With trade strong, attention turned to the battle between the increased number of trade shows in 2010. Many garden centres won planning permission to extend. Corporate activity continued among suppliers. See more... (This article is open to all) Read more - open to all

There was a nervous feel to the start of 2009.  The Banking crisis was in full swing.  No one knew whether consumer demand would come to an abrupt halt after Christmas and garden suppliers were anxiously waiting for confirmation of Wyevale’s financial restructuring.   This review is open to all. See more... Read more - open to all

Competition between the 2010 trade shows is getting keener. With months before many of the shows, they are vying with exhibitor lists and inducements for stand holders and visitors to get more from the shows. Read more - members only

November was another good month for garden centres according to the Garden Centre Association. Sales were 8% higher than a year ago in November and for the last 12 months are 10% higher. See more... Read more - members only

The inaugural Garden Expo in June 2010 is to be a 2-day tradeshow to match the HTA’s National Plant Show. At the same time Hozelock, Stewart and Fiskars / Sankey have been announced as sponsors. See more... Read more - members only

Haws Watering Cans has secured a major order from Canada as a direct result of exhibiting in the British group organised by Gardenex at this year’s Spoga. Other exhibitors are following up on significant export enquiries received at Spoga and a recent Meet the Buyer event. See more... Read more - members only

News has been released today that discussions between Webbs Garden Centres and Garden Organic are at an advanced stage for Webbs to take over the commercial operations at Ryton Gardens. See more… Read more - members only

Garden retailers across the country including almost 1000 members of the HTA, will be supporting the BBC’s attempt to coordinate the world record planting of 650,000 trees in one hour on 5th December. Read more - members only

Some garden centres are winning free publicity by creating newsworthy events and passing the news to their local press. Read some of the stories published in the last week. Many cover unusual ways to launch Christmas. See more... Read more - members only

The Commercial Horticultural Association has moved its administration to Gardenex in a move to drive the association forward and boost its profile. See more … Read more - members only

The HTA has re-launched its Market Update report with advice that retailers should focus on the family this Christmas, offering traditional, good quality gifts that are not too expensive. See more... Read more - members only

Peter Dawson looks forward to the Southern Growers Exhibition at its new location, Roundstone. He also reviews the latest HTA research, which suggests soft and top fruit suppliers are missing out. See more... Read more - members only

After recent government announcements on R&D funding, Neil Bragg, chairman of the HDC, tells Peter Dawson, “I find the whole situation quite disturbing. Where do ornamentals now fit into the Agricultural Horticultural Development Board?” See more... Read more - members only

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced a number of key appointments following its AGM held on 21 October. Read more - members only

Garden retailers are to blame for the fact that rose sales are not increasing as much as they should be.  If retailers put the effort in and maintain their roses in peak condition it could transform the market. See more... Read more - members only

With temperatures 2C below average expect prolonged periods of frozen ground during January, says Wiseweather, especially in the North. See more... Read more - members only

Jonathan Porritt, Lord Digby Jones and James Timpson will head an influential line-up of speakers at January’s GCA conference. See more... Read more - members only

The marketing group Choice Marketing, is hoping to add like minded independent garden centres as the current members celebrate their share in a £1m rebate. See more... Read more - members only

Yesterday's KPMG Retail Sales Monitor showed that Internet sales in November were 17% higher than a year ago. Recognising that garden centres cannot ignore e-commerce, the HTA is running a series of forums during January. See more... Read more - members only

Garden companies must be very careful about signing any document from Expo-Guide. A signature is likely to commit them to payment of €1181 a year for three years. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather predicts yet more unsettled weather for December with a wet and windy Xmas for most with gales in places. Read more - members only

Garden centres that have been paying a license fee to Phonographic Performance Ltd for playing recorded music to the public may be in for a refund. See more... Read more - members only

GCA figures confirm that October was a good month for garden centres. Outdoor plants have continued to sell well and there has been a strong start for Christmas lines. See more... Read more - members only

Despite the recession, profitable nurseries and garden centres are selling for the same or more than a year ago, according to Quinton Edwards, who have completed a number of sales recently. See more... Read more - members only

Mirror Group has signed a three-year agreement to become the national media partner of The Edible Garden Show, which takes place for the first time next March. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather says we should expect a colder, wetter month, with snow appearing in the North. For details see more… Read more - members only

Half the stand space is booked for next years inaugural HTA National Plant Show, which is being held at Stoneleigh on the 29th and 30th of June. So far, 51 British nurseries and importers have confirmed their space. To see who has booked, see more... Read more - members only

The Retail world is changing. The new frugality won't go away when the economy comes back. Click and collect has seen dramatic take-up. We need to adapt. ...The consumer is looking for bite size indulgence... There is likely to be a brutal budget. Read the key points from the HTA conference. See more... Read more - members only

Members of GIMA, the association for garden suppliers in the UK, have voted unanimously to give exclusive backing to Glee as the trade associations split over which show to back in 2010. See more... Read more - members only

Kernock Park Plants are the latest nursery to join A.L.P. (The Association of Liner Producers). The Association already consists of 7 of the country's leading liner producers including Aline Fairweather, Fromefield Nursery, New Place Nursery, Seiont Nursery, The Northern Liner Company, West End Nursery and Wyeplants Ltd. Read more - members only