Garden Centre Retail ISSUE 57
•
PEOPLE • PRODUCTS • PROFIT
August/September 2021
GLEE SPECIAL SNEAK PREVIEW OF THIS YEAR’S SHOW
AN INTERVIEW WITH TREVISKER GARDEN CENTRE
11 Cover.indd 1
STOPPING SHOPLIFTING
HOW CAN GARDEN CENTRES PREVENT THEFT?
20
LEAVING LOCKDOWN BEHIND IS CHRISTMAS MAKING A COMEBACK?
28 12/08/2021 15:12
Get your free ticket
2021 14-16 September NEC BIRMINGHAM
gleebirmingham.com
210x265+5_GLEE 2021 Advert template.indd 1 Get your free ticket.indd 1
02.08.2021 15:34:55 12/08/2021 15:26
W el c o m e
WELCOME TO...
Garden Centre Retail F
reedom a has finall ha ened. The name might seem, to some, e cessive and erha s more merican than ritish, but the im lications of reedom a going ahead as lanned are huge. t needed a bold name, because it is more than a ear since our freedoms were stri ed awa b a deadl virus and it is a celebration to have them returned to us. hat does it mean for the retail sector, though ace mas s, social distancing and table service are no longer mandator , but the are o tional, and some retailers are choosing to ee these measures in lace. hether ou re removing or ee ing them, we encourage ever one in the sector to su ort each of their colleagues decisions. hilst reedom a allows ma or events to ta e lace, man are still choosing to be cautious. lee, for instance, is as ing visitors to verif their status on arrival the will need to be either full vaccinated at least two wee s rior to arrival or show a negative lateral flow test result or roof of natural immunit . utumn air e tember is requesting the same, with mas wearing set to be encouraged but not enforced. These are small rices to a for industr events such as these to go ahead. fter covering the virtual event last ear, we re thrilled to be including a review of lee e tember in this issue as it returns as an in erson event. e re also loo ing ahead to hristmas as the festive season is set to ma e a comebac , after the disa ointment surrounding last ear s dismal ecember. e loo forward to seeing ou all over the ne t few wee s, face to face and full of o timism.
ina and the
Subeditor – Sam Seaton sam.seaton@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570 ADVERTISING Head of sales – Jessica McCabe jessica.mccabe@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 587
Nina Mason ead of content, arden entre etail nina.mason el a s .com
Whilst Freedom Day allows major events to take place, many are still choosing to be cautious
Sales manager – Tina Savelle tina.savelle@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 584 Horticulture Careers – Daniel Riley Tel: 01903 777 570 daniel.riley@eljays44.com PRODUCTION Design – Kirsty Turek Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Gwent, UK Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd MANAGEMENT Managing director – Jim Wilkinson Director – Lisa Wilkinson Business development manager – Jamie Wilkinson MARKETING AND CIRCUL ATION Client relations – Millie Genner millie.genner@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 582 Subscription enquiries – Jake Collett jack.collett@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570 Garden Centre Retail is published bimonthly by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2021 subscription price is £95. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, non-commissioned photographs or manuscripts.
@GardenRetailUK Garden Centre Retail Garden Centre Retail www.gardencentreretail.com
Leader.indd 3
EDITORIAL Head of content – Nina Mason nina.mason@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570
Subeditor – Katrina Roy katrina.roy@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570
GCR APP
www.gardencentreretail.com
Eljays44 Ltd 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA
Deputy head of content – Rachael Forsyth rachael.forsyth@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570
team
Garden Centre Retail is available FREE on your mobile device. Simply go to the App Store, search for ‘Garden Centre Retail’ and download the app!
CONTACT
Whilst every effort has been made to maintain the integrity of our advertisers, we accept no responsibility for any problem, complaints, or subsequent litigation arising from readers’ responses to advertisements in the magazine. We also wish to emphasise that views expressed by editorial contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
3
12/08/2021 15:19
Advert template.indd 2
12/08/2021 15:27
C o ntents
Garden Centre Retail ISSUE 57
•
PEOPLE • PRODUCTS • PROFIT
August/September 2021
GLEE SPECIAL SNEAK PREVIEW OF THIS YEAR’S SHOW
CO NTE NT S BUSINESS
NEWS
06 NEWS
11 INTERVIEW
Trevisker Garden Centre
LEAVING LOCKDOWN BEHIND IS CHRISTMAS MAKING A COMEBACK?
20
28
Cover.indd 1
12/08/2021 15:12
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021
GIMA members get ready for Glee
Direct from leading event organisers
Scott’s of Southend Garden Centre
HOW CAN GARDEN CENTRES PREVENT THEFT?
24 GIMA
TRADE SHOWS
08 NEWS EXTRA
STOPPING SHOPLIFTING
11
PRODUCTS
17 REASONS TO ATTEND
A round-up of the latest news from the sector
AN INTERVIEW WITH TREVISKER GARDEN CENTRE
18 DEVELOPING YOUR BUSINESS
26 COMPANY PROFILE
Andrew Burton prepares for Glee, discussing what Malcolm Scott Consultants will be showing at the event
20 THEFT
Garden centre theft is on the rise – but what can be done to combat this?
Greenman Garden Tools
28 MAKING A COMEBACK
How garden centres are prepping for the Christmas season safely
30 BUYERS
Two professional buyers discuss how they approach the holidays
34 LATEST PRODUCTS
Top choices for Christmas
28
11
GLEE 39 WELCOME
An overview of this year’s event
40 INTERVIEW
©Pa
Matthew Mein, Glee event director
olaV
1/Sh
utte
rstoc
k.co
m
42 COMPANY PROFILE PTMD Collection
44 THE STAGE
An exciting new look into the judging process for The New Product Awards
18 www.gardencentreretail.com
Contents.indd 5
47 LATEST PRODUCTS
Some of the latest from Glee exhibitors
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
5
12/08/2021 15:24
N ews
Selfridges opens in-store garden centres amid gardening boom
NEWS CENTRE
S
elfridges London Accessories Hall and the store exterior on Duke and Orchard Streets were transformed into a garden centre as part of ‘Good Nature’, Selfridges’ creative theme for 2021. The garden centre sells gardening tools, seeds, indoor and outdoor plants and pots, Selfridges own label compost and more. It also sells a curation of fashion, lifestyle
Welsh garden centre launches customer loyalty app
T
he Old Railway Line Garden Centre is complementing its Railway Reward Card programme by launching the Old Railway Line app. The application was built to strengthen the connectivity with members. It includes latest news, exclusive offers, and communication opportunities through ush notifications. Marketing director Joe Aldworth says: “We are very excited to be launching our own app which has already
had a brilliant reaction from the members who have downloaded. Customers are pleased to be able to have their Reward Card in their phone rather than an extra plastic card in their wallet. “A big thank you to all involved at Corby+Fellas and beyond with the development of the app. The app is now free to download on smartphones via the Google Play and App Store platforms. www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk
EGC64457 New Products Ad GCR 186x55mm.pdf
1
10/08/2021
and beauty products, as well as an exclusive collection from Prada, an exclusive Shakedown Garden merch from The Grateful Dead and a bespoke Selfridges merchandise featuring puns such as Herb Your Enthusiasm or HortiCouture, for gardening and fashion enthusiasts alike. Within the garden centre, The Potting Shed is a destination for events and advice, with a resident gardener and a program of workshops, experiences and happenings. Selfridges will also “green up” Oxford Street, with a grow bag installation in front of the historic canopy entrance. www.selfridges.com
Perrywood Sudbury is granted planning permission
P
lanning permission has now been granted, so Perrywood can now move ahead with their £8m to £10m investment in an exciting new garden centre at their existing site in Newton Road, Sudbury. The build is expected to take at least two years. The brand-new centre at Perrywood Sudbury will be
a modern purpose-built garden centre, featuring a new restaurant. www.perrywood.co.uk
09:59
DEFEND ASYOU
FEED
STOCK NOW! GARDENS NEED LOVE AND
Miracle-Gro® is a trademark of OMS Investments, Inc. and is used under licence from OMS Investments, Inc.
6
News.indd 6
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 12:00
N ews
New non-executive directors at Squire’s Garden Centres announced
S
quire’s Garden Centres has appointed two new non-executive directors. Rob Collins has held various roles within the John Lewis partnership and recently retired as managing director of Waitrose. Tony Perkins was audit lead partner at BDO, an international accounting firm, where he worked with Squire’s for many years. Sarah Squire, Squire’s chairman, comments: “I am delighted to welcome Rob and Tony to the team at Squire’s. Non-executive directors have been a great asset to us over the ears. e have benefited enormously from their counsel. Knowing our business well, but not being involved in day-to-day matters, they see issues objectively. “They bring a completely different and complementary set of skills to our decision making, often asking pertinent questions of us based on their own commercial experience. We
very much look forward to benefiting from ob and Tony’s business acumen and experience.” Rob Collins joined Squire’s in January this year, replacing Squire’s long standing nonexecutive director John Osborn, who retired in December. Rob possesses a wealth of retailing experience. He has held various roles within the John Lewis partnership, has in-store experience and also served as a main board director for a number of years. Tony is a chartered accountant and is well known to Squire’s, as for many years he was their audit partner at BDO. Tony gained a broad expertise in finance, risk and governance working with his many retail clients at BDO. He retired from BDO a couple of years ago and now works at board level across a number of sectors, including retail, technology and manufacturing. squiresgardencentres.co.uk
Event updates Autumn Fair launches The Sustainability Library Following the successful launch of the Sustainability Trail at Spring Fair 2020, the focus on sustainability continues for Autumn Fair 21 with the launch of The Sustainability Library and a host of onsite initiatives. Pre-show, visitors can connect with sustainable brands at Autumn Fair 2021 in just a few clicks, making it easy to discover the brands and suppliers that are striving to do their part to ensure a more sustainable and ethical future for us all. www.autumnfair.com Four Oaks Trade Show 2021 cancelled The Four Oaks Trade Show, which was due to take place in September, has been cancelled. Organisers say it is “with great regret we have to cancel the 2021 show due to the COVID-19 pandemic”, but that travel restrictions have left them no choice. The commercial horticulture show was also cancelled last year with social distancing rules limiting the number of people able to gather. It usually takes place at a 23-acre nursery site in Cheshire and would have celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. www.fouroaks-tradeshow.com Glee to take place in June from 2022 Glee has announced that the 2022 event will move to a new date in order to meet the ever-developing needs of the garden retail sector. It will now take place 28 – 30 June. Over several months, the Glee team undertook an in-depth consultation with key stakeholders, representing suppliers, retailers and trade associations. The outcome of these discussions was that a shift to a different time of year would better reflect, and su ort, the ongoing develo ment of the garden retail supply chain and associated buying cycles. www.gleebirmingham.com
FREE Loss Prevention Training with every order*
Specialists in Garden Centre Security CCTV Systems with remote access
* T&C’s apply
Security Tagging Systems 01892 300878
www.gcsgb.com
* T&C’s apply
www.gardencentreretail.com
News.indd 7
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
7
12/08/2021 12:01
N ews E x tra
SERVING UP
SUCCESS
A
Garden Centre Retail attended Scott’s of Southend Garden Centre and Nursery’s official opening of its highly-anticipated (and demanded) new restaurant
fter a long pandemic caused delay, popular garden centre Scott’s of Southend celebrated the launch of its new restaurant. Scott’s Kitchen is a modern, bright and vibrant restaurant serving high quality and locally-sourced food to its customers. Open seven days a week, Scott’s Kitchen menu features an extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, offering on-trend vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options, the 90-seat venue provides a spacious, fresh and airy environment for everyone.
