A multi-award winning digital commerce team has today launched a free wholesale-specific eCommerce platform that works across mobile, desktop and tablet for garden, pets and hardware wholesalers looking to grow their business digitally or create new routes to market. Read more

Despite the frenetic trading days after May 18^th when garden centres reopened, total sales in May were down -22%, including restaurant comparatives, according to the latest statistics from the GCA. Read more

GIMA is pleased to announce that they are hosting a virtual Meet the Buyer session with Homebase to be held on Thursday 25th June 2020.  This speed networking event will allow potential suppliers to meet with key garden retailer buyers in timed 20-minute appointment sessions.  Read more

The HTA has today launched a new mobile App, to give horticulture businesses access to up-to-date industry information, resources, and training opportunities. Read more

The full impact of Covid-19 is shown by the GCA Barometer for April, where lost sales averaged £500,000 per garden centre in April. Read more

Gardenex has launched a Members-Only Area on its website www.gardenex.com, containing business and export advice, information, market research and the latest business news and developments. Read more

GIMA reports that the UK government has stepped in to guarantee the trade credit insurance market, giving suppliers confidence to continue to trade. Read more

spoga+gafa trade fair in Cologne will be staged from 6 to 8 September. However, if it looks as if visitors are staying away due to Coronavirus, it will reassess the situation. Read more

The HTA has released the results of a grower survey. They show that unless something is done within two weeks, between a third and a half of our seasonal growing sector could be lost. Read more

GIMA has appealed to retailers to keep cash flowing or it could lead to the untimely demise of some suppliers. Some retailers, it says, are starting to employ bullying tactics. Read more

Advice on Government loan guarantees and Business Rates Relief for garden companies. Garden centres turn to social media. Read more

In light of the current Coronavirus situation GIMA has decided to postpone the AGM & Day Conference that was due to take place this Thursday 19^th March.   There is a plan to reschedule the event for later in the year Read more

GIMA’s forthcoming Day Conference - open to both members and non-members - will be a must-attend for any supplier wanting to hear from two of the UK’s leading garden centres. Read more

The Government re-introduced the Environment Bill to Parliament yesterday. It follows the loss of the original Bill because of the general election in December. Read more

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

“We need the Westminster… Government to support our industry, as the Dutch Government has done for theirs,” says HTA chairman as UK plant production falls and imports rise. Read more

The HTA’s Market update for June gives the first report of May sales. Plants and garden categories in May almost matched the full months sales in 2019. While non-gardening categories remained significantly down. Read more

Gardenex and PetQuip are holding a series of virtual Meet the International Buyer events, with buyers from France, Sweden, Germany and other countries in Northern Europe. Read more

It’s 15 weeks till the start of Glee. Invoices have arrived with exhibitors for final payments to participate in the exhibition. But will the show be going ahead? Read more

Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, GIMA’s Consumer & Design Trends seminar was cancelled, however delegates are being offered a second chance to learn more about the trends that are expected to influence consumer shopping decisions with the launch of GIMA’s new webinar series. Read more

Glee is to hold a webinar on Thursday this week, ‘Open For Business: Lessons Learned from Lockdown and The First Week of Trading’. Read more

Smart Garden have tapped into their extensive Chinese supply chain and are importing a large quantity of 3-ply disposable, medical-grade, face masks. Read more

BHETA’s latest forecast for DIY & Garden sales has improved slightly but still shows a drop of -10.5% in 2020. Read more

Coronavirus has forced the RHS into a virtual 2020 Chelsea Flower Show. It will include a People’s Choice competition for Plant of the Decade and vote for Garden Product of the Year. Read more

BHETA is launching a series of webinars on issues arising from the crisis including getting goods back in the light of insolvency, the cancellation of contracts and the Job Retention Scheme. Read more

Online gardening sales were down -22% prior Coronavirus. Now IMRG expects online sales to grow, especially for  products that can help self-isolated customers such as home and garden categories. Read more

Paul Basham writes to explain how the Government scheme will help businesses borrow from banks.  Growers will qualify.  There is also sector specific assistance for retail, hospitality and leisure. Read more

This spring the Horticultural Trades Association is launching the HUB, its new E-learning app. Read more

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

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