GTN March 2026 - Garden Trade News UK

MARCH 2026

gardentradenews.co.uk

Advice & information for garden centre professionals

More Bunker time for Derek

Retirement beckons for industry legend – GTN Interview

AI IDEAS FOR GARDEN CENTRES Adapt or Die

BGC’S FAMILY VISION

GTN’S GREATEST CHRISTMAS AWARDS WINNING RETAIL IDEAS

more winners profiled

Garden Press Event

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Comment

Poised, ready for action F or the past two weeks we’ve had glimmers of Spring, but the weather keeps changing its mind. Everywhere we’ve been garden centres are ready for the rush and looking in great shape. We just need it to warm up and for the sun to shine for more than one day!

In this issue we celebrate the retirement of Derek Bunker, one of the early garden centre pioneers, as he sold Alton Garden Centre to British Garden Centres. Then we saw his son, Andy Bunker at the British Garden Centres plant show, he has joined the group to be part of their plant buying team, and managed to sit with Charles and Amy Stubbs for a couple of hours reflecting on the past few years rapid growth of the group and ask about their future plans. You can read the full interview on pages 26 – 28. Their vision of 200 centres at some point in the future sets a big target to shoot at.

One thing that stood out from the interview was Charles view on competition: “I think the industry is in as good a position as it ever has been, but the worst thing for the sector is not having

In this issue...

1

6 10 12 16 20 23 26 31

New gift packaging and greeting cards from Woodmansterne Exclusive GTN interview with Derek Bunker as he takes retirement Houseplants benefit from the Durston’s difference Hunter Stoves enter the outdoor leisure market with Pollen More than just cards – the story behind Museums & Galleries Round up from this year’s Garden Press Event Investments underline the future for Evergreen Garden Care BGC’s family values vision - GTN meets up with Charles and Amy Stubbs Inspiration from winning garden centre teams in GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 32 Giant Garden Centre Teams 34 Large Garden Centre Teams 36 Mid-Sized Garden Centre Teams 38 Small Garden Centre Teams 40 Group Large Garden centre Teams 42 Group Small Garden Centre Teams

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competition. For all the reasons under the sun, there needs to be competition.” Competition is also important when it comes to suppliers and we look forward to learning the future of the AMES UK business as that closure and eventual sell off takes place. We certainly don’t want a whole load of stock flooding the marketplace at silly prices. We will be watching that situation very closely.

At the end of April, The Glee Roadshow is going to Gates Garden Centre at Oakham and I will be running sessions at the Roadshow with Nigel Gates, to get his views on the season ahead and the issues that arise from running large sites, plus a session with Martin & Jenny Turner from Fakenham Garden Centre where they really make the most of their tiny 1.75 acre site. It would be great if you can join us at the Glee Roadshow on Thursday 30th April 2026. You can register to attend for free at: www.gleebirmingham.com/roadshow See you there.

Trevor Pfeiffer

44 Review from Spring Fair and Glee at Spring Fair 45 Invasive Plant advice – GTN Planteria 46 AI, your partner in business - Adapt or Die 48 Hungry for change - Pleydell Smithyman Viewpoint 49 What’s shaping Outdoor Living - LOFA Viewpoint 50 Grounded Horticulture - HTA Viewpoint 51

Cautious Optimism - GIMA Viewpoint

Advertisers in this issue 2

Woodmansterne

4

Melcourt

9

Vitavia

15

Evergreen Garden Care

22 Four Oaks 22 Handy 30 Monty Miracle 52 SOLEX 2026

MARCH 2026

gardentradenews.co.uk

Advice & information for garden centre professionals

More Bunker time for Derek

Retirement beckons for industry legend – GTN Interview

AI IDEAS FOR GARDEN CENTRES Adapt or Die

BGC’S FAMILY VISION

GTN’S GREATEST CHRISTMAS AWARDS WINNING RETAIL IDEAS more winners profiled

Garden Press Event

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING Garden Trade News Potting Shed Press Ltd Dairy Drove Thorney Peterborough PE6 0TX Tel 01733 775700 www.gardentradenews.co.uk THE GTN TEAM Editor Trevor Pfeiffer trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk Features Editor Anisa Gress anisa@pottinghsedpress.co.uk Advertising Sales Alan Burdon Alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk Digital Editor Neil Pope neil@pottingshedpress.co.uk Subscriptions Karen Pfeiffer karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk Design & Production AT Graphics Ltd www.atgraphicsuk.com Lucy Carnell – Design Alun Jones – Production Manager Robert Tipping – Managing Director James Tipping – Technical Director Printing CG Print Ltd Do you qualify for a copy of GTN?

If you’d like to be added to the GTN distribution list, please send your details to Karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk to see if you qualify to be included.

Alternatively, if you prefer your Garden Trade News digitally, sign up for GTN Xtra, our weekly e-mail newsletter at www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Potting Shed Press Ltd Garden Trade News is published by Potting Shed Press Ltd who also publish: GTN Bestsellers, GTN Xtra, Glee Daily News and the Glee Catalogue, and the Solex Sun. Potting Shed Press also supply Garden Radio to over 100 garden centres across the country.

Director Trevor Pfeiffer

SMALL PRINT: All material © Potting Shed Press Ltd 2026. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, either for sale or not, without the express permission of the publishers. The information supplied in this publication is published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Potting Shed Press Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by reliance on information contained in this publication or in the event of any bankruptcy or liquidation or cassation of the trade of any company, individual or firm mentioned, is hereby excluded.

March 2026 5

Interview

More Bunker time for Derek From charging 10p an hour for his gardening services as a lad, to creating the largest family garden centre in Essex, Derek Bunker can now look forward to more time on the golf course.

Retirement has arrived as Alton Garden Centre becomes the 78th British Garden Centre.

D

erek Bunker has been, and still is, a voice in the sector worth listening to. Comfortable calling ‘a spade, a spade’, he’s been part of the garden centre world since the early 1970’s. In that time, he has built up a stack of stories to tell, but his next chapter, retirement, will be filled with a lot more golf.

Retirement also brings a change for the team at Alton Garden Centre, which for 55 years has been one of the largest family centres in Essex. Derek has run the centre with his two sons Andy and Jay, and this month he passes the business to another family. The Stubbs family take on Alton Garden Centre bringing the total number of British Garden Centres to 78.

“I’m delighted Charles is buying the business,” says Derek, “we talk the same language, and I know he will do a good job because he has his two daughters, brother and wife with him. He said to me ‘Derek I want to make you proud of what I do with your garden centre’ and I know he will.”

Early days

Suppliers and customers will know of the Bunker Booth. Derek chose not to have his own office so would do business at the advice desk in the sundries department.

6 March 2026

Derek’s local flower show has always been the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as Chelsea is where he was born and grew up. “When I was a kid, I used to see people coming and going from the show but then I had a stand there, alongside Richard Evans from Ruxley Manor, and Notcutts selling garden furniture. Along from our stand was Paris Natar who was then heading up Pan Products.”

Having a presence at the Chelsea Flower Show put Alton Garden Centre on the map but Derek got the business and gardening bug way before then. On moving out of London with his family, he began mowing lawns and weeding at the age of 15, ‘for a cup of tea and a piece of cake’, cycling from job to job charging 2 shillings (10p) per hour. At 16 he became involved with his local gardening club and was encouraged to help run the store every Sunday morning. “In those days you had a big sack of bone meal and a big sack of hoof and horn, and you'd shovel it into the customers’ containers,” recalls Derek. “We also sold Bio plant food from a five-gallon drum at 10p per pint.

“I got a taste for it and sort of became the buyer. It was common sense really, making sure we had a load of peat in when it was planting time. Within two years, I took turnover from the store from £500 a year to over £2,000.” Never one to miss an opportunity, Derek also bagged up rotted pig manure from a local farmer and sold it to customers on the side to bolster his income.

On the road to his own business Derek’s idea to run a gardening shop was bolstered by the wallflowers he grew and sold from his front gate. He also grew dahlias for exhibition and has a stack of prize cards to prove his success.

Over the next two years, Derek saved £300, and eventually found an advert in the

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Interview A well-deserved Blue Plaque to recognise Derek’s contribution to gardening.

local paper declaring a business for sale. A farmer had 40 local rounds selling potatoes and eggs but was looking to sell 20. “When I got there, he said he had already sold the 20 rounds. But I told him I had the money with me so he said I could have it.”

Derek quickly saw the seasonal limitations of selling just potatoes and eggs and with the advent of more people having their own cars, customers were starting to visit the farm to buy rather than needing to have food delivered.

By 1971, Derek had secured a 21-year rental agreement on a greenhouse, with a slither of land and parking for 12 cars and so began his first garden shop. On

Derek's shop in the early days.

Jay with his daughter Maisie and Andy with his wife Julia at Derek's retirement party at the garden centre.

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March 2026 7

Interview

Officially opening the 50th Glee.

Bringing in the family A lover of golf, Derek is a regular player at the annual charity GIMA Golf Day.

Early promotional material for Alton Garden Centre.

recommendation from an American banker Derek met on a cruise, he bought the business. “He said ‘when you get home, buy the business – whatever he wants just pay it’”.

In 1975 the centre started to take shape and, also in that year, Derek visited the first Glee. He was more than pleased then in 2024, to officially open the 50th Glee.

Bare root and root-balled plants were bought at an auction in Wisbech and eventually Derek began to trade directly with nurseries in Holland. “I remember we could buy bare root plants such as potentilla and spirea for 10p each. We would get them in January and pot them up ready for selling” Sales of Westmorland stone were also strong as customers created rockeries. “It was water-worn and looked fabulous. We would have 20 tonnes a week as no one else was selling it,” says Derek.

8 March 2026

Andy, Derek’s son joined the business in 1978, straight from school and in 1980 the adjoining 10 acres was bought from a local farmer who gave him a private mortgage because he said he was a good bet.

Garden machinery became the next big thing, headed up by Andy, with servicing and maintenance on offer. Andy become Plant Manager in 1995 and today brings his plant retailing experience to the RHS through being a member and judge of plant trials at nearby RHS Garden Hyde Hall.

Jay, Derek’s younger son joined in 2001 and has since developed a BBQ department like no other garden centre. With 42,000 followers on Instagram, he has made Alton ‘the’ place to go for BBQ’s and accessories and brings in hundreds of customers .

Like most centres, furniture was and still is an important line for Alton and Derek has witnessed market trends change from plastic furniture, to wood and then aluminium. He was even described as the ‘millionfranc customer from England’ because he bought so much from Grosfilex. However, his garden centre sales were boosted from being at the Ideal Home Show and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

The trend for selling Christmas came in the 1980’s following a visit to Canada. “In winter, the smaller nurseries just close because heating is too expensive, so they

lease their car parks to sell Christmas trees. The big garden centres had fabulous displays, so we began, quite small to start with, but as we got bigger, we were asked to run the Christmas department in a large department store in Southend.

