The final touches are being put to the preparations for the first-ever Glee at Spring Fair 2018 and all the signs are pointing towards a fantastic addition to the garden centre calendar of events.

Matthew Mein, Glee's Event Director, reveals why retailers should make sure they attend what promises to be an amazing show...

Why has Glee added an additional show at Spring Fair?

Glee at Spring Fair has been introduced for a simple reason – Spring Fair is the UK’s No.1 Home and Gift Fair, so the audience is already there, ready and willing to do business. Garden centres are already attending Spring Fair, with owner/operators and gift buyers out in force. Glee’s aim is to encourage other category buyers from across the gardening spectrum to maximise their attendance at Spring Fair.

Taking place from 4th-8th February, Glee at Spring Fair will give retailers the opportunity to see new and best-selling ranges ahead of the spring season. A second edition at this time of year will give retailers an additional destination to refresh their ranges for key retail spikes and also provide garden buyers with the latest concepts and trends for 2018, helping them to direct their buying. 

What shape will it take? What content will it have?

Glee’s concession will be located within Spring Fair’s Hall 3, located alongside popular product sectors such as Christmas Gifts, Floral and Seasonal Decorations (Hall 2), and Greetings & Gifts (Hall 3). It will be a concession that will deliver a selection of some of the best products from some of Glee’s core product sectors, retaining Glee’s signature boulevard aisle, highly-recognisable branding and with core gardening at its heart.

There will also be a Glee Café, which will act as a hub for Glee’s supporting trade associations – The HTA, GIMA and Gardenex. Offering a wealth of knowledge and benefits, the presence of these trade associations will be a well-attended part of Glee at Spring Fair. GIMA will be bringing its popular Buyer Connect event, helping those exhibiting to maximise their exposure to key garden retail buyers through special speed networking sessions. International buyers will also be able to meet with enthusiastic suppliers within Gardenex’s own International Buyer Event. With 121 networking meetings set to take place within these two events throughout the exhibition, the possibility for growth from both a supplier and retailer perspective is almost unmatched.

The New Product Showcase – a popular part of the annual Glee September show -  will also make its home within the Glee Café. This dedicated area will bring together the most exciting new products from Glee at Spring Fair exhibitors.

It has also been confirmed that on Tuesday 6^th February, GTN’s Greatest Awards Breakfast will be making its debut. This event will see all the winners of the 2017 Greatest Awards – put together by the team at Garden Trade News - come together for a special networking opportunity.

Who can exhibit?

We’ll be welcoming exhibitors from across the gardening spectrum who will showcase products that range from garden decorations, ornaments, statuary and water features, to garden structures and outdoor entertaining. Garden care, where fashion and impulse-buy potential is at its highest, will also be a key feature.

To date, we have already secured a number of key brands to exhibit at the inaugural event. Amongst the names confirmed are: Pouf Daddy, Durston Garden Products, Charles Taylor Trading, Design Toscano, Neat Ideas, Darlac Tools, Harrod Horticulture, Apac Packaging, Laurica Plants and VegTrug.

How will Glee at Spring Fair affect the main show in September?

Glee at Spring Fair will mark an additional opportunity within the buying year. The hope is that buyers that visit Glee at Spring Fair will also earmark the September show as a must-attend event to see what the exhibition has to offer on a much grander scale.

What has the response been to the recent introduction?

The response to Glee at Spring Fair 2018 has been incredibly positive. Garden centre retailers have been telling the Glee team that with shorter ordering patterns the introduction of Glee in February will be a welcome addition to the buying cycle. The second Glee show will provide an opportunity for retailers to revisit their ranges and see what else is new. Taking place at the start of the season, the concession show will enable retailers to fill last minute product gaps, ensuring a full provision for the key sales period ahead.

Who should visit?

Any retailer who wants to maximise sales of garden products in the year ahead – especially those with a strong design focus – will not want to miss out on visiting Glee at Spring Fair.

How much will it cost, and how can interested parties find out more?

Pricing depends on the size of exhibition space. The Glee team would be happy to discuss individual requirements. Booking space couldn’t be easier - simply contact the Glee team by calling 020 033 2160.

