GIMA to move South

GIMA is to move its headquarters to the Federation of Garden and Leisure Manufacturers, of which Gardenex and PetQuip are divisions. See more... Read more - members only

Ash growers count the cost of Chalara

An HTA survey of growers says that 8% may go out of business due to Chalara fraxinea and 58% predict cash flow problems. See more... Read more - members only

Shoot launches online marketplace for gardeners

Nicola Gammon’s Shoot Gardening is opening an on-line marketplace that it claims will ultimately offer a bigger range of plants and products than any other garden shopping destination. See more… Read more - members only

It is just a matter of time before hundreds of thousands of London's trees are under threat

London Tree Officers have written an open letter to Boris Johnson, pleading with him to champion the cause of urban forest. They are finding it hard to protect the city’s trees from ash dieback and other new diseases, while facing cutbacks. See more.... Read more - members only

E-Learning’s a GCA success

The GCA’s e-learning project looks set for a full roll-out in the next few weeks. Trials have proved so popular that staff have been choosing to do the modules at home. See more... Read more - members only

HTA thinks about moving head office

Cost cutting will return the HTA to profit this year as the new DG examines more ways to increase the association’s relevance to members. See more... Read more - members only

Free US workshop for UK garden and leisure product suppliers

A free workshop designed to help UK exporters of garden and leisure products reach the massive US market is being organised by the Gardenex export federation on Thursday 15 November 2012. See more... Read more - members only

HTA strengthens board and urges businesses to adapt

Carol Paris ended the most successful HTA conference in recent years by saying that there was much that every business could do to adapt and grow in the current economic climate. She is backed by a new, stronger board. See more… Read more - members only

GC owners told the climate is favourable for planning

Malcolm Scott says the current planning climate is the most favourable for development it has been for many years.  But it is unlikely to last so garden centres should act quickly. See more... Read more - members only

GCA says GLEE is still an important event

The GCA executive committee has pledged its continued support for GLEE and hopes to see members there next year. See more... Read more - members only

August sales increase lifts morale

The sales uplift enjoyed by garden centres in August was enough to lift morale even if it won’t improve the annual total significantly. See more... Read more - members only

HTA losses stimulate change

The 2011 results from the HTA are soon to be circulated and they will show a significant loss. This is the background to some major changes that are being proposed to members at October’s AGM. One surprise proposal is that Caroline Owen should return as president for another year. See more... Read more - members only

July deficit reverses June’s recovery in sales

Even the anticipation of the Olympics could not lift garden centre sales. July figures from the GCA show that sales were 5% down on 2011. Plant sales were particularly weak. See more... Read more - members only

Industry concerns at UK findings of Ash Dieback

The HTA is seeking to raise awareness of Ash Dieback (Chalara fraxinea), after the discovery of the disease at a number of UK sites over recent weeks. See more... Read more - members only

Plants and Products in tonight's Love Your Garden

Here is a list of plants and garden products to be featured in tonight’s Love Your Garden on ITV 1. Alan Titchmarsh and David Domoney create a garden for a young soldier injured in Afghanistan and his family. See more... Read more - members only

Larger companies missing out on exports

"Any manufacturer that doesn't consider export as part of its marketing mix is missing out," said Amanda Sizer Barrett, during the latest Meet the Buyer day, where UK suppliers had one-to-one meetings with companies from USA, Germany and other European countries. See more... Read more - members only

October fails to fulfil hopes for an autumn recovery

October failed to deliver the expected autumn recovery. Garden centre sales fell 2% according to the GCA. Plants and gardening categories suffered the most. But sales of Christmas lines have started strongly, almost out-selling plants. See more... Read more - members only

Water capture increases growth at David Austin Roses

Faced with exceeding its extraction limits, David Austin Roses has installed a system to harvest rain water and recycle the run off from irrigation. The result is that the company will grow faster having tripled its supply of water. See more… Read more - members only

Consultant points to alternative finance for garden centre acquisitions

There is no lack of finance to buy garden centres say Gilbert Evans. But it may come from different sources. Hence the introduction of corporate finance specialist Paul Herrington to the team. See more... Read more - members only

HTA meets minister as nurseries threaten to sue over chalara

There is still no clarity about the spread of Chalara fraxinae, the ash dieback disease. There are still no plans, other than a ban on all tree movements, to prevent it destroying 90% of ash trees in the UK. Now the politicians are playing the blame game, while UK nurseries face huge losses. See more... Read more - members only

Ruxley Rose recognises best garden centres for plants

The Garden Centre Association has announced the 11 regional winners of the Ruxley Rose, the competition that recognises excellence in the quality and range of plants. See more... Read more - members only

HTA puts optimistic spin on September growth

Clearly UK consumers have not lost the gardening habit and this augurs well for next year says the HTA. But there is a big difference between HTA and GCA figures for September. See more... Read more - members only

Associations meet to discuss Trade Shows

The major associations within the garden industry are to meet next week to talk about the future of trade shows and specifically Glee. See more... Read more - members only

HTA conference focuses on the need to survive and adapt

There are a few places left at HTA Garden Futures conference next week. The line-up of speakers will be a great help to anyone planning their strategy for 2013. See more... Read more - members only

GIMA warns suppliers about export scam

Neil Gow, the director of GIMA, reports that orders have been received from a company purporting to come from Dubai, which could lead to a massive fraud. See more… Read more - members only

Time for the industry to agree what they want from Glee

Glee was a great show say garden centre buyers. The only problem, say suppliers, was that there were not enough buyers there. Leading exhibitors say there needs to be discussion about the future shape of Glee. See more... Read more - members only

Glee – The Garden Retail Show

In 2 weeks Glee will be in full swing. There is a new formula for 2012 as it seeks to secure its future as the Garden Retail Show. See more... Read more - members only

Is guerrilla gardening the answer to the recession?

The recession and the rising costs of food are leading to more community gardening. In some places it takes the form of guerrilla gardening, in another groups are being supported by retailers such as B&Q. See more... Read more - members only

HTA publishes plans to strengthen UK growers

The HTA Ornamental Committee, led by Geoff Caesar, has outlined a new strategy as the latest season and the strengthening pound show just how vulnerable UK growers can be. See more... Read more - members only

A time of change at Solex

Sales down 20%, more competition from the Internet and new EU legislation for imported wood introduced a mood of change at Solex, which moves to a larger venue next year. See more... Read more - members only

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