B&Q sales up 3.6% like-for-like
Kingfisher figures for February to April show B&Q sales up 3.6% excluding impact of 10 more store closures. However seasonal sales were sharply lower. Read more
B&Q sales up 3.6% like-for-like
Kingfisher figures for February to April show B&Q sales up 3.6% excluding impact of 10 more store closures. However seasonal sales were sharply lower. Read more
Malcolm Scott Consultants has joined a well known firm of Midlands surveyors
Malcolm Scott Consultants has completed a deal to join Harris Lamb that will secure the long term future of the business and extend the services it can offer garden centres. Read more
Thrive joins £1.3m garden project for dementia sufferers
Thrive will use its expertise to deliver training as part of a £1.3 million project to transform care home gardens to support people with dementia. Read more
Telegraph opens online Garden Shop
Hayloft Plants has beaten bigger rivals to run The Telegraph online Garden Shop and is looking to add product. Read more
How can we engage future generations through disruptive technology?
Watch a live debate with leading influencers on Garden Tags, a new blog site for gardening writers and gardeners, on the eve of the Garden Press Event. Read more
Cultivation Street calls on garden centres to name their ambassadors
“We need to dispel the myth that garden centres are the place for experts,” said David Domoney. He is calling on every garden centre to nominate their ambassador and so build a network of mentors to help people and communities who would like to start growing. Read more
“We are entering a golden age for the horticulture industry” Carol Paris
Carol Paris says, “We are entering a golden age for the horticulture industry” as Minister, George Eustace promises to do what he can to help the industry implement its new Ornamental Horticulture Action Plan. Read more
Wet and stormy weather looks set to last through January
Wiseweather predicts that for much of January a succession of Atlantic lows will continue to push fronts across the UK with rain and at times strong winds. Read more
Christmas and gift sales took off in October
Latest figures from the GCA Barometer of trade show how revenue from gifts and Christmas lines doubled in October. Outdoor plant sales were also good. Read more
After many changes in the law, did you know…?
A company can be held responsible for an employee’s behaviour on social media and travel from home to the first meeting should be paid for. GIMA members hear about many recent changes in legislation. Read more
The HTA Needs You!
The HTA is looking for three new Council members to be the regional voice of the membership. “It is a great opportunity to see what is going on and influence it,” says President, Adam Wigglesworth. Read more
Latest company results show healthy growth
Figures updated this month in Company Results show big sales increases for Boningale, Stewarts Plastics and Weber-Stephen Products (UK). Blue Diamond UK and Haskins also grew. Profits recovered at The Scotts Company UK. Read more
Long range weather forecast for September
Periods of high pressure during September will mean below average rainfall and above average sunshine. Read more
B&Q responds to Which? Gardening’s campaign to date compost
B&Q is to test the lifespan of different formulations of compost in response to Which? Gardening’s campaign to date bags. Read more
New ideas from the Glee Seminar Theatres
Watch how a consumer’s eyes track your displays; learn about the next bakery products from New York or get a beginner’s guide to exporting. Just some of the business improvement ideas to be presented in the Glee Seminar Theatres. Read more
News from the aisles of Chelsea
Taylors Bulbs presented Royal Celebration to Her Majesty the Queen. There was Gold for the new Hillier regime. Guy Hands is pleased with progress of new management team. Minister inspects industry’s Sun Flower Square collaboration. Read more
HTA declares neutral position on EU Referendum
Having consulted its members and got a mixed response, the HTA has decided to remain neutral in the debate over the future of the UK in Europe. Read more
Challenging insights from HTA Technology Conference
‘If a consumer can’t buy from you at 10pm, they’ll go to Amazon.’ Are iBeacons the gadget to watch? Retailers say the surprise benefits of EPOS include finding out how often their gut feelings are wrong. Read more
Globalisation has had a major impact on the ornamental horticulture industry
“It seems that the power-base for the production and market for ornamentals is changing,” says Tim Briercliffe, Secretary General of the AIPH. Read more
Wiseweather hints at possible late Arctic shock
The long range weather forecast from Wiseweather suggests a more average February with a possible polar arctic shock at the end of the month or the beginning of March. Read more
Garden centres are getting bigger but blander
Malcolm Scott says, “The danger is that garden centres are getting bigger and bigger, but blander and blander.” His colleague, Chris Primett explains how the new Garsons restaurant is different. Read more
Garden centres and DIY now have less than 60% of the market
Three recent reports show the growing importance of other channels for garden products. Read more
Review of 2015 in the Garden Industry
2015 was an eventful year in the garden sector. Here is a round-up of some of the most important stories on Gardenforum throughout the year. This article is open to non-members. Read more
How Bonnington Plastics beat substitute sellers on Amazon
Bonnington Plastics offers to share with other manufacturers the tactics it used to beat the substitute sellers who were costing the company £50,000 a year. Read more
November is forecast to continue milder and drier than average
Wiseweather predicts a cooler spell at the end of next week in an otherwise mild month. Read more
Garden retailers have less than 1 month to comply with SUD
The CPA reminds retailers they have one month to comply with the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD) regulations. To comply, staff should be certificated using a simple online training course. Read more
New President promises HTA will give change a great big ‘Bear-Hug’
Introducing the Garden Futures Conference, new president, Adam Wigglesworth said “The entrepreneur spirit is as alive as ever. The HTA is giving change a great big bear hug.” Read more
Garden centres prosper in July despite the rain
Whether it is cooler and wetter or hot and dry, garden centres can prosper in the summer months and so it proved with the GCA statistics for July showing strong growth. Read more
Line-up for new format HTA Garden Futures conference
The theme for this year’s HTA Garden Futures Conference is Embracing Change. Headline speakers from outside gardening include Will Butler-Adams and Simon Jack. Insiders are led by the new MD of Homebase. Read more
Horticultural Scholarship Season Opens
The David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) Scholarship Season opens next month, giving young horticulturists five months to apply for a scholarship. Read more