8
News extra.indd 8
Scott’s Kitchen’s chef, Michael Court, has been whipping up beautiful food for eight years, and enjoys working with fresh, seasonal ingredients. For the menu, Michael has created a variety of impressive dishes, such as: a puy lentil and quinoa salad and a Moving Mountains’ vegan burger, alongside classics including beerbattered cod loin. “We have introduced new and exciting menu ideas, which break the ‘teacake and panini’ ethos of the typical garden centre café,” Michael tells us. “Some of my favourite dishes
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
are mon fish scam i with watercress purée and lime mayonnaise, atlantic rawn and cra fish salad, and the grilled cheese on sourdough, featuring cornish brie, black bomber cheddar and smoked applewood.” The restaurant also offers a variety of sweet treats; from Belgian buns, and freshly-made fruit scones, to homemade vegan and gluten-free cakes, brownies, and award-winning artisan ice cream from The Saffron Ice Cream Company. Owner Scott Bird envisioned the restaurant to function as a destination, rather than a passing by stop off point. It was important to him that the garden centre steers away from the stereotypical café. “I wanted to make use of the space we have here and build something that provides a level and consistent trade,” Scott explained. “The kitchen was something missing from the garden centre. For a long time I have had many customers asking for a restaurant, and since its opening we are already seeing an increase
in footfall. People have been coming in to host their own events – we’ve even had book clubs meet up here.” The restaurant includes a comfortable inside and outside dining area, where design and colour have been carefully chosen to ensure a peaceful and calm experience. Dogs are also welcome in the outdoor dining area, where they can enjoy water, snacks and shade. Scott Bird ensured that extra space was accounted for in the planning to cater for possible high demand in the future. He added: “We have future-proofed the design. The kitchen and dining area are big enough to allow for further extension, or extra equipment.” The long-term plan for Scott’s Kitchen is to keep evolving the restaurant, while maintaining the seasonality and quality of the food served. Set to join the menu in the near future are: a cocktail and mocktail range, Sunday roasts, afternoon teas, and a greater utilisation of locally-caught fish to add more variet to the menu. ◗
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 12:04
The Garden Equipment Wholesaler
HUGE GE CHOICE. LEADING ADING BRANDS BRANDS. HIGH PROFITABILITY. www.handyonline.co.uk
YOUR HANDY ONE STOP SHOP
We’r Come e at GLEE and v on sta isit us 7D40- nd 7E41
For garden machinery and accessories With a choice of over 800 garden equipment products we offer one of the widest ranges in the industry, from light domestic to fully commercial. Whatever you need for your showroom we have the right product at the right price. Our range includes leading consumer brands such as Greenworks, Webb, The Handy, Solo, Karcher, Flymo, Bosch and many more. Available from stock with minimum commitment and with full spare parts backup. Free carriage on all machine orders over £150 and parts orders over £35.
Call now to become a stockist or arrange a visit from your sales representative Call 01793 333220 or email sales@handydistribution.co.uk
The Garden Equipment Wholesaler Advert template.indd 3
Murdock Road, Dorcan, Swindon SN3 5HY
12/08/2021 15:28
Advert template.indd 4
12/08/2021 15:29
Interview Business
AN INTERVIEW WITH
TREVISKER GARDEN CENTRE
I
GCR visits Trevisker Garden Centre in Cornwall to understand more about its mission to blaze a trail for eco-friendly garden centres
n recent issues of GCR, the core focus of our garden centre rofile features, robabl quite naturall , has been the res ective offers themselves. For instance, in the previous issue we focused on Tong in Bradford, which is in the process of making a huge name for itself when it comes to garden furniture and outdoor living . rior to that was err wood near olchester, with its to notch gift and food offer. ith that in mind, in this issue we re going to do something a bit different: focusing on a articular businesses
www.gardencentreretail.com
Interview.indd 11
mar eting effort. r, more recisel , how its relationshi to the local communit feeds into that mar eting effort, resulting in not ust ver health sales but enormous goodwill. The business in question is Trevis er arden entre in ornwall, which ma well hold the albeit unofficial title of most eco friendl garden centre in the . t sends its customers awa not onl having sold them e actl what the want, but also furnishing them with the genuine sense that the have contributed to the greater good sim l b a ing a visit.
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
11
12/08/2021 12:38
Business Interview Local effort, local offer Located just south of Padstow on the northern Cornish coast, Trevisker began its life on a family farm. Having met in 1996, Sian and her now-husband Mark Sandry – decided to branch out into selling plants, having realised that that there was probably more money to be made in retail than in farming. Picking up the narrative, Mark says that: “We decided that we wanted to diversify away from farming, and I went off to study at Pershore College. About a year after Sian and I met each other in 1996, I started doing hanging garden displays for local pubs and restaurants. We eventually pulled the tunnels up off the farm and moved them so people could see them from the road. We started just doing bedding plants, but with every passing year, we’ve gone a little bit further.” Needless to say, the story continues over the course of following decades, with Trevisker becoming more like a garden centre and less like a nursery with every passing year. This process has culminated with the Sandrys adding a restaurant as well as a variety of concessions, including a dog boutique and a florist. Continuing to describe the ongoing evolution of the centre, Sian says: “We’ve rolled with the changes in our industry. When we started it was all about the bedding plants and the hanging baskets, but then trends change and you’re onto something else. At the same time, the local supermarkets started to sell plants, so there’s really no choice but to change direction in order to survive.” As Mark and Sian tell it, one important way in which Trevisker differentiates itself from its competitors is in the type of plants it sells. Their range revolves purely around plants which are appropriate to the climate and conditions of the northern Cornish coast. This has the effect not only of marking them out as being extraordinarily customer focused, but also as resolutely ‘local’. Elaborating on this, Mark says: “In the years since we’ve been doing this, we’ve found that Cornish-grown plants are the only ones that we can reliably sell. In this environment, there’s no point in ordering something from Holland that’s weak as water, which will be dead five minutes after the customer gets it home. “We started growing our own, specialising particularly in coastal plants. That includes really good evergreen hedging such as Olearia, as well as coastal grasses and so on. We’re all about planting the right plant, rather than selling
12
Interview.indd 12
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
customers any old thing that’s probably going to die.” Picking up the theme, Sian continues: “From what I can tell, the other garden centres in the area don’t have a similar strategy to us in terms of their plant offer. Some have been bought out by chains, and have lost a sense of identity [as a Cornish business] since changing hands. “Another reason we have to emphasise the local aspect is that we have to play to many different people, because the local
Cornish-grown plants are the only ones that we can reliably sell community is relatively small. If someone comes to see us while they’re on holiday – or staying at their second home – why would they want exactly the same offering that they can get anywhere?” Do go near the water Speaking to Sian and Mark, it’s clear that one word is probably more relevant to them than any other – ‘environment’. As indicated, this could mean providing a particular plant chosen to thrive in a particular location. It could also, rather more prosaically, refer to the simple act of helping to transform a customer’s garden into a nicer, well, environment. Perhaps the most important connotation of the word however is in the broader, political sense. Or, to put it another way, the owners of Trevisker are vehement in their desire to protect the local landscape, and particularly the coastline. Discussing why they’re so passionate about the environment, as well as Trevisker’s ongoing efforts to help protect it, Mark notes: “In recent years, driving up and down the country lanes, we’ve noticed that a lot of ditches have essentially become rivers of plastic. Plastic in the oceans and on the beaches is obviously a huge issue as well. “That was one of the first things that we wanted to help sort out, and we started working with an [environmental protection] group called Beach Guardian to help do it. We’ve bought them into the business, housing them onsite so they can deliver education to local school children. “A lot of the ocean waste now gets brought to us once it’s been cleared from the beaches, and and we, with them, use it for different art projects in order to highlight pollution. There’s currently an eight-metre plastic whale outside the front of the centre made from the plastic
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 12:43
Interview Business ghost net fishing waste from ust seven local beaches. Trevis er s war against this dee l un leasant material continues in store as well, with their refusal to sell lants in blac lastic ots. nstead, at chec out, stoc is transferred to a com ostable bag which customers then ta e home. ea ing of this, ar sa s “ e loo ed for an alternative for ears, but there reall isn t a decent re lacement out there. hen the time comes to get rid of our ots, we have an arrangement with eter it ouncil and a com an called d sse nnovation who ta e them awa for rec cling into ocean going a a s and addle boards. There was an arena at the last lastonbur in which was made entirel from rec cled lastic including our ots as well the aslight Tower. s well as their anti lastic efforts meanwhile, Trevis er has also started
We have an arrangement with Exeter City Council and a company called Odyssey Innovation who take them away for recycling into ocean going kayaks and paddle boards what it refers to as a communit meadow, s ecificall with the aim of hel ing local wildlife flourish. This directl ties in with another branch of their strateg to hel the environment, s ecificall their olic of not selling an garden roducts containing chemicals, as well as going eat free. “ or ing with the wonderful and su ortive team at elcourt ndustries, we have been able to offer outstanding eat free alternatives, sa s ian. “ ast ear we began our refill com ost service, which offers bul com ost in a reusable and refillable bag. That s been a huge success. e made the decision to go chemical free as well, also in , again with a refill service roviding alternative fertiliser. t seems odd for a garden centre to be doing that, but it was actuall reall eas and has turned out to be a huge success with customers. e ve been thin ing about doing it for ears. he continues “ ne thing in articular we re tr ing to encourage is for eo le not to use lawn weed illers. s far as we re concerned, there s nothing wrong with having a dandelion in our grass the re
www.gardencentreretail.com
Interview.indd 13
beautiful, the re ver useful, and the re the first food for bees. “There s also absolutel no oint in illing all the bugs which are roviding food for the birds. To m mind, our brains have been slightl conditioned into what a garden should loo li e. e should let nature do its ob. ccording to ian, Trevis er arden entre s efforts to rotect the local environment are e tremel o ular with customers entering the store. t the same time however, the re also starting to rove hugel beneficial when it comes to the wider mar eting effort, roviding an e tremel effective wa for the business to carve out a distinct identit . ffective use of digital mar eting meanwhile has started to foster a sense of genuine communit and affection, both in the surrounding area and further afield. Trevis er s efforts on this front include a “com le and multifaceted social media resence ta ing in ever ma or latform, as well as an abundance of video content. Those who follow them on social media are nown as the Trevis er ove Tribe. Trevis er is a great e am le of how what might be regarded as a smaller garden centre can use the unique features of the offer to genuinel differentiate itself. erha s more im ortantl , it s also a model of a business ma ing a real difference in its local communit . ◗
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
13
12/08/2021 12:44
What is Strulch? A garden mulch made entirely from wheat straw with added minerals. Which acts as a deterrent to slugs and snails Packed in recyclable bags
Interested in becoming a stockist? 1 pallet minimum order discounts for 5, 10, 20 pallet orders 48 x 9 kg (100 litre) bags on a pallet Delivered in 3 working days All stockists advertised on our website Email or call for a quotation: info@strulch.co.uk 01943 863610 strulch.co.uk
www.strulch.co.uk 01943 863610 info@strulch.co.uk
strulch.indd 1
12/08/2021 16:24
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021
BUSINESS 17
REASONS TO ATTEND TRADE SHOWS Five points to consider
18
DEVELOPING YOUR BUSINESS Andrew Burton prepares for Glee
20
THEFT Exploring the recent rise in garden centre theft
Business Cover.indd 15
12/08/2021 14:57
All About That Space The UK’s leading range of outdoor surface and patio care products for professionals is now in three handy sizes for gardeners.
Black Spot Remover • • • • • •
Presented to consumers in a sin gle, attractive garden centre display unit, it’s the ultimate spacer saver. Display up to 12 products in <1m2.