Where do I go to find out more?

Visit www.gleebirmingham.com for all the latest developments regarding the main September show as well as Glee at Spring Fair 2018 or just use this link to register for Spring Fair 2018.

The garden retail industry has been quick to show its support of this new chapter for Glee.

Leading trade associations, GIMA, The HTA and Gardenex have all confirmed they will be supporting Glee at Spring Fair, with all maintaining a presence at the event in February. GIMA has also confirmed it will also be bringing its popular Buyer Connect event, helping those exhibiting to maximise their exposure to key garden retail buyers through special speed networking sessions. International buyers will also be able to meet with enthusiastic suppliers within Gardenex’s own International Buyer Event, also confirmed for Glee at Spring Fair.

GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall, said: “Glee’s proposition has continued to change, each time offering the garden retail industry even more value. The new Spring Fair concession is a great strategic move, helping to extend the retailer buying season, whilst also giving retailers a second chance to see new and best-selling ranges ahead of the spring season. GIMA is pleased to confirm its support, and look forward to being part of the show early next year.”

In addition to association support, Glee at Spring Fair has also secured a number of key brands to exhibit at the inaugural event. Amongst the names confirmed are Pouf Daddy, Durston Garden Products, Charles Taylor Trading, Design Toscano, Neat Ideas, Darlac Tools, Harrod Horticulture, Apac Packaging, Laurica Plants and Vegtrug.

Finally, it has also been confirmed that Glee’s popular New Product Showcase, in association with Garden Trade News, will also be present at Glee’s Spring Fair concession event.

Glee Event Director, Matthew Mein, said: “I’d like to extend my thanks to all of those who have confirmed their support of Glee’s concession show at Spring Fair. Retailing is a constantly evolving business, and we appreciate that the buying cycle for gardening, outdoor living gifts, and design-led products stretches across the whole year, with spring remaining a key focus for many. With this in mind we have launched Glee at Spring Fair as a secondary opportunity for retailers to source products in the first quarter of the year, whilst also increasing Glee’s visibility to those buyers that don’t normally attend the September show.”

Glee at Spring Fair – endless benefits for both retailers & suppliers

Glee at Spring Fair will give retailers the opportunity to see new and best-selling ranges ahead of the spring season, A second addition at this time of year will give retailers an additional destination to refresh their ranges for key retail spikes, whilst also providing a showcase of the latest trends and concepts, helping retailers better direct their buying. Categories that retailers can look forward to sourcing will include garden care, landscaping and garden decoration, and outdoor entertaining.

It's not just retailers that will benefit, a presence at Glee’s Spring Fair concession will also provide exhibitors with a secondary revenue opportunity in the year, Glee at Spring Fair will take prime location in Hall 3, considered to be in the main thoroughfare, and will have the signature wide boulevard synonymous with the September layout. Utilising a ‘shop in a shop’ concept, Glee has confirmed that the show’s recognisable branding will be present, helping to recreate the buzzing environment that is the hallmark of the September show.

Garden, outdoor living and design-led product suppliers are invited to contact the Glee sales team to find out more about how they can maximise this exciting new development.

Register for Spring Fair using this link.

Entries are being submitted by exhibitors for the Glee New Product Award, in association with Garden Trade News, that will be judged in Glee at Spring Fair on Sunday morning, 4th February 2018.

The winner will be announced at lunchtime on Sunday 4th February in the Glee at Spring Fair Cafe.  Register for Spring Fair here.

Glee at Spring Fair exhibitors who have yet to make their entries should contact: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Just in case you missed it last September, the winners from Glee New Product Awards, in association with Garden Trade News, for 2017 were:

Retail Services and Experiences
Winner: Mud Daddy – Mud Daddu 20A37

Finalists: Masterlock Sales UK Ltd – Select Access Smart Key Lock Box 20U42; SmartPlant App – SmartPlant Software 20A29.

Outdoor Entertaining
Winner: The Fire Pod – The Fire Pod – 17V51
Finalists: Delivita – Delivita Wood Fired Oven – 17Y02;Jagram SA – Genoa Stand with Gaya Basket – 20Q20.