But it wasn’t only Christmas that links Alton with department stores.

Garden machinery, silk flowers and furniture were sold as concessions in 20 Debenhams stores.

Industry challenges Derek always joked that when his time came to leave the business, he would be carried out in a box, his ashes put into a glass timer and set on the reception desk so he would keep an eye on the business.

But staff and business costs are making it difficult for independent centres to continue. “Smaller sites are fine, but if you are a single medium or larger sized independent site, life is becoming very tough with all the overheads.”

With their ability to spread the cost of back room staffing over many sites, groups of garden centres are the ones able to succeed in the current economic climate. They also have stronger buying power, enabling them to sell product at keen prices.

Although technically retiring Derek will still keep in touch with the industry and his valuable experience means he already has a couple of irons in the fire.

One of those is as a judge for the Glee New Product Awards in September. With his decades in retail, Derek will most definitely be able to spot a potential good seller when he sees one.

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Extending the Season: The Greenhouse Opportunity for Garden Centres

Customers don’t visit garden centres just to shop, they come looking for ideas, inspiration and the promise of a successful growing season. While they may arrive for seeds, compost, tools, pots and plants, the journey often stops short of the product that can truly transform their growing experience: a greenhouse. By offering greenhouses in-store, garden centres can complete that journey while opening the door to a powerful opportunity for year-round, high-value sales.

Outdoor growing will always be at the mercy of Britain’s unpredictable weather. A greenhouse changes that completely. By creating a stable, protected microclimate, it allows gardeners to start earlier, grow longer and achieve more reliable results. For customers, that means greater success and enjoyment. For garden centres, it means more frequent visits, more products purchased and engagement that lasts well beyond the traditional season.

Vitavia, a family-run business based in Suffolk, is the British partner of the Vitavia Group, Europe’s leading specialist in quality hobby greenhouses and accessories. Known for combining excellent value with dependable service, Vitavia has become a trusted name among UK gardeners. The company is also the exclusive UK distributor for Janssens, the premium Belgian brand celebrated for its elegant, design-led greenhouses and garden rooms. Together, the two ranges offer something for every customer, from first-time growers to those seeking a statement feature for their garden.

Some retailers worry that greenhouses demand too much retail space, but the reality is far simpler. A carefully selected display of just three models; 6x4, 6x8 and 8x10 can create a striking focal point while driving high-value sales. Better still, greenhouses provide the perfect environment to showcase

plants, pots and accessories, turning them into both a retail feature and a practical merchandising space.

For garden centres looking to extend the season, increase margins and inspire greater customer loyalty, adding Vitavia and Janssens greenhouses to the range is a smart investment, one that keeps growing.

Get in touch today - sales@vitavia.co.uk

UK Distributer Vitavia Email - sales@vitavia.co.uk

Promotion

Houseplants benefit from the Durstons’ difference

Durstons expands high-performance peat-free range with Advanced Houseplant Compost.

I

ndoor plants can now reap the benefits of Durston Garden Products gamechanging peat-free formulation, as the family-run producer launches a dedicated performance houseplant compost, helping your customers achieve lusher leaves, bigger blooms and healthier plants.

Part of Durstons’ Advanced peat-free collection – a range proven to outperform

10 March 2026

competitor products across the board in independent growing trials – this brand-new specialist compost has been formulated to help houseplants thrive, taking the guesswork out of indoor gardening.

Its balanced structure creates the ideal environment for houseplants to flourish, providing excellent aeration for healthy roots and delivering effective moisture control, thus

reducing the need for frequent watering.

The mix contains 14 essential nutrients that are readily available for plant uptake, supporting healthy root development, vibrant foliage and improved flowering performance.

The result is stronger, more resilient plants that are easier for consumers to care for at home.

The ideal houseplant partner Perfect for re-potting established plants or giving new additions the right start, Durstons Advanced Houseplant Compost is easy to use

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Promotion

Key benefits of Durstons’ Advance Houseplant Compost  14 essential nutrients – easily absorbed and accessible to plants  Highly effective moisture retention – reducing the need for frequent watering  Up to 70% bigger plants*  Up to 50% more blooms*  Premium peat-free formulation  Packaging made from 30% recycled plastic and recyclable at most garden centres *Based on results of independent growing trials.

….lusher leaves, bigger blooms and healthier plants. and delivers premium performance at an affordable price, helping to create significant opportunities for those retailers seeking to capitalise on the ever-growing houseplant category.

Advanced Houseplant Compost is available in a handy 10-litre bag as a perfect pick-up line or 20-litre bag for larger indoor projects.

Thanks to Durstons’ recent re-brand, this exciting new line boasts showstopping and informative packaging, enabling shoppers to make quicker decisions at point of

purchase. The support of attractive new merchandising and POS material provides even greater stand-out on shelf, driving those all-important impulse buys and making it easier than ever for customers to find the right product for the job.

Sustainability remains central to the product’s design. The compost is completely peat-free, while the packaging is made from 30% recycled plastic and can be recycled at most garden centres.

Pick up a bag of Durstons Advanced Houseplant Compost today and see the Durstons difference!

Find out more

Retailers interested in strengthening their peat-free offer and supporting gardeners through the transition can find out more about Durstons’ award-winning range and point-of-sale support at www.durstongardenproducts.co.uk or by calling 01458 442688.

About Durstons

For more than150 years Durstons has been innovating, evolving and diversifying its Somersetbased business to meet the demands of its customers. Today it is focused on paving the way for the future of compost – and the results speak for themselves with its peat free range proven to deliver up to 70% more growth than standard mixes. This performance is thanks to Durstons’ passion for a sustainable, cost-effective product for customers, alongside a ‘no compromise’ approach to quality. Durstons has invested in its operations, is committed to the best responsibly sourced ingredients, and to delivering reliable and personal service. All mixes are rigorously tested to ensure consistent, trusted performance.

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March 2026 11

Promotion

Pollen brings warmth to the garden With a reputation for quality and precision engineering, Hunter Stoves is entering the outdoor market and bringing retailers a new offer with Pollen, an elegant range of wood burners and stoves.

12 March 2o26

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Promotion

Starburst patten in rust.

F

or 30 years, Hunter Stoves has been at the forefront of British wood-burning stove manufacturing. As one of the largest stove manufacturers in the UK, the company has become renowned for producing beautifully designed appliances that offer exceptional quality, high efficiency and low emissions.

As outdoor living has become an increasingly important part of modern homes, Hunter Stoves saw a natural opportunity to bring its expertise to the outdoor heating market enabling people to extend the time they spend outside. With customers investing more in their garden and outdoor spaces, Hunter Stoves has seen that now is the right time to bring warmth, atmosphere and craftsmanship to a new market.

At Spring Fair in February, the company unveiled its new, beautifully designed Pollen by Hunter Stoves range to much acclaim. Products are designed at the company’s head office in Exeter, Devon and produced at its factory in Camelford, Cornwall. Each appliance is built by experienced craftsmen and engineers who bring decades of knowledge in metalwork, fabrication and combustion design. This close collaboration between design and manufacturing ensures every product reflects the same high standards of quality, performance and attention to detail that Hunter Stoves is known for.

Retail opportunity Being natural destinations for customers who are already investing in their outdoor spaces, from planting and landscaping to furniture and decorative features, garden centres are the perfect environment for selling Pollen outdoor heating products.

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Smokeless fire pit and table The Hex Smokeless Fire Pit has been carefully engineered to create a cleaner, more enjoyable outdoor fire experience. Air is drawn in from beneath the fire pit, creating a natural airflow system that feeds the fire while keeping smoke within the chamber. This design allows flames to rise beautifully from the top while significantly reducing the smoke that typically drifts around traditional fire pits.

The result is a more comfortable As a table, environment where the warmth and the willow atmosphere of a real fire can be enjoyed pattern in brown. without making clothes and hair smell of smoke or having to constantly move to escape the plumes of smoke.

The Hex is not just a fire pit, it is also a piece of garden furniture, doubling up as a beautiful table when not in use. In two sizes and five colours (green, rust, black, grey and brown) each has its own tabletop pattern design inspired by natural surroundings helping the range sit harmoniously within the garden and outdoor environment. This approach creates a seamless connection between the products and the Clever engineering and design ensures landscape, allowing them to the Hex provides complement planting, stone, a smokeless wood and other natural textures experience. found in outdoor spaces.

March 2026 13

Promotion

Outdoor stove

Hive Garden Stoves in black, brown and rust.

As homeowners continue to place greater value on their gardens as an extension of the home, outdoor heating products such as Pollen stoves provide a natural addition that allows customers to enjoy these spaces for longer throughout the year. Pollen products sit comfortably alongside garden furniture, outdoor dining areas and patio displays, making them easy to showcase in inspirational outdoor settings where customers can visualise them in their own gardens. The combination of beautiful design, practical warmth and the atmosphere of a real fire makes them an attractive purchase

14 March 2o26

The Bronze edition features a solid brass handle.

The Hive 4-Sided Garden Stove has been designed to bring the comfort and visual appeal of a wood burning stove into outdoor spaces. With four large ceramic glass windows, the Hive creates a striking focal point in the garden, allowing the fire to be enjoyed from every side so that everyone gathered around can experience the warmth and movement of the flames.

At the centre of the design is the Cyclone Air System, developed to keep the glass clear, maintain a clean view of the fire and ensure the flame picture looks its best throughout the burn. It also features supports a clean and efficient combustion process while delivering strong heat into the surrounding space. By optimising how air moves through the appliance, the Hive provides both impressive warmth and reliable performance for outdoor entertaining.

Constructed to endure life outdoors, the Hive is strong, durable and hand assembled, combining robust materials with skilled craftsmanship. The result is a beautifully built garden stove that brings atmosphere, warmth and timeless design to patios and outdoor living areas. Like the Hex, the Hive is available in five colours (green, rust, black, grey and brown) and has delicate patterned panels housing the log store beneath.

for customers looking to enhance their outdoor living experience.

For garden centres, Pollen stoves also offer a strong retail opportunity as Hunter Stoves offers a competitive trade discount and drop shipping options for those unable to hold stock.

Premium, design-led products they complement existing outdoor ranges while providing a distinctive focal point within displays.

With growing consumer demand for outdoor living products, garden centres are ideally placed to introduce customers to outdoor heating solutions that extend the use of their garden well beyond the summer months.

With a network of active retailers in the UK and overseas, Hunter Stoves products are trusted by customers seeking reliable performance and timeless style. At the heart of the business is a dedicated and experienced engineering team, experts in combustion who know exactly how to create efficient heat, beautiful warmth and a stunning flame picture.

To stock the Pollen range or find out more visit: www.pollenfire.co.uk

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New National TV and Digital Campaign in 2026 12 week campaign, across all major channels Campaign launches 23rd March Miracle-Gro® is a trademark of OMS Investments, Inc. and is used under license from OMS Investments, Inc.