3ltr and 5ltr bottles available Removes black and white spot lichen Also cleans concrete and stone Contains no acids or solvents Safe to use on sensitive stone Can be applied with a garden sprayer
View the full range at www.azpects.co.uk
Algae Remover
• • • • • •
1ltr and 750ml trigger spray available Kills and controls algae, mould and lichen Simply apply and leave Quick, visable results with no need to rinse Prevents algae returning for up to 12 months Ideal for concrete, stone, timber and other outdoor surfaces
SHORTLIST
Grass and Foliage Greener • •
Visit us at Glee 2021! Stand #6C26-D27
• • •
750ml trigger spray Quickly turns brown or dying foliage to natural green Disguises unsightly patches on lawns and hedges ‘Resin-Loc’ technology for long lasting performance Water-based and easy to apply
01473 760777
Azpects Limited, Unit 13, Riverside Industrial Park, Rapier Street, Ipswich IP2 8JX
Garden template.indd Centre Retail September 21st.indd 1 Advert 6
azpects.co.uk
06/08/2021 12:47:06 12/08/2021 15:30
T ra d e S h o w Business
5 REASONS TO
ATTEND A TRADE SHOW Organisers of some of the biggest events in the industry e plain the enefits of attending trade shows
01 Networking “Christmas decorations and festive gifts are particularly visual products, so seeing, feeling and even smelling them is imperative for buyers when deciding what ranges to stock for the following season. Exhibitors at Harrogate Christmas & Gift present the latest colour ways and upcoming trends, so retailers can be confident that the products they order will meet consumer demand. Trade shows really offer a one-stop-shop for retailers and buyers, and many manage to wrap up their entire order requirements for Christmas at the show.” Simon Anslow, organiser of Harrogate Christmas & Gift
02 Latest trends “When you spend the day at a trade show you feel part of a community; you meet new brands and designers creating incredible products, you reconnect with people who run established businesses, you explore and discover trends and come away with a renewed energy and excitement for the forthcoming season. The possibilities for business relationships, for merchandising ideas, for inspiration and collaborations are endless. “As the shape of retailing changes so are the needs of buyers. Lifestyle retailers are looking for trusted, cost effective environments to fulfil a large proportion of their buy.” Jessica Dawnay, event director of Autumn Fair
04 Meet new brands “Packed full of hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of products, exhibitions are the perfect way to refresh your retail offering. Any retailer visiting a trade event such as Glee will be able to not only catch up with existing suppliers but will be able to source a wide selection of new brands to complement and bolster their current offering. In doing so, these retailers can not only drive sales within their existing customer base but to potentially extend it to new consumers yet untapped.” Matthew Mein, event director of Glee
www.gardencentreretail.com
5 reasons to attend.indd 17
03 Inspiration “Trade shows are a hotbed for inspiration and are valuable for retailers who want to upgrade their instore displays and customer experience. Whether drawing inspiration from the way exhibitors display and promote their newest innovations, or tapping into the show’s educational content, retailers can alwa s find something unique that will help differentiate their store from the competition. Be sure to walk into the show with an open mind – often the most interesting ideas can be found in the most unexpected corners of the show!” Matthew Mein, event director of Glee
05 Business tips “One of the easiest ways to discover new ideas that could help boost your business is to attend the free seminars at a trade exhibition. These talks are designed to give retailers ahead-of-the-game ideas on new lines, new a roaches and new rofit otential. ost seminars last half-an-hour so there’s no time to become bored. In fact, because of the time limit, there’s a lot of information packed into such a short session and often it’s a good idea to take notes or write down bullet points. Usually, the speaker will take questions at the end of the talk.” Gordon Thomas, organiser of PATS Telford
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
17
12/08/2021 11:33
Business A nd rew Burto n
BRINGING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TO THE FORE
Andrew Burton talks to us about what we can expect from Malcolm Scott Consultants at Glee
W
hilst e hibitors are rightl e cited about the o ortunit to connect on a grand scale with su liers, customers and new customers at Glee after two long ears, others will be loo ing forward to demonstrating how much the have evolved during that time. Malcolm Scott Consultants has undergone a ma or diversification since the show, and having been a regular e hibitor for ears, the business will be ma ing the most of this ear s event to showcase how much its offering has e anded, enabling it to offer end to end services for its clients. aving been redominantl nown as a leading town lanning s ecialist in the garden centre and farm sho industries for more than years, the team will have a much broader s ectrum of services to demonstrate when the s doors o en in e tember. ince , alcolm cott has offered retail and catering o erational su ort to clients, and offers e tended services rovided b its sister com an , arris amb. ith a long established e ert team, additional services include ecology, business rating and concession management, which offers greater su ort to their clients.
18
Andrew Burton, who will be available at business stand 20K36, says: “Malcolm Scott Consultants has broadened its horizons significantl in the ast months, building on its strong re utation for e cellent lanning and design wor across the garden centre and farm sho industr . ur team is e tensive and, with arris amb, we have leading ecologists and business rating de artments com lementing our core business of site develo ment, which adds to our business strategy advice and town lanning su ort. “ e area we ve seen develo significantl this ast ear is the farm sho and garden centre food hall sectors which have thrived during the andemic. There is a natural correlation between both garden centres and farm sho s and we ve been able to su ort a number of clients in establishing a strong food offering, focusing on high qualit , locall roduced foods to enhance their offering and increase footfall, he e lains. “ e su ort farm sho s and garden centres throughout the and feel rivileged to sit on the arm etail ssociation ouncil, having reviousl sat on the Garden Centre Association board. This adds to our re utation for roviding rofessional, ersonal, caring
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
Andrew Burton.indd 18
and understanding su ort to inde endent business and land owners. “ e have seen a significant change in retail and catering, both o erationall and in the wa that the are develo ing. ith a number of five ear business lans underwa , we are loo ing forward to sharing case studies to show how we can
We are looking forward to sharing case studies to show how we can help businesses hel businesses focus on their customer needs, ro osition and on creating a real oint of difference to their com etitors, ndrew shares. “ great deal of lee is roduct led, ma ing it a source for e e catching items. ll be ta ing a real interest in this as art of the su ort wor we carr out to assist clients with stoc selection and ranging, but man visitors will be loo ing for su ort to hel develo and future roof their businesses, and that s e actl where we re going to be ha to hel , he adds. To arrange a meeting at , contact Andrew on andrewb@malcolmscott.co.uk. ◗
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 14:12
Makasi Imports Ltd supplies the UK’s largest range of high quality, driftwood style teak root furniture and home accessories. We have continued to ship our fast selling home, gift and garden products throughout the pandemic for our trade only customers, without stopping. If you would like a trade login to purchase from our website please email your company details to info@makasiimports.co.uk
www.makasiimports.co.uk Advert template.indd 7
12/08/2021 15:31
Business T h ef t
STOPPING SHOPLIFTING Garden centre theft is on the up, says GCS’ Jeremy Davies. He speaks to Garden Centre Retail about why the pandemic is partly to blame and how stores can take back control
S
hoplifting supposedly slumped during the pandemic, with multiple lockdowns forcing non-essential retailers to close. But prior to this, in the year to March 2020, customer theft had soared by 21% from the previous year. It cost retailers £935m, according to the British Retail Consortium’s Crime Survey, and £1.2bn was spent on crime prevention. Whilst high street retailers might have been closed during each lockdown, garden centres were granted essential status following their reopening in May 2020, and thieves saw the opportunity, says Jeremy Davies of national security company GCS. “Thieves would normally be going to the high street to steal, but when the high street closed down, we saw a massive increase in customer theft in garden centres. They were some of the only retailers open with the same products which could be bought or stolen in the high street.” Jeremy has been working with garden centres to prevent customer theft for more than 10 years, working with the biggest names in the sector as well as independent garden centres. He says theft has been a costly problem for garden centres even before the pandemic struck. “Garden
20
Theft.indd 20
centres lose anywhere from 2% to 5% of their turnover – excluding coffee shop or restaurant takings – in customer theft on average. That’s at least £20K per million at retail value per year.” Shrinkage is measured in retail value to include the rofit margin the roduct would have made as well as business and operating costs. “It measures the true cost to the business, which isn’t just the cost of the product but the cost of everybody’s efforts to get that product onto the shelf. If it’s stolen, all of that effort is lost but the cost is still there.” The to five categories targeted b thieves haven’t changed much over the last few years, says Jeremy. Sitting at the top of list, perhaps surprisingly, is seeds and bulbs. These might be lower value items, but they tend to be small and easy to pocket – and when six packets are stolen at £2 apiece, for instance, the cost adds up. “You can steal a lot of seeds in one moment and they’re very easy to conceal. It can be £30 at retail value in one swipe.” Second on the list is hand tools, such as trowels, secateurs and loppers. These are followed by watering products – from automatic watering systems to hose connectors and sprayers – and BBQ accessories. Ta ing the fifth s ot is gifted items, like leather gloves and footwear – think Ugg boots, Hunter wellies and Yankee candles. Whilst the categories might not have changed, new COVID-19 measures being introduced over the last year has inadvertently boosted the amount stolen. “You have two types of thieves that will come into a garden centre the first t e is oe ublic who hasn’t perhaps thought about stealing but has been presented with the opportunity to steal. The second type
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
is a professional thief who is selling on the products. “We’ve seen more professional thieves come into garden centres since the pandemic started. We’ve also seen the general, pilfering customers increase the number of items that they’re stealing because they might have been furloughed or lost their job. They have more opportunities because they’re wearing a face mask, so their identity is hidden and there’s less chance of them being caught.”
They have more opportunities because they’re wearing a face mask, so their identity is hidden and there’s less chance of them being caught Jeremy adds that changing product ranges have also had an impact. The closure of high street retailers boosted footfall for garden centres, bringing in new customers, and some stores expanded their ranges to accommodate a growing customer base. They introduced higher value items such as quality British wines, and these have been targeted. The impact of this hasn’t yet been felt, though. “If you sent a bill to every garden centre for £20K or £50K, then they would immediately do something about it. But customer theft is hidden – it’s not easy to identify and garden centres don’t tend to take running stock checks like national retailers do. Sometimes, they only stocktake once a year, and by then they’re a year away from when the problem might have occurred. It’s like a dripping tap.
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 14:42
T h ef t Business “Garden centres have had a very good trading period in terms of turnover and more customers, so perhaps haven’t had time to deal with customer theft; but ultimately, it’s here to stay. Thieves are finding that garden centres are softer targets, with larger spaces and fewer staff per square metre; it’s easy to hide in a garden centre and to conceal products.” Fortunately, there are measures garden centres can take and ones which won’t act as barriers to customers, such as locked cabinets and behind-the-counter items. “We’ve found the most effective way of preventing customer theft is to operate and install a security tagging system; these are pedestals which stand at the entrance to detect when an item has not had its security tag removed at the till as a customer walks out with it. “Businesses that have a security tagging system supported by a tagging policy that details which tags to use on what products, plus staff training on how to approach customers when the alarm goes off (to retain the customer and keep the staff member safe) have found it to be the most effective tool. e re finding this ear, as we come to the end of the impact of the andemic, our first quarter has been absolutely overwhelming with the number of installations that we’re making in garden centres of this equipment, because it simply is the best way of preventing customer theft.” Improving customer service can also prove useful and there are a number of ways garden centres can do this, says Jeremy. The ‘10ft rule’, where a member of staff has to engage a customer if they come within 10ft of them, can help thieves feel more exposed and less anonymous. Retailers can also mark out a ‘red route’ for staff to take when walking to the staff room for their breaks. “This would cover key areas which are normally quiet, where thieves might go to put items in their pockets. A staff member would be walking through regularly and this can be quite effective in taking away the opportunity and can also help improve customer service.” CCTV can prove effective too. Jeremy recommends
www.gardencentreretail.com
Theft.indd 21
customer awareness monitors. “You’ll see yourself on the monitor above the door as you walk in, at the tills or by the customer toilets. It shows the public that there is a live, working CCTV system that has recorded you coming into the business, taking away the anonymity.” There is a cost to implementing these measures, but the cost of shrinkage outweighs this, says Jeremy. “The cost to install a security system is different in every retailer and can be very small – so, if a garden centre is losing £20K in retail value to theft, the investment pays back within a few months. Retailers can then also introduce new product ranges they wouldn’t normally as they will be able to protect and sell them.” As well as helping to reduce losses, incorporating customer theft prevention measures can also help to ensure the safest of staff members. Attacks on retail staff have reportedly surged over the last year, which we’ll be looking at in more detail in the next issue of Garden Centre Retail. ◗
ABOUT Established in 2013, the team at GCS focus on helping Garden Centres to tackle customer theft and reduce shrinkage. GCS offer loss prevention training, security tagging systems and CCTV. Their clients include most of the biggest names in the industry. GCS is also the provider of the HTA’s Security Advice Line. GCS can be contacted at 01892 300 878 or via its website. www.gcsgb.com
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
21
12/08/2021 14:43
Planet-friendly fire logs powered by coffee. Get ready for the cosy season. Order Coffee Logs today. Coffee Logs are exempt from Ready to Burn and approved for sale by DEFRA. sales@coffee-logs.com
Advert template.indd 8
www.coffee-logs.com
12/08/2021 15:31
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021
PRODUCTS 24
GET READY FOR GLEE What to expect from this year’s event
26
COMPANY PROFILE Greenman Garden Tools
28
MAKING A COMEBACK Safely preparing for the Christmas season
30
BUYERS Experts share how they predict the holiday trends in advance
34
LATEST PRODUCTS Must-haves for this Christmas
Products cover.indd 23
12/08/2021 14:59
G IM A G l ee
GIMA MEMBERS GET READY FOR GLEE
P
This year’s Glee event is set to be a hotbed for new product innovation and thriving bestsellers, with GIMA members leading the charge ere we find out more a out what retailers can e pect to see from this broad spectrum of suppliers and manufacturers
rimus is excited to be showing over 100 new products planned for the 2022 season. Following on from the success of the Peppa Pig Best New Product and Best of British awards, Primus has some exciting new licenced products to show – including Feathers McGraw, who will be seen for the first time at lee . Steve Perry, head of marketing for Primus says: “The Primus brand is focusing on expanding everything we did right for the 2021 season and bringing it into 2022. We had so much positive reaction and feedback to Wall Art that we’re going bigger and better; with more insects, silhouettes, mirrors and even clocks.” The Bathgate team will be returning to Glee to showcase its vast horticultural range. ade with the finest ingredients and using the latest technology, Bathgate’s products are precision blended and regularly tested in the company’s onsite laboratory, ensuring consistently high quality across its full peat-free and peat-reduced compost offering. Retailers at the Bathgate stand can also find out about the brands services, including pre-priced point of sale material
24
GIMA.indd 24
and nationwide delivery for quantities ranging from a single pallet through to a full load. Following a successful 2021, Fiskars’ commitment to supporting the nation’s vital bee population is continuing throughout 2022 thanks to a consumer incentive campaign, the launch of new products, and the extension of its partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). At Glee, Fiskars will reveal the innovative ‘Plant Seeds, Help Bees’ campaign, as well as showcase how the continued collaboration with the RHS will provide further business building opportunities for trade retailers. In addition, Fiskars will unveil its latest state-of-the-art products, including a range of harvesting products for 2022 to add to the collection of planting tools launched this year, helping to enable consumers to ‘Plant, Grow and Harvest’ with Fiskars. The company is also further enhancing its ongoing sustainability commitment, launching two new pairs of Fiskars ReNew scissors made from recycled and 100% recyclable materials.