Garden Decoration
Winner: The Solar Centre – Trueflame – 20S44

Finalist: Creative Products Ltd – Star Magic Motion – 18N30-P31; Neat Ideas Ltd – Friendly Froggies – 17R02.

Home, Gift and Clothing
Winner: Gold Leaf – The RHS Collection – 18K01

Finalists: Coffee Logs – Coffee Log – 20A31; Burgon & Ball – Enamelwares “Hang it” Pegboard – 19C26-E27.

Wildlife and Pets
Winner: Wildlife World – Dewdrop Wildbird Window Feeder – 18M50

Finalists: Blumen International Ltd – Blumen Natural Health Pet Seed – 18N10-P11; CarPET Hair Remover – Car PET Hair Remover, Box of 10 – 17P66.

Garden Care - Growing Accessories
Winner: Elho – Green Basics Grow House Flowerbridge – 19G10

Finalists Burgon & Ball – “Dotty” Kneelo Childrens Garden Kneeler – 19C26-E27; Garland – Self Watering Grow Pot Tower, Green -18H10-11.

Garden Care – Chemicals, Fertilisers and Growing Media
Winner:  Neudorff – Nematode range (all three) – 20R20-S21

Finalists: The Scotts Company – Evergreen Premium plus No Rake Moss Remover Lawn Food – 18M20-P21; Westland – Big Tom Tomato Feed and Westland Orchid Water – 19G20-H21.

Plants, seeds and bulbs
Winner: Wyevale Nurseries – Senecio Angel Wings – NB21

Finalists: Hawksmill Nurseries – Salvia Pink Lips – NB18; Taylors Bulbs – Perfect for Pots Bulb Collections – 19G02.

Tools & Machinery
Winner: Burgon & Ball – Wonderweed Puller – 19C26-E27

Winner: Crest Garden – Kent & Stowe Stainless Steel Lawn Aerator 4 Prong – 19G21; Gardena – Gardena Combisystem – 19C30-F31.

Landscaping
Winner: I-glo – I-glo Decking Disc – 20A49

Finalists: Panacea Products – Rosette Fence and Collection – 19F60; Screen with Envy – Mouchrabiya Garden Screen – 20A27.



Best of British
Winner: I-glo – I-glo Decking Disc – 20A49

Best @ Glee
Winner: I-glo – I-glo Decking Disc – 20A49

Consumers' Choice (sponsored by Modern Garden magazine)
Winner: Elho – Green Basics Grow House Flowerbridge – 19G10

Interview with Phil Aston, The Garden Furniture Centre Ltd

Why have you chosen to exhibit at Glee’s Spring Fair concession event?

We have chosen to exhibit at Glee at Spring Fair as we are keen to grow our trade base, and believe that exhibiting at the concession show will help us to forge new relationships with relevant buyers from across the garden and gifting sectors.

What products/ ranges will you showcasing?

We will be bringing with us to Glee at Spring Fair two product groups, both of which are entirely unique to The Garden Furniture Centre.

The first is the Fiji Big Core Rattan collection.  Featuring a hand-woven weave using 12, 14 and 16mm rattan strands, the overall effect is incredibly realistic. The collection also features sumptuous Olefin cushions, sturdy frames and resin finished teak feet throughout, together creating a quality collection that will be the envy of your friends and family.

The second collection is Midnight Montana. Using the same synthetic water hyacinth weave as our popular Montana range, this new collection features midnight black rattan, paired with cream, red and blue Olefin cushions. Look out for curved lines, plentiful proportions and deep seating, making for the most comfortable lounging experience.

Why should retailers visit your stand?

We pride ourselves on offering a unique range of furniture and accessories, all within a relaxed atmosphere and with no pushy sales people! We’ll also be showcasing ranges unavailable anywhere else, so the perfect place to source unique and beautiful garden furniture.

What are your plans for the rest of 2018?

We have a busy year ahead of us, with an aggressive expansion plan underpinning much of our activity. Look out for our trade arm, as they exhibit all over the world including Singapore and Dubai.  

What trends are you most excited about in the coming seasons?

