GCA members to compete for Worrall Cup
Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) are being invited to put their marketing campaigns to the test as part of the organisation’s annual Worrall Cup competition. Read more - open to all
GCA members to compete for Worrall Cup
Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) are being invited to put their marketing campaigns to the test as part of the organisation’s annual Worrall Cup competition. Read more - open to all
Get ready for the most JUMPERFUL time of the Year 2022!
“Put your Christmas sweater on, it's got to be done” are the words of Christmas crooner, Michael Bublé, and who are we to disagree especially when it is for charity? Read more - open to all
Fears of a poinsettia import ban subside
Reports earlier this week that the UK had put a total halt to poinsettia imports from Holland have been quashed by Defra. Read more - members only
Only a handful of tickets remain for Greenfingers dinner
Call for raffle and auction prizes as only a handful of tickets remain for the annual Greenfingers Charity Fundraising Dinner on the December 1st Read more - open to all
Lords to debate jobs in Ornamental Horticulture
Lords to debate industry concerns that ornamental horticulture and landscaping are not being included within government definitions of ‘green jobs’ Read more - members only
The future looks good for horticulture
Looking over the horizon, the HTA Conference hears that despite a gloomy economic outlook, the winds are set fair for our sector. Read more - members only
What will our industry look like in 2030?
The HTA Conference 2022, in September, is an important opportunity for business leaders to step back from their day to day challenges and peer over the horizon. “What should we do today …?” Read more - members only
IGCA 2022 welcomes almost 200 delegates
IGCA 2022 welcomes almost 200 delegates. An unique chance to meet your collegues and get inspired! Read more - open to all
Online retail growth in freefall in May
UK online retail sales reported a -8.7% Year-on-Year decrease in May 2022, with home and garden one of the worst performers. Read more - members only
2022 sales are up 7% but only thanks to catering
For the first 4 months GCA garden centre revenues are +7% ahead of last year. This includes the re-opened catering. If catering is excluded, sales are down around -12% ytd. Read more - members only
Trading figures are down for March but up for the year
GCA figures show a fall in March sales, but comparisons can be misleading. Garden Centres are in a good place says chief executive, Iain Wylie. Read more - members only
GIMA Buyer Connect: Stax Trade Centres
GIMA’s Buyer Connect events are back with the Stax Trade Centres’ full buying teams kicking off the 2022 schedule on April 26th at The Worsley Park Marriott Hotel in Manchester. Read more - open to all
Applications now open for GCA Rising Stars programme
Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) are being encouraged to put forward their employees for the organisation’s Rising Stars programme taking place throughout the year (2022). Read more - open to all
UK Gardeners rescue refugees and deliver aid
Compelled to do more than watch the plight of refugees on television, members of the garden community have driven to Ukraine to rescue refugees and deliver aid. Read more - members only
New Guide to Potentially Harmful Plants
Working with specialists, the HTA has launched a new Guide to Potentially Harmful Plants. For the first time it covers the risk to pets. Read more - members only
Applications open for RHS work-based training
Applications for RHS work-based training positions are open, giving prospective horticulturists and those wanting to progress their career, training with leading experts and the opportunity to learn hands-on skills while getting paid. Read more - open to all
Extended support for garden Centres in Hunt’s autumn statement
The Autumn Statement by Jeremy Hunt aimed particular support at the much-beleaguered hospitality, leisure and retail sector, meaning that garden centres and farm shops will benefit from increased and extended relief. Read more - open to all
2021 turnover up +25% or more for most garden centres
The latest company results published on Gardenforum show how garden centres prospered during and after the 3rd Covid lockdown. Read more - members only
Sales continued to fall in a momentous September
Last month Boris Johnson resigned on the 6th. HM The Queen died 2 days later pitching the nation into mourning. On 23rd the fatal mini budget was delivered. No surprise therefore that Garden centre sales fell. Read more - members only
Furniture sales flourish in August
There was a late flush of garden furniture sales in the August heatwave, boosted by stock clearances. Plant sales predictably withered. For the year garden centre revenues are close to 2021. Read more - members only
Barnes writes to Truss and Sunak
HTA Chairman James Barnes has written to Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak as the final leadership candidates seeking to become Prime Minister. Read more - members only
Online gardening sales hit by cost of living concerns
The total online market was down -16.7% in the first 6 months, with categories such as gardening and homeware plummeting over -30%. Cost of living concerns are changing consumer priorities. Read more - members only
Supplier concerns about overstocks as sales fall
Supplier concerns about overstocks is growing as the season tails off early. But leading suppliers say they will deal with it and will not lose their long-term focus. Read more - members only
HTA launches Grower support campaign at The National Plant Show
With the aim of supporting the technical training needs of their Grower membership, the HTA is launching an exciting series of training and networking programmes this month at The National Plant Show (NPS) 21st-22nd June. Read more - open to all
Will 2022 be the new normal for garden centres?
Senior garden centre figures talk about the rest of the year, stock levels and discounting. Will 2022 be the new normal? Read more - members only
The Frustrated Gardener launches Dan Cooper Garden
A blogger at The Frustrated Gardener and former senior buyer at John Lewis launches Dan Cooper Garden on April 5th to partner the best products and with sound, expert advice. Read more - members only
Some good news from revised OWA guidelines
Good news says BHETA, many (but not all) garden and DIY products could be excluded from The Offensive Weapons Act (OWA), scheduled to come into force this Spring. Read more - members only
Garden centres called to back Sunflower for Ukraine
Elizabeth McKenna, once a finalist on the Apprentice with her floristry business, has set up an appeal for Ukraine that is focused on Mothers Days and promoted through garden centres and florists. Read more - open to all
Will Putin’s war impact houseplant prices for Mother’s Day?
Garden centres have noticed that the prices of house plants from Holland softened a few days ago following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but they have risen again since. Read more - members only
HTA wins ‘Best Sector Representation’ Award
HTA wins ‘Best Sector Representation’ Award at Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2022. The awards are designed to recognise excellence, innovation and best practice amongst Trade Associations in the UK. Read more - open to all