garden centres are +10% for the year. Read more
Gifts and Christmas flourish in November
Figures just released by the GCA show sales grew 9% in November, with houseplants, clothing and Christmas growing fastest. Read more
BHETA provides Challenge 25 collateral for bladed goods
BHETA is to provide officially sanctioned Challenge 25 artwork for suppliers, retailers and delivery companies involved in the supply of age-restricted bladed items such as kitchen knives and DIY and garden tools. Read more
September sales fell 1% in GCA garden centres
September sales were 1% down on last year according to the latest figures published by the Garden Centre Association. Read more
Garden centres prosper in the rain and heat of August
August weather was hotter and wetter than average. As a result both garden furniture and gardening sales prospered according to the GCA Barometer of Trade. Read more
A new product category emerged at Glee
Alternative to Chemicals, goes a step beyond replacing one chemical with another that's more environmentally friendly. Hozelock and Westland see ATC as an important step preparing consumers for a 'free-from' future. Read more
Garden centres defy high street gloom
GCA figures for July show garden centres increased sales by +11%, while the BRC reports that high street footfall dropped by -2.7% and footfall in shopping centres fell by +3.1%. Read more
Despite a weaker June, garden centre sales are +6% for the year
2019 has the makings of a strong year for garden centres. Latest figures from the GCA indicate that garden centres are still +6% ahead of last year despite losing ground in June. Read more
May sales hold up well
May sales, while down -7%, were stronger than garden centres could have hoped for. At the end of the month they are still +9% year-to-date ahead of last year. Read more
Contemporary sculptures mark opening of new Wisley garden centre
A 5m high Giants Chair dominates a sculpture display at RHS Wisley Gardens that coincides with next week’s opening of its new garden centre, restaurant and Welcome building. Read more
GCA plant sales up 34% this year
The GCA Barometer of Trade shows garden centre sales were +19% up for the year at the end of April with outdoor plants and furniture being the stand-out performers. Read more
Cold bank holiday fails to dim garden centres’ optimism
Cold weather may have held back plant sales over the weekend, but restaurants prospered. Garden centres are optimistic. “This is what makes running a garden centre so unpredictable and so much fun.” Read more
A record Easter
It seems that the hot weather and the late timing combined to produce the best ever Easter trading for garden centres. Further updates added from Wyevale, Hillier, and Klondyke. Read more
Plant breeders to police illegal propagation
Pot and bedding plant breeding members of Fleuroselect have launched a campaign against the illegal reproduction of protected plant varieties with random visits, a tip-off line for whistle blowers and fines. Read more
Reminder – The National Minimum Wage goes up in April
The National Minimum Wage goes up by 4.8% in April. Horticultural workers employed after 1st Oct 2013 are included. Read more
Review of 2019
Here is a summary of the news stories published on Gardenforum during 2019: Wyevale disintegration and the expansion of other groups, the environment, supplier consolidation and people in the news. This review is open to all. Read more
Will the election result be good for business?
Following the Tory election win, ‘Brexit will get done’ and the pound is rising. Is this good for the Garden industry? Or could there be turbulent times ahead? Read more
Did sales rise or fall in October?
Separate reports from the GCA and the HTA show contrasting outcomes for garden centre sales during October. The GCA reports a fall for a second consecutive month, while the HTA reports a rise. Read more
Advice for Brexit, deal or no deal
Gardenforum looks at some of the resources available to help companies keep up to date with advice on Brexit and especially a no deal Brexit. Read more
Price rises for plants as demand exceeds supply
As demand for UK grown plants increases, growers in the Green Heart of Glee reveal that prices will rise and there could be shortages. Read more
The HTA needs to get onto the front foot
HTA chairman, James Barnes calls for the backing of members, especially growers, to hear him present plans to re-invigorate the HTA and to promote sustainability at the Cultivating Retail conference. Read more
The HTA has a message for Boris
The HTA’s Director of Policy and Communications tells the new PM that the ornamental sector, which supports 568,000 jobs, is essential for the Government’s environment plans. Read more
The 2019 GIMA Award winners are…
The big winners at last night’s Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Awards were the rapidly growing Smart Garden and industry newcomer, Primeur, with its recycled rubber, self watering planters. Read more
The next May bank holiday will be on a Friday
The first May bank holiday in 2020 will be put back 4 days to Friday 8th May to celebrate VE Day in Europe. Read more
Retailers and suppliers meet to discuss responsible knife retailing
Top retailer and supplier brands attended BHETA’s workshop, to discuss its responsible knife retailing campaign. The first actions in the responsible retailing campaign will be announced within weeks. Read more
New Wisley plant centre to have biggest range of unusual plants
The new Welcome building that opens next month at the RHS Wisley garden will sell more unusual and rare plants from one place than anywhere else in the UK. Read more
March sales bounce back to 2017 levels
As expected after last year’s Beast from the East, The GCA Barometer of Trade shows massive increases in garden centre sales in March, but sales barely matched March 2017. Read more
There is a new breed of retailer ready to move in
The recent demise of so many retailers shows the disruption to existing channels by online retailing. But Steve Collinge told the GIMA conference that the disruption to come will be bigger and nastier and include the rise of new breed of retailer. Read more
Bright start to 2019 for garden centres
Garden centre sales were up 20% in February. By the end of March they will have a significant lead over 2018, which was hampered by ‘The Beast…’. The question is whether 2019 will be a vintage year? Read more
HTA frustrated as agriculture minister resigns
George Eustice, Minister for Agriculture since 2015, has resigned over Brexit. HTA chairman James Barnes said, “Clearly such events are frustrating but you always have to respect these decisions in the political arena.” Read more