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
Capi Europe is continuing to aim for new products and collections that fit its mission of ‘grow a greener life’. For this year’s collection, this means a lot of new colours and products, with the biggest showcase being the addition of sea waste products into its CO2 neutral collection. After the launch of its 100% Organic range ‘Nature Safe’ at Glee 2019, Hygeia is now set to expand its range of child and pet safe, eco and vegan-friendly feeds for plants and lawns. The new range will have sustainably sourced, cold pressed seaweed at its heart, offering added benefits to an alread great range of organic products. With the complete range, garden retailers can fill their shelves throughout 2022 and beyond with costeffective solutions that will meet the needs of their customers and help to drive the green agenda in store. Mercer Leisure is excited to return to Glee this year, where the company will be showcasing an extensive range of garden furniture and accessories, along with some exciting new products including the new
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 12:34
G l ee G IM A
‘Shine A Light’ brand. Two new product launches under this brand will be the Shine A Light Emergency LED Light and The Shine A Light Explorer Camping Light. Retailers can also view Mercer Leisure’s wider portfolio of handmade Rattan and aluminum garden furniture and accessories including arasols, gas fire pit heaters and garden furniture covers. The Solar Centre will be launching its first bespoke Christmas range at Glee 2021, which will feature a range of festive shapes and sizes to suit every outdoor space. Additionally, the team will be showcasing a huge array of new products that have been added to its range over the past two years including wall lights, festoon string lights, colourchanging mood lights, and a brand-new range of contemporary anthracite grey lighting options. Completing the offering will be a brand new multi-white fairy light range with an extraordinary 1,000 LEDs, 100m long option. Timber garden products, furniture and decorative structure specialist, Zest 4 Leisure, is featuring bestsellers at Glee. Head of commercial development Simon Davison says: “There’s been an amazing response to new products such as the Chepstow, Tenby and Burghley arbours, while existing sellers like Dorset and Cheltenham arbours remain popular. They are all impressive decorative focal points, offering practical ways to enjoy outdoor space. “The herr lossom rch, influenced b the ar East, has been well received and we’re adding new products to this exciting range. GYO continues its boom and the Stepped Herb, Vertical Herb stand, and Ladder Planter are ideal for smaller spaces including patios and balconies.” The brand behind the sustainable Eco Garden range, Primeur, will be launching a new highly versatile, multi-application decking solution, as well as a number of new additions to its Tierra Verde self-watering planter offering, as well as new designs and colourways within its multiaward-winning landscaping range. Vitax will continue to showcase its bestselling ranges, including its 100% natural and plant-based, child, pet and bee friendly Organic All Purpose Plant ood, ita rganic Tomato ood, lus ita , Slug Gone and 6X. ollowing a ear which has seen demand for its unique multi-purpose soil enricher made entirely from a b roduct of the s first green gas generating plant on the Duchy of Cornwall estate near Poundbury in Dorset, rise by almost 620%, the team at Bloomin Amazing™ will use its time at Glee to tell retailers more about its offering and how ‘ no-dig’ and ‘low-input’ is helping to drive demand. inall , new member Leon Boots Co. will be making its debut at Glee, bringing with it a range of single injection moulded wellington boots which are up to 65% lighter than traditional wellington boots. or further information about , lease call 01959 564 947 or email info@gima.org.uk ◗
www.gardencentreretail.com
GIMA.indd 25
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
25
12/08/2021 12:35
A d verto ria l
GREENMAN GARDEN TOOLS Greenman has invested heavily in customer support, setting a benchmark for garden tool supply, customer service and quality
One thing we can guarantee, is that the great British public adore their gardens! During the various lockdowns, these safe havens became our sole focus and the gardening business blossomed – if you’ll pardon the pun. As we continue our slow but inexorable journey back towards normality, this passion doesn’t look like it’s wavering and that’s great news for garden centres, but unless you’re partnering with the right supplier, you could be missing out on the opportunity to grow your sales and boost your brand. Greenman Garden Tools is a fourth-generation family run business which has been supplying artisanal garden tools to the trade for decades. Over the last year, Greenman has invested heavily in its customer support which has seen it become a benchmark for garden tool supply and customer service. Sitting front and centre of the Greenman brand is Adam Greenman, greatgrandson of the founder and a man for whom garden
26
tools has been part of his life since childhood. When Greenman was acquired by hardware giant Eliza Tinsley in 2020, it allowed Adam and Greenman Garden Tools to grow and flourish on a national scale all while keeping to the family values that the Greenman family had built on. Tradition is key with Greenman and the unique lipped socket that is exclusive to Greenman is not only an aesthetic joy but also offers structural integrity that few can match. Through decades of devotion, tweaking and perfecting, Greenman has continued to strive towards making the very best quality garden tools. New accounts can enjoy an onboarding pack with in-depth overviews on all product ranges, including applicable guarantees, individual contacts and marketing assets. This is the perfect training aid for
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
BP greenman.indd 26
staff and an easy reference guide moving forward. Greenman account managers are dotted around the country, offering product training and merchandising support. Greenman prides itself on its in-store presence, with standout displays combining, header boards and purpose designed stands. Informative bus stop signs have been designed to draw customers into making informed decisions. Greenman merchandising support allows customers to be confident in their purchase. New this year, Greenman has added quality packaging highlighting features and benefits and code-activated maintenance videos, adding further weight behind this impressive brand. It’s simple – when you work with Greenman, you get the expertise and knowledge of a fourth generation family tool business with the gravity, capabilities and marketing support of a large group offering extensive customer service and marketing collateral as standard. Greenman Garden Tools is always evolving and
looking at the next way to benefit the customers. ost recently, Greenman launched a partnership with the Soil Association whose morals and ethics sit perfectly with us and many prospective customers and a brand new #NoDig range of tools which will be available to our customers from September 2021 onwards. So, when considering your next tool supplier, consider the package – quality tools, quality customer service, quality buying experience, quality marketing support. Speak to Greenman today and let’s work together. CONTACT
Greenman Garden Tools, Brookfoot Mills, Elland Road, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 2RW Kendal Ernest: 07977 485 679 info@greenmangardentools.com
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 14:40
PROUD T O BE
Fourth GenTeooratlsion Family
Out of Stock Backing Cards
u o y p l e h We cancrease your sales in
Product Packaging
Freestanding Displays Posters
NEW
SS OUT! DON’T MI
#No Dig
A METHOD OF GARDENING TA K I N G T H E W O R L D B Y S T O R M .
Quality tools and our great customer support make for the perfect buying experience. Contact our marketing department to find out how we can help you with in house display and promotions.
Swing Tags
WWW.GRE E N MAN G AR D E N TOOL S .C OM G R E E N M A N G A R D E N T O O L S B RO O K F O O T M I L L S , E L L A N D ROA D, B R I G H O U S E , W E S T YO R K S H I R E H D 6 2 RW T E L E P H O N E : 0 1 4 8 4 7 2 5 4 0 0 I N F O @ G R E E N M A N G A R D E N TO O L S. C O M
No-dig gardening is a method that aims for minimal soil disturbance, so the natural processes can be preserved, allowing the natural organisms to thrive. Greenman Garden Tools are whole-heartedly behind this ethos, and have made it our next marketing campaign, with catalogues, stands, social posts & a range of tools specifically chosen with #NoDig in mind. We’re proud to be associated with the Soil Association whose ethos and morals fit perfectly with ours.
