Features
The Gardenex export federation has been successful in securing cash grant funding for four major international garden trade exhibitions in the Government’s latest bidding round. The funding is available to eligible SMEs under the DIT’s Tradeshow Access programme and will enable British companies to exhibit their products to international markets in a cost-effective way, while also benefiting from the wide range of practical research, logistical and promotional support offered by the Federation.
In addition to the shows in the US, Germany and Japan - where Gardenex has extensive experience…
Brand-leading garden tools company, Spear and Jackson, has teamed up with the award-winning garden landscape designer, Lee Bestall, of Bestall & Co. Both based in Sheffield, the two have a long-standing relationship and Spear and Jackson are pleased to announce that Lee will officially be renewing his role as their Brand Ambassador with effect from 1st January 2018.
In Lee, Spear and Jackson have found a partner who shares their passion for gardening and outdoor living. A regular contributor to industry titles and a stand-in presenter on BBC Radio Sheffield’s Gardeners Question Hour, Lee…
Bigger content programme with more high-profile speakers
Retail Lab set to return in 2018
Increased footprint at NEC
Still on a high following Glee 2017, the event’s post-show report has helped shape much of the thinking for the short and long-term future of Glee. The research has highlighted Glee’s ongoing value for the industry it represents. With over three-quarters of the attendees at the 2017 exhibition responding positively, it’s safe to assume that the show hit the mark for those that made the journey to the NEC Birmingham, including the 31% of first-time visitors. What’s more, the…
Why has Glee added an additional show at Spring Fair?
Glee at Spring Fair has been introduced for a simple reason – Spring Fair is the UK’s No.1 Home and Gift Fair, so the audience is already there, ready and willing to do business. Garden centres are already attending Spring Fair, with owner/operators and gift buyers out in force. Glee’s aim is to encourage other category buyers from across the gardening spectrum to maximise their attendance at Spring Fair.
Taking place from 4th-8th February, Glee at Spring Fair will give retailers the opportunity to see new and best-selling ranges…
Whilst gardening may be considered an older person’s game, the 25-34 year olds are actually the biggest spenders when it comes to tools and accessories, spending over £650 on average.
Andy Baxter, managing director of leading gardening ecommerce store, Internet Gardener offers his input on what’s trending in the garden fashion and accessory scene.
Garden fashion
Classic boots and wellies will never go out of fashion for the garden. The practical old school cool wellies like Grubs boots have embraced classic design with contemporary elements like bold colours and contrasting…
A green fingered Blackwood tenant has been rewarded for his skills by winning the housing and care provider’s prestigious gardening award.
Edward Stanton, who has been a tenant at Blackwood’s Argyle Street development for 25 years, won the ‘Best Hanging Basket’ award at the charity’s AGM in Largs.
The 78-year-old started work on his balcony five years ago and has since installed four hanging baskets which he believes make the perfect decorations for his balcony.
Edward said: “I have always loved gardening and so I couldn’t believe it when I was awarded ‘Best Hanging Basket’ as I have…
Rune Sovndahl co-founder and CEO of Fantastic Services
When you are preparing to head off on your holiday and have no one to look after your garden, you might be worried about what state it will be in upon your return.
Do not despair: with a few simple hacks you can effectively look after it while you are away.
Preparation
The key thing about maintaining your garden when you are going away is preparation and making sure you have done everything you can to limit the work you will have to do upon your return.
Get rid of all the weeds, cover any bare soil with mulch and trim the hedges…
Royal Hedge is part of the Dongen based nursery Boomkwekerij E. de Jong in Holland. For the past 22 years this nursery has grown young trees, 3x transplanted trees, pleached trees, big solitaire, multistemmed trees and also trees and hedging material in containers.
'Royal Hedge' for Screening
In summer 2015, they launched a range of grasses which can be used to create a 'Royal Hedge'. This was a new profile for the 'Royal Hedge' concept and is used mainly for screening. The 'Royal Hedge' is produced in bags from 50cm long. This is very easy to plant and makes a very beautiful colourful…
Buyers from a specialist German online retailer and mail order company that specialises in British products, as well as garden distributors from Germany and Romania (each with an online presence too) will be travelling to the UK on 30 November 2017 to meet with UK suppliers.
