Despite the frenetic trading days after May 18^th when garden centres reopened, total sales in May were down -22%, including restaurant comparatives, according to the latest statistics from the GCA. Read more - members only

It’s 15 weeks till the start of Glee. Invoices have arrived with exhibitors for final payments to participate in the exhibition. But will the show be going ahead? Read more - members only

BHETA’s latest forecast for DIY & Garden sales has improved slightly but still shows a drop of -10.5% in 2020. Read more - members only

In light of the current Coronavirus situation GIMA has decided to postpone the AGM & Day Conference that was due to take place this Thursday 19^th March.   There is a plan to reschedule the event for later in the year Read more - members only

The launch of the Young People in Horticulture Association has caught the imagination of the industry. New members are joining by the day and it has received ‘wonderful offers of help from all corners of the industry’. Read more - members only

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 - open to all

Monkton Elm’s Mike Lind gets ready to hand over the chairmanship of the GCA and warns that the proposed increase in minimum wage could be a significant threat for the garden centre sector. Read more - members only

Garden centres should focus on Facebook first…  The HTA marketing conference delivered advice and some great links to free resources. Read more - members only

The HTA Market Update analyses the retail sales of plants, garden care products, pots and garden leisure. It also evaluates greenhouses and sheds and looks at garden services. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond continues its Wyevale buying spree buying Bridgemere, while Webbs buys Cheltenham garden centre. In addition 2 centres will close. Read more - members only

SmartPlants adds T&M to its growing list of commercial partners.  Customer receipts by the mail-order supplier will soon be accompanied by the newly developed SmartPlant 'button' to provide post sale advice. Read more - members only

James Barnes, the former CEO of Dobbies, is to become the chairman of the HTA and will speak on behalf of the association with members and outside the industry. Read more - open to all

David Domoney congratulates this year’s Cultivation Street ambassador of the year, Dobbies’ Steven Purton, who regularly shares his expertise with a local charity, 4 schools, a college and a hospital to improve their communal spaces. Read more - members only

The Royal Horticultural Society will receive £4 million from the National Lottery towards a five-year project that includes developing the world’s first National Centre for Horticultural Science and Learning, at the RHS Garden at Wisley. Read more - members only

The HTA Board has announced that Chris Pateman has left his post as Chairman of the HTA citing family reasons and the long commute. Read more - members only

The HTA’s Market update for June gives the first report of May sales. Plants and garden categories in May almost matched the full months sales in 2019. While non-gardening categories remained significantly down. Read more - members only

The full impact of Covid-19 is shown by the GCA Barometer for April, where lost sales averaged £500,000 per garden centre in April. Read more - members only

Online gardening sales were down -22% prior Coronavirus. Now IMRG expects online sales to grow, especially for  products that can help self-isolated customers such as home and garden categories. Read more - members only

This spring the Horticultural Trades Association is launching the HUB, its new E-learning app. Read more - members only

The Government re-introduced the Environment Bill to Parliament yesterday. It follows the loss of the original Bill because of the general election in December. Read more - members only

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 - members only

An expanding membership has prompted the GCA to start the search for an additional inspector to join the current team of 3. Read more - members only

History and Heraldry, Allensmore and Woodlodge were the Suppliers of the Year in their categories for the Choice Marketing Group of independent garden centres. Read more - members only

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 - members only

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 - members only

Here’s your chance to catch up with some of the events in the retail garden sector that you may have missed. It was a turbulent year with the collapse of Gardman; around 60 garden centres changing hands or closing, Wyevale, Bunnings, Snow and drought. This is open to all. Read more - open to all

LOFA has announced that secretary Phil Gibbs left the association on Friday 19^th October as a new look board explores new opportunities for the association. Read more - members only

The Garden Centre Association has recruited 9 new members bringing the total number of garden centres the association represents to nearly 200. Read more - members only

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is launching a new retail data service for members thanks to an exclusive deal with research and data provider, GfK.  Read more - members only

Chris Pateman became chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association earlier this year. Part of his role is to be the new face of the HTA, representing the interests of members to Government and the rest of the garden sector. Read more - members only