Promotion

Refreshingly different

From classic art to children’s favourites and dad jokes, the family owned Mint Publishing and Museums & Galleries have cards and gifts to make everyone smile.

Sophie Bylina-Williams, Relationships Manager (left) and Sam Poulton, Relationships Co-ordinator (right)

G

reetings cards and gift packaging have earned their place in garden centres and guarantee to generate repeat business. This has been fuelled by the wide choice and quality from Museums & Galleries (M&G) which like the ever-evolving product range sold in garden centres, has grown its offering to encompass cards, notebooks, gift packaging, kitchen and homewares.

Known for its collaborations with classic brands such as V&A, British Museum, Natural History Museum and Tate ranges, M&G is constantly working to bring fresh designs to consumers. But the company behind M&G brings retailers far more than heritage lines.

From vanilla to mint M&G is one of the brands under the umbrella of Mint, set up 20 years ago

by Debbie and Alan Williams. Today it continues to be a family business, with sons Tom and Andy on the team. It has 50,000sqft warehousing and despatch in Corby, Northamptonshire, and Frome in Somerset where the creative team is based.

Debbie’s background in the greeting card business put her in good stead when the company she was working for called Vanilla came up for sale. She saw it had great potential and it came at a time when her husband Alan had recently sold his dairy farm. “They put the money from the farm into buying the company they

16 March 2026

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Promotion

One of Mint’s most popular cards.

M&G has the license to sell products worldwide and has 11 agents in the UK and the Channel Islands. Paddington Bear and V&A (featuring Leicester wallpaper design by John Henry Dearle) are just two of many globally recognised brands in M&G’s collection.

renamed Mint,” says Sophie Bylina-Williams, Relationships Manager. “The strapline is ‘refreshingly different’ and it originally began by selling humorous cards with ‘dad’ jokes. We have since become known for our ‘ha pea birthday’ card, which is still around today, and we have sold millions of them.” This helped put Mint on the map with John Lewis referring to the company as ‘the knitted pea people’.

Success bought a move from a small warehouse in Market Harborough to the site in Corby and Mint has since moved into gifting with keyrings, magnets,

coasters and gift packaging. Looking to grow the business, Debbie and Alan saw an opportunity in 2013 to buy Museums & Galleries; although very different to Mint’s range, it complimented perfectly, opening doors to new markets.

“At the time M&G was just selling cards, a small range of gift wrap and a few notebooks but the acquisition included the license with the V&A and British Library,” explains Sophie. “It also did bespoke work for others, so the initial aim was to keep these important licenses happy, and we are still working with them today.” Tate and The British Museum have since become licensed brands, along with individual designers like Matthew Williamson and Catherine Rowe, plus children’s favourites Paddington, Brambly Hedge, Peter Rabbit and The Tiger Who came to Tea. Although greeting cards are the breadand-butter lines, it was during the covid pandemic that an unexpected opportunity came about. Customers wanted to buy packs of cards to maximise their shopping opportunities, and demand for stationary increased as people had more time to write letters. “We were also asked to look

at making cotton face masks because people wanted something a bit more stylish and then blue medical-looking ones,” says Samantha. This was a huge success, and once the cotton manufacturer and supplier had been secured, Debbie and Alan saw they could offer tote bags, pouches and pencil cases.

This led to aprons, oven gloves and tea towels, so the next natural progression was to tabletop products, putting the licensed images on China mugs, coasters and placements….. and then umbrellas too. ”Having the licensed brands means we can have access to, and delve into, archives to come up with options for beautiful gifts,” says Sophie.

For garden centres

As well as cards and gift packaging the M&G range includes gifting lines such as coasters, note books and bookmarks.

M&G is proud that all its cards and wrap are made in the UK, and to maximise warehouse space, cards are delivered to Corby flat-packed.

As it can hold so much stock, the in-house team can quickly react to and send out orders. It also holds spare envelopes and is strengthening brand recognition by offering branded envelopes on selected ranges.

Garden centre retailers also have the choice of stocking cards with a paper ‘eco band’ or cello wrap. Sam

In the Corby warehouse, narrow forklifts enable aisles to be closer together to maximise space.

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March 2026 17

Promotion

Museums & Galleries brands have something for everyone; cards, journals, notebooks and gifting.

of the business but the landscape has changed.

“We used to supply shops that just sold cards, but now they have diversified to survive and diversified many have moved into gifting,” explains Sophie.

This has worked well for Mint and M&G which have moved into gifting at the same time. Garden centres have an added bonus of customers being able to also buy a gift, packaging, coffee and cake and get free parking.

Despite developments in digital communication, card buying is still strong, with customers wanting to recognise special days and events in the calendar and send personal messages.

A trend for small cards is also being seen. This includes Christmas and dated which accounts for about a third of M&G’s business.

“We hear that many people are not sending cards but donating money to charities instead. Our charity cards benefit NSPCC, Mind, Shelter, Marie Curie, Macmillan and the British Heart Foundation, so customers can actually do both,” says Sophie. “Through these cards we donate a phenomenal amount of money.”

Still growing

Poulton, Relationships Co-ordinator explains that as some centres have sales areas that might be open to the elements, the cello wrap is a good option. “But if retailers want to go plastic-free they can have the banding at no extra cost. Being able to offer both is a really good tool and a selling point.”

The creative team can also offer bespoke designs which could be of interest to garden centre chains or buying groups plus there is a merchandising and re-ordering service covering all the Mint and M&G ranges.

For smaller retailers the no minimum order is appealing, although carriage paid is only offered on orders valuing £200 or more. “Our sales agents are on the road

18 March 2026

maintaining their relationships with their customers by looking after them with initial orders, reorders or top ups. Some retailers might not need that support, but for others, knowing someone is going to come in on a regular basis means they don’t have to worry,” says Sophie Retailers also have the option of buying cards and gifts directly through M&G and Mint or via a brokerage partner. “This works well for us and the centres because our licensed products sit well in garden centres alongside all other card brands,” says Sophie. “Plus, they don’t need to worry about replenishing or planning.”

Developments in card retailing For Mint, the high street is still a big part

Mint and M&G have grown significantly and quickly – it has an extra 10,000sqft at Corby ready and waiting for the next phase of expansion. But it remains a family business at heart.

Many of its staff have been with the company for more than 10 years and its offer of either 9am-5pm working hours or a school-friendly 9.30am-2.30pm works well for many team members.

“You spend so much of your time at work it’s important you’re in a place you feel comfortable and valued,’ says Sam. “There isn’t one job we expect somebody to do that we wouldn’t be willing to do ourselves. If the situation arises, we all work together in the warehouse – it’s all hands on deck.”

www.museumsgalleries.co.uk Tel: 01373 462165 sales@mgml.co.uk

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Promotion

Captivating curves How an elegant, bespoke horseshoe canopy from Fordingbridge, has elevated outdoor retail at Haskins Garden Centre.

W

hen Haskins Garden Centre A no-hassle space that delivers in spades approached Fordingbridge to enhance the outdoor plant area For the Haskins team a key benefit was at its West End centre, the ambition was clear: Fordingbridge’s fully managed, turnkey a showstopping display area that encouraged delivery. From removal of existing structures, through to foundation works, exploration in all seasons, while enabling irrigation, canopy design, manufacture open-air browsing on fair weather days. and installation. Fordingbridge managed A solution with standout every stage, ensuring minimal disruption Fordingbridge’s solution? To utilise existing and clear communication to help make foundations to create a bespoke 101m long, the project run smoothly and efficiently.

13m wide timber and steel horseshoe canopy The result? A standout canopy that that connects the main building and outdoor has already increased both footfall and area. Curving around the space, the striking dwell time. canopy draws visitors into the area and Why leading garden centres perfectly frames the centre’s vast seasonal choose Fordingbridge plant displays.

• Decades of extensive sector experience.

The curved structure provides robust • Trusted by the UK’s most respected weather protection while subtly enhancing garden centre brands. the flow and visibility of the outdoor space • Design-led solutions that maximise and increasing dwell time within the area. year-round trading potential.

• Turnkey, stress free design and delivery.

The outcome of Haskins’ brief is far • All weather performance that more than a canopy. It’s a longlasting retail asset that increases transforms customer experience usable display space and creates and protects stock. aesthetically pleasing areas that will • Sector-leading 25-year guarantees last for decades. for long-term peace of mind.

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If you’re ready to elevate your outdoor retail space, get in touch today to arrange your complimentary site visit. Our expert team is ready to help you imagine what’s possible!

Visit: www.fordingbridge.co.uk Tel: 01243 554455

March 2026 19

Garden Press Event 2026

Spreading the word

The annual Garden Press Event in London gives suppliers direct access to journalists and influencers so they can promote everything new and exciting for the gardening year ahead.

Celebrating garden visiting

Boyd with NGS Chief Executive Richard Claxton.

The National Garden Scheme (NGS) has a great year ahead but it also gearing up to 2027 when it celebrates 100 years of garden visiting.

For 2026, it has a range of products from plants through to garden ornaments which centres can sell to promote the charity and garden visiting. “Everything will raise money for the NGS and all the activity in garden centres selling these products will ultimately benefit medical charities through NGS distribution,” says Boyd DouglasDavies, who has been helping it gear up for its centenary.

Garden owners are in the process of coming up with names for a new tree grown by Frank P Matthews, and a rose which will be launched at the RHS Sandringham Flower Show in July.

Levington will be promoting the NGS with information on its bags of peatfree, multipurpose with added John Innes. The company is also sending a free bag to each garden. DCUK products dressed as gardeners have proved to be the company’s second-best seller out of its entire range. A third wearing a pinny decorated with the familiar NGS yellow and black design is due out soon.

From the week of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, selected garden centres will be able to sell some of the 10,000

20 March 2026

Safe and busy little fingers Clematis ‘Queen’s Nurse’, a new cultivar from Raymond Evison. It’s being grown

by New Leaf Plants, Garden Centre Plants and Baldwins. From 2027, volumes will rise allowing for much greater availability in garden centres.

Norfolk company LV Bespoke has created a new range of ornamental garden stakes being launched in May with a second additional range at Glee in September.

“Garden centres have been around for 70-80 years but for 100 years, the NGS has been getting them excited about gardens,” says Boyd. “For all the years as proprietors of garden centres, we have had these wonderful 3000 plus gardens opening and inspiring half a million people. And those people are going into garden centres to buy plants. If everyone shouts and makes a noise next spring, and gets connected with local gardens, volunteers, and holds events like a Gardeners Question Time with local garden owners, it would be a fantastic way to celebrate.”

New plants for the centenary are also being introduced from Brandsford, Webbs, Allensmore and Ball, and a catalogue of products from all the companies supporting the celebration will be sent to garden owners to raise awareness and boost sales.

