At the recent BHETA networking event, Amazon buyers were out in force and outlined several services that could take the supplier opportunities to new levels.  Read more

Having lost its planning argument with Wokingham BC, Sheeplands garden centre has closed concessions, seeded the overflow carpark and made other changes. Read more

The HTA is to carry out a review before deciding on how to replace Carol Paris, the chief executive who left last month. Read more

BHETA’s next networking forum is to feature two of Amazon’s category leaders, who will be sharing the latest information on how digital innovation is fuelling the Amazon business and the opportunities that this presents to suppliers. Read more

Mike Lind is to succeed Julian Winfield as GCA chairman at the beginning of 2018. He says he wants to make the GCA more relevant. This is at a time when it represents only a small proportion of garden centres… read the Gardenforum comment. Read more

Garden Re-Leaf day on 17^th March will see outside participants join the garden industry as it celebrates the start of the gardening season and aims to beat the £140,000 raised last year for Greenfingers charity. Read more

Having grown 55% Allensmore Nurseries invests in climate control but says Brexit means they face an uncertain period. Read more

A new AMA report says Internet garden sales grew by an estimated 24% within the last year and that DIY multiples account for the majority share. Read more

The GCA has moved offices to Chester, nearer to the home of Iain Wylie, the association’s chief executive. But the recent solid working relationship with the HTA remains. Read more

Choice Marketing reveals that members will share £1.3m from supplier rebates as the buying group looks for new members. Read more

Pershore College adds to the growing interest in hydroponics and indoor gardening by introducing a hydroponics lab to teach future students the new growing techniques. Read more

The GCA has started its search for 3 inspectors to replace Alyson Haywood, Andy Campbell and Ian Boardman who will stand down after next January’s conference. Read more

Longacres has bought Bybrook Barn Garden Centre in Ashford, Kent. This will be the third centre in the emerging group. Read more

Ian Boardman, Andy Campbell and newly appointed Alyson Haywood are standing down from their roles as GCA inspectors this year (2016). Only Roger Crookes will continue as the GCA begins the search for replacements. Read more

Leading buyers, including a relieved Dobbies team, made an early start at the HTA National Plants show at Stoneleigh. New services were launched and some were concerned about exchange rates after the referendum vote. Read more

The HTA has backed its management team by promoting finance director, Alex Vick, to senior executive director in charge of day to day operations and by giving each director greater responsibility. Read more

Following reports of genetically modified petunias being sold in Finland, the HTA has alerted the UK authorities to their existence in the UK supply chain. Read more

Dobbies is to launch an online store early next year serving the whole of the UK following an agreement with the Ocado Group’s Speciality Stores. Read more

Lobbying by the HTA and the NFU has been successful in lifting the threat of growers being charged rates, which could have amounted to hundreds of thousands of pounds. Read more

Quinton Edwards is offering www.crowders.co.uk for sale. It would suit a garden centre looking to develop its multi-channel capability without the risk of building its own website.  Read more

Gardman will move to a new DC in Daventry before the end of this year giving it the infrastructure to grow and the capacity to absorb acquisitions. Read more

2016 saw second tier garden centre chains and independents invest as Wyevale consolidated. Homebase and Argos are sold. The HTA moved offices and moved to become the lead association for all gardening related businesses. Glyphosate, Xylella and the weather made frequent headlines. Scotts and Bayer looked for a way out of distributing consumer garden chemicals. Read our review – open to all. Read more

The HTA has unveiled a new Nursery Supply Show to run in parallel with the National Plant show in June. Read more

Richard Jackson, the gardening guru on QVC, asked why many garden brands ignore QVC when so many famous brands in other sectors sell through it. Read more

The HTA and GCA have formed a training partnership that will give HTA members access to the 90 GROW e-learning modules. Read more

A ceremonial tree planting to mark the 25^th anniversary of the ENA, was the first event to be held at the new HTA offices, which look set to become a central hub for the industry. Read more

250 delegates from the DIY, garden and housewares sector as well as members of the media are set to to attend the BHETA Networking Forum. Read more

Perennial helped over 1,200 people last year battling illness, financial hardship, bereavement and disability. Read some of their stories. Read more

The Commercial Horticulture Association is bringing together the best brains in horticulture, many of whom have their own strategic success stories, to provide all growers with help in overcoming at least some of the problems they face in the day to day running of their businesses at Growquip in October. Read more

Old stock donated by Scotts, Wyevale Nurseries and Wyevale Garden Centres has raised £2,300 at auction for Greenfingers. The charity is asking any company with unwanted stock to donate it to Turn Old into Gold. Read more