Gilbert Evans seeks to resolve the confusion following the recent budget announcement regarding the extension of the Expanded Rates - Retail Discount scheme. Read more - members only

The HTA Market Update report for March shows national sales of garden/gardening categories were +69% up in February 2021 compared to the same month of last year. Read more - members only

Gardenex, PetQuip and the CHA will be hosting a special webinar, ‘Exporting to the EU since the trade deal – impacts and key issues’,  on Friday 5 March. Read more - open to all

The boom in home deliveries, stock piling by suppliers and slower recycling from shops has made corrugated cardboard so sought-after it is now being called ‘beige gold’. Read more - members only

Gardening Express boss writes to APHA/Defra re the farce preventing him from sending plants to Northern Ireland and the potential plant health risks. Read more - members only

Joy of Plants has launched a plugin to make its library of plant photos and information available in the industry’s favourite webshop platform, WooCommerce. Read more - members only

Kingfisher, parent company of B&Q and Screwfix, has bought NeedHelp, the French home improvement services marketplace, for roll out in the UK. Read more - members only

With the end of the Brexit Transition period looming, Gardenex will be hosting a special webinar to hear all the the steps that exporters need to take in preparation for 1 January 2021 and beyond. Read more - open to all

Congestion is causing severe disruptions at the UKs three main container ports, says LOFA.  The lack of availability of containers will lead to delays and price rises.  Read more - members only

Everyone saw this campaign! The stark reality of wasted plants and flowers hit the front pages and appealed to our hearts and minds. Read more - members only

The GCA has cancelled its January 2021 conference due to COVID-19.  The restrictions, however, have led to new methods of working. Read more - members only

So said James Barnes as he announced HTA plans to double grower membership. New industry growth plans are to be developed with Government. Read more - members only

The HTA has launched its ‘Keep Britain Growing’ campaign to encourage new gardeners, enthused during lockdown, to keep enjoying the benefits of gardening. Read more - members only

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

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has committed to being 100% peat-free by 2025 as it experiments with farmed sphagnum moss. Read more - members only

Having been cancelled in 2020 the GIMA Awards, the main industry social event of the year, is to celebrate its 40th anniversary on November 11^th. Read more - open to all

The HTA Market Update reveals that overall garden centre sales were down -46% from January 2020 levels. Seeds and BBQ's increased sales. Read more - members only

GCA has published results of its virtual AGM.  Tammy Woodhouse is confirmed as the next chairman.  Klondyke’s David Yardley joins the executive committee for the first time. Read more - members only

BHETA is lobbying against last minute changes to draft Plastic Packaging Tax legislation that introduce consumer goods to the intended single use packaging. Read more - members only

The HTA explains Defra’s most recent guidance documents that clarify the proposed inspection regime for importing plants after 1 January and what they mean for the industry. Read more - members only

LOFA warns that increased congestion at ports, especially Felixstowe, could impact the supplies of garden related products after Christmas. Read more - members only

With 50 days until the end of the transition period, the government is urging the horticulture industry to check online guidance around importing and exporting plants and plant products. Read more - open to all

Brexit -  What are the concerns if there is a free trade deal?... What are the concerns if we revert to World Trade rules?... The key messages for UK exporters are explained by Gardenex. Read more - open to all

GIMA has launched UK Brexit Transition Hub for members and non-members.  At the same time it has joined a CBI call for Government to reach a deal with the EU. Read more - open to all

107 horticulture growers have called for a ballot on the continuation of the statutory AHDB levy that funds R&D into crop protection, innovation and other research. Read more - members only

The Gardenex and PetQuip associations have published the latest edition of their invaluable A-Z Guide to Exporting, which is now available exclusively for members. Read more - open to all

“We need the Westminster… Government to support our industry, as the Dutch Government has done for theirs,” says HTA chairman as UK plant production falls and imports rise. Read more - open to all

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