Felco is encouraging children to get gardening with a new range of gloves, apron, tools and a book. In three sizes, the Felco 720 gloves with soft sheepskin leather across the palm and fingers, retail at £9 and match exactly with the branding on adult ranges.

The Felco 490 Kids Apron is made from tear-resistant cotton canvas and the steel trowel and fork are tough enough for genuine use while being easy to use. The Felco 14 secateur has been ergonomically designed to suit smaller and weaker hands, with advice to be used with parental assistance. Rather than adopt a ‘do not touch’ approach, Felco is encouraging and teaching safety with its sharp secateurs within a book which also offers ideas for seasonal activities.

For gardeners who do a lot of pruning, the new Felco 2e electric secateur comes in at a price point of £225 to better compete with other ranges on the market. It comes with CUT SHIELD technology in the form of a special glove which acts as a safety mechanism. If the blade detects a gloved finger between the blades, the cutting action is automatically stopped. The company’s Tom Sullivan explains the glove on its own will not turn off the cutting motion – it is conductivity from the hand through the glove that is detected.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Garden Press Event 2026

Small, and big new wonders Thompson & Morgan continues to elevate interest in gardening with several new releases for 2026.

For cut flower lovers, Allegra petunia brings a whole new opportunity. Plants are said to reach 1.5m in height producing sturdy stems holding flowers which from a distance look like sweet peas. Young plants are available in three colours – lavender, magenta and white.

The Suttons heirloom range of tomatoes in pots will be with retailers at the beginning of April with fruits of differing colours and sizes to add brightness to any salad. New this year is Froglet, a mini plum type ripening green with a golden-yellow blush.

From Dobies, a soft-skinned melon that you can eat straight off the plant like an apple is creating interest. The company’s Rob Smith successfully grew melon ‘Honey Drops Dara’ in Yorkshire and it is said one plant can produce up to 15 fruits.

Vicky Ager, Commercial Director of Branded Products, promoting the benefits of Incredi Mulch Plus, another new release.

Gourmet seeds Blue Diamond Garden Centres launched its vegetable Gourmet Gardener Seed Collection chosen to appeal to gardeners who also like to cook. It boasts 100 seed types across herbs, salads, vegetables, seed potatoes, peas and beans, and each pack has links to a recipe some of which were designed by Claire Willett, Blue Diamond’s Head Chef.

At the GPE, Vlad Djukanov, Development Chef and Supply Chain Manager explained the range was chef-curated with images of a finished dish on each pack. This included Carrot Ketchup, made from carrot ‘Sweet Candle’ which is now also going to be sold ready made in bottles in Blue Diamond centres.

Robert Dyas looks to premium lines Last spring, Robert Dyas launched its online garden centre (gardencentre.co.uk), which according to Tanya Carter (pictured) has been a great success. “We have a lot of gardening products on the Robert Dyas site, so the new online garden centre is a way for us to consolidate product and separate it out to appeal to a different audience,” says Tanya.

Despite the product mix on both sites being similar, the types being bought is turning out to be quite different. Tanya says that so far it seems customers are choosing the Robert Dyas website for utilitarian products like sheds and bbq’s while gardencentre.co.uk is generating more sales

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

of live plants and seeds.

For the coming year Tanya is looking to attract more suppliers from the traditional garden centre sector so gardencentre. co.uk can elaborate on its offering with, for example, more premium products like

Visitors to the GPE were delighted to meet Jim Carter, who was there to promote the Greenfingers Charity of which is a Patron. His booming voice encouraged members of the press and what he describes as the ‘horticultural fray’ to support the charity and help it annually raise £1m. Jim is seen here with the charity’s founder Richard Jackson and industry consultant Boyd Douglas-Davies.

March 2026 21

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Promotion

Evergreen Garden Care UK Marketing Director Karen Wilkinson and Managing Director Colin Stephens launch the Glovers & Co campaign at The Garden Press Event

Investment under cover drives the future for Miracle-Gro With the launch of new campaigns to promote the Miracle-Gro brand and a money back guarantee on Miracle-Gro All Purpose Compost and Plant food range, GTN visits the Evergreen Garden Care site at Hatfield Moor to find out about their developments in compost production and learn more about the future vision for the company.

T

he signs leading to the Evergreen Garden Care site at Hatfield Moor still direct you to the “Peat Factory”, indeed Hatfield is where peat had been extracted, processed and bagged for over half a century. But now all the compost that is created, bagged and shipped from the site is peat free and the peat bogs have been handed over to Natural England where areas richer in wildlife and woodland than the peat moors were originally have been created.

The company, has been working towards a 100% peat free production for a number of years, learning at every step about the best way to deliver a quality product to garden centres and their gardening customers. Now

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

they are so confident with the quality of their Miracle-Gro All Purpose compost they are promising a Grow with Confidence money back guarantee.

To achieve this there have been multi-million pound investments at both of their compost manufacturing plants, at Kirby in the northwest and Hatfield to the east of Doncaster.

Above the ground the investment can be seen in the storage and handling of raw materials and below the ground in acres of new concrete to increase storage areas and streamline production logistics.

The appointment of Dean Newell as Head of Operations Growing Media across both Kirby and Hatfield sites gives a clue as to

the direction of travel for their compost production. Dean came from a food production background where consistency and quality of product are everything, so it’s no surprise that the improvements he has implemented, and has planned for the future, are with consistency and quality in mind.

“A massive piece of R&D work looking at how all our materials perform in different conditions between here and Kirby has seen significant investment in new storage facilities to ensure every material is handled optimally” explained Dean.

The investments have also delivered a benefit in operational efficiencies. “We can manufacture more at scale and now store raw

March 2026 23

Promotion

materials in the times of the year where they’re not normally available. In 2024, for example, we were bringing in raw materials almost just in time. So, when there were suddenly shortages of certain things you’re stuck. Now it’s has allowed us to have better flexibility in manufacturing through the full year.”

A key ingredient process at Hatfield is the creation of wood fibre. Wood chip is loaded from outside, blasted with steam to soften the chips. There are two huge discs with blades that shred it and then air is blown in to create a fluff that is just like hamster bedding.

The blown wood fibre adds structure to the compost. Another part of the process that’s unique is the wood gets enriched with nitrogen through the processing as well.

In the mixing and bagging areas, quality control is a no 1 priority. All the mixes are computer controlled and the bagging lines do regular checks on the outputs. Every bag produced has a time stamp added to the packaging so there is full traceability.

Currently the composition of recycled plastics used in the evergreen Garden Care bags averages at 60%. Product Manager Jane Hartley told GTN: “30% is common in the market because you don’t get rewarded for putting more recycled content into your film. So long as you hit that 30%, then you don’t get taxed for it, but you don’t get a bonus because you put more in.”

The final part of the logistical challenge at Hatfield is transport in and out as there is only one entrance/exit road. However, now with sufficient stock produced ready for transporting they are able to deliver to garden centres more quickly than before.

Boosting a leading brand Investment at Evergreen Garden Care doesn’t just stop at infrastructure and

Revised bag design gives stronger customer message, even on pallet sides

24 March 2026

Above: Blown wood fibre adds structure to the compost.

Below: Head of Operations Growing Media, Dean Newell, gives GTN a tour of the site and the new covered storage areas.

manufacturing. 2026 sees significant marketing investment in the Miracle-Gro brand too.

Marketing Director Karen Wilkinson talked about the marketing strategy: “It’s time for a groundbreaking change at Miracle-Gro. Something bigger is taking root with a bold new look and a money back quality guarantee.

We’re introducing some knowledgeable brand characters to spread the word. Enter Glover & Son, our handy pair of cheeky, green fingered heroes. Equal parts expertise and entertainment, they’re here to tear down the barriers, bring the joy back to gardening, and plant themselves firmly in the nation’s hearts for years to come.

Backed by a multi-million pound advertising

campaign, you’ll spot them everywhere, pointing you in the right direction in-store, grabbing your attention on TV and stopping your thumbs on socials. Always on hand with the right product.

“With Glover and Son leading the revolution, Miracle-Gro is here to grow the future of garden care and create greener spaces for happier, healthier lives. Everyone needs a little help in the garden.”

Launching just before Easter, the TV campaign will feature on mainstream TV as well as streaming channels and social media.

The ad campaigns will be backed up in-stores with bright and bold Miracle point of sale materials and a competition for customers to

Larger stock holding areas enable deliveries to garden centres to be quicker

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Promotion

Left: In store POS gets the Miracle-Gro message to customers.

Right: Product Manager Jane Hartley with the re-designed compost packaging, hot off the bagging line.

win a £5,000 garden make over, which can be spent with the garden centre where the entry was made. A win-win for all concerned.

And for the future?

Eight years on from Exponent buying Evergreen Garden Care from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company future investment plans are key to future growth.

The Levington brand celebrates 60 years in 2027 and Evergreen UK MD Colin Stephens says: “In the UK the Evergreen business continues to invest for the long term in the gardening sector, with over £7m spent on the Growing Media factories in the last 3 years to support the ongoing development of consistent high quality peat free products.

“In addition, we are excited to reveal our multi million pound TV advertising campaign on Miracle Gro, featuring our new family

members, ‘The Glovers’, coming to the market in late March.

The objective is to educate and encourage more consumers to get out and garden. Further evvidence that Evergreen are committed to leading the gardening sector in UK for the long term.

Final word goes to Mark Portman, CEO of Evergreen Garden Care: “When we look forward, both for the wider gardening sector across Europe and for the position that Evergreen has within its different markets we remain confident, we continue to see consumers come back into the gardening sector driving both volume and value market growth. We have an ever-changing regulatory environment and ongoing macroeconomic and political challenges affecting us all, we believe that the gardening sector offers consumers an opportunity to step away and reconnect with nature, as part of that we

see the ongoing importance of brands to attract consumers and that is why Evergreen continues to invest behind its leading brands across all markets.

“More broadly across Evergreen, we are very pleased to be part of the Exponent portfolio and this is a relationship that continues to strengthen, we have recently completed our eleventh acquisition, of Agaris the European leading private label player in the horticultural industry, specialising in the production and distribution of high-quality substrates, soil improvers and soil covers across France, Poland and Belgium. This acquisition of Agaris with its commitment to quality products, focus on innovation and sustainability, with strong customer relationships in retail and professional segments will complement and strengthen Evergreen in these core markets.

“With the ongoing support and backing of Exponent combined with our leading brands and scale, Evergreen is well placed to lead the gardening sector in the coming years and we are looking forward to it.”

Evergreen Garden Care

Tel: 01276 401300 email: info@lovethegarden.com Web: www.evergreentrade.co.uk

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

March 2026 25

Interview

Keeping it in the family With more sites becoming British Garden Centres, Charles and Amy Stubbs talk exclusively to GTN about taking on new businesses, and their ambitions to have a group of 200 garden centres and a £1bn turnover.

