Five more members sign up in June

We are pleased to announce that last month (June, 2014) we signed up some new garden centre members.

Approved as new full members at our recent Executive Committee meeting, following successful inspections, were Thetford Garden Centre, Pacific Nurseries and Thirsk Garden Centre.

We also approved Millbrook, Staplehurst and Creative Gardens, Galgorm Castle, which are additional sites or ‘subsidiary’ members for existing GCA members.

Good weather helps ignite BBQ and other sales in May

The recent warm weather helped our members boost their sales of barbecues and garden furniture last month (May, 2014) according to our Barometer of Trade (BoT).

The results out on June 16, which are the only official May trading figures to be released to us, highlighted that furniture and barbecue sales were up 23.4% compared to the same month in 2013.

Will Armitage, our Chairman, explained: “Overall our member garden centres had a good May, busier than anticipated with the weather playing a vital part in their successes. All categories were up on the year to date, which is also very encouraging.

GCA announces regional award meetings

We will find out who has come out top in our annual inspections this year at various regional award meetings taking place this July (2014).

Garden centre members we’d really love you to attend the event taking place in your area and to bring as many of your team members along as possible.

Will Armitage, our Chairman, said: “The inspector will present the findings from the area, highlighting best practice and new ideas, as well as announcing all the category winners.”

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.

GCA centres report mixed results for end of May

Our members reported mixed results for the end of May with weather affecting sales during the second Bank Holiday of the month.

We asked members for feedback on the weekend’s trading (May 24-26) to see how one of the industry’s busiest weekends had gone.

Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, explained: “The feedback we have had from members has been that it was very hit and miss due to the cooler, rainy weather that was experienced on one day or another across the country for much of the weekend, especially in the North.”

The GCA garden centres that were contacted said generally Sunday and Monday were the better days despite the poor weather.

Rising stars reach round two

Young representatives of the horticultural industry are preparing to take part in the next round of the 2014 Rising Stars Programme next month (June, 2014).

The second of three masterclasses to be held throughout the year will take place at Westland Horticulture in Peterborough on Thursday, June 5.

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

“The second round will see all of the candidates put what they’ve learnt to the test. They will also receive more extensive coaching and mentoring on working in the horticultural industry and we’re hoping to arrange a trip to Van Hage Garden Centre in Peterborough on the day too.”

Members report a good start to May

Our members say May (2014) has started well with ‘no records being broken’ during the first Bank Holiday of the month but with business continuing at ‘good levels’.

We asked our members to give feedback from last weekend’s trading to see how the industry was fairing in its generally busiest month of the year.

Iain Wylie, our Chief Executive, explained: “The members who contacted us said ‘no records (were) broken but trade had continued at good levels’.