Each year, we are seeing the boundaries of design pushed further and further as a response to retailers and manufacturers wanting to try and get ahead of their competitors. It’s exciting to be part of such a bustling market.  

The votes are being counted and the judges meeting to decide who will be the winners in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards, sponsored by Gardman, ready for the announcement and presentation of awards at a special Greatest Awards Winners Breakfast Reception on Tuesday 6th February in Hall 3 as part of Glee at Spring Fair.

All of the nominated Christmas Teams and all of the winning teams from The Greatest Awards during 2017 are invited to join us at the Glee at Spring Fair Cafe in Hall 3 at 9:00am for a breakfast reception and the presentation of GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards, sponsored by Gardman, for 2017.

In a special issue of GTN Xtra we've included as many of the photo tours from the judges visits during the Christmas period as we can.  There will be more published later this month.  We hope they give you plenty of ideas and inspiration as you start to plan and buy your Christmas for 2018.

Ho, ho, ho!  See you on Tuesday 6th February in Glee at Spring Fair.  Register using this link.

Click here to read a special Greatest Christmas Awards Special edition of GTN Xtra, sponsored by Gardman

Whether preparing a garden of foliage and flora, or executing a well organised allotment to feed a growing family this season; consumers look to you the retailer to offer them an extensive range of products which will meet their every need.

With that in mind, UK based, Durston Garden Products Ltd is pleased to welcome all new and existing clients to its Stand G41 in Hall 3 where it will be showcasing its entire range of growing media products

For further information, or to book a visit in advance: call Durston Garden Products: 01458 442688

Why have you chosen to exhibit at Glee’s Spring Fair concession event?

We have decided to book a place at Glee’s Spring Fair concession show because the show is set to deliver a pool of visitors from across the garden and interior section, including key buyers that we are keen to showcase our products to.

Do you exhibit at the main September exhibition?

Yes. We made our debut at the 2017 show, and were impressed with the quality of the audience the show delivered. We hope to replicate this success as the Spring Fair event.

What products/ ranges will you showcasing?

We’ll be showcasing our wide range of traditional clay flowerpots and vases, including both indoor and outdoor designs. We are a family run business, and we pride ourselves on providing beautiful, handmade designs including our ever-popular Copenhagen Pot, as well as our wider Tuscan collections.

We’ll also be using Glee at Spring Fair to showcase our new glazed pots. We’ve gone back in time to recreate the old-fashioned glaze, providing stunning pots with deep and intense colour.

Why should retailers visit your stand?

Quite simply – we have a unique range of products that have not only been handmade but also handpicked for their beautiful and traditional designs. We’ve been sourcing pots from Tuscany since 1942, and we believe that this heritage, and our family roots, help to create a product offering unlike anything else on the market

What are your plans for the rest of 2018?

2018 will be a year where we continue to develop our product range, with a particular emphasis on expansion into the interior sector.

What trends are you most excited about in the coming seasons?

An expansion of colour will be a key trend in the coming season, with vibrant, pastel and classic colours all sitting side by side.  Within plants, we expect to see an increase in the number of edible plants becoming popular, echoing the trend for that will see the indoor become outdoor, an vice versa – look out for indoor gardens, and home interior trends spilling out into the garden space. 

To find out more about Berg Potter please visit www.bergspotter.com or visit them at Glee’s Spring Fair concession event.

Mark Hall, MD, Creative Products, reveals why his company is exhibiting...

Why have you chosen to exhibit at Glee’s Spring Fair concession event?

Glee is the UK’s top garden trade show and as regular exhibitors, we are excited to be showcasing some of our new products at the first ever Glee at Spring Fair concession.

Our main customer base is made up of garden centres so the show will provide a great opportunity for us to catch up with them. Along with our second stand within Spring Fair itself, we are hoping to be able to engage with as many visitors as possible.

What products/ ranges will you showcasing?

We have a number of new items that will be revealed for the first time at the show that we are very excited about.

Why should retailers visit your stand?

Not only will retailers visiting our stand be able to check out our selection of new products for 2018 as well as our impressive new branding, we will also be demonstrating how our unique merchandising and no risk retail solutions with dedicated in-store customer support provide garden retailers with a fantastic opportunity to boost sales.