I

t’s been a busy time for British Garden Centres with the ink barely dry on its takeover of the two Millbrook sites in Kent, Alton Garden Centre in Essex and Downtown in Lincolnshire. With the tally now at 78 sites, the Stubbs family believe the time is right to reassess their view of their business and mission statement.

“Within the last five years, we have gone from a medium sized business working like a small business, to one that is working more like a large business. We now have standards in place, and everything is measured from GP’s to performance,” says Charles Stubbs who started the business with his brother Robert. These even encompass garden centre entrances and is why litter is picked and hedges and grass kept trim up to 100 yards from any site entrance. “First and last impressions are important,” believes Charles.

Managing Director and Charles’ daughter, Amy Stubbs adds: “We've just rolled out our new mission statement and set of values which is all about being a proud family run business. In the last year we have acknowledged we are a big business, but we want to keep our family values.

26 March 2026

“This has been a big step change for us.

We are acknowledging we are not perfect in everything, but we want to carry on improving and it shows we are serious about listening to ideas and challenges of our teams in support functions and on the shop floor.”

Discussions with team at BGC’s first conference have also been illuminating with the announcement of the Stubbs’ family ambition to have a £1bn business of 200 garden centres. “We feel the time is right to let the team know our true ambition. If it's in my lifetime then great, but there is no timescale. I might not be around, but maybe Amy will,” says Charles. “We like a mix of sizes of centres, and now we have a formula that works for small, medium and destination centres”.

“We want to carry on growing and we want our teams to enjoy growing with us,” added Amy.

From one family to another Unlike the majority of the centres which BGC takes on, Millbrook and Alton have been run by the same family since their inception. Both thriving businesses with

Amy and Charles at Rugby Garden Centre.

healthy stock levels and solid, loyal teams, and Amy and Charles have been delighted with how the changes have been adopted.

“One of our fears was that there would be lots of emotion. Yes, it has been emotional, but it has been lovely to see how teams have gone from one family to another remarkably well.” says Charles.

“This is a huge compliment to the previous owners who have built up the teams.”

It’s still early days for Millbrook and Alton, but Ferndale Garden Centre (now trading as BGC Dronfield Garden Centre) was taken on at the beginning of the year.

“They've embraced us so well. We've tried not to overwhelm them from day one and just gently feed in BGC ways, but if anything,

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Interview

Transitions

Phillipa Stubbs and daughter Libby promoting Christmas at The Big Christmas Press Show last autumn.

it's been them pushing us because they like what they are seeing,” says Charles.

“I think their nervousness initially was that they were not going to see the us, [the new owners] every day. But I think that's settled down and they are now seeing the different opportunities by being part of BGC,” says Amy. “Some of them now don’t have to deal with health and safety and

HR and because we have a bigger support network there are more people they can speak to. They've all been quite excited to show us what they do and what works well and some will certainly have more responsibility.”

Charles adds: “They may be fearing they're going to get less freedom, but in reality, they'rre probably going to get more.”

On the run up to takeovers, the Stubbs family likes to get to know the teams and aims to close stores for the minimum amount of time while changing over ownership and bringing in new stock.

Typically, just one day, but Alton Garden Centre was closed for three days to make sure everything was up and running and that staff were comfortable with the new EPOS system.

Teams at Downtown have dealt brilliantly with stock deliveries on hundreds of pallets and many have risen to the challenge. “And when it comes to Christmas,” says Charles, “I think they will blow it out of the water.”

When it comes to names, BGC likes to keep the original names where possible so customers can continue their connections with the site. However, as the owners of the Millbrook Garden Company have decided keep the name, the new Kent sites will be BGC Staplehurst and BGC Pepper Hill to reflect their locations.

“But one of the most important things we need to do is just listen,” says Amy. Still less than a year into the role of MD, Amy is beginning to appreciate the value of time.

“Changes take time and transformations don’t happen overnight which is why we need to respect that teams need time to settle in. That said we need to go into a new store with enough impact so customers can see the change, so it’s a fine balance.”

Having 78 centres to stay in touch with does come with new challenges and for Amy this means finding enough time to be at her desk in Brigg. “I need to be visible and if I’m not there for a while, things tend to mount up. It’s hard to be at Brigg and the other centres.”

Ready for spring at BGC Rugby.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

March 2026 27

Interview

Lucy Hewitt with BGC’s newest gardening experts.

Charles’s fictional gardening journal is the basis of BGC’s spring and summer promotions.

For Charles, help with the workload is on the way. The business will be geographically divided in two. Iain King, Operations and Retail Director, will continue to oversee all centres and bring on two new people to focus on each area so if Charles can’t visit a centre, there are others who can.

Gearing up BGC has also taken on a new warehouse in Coventry, enabling containers to come in and out quickly, and secure keen prices when buying. Also acting as the group's main distribution hub, it is three times the size of the hangar currently used.

“It is a slick 24-hour operation that handle containers as well as plant stock and will continue to evolve as we are work with our transport partner through 2026 and beyond” says Charles. “Buying by the lorry load direct from the grower means for example, Charles can offer a mature, flowering rhododendron at £12 compared to £24.99 for most retailers.”

This is also instrumental in BGC working towards a 24-hour turn around for furniture sets over £600. Centres can take orders which are despatched to the customer directly from the hub. “At the moment we've got a five-day turnaround, but our aim is to get a 24-hour turnaround. We are not guaranteeing anything yet, but that’s the model” explains Charles.

Spring fling

BGC has rolled out its spring and summer campaign Make it Bloom, leaning on the expertise of three garden mascots, Bernard the butterfly, Georgie the bee and Charlie the bird (their initials spell out BGC).

Says Lucy Hewitt, Marketing Campaigns Manager: “There is a lot of fun going into spring this year and it’s really exciting to roll out the campaign.”

Created in house, characters will be seen on point of sale across all BGC stores, offering advice and top tips on all products from plants through to chemicals, fertilisers and furniture.

Added QR codes direct customers to more tips and ideas on the Make it Bloom webpages.

There are also full-size costumes so teams can dress up as Bernard, Georgie or Charlie and wander through centres to bring the characters to life.

Characters will also be on the company’s stand at BBC Gardeners World Live to encourage visitors to sign up for a BGC family card.

Coming up with the characters and promotion was a team effort and the idea was initially sparked by the fictional

finding an old journal belonging story of finding to Charles Stubbs, full of gardening notes and observations. The aim was to share the tips, tricks and advice with customers. “These characters have come to life to spread the secrets hidden within the book,” says Lucy.

“It’s the perfect wildlife angle and the characters are not too childlike so it’s fun for everyone. The book also ties into the family aspect which brings everything back to who we are as a business.”

Healthy competition There is no doubt we will be hearing about more centres joining the BGC family in the months and years ahead.

But all industries thrive on competition. “I think the industry is in as good a position as it ever has been, but the worst thing for the sector is not having competition.

For all the reasons under the sun, there needs to be competition,” says Charles.

28 March 2026

Using a magazine format style quiz, BGC is simplifying decision making of furniture purchases. It also helps staff engage with customers by giving them the perfect way to start a conversation.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Promotion

Powerful transformations Power UP, the new range from Pelsis Doff, offers a complete growing system designed to transform results from root to harvest.

B

uilt to work seamlessly together, our new composts, feeds and plant stimulant deliver stronger roots, faster growth and healthier, more productive plants — all as part of one simple, effective system.

At the foundation is compost, made from 100% premium coco coir and expertly blended to support superior root development and moisture balance. Strong roots start here, creating the perfect base for vigorous, resilient growth in beds, borders, containers and houseplants.

Next, our Power Up feeds provide targeted nutrition for rapid, visible results.

Whether you’re growing tomatoes, flowers or all-round garden favourites, our advanced feed formulations maximise nutrient uptake to encourage lush foliage and increased yields. Expect bigger plants, more flowers and heavier crops throughout the season.

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Enhancing the system is our innovative brand-new seaweed plant stimulant, proven to boost stress tolerance and enhance natural plant vitality, while bolstering the effectiveness of our feeds.

This powerful addition help plants thrive through changing weather conditions while improving overall health and performance.

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Together, compost, feed, stimulant and protect form one complete growing

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March 2026 29

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GTN N’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025

Cheers to Christmas past In last month’s issue of GTN we bought you the category winners from the GTN Greatest Christmas Awards. This month we focus on the garden centres coming top in their class.

W

ell, that was Christmas 2025!

Judges of the GTN Greatest Christmas Awards have stowed away their festive sweaters and our sponsors, for whom we are most grateful, are looking towards a busy summer.

Christmas accounted for just under a quarter of turnover in December.

According to the HTA, the five weekends in November, sales of Christmas products

were up 9%. Having just three weekends in December appears to have had a negative impact with sales down by -5% on last year.

So, across November and December, there is a positive 4%.

But when it comes to market share across a year in garden centres, Christmas is now 7%, up a tad on 2025. This was helped by strong sales in October. Up 8% on 2024 and a whopping 25% compared

with 2023.

Although teams have now turned their sights on furniture and outdoor living it’s good to reflect on the successes of Christmas past.

We hope you find inspiration and ideas from the next 12 pages of festive magic from some of the best retailers in our sector illustrating why garden centres are the envy of the high street.

Festive: www.festive.co.uk Glee: www.gleebirmingham.com Kaemingk: www.kaemingk.com Melcourt: www.melcourt.co.uk

Museums & galleries: www.museumsgalleries.co.uk Pelsis Doff: www.pelsis.com Pleydell Smithyman:

www.pleydellsmithyman.co.uk Smart Garden Products & Three Kings: www.sgpuk.com Solex: www.solexexhibition.com

www.gardentradenews.co.uk k

March 2026 31

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 KINDLY SPONSORED

BY KAEMINGK

THE GREATEST

Giant Garden Centre Christmas Team GOLD

Gates Oakham

The outstanding teams at Gates Oakham were extremely proud of their displays and made sure Christmas was in evidence throughout the whole store.

Christmas trees could be found in the sundry area, pop up food expanded this year and Christmas toys seamlessly moved into gifting.

Signposting was excellent, all illustrating how the teams within the departments pull together to make Christmas at Gates Oakham a magical experience for shoppers.

32 February March 2026 2026

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025

Alice in Wonderland was the theme for the lit-up gardens and walkthrough event at Bents this year, and the team made sure it was executed to the highest standard. They created theatre throughout the store, carrying on the Alice theme into the houseplant department and were on top of commercial hotspot promotions. Aware that Bents is famous for its upmarket experience, the team is working hard to ensure this continues to be a USP.

SILVE ER Bentss Garden & Home

BRON NZE Perrrywood Tiptree

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Choosing to theme Christmas on the best displays from the past, the Perrywood Tiptree team saw that nothing was out of place in order to provide a memorable customer experience. Attention to detail was second to none and this year the whole team worked across Christmas so everyone had knowledge of sales across the whole department.

