New hire to boost sales of British products in garden centres

British product sourcing specialist The Great British Exchange has appointed John Hinde to increase the volume of UK manufactured gifts and homewares in garden centres.

John joins from Kadai where he was sales manager, responsible for building the firebowl brand’s portfolio of retail and garden centre stockists and its in-house sales team.

He will be working closely with garden centres nationwide to help them source unique gifts, homewares and outdoor living products from British producers.

John said: “The Great British Exchange works with some exciting and innovative UK brands which really appeal to garden centre shoppers and help stores diversify into quality home and giftware with a focus on buying British.

“I am looking forward to exploring ways of merchandising goods in store and making life easier for busy buyers who, in these uncertain times, need exciting products to increase their footfall and further their sales."

Matthew Hopkins, managing director of The Great British Exchange, said: “We already have a strong working relationship with a number of garden centres including Dobbies and John’s experience in this sector will help us make life easier for retailers by saving them buying time and giving them a single point of contact for a varied and exciting product range from both established and up and coming British designers and manufacturers.”