B&M sales jump 22.5% in golden quarter
Extra week’s wages for B&M UK stores staff as revenue increased by +26.6%, including like-for-like growth of +21.1% in the last quarter. Read more
B&M sales jump 22.5% in golden quarter
Extra week’s wages for B&M UK stores staff as revenue increased by +26.6%, including like-for-like growth of +21.1% in the last quarter. Read more
Profit and sales stack up at Stax
Leading wholesaler Stax Trade Centres reports a strong performance despite the year’s challenges (year to 29 August). Turnover jumped 17% to £135.4m with an operating profit of £4.6m. Read more
Nova and LOFA in membership row
A row has erupted between LOFA, the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association, and a rapidly growing importer for whom membership has been declined. Read more
Wastewise, signs a new deal with Vital Earth Sales
Biowise Limited (T/A Wastewise) has entered into a five-year contract to supply over 40k tonnes per annum certified compost to Vital Earth, who produce the largest range of peat free products in the UK. Read more
Ames emerges from lockdown with a new CEO and new Board
Paul North became the new MD of Ames in March and set about building a platform to double sales with a new Leadership Board. Read more
Millbrook seeks permission for houses on Crowborough
The Millbrook Garden Company has applied for planning permission to demolish its garden centre in Crowborough and build 33 homes on the land. Read more
Kingfisher buys NeedHelp for UK roll-out
Kingfisher, parent company of B&Q and Screwfix, has bought NeedHelp, the French home improvement services marketplace, for roll out in the UK. Read more
Works starts on Dobbies at Tewkesbury
Work has started on the 180 acre Designer Outlet Cotswolds, that will have a ‘flag-ship’ Dobbies Garden Centre as a cornerstone. Read more
B&Q’s outdoor sales up £45% in last quarter
Kingfisher reports strong growth in B&Q’s outdoor sales in last quarter. Higher demand has led to lower in-store availability. Tariffs of c. 2% are expected if it’s a no deal Brexit. Read more
Schoneveld Breeding range is now on video
Due to Coronavirus, this year’s Cyclamen Open Days had to be different for Schoneveld Breeding from Wilp. In addition to successful open days, the breeder has gone digital this year. Read more
Thompson and Morgan buys Suttons Seeds
T&M has acquired 100% of the share capital of Suttons Seeds Ltd and its 3 brands: Suttons, Dobies and the Organic Catalogue. It also launches T&M Marketplace. Read more
Homebase is put up for sale
The FT reports that Homebase has been put up for sale as its owner, Hilco, looks to capitalise on the pandemic boost for home improvement groups. Read more
Little Dobbies opens today in Edinburgh
Today (Monday 9 November), Dobbies’ first small format store, Little Dobbies, has opened its doors. Read more
Gardman purchase lifts Westland sales to £182m
August 2019 results for Westland Horticulture show sales up 38% to £182m following the purchase of Gardman and profit before tax of £10.2m. Read more
Mountain Gorillas help Neudorff to climate neutral production
Neudorff, manufacturer of environmentally friendly products for plant care and natural gardening, has achieved climate-neutral production at all of its sites. Read more
Dobbies sponsors ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend’ with Alan Titchmarsh
Dobbies is the exclusive broadcast sponsor of ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh’, that returned to screens on 3 January 2021. Read more
Landmann Ltd has been bought by DS Group
The parent company of Landman limited, which was in administration, has been bought by DS group. It will continue to trade in the UK for the foreseeable future. Read more
E. P. Barrus announces new appointments to its Board
E. P. Barrus Limited is delighted to announce the appointment of four new members to the company’s Board of Directors with immediate effect. Read more
Plans approved for destination garden centre near Gosport
A new destination garden centre is to be built in Hampshire. This will be the third for the "Your Local Garden Centre" group that operates Mappleborough Green and Stansted Park. Read more
Online garden retailer, Primrose, is sold
It’s business as usual for Primrose, the online garden retailer, following its sale to Luke Johnson, one of the country’s most prominent entrepreneurs. Read more
Following the trend of upscaling and chain shortening
Beekenkamp Plants has taken a minority share in Schoneveld Breeding. Both companies continue to operate independently in the field of breeding, production and sales. They see joint opportunities in exchanging knowledge of innovative breeding techniques and research. Read more
Two acquisitions for Hillier
Hillier is to open a new garden centre at Syon Park. The site had been operated by Wyevale until its closure in the autumn of 2019. Hillier has also acquired 100 acres for a new tree nursery. Read more
Notcutts improves sales and operating margin
Notcutts increased sales by 1.9% last year despite significant disruption caused by its £9.2m garden centre redevelopment and improvement programme. Read more
Scotts completes purchase of AeroGrow
Scotts Miracle-Gro backs its commitment to soilless indoor gardening by completing the purchase of AeroGrow International that produces indoor gardening kits. Read more
Tong wins Outstanding Employer award
The team at Tong Garden Centre are celebrating after winning the Outstanding Employer award at the 15th annual Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business awards. Read more
Simpsons expands into north-east with Happy Plant acquisition
Inverness based Simpsons Garden Centre is expanding into the north east. It has acquired an Aberdeen-shire Garden Centre, Happy Plant, based in Mintlaw. Read more
Dobbies launches series of Christmas podcasts
As Christmas approaches, Dobbies has released the first of three festive themed podcasts, sharing advice on everything from festive decorations and at-home Christmas crafts. Read more
Dobbies launches Christmas TV advertising
Dobbies unveils a new Christmas advertising campaign called The Joy of Dobbies. The campaign also launches Dobbie’s new positioning, ’Not Your Average Garden Centre’. Read more
Landmann in Germany has filed for bankruptcy
It has been reported in Germany that its oldest grill manufacturer, Landmann, has filed for bankruptcy. The company is looking for new investors. Read more
Retail equipment Ltd acquires Greenkey Garden & Home Ltd
Greenkey has announced that the sale of its business has been agreed for an undisclosed sum to Retail Equipment Limited of Sudbury, Suffolk. Read more