GRN0001
Advert template.indd 9
12/08/2021 15:33
P ro d uc ts C h ristm a s C o m eb a c k
CHRISTMAS COMEBACK With Christmas just around the corner, we speak to garden centres about what they have planned and what precautions they’re putting into place
I
t’s fair to say that Christmas 2020 wasn’t what any of us expected. Far from the relaxed-rules Christmas we anticipated, families across the nation found tier restrictions in their stockings instead. The New Year rolled around and as we began to move out of lockdown, the nation decided Christmas wasn’t just a December 25 thing. Priory Church of St Peter in Dunstable hosted outdoor carols, a small nativity play and a visit from Father Christmas in July this year, attended by around 100 people. Meanwhile, The Greyhound Inn in Penkhull kept up its decorations, served turkey and all the trimmings to 225 people and dressed its staff in Hawaiian-themed Christmas shirts. Evidently, we’re all eager for the Christmas festivities this year. But what have garden centres got planned and how are they preparing in case we haven’t quite seen the back of lockdown restrictions? Last year, Chris Bonnett from Gardening Express urged the sector to close down for everyone’s safety, but this year as things look more positive the plan is different. “Last year we made the decision to shut Bonnetts Garden Village due to the escalating COVID-19 cases even though other garden centres chose to stay open. My priority was keeping my team and customers safe, and it was the right decision for us to take,” he explains, “I will be monitoring the situation closely this year, but don’t expect any closures over the Christmas period.” For British Garden Centres, it’s also business as usual: “British Garden Centres has always committed to the Christmas season and created a full festive experience for our customers, this year will be no different,” explains communications director Boyd Douglas-Davies. But there is some caution amongst this determination: “Our activity
28
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
Christmas comeback.indd 28
We’re hopeful that we can go ahead with Christmas as we’ve planned, we’re prepared to be flexible to changes
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 12:46
C h ristm a s C o m eb a c k P ro d uc ts
restrictions haven’t all been bad, either. “In previous years, our Santa has been so popular, attracting some long queues which not only makes it hard for social distancing, but we know it can be frustrating, especially for excited children,” explains Joanne Keen, head of employment and commercial services at NAViGO. “This year, families will be given an allotted timeslot to visit the grotto to avoid queues with time in between each booking to allow Santa’s elf to clean the area.” Grimsby Garden Centre has also launched its new website will launch, facilitating a much easier bookings for its customers and a better manageable system for its team. And, as with many businesses, the garden centre is taking the opportunity to thank frontline colleagues by continuing to offer a 10% discount to all NHS, armed forces, emergency services and North East Lincolnshire Council employees. Root One, though its predominantly plant focused, does offer lights, a limited
range of tree and table decs along with boxed cards and last year, it had sold out b end of the first wee in ecember. “Following the success with our limited
Following the success with our limited range of Christmas items last year, we have increased our spend threefold against 2020 and also 2019 range of Christmas items last year, we have increased our spend threefold against 2020 and also 2019, though we are still focused on our slim range,” explains Joanne. “We have also increased our real tree order by about 20%.” So, things are looking positive but precautionary for Christmas 2021. ◗ ©PaolaV1/Shutterstock.com
schedule is being put together at the moment but won t be confirmed until we have assessed the impact of the recent “UK unlock”. We hope to offer a number of Santa Experiences across the group.” Grimsby Garden Centre too are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst: “As much as we’re hopeful that we can go ahead with Christmas as we’ve planned, we re re ared to be fle ible to changes. The health and safety of our customers and staff and doing what we can to limit the spread of COVID-19 remains our priority.” To reduce risks, all of Grimsby Garden Centre’s events will require advanced booking with a limited capacity to allow for social distancing and cleaning times between sessions. These events include a Santa’s Grotto from November 27 and its popular Breakfast with Santa events on 23 and 24 of December in its new eatery The Potting Shed. The changes carried in alongside
www.gardencentreretail.com
Christmas comeback.indd 29
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
29
12/08/2021 11:48
P ro d uc ts C h ristm a s Buy ers
BEHIND THE BUYING
P
How do garden centres choose their Christmas ranges so far in advance? The buyers for Haskins and Dobbies provide some insight into predicting the trends a whole year ahead of the festivities
anicked shoppers, outlandish jumpers and a fridge full of every cheese under the sun can only mean one thing – Christmas is just around the corner. But whilst we’re all busy preparing for the big day, up to our ears in wra ing a er and fir needles, retail buyers are already looking ahead to the following festive season. For southern chain Haskins Garden Centres, gift and seasonal buyer Michelle Martin starts preparing as early as October, previewing some of the suppliers’ ranges and seeing what the trends are going to be for next Christmas. Selecting the products, though, starts in December and January as Michelle works towards the suppliers’ deadlines, which
30
are typically the end of March. “It’s a quick turnaround,” says Michelle. “At Haskins, I buy the whole department, so it takes quite a long time to get all the themes and generate the orders.” Nationwide garden retail giant Dobbies begins equally as early for the chain’s busiest time of year. “From mince pies to garlands, there is lots to coordinate so we usually start planning for Christmas around 18 months ahead of launch,” says Lynsey Abbott, senior buyer for outdoor living and Christmas. Preparing so far in advance is partly down to those early supplier deadlines, but also because predicting potential bestsellers takes a bit of research. “[Part of the decision is based] on previous
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
Christmas buyers.indd 30
history,” says Michelle. “We’re quite critical of ourselves when we look for opportunities, so we’ll take a look at what we have done before – what worked well and what didn’t. Maybe 20% to 30% of our range is repeats, such as a pack of baubles in traditional red, but we try to bring freshness to the majority of the range.” Michelle doesn’t just look internally for fresh ideas. She looks to other retailers, to suppliers, but also to magazines to see what the trends are outside of Christmas. She then marries these together to create Haskins’ theme. “We like to cherry pick – rather than just looking at a supplier and saying we want to do their theme as a whole, we take bits from it and create our own stories.”
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 12:09
C h ristm a s Buy ers P ro d uc ts
The underlying theme, though, is that it’s still quite traditional. “We’ve got to think of our end customer, so we always have reds and golds and silvers – it’s how you put those together to try to offer something different each year. For example, we might do red and gold but add a dark blue so that the whole concept looks different and fresh.” Lynsey explains Dobbies is always on the lookout for innovative ideas and products to excite customers, beginning its selection process more than a year in advance and creating new themes based on “interior trends, but also forecasting our customers buying behaviour”.
Trade shows are an excellent way to explore the latest emerging trends and investigate how different outlets are interpreting them “Each year’s theme is chosen with our customers in mind. Determining an appropriate theme is a group effort; all product categories, marketing and the online team are involved. We also work with trend forecasting companies like to ensure our themes reflect what matters to our customers. What’s most important is that our products are on trend, whilst also catering for all budgets and styles.” Like Haskins, Dobbies also includes successes from previous Christmases. “Although we continually work to forecast the latest trends and the next season must-haves, rejuvenating old favourites is a key part of our Christmas range.” Haskins has also become known for its jaw-dropping displays for the festive season. An external company is brought in to install larger items, such as the central 15ft Christmas tree in each of its stores and the outdoor lighting. But Michelle says the garden retailer has tried to engage its staff more over the years to take ownership of the displays. The decorating usually starts in September, and Haskins has avoided temptation to move this earlier in the year, whilst some big department stores and high street retailers opening their
www.gardencentreretail.com
Christmas buyers.indd 31
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
31
12/08/2021 12:11
All images ©Haskins
P ro d uc ts C h ristm a s Buy ers
Christmas stores as early as July. “We always try to keep it to September because gardening is still quite important towards the autumn; we’re a garden centre and we try to keep that element for as long as we can before we introduce Christmas,” explains Michelle. About a third of Haskins is dedicated to Christmas, though, by December. This has grown over the years, says Michelle, with the introduction of Christmas products into other departments of the store, such as pet and candles. Whilst the range might have grown, there are products that Haskins will avoid, with sustainability now playing a part in these decisions. “We’ve stopped selling fake snow, for instance, until something more sustainable comes along. It can be quite challenging, and we’re not there yet – we’ve reduced the amount of products we buy which have glitter on them” – something which Dobbies has also committed to – “but it’s not entirely gone. It’s trying to give customers a choice so they can see that
32
we have alternatives if they want to buy these instead.” Other than taking sustainability into account when ruling out products, Haskins also aims to offer a “point of difference”, providing value for money without going too “downmarket”. “It’s trying to get that balance. We probably do have a ceiling – if we retailed a bauble at £50, for example, it wouldn’t necessarily sell, whereas it would in Harrods. So, it’s about knowing your customer – we want to inspire our customers to buy some higher priced items, but the majority of our range sits in the middle.” The biggest challenge for Christmas buyers, as you might expect, is predicting customer trends and buying habits a year in advance. Unlike other categories which can be topped up little and often, Christmas needs to be committed to early. “It’s a bit of a gamble,” says Michelle, who has been buying Christmas for Haskins for more than 10 years. “You might decide to not go heavy on a product which then sells early, but others you think will be a really good seller and they’re not. It’s about taking a risk but being cautious at the same time. ” Did looking ahead to this Christmas, with the threat of a third lockdown before the last one, make Michelle more cautious? “Last year, we had to take out some of the risks, so we decided to leave some of the quirkier items and play it quite safe. Whilst it was still great and we had a good Christmas, we maybe missed that element of being a point of difference. So, this year
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
Christmas buyers.indd 32
we have gone even bigger on that. Being cautious last year has made us want to enhance our quirkiness, if you like.” Michelle also saw the pandemic have an impact on the types of products
Unlike other categories which can be topped up little and often, Christmas needs to be committed to early people were buying and in a positive way. One of its sellers, for instance, was outdoor lighting. “People were staying at home and could only meet outside, so they decorated the outside of their houses. That was definitel a trend last year and one we’re now building on for this year. “Once people start investing in something, they are going to reuse the items and then add to them. We ran out of some product lines, like icicle lights, quite early because in previous years we didn’t sell that many. So, this year, we’ll back this category more because people couldn’t get hold of them last year.” So, rather than the pandemic – and the uncertainty it brings – causing garden retailers to hold back this year, it looks as though they will be making up for any lost time and opportunities missed last year. This Christmas is set to be big and bold and we’re on board. ◗
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 12:12
Imitate the grown ups with our great range of household roleplay toys!
Over 700 models in stock: perfect Christmas gifts Tel 01460 75686 www.classiccanes.co.uk
GRUFFPAWTRAITS
Speciality dog greetings cards www.gruffpawtraits.com
Advert template.indd 10
gruffpawtraits@hotmail.com
12/08/2021 15:33
L a test P ro d uc ts C h ristm a s
CHRISTMAS The Red Squirrel Jug Creature Candy
n elegant, fine bone china ug featuring a beautiful hand drawn image of a red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris), including descri tive te t about the s ecies. erfect for use as a grav , mil or cream ug on the hristmas dinner table. esigned and made in ngland, with of the urchase rice donated to the ed quirrel urvival Trust. RRP Launch date vailable now www.creaturecandy.co.uk
Christmas card collection The Seed Card Company The eed ard om an has launched a hristmas collection. t features new illustrations within o ular collections such as lant ot eo le and ontinuous, as well as more unn hristmas designs within odles of oodles. RRP . er card each design must be bought in multi les of si Launch date e tember www.theseedcardcompany.com
Monty Bojangles Curiosity Cabinet Truffle Advent Calendar Honeycomb Project Management This large advent calendar has dual varnishes to enhance the vibranc of the design. ach window contains one of si award winning ont o angles cocoa dusted truffle varieties, with the th da window containing a cofflets o ouch of si truffle bites. The roved o ular last ear, selling out quic l . RRP Launch date e tember www.montybojangles.com
Christmas Fairy Door Plant Impulse This ceramic hristmas fair door is festive and on trend, suitable for all ages. t s filled with winter lants, bedding, and a hristmas ic and when hristmas is over, the fair door can be re used. t was a bestseller in , selling on average to er da er garden centre. ach one is individual and unique, which means the customer can bu multi les. deal as a table centre iece, atio decoration, or in a secret corner of the garden. RRP . to . Launch date ovember www.plantimpulse.com
wee
Eco-friendly Christmas bauble Weiste eiste s famous eco friendl roduct line is made from biodegradable wooden fibre. This ear sees the launch of eiste s first eco friendl hristmas bauble, the result of e ert design and engineering at its factor in inland. eiste is full committed to reducing its carbon foot rint and leading the wa in cutting the hristmas industr s de endenc on lastic roducts. RRP Trade rices from . Launch date vailable now www.weisteshop.fi
TOYS
Dyson Cord-Free Vacuum Casdon Toys The child si ed versions of the son roduct ma e retend la more realistic. ith wor ing suction, children can tac le a room at a time with either the short no le or long handled twist turn o tion. RRP Launch date vailable now www.casdon.com
34
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
LP christmas.indd 34
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 14:48
C h ristm a s L a test P ro d uc ts
GIFTS
The Magnifi ent Marmalade Collection Stokes Sauces Ltd
Sweet, fruity and zesty – Stokes Sauces says this is a selection which explores the wonderful tastes that marmalades have to offer. RRP £15 Launch date Available now www.stokessauces.co.uk
Cambridge Dry Gin Christmas Cracker Cambridge Distillery The multi-award-winning Cambridge Dry Gin miniature (5cl) appears in this beautiful cracker, which is customisable with personalisation.
The Signature Collection Booja-Booja The new Signature Collection from Booja-Booja is a sensational selection of 16 chocolate truffles. choing the celebrated awardwinning selection, this box features four brand new chocolate truffle varieties ee l Chocolate, Honeycomb Caramel, Chocolate Salted Caramel and Chocolate range. andmade in orfol , the truffles are organic, vegan, dairy free and gluten free. RRP £9.99 Launch date Available now www.hfchocolates.co.uk
Gingerbread Kits TTK Confectionery (Wholesale)
RRP £12 Launch date Available now www.cambridgedistillery.co.uk
A seasonal staple for retailers, each kit has everything you need to build and decorate your own festive figurines, with the design baked into the gingerbread for easy piping. Choose from seven bestselling designs, all packaged in a quality box, perfectly shaped for wrapping and putting under the tree.
Secret Garden Christmas Gin Secret Garden Distillery The Secret Garden’s Christmas gin is distilled with ginger, cinnamon and cardamom which rovides a festive s ic flavour. RRP £35.95 Launch date October 2021 www.secretgardendistillery.co.uk
Timio Educational Audio and Music Player Toynamics UK & Ireland
RRP £10 Launch date Available now for pre-order www.ttkconfectionerywholesale.co.uk
Hot chocolate stirrers Cartwright & Butler
TIMIO is a portable, interactive learning device designed to stimulate creativity and playful fun. TIMIO uses magnetic discs to unlock a library of curated educational and engaging audio content.