March 2026 33 February

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 KINDLY SPONSORED

BY SMART GARDEN PRODUCTS – THREE KINGS

THE GREATEST

Large Garden Centre Christmas Team

GOLD Birkacre Garden Centre

From maximising vertical space, merging Christmas into indoor lifestyle and having pictures of colleagues within displays, Birkacre Garden Centre teams illustrated their skill for crisp retailing. Adopting an American Christmas theme with a New York cinema and posters, and Central Perk coffee shop display, they successfully created an atmosphere everyone wanted to join in and be part of.

SILVE ER

Castle e Gardenss

Greeted by gardening gifts, customers were in for a Christmas treat at Castle Gardens. The fantastic team kept on top of sustainability messaging and signage without it being overbearing, and the Christmas displays were not only beautiful but also interesting with props bringing displays to life. The standard of retailing was amazing, and staff were happy to stop and talk, all of which led to it being a stand-out centre.

34 March 2026

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025

JOINT T SILVE ER Old Railway Lin ne Ga arden Cen ntre

From the beautifully planted car park to the artwork on the doors, customers are left in no doubt that the friendly team at Old Railway Line make the most of every square inch. Judges said they really ‘go to town’ making customers welcome by being greeted at the entrance and encouraging them to sit within the displays. Gifting and Christmas was strong throughout the store, a great effort had been made in the pet department and children particularly loved the real donkey and goats

JOINT T SILVE ER Hen nry Streett Ga arden Cen ntre

A traditional, family run centre which is geared up to family shopping. The concept of the Where’s My Husky displays, book and toys was cleverly created in house and adopted by the whole team, leading to great commercial opportunities. An excellent example of creative retailing, it hung together beautifully enveloping the whole centre with a warm and fuzzy festive feeling.

JOINT T BRON NZE Sum mmerhill Gard den Centtre

The experience of the team at Wentworth shines through at Christmas with an Aladdin’s cave of beautifully curated collections. Merchandising and retailing was crisp and well stocked leading to extremely tempting displays.

They successfully created a ‘toy shop feel’ to the store and a contagious We entworth festive atmosphere which kept Gar r den Centtre customers coming back for more.

JOINT T BRON NZE

From the end of August, Summerhill Garden Centre brings its enthusiastic customers a Christmas offering like no other. Everyone, including admin teams, gets involved to create house-style wreathes, table centre decorations and massive ‘wow-factor’ displays. As one, they keep fit resh and inviting ensuring no one leaves empty handed.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

March 2026 35

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 KINDLY SPONSORED

BY KAEMINGK

THE GREATEST

Mid-Sized Garden Centre Christmas Team GOLD Sunshine Garden Centre

With strong roots in the community, Christmas at Sunshine starts slowly by opening room by room and culminating with a firework’s party at the end of October. The experience and skill of the team shines through the excellent Christmas displays which exactly match customer expectations, while clever special offers, which pair up products, inspire customers and boost add on sales. There’s aways a team member at the entrance to greet customers while a back end impressive stock control system is easily accessible to the sales team, boosting their confidence on the shop floor.

36 March 2026

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025

SILVE ER

Jackson ns Boutiq que

The family feel of the TARDIS-like Jackson’s Boutique filters right through to the customers who feel invested in the business. The impressive teams put a lot of thought into their displays, creating great theatre from floor to ceiling and with attention to detail to ensure customers kept discovering inspiring products around every corner.

BRON NZE Brimsm more Gard dens

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

A beautiful garden centre run by fabulous teams.

The one-way system for the Christmas shop took customers past fantastic displays with lots to see, while the large amount of locally produced items on offer illustrated the careful thought that goes into purchasing. Pictures of team members appear on a board at the back of tills adding a personal touch to the centre.

March 2026 37

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 KINDLY SPONSORED

BY WOODMANSTERNE

THE GREATEST

Small Garden Centre Christmas Team

GOLD

Munro’s Nurseries In a small space, the team at Munro’s creates and amazing experience. Wreath making classes are a draw for adults while children’s workshops to create table decorations bring in younger customers. Led by a family team, the garden centre has excellent levels of plant-related linked sales and because of its rural location it uses tree branches in displays and does a strong line in tractor baubles. Steve the resident robin has become a bit of a star and anyone in the cafe buying a hot chocolate served in a robin decorated mug, can take the mug home.

SILVE ER Cook’s Garden Centre

Big on plants, the Cook’s team have strong planteria sales well into November and the houseplant range, especially at Christmas, is a definite draw. Through a festive arch, customers were led through to Christmas displays based on different rooms in a typical house accompanied by an in-house created map. Famous for their wreaths and garlands, there are stations set up around the centre to watch teams at work.

38 March 2026

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025

JOINT T BRON NZE Pengelly Ga arden Cen ntre

At Pengelly, the hardworking team overcome limited indoor sales area by creating a Christmas tunnel in and around the planteria. Crammed with Christmas products, including every colour and size of bauble, it was well lit, heated and had a great central space. The welcoming team ensure there is plenty to see and with seven wreath making stations, there is plenty to do too.

HIGHLY COMMENDED Snowdonia Nurseries and Garden Centre

JOINT T BRON NZE The Ga arden Socciety

An interesting restaurant and events venue with a garden retail area, this year themed on an Egyptian Pharos’s ball. Well curated, the beautiful displays included products specific to The Garden Society such as own range candles and home fragrances.

Christmas was mixed with gift ware to create a very different but impressive retail experience.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Proud of growing their own poinsettias on site, the team at Snowdonia maximise on the opportunity by selling a range including three coloured plants in one pot. The centre has moved ahead and brought more theatre and fun into its displays and is also making its own candles on site to add to its USP.

March 2026 39

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025 KINDLY SPONSORED

BY FESTIVE

THE GREATEST

Group Large Garden Centre Christmas

GOLD Longacres, Bagshott

Extraordinary sales volumes at Longacres, Bagshott are achieved by the team who certainly know how to sell it. With ceilings decorated with fluffy clouds and drapes, and jumpers and socks used for displays, the team certainly know how to catch every shopper’s eye.

Judges said the enthusiastic team has seized the challenge of creating a Christmas to remember for their general manager who designed the concept and layout of the department using LEGO while recovering in his hospital bed.

40 March 2026

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025

SILVE ER Blue Diiamond Va an Hage Garrden Centtre

Drama, excellence, detail and theatre are all words to describe what the team at Van Hage created this year. No wonder it’s a store that others in the group come to see.

From category managers through to the VM and shop floor teams, the coordinated approach shines through helped along by take-away pizza on late night builds. This year an enchanting Christmas story was told at each theme contributing to a record-breaking weekend of sales in early December.

BRON NZE Pla anters Garrden King g

The teams at Planters know exactly what their customers like and make sure the shelves in every department are filled with the right products. With ownership and pride, they created a green and pink Wicked theme combined with rainbows from the Wizard of Oz for the focal point for Christmas, plus a reasonably priced light trail ensured there was festive fun for all. With just two price points for Christmas trees, the team made sure choosing a tree easy, while in the houseplant section linked selling of pots created another sales opportunity.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

March 2026 41

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025

THE GREATEST

Group Small Garden Centre Christmas GOLD Caulders Linlithgow

The welcoming team at Caluders Linlithgow were the life and soul of the centre. Retail standards were excellent, and the commercial displays meant customers would never have known stock levels were dipping.

Teams kept the centre spick and span and banners in the ceiling featuring members of staff made the whole experience friendly and personable.

42 March 2026 February 2026

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

GTN’s Greatest Christmas Awards 2025

SILVE ER BGC Harrogate e Gard den Centrre

Christmas displays are home made at Harrogate created by the small team.

They bring in their own furniture and props, while statues and Christmas trees come from outside sales areas to ensure displays are eye catching and have the wow factor. The walk through planteria is dotted with groups of displays to encourage plants as gifts.

BRON NZE BGC Burfford Housse Gard den Centre e

It’s easy to see that the team at Burford House has considerably upped its game and created a lovely and cohesive Christmas area with different rooms decorated with their own themes. Camouflage netting created a subtle light and a cosy feel, and teams are encouraged to unleash their artistic flair, illustrated by the Christmas tree made from houseplants. Much use is made of the centre’s unique Georgian house - the perfect setting for Santa’s Grotto.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

March 2026 43 February

Spring Fair 2026 Preview

Spring into retail action New products and trends from Spring Fair 2026

A

44 March 2026

Entries into the Gift of the Year 2026 competition were on display at Spring Fair and several new products would work well on garden centre shelves.

The Cardboard Vase Sleeve by IF is a novel way of giving plastic bottles a second life. Slipping a bottle, from a small 250ml up to 2 litre into the decorative sleeve completely hides it from view.

Made from recycled card. RRP of £4.99.

IF also entered Flower Bookmarks in 12 bright designs.

Made from faux leather and with a hand painted look, they are decorated on both sides.

RRP £5.99.

Left: Max Mancroft and James Coulthurst Right: At the GPE David Turner and Charlotte Gorringe, Senior Marketing Manager accepted a certificate for best new product to add to the one already won at Spring Fair.

lways a bustling show at NEC Birmingham, Spring Fair is a great event to get the retailing year off to a good start. This year there was the added bonus of the new Glee@ SpringFair area, bringing together suppliers from the outdoor leisure and gardening sector.

Fothergill’s had a successful show and took the inaugural Best New Product at Glee@SpringFair 2026 award for its SelfWater Growing Kit. Not only that, just a few weeks later the product won again at the Garden Press Event in London.

Kits are now being sent out to UK retailers after they were successfully tried and tested in Australia. Part of the Oh Sow Simple range, the coloured glass jars contain a choice of three herbs and everything needed to grow them from seed.

“Fothergill's is aiming to grow the whole category rather than just grow our section of the category, which is why we have launched the Oh Sow Simple range. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to succeed with seeds, which this new product will do, and it’s a nice little gift too,” says Richard Keegan, Head of Field Sales “We've got a limited amount of stock for this season and already had a lot of interest from our key customers who got a sneak preview just before Christmas. But we are taking the next steps and developing the range,” he added.

Judges praised the product for its appeal to gardeners, non-gardeners and particularly children.

Gift of the Year

Starting a seed revolution Max Mancroft attended his first Spring Fair, to promote his new company aimed at tempting a younger demographic to grow wildflowers from seed.

With its upbeat imagery and simple price point, Max hopes to catch the eye of potential shoppers who might otherwise feel a bit intimidated by the traditional range of seeds.

