Catering and plants lead June recovery

The slight recovery in June sales was not enough to make up for losses earlier in the season. Plants and catering grew, says the GCA, but there was no improvement for garden furniture. See more... Read more - members only

HTA says Gift Cards have generated new business

The HTA has released the first figures from its pilot with gift cards that are sold on the high street but redeemed within participating garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

Tillington Celebrates its 25th Birthday

Members credit The Tillington Group with protecting their independence while giving them the buying and marketing clout of a large group. Sales are now almost £200m. See more... Read more - members only

Bucknalls open their first garden centre restaurant

Bucknalls Restaurants have opened their first garden centre restaurant at Canterbury Garden Centre in Kent. See more... Read more - members only

July forecast? Much the same as June!

Maximum daytime temperatures were up to 3C lower than average last month and it was the wettest June on record for many. According to Wiseweather July promises more of the same, although with slightly less rain. See more... Read more - members only

National Plant Show - determinedly looking forward

Christmas tree prices, exporting plants to Holland and the identity of the next director general of the HTA were among the topics discussed in the aisles of the HTA National Plant Show. And, orders taken for immediate delivery were up. See more... Read more - members only

Which? Gardening launches a campaign for ‘Better Plants by Post’

Which? Gardening launches a campaign for ‘Better Plants by Post’ saying too many people had experienced problems buying plants online or by mail order. David Austin Roses topped the best retailer list, but only 17% bought roses. See more... Read more - members only

May sales were down 3.7% says GCA

GCA figures for May show that garden centre sales for the first 5 months of the year are almost 12% down on 2011. Outdoor plants and garden furniture have seen the biggest impact but furniture saw a slight recovery. See more... Read more - members only

Success for The Clothing Outlet leads to search for more unmanned concessions

The success of The Clothing Outlet's unmanned concession, recently opened at Moreton Park Garden Centre, has encouraged the company to look for more garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

HTA changes National Garden Gift Vouchers

The HTA has restructured its charges for The National Garden Gift Voucher to protect revenues and make it more rewarding for those that are active sellers. See more… Read more - members only

HTA and GIMA collaborate over training

Two of the leading trade associations are joining forces over training. The HTA is encouraging its members to join training courses provided by GIMA in June. See more... Read more - members only

Landscapers win exemption from the hosepipe ban

As of today, landscaping and turf businesses are exempt from the hosepipe ban. See more... Read more - members only

Titchmarsh and Domoney team up for Love Your Garden 2

Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Garden returns for a second series on ITV 1 in June and garden centres will again be given prior notice of the plants and products to be featured. See more... Read more - members only

Mixed picture for Bank Holiday Weekend

The HTA reports a mixed trading picture for garden centres and retail nurseries across the country this Bank Holiday weekend. Many felt that trade was better than expected given the gloomy weather, although trade was down like-for-like on last year. See more... Read more - members only

International flavour to National Plant Show

Plant breeders from Europe and the USA will bring an international flavour to the HTA’s National Plant Show this year. See more... Read more - members only

Scotts take top honours at the GIMAs

The garden retail industry put the spring behind it as 350 guests celebrated Scotts Miracle-Gro and Solus winning the top GIMA Awards and Garden Re-Leaf raising over £50,000 for Greenfingers. See more... Read more - members only

Woking growers launch new one-click website resource

Woking Nurseries has a new website that provides customers, new and existing, with a single plant enquiry form that is sent to any of the 17 member nurseries that can fulfil the order. See more... Read more - members only

Relief as remaining hosepipe bans are lifted

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is delighted to see the four remaining hosepipe bans lifted following the latest deluge of heavy rain. Read more - members only

Get rid of British summer blues by exporting

Take advantage of export opportunities to offset British summer blues, says Gardenex. There are still stands available in the British pavilion at spoga+gafa and there are cash grants on offer. See more... Read more - members only

What’s in Tuesday’s Love Your Garden?

Gardenforum previews the plants and products to appear in tomorrow’s Love Your Garden. The programme with Alan Titchmarsh and David Domoney was watched by 3.6m last week. See more... Read more - open to all

NT opens secret facility to save threatened plants

The National Trust has opened a secret plant propagation facility to ensure the survival of threatened plants at NT properties. It will also assist private plant collections. See more... Read more - members only

National Plant Show set to break records

The judges will be kept busy at next week’s HTA National Plant Show, with 107 introductions to choose between for the Best New Plant Award. See more... Read more - members only

3 water companies lift ban

3 water companies in the SE will end their hosepipe bans tomorrow. But four companies will continue with the ban on domestic use of a hosepipe. See more... Read more - members only

GIMAs deadline

Companies wishing to enter the GIMA Awards must do so before June 15. These provide unrivalled exposure for new products and marketing ideas launched within the last 12 months. See more... Read more - members only

Strong list of applicants for HTA post

36 applications have been received for the post of Director General of the HTA. The post has been vacant since the resignation of David Gwyther last November. See more... Read more - members only

GIMA warns suppliers about Overpayment Fraud

GIMA is warning garden suppliers about overpayment fraud. Police have said a business in Worcester was inadvertently conned out of £40,000. See more... Read more - members only

The GIMAs – unrivalled exposure for new gardening products

Just entering the annual GIMA awards presents unrivalled exposure for any company launching a new gardening product. See more... Read more - members only

Roman Originals looks for space within garden centres

Encouraged by their experience in 8 garden centres so far, Roman Originals are hoping to open another 10 concessions each year for the next three years. See more... Read more - members only

New DG will be asked to make HTA fit for the future

The HTA has started the search for a new Director General – See Jobforum. The new DG will be expected to make it more relevant and more financially robust; and to represent the trade in the political arena. See more... Read more - members only

Competition increases after a tough year for garden retail

The HTA’s report on Garden Retail concludes that 2011 was a tough year and that there is more of the same for 2012 and beyond. With more competition from retailers such as Next, it believes garden businesses will develop ‘competitive positioning’. See more… Read more - members only

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