Covid-19 Tuesday report
Here’s a summary of announcements made in the last 24 hours about the impact of Covid-19 on the garden sector. It includes progress from the HTA and BALI and the impact on French garden centres. Read more - open to all
Covid-19 Tuesday report
Here’s a summary of announcements made in the last 24 hours about the impact of Covid-19 on the garden sector. It includes progress from the HTA and BALI and the impact on French garden centres. Read more - open to all
GIMA Day Conference & AGM Postponed
In light of the current Coronavirus situation GIMA has decided to postpone the AGM & Day Conference that was due to take place this Thursday 19th March. There is a plan to reschedule the event for later in the year Read more - members only
Two gardening apps are making news
SmartPlant has added Dobbies to its growing list of partners, while the ambitious and well funded Candide exhibited at the Garden Press Event and has unveiled its plans for Chelsea. Read more - members only
Immigration proposals are a grave worry says leading grower
Growers say it is difficult to see how their business could continue under the proposed immigration changes. The HTA says it stands ready to support Government targets on tree planting, import substitution, biosecurity… but the Government needs to support the industry. Read more - members only
Scottish Government votes to keep UBR after joint letter from HTA
MSP’s have voted to keep the Uniform Business Rate in Scotland after lobbying from The HTA and other sector trade associations. Read more - members only
YPHA doubles membership in a week
The launch of the Young People in Horticulture Association has caught the imagination of the industry. New members are joining by the day and it has received ‘wonderful offers of help from all corners of the industry’. Read more - members only
Changes to Scottish business rates would be damaging says HTA
Later this month the Scottish Parliament is to vote on scrapping the Uniform Business Rate in Scotland, allowing local authorities to set their own rates. Read more - members only
Modest increases over Christmas
Sales over the Christmas period showed modest increases, but some Christmas categories and houseplants sold well. Some garden centres are +10% for the year. Read more - members only
Gifts and Christmas flourish in November
Figures just released by the GCA show sales grew 9% in November, with houseplants, clothing and Christmas growing fastest. Read more - members only
BHETA provides Challenge 25 collateral for bladed goods
BHETA is to provide officially sanctioned Challenge 25 artwork for suppliers, retailers and delivery companies involved in the supply of age-restricted bladed items such as kitchen knives and DIY and garden tools. Read more - members only
September sales fell 1% in GCA garden centres
September sales were 1% down on last year according to the latest figures published by the Garden Centre Association. Read more - members only
Garden centres prosper in the rain and heat of August
August weather was hotter and wetter than average. As a result both garden furniture and gardening sales prospered according to the GCA Barometer of Trade. Read more - members only
A new product category emerged at Glee
Alternative to Chemicals, goes a step beyond replacing one chemical with another that's more environmentally friendly. Hozelock and Westland see ATC as an important step preparing consumers for a 'free-from' future. Read more - members only
Garden centres defy high street gloom
GCA figures for July show garden centres increased sales by +11%, while the BRC reports that high street footfall dropped by -2.7% and footfall in shopping centres fell by +3.1%. Read more - members only
Despite a weaker June, garden centre sales are +6% for the year
2019 has the makings of a strong year for garden centres. Latest figures from the GCA indicate that garden centres are still +6% ahead of last year despite losing ground in June. Read more - members only
RHS cancels all upcoming shows and events
All RHS Shows, Garden events and school visits will be cancelled with immediate effect until 30 June 2020. RHS Gardens remain open, with a number of increased precautionary measures in place. Read more - members only
HTA calls on Government to support nurseries
HTA’s director of policy, James Clark has welcomed parts of the budget but says support for nurseries is critical to deliver the Government’s ambition to plant 30,000 trees and create a greener Britain. Read more - members only
A solid start to 2020 for garden centres
Garden centre sales in January rose by +7.7%. Houseplants continue to be the star performer, the category is now bigger than seeds & bulbs for the month, according to the GCA. Read more - members only
HTA welcomes a Defra Secretary of State who knows the industry
HTA sees the appointment of George Eustice as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as a positive move given his knowledge of this industry. Read more - members only
Fears that Coronavirus will impact supplies from China
On Tuesday the Spring Fair seemed to be buzzing. But underneath there was uncertainty and concern about how the Coronavirus would impact imports of goods manufactured in China. Read more - members only
Garden centre sales grew 4.5% in 2019
Christmas sales fell in December, but overall turnover was marginally up according to the GCA. Annually sales grew by 4.5% with catering the fastest growing category. Read more - members only
Price rises likely after April’s rise in National Living Wage
Increased costs from the 6.2% increase in the National Living Wage will lead to price rises and put pressure on profits say garden centres. Read more - members only
Review of 2019
Here is a summary of the news stories published on Gardenforum during 2019: Wyevale disintegration and the expansion of other groups, the environment, supplier consolidation and people in the news. This review is open to all. Read more - open to all
Will the election result be good for business?
Following the Tory election win, ‘Brexit will get done’ and the pound is rising. Is this good for the Garden industry? Or could there be turbulent times ahead? Read more - members only
Did sales rise or fall in October?
Separate reports from the GCA and the HTA show contrasting outcomes for garden centre sales during October. The GCA reports a fall for a second consecutive month, while the HTA reports a rise. Read more - members only
Advice for Brexit, deal or no deal
Gardenforum looks at some of the resources available to help companies keep up to date with advice on Brexit and especially a no deal Brexit. Read more - members only
Price rises for plants as demand exceeds supply
As demand for UK grown plants increases, growers in the Green Heart of Glee reveal that prices will rise and there could be shortages. Read more - members only
The HTA needs to get onto the front foot
HTA chairman, James Barnes calls for the backing of members, especially growers, to hear him present plans to re-invigorate the HTA and to promote sustainability at the Cultivating Retail conference. Read more - members only
The HTA has a message for Boris
The HTA’s Director of Policy and Communications tells the new PM that the ornamental sector, which supports 568,000 jobs, is essential for the Government’s environment plans. Read more - members only
The 2019 GIMA Award winners are…
The big winners at last night’s Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Awards were the rapidly growing Smart Garden and industry newcomer, Primeur, with its recycled rubber, self watering planters. Read more - members only