Outdoor living sales soar in March

Our Barometer of Trade (BoT) results for March (2014) revealed people were improving their outdoor living spaces.

The results released on April 17, which are the only official figures to be given by us for March trading, revealed barbecue and furniture sales were up 102.28% compared to March 2013. 

HTA Plant of the month – Rhododendron

Spring has well and truly arrived and gardens all around the country are shaking off the last bits of winter and coming to life. Vibrant flowering shrubs and plants are beginning to bloom including the mighty Rhododendron.

Our friends at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) have chosen the Rhododendron as their plant of the month for April.

Its name derives from the ancient Greek meaning ‘rose tree’. It prefers acidic soil and sheltered conditions and grows best in areas with high rainfall, which is handy, ironically.

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.”

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.