The Romanian company is not only looking to extend its offering in its home market, but also plans to extend online sales into some neighbouring markets in south-eastern and central Europe. The two buyers will be participating in the latest ‘Meet the International Buyers’ event which offers suppliers one-to-one…
A historic Christmas tradition is returning to Burford House Garden Store as they welcome back the UK’s largest and most popular Holly and Mistletoe Auctions for the third year.
The Tenbury Wells store, part of Hillview Garden Centres, will host the world-famous auctions which are held annually on the last Tuesday of November and the first two Tuesdays of December (28th November, 5th and 12th December).
Dating back to the Victorian times, the mistletoe plant is very important to the people of Tenbury for many centuries. Mistletoe is abundant on the many orchards around the market…
A MEMBER of staff at one of the UK’s leading nurseries is this month (November, 2017) growing a moustache in aid of a hospice in Hereford.
Geoff Godsall, who has worked at Wyevale Nurseries for 30 years and is currently a Trading Foreman, will be growing a moustache for the second year running to fundraise for St Michael’s Hospice.
Geoff, who is 64-years-old and lives in Hereford, said: “I chose to support St Michael’s Hospice again this year as it’s such a vital local charity. It offers a fantastic service to the community during particularly hard times. Both the hospice and Macmillan…
Continuing its successful programme of Buyer Connect events GIMA has confirmed that it has teamed up with Longacres – the UK’s largest independent garden centre – to hold a special speed networking event with the buying team from this garden retailer.
The family owned group of garden centres currently consists of four centres, with the flagship Bagshot store retaining the title ‘highest turnover garden centre in the UK’ for the last seven years. With an ambitious expansion plan, Longacres owner, Nigel Long, is keen to meet with new and exciting garden and giftware suppliers to assist with…
PKL gave a helping hand to Petersham Nurseries on October 25th to help them put on a remarkable charity event in aid of the #CookForSyria campaign.
The supper club, for national press and digital influencers, took place in Petersham Nurseries’ new Covent Garden interiors store and delicatessen. Featuring inspiring recipes from the #CookForSyria cookbook, the evening was a fantastic success for the campaign and for Petersham Nurseries including their team of chefs led by Executive Chef Damian Clisby and Syrian restaurateur Imad Alarnab .
The success was even more impressive because the…
In October 2017, due to the continued growth of their rapidly expanding Export business, Smart Garden Products welcomed two new employees to their award-winning team based in Abingdon.
Following her recent promotion, Elvire Beugin was delighted to recruit Silvia Staudenmaier and Sabrina Laloui. Coming from a diverse range of backgrounds, they will be able to utilise their valuable experience to help promote and support the Smart business in continental Europe.
Jonathan Stobart, Managing Director of Smart Garden Products says of the recent recruitment drive “We are always looking for…
Employees from Zest 4 Leisure, a leading trade supplier of quality timber furniture, have covered over 3,400 miles this year, raising in excess of £15,000 for Cancer Research UK, its chosen charity for 2017.
Running, swimming and cycling, employees have taken part in a variety of challenges, the latest of which saw 45 people complete the Flintshire 10k Run.
In addition to this, 23 people successfully completed the Chester Marathon and 25 employees did the Manchester Marathon. Not to be outdone, Managing Director Steve Morgan and John Vaughan, Fencing & Timber Buildings Manager have…
THE GARDEN Centre Association (GCA) has launched its Worrall Cup competition this month (November, 2017) that is designed to find the member garden centre with the best marketing expertise.
The garden centre with the best marketing campaign or initiative will be awarded the prestigious cup during the GCA’s annual conference in Stratford-upon-Avon from January 21 until 24, 2018.
Chief Executive of the GCA, Iain Wylie, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for members to win a prestigious award, where both flair and commercial success are rewarded.
“We’re searching for the garden centre…