“Younger people want to get involved in gardening – they like and want a connection to nature. But I think they're turned off by how complicated it is to either buy or grow plants and they don’t relate to the packaging. Data shows around 50% of people who go to garden centres are in the under the 40-age group – they rock up once, feel it isn't really for them, get the one thing they need and don't come back,” says Max. “Seed Revolution is trying to make seeds attractive to them and also to the standard seed buyer. Seeds shouldn't just be a commodity - I don't see why they can't also be a gift. It's about simplifying the selling process, the buying process, and

In the Festive & Occasions category, Heaven Sends entered its UK and Ireland Glass Hanging Books. Each decoration looked like a small book of folklore or fairy tales, with a subtle glitter finish and velvet ribbon for hanging.

RRP £7.99.

The Meg Hawkins Indulgence Collection of hand wash, lotion, soap and creams, is wrapped in packages beautifully decorated by illustrations by Meg and will sit perfectly in any garden centre display. RRP’s start at £4.99

the growing process whilst making a little bit more attractive, easy and fun.”

Now at the end of the first year of funding, Max is looking to break into the independent garden centre retail market to compliment his online sales. “Online is continuing to grow aggressively, but this won’t compete with independents because our online price point is higher,” added Max. In retail environments, seeds sell for £2.99 compared with £3.49 for a single pack online.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Planteria

Tailoring advice on invasive plants Specialist in invasive plants, Daniel Docking Technical Manager at the Property Care Association, explains why garden centre planterias are key in managing, and even preventing, the spread of invasive plants.

Q “

uite often the horticultural sector stock and Sally is asking is the first point of contact garden centres to ensure between the plant and the wider they are not selling tree environment. The advice you give, the way the of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), or the aquatic plant is sold, and how risks are explained to plant Myriophyllum the customer, directly influence whether there aquaticum ‘Red Stem’ both will be an issue or if spread can be prevented of which are banned from early on.” sale. The purple pitcher Speaking at the invitation of the HTA, plant (Sarracenia purpurea) Daniel Docking, says the horticultural trade is also a plant of concern including garden centres, influence which but is not currently banned plants are going to be introduced, so still able to be sold. how they are going to be Clear customer advice The label of Fargesia nitida Viginia creeper marketed and crucially, how their on point of sale at Jiuzhaigou’1 states the plant is Woodlands Garden not invasive as it doesn’t produce (Parthenocissus growth habits and behaviour Centre in Kent, can runners. quinquefolia) and is explained to buyers. Correct reduce the risk and monbretia (Crocosmia advice given at point of sale or potential spread of non-native invasive plants. x crocosmiiflora) and during planting often shapes what and usually grown in pots and recognised as invasive and listed on the happens in the long term. The key containers. But Daniel says they are Wildlife and Countryside Act. However, for garden centre teams is to be Daniel Docking Buddleia davidii and cherry laurel (Prunus not completely risk free and there able to identify higher risk plants laurocerasus) can also be problematic and have been instances of mislabelling. and communicate information are not listed.

Discussion with the customer is key. clearly and proportionally.

From a horticultural perspective, “Customers need to understand that when Correct labelling for bamboos Daniel believes garden centre teams must they are planting bamboos in the ground, they Probably one of the most infamous invasive, understand the different risks plants pose can put underground barriers to contain the non-native plants is Japanese knotweed depending on where they are to be planted spread,” says Daniel. It’s also crucial to give the but since the 1990’s, when make-over and recommends conversations with correct management advice, as simply cutting gardens became popular and bamboo was customers to understand more and offer back bamboo to control its spread is not the recommended for its quick growth and alternative cultivars. “It’s not about reducing answer. screening properties, this too has become an choice or creating fear. It’s about the right Prohibited sales and alerts issue. “Concerns we have for bamboo, now plant in the right place with the right advice,” Historically, confusion with Gunnera hybrids has mirror those of Japanese knotweed in terms says Daniel. now led to the blanket ban on of G. tinctoria, G. of impact,” says Daniel who adds although there is little evidence bamboos are a problem manicata and G x cryptica. It is now unlawful to sell, grow or cause the spread of these plants. for the wider environment, they are causing Updates and training Disposing of waste material from plants already problems in urban areas. As yet there is no The PCA offers chargeable training in cultivation (which can continue to be grown) legislation but there is a risk of civil liability sessions plus free updates on its YouTube must be done so onsite or at an approved if bamboo spreads across boundaries and channel. centre. causes problem.

Visit the PCA on YouTube and search The HTA’s Sally Cullimore says a 2022 Labelling is key and customers need to for Module 0 (zero) to find several free inspection by the Animal and Plant Health know if they are buying a ‘running bamboo’ units of learning.

Agency visited more than 3000 sites of which which spread through underground rhizomes www.property-care.org/training 1,315 were garden centres. Of those only 4% and can become invasive or a ‘clumping www.nonnativespecies.org were non-compliant. But it’s worth checking bamboo.’ The latter are less aggressive

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

March 2026 45

Adapt or Die

AI, your partner in business

John Stanley, Sid Raisch and Dries Jansen discuss where AI fits in business planning.

W

e were recently talking to a client about trading patterns in 2025 in the different categories. One client mentioned he has operated his restaurant for many years as a profitable part of his whole business. He worked on the old benchmark rule of 30% of costs allocated to labour, 30% to food, 30% for overheads and 10% profit. This worked until 2025 when his labour costs became 45% and his food costs rose to 40%.

We stopped him there. “So, you’re making a loss,” we asked. “Yes,” he said. “This year we will not charge rent to the restaurant.”

This is not an answer when globally, wages and the wholesale price of goods are going up; both are out of your hands and will not come down. An alternative way of doing business is essential.

What is the new way of doing business?

We need to keep hold of our best team members so we can develop them to maximise their effect in the business.

There is no longer a place for underperforming team members.

In the days ahead, AI tools trained to replicate routine tasks can become your friend and help you shine in business. One example is stocktaking, which is a chore; it employs at least one person counting stock. If we were honest, we would ask ‘why waste this labour?’

POS systems like squareup and shopify are integrating AI with inventory management and a client of ours uses AI. He talks into his phone and within seconds the phone tells

46 March 2026

him how much stock he has, how much he needs, when to order it again, when to promote it, what to display next to it and what the average sale is of the items he has selected. He has more accurate control over his business and has saved at least one, if not two, team members from a mundane job enabling them to better serve customers.

The message is clear Develop AI-powered customer experiences that save your team time and enhance the customer experience.

The consumer wants fast answers, seamless experiences and more value for money. Either your AI will provide dependable ‘touch point’ or someone else will be ahead of you.

While Ai is a powerful tool, it is not a panacea. It will not solve all challenges and may, in fact, create new ones.

Research carried out by the Australian HR Institute in January 2026 found companies that frequently used AI reported 37% of their workforce experienced lower wellbeing and civility towards colleagues due to the pressure of using this technology.

The solution points to a greater need for management to demonstrate compassion. AI is capable of performing 99% of the cognitive and knowledge work currently done by people. The value jobs that will skyrocket in the future will be those involving hands-on engagement with the physical world like gardening, plumbing and physical therapy.

Remember, our big asset is that we are dealing with NATURE. Lose that, and we lose our market.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Adapt or Die

AI tips for garden centres to consider.

Andy Burns, AI Retail Consultant. (www.scottaussie.com) • The one-photo project plan Let AI use a customer's smartphone photo to instantly generate a complete garden design mood board and a precise shopping list for the exact amount of soil, mulch, and plants required (https:// neighbobrite.com) • The ‘for you’ garden Train an AI on loyal customer purchase histories to create a personalised ‘for you’ service, recommending plants and products with Netflix-like accuracy. (www.

Klaviyo.com) • The digital plant doctor Install an AI-powered kiosk to support staff by instantly identifying pests and diseases from a customer's photo, allowing your team to provide the perfect solution.

• Future-view your garden Use AI-driven augmented reality to let customers use their phone to see what a tree will look like and how much space it will fill in their actual garden in 10 years' time.

(Meta glasses and Google goggles are both working on this).

• Dynamic pricing for plant health Implement an AI that draws from stock data, weather reports and other sources to automatically promote plants before they show signs of stress, increasing sales and preventing waste.

• Answer real community questions Use an AI to analyse local gardening forums to find the specific, unanswered questions your community are asking, and then create content that directly solves their problems.

• The expert-trained chatbot Create a 24/7 chatbot trained exclusively on your own

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horticulturalists' advice, ensuring customers get your expert answers, in your unique voice, even when you're closed.

• The internal ‘expert in your pocket’ Build an AI knowledge base that gives junior staff instant, searchable access to your most senior horticulturalists' decades of expertise, empowering them to answer any question with confidence. This is already being developed by big box stores, so we need to move quickly.

• Prove your green credentials Use AI to calculate and display the precise ‘carbon miles’ of your locally sourced plants versus big box competitors, providing tangible proof of your sustainability.

• Data-driven staffing Use a predictive AI to optimise staff schedules based on weather, sales trends, and local events, ensuring essential plant care is done during the quietest times for zero customer disruption.

• The neighbourhood ecosystem advisor Use an AI to map your local ecosystem. By asking for a customer's street and town, your AI can recommend plants that create pollinator corridors by complementing what neighbours bought and are already growing, positioning you as the strategic advisor for the entire community's environmental health.

To find out more email: john@johnstanley.com.au

March 2026 47

View wpoint

Hungry for change.

Are garden centres turning to food?

Paul Pleydell – Founder and Director of Pleydell Smithyman.

F

orty years on and I still love the positive attitude of our garden centre industry.

The glass always seems to be half full or even brimming over. I love the optimism and the never flinching ‘can do’ attitude. At events, conferences and at client meetings, there are always smiles and a genuine belief in great days ahead.

None of us can deny the horrors and uncertainties we see and hear on the news, nor the economic rollercoaster, and the day-to-day knocks that affect all of our businesses. And this makes me even prouder of our collective desire to acquire, expand, improve, and refine.

Garden centres are beautifully positioned and must be the envy of so many high street retailers. If you sell shoes, it is hard to reinvent yourself, but garden centres are able to change, evolve, and do new things, at a moment’s notice. We are light on our feet and able to make quick decisions, and what is most important is that we are used to doing this and have been doing so for decades – we are ready.

At Pleydell Smithyman we work with businesses large and small across the UK and I like to think we are both proactive and reactive in making these changes happen.

We help our clients create clarity in the vision for their business and then identify the changes that need to take place and help to make them happen.

The biggest discussion topic in the last year has been about protecting profits restoring money on the bottom line and reestablishing the comfort that comes from looking at a healthy Profit & Loss. We have had some great successes in this area for our clients, but not things we can shout about as it is, of course, confidential.

Food for thought So, what are the big headlines? They are mostly about food - new or improved

48 Marrch 20226

wider business as well as the way design and improved processes can improve profits.

Seating densities are relaxing slightly to make more space (perhaps hardwired into us from the pandemic restrictions), and seating/ occupancy ratios are king to make the very best use of the space.

