Rising Stars

The Rising Stars programme, sponsored by Westland Horticulture, has got off to a flying start as participants attended the first masterclass at Westland Horticulture’s merchandising lab in Peterborough recently.

The class was delivered by trainer, Ian Boardman, who gave advice and tips on merchandising, opportunities for business growth and managing the seasons to make maximum sales and profits.

Clothing sales fly off the rails in February

Garden centre customers were updating their wardrobes ready for spring according to our Barometer of Trade (BoT) results for February (2014).

The results, which are compiled using member garden centre sales figures and provide an up-to-date trading position statement, revealed clothing sales were up 11.7% as compared to February 2014.

New area chairmen announced

We have announced our new area chairmen who will represent member garden centres in each region. 

Under the chairmanship of Will Armitage the regions will look to help improve opportunities for members and help them to get more from the organisation.

Will Armitage, Chairman of the GCA, explained: “We’re delighted to have our area chairmen for 2014. Each one will take over the representation of the member garden centres in their area.

HTA Plant of the Month – Pansies

Our friends at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) have chosen their plant of the month – the Pansy.

Twelve different plants have been unveiled by the HTA for a special calendar, which will highlight plants that are widely available in garden centres and are looking their best on a month by month basis, and the pansy is this month’s pin-up.

Sign up for the International Garden Centre Conference

THERE’S still time to sign up for the International Garden Centre Conference taking place in Ireland this summer (August, 2014) says our representative Paul Cooling.

Paul, who officially started his GCA role on the International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) board in January, replacing Sue Allen, is urging us British garden centres to join the event.

The Chairman of Coolings Nurseries, who has been a long-time supporter of the IGCA, said: “I am really getting into my new role now, although it’s only been a few months, and there are interesting and inspiring times ahead. 

An inspector calls...

Our annual inspections are now underway (March 17 until June 13, 2014).

Each of our member garden centres will be assessed by an inspector across all departments and awarded an overall score.

Our Chairman, Will Armitage said: “The annual inspections take place from March 17 until June 13 and will begin with an assessment from an independent inspector.

“Once this is complete, the inspector will discuss his/her findings with the garden centre’s owners, managers and staff in a constructive feedback session. This allows the management team to make any changes necessary, based on the findings, straightaway.

Our Rising Stars start their ascent

TWENTY-EIGHT of the most aspiring young representatives of the horticultural industry are meeting this week (Wednesday, March 19, 2014) to kick off our 2014 Rising Stars Programme sponsored by Westland Horticulture.

The first of three masterclasses to be held throughout the year will take place at Westland Horticulture in Peterborough on Wednesday, March 19.

Our Chief Executive, Iain Wylie explained: “The first masterclass will include a session on merchandising, opportunities for business growth and managing the seasons to make maximum sales and profits.