Cartwright & Butler has added hot chocolate stirrers to its collection of drinking chocolate. Available in Soft Marshmallow, Salted Caramel and il hocolate flavours, these transform a cup of warm milk into a hot chocolate treat.
RRP £79.99 Launch date October 2021 www.timio.co
RRP £1.90 Launch date Available now www.cartwrightandbutler.co.uk
www.gardencentreretail.com
LP christmas.indd 35
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
35
12/08/2021 14:52
OVER 100 ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE
PRANKI SEASONNG ... is soo
CALL TO REQUEST OUR 2021 BROCHURE
ner than you think !
! W O N R E ORD
Or ask foor caall Salesman t
9 MOILvLeIrO
Dolls N Sold
ITEM NUMBER: 503095 BAG SIZE: 70X50CM
TWIN PACK! ITEM NUMBER: 446069
ITEM NUMBER: 500025
ITEM NUMBER: 500040 ITEM NUMBER: 446070
ITEM NUMBER: 500133
The addictive, humorous, shocking & hilarious antics of the Elves are the perfect ingredients for the festive weeks leading up to Christmas Advert template.indd 11
12/08/2021 15:34
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021
GLEE 39
WELCOME An introduction to this year’s Glee offering
40
INTERVIEW Matthew Mein, Glee event director
42
COMPANY PROFILE PTMD Collection
44
THE STAGE Suzanne Ellingham, Glee head of content
47
LATEST PRODUCTS Picks from exhibitors at this year’s event
Glee cover.indd 37
12/08/2021 15:21
14-16 September 2021 NEC Birmingham UK
See our exciting 2022 innovations across watering, tools and garden power, and hear about our extensive marketing plans for the upcoming gardening season. Visit us on stand 8C40-D41.
100% recyclable packaging
Come and see us at GLEE Hall 8 Stand D20
01458 442688 www.durstongardenproducts.co.uk
Advert template.indd 12
DURSTON GARDEN PRODUCTS LTD, AVALON FARM, SHARPHAM, SOMERSET BA16 9SE
12/08/2021 15:36
W el c o m e G l ee
F
or more than a year, the industry has awaited the return of trade events. Virtual shows might have filled the ga throughout the andemic, but there is no re lacement for gathering together in one lace to view the latest innovations the garden retail industry has to offer. o, when reedom a finall too lace and restrictions on gatherings were dro ed, there was a collective sigh of relief that the biggest trade event for the sector lee could actuall ta e lace. rom e loring the latest roducts and services on the mar et to networ ing once again with our industr colleagues, lee has lent to offer. rom to e tember, visitors can e lore eight roduct categories to re are for the season ome, ift lothing ood atering lants andsca ing arden ecoration etail eriences ervices arden are and utdoor ntertaining. ome of the biggest and best names in the industr will be filling the halls of the irmingham in e tember, including o eloc , est eisure, Traeger rills, urgon all and aeming . The e hibitors aren t the onl reason to visit, though. s well as more than trade stands, there will be a range of seminars hosted across the three da event on what will be nown as The tage . ne of the focuses will be on making the garden retail industry attractive as an em lo ment destination. nother is on the racticalities of eat regulations. ea ers will also e lore online and offline business and strategies and share advice on sta ing authentic, so building our voice across emerging talents. inall , the rogramme will ta e a loo at the shifting demogra hics of customers and how garden retailers can connect with them. e can t wait to be informed and ins ired and, erha s most im ortantl , to see the industr together again! www.gleebirmingham.com ◗
www.gardencentreretail.com
Glee welcome.indd 39
Welcome SECTORS OF THE SHOW Home, Gift & Clothing oo ing to diversif our offering ere s the erfect o ortunit to see what s available.
Food & Catering The equi ment and the food and beverages themselves which will hel to ee customers coming bac to our caf .
Landscaping & Garden Decoration el customers to transform their gardens with the latest innovations and decorations.
Garden Care ith so man new gardeners over loc down, this is arguabl the best time to showcase the best and the most sustainable roducts on offer.
PAW This ever growing mar et has a wealth of roducts for et owners visiting our store.
Plants alled the reen eart of lee, this dis la of trees, lants and shrubs will ins ire ou to e lore new varieties to add to your range.
Retail Experiences & Services rom in store offerings to online solutions, it s im ortant garden centres sta ahead of the curve.
Outdoor Entertaining ondering what the trends are going into rom s to garden furniture, these e hibitors have it covered.
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
39
12/08/2021 14:37
G l ee Interview
10-MINUTES WITH
MATTHEW MEIN The Glee event director shares what visitors can expect from this year’s show
How does it feel to be holding the event inperson this year? It feels great to be back! The absence of events has been hugely felt across the industry, so being able to relaunch our platform that enables suppliers and retailers to meet face-to-face in order to network, discuss new product development and access unrivalled trend information to help build their business is an invaluable resource, and one I know our sector has missed. Of course, reopening events in the current climate does present additional pressures and ensuring the safety and security of everyone involved in Glee is a huge responsibility. However, we are incredibly lucky to be supported by an industry which has lobbied hard to ensure that exhibitions can reopen safely, working closely with the government to put in place guidelines that will work to reduce the risk of transmission on-site, offering peace of mind to those that attend. It’s a lot of work but necessary for the longterm future of exhibitions such as Glee. What are the biggest changes we can expect to this year’s event? After a two-year absence, we have not made any major changes to the show. Instead, we have wanted to ensure that the core elements for business growth
40
– products, trends and education, and networking – are all represented and that those visiting, or exhibiting, are able to rea the benefits. As always, Glee will offer visitors a free three-day seminar programme – organised in conjunction with the HTA (Horticultural Trades Association) – within the dedicated seminar theatre, The Stage. This programme will provide an enriched programme of expert business and garden retail advice to help grow your business through challenging trading conditions. This content will be derived from extensive industry research and is set to tackle key talking points, struggles and successes,
Glee will, once again, be a celebration of the best products and best practice on both the supply and retail side that our industry has to offer including topics such as making the garden retail industry attractive as an employment destination, peat regulations, online and offline business strategies and the shifting demographics of customers and how to connect with them. Glee will, once again, be a celebration of the best products and best practice on both the supply and retail side that our industry has to offer, and the forthcoming edition of the show will incorporate
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
Glee interview.indd 40
two major industry awards ceremonies which reflect this. For suppliers, there is the GTN sponsored New Product Awards, which celebrate the best new product innovations as well as tried and tested favourites which have stood the test of time. This year’s awards will see shortlisted entries make their pitch to the judging panel on 14 and 15 September, These will also be livestreamed, giving any buyers watching the chance to add their questions to the judges. The best of garden retailing will also be celebrated at Glee with the prestigious – and revamped for this year – Buyers Power List for 2021, to be held on Wednesday 15 September. The awards recognise the individual buyers and buying teams who have gone above and beyond to make a difference within the garden retail industry this year. All of the content sessions, and the New Product Awards pitching process, will be streamed and available on demand, ensuring that everyone that wants to access The Stage, can do so. Will there be COVID-safe measures in place? Glee and the other exhibitions in the Hyve famil benefit from a unique resource – Ian Solomon, operations director. Ian has been instrumental in working with our industry associations alongside the government to create a safe and secure route to reopening events and continues to do so as we move further out of
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 14:04
Interview G l ee
lockdown. Glee’s Safe and Secure measures will take into account all elements of the show including pre-, during and post show. The biggest measure we are putting in place will be the COVID-19 Status Checks. This means that all visitors and exhibitors at Glee 2021 will be asked to provide proof of completion of a full course of vaccination two-weeks prior to arrival; or proof of negative lateral flow test ta en within 48 hours of arrival; or proof of natural immunity shown by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19. Wider measures onsite will include access to hand sanitiser and increased cleaning regimes, particularly in high traffic touch oints, lus three metre wide aisles to allow for more comfortable movement around the event and contactless registration of visitors at entry points. Additionally, building on the experience gained when constructing and operating the NHS Nightingale Birmingham facility, the has u graded all the filter media within the ventilation systems to high efficienc media, which was the standard s ecified b niversit os itals irmingham Trust. Glee will also be a mask-friendly event. Whilst not currently government legislation to wear masks, Glee will be
www.gardencentreretail.com
Glee interview.indd 41
encouraging all exhibitors, contractors, and visitors to consider wearing masks, especially when in any enclosed or crowded spaces. Exhibitors have also been given a wealth of advice regarding how to ensure that their exhibition stands remain compliant, including guidance on stand la out, data ca ture, staffing and displaying product effectively.
inall , as the central networ ing hub for the garden retail industry, Glee will once again play host to vital trade associations, including GIMA – which will be running its GIMA Buyer Connect event – the HTA, Gardenex and the GCA, all of which will be welcoming existing and potential new members for the duration of the show, offering invaluable advice and expertise to those who need it.
What will be the biggest highlights of Glee 2021? This year’s Glee will be an accumulation of two years of hard work and determination from suppliers across the garden retail sector. There will be more new products under one roof than there have been at any time since 2019, as well as over 100 new brands making their debut at
Which garden trends for next spring should visitors be looking out for? With three million new gardeners said to have joined our ranks during lockdown, we’ll be expecting to see more products that meet their needs – so products that make gardening easier or provide instant gratification. arden tech and those products designed to enhance outdoor leisure time are also expected to build on their popularity founded in 2020. With gardens becoming our safe havens, there is a clear upward trend in the products that make our outdoor spaces a place where we can relax, grow, exercise and extend our living space into the great outdoors.
This year’s Glee will be an accumulation of two years of hard work and determination from suppliers across the garden retail sector the show. All this newness will certainly arm retailers with something to help differentiate their offering in 2022. Of course, leading brands will also be returning to Glee, helping to create an unrivalled showcase of what the garden retail sector has to offer. Whether representing an independent or multiple garden centre chain, a DIY store, high street store or e-commerce site, Glee will have something for everyone, from grassroots to established brands. The Innovators Zone will return to help to nurture fledging roduct develo ment and one-off design ideas, whilst also bridging the gap between market-ready new product launches from established companies and pre-commercial product ideas and concepts.