Retail food

Create ‘front of house’ delight with ‘back of house’ efficiency.

cafes and restaurants - second, third (and even fourth), catering outlets, to drive footfall into the centres and enhance retail spend; food halls to increase turnover; and production kitchens to protect and enhance margin and sell provenance and that warm and wholesome comfort of ‘home-made’.

In cafés the move is away from serveries, and more toward a ‘call to order’ – pub style, service model, or table service. And apps and QR codes, are bringing tech to the front of house. I prefer the chance to chat to the staff, but I also recognise the significantly enhanced average spend that app ordering can deliver.

Café seating is far more focused on the experience and interaction with your family or friends. Eating out is no longer cheap and we need to make it a delight. Front of house seating areas are getting extensions and makeovers; all grounded on strong commercial understanding of the café in the

Food halls are in great demand, although the title farm shop is known to resonate better with the customer. And why not add food to your retail mix, not just gift food with a long shelf life, but meals, either as ingredients or in an oven ready form. A food hall with a butchers can deliver four to five times the turnover per m2 compared to most core gardening categories, and despite what many perceive, with a decent margin. With food halls in some of the larger centres delivering £3-4 million per annum, it isn’t an area to be overlooked.

But there is also headroom to grow this.

When we compare data from our farm shop clients, their sales performance in cafes and food retail outstrip the data we are seeing from garden centres, and so there are definitely lessons to learn. Next time you are passing a farm shop, pop in and take a look.

Whilst it needs back of house storage too, would you create a 250m2 retail space in your garden centre for a food hall if you knew it could deliver a turnover of some £1.5million/annum? I think I know the answer, but do give us a call if you think it might work for you…

Find out more

Paul Pleydell is a director at Pleydell Smithyman – specialist design and business consultants who help garden centres and farm shops grow, develop, and improve performance. paul@pleydellsmithyman.co.uk 01952 433211 www.pleydellsmithyman.co.uk

www.garde entra adenews..co.u uk

Viewpoint

Outdoor living: What’s shaping Britain’s gardens this year?

Gina Hinde, LOFA General Manager

I

f the past few years have taught us one thing, it’s the sheer joy a well-loved garden brings to everyday life. Picture that quiet corner for your morning coffee, or a welcoming spot for weekend barbecues with friends and family. Our outdoor spaces really have become part of how we live. And from LOFA’s 2025 Barometer of Trade, our members’ experiences show this evolution continuing in exciting and positive ways.

The outdoor furniture market feels much more balanced now, and the choices homeowners are making tell a wonderful story about modern living. We’re seeing a real rise in furniture blending materials beautifully— think sleek metal frames with warm wood or textured ceramic details popping up in gardens nationwide. It brings that fresh, interior-like charm outdoors. Timber furniture is also enjoying renewed interest, reminding us why natural finishes never go out of style.

Some familiar favourites are gently making way for new ideas. Resin weave, once everywhere in gardens, has taken a step back as people explore exciting textures and mixes, with metal furniture following a similar gentle shift. But premium cast aluminium is enjoying

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

a resurgence—its durability and elegant curves make it a smart, lasting choice that homeowners truly value.

Sparking joy Accessories are where the garden really comes alive. Shoppers love adding statement parasols, bold cushions, and those stylish touches that refresh a patio in an instant—no need for a full furniture overhaul. There’s such strong

…our gardens aren’t just extras anymore, but vital living spaces. enthusiasm for simple, affordable ways to personalise, and we’re seeing retailers respond with vibrant seasonal colours, inventive fabrics, and clever designs that spark joy.

Barbecues remain a much-loved British tradition, with the market finding its natural rhythm. Families are drawn to compact, portable options perfect for impromptu gatherings, camping adventures, or cosy smaller spaces, while bigger outdoor kitchens still delight at the

top end. Versatility is key here. Outdoor heating feels more selective now, shaped by milder seasons and changing home priorities.

Outdoor lighting experienced a quieter year, yet many other garden updates are thriving. Homeowners are creating true home extensions—soft landscaping, spa-inspired relaxation spots, and versatile zones for both entertaining and quiet wellbeing moments. It’s a heartfelt shift: our gardens aren’t just extras anymore, but vital living spaces.

LOFA members paint an encouraging picture of confidence and fresh creativity, even where some areas have eased. Supply chains are steady, innovative designs are flowing in, and there’s real focus on sustainable, quality materials that last. Drawn from last year’s trading reality, we’re excited to see these trends carry into 2026— across the trade, ranges are evolving towards design-smart furniture, flexible barbecues, smart heating choices, and those irresistible accessories bringing every outdoor haven to life.

Insights in this article are drawn from LOFA’s 2025 Barometer of Trade. To find out more about LOFA or enquire about membership, please visit www.lofa.co.uk

March 2026 49

Viewpoint

Horticulture keeps us grounded Will Armitage, HTA President

S

pring has definitely sprung here on the northern edge of the Peak District. The daffodils are out, the blackthorn is in full bloom, and the cherry tree flower buds are looking like they might burst open any day now. I’ve heard my first curlew of the year, and I’ve just seen my first toad making its way to the stream (photo of said toad below!)

With snow forecast in some areas this month, it’s proving to be a typical British spring. Who in their right mind would work in a weather-dependent industry in this country? Well, as the green-fingered eternal optimists that we are, we know that whatever is happening in the world, spring will eventually arrive, the earth will warm, the sun will shine, and things will grow.

Customers will buy our gardening products, and in times of both financial and emotional uncertainty, people will turn to their gardens to nurture, gain a sense of achievement, relax, unwind and escape.

This is why it’s so important for retailers to stay true to their roots. We hear how garden centres are becoming ‘the new department stores’, but to follow that to the extreme and move away from core gardening would be to leave ourselves exposed to the same pressures, the same

Simpler legislation means all councils should now be able to collect and recycle non-black plant pots from kerbside.

competition, the same prejudice and the same risks as the high street.

Horticulture keeps us grounded and relevant to the natural world. As oil prices, wars and talk of inflation rage on, we need to remain the oasis of calm that our customers seek. Yes, we must constantly search for products, ranges and offerings that appeal to our customers and try to flatten the horticultural trading spikes that plague our industry, but it’s those horticultural peaks that de-risk our industry when other pressures increase.

Potty about recycling From peaks and troughs to plant pots! With the government’s simpler recycling reforms, there’s finally hope for our customers who want to recycle their used plant pots at home. As you know, our sector has spent years moving away from black plastic pots so they can be fully recycled. Good news at last… as of 31st March, simpler recycling legislation means that non-black recyclable plastic plant pots should now be collected kerbside.

We understand that some local authorities are still advising residents that they don’t accept plant pots. Therefore, it’s important for us to support our customers by encouraging them to write to their local authority if pots are not accepted in household recycling. After all, it is spring and don’t we all love a bit of spring cleaning?

Find out more

On route to the stream.

50 March 2026

The Horticultural Trades Association is the UK industry’s leading membership organisation and welcomes all sectors of environmental horticulture.

To learn more, please visit www.hta.org.uk or to enquire about membership please email: membership@hta.org.uk

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Viewpoint

Apricity and anticipation: cautious optimism as the season approaches

Vicky Nuttall, Director of GIMA

A

t the time of writing, we’re still waiting for the gardening season to truly begin. The colder mornings are lingering, but the first signs of spring are starting to appear. The days feel a little lighter, the sun a little warmer and – if you’ve ever come across the wonderful word apricity – you’ll know exactly the feeling I mean: the welcome warmth of the sun on a cold day.

With it comes a familiar sense of anticipation across the industry. As suppliers and retailers alike look ahead to the season, there is a definite feeling of cautious optimism in the air. That optimism doesn’t mean the challenges have disappeared, of course.

Little and often One trend many of our members are discussing is the move towards smaller pre-season orders, with retailers increasingly favouring in-season top-ups rather than committing heavily upfront. The logic is understandable – little and often can provide flexibility and reduce risk at store level – but it inevitably pushes more of the inventory pressure further up the supply chain. For suppliers, this creates additional strain on forecasting, production planning and stock holding. When everyone ultimately wants everything at the same time, the pressure intensifies.

Alongside this, we continue to see change across the retail landscape. Consolidation among garden centre groups remains an ongoing theme, while the wider retail environment continues to diversify.

Marketplaces amongst high street retailers and DIY chains are all influencing how garden products reach consumers, reshaping the competitive landscape in the process. These developments create opportunity, but they also add complexity. If left unchecked, they risk concentrating inventory responsibility even further back towards the supplier.

For me, this only reinforces the importance of maintaining a broad and varied supply

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base. By offering retailers a diverse selection of products and manufacturers, we spread risk more effectively while giving consumers the choice they increasingly expect. This diversity is also reflected in the continued growth of GIMA’s membership base in recent years, including the integration of Gardenex members, which has broadened the association’s reach and strengthened its ability to support members not only in the UK market but also in developing export opportunities.

Today’s shoppers are constantly looking for something new, unique and inspiring for their homes and gardens. The one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter approach to product ranges is no longer the norm. If retailers are willing to widen their horizons and embrace that diversity, then the entire sector stands to benefit.

A global watching brief Beyond our own industry dynamics, it would be impossible not to acknowledge the wider geopolitical landscape that continues to dominate the headlines. Recent events in the Middle East are casting a shadow across global markets. While the direct implications for our sector’s supply chains remain uncertain, there are understandable concerns around rising oil prices and the potential knock-on effects for energy costs and haulage.

For now, it remains a watching brief.

Encouragingly, there are currently no known disruptions to key supply routes affecting our sector. However, the potential for opportunistic sea freight pricing is something many will be keeping a close eye on.

Closer to home, the industry is also quietly awaiting news regarding the future of one of its major suppliers. Whatever the outcome, the potential loss of jobs is never something anyone in this sector takes lightly, and our thoughts remain with those affected during what must be an incredibly uncertain time.

Despite these concerns, there are also positives to hold onto. Across many categories we are hearing of strong stock availability, which puts the industry in a positive position as the first peak of the gardening season approaches.

Before I close, I must acknowledge that this will be the final time I sign off this column ahead of my departure from GIMA this year.

It has been an absolute privilege to serve the association for the past 12 years. During that time I have been fortunate enough to witness first-hand the resilience, innovation and passion that underpin our industry.

From suppliers and retailers to partners and colleagues across the sector, the people behind garden retail are what make this industry so special. To everyone who has supported GIMA – and me personally – over the years, thank you.

And with the season just around the corner, I have every confidence that the industry will once again prove just how strong and adaptable it truly is.

Find out more

GIMA is a membership organisation of more than 230 companies representing the majority share of suppliers and manufacturers operating within the UK gardening industry. Any business interested in joining GIMA can contact the team on 01959 564947 or info@gima.org.uk. www.gima.org.uk

March 2026 51

TRADE EVENT

Summer’s in the air The only outdoor living exhibition organised by the industry for the industry 7 - 9 July 2026 NEC, Birmingham solexexhibition.com

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