HTA declares neutral position on EU Referendum

Having consulted its members and got a mixed response, the HTA has decided to remain neutral in the debate over the future of the UK in Europe. Read more - members only

Challenging insights from HTA Technology Conference

‘If a consumer can’t buy from you at 10pm, they’ll go to Amazon.’ Are iBeacons the gadget to watch? Retailers say the surprise benefits of EPOS include finding out how often their gut feelings are wrong. Read more - members only

Globalisation has had a major impact on the ornamental horticulture industry

“It seems that the power-base for the production and market for ornamentals is changing,” says Tim Briercliffe, Secretary General of the AIPH. Read more - members only

Tim Briercliffe

Wiseweather hints at possible late Arctic shock

The long range weather forecast from Wiseweather suggests a more average February with a possible polar arctic shock at the end of the month or the beginning of March. Read more - members only

Garden centres are getting bigger but blander

Malcolm Scott says, “The danger is that garden centres are getting bigger and bigger, but blander and blander.” His colleague, Chris Primett explains how the new Garsons restaurant is different. Read more - members only

Garsons' new restaurant

Garden centres and DIY now have less than 60% of the market

Three recent reports show the growing importance of other channels for garden products. Read more - members only

Mintel estimate of market segmentation

Review of 2015 in the Garden Industry

2015 was an eventful year in the garden sector. Here is a round-up of some of the most important stories on Gardenforum throughout the year. This article is open to non-members. Read more - open to all

Bicester, one of the 8 garden centres bought by Black Rock for £112.5m

How Bonnington Plastics beat substitute sellers on Amazon

Bonnington Plastics offers to share with other manufacturers the tactics it used to beat the substitute sellers who were costing the company £50,000 a year. Read more - members only

Customers responding to this advert wrongly believed they were buying the genuine product

November is forecast to continue milder and drier than average

Wiseweather predicts a cooler spell at the end of next week in an otherwise mild month. Read more - members only

Garden retailers have less than 1 month to comply with SUD

The CPA reminds retailers they have one month to comply with the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD) regulations. To comply, staff should be certificated using a simple online training course. Read more - members only

New President promises HTA will give change a great big ‘Bear-Hug’

Introducing the Garden Futures Conference, new president, Adam Wigglesworth said “The entrepreneur spirit is as alive as ever. The HTA is giving change a great big bear hug.” Read more - members only

HTA President, Adam Wigglesworth

Garden centres prosper in July despite the rain

Whether it is cooler and wetter or hot and dry, garden centres can prosper in the summer months and so it proved with the GCA statistics for July showing strong growth. Read more - members only

Coletta & Tyson

Line-up for new format HTA Garden Futures conference

The theme for this year’s HTA Garden Futures Conference is Embracing Change. Headline speakers from outside gardening include Will Butler-Adams and Simon Jack. Insiders are led by the new MD of Homebase. Read more - members only

Will Butler-Adams OBE

Horticultural Scholarship Season Opens

The David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) Scholarship Season opens next month, giving young horticulturists five months to apply for a scholarship. Read more - open to all

3 more garden centres join the GCA

Three garden centres have joined the Garden Centre Association, swelling the association membership to 180. Read more - members only

Summer at Orchard Park

Thrive joins £1.3m garden project for dementia sufferers

Thrive will use its expertise to deliver training as part of a £1.3 million project to transform care home gardens to support people with dementia. Read more - members only

Telegraph opens online Garden Shop

Hayloft Plants has beaten bigger rivals to run The Telegraph online Garden Shop and is looking to add product. Read more - members only

How can we engage future generations through disruptive technology?

Watch a live debate with leading influencers on Garden Tags, a new blog site for gardening writers and gardeners, on the eve of the Garden Press Event. Read more - members only

Cultivation Street calls on garden centres to name their ambassadors

“We need to dispel the myth that garden centres are the place for experts,” said David Domoney. He is calling on every garden centre to nominate their ambassador and so build a network of mentors to help people and communities who would like to start growing. Read more - members only

“We are entering a golden age for the horticulture industry” Carol Paris

Carol Paris says, “We are entering a golden age for the horticulture industry” as Minister, George Eustace promises to do what he can to help the industry implement its new Ornamental Horticulture Action Plan. Read more - members only

Wet and stormy weather looks set to last through January

Wiseweather predicts that for much of January a succession of Atlantic lows will continue to push fronts across the UK with rain and at times strong winds. Read more - members only

Christmas and gift sales took off in October

Latest figures from the GCA Barometer of trade show how revenue from gifts and Christmas lines doubled in October. Outdoor plant sales were also good. Read more - members only

Brinsmore Gardens, Yeovil

After many changes in the law, did you know…?

A company can be held responsible for an employee’s behaviour on social media and travel from home to the first meeting should be paid for. GIMA members hear about many recent changes in legislation. Read more - members only

The HTA Needs You!

The HTA is looking for three new Council members to be the regional voice of the membership. “It is a great opportunity to see what is going on and influence it,” says President, Adam Wigglesworth. Read more - members only

Latest company results show healthy growth

Figures updated this month in Company Results show big sales increases for Boningale, Stewarts Plastics and Weber-Stephen Products (UK). Blue Diamond UK and Haskins also grew. Profits recovered at The Scotts Company UK. Read more - members only

Long range weather forecast for September

Periods of high pressure during September will mean below average rainfall and above average sunshine. Read more - members only

B&Q responds to Which? Gardening’s campaign to date compost

B&Q is to test the lifespan of different formulations of compost in response to Which? Gardening’s campaign to date bags. Read more - members only

New ideas from the Glee Seminar Theatres

Watch how a consumer’s eyes track your displays; learn about the next bakery products from New York or get a beginner’s guide to exporting. Just some of the business improvement ideas to be presented in the Glee Seminar Theatres. Read more - members only

A new buying group for garden centres is being launched

IBC, an established buying group for builders merchants, is looking to repeat the formula for garden centres with the IBC Garden Group. Read more - members only

July looks like being a month for garden furniture and hoses

Wiseweather believes July will be drier and warmer than average with a second hot spell possible in week three. Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive