Our members see standards and profitability improve

We recently revealed there were record numbers of members receiving highly commended awards and awards of merit after our annual inspections and these have helped drive standards and profitability.

Sixty-three garden centres received a highly commended title and 150 received awards of merit.

We are absolutely thrilled to see a record number of our members receiving the ‘Highly Commended’ award as a result of their excellent performance in our annual inspections.

Our members tell us how beneficial the annual inspections are for them. As they don’t know when the inspections will be held it means they are always ‘on their toes’ in order to make sure everything is running to the highest level at all times. This ensures that customer service and retail standards are always of a high quality throughout the important spring trading period.

If garden centres are scoring 75% or above, as well as increased standards, members will also see increased turnover and profitability, which is a real benefit of being part of the GCA.

They can also benefit by using the awards for marketing their centres - in advertising, publicity, social media and on their websites - and this helps generate greater awareness and additional footfall.

In order to receive an award of merit a garden centre must reach 80% or above in any given category in the inspections.

It is great to see more of our members receiving these awards and this is a clear indication that GCA membership is helping centres to improve year-on-year. Being an award-winning garden centre offers assurance to existing customers and helps to attract new customers too.

Has your inspector called yet?

MEMBER garden centres who have not yet had their annual inspections will receive a visit soon (up to and including June 19, 2015).

Since March member garden centres have been assessed across all departments and awarded an overall score. Those who have not yet had their visits will do so very soon.

The inspectors are reporting back so far that they are delighted with what they are seeing and that standards are especially good this year, particularly at the top end.

We are urging all garden centres yet to be visited to be prepared for their inspection. Inspectors drop in unannounced and you can’t put them off and ask them to come back another day. Inspections cannot be delayed or deferred because of any ongoing display or building work – customers see this when they visit! Garden centres will not lose marks because of such activities provided they are carried out safely and disruption is minimised with the customer in mind.

We’re offering ‘how to achieve inspection excellence’ tips

OUR MEMBER garden centres are this month (February, 2015) being offered expert advice on ‘how to achieve inspection excellence’ through a series of regional presentations we’re running.

The events will take place in six area groups, Wales & West, South Thames, North Thames, Midlands, North West/North East and Scotland/Northern Ireland, from now (February 9) until the end of the month (February 26).

This is the very first time we have done these presentations and our aim is to help improve standards in GCA member centres while assisting members to achieve the highest possible score in their annual inspections.

Scotland and N.Ireland award winners unveiled

We revealed the winners of our Scotland and Northern Ireland regions at a presentation last night (Monday, September 22, 2014) at Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre in Dumfries.

Garden Wise Plant & Garden Centre was named Best Garden Centre and Simpsons Garden Centre Best Destination Garden Centre in Scotland. Creative Gardens Donaghadee scooped Best Garden Centre in Northern Ireland.

GCA inspector called yet? They are coming this week...

Calling all members: If you have not yet had your Garden Centre Association annual inspection then you will receive a visit this week (up to and including June 13, 2014).

Since March member garden centres have been assessed across all departments and awarded an overall score by an inspector. Those who have not yet had their impromptu visit will do so soon.

Iain Wylie, our Chief Executive, explained: “So far the inspectors are reporting back that they are pleased with what they are finding and that standards are particularly high this year, especially at the top end.

“We are urging all garden centres yet to be visited to be prepared for the inspections. Inspectors drop in unannounced and garden centres are not able to turn them away. Inspections cannot be delayed or deferred because of any ongoing development work – customers see this when they visit and so will the inspectors! The garden centres will not lose marks because of such works, provided they are carried out safely and disruption is minimised with the customer in mind.

Garden centres give GCA inspection feedback online

Our members can for the first time this year (2014) give feedback on their annual inspections online.

Will Armitage, Chairman of the GCA, said: “Garden centres are asked to give feedback at the end of their inspections and for the first time this year they will be able to do so via the web, making it both easier and quicker for them.”

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.