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Garden Centre Retail W
elcome to the March issue of Garden Centre Retail. March normally signals the start of the season for the garden retail market. As many of you will remember, last year’s season was delayed by the Beast From The East. This year’s looks like it may be delayed in a different way due to the implications, and outcomes, of this month’s Brexit decision. Spend is being reigned in by consumers, not least because nobody knows what’s going to happen after the 29th March. As soon as a decision has been made, regardless of that decision, spending should continue. As with most things, it’s indecision and confusion that cause chaos. Onto the March issue: this month we focus close up on the business practices and services available to garden retailers – taking a look at zero hours contracts, cross-selling and upselling advice, as well as funding information and a review of the business rates relief scheme and how it will affect the UK’s garden centre businesses. Our interview this issue is with GCA committee member and managing director of Poplars Garden Centre, David Little. I enjoyed my recent visit to the centre, located just off the M1 in Bedfordshire, especially the tour of the nature reserve on the property. Read all about David’s history, plans and views on the industry on page 8! That’s it for this month. I’ll see you in April, hopefully with an idea on what the market will look like for the rest of 2019!
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Joe Wilkinson Managing Editor, Garden Centre Retail joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com
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As with most things, it’s indecision and confusion that cause chaos
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EDITORIAL Managing Editor – Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 577
Subeditor – Sam Seaton sam.seaton@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 591
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Subeditor – Kia Wilson kia.wilson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 597
Joe and the GCR team
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Garden Centre Retail March 2019
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07/03/2019 16:00