Will any aspects of Glee be addressing sustainability in the industry? Sustainability is a huge focus of the garden retail sector and we will ensure that this is reflected at lee this ear. The biggest display of this will be the new-for-2022 Sustainability Tour, where retailers are taken on a journey around the show, with key ‘sustainable’ brands featured along the way. On gleebirmingham.com, exhibitors can also clearl flag e their environmental credentials relating to everything from ac aging and roduct material benefits such as recycled/recyclable, plastic-free, compostable and plant based, to details on ethical approach to business practices and environmental impact. This in turn helps retailers who plan their journey in advance of the exhibition to source products and suppliers which meet the growing consumer demand for products with a conscience. ◗
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
41
12/08/2021 14:05
A d verto ria l
PTMD COLLECTION Independent design house exclusively for the independents
PTMD Collection is an independent design house exclusively for the independents. With a boundless love for innovation and craftsmanship, this Dutch lifestyle brand travels all over the world to collaborate with exceptional artists to create their signature rebellious luxury aesthetic. With a vast collection of thousands of unique products and an innovative retailing shop concept, PTMD is an industry trailblazer and is certainl one to watch for those seeking the latest trends in gardening and home styling. The PTMD Collection lifestyle brand is characterised by high quality appearance at affordable prices. Small cacti pots meet large specimen vessels, dramatic botanical light sculptures and carefully designed faux botanical. wing to their roducer s specialist technical skills, the collection has a distinctive
42
BP PTMD.indd 42
character and offers a point of difference. By using simple, robust and pure materials, PTMD products have a naturall warm and characterful appearance. The PTMD Style Shop is a unique Dutch lifestyle concept for garden centre retail. It presents a vast collection of 8,000 lifestyle designs, including thousands of interior plant pots. The garden centre buyers can handpick their selection for their concept shop. This concept is designed to support cross category selling by enhancing sales in the houseplant category with its irresistibl tactile pot collection and provides a platform to modernise garden centres’ home and lifestyle category. tmos heric and alwa s current, its successful retail model boasts excellent sell through. Working in artnershi with established garden centres across the
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
UK and Ireland, PTMD collaborates with centres to design a bespoke lifestyle space to suit their business. In addition to their modern shop furniture and merchandising by their Dutch styling team, PTMD and The Orangery provide complementary space planning service to position their t le ho s with the aim of enhancing cross category sales. To ensure the collection alwa s loo s in st le the launch 4,000 limited edition NPD every six months, so that there is alwa s something new to offer customers. These are designed in line with current interior trends which continue to maintain the performance of the concept shop. PTMD’s houseplant pot collection is a collision of contrasts. PTMD has been creating unique houseplant pots since 1992. With a collection spanning across thousands of exclusive unique
designs, its irresistibly tactile collection embraces utilitarian angled faceted pots in matted neon pastel shades meet polished candied reactive glaze vessels offset amongst minimalist brushed steel planters and metallic reptilian imprinted surfaces. PTMD’s team of in-house floral artists carefull curate their best-selling faux botanical catalogue. In a seasonally evolving collection of over 500 dried and faux designs, their floral artists utilise their wealth of horticultural expertise, developing a selection that reflects the true form of each plant to ensure maximally convincing pieces. CONTACT
PTMD Collection Head Office, Pietseweg 13a, 4751 RT Oud Gastel, Netherlands sales@theorangery.org 07872 606 299
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 16:39
Advert template.indd 13
12/08/2021 15:37
G l ee T h e S ta g e
TAKING TO
THE STAGE
Glee’s head of content Suzanne Ellingham shares what visitors can view on The Stage this year New Product Awards The New Product Awards, in partnership with GTN, have been a highlight of the show for many years. However, not many visitors realise the judging process involves every company entering pitching a panel of industry buyers – think Dragons’ Den for garden centre products and you will not be too far away. or the first time we are o ening this process up for our visitors and viewers to see the rocess first hand. Ta ing place at The Stage, from 10:30 on 14 and 15 September, you will be able to watch companies pitch for their products supremacy. This year, The Stage will be both live in person, but also streamed online and available on demand. A new aspect of the New Products Awards is not only the ability for the audience to watch, but also to ask a question alongside the judges. For the first time, this gives the bu er audience a chance to learn about the best new products, whether they are watching online or from the live audience. This year’s categories include: New Product Awards Glee 2021 1. Garden Plants, Seeds and Bulbs 2. Garden Growing Materials (Plant feeds, pest and weed control, growing media) 3. Growing accessories (Cloches, seed trays, hanging baskets plant supports garden gloves, garden kneelers, gardening clothing, etc.) 4. Garden Growing Containers (All pots, planters, – indoor – outdoor) 5. Garden Decoration (Garden ornaments, statuary, garden lighting, wall art, etc.) 6. Garden Tools & Machinery (Hand and powered garden tools) 7. Garden Landscaping (Paving, garden buildings, etc.) 8. Garden Leisure & Entertaining (BBQ’s, garden furniture and accessories, etc.) 9. Garden Wild Bird and Wildlife Products (Wild bird feeds, feeders, wildlife products, etc.)
44
10. Homewares, Giftware, Toys & Games, and Clothing 11. Retail Services & Experiences (Physical and digital) 12. Pet Food 13. Pet Health & Beauty 14. Pet Accessories Plus: • Best of British co nitiative • Overall Best New Product What else is on The Stage? This year’s seminar theatre will be operating a reduced agenda in order to allow for buyers to concentrate on buying at the show. With that in mind, the discussions will focus on the big issues that the industr faces. n artnershi with the HTA, The Stage will see several leading industr figures discuss the issues that matter. The industry has been through significant change, and it s showing no signs of slowing down. However, one of the big questions the industry faces is how to build garden retail as an industry that attracts and retains talent? Additionally, the industry according to the HTA has attracted three million new gardeners, supposedly affording retailers a golden opportunity, but the ongoing questions around engaging with them both in instore and online, how to continue to take advantage of this outdoor living trend is something that some retailers are doing better than others. And then there’s the discussion around peat. That said, all of the change in the last two years can leave business owners, and their employees alike, heading towards burn out. Glee’s partner Perennial will host a discussion on how to best manage and support those within your business that need the most help. The Stage will host discussions and provide insight into the issues driving the industry now. ◗
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
Glee the stage.indd 44
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 11:53
Tel:01778 01778422700 422700 Tel:
Email:sales@timberdisplays.co.uk sales@timberdisplays.co.uk Email:
DANSAND
® Tel: 01778 4
Tel: 01778 422700
NOEmail: GROW™
www.timberdisplays.co.uk
Joint Filling Sand with Natural Weed Inhibitor
www.timberdisplays.co.uk www.timberdisplays.co.uk
centre andWe nursery industries. have spent a lot of time this year
sales See u
s at
Timber Displays is an established company set upEmail: to providesales@timberdisplays.co.uk treated timber display products to the gardenset centre Timber Displays is an established company up and to industries. provide treated timber displaynursery products to the garden
www.timber H Stan all 20
introducing some new products to our range and these can nowTimber be foundDisplays on our website. is an
established company provide treated timber Our products are made to a high from We have continued to ensure our products are madeset to a up highto specification pressure treated products to the gardentocentre and timber and designed to increase yourdisplay turnover by showing merchandise its full potential specification from your pressure and to add an attractive feature to your outlet while competitively priced. nursery industries. Tel: 01778 422700 treated timber andremaining designed
14-1
d 20K
26
6 Sep
t 202 1
Timber Displa set up t introducing some new productscompany to our range www.timberdisplays.co.uk and these can now be found on our website. display products t We have continued to ensure our products are made to a high specification from pressure treated Timber Displays is an established nurser designed company set up totimber provideand treated timberto increase your turnover by showing your merchandise to its full potential to increase your turnover by
For further information please call 01778 422700 or Email: sales@timberdisplays.co.uk We have a lot of showing your spent merchandise to time this year
email us at sales@timberdisplays.co.uk or its full potential. visit our website www.timberdisplays.co.uk
For further information please display products to the garden and and tocentre add an attractive feature to your outlet while remaining competitively priced. call 01778 422700 or email us nursery industries. at sales@timberdisplays.co.uk For further information please call 01778 422700 or visit our website We have spent a lot of time this year www.timberdisplays.co.uk email us at sales@timberdisplays.co.uk or
or YourWe customers love weed-free spent have introducing some new products to our range patios, driveways and paths, so and these can now be found on our website.visit our website www.timberdisplays.co.uk introducing some n they’ll love DANSAND NO GROW
nsure our products are made to a high specification from pressure treated increase your turnover by showing your merchandise to its full potential ractive feature to your outlet while remaining competitively priced.
NO GROW is a joint filling sand infused with minerals and these can now to create desert like conditions by raising the pH value to naturally inhibit weeds. The range includes a choice of colour and sands for different width of joint and firmness of finish.
or further information please call 01778 422700 or e continued email us at sales@timberdisplays.co.uk or to ensure our products ar Resists Weeds I Resists Erosion visit our website www.timberdisplays.co.uk Resists Insects I Hard Wearing nd designed to increase your turnov Specialist water-based eco paint makers for the home and garden nd to add an attractive feature to you
Create beautiful spaces with Thorndown’s Wood Paint architectural grade VOC free colour pigments one wood paint for all timber applications 70 range colours plus 1000s of RAL colours
For further information
Unique Peelable Glass Paint made with 100% recycled plastic resin peelable paint for shading, security screening, arts & crafts and decorating
20kg bags email us at sales@ 49 bags per pallet delivery visit Prompt our website w FREE point of sale Staff product training
VISIT US AT GLEE, NEC, STAND 6F21 SPECIALIST PAINT MANUFACTURER BRINGING THE BEST IN DESIGN AND WATER-BASED TECHNOLOGY
Peelable Glass Paint - greenhouse shading, arts & crafts Wood Paint for all types of wood, inside and out Supplier to ITV’s hit series ‘Love Your Garden’ As featured in leading garden magazines Full retail POS and support provided
Active Products Ltd, Exclusive UK Distributor Barnston Warehouse, Chelmsford Road, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1LP Direct sales: 01371 872 842 Lines open 9am - 5pm sales@active-products.co.uk dansand.co.uk
T: 01458 258588 E: studio@thorndown.co.uk www.thorndown.co.uk
Dansand Half Page 91 x 240.indd 1
Advert template.indd 14
06/08/2021 14:29
12/08/2021 15:40
Garden Centre | EPOS Specialists Systems from
£995*
• Full EPOS, stock control and reporting • Customer delivery scheduling • Goods for collection & call-off features Searchable plant database with images
Loyalty Scheme
E-marketing Services
SHOPIFY / E-COMMERCE INTEGRATION
Label Printing
Handheld Terminals
SCAN ‘N SHOP, DELIVERY / C&C, TABLE ORDERING
XERO, QUICKBOOKS, SAGE INTEGRATION Café & Restaurant Module
Sales v Weather Reporting
• Ability to track stock/plant location • Front-house and backroom stock segregation
MOBILE APPS Web Integration
• Searchable plants database with images
7 Day Support
• Fully featured loyalty and discounting schemes • HTA gift card integration • Web-store integration (incl. Shopify) • Mobile / tablet apps (table service, click & collect, etc) • Label & tag printing *All prices exclude VAT and are subject to change. All EPOS systems & software require a compulsory support contract.
COMPLETE EPOS SOLUTIONS • Over 20 years’ experience in the EPOS business • Over 1,000 live systems across the UK • Software developed in-house
www.imagesoft.co.uk Registered in England & Wales: 9450326
sales@imagesoft.co.uk
01202 698610
Registered address: 1 Avon Road | West Moors | Ferndown | Dorset | BH22 0EG
PLANNING FOR POST LOCKDOWN? INCREASE YOUR RESTAURANT, PUB, GARDEN CENTRE OR CAFE CAPACITY RENT A TEMPORARY, AFFORDABLE, WEATHERPROOF STRUCTURE
NO FIXED TERM CONTRACT
INCREASE YOUR COVERED SPACE TO MEET CURRENT SOCIAL DISTANCING DEMANDS IN JUST A FEW DAYS WE WORK AROUND YOUR EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE A TEMPORARY WITH A PERMANENT FEEL EASILY ADAPTED FOR ALL SEASONS (SIDES ON/OFF) SINGLE OR MULTI-STOREY BUILT IN TIGHT SPACES OR ON ROUGH, UNEVEN GROUND INTERGRATED OR STAND-ALONE
OFFER 10% off all bookings using code: WWS21 Sustainable & Environmentally Friendly
T: +44 (0) 1672 565 060 M: +44 (0) 7875 027 369
W: www.worldwide-structures.com E: stuart@w-sl.com
Advert template.indd 15
12/08/2021 15:41
P ro d uc ts G l ee
Wildlife Collection ildflower eeds eedball
GLEE
A set of six beautifully illustrated seed boxes which each contain wildflower seed bombs for attracting different types of wildlife. An eye-catching gift for children and adults who love wildlife and gardening. im l scatter on to of soil in a ot or garden bed and water. overage for m2 for five to ots. ac aging is made from rec cled card and wildflower seeds are native and sourced, and eat free.
ansand A tive rodu ts td ansand is a oint filling sand infused with minerals to naturall inhibit weeds. t s sim le to use and effective at reventing weed growth for u to ears. t will a eal to customers re airing aved areas or wor ing on new ro ects. t s es eciall attractive to those responsible for keeping areas weed-free. RRP rom . aun h date Available now tand www.dansand. o.u A Care A pe ts
RRP £13.67 aun h date Available now tand 6C26-D27 www.a pe ts. o.u
Multi urpose Co post urston arden rodu ts td
RRP POA aun h date Available now tand 8D20 www.durstongardenprodu ts. o.u Bathgate A uati Co post Bathgate ili a and td athgate roduces this traditionall formulated quatic om ost containing all essential ingredients for a wide range of aquatic and marginal lants. vailable in a bag si e the bag si e has been discontinued. RRP POA aun h date Available now tand 20A20-B21 www.bathgatesili a. o.u
www.gardencentreretail.com
Products glee.indd 47
reener
EASYCare Grass and Foliage Greener is a revolutionary product to disguise bare or brown patches on lawns and hedges, giving the a earance of living grass and foliage. iodegradable and inder to the environment, its esin oc technolog rovides a long lasting erformance.
