Features

The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken the world of retail to its core, transforming consumer attitudes. While social distancing, hand sanitisation and  face coverings have rapidly become the norm, one factor that was shaping consumer demand long before the pandemic continues to gain momentum: environmentally responsible shopping.   Lockdown revealed how quickly the planet can begin to recover from human activity, and that’s set to have a significant impact on consumers’ buying decisions as society attempts to emerge into the much talked about ‘new normal’. Shoppers were increasingly eco-savvy pre-…

Hartman launch its new virtual 3D showroom experience, enabling all clients to view its 2021 collection during these uncertain times.   The unpredictability of this season has resulted in all companies adapting to new strategies in order to reach out to customers. With the unfortunate news of Solex being cancelled this year, Hartman wanted to give centres the opportunity to view the range, even if the nation was still in restrictive lockdown measures.   The virtual technology enables customers to navigate around the showroom, using similar functionality to that of Google Maps. Clients can…

The nation has turned to indoor gardening in recent months, with houseplant sales rising by a third and searches for ‘houseplants for sale UK’ increasing by a huge 240% since lockdown was announced in March. In light of the nation’s new love affair with indoor greenery, Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at FurnitureChoice.co.uk, shares her top tips for introducing and caring for houseplants in your home.  Houseplants are a modern-day interior staple, and as Rebecca continues: “They can easily transform your space and bring a tropical style and summertime feel into your home. Not only…

The restrictions may be lifting, but the reality is that many of us will still be working from home throughout the summer. This week, with temperatures set to hit 30 degrees, Mojo Mortgages, has provided some tips on how to create garden offices to ensure you are getting outdoors and making the most of the glorious weather. There’s no doubt that even though working from home has its benefits, some people are feeling stifled by the four walls of their home offices. Getting outside can massively boost your health and incorporating elements of nature into your workday can also give your brain…

Johnsons Lawn Seed, the UK’s oldest lawn seed brand, is reporting healthy sales of two of its most iconic consumer brands, despite the nationwide lockdown that gripped the garden trade during peak season. Sales of the company’s leading Tuffgrass and Quick Lawn brands have witnessed a year-to-date increase of 35% and 30% respectively, with performance driven by innovation which saw both lines refreshed for 2020 to incorporate the latest seed technology. Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Guy Jenkins said: “Performance of the Tuffgrass and Quick Lawn brands has been outstanding, despite the unprecedented…

At a time of huge uncertainly for many businesses, one entrepreneur , Ex Scruffs Marketing Head, is launching a new enterprise aimed squarely at supporting small businesses.   True Blue Marketing™ is the brainchild of Chris Mellor-Dolman and aims to help businesses as they emerge in the new landscape post Covid-19.   Marketer Chris has a track record spanning 20 years with award-winning construction trade brands including Scruffs, Van Vault and Defender.  He was made redundant prior to the pandemic and has spent the past few months planning the launch of his marketing service.    According to…

The best and worst garden trends of all time have been revealed by leading tool firm Draper Tools - with bird feeders and vegetable patches among the good, and gnomes and fake grass among the bad. The study of 2,000 UK adults with gardens also found that over a third of people say improving their garden is a priority right now, with almost 2 in 5 people planning to spend more on their garden this year than ever before. Best & worst trends Water features, summer houses and decking are viewed favourably among green-fingered Brits – as are herb gardens, living walls and outdoors kitchens.…

National Resource Consortium (NRC) completed a waste management service project for Frosts Garden Centres. The bespoke project has increased recycling by over 300% and generated a reduction in costs of circa 20% - enabling the four centre group to achieve Zero Waste to Landfill Status. Frosts Garden Centres is an award winning, family owned group of garden centres, which over the past 74 years has grown to be a highly respected brand with a loyal customer base, with sites at Woburn Sands, Brampton, Willington and Millets Farm in the South of England. The four garden centres create a large…

Kindwood – the UK’s first true sustainable firewood company – is reporting that since the beginning of lockdown, firewood sales have increased by more than 320% as UK consumers look to make the most of their time in their homes and gardens during this period of uncertainty – a significant opportunity for retailers who want to optimise this increasingly popular product category.   Kindwood’s founder, Taylor Gathercole, has attributed this increase in sales to the public’s need to create a sense of calm and comfort within their homes, especially during a time of significant turmoil. Taylor said…

Earlier last week, the UK government confirmed that it will step in to prop up the trade credit insurance market, bringing welcome relief to GIMA members and other suppliers within the garden retail sector. Trade credit insurance is a contract bought by suppliers to make sure they get paid even if their customers default and cannot pay the bills.  British garden retail suppliers will now be able to access vital insurance more easily following this latest Government intervention during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The latest announcement confirmed that by the end of May, the government…

It’s hard to think of a way that will truly demonstrate our gratitude for all the keyworkers that are holding this country together during the Covid-19 lockdown. LifestyleGarden® - one of the UK’s leading outdoor furniture suppliers – knew they couldn’t sit back and do nothing which is why the company recently launched a special #FeetUpWithLifestyleGardengiveaway as a way of showing their thanks for these incredible human beings.   Running across the company’s social media platforms, the LifestyleGarden® team asked its followers to nominate the keyworkers in their life for the chance to win…

With the nations digging their fingers into their gardens, making sustainable choices that will benefit the planet has never been more important. With the strong relationship between nature and its positive effect on the human psyche, enjoying time in green space can really benefit us as people during this pandemic. The current restricted access to our wider environment has turned many towards cultivating their own garden, a fact  highlighted by the 30% increase in demand for Veolia’s peat free gardening products. This demand has been further heightened by the recognition of the impact of…

Historic Glasshouse and Greenhouse manufacturer Hartley Botanic is experiencing a renewed demand from homeowners in their beautiful, handmade Greenhouses during lockdown, as the benefit of being more self-sufficient and ‘growing your own’ is thrown sharply into focus. The Lancashire-based business, which has been operating since 1938, has experienced a c.35 percent increase in customers citing ‘growing their own’ as the primary reason they want to invest in a Glasshouse or Greenhouse since lockdown, with customers saying they ‘never want to be caught out like this again.’ To meet the growing…

Many retail stores may be beginning to consider how they will tackle reopening once the government enforced lockdown is eased. But knowing where to start, and ensuring compliance, is causing confusion and stress for many. Help is at hand however, with the launch of the new Cleaner Retail online store; a store designed to cut through the noise and provide retailers with everything they need to create a sanitised retail environment that will enable them to reopen and stay open, whilst also protecting staff and customers as we navigate a new ‘normal’.  The importance of signage The government…

With the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic expected to change the way we shop for the long-term, Ivyline – more popularly known for its range of trend-led indoor plant pots – has launched Cleaner Retail with one mission in mind: to help retailers re-open, remain compliant in regards to hygiene and social distancing, and ultimately, stay open with a cleaner and more efficient retail environment to meet the demands of the post-lockdown world.   From sanitisation and hand washing stations, social distance signage and clothing, to PPE kit and equipment and screening, Cleaner Retail is a ‘one stop…

WYEVALE Nurseries’ new cold store facilities have allowed the company to extend its bare root hedging and forestry transplant supply season to assist customers seeking supplies.    Its recently doubled cold storage capacity means that although the final date for lifting bare root hedging and forestry transplants was March 31 the stock will be prime for despatch throughout April into mid-May.   Carol Dickinson, Head of Business Support at Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford, which celebrates its 90th Anniversary this year, said: “We now have 3,000 cubic metres of cold store space to help extend our…