What are your plans for the rest of 2018?

2018 will see Creative Products continue to keep sourcing innovative, useful products for the garden and home, and showcase ways to bring them to life with our in-store media promotions.

What trends are you most excited about in the coming seasons?

With Mintel predicting that consumer spending on garden products is set to continue to grow and the continuing trend for outdoor living, we are excited to see how some of our garden products and outdoor cooking solutions perform. Not only that, with our increasingly busy lifestyles, sales of products that make everyday tasks such as cooking and cleaning that little bit easier show no sign of slowing.

The team at Hygeia Garden is delighted to present their range of garden care products at Spring Fair 2018.

As experts in the industry with almost 80 years’ experience of R&D and innovation, they look forward to launching our lawn care products in the UK.

These products include current market leaders in Ireland as well as exciting new developments for 2018.

"GreenForce Feed Weed & Mosskiller is our bestseller – it covers up to twice the area of the competitor product, offering fantastic value to the consumer and a new and exciting option to the retailer.

"Multi award winning GreenForce Lawn Gold is an organic based lawn fertiliser that is pet safe, child safe, and won’t turn moss black – that means no raking out!

"Come and see us at stand 3E15 to find out more. We look forward to doing business with you in 2018 and beyond."

with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox.  The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.

Subscribe for free using this link: http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/gtnxtra/7rulj2yio7x?a=6&p=49514304&t=20355005

The team from GTN are proud to be the official media partners for Glee at Spring Fair producing seven issue of Glee Daily News.

From now until the end of February the Glee Daily News, in its unique e-mail format, will keep visitors up to date with what they can see at the show and gives exhibitors the most up to date e-mail vehicle for ensuring buyers know about their new products and other Glee at Spring Fair activities.

Here's the schedule for the Glee Daily News at Spring Fair 2018:

• • • Launch issue - 17th January
    • Show Preview  - 29th January
    • Build up preview - Live from the Show - 3rd February 
    • Live from the Show Day 1 - 4th February
    • Live from the Show Day 2  - 5th February
    • Live from the Show Day3   - 6th February
    • Omnibus Issue                 - 22nd February

To make sure you get your own copy of Glee Daily News sign up here

For advertorial and advertisng opportunties please contact Ben Greenwood, Alan Burdon or Mandy Davies at Potting Shed Press Ltd, 01733 775700, owners and publishers of Garden Trade News, Garden Radio and The Greatest Awards.

What a week that was! The dog n' bone to GTN's Newshound was red hot from Thursday lunchtime and after long hours spent sniffing out which of the many rumours was actually correct our trusty Newshound is now resting in his kennel preparing for another potentially busy week following up all of the sub plots that last weeks news has created.

The garden industry has certainly started the New Year with a frenzy of activity as major changes take place at retail giants Wyevale Garden Centres and Dobbies, plus news that award-winning Burgon & Ball has been bought by a Canadian company.

Rumours and counter-rumours were rife throughout the week, especially concerning the two major retail groups. Eventually, both Wyevale and Dobbies confirmed that they were undergoing a re-structure at their head offices.

In case you missed our coverage of these major events we have re-printed the stories in this issue of GTN Xtra, see the links below.

In the meantime, GTN's Newshound asked us to thank all the readers who called in with information, your input to GTN Xtra is greatly appreciated.

What do you think will happen next at Wyevale and Dobbies?  Please use the comments link below or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk 

Rumours circulating in the garden industry today that Nicholas Marshall had left his job as CEO of Dobbies have proved be unfounded although two of his senior team – Lorrie Robertson and Andrew West – have left the company. Commuting to Edinburgh has been given as the reason for their decision to leave.

In a statement issued late Friday afternoon, the company said:

"Dobbies today announced a re-shuffle in some of its senior leadership positions. Graeme Jenkins is to become Chief Operating Officer, in addition to his present role as Chief Financial Officer. Graeme replaces Lorrie Robertson, who has left the Company.

"Marcus Eyles, currently head of online and horticulture, will take the role of Purchasing Director, replacing Andrew West, who has also left the Company for personal travel-related reasons.