RRP £15 aun h date e tember tand 6E15 www.seedballtrade. o.u
urston s ulti ur ose om ost is roduced in the . t s a remium quality product which contains essential plant nutrients and a wetting agent to enable water absor tion, aeration and drainage. t is available to garden centres and retail outlets in , , , and bags and it can be supplied as a full 22 pallet load of the same roduct or as art of a mi ed allet load.
rass and oliage
o ine range A A co ine is said to be the first range of high qualit gardening tools in the mar et that is made with significant shares of rec cled materials, with a minimum of rec cled lastic. co ine re resents the bestsellers from mobile watering, small tools and garden secateurs. The range has a warranty of up to 25 years. RRP rom . aun h date March 2022 tand www.gardena. o u Mi ro eel o elo o eloc has launched a new icro eel. ith its light weight, it ma es watering small gardens easier than ever. t features a lic o design, and is equi ed with m of hose and a no le. RRP . aun h date Available` now tand www.ho elo . o
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
47
12/08/2021 15:04
Our products are supported by point-of sale boards, designed to help boost sales.
Help your customers get the best out of their garden with Bathgate’s vast range of horticultural products.
bathgatehorticulture.co.uk
We use the latest technologies and finest ingredients to ensure our products are consistently high quality.
01270 762828
sales@bathgatesilica.co.uk
Ideal for gardeners of all abilities, our range can significantly improve the performance of plants, seeds and shrubs.
Glasshouses supplied, erected, dismantled. Bespoke structures. Expert reroofing in polycarbonate and composite panels. All aspects of glasshouse work and refurbishments. Maintenance, cleaning. Gutter and door replacement.
Tel: 01724 734374 Fax: 01482 648032 Email: info@newcenturyglass.co.uk Web: www.newcenturyglasshouses.com
New and second hand aluminium benching: Fixed, Semi rolling, mobile and sales benches.
VALEKA BV • Heliniumweg 14 • 3133 AX Vlaardingen, The Netherlands Tel: +31-10 599 74 02 • info@valeka.nl • www.valeka.nl
Advert template.indd 16
12/08/2021 15:41
P ro d uc ts G l ee eafle range Collarways
CAT at h ltrasoni Cat Con ept esear h td
eafle is a safe and sustainable material which is rec clable. t s made from ero waste ogofle , reclaimed ocean bound lastic. ollarwa s eafle range is for et owners loo ing for eco friendl dog to s and is available in three colours.
hen the T atch unit is triggered, the ltrasonic bursts cause the cat to retreat and the longer the unit is in lace, the more effective it is. t is an innovative and humane wa of banishing cats from a ro ert . t is inaudible to humans and harmless to all s ecies. The device o erates da and night in most weathers and covers u to sqm. t comes with a two ear warrant .
RRP rom . aun h date utumn tand www. ollarways. o.u
RRP . aun h date vailable now tand www. on eptresear h. o.u
urrish urrish urrish is a et grooming brand with a range which includes sham oos, colognes, an alcohol free detangling s ra , aw and bod wi es, ear wi es, tools and a semi rofessional cli er. The aesthetic ac aging, eas to use e and qualit formulations ma e this brand unique. RRP . . aun h date vailable now tand www.furrish. o
dible greeting ards off aper coff a er is launching a new hristmas range of edible greetings cards for dogs. lassics li e etter T out with a eanut butter flavour and air tale of ew with bacon flavour all get the coff a er taste treatment this ear. RRP aun h date e tember tand www.s offpaper. o
CystoCure etar
eterrent
T
Tri s Trivia ood hap s The original card game for ets and their owners where users can com ete against others with tric s and trivia to see which human and hound have the strongest bond. ach ac contains la ing cards. nside the game is the offer of one free g ac of training treats er customer on their ne t order. RRP . aun h date ugust tand www.good haps. o.u
roo ing produ t range niffe i it niffe i it s range of naturall scented grooming roducts has been created with aromathera oil scent and natural, lant based deodorant. t is vegan friendl and balanced. roducts range from o inse harming r ham oo to ive a og ologne ragrant onditioning ist . RRP rom . to aun h date vailable now tand www.sniffeandli it. o
sto ure orte is the com lete natural solution for urinar health for cats and dogs containing four e ingredients for effective targeting glucosamine for its rotective activit cranberr ul for its anti adhesive activit against e ternal agents melon for its antio idant activit and green tea for its anti inflammator activit . sto ure orte is available in owder and tablets, ma ing it eas to dose and administer.
eenect offers real time trac ing of cats and dogs with no distance limit. ts water roof trac ers come in two si es one for dogs and one for cats meaning even the smallest of animals can wear it comfortabl .
RRP . aun h date vailable now tand www.vetar . o.u
RRP . aun h date vailable now tand www.weene t. o en
www.gardencentreretail.com
Products glee.indd 49
eene t eene t
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
49
12/08/2021 15:05
G l ee P ro d uc ts Rainbow Wellingtons Evercreatures
BOOTPAC Welly Pacs Bootpac Ltd
The natural, sustainable rubber used to make these colourful wellies, coupled with the unique Evercreatures moulded design and padded inner, means they are super soft and comfortable. All of its wellington boots are handmade using natural rubber and are vegan friendly. As well as tall, these wellies are supplied in short and ankle version.
BOOTPAC’s Wellypacs keep muddy boots stored securely, allowing them to dry and breathe. The range of ‘pacs’ from BOOTPAC is designed to join together for shelf storage, keeping utility rooms tidy. The Wellypacs is a high quality product that can be sold alongside any premium boot brands.
RRP £45 Launch date Available now Stand 6H63 www.evercreatures.co.uk
RRP From £14.99 Launch date September 2021 Stand 8A67 www.bootpac.biz
Laundry Detergent Strips Ecovibe Ltd
Sandwich & Snack Bags GoodToBee
Ecovibe’s laundry strips are ultraconcentrated, non-bio laundry detergent in a pre-measured strip. They are plasticfree and have small carbon footprint.
Waxed food wraps can help to reduce plastic and food waste at home. GoodToBee’s co-ordinating waxed Sandwich & Snack Bags and Everyday Wraps Packs are beautiful and practical. They’re all handmade in the UK to the highest ethical and quality standards.
RRP £12.75 (32pk) Launch date Available now Stand 7D73 www.ecovibewholesale.co.uk
Somerset Heritage Colour Collection Thorndown Thorndown is a specialist water-based paint manufacturer that makes a high-performing range of eco Wood Paints and Peelable Glass Paint. It uses the best raw materials selected with minimum or zero VOC, and exterior-grade colour pigments. There are more than 1,800 RAL Classic & Design colours available. RRP £44 for 2.5L tin Launch date September 2021 Stand 6F21 www.thorndown.co.uk
Plantable book range Willsow These plantable children’s books can be read then the pages planted to grow herbs and vegetables. It’s a sustainable product, made from 100% post-consumer recycled wastepaper, stitched with 100% natural cotton and printed with vegetable-based in s. There are five titles in the range. RRP £9.99 Launch date Available now Stand 6C18 www.willsow.com
50
Garden Centre Retail August/September 2021
Products glee.indd 50
RRP £16 Launch date Available now Stand 8D72 www.goodtobee.co.uk Traeger Pellet Grills Traeger With D2®Technology, Traeger’s variable speed fan and auger combine to control fire, eliminating standard pellet grill temperature swings. Its patented WiFIRE® technology gives full control from a smartphone or watch. Traeger’s seven grills will be on display at Glee. RRP From £549 to £2,500 Launch date Available now Stand 20E10-F11 www.traegergrills.com Nourish & Protect Evergreen Garden Care Nourish & Protect is a pesticide free, sustainably packed and sourced range of products that provides the necessary nourishment for healthy garden growth, whilst protecting the garden from unexpected weather changes as well as unwanted bugs and slugs. RRP POA Launch date Autumn 2021 Stand 8E30-F31 www.lovethegarden.com/uk-en
www.gardencentreretail.com
12/08/2021 15:08
easy to install and value for money. VertEdge is neater, stronger and safer than any other artificial lawn edging product or method on the market today.
1
®
•
No receding or pushed up perimeters: The lawn edging finish will always look the same as the day it was installed.
VertEdge is a new revolutionary artificial grass edging system 2
3
5
4
Artificial Lawn Edging
‘’Are You7 Fixing your VertEdge can be installed in Artificial Grass Down easy steps. Visit our website for a comprehensive • Fully integrated natural profiled finish Safely?’’ revolutionary artificial grass edging
Available at: 6 • Jewson • ArtificialGrass.com • ArtificialGrassDirect • LazyLawn • NoMow.co.uk VertEdge is a new • Amazon.com
fitting guide. pending more time at home system. Fixing perimeter of an artificial lawn is one of the pular. It’s easy to seethe why.
most important parts of an artificial lawn installation. Traditional methods are dated, flawed, and ® wer? And weeds!improvised. When the lawn perimeter is nailed, screwed A r t i f i c ior a l stapled, L a w n E d g just i n g 10% of the lawn edge is www.vertedge.com ng it can be quite the opposite… fixed. This has the potential to lift and become dangerous, leaving 6 inch nails in the ground to secure the lawn is clearly dangerous and should be avoided.
When the lawn perimeter is glued on to VertEdge, using the VertEdge adhesive, a 100% adhered perimeter is achieved. With no need for nails or screws, VertEdge creates a safe, child and pet friendly environment for your garden. VertEdge offers customers a system that is effective, easy to install and value for money. VertEdge is neater, stronger and safer than any other artificial lawn edging product or method on the market today.
utionary s edging ystem.’’
1
2
g system. VertEdge addresses these problems afer, neater, and stronger than any other product or customers a system that is purpose designed, easy to 7
6
For many people, the trickiest piece of the jigsaw when laying artificial grass is the edging. In particular, finding a reliable – and long-term – method of securing the grass to the perimeter. ®
3
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Can form to any curve or radius Perimeter cannot be pulled up by children, pets or wild animals VertEdge will help artificial grass to last longer (no perimeter failures) Cost effective Recyclable Safe & secure Simple to install and user friendly Light weight, easy to store and handle Fixing the perimeter of an artificial lawn is Ideal for DIY or professional use one of the most important parts of an artificial Works with all artificial grass surfaces lawn installation. Traditional methods are Supplied in 750mm dated, lengths flawed, and improvised. When the lawn Safe for Children and pets: No nails or pegs hammered perimeter is nailed, screwed or stapled, just 10% of the lawn fixed. This loose has the potential through the artificial lawnedge whichis can come and cause injury. to lift and become dangerous, leaving 6 inch nails in the ground to secure the lawn is clearly Will last the lifespan of the artificial lawn: No Timber dangerous and should be avoided. battens, which rot under the artificial lawn. No receding or pushed The islawn edging When up theperimeters: lawn perimeter glued on to VertEdge, usingas the adhesive, finish will always look the same theVertEdge day it was a 100% adhered perimeter is achieved. installed. With no need for nails or screws, VertEdge creates a safe, child and pet friendly environment for your garden.
4
5
VertEdge offers customers a system that is effective, easy to install and value for money. VertEdge is neater, stronger and safer than any other artificial lawn edging product or method on the market today.
• 100% adhesion to the artificial grass (nailing only usually gives around 10% 01992 804 459 fixing to the edges) • 100 % no nails • 100 % safe for VertEdge can be installed in children and pets steps. Visit ♻ our • 100%easy Recyclable
hello@vertedge.com
www.vertedge.com
website for a comprehensive fitting guide.
artificial lawn-layingA rheadaches out to pasture. tificial Lawn Edging www.vertedge.com
Advert Vertedge.indd template.indd 10 17
12/08/2021 15:42 10:48
t a u o y e e S stand 4 4 F 20
Helping garden centre retailers grow for over 55 years We are incredibly proud of our canopy installations within the Garden Centre industry. If you are looking to refurbish your existing site, expand your customer offering or weatherproof your business, we would be delighted to work with you.
www.fordingbridge.co.uk info@fordingbridge.co.uk 01243 55 44 55 Advert template.indd 18
12/08/2021 15:42