Retail Interview Squires
Certainly Squire As a company who is committed to providing a wide range of quality plants and garden products, together with an extensive array of gifts, garden furniture and houseplants Penny Franks had the pleasure to question Squire’s Gift & Leisure Buyers, Sally Lomax and Jenny Middleton. Tell us a little bit about the history behind Squires. D.J. Squire founded Squire’s Garden Centres in 1936. Initially it was a landscape gardening business, which then developed into one of the first garden centre businesses in the UK. We are immensely proud to remain a family business, and to be celebrating 80 years of participation in the UK horticultural industry next year! When and where did the first store open? We opened our first garden centre 22 gifts today
in Twickenham in 1964. Since then the company has become one of the best success stories in the industry, remaining in the Squire family under the leadership first of D.J’s son Colin Squire - who is still actively involved in the business - and, today, Colin’s daughter Sarah Squire who is Deputy Chairman. How many stores are there today? We have 15 garden centres across Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire.
In Home Fragrance, the room diffusers from Wax Lyrical are one of our hero products When we talk about gifts, what is the largest category for you? For us, it is notably Home Fragrance.
Is there a particular ‘hero’ product at the moment? In Home Fragrance, the room diffusers from Wax Lyrical are one of our hero products. In other categories, a retro glass jug with a
straw, and light up letters are selling really well at the moment. How do you keep up with gifting trends? Through trade shows, trade press, visiting competitors and talking to suppliers. How important is the packaging on products that you stock?