Worldpay predicts record-breaking April sales for garden centres
With weather forecasters predicting a scorching Easter weekend, says Worldpay, Britain’s garden centres could see record-breaking trade in the next four weeks. Landscapers are also having a good time. Read more
White Stores opens garden furniture showroom in Oxford garden centre
Online garden furniture retailer White Stores has opened its first concession at Yarnton Nurseries Garden Centre in Oxfordshire as a pilot. Read more
One of the UK’s biggest garden centres starts a nationwide online service
Hayes pilots a nationwide delivery service for online sales having nearly completed a £5m re-development project. Last season it sold over £500,000 Christmas trees online. Read more
2015 sales start lower for Homebase
End of year results from Home Retail show Homebase closed 30 stores in the last 12 months. 2015 sales have started lower. Read more
Who is the Home & Garden Group?
It has been announced that Home & Garden has acquired its 8th garden centre but the group, which was formed only last year, is not well known within the industry. Read more
Carr Farm opens 300 seat restaurant as part of major expansion
One year into a 3 year expansion project and Carr Farm Garden Centre has opened a restaurant and two new concessions. Read more
Positive start to 2015 for garden centres
Members of the Garden Centre Association started 2015 positively with sales up 6%, building on the 13% increase in January 2014. However one in three garden centres missed out. Read more
More chat from the aisles of the Garden Press Event
A new website for Westland, Showa’s bio-degradable gardening gloves, Eden Project seeds, a 10,000 strong Facebook community of Garden Goddesses and Hozelock’s electric weed killer were some of the innovations on show at the Garden Press event. Read more
Johnsons calls upon all suppliers to eliminate the use of unsuitable varieties in their lawn seed mixes
Continuing a campaign started last year DLF Trifolium accuses some competitors of continuing to cut corners by bulking out their lawn seed blends with unsuitable low grade seeds. Read more
Double joy for Arboretum
Arboretum, Ireland’s leading garden centre, has two reasons to celebrate. It has been named National Store of the Year and has signed up to buy the National Garden Exhibition Centre. Read more
Garden centre owner gets driving ban lifted
The owner of Pyle Garden Centre is reported to have been let off a 6 month driving ban to keep his business afloat. Read more
Bank backs Cobbins’ £650,000 biomass plant
Having installed a biomass boiler in the autumn, Cobbins Nursery will shortly start construction of a new glass house ready for the poinsettia crop later in the year. Read more
GCA names best garden centres for plants and furniture
Sunshine Garden Centre and Van Hage are the best GCA outdoor living retailers. Cowell’s and Bents are the best for plants. Read more
Board change at Notcutts
A trading update from Notcutts reveals a strong Christmas performance, a new chairman and a new deputy. The garden centre group is also looking for a new CEO. Read more
Li-Lo buys Westwoods
Li-Lo Leisure has bought Westwoods Global. The companies will continue as independent entities, but the sales agents will sell both brands. Read more
Scotts’ USA lawn app could come to the UK
Scotts has launched a free mobile app in the USA that gives users their own lawn care plan. It could be adpated for the UK. Read more
New Leaf Plants changes hands and plans relocation
Sales director David Higginson has purchased the entire share capital of Evesham-based New Leaf following Peter Hoddinott’s retirement and plans are underway to resite the company at Hill View Nurseries in nearby Sedgeberrow. Read more
Wyevale opens the new Percy Thrower’s Garden Centre
See pictures of the new Percy Thrower’s, the first garden centre designed by the current Wyevale management. Week one sales shot it into the group’s top five. Read more
Powles to take GIMA inside the mind of a buyer
Headline speakers at next month’s GIMA day conference include Julian Winfield and Conna Powles from Haskins Garden Centres, and Alan Roper of Blue Diamond Group. Read more
Bayer loses libel action over pesticide harm to bees claim (Updated)
Bayer has failed in its attempt to sue Friends of the Earth Germany over its claims that thiacloprid, a pesticide manufactured by Bayer, harms bees. Read more
Big questions ahead for Kingfisher and B&Q
The Telegraph speculates that the new chief executive of Kingfisher, who faces pressure on all fronts, will introduce major changes including store closures and modernising at B&Q. Read more
William Sinclair chief exec departs with immediate effect
William Sinclair has announced the departure of Peter Rush as chief executive with immediate effect. He is replaced by a turnaround specialist after a poor start to the spring.
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Scotts to spend £7.5m on four TV adverts
Scotts Miracle-Gro is spending £7.5m this spring and summer on TV campaigns to drive customers in store. The advertising will start to air week commencing 30th March. Read more
Online retailers raise their profile
The growing presence of online retailers was clear at the Garden Press Event with two established sites and two newcomers, one launched at the show and one being mysterious about its launch plans. Read more
Wyevale damps down Dobbies speculation
Comments by Wyevale’s CEO, amplified by press speculation, have set the garden rumour mill turning at full speed. It appears that many are expecting a Dobbies purchase any day. They seem likely to have a long wait. Read more
What will the scribblers be viewing at Thursday’s Garden Press Event?
The country’s gardening press converge on the Barbican on Thursday to get fresh ideas to write about this spring. What will catch their interest at the Garden Press Event? Read more
Blue Diamond buys Newbridge Nurseries (UPDATED)
Blue Diamond has acquired Newbridge Nurseries, near Horsham bringing the number of garden centres in the group to 17. With this latest addition Blue Diamond sales are forecast to top £85m this year. Read more
Cowell’s and Barton Grange retain their GCA titles
The GCA conference ended with the presentation of top awards to Cedar Associates, Cowell’s and Barton Grange. 10 garden centres won the coveted garden centre of excellence plaque. Read more
Hagedorn axes Martin Breddy
Martin Breddy, who headed Scotts Miracle-Gro in the UK, has been axed as Jim Hagedorn continues to streamline his senior management team. Read more
Tough trading conditions and teething troubles mean no dividend from Sinclair
Tough trading conditions and teething troubles led to static sales and a trading loss for William Sinclair. It now claims the industry’s most advanced production capabilities, but can it win back customers? Read more
