Specialists at Malcolm Scott Consultants have warned garden centres face major headaches as a result of the government’s fundamental  technical  review of the business rates system. Read more - members only

BHETA is to hold a networking webinar on the new B&Q Marketplace initiative, which is setting out to onboard some 100,000 new products within six months. Read more - members only

Ambitious plans, special events, spotlighting members’ achievements and memorable celebrations throughout the British Association of Landscape Industries’ 50^th anniversary year. Read more - open to all

Businesses are unable to prepare for the introduction of Border Control Points (BCPs) happening on 1 July because Government guidance is scarce and untimely. Read more - members only

Are garden centre sales getting back to normal?  Not yet, catering sales in February were down 25% on pre-pandemic levels according to latest figures from the GCA, but plant sales are well ahead. Read more - members only

The first HTA Sustainability Reference Sites have been named as Hillier Nurseries, The Barton Grange Group, The Gardens Group and New Wood Trees.  Read more - members only

Working with specialists, the HTA has launched a new Guide to Potentially Harmful Plants. For the first time it covers the risk to pets. Read more - members only

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) is hosting some of the first elements of its annual conference virtually for members next month (February 2022). Read more - open to all

GCA figures show garden centre sales grew by an extraordinary +28% in 2021, with massive growth from garden leisure and outdoor plants.  There was also a strong recovery in catering revenues but... Read more - members only

GIMA enters 2022 with over 40 new members and an unrivalled portfolio of business support tools. Read more - open to all

The first of GIMA’s 2022 Day Conferences is scheduled for February 17^th.  Attendees will learn more about forthcoming changes to the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations (EPR). Read more - open to all

The Future for International Trade Conference will be held at the Stratford Manor Hotel in March.  Keynote speaker will be Shelley Boyle, Head of Business Development at ManoMano.  Read more - open to all

Partial success for HTA lobbying…  in 2022 Government will allow ornamental and tree growers to join food growers importing seasonal workers.  But there's to be no overall increase in the number allowed in. Read more - members only

Online retail sales recorded their lowest ever growth – falling by a staggering -19.8% Year-on-Year, according to the latest IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index. Read more - members only

Results recently published on Gardenforum show winners and losers.  Companies where performance improved include Decco, Capital Gardens, Doff Portland and Longacres Garden Centre. Read more - members only

The HTA invited opposition Minister Daniel Zeichner to Whartons Garden Roses in Norfolk to see their business and highlight several challenges facing the industry Read more - members only

Around 40 GIMA members tuned in to hear a forecast for UK gardening sales from Euromonitor International (EI). The uplift from Covid will remain but there’s also inflation. Read more - members only

Tates of Sussex, Fakenham and Hollybush are three of 5 garden centres to join the existing partners of Sproutl, the curated online garden marketplace. Read more - members only

BHETA is to hold another retailer networking webinar, this time with Dobbies Garden Centres.  The event will take place on Tuesday 5^th April at 11 am.  The speakers will be Graeme Jenkins, CEO and Debbie Harding, CFO Read more - open to all

Good news says BHETA, many (but not all) garden and DIY products could be excluded from The Offensive Weapons Act (OWA), scheduled to come into force this Spring. Read more - members only

The HTA and NFU have organised two special online events next Friday 4^th March focusing on the government’s proposed ban on peat. Read more - open to all

Following two years of restrictions and uncertainty, the AIPH announces its first in-person event in two years - the 2022 AIPH Spring Meeting, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dubai, UAE. Read more - members only

David Denny has become HTA Director of Research & Insights while Marin Simmons will become Head of Horticulture leaving a vacancy for a new HTA director of Membership. Read more - open to all

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is to hold a networking webinar with the John Lewis Partnership on Wednesday 2^nd February at 10.30 am Read more - open to all

Choice Marketing members are celebrating their best ever year with group turnover of £150+m.  Before Christmas a huge interim rebate of over £2m was paid out to its members. Read more - members only

The HTA detects a mood of cautious optimism, but says 1/20 jobs are vacant.  Higher inflation and increased wages costs will make 2022 a challenging year. Read more - members only

As one of the leading garden retailers in the UK, Blue Diamond is keen to help horticultural students.  Up to £2,500 funding is available. Read more - open to all

As eBay expands its focus on DIY and gardening, BHETA is to host an industry-wide webinar open to all suppliers with the online marketplace. Read more - members only

Past winners Barton Grange Garden Centre in Preston and Castle Gardens at Sherborne, Dorset top the GCA list of the best garden centre Christmas displays. Read more - open to all

The HTA says the Chancellor’s emphasis on ‘upskilling’ the workforce does not go far enough.  Urgent government action is needed to address the lack of colleges and seasonal labour rules. Read more - members only