Will 3 bulbs really make people buy more HTA vouchers?
We have received the latest HTA promotion to increase sales of vouchers but the offer is awful. We have 3 rather small bulbs (infact they are more like bulb slithers than round bulb, is this really going to make people buy more vouchers? I think not. what do everyone else think?
Geoff 02 Sep 10
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Do we need to fear the supermarkets?
After hearing news approx 2 years ago that a key supermarket group was buying into our industry, I, and others feared the worst. however after visiting one of their outlets on the outskirts of newcastle, I am now convinced that their presence will be a benefit to other gardening retailers. On entering the plant area i was shocked to find the shelves, benches and tables brimming with very poor & dead summer bedding, basket plants and baskets, Reduced to prices it can not of been cost effective putting stickers on. Rest assured the greater independents and better chains have by far the lead in our sector.
Robert 23 Aug 10
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The January VAT Rise – Who should take the Hit !?!
I don’t know how many people are thinking about this yet? ... But I’ve already had 3 suppliers present new prices for Autumn through to 2011 and all 3 seem to be hinting that us retailers should take the 2.5% hit to our margins!
These companies previously listed retail prices as a double up from cost (buy it for a £1 and sell it for £2). With their new prices for 2011 they are suggesting the same margin to their Recommended Retail Price Points. I know we can make up our own retail prices but when they have a range of products listed at say £2 to £3.99 and £2.50 to sell at £4.99 etc. where should we go? Many of us sell mid-value lines like bargain CDs and DVDs at offers like £3.99 3 for £10 etc. It will be interesting what proposals / suggestions come from the Garden Chemical / Compost Companies. Do we simply let the VAT rise eat into our margins or is it time to move prices up? ... Will anyone still sell 6 Pack bedding at £2.99?
Shouldn’t suppliers be looking to pitch their suggested RRPs to allow for the 2.5% VAT rise rather than just presuming that all us retailers will just take the 2.5% hit to our margins?
Edward 01 Sep 10
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Why are so many in our industry hell bent on pushing the self destruct button?
I am just back from the August 12th (the glorious 12th!) British Plant Fair at Stoneleigh. We had a great couple of hours there, talked to some of our local growers confirmed some reserve orders, upped some quantities and decreased a couple based upon what we saw, and bought an additional number of plants that will generate us between £5 and £6k worth of sales over the next 2 to 3 weeks. And we were lucky enough to be back on our centre by lunchtime ready for a busy afternoon of trading. Perfect.
Yes there were not many exhibitors there. Yes there were not many buyers there, but enough to make it all worthwhile for buyers and sellers. To hear that the Woking show suffered lack of numbers and that Eastgro did not come up to expectations is a tragedy. Not that I have been to either for some time, but then they are not my local plant fairs, and we see ‘local’ and plant miles as a key part of our marketing strategy. Then to hear that the Midland Growers only plan to have 1 British Plant Fair next year. Why?
This entry is continued under Answers...
Mac 19 Aug 10
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What is a fair rent for a polytunnel?
Does anyone know what the average rent you could charge for a average 20m by 20m twin span polytunnel
Wayne 27 Jul 10
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Have garden centres lost the plot?
Adam Pascoe and Christine Walkden say garden centres have lost the plot when it comes to inspiring novice gardeners. I have been to several garden centres recently and I agree. Lots of signs with a name, a price and a statement like " a great garden plant" or worse - 2 for £10 and nothing else. Can any tell me a garden centre that is good at selling plants?
Anthony 13 Aug 10
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What did anyone think of the National Plant Show and Solex
Now the early crop of trade shows is out of the way, what did anyone think of the National Plant Show and Solex?
Anna 12 Jul 10
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Plant Returns Proof
Is it just us, or is there a general attitude from the general public that they can return any plant that has not survived, without any label or proof that its been bought from ourselves? Whilst I have no argument with people bringing back plants that have not survived, I do wish that they would provide the same proof of purchase that they would expect to do in other retail outlets. Does anyone else have this problem?
Ann 19 Aug 10
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Selling bedding in April
As we know Alan Titmarsh is promoting B&Q this year, have to say I've been impressed with some of the bits I've seen. There is a very nice poster extolling the benefits of bedding plants with a big picture of Alan and 3-4 tips on using bedding. The last tip is to avoid putting your plants in the garden until danger of frost has passed, usually the end of May. I just wondered how B&Q might square that with the extensive range on offer in the store on April 2nd?
Paul 19 Aug 10
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Monty Don has not visited a Garden Centre in the last 10 years!!
Monty Don (as reported on the Garden Retail article) has not visited a Garden Centre in the last 10 years!! Thanks for this great piece of encouragement! Garden Centres and their suppliers more than anyone else out there are promoting GYO and then we now get this great recommendation for Mr Don!
At a time when our economy needs every boost the retail trade can give us then this does not help! It would be nice if some of our ‘celebrity gardeners’ felt some empathy towards consumers especially new entrants to gardening. - Anyway rant over and onwards and upwards retailers and suppliers!
Nigel Thompson 19 Aug 10
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Look out for this variation of the Round-up scam
A new trickster is around in the south! We had a man come into the store on another variation of the round-up scam. This time he came to the tills with 2 bottles of Roundup Ultra 3000 and asked for a refund. He had no receipt but said that he had bought 4 and 2 had leaked in his car and he had to claim for damage from his insurance company. He insisted that he had spoken to one of our directors who had agreed that we would pay the insurance claim and give a cash refund for the undamaged 2. The 2 bottles, we discovered had simply been taken off of the shelf on the way to the tills! Fortunately our suspicions were aroused and when challenged he left the 2 bottles and walked out without a word. Smartly dressed and nicely spoken - be on the lookout
Elaine 19 Aug 10
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Problems with HSBC Bank New Credit Card Machines
HSBC are currently looking to replace all credit card terminals and install New Sagem Matsu EFT930SEM Terminals ...
WARNING - These are lovely machines, they print clearly and work fast ... But they only have Mini Paper Rolls and you will be replacing the rolls several times a day on busy days!
We are a medium sized Garden Centre and have just had these installed, it's raining and we are changing rolls up to twice a day, so I hate to think how many times we will be changing rolls in the spring! ... I just hope we have enough spares for the weekend!
Edward 20 Mar 10
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Open Sow Gro Veg and Herb Pots query
Could someone let me know the supplier of "open sow grow" veg and herb pots, seen for sale for £1
Richard 18 Mar 10
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Landscape Gardening Business Advice
Could someone please give me advice on starting my own landscape gardening business. All help would be very welcome.
Lee Collet 30 Jul 10
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Outdated items
Items which have had no response for 6 months have been removed
Gardenforum 19 Aug 10
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