"Dobbies congratulated Graeme and Marcus on their new roles.

"Nicholas Marshall, who was appointed CEO at the 35-centre chain, remains Chief Executive."

Nicholas Marshall took over at the top of Dobbies in March last year and within months of his arrival he had put together a team full of former colleagues.

In an interview with GTN last November Marshall said: “The theme here before I arrived was a pound shop. Actually it was worse than that – they had some things that cynical retailers would sell. In the DIY industry they go to China, they buy cheap products, bring it over here, put it at a price which is ridiculous and then they half-price it and people say what a good bargain, and it isn’t. Do we like garish, no.”

Read the full interview with Nicholas Marshall at: https://issuu.com/gardentradenews/docs/gtn_nov_2017

See GTN's photo tour of Christmas at Dobbies Mellville in GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards, sponsored by Gardman, in the Image gallery below.

Wyevale Garden Centres have revealed that challenging trading conditions have forced them to review their structure at head office with the risk of job losses.

GTN Xtra contacted the garden centre group after being tipped off that at least 40 jobs were are risk.

A Wyevale Garden Centre spokesperson said: “We have recently reviewed our head office structure to ensure it is appropriate for the long term and continues to support our business plans.  

“The challenging trading conditions make it even more important that we are focused on the right areas to deliver for our customers.

“Following the review, we have informed colleagues that we are making changes to the CSC structure. As a result, some colleagues will be redeployed into new roles and we also expect there to be a reduction in headcount.

“We are in consultation at present with those colleagues who are impacted and our focus is on ensuring they remain well supported during this process.”

Since receiving the statement from Wyevale Garden Centres, GTN Xtra has learned that up to 48 jobs are likely to be lost.  Within Wyevale Garden Centres the CSC Structure relates to all head office roles.  Some speculation received by GTN's Newshound wonders wether the losses are as a result of the implementation of a new computer system, as reported by GTN Xtra in October last year.

Venanpri Tools, the Hand Tools division of Venanpri Group and owner of the Bellota and Corona brands, announced yesterday (Thursday) it has acquired Burgon & Ball Limited. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Sheffield, England – where it can trace its roots back to 1730 – and supported by a sales and marketing office in Poole, Dorset, Burgon & Ball’s products are primarily sold through garden centres and other fine retailers in the U.K., Europe and other countries around the world.

“Burgon & Ball has a remarkable legacy and has built an impressive reputation based on its high-quality products and customer service, which has led to strong growth and established the company as a market-leader in many of its segments,” said Cristobal Valdes, President of Venanpri Tools.

“We’re very excited to partner with the Burgon & Ball team to grow the company both domestically and internationally in the years to come.”

Heather Culpan, Managing Director of Burgon & Ball added, “The success of Burgon & Ball has been built on its commitment to the creation of design and function-led products with enhanced customer appeal and drawing on its Sheffield heritage.

“I am confident that the company will continue to progress through seizing new product and investment opportunities and synergy with the Corona and Bellota businesses.”

Venanpri Group is a global organization with two divisions (Tools and AgriSolutions) and more than 1,400 employees.

Venanpri Tools produces and distributes thousands of manual hand tool products, including pruning tools, shovels, masonry trowels, machetes, files and hoes (among many others) for professional and consumer use in the agricultural, gardening, construction, and industrial segments.

Venanpri Tools sells its products under the well-recognized brands of Bellota and Corona. Venanpri Tools sells in more than 80 countries and has manufacturing and distribution facilities in the U.S.A., Spain, Mexico, and Colombia; sales offices in more than 20 countries.

Venanpri AgriSolutions is the global market leader in the manufacturing of consumable wear components (including discs, coulters, sweeps, openers, tines, springs and blades) that are embedded into soil preparation and seeding implements such as plows, disc harrows, sugar cane harvesters, and planting/seeding machines.

AgriSolutions’ products are high precision wear components, selling under widely recognized brands including Ingersoll, Bellota, Solbjerg and Rozalma as well as the brands of its OEM customers for both new equipment and the aftermarket.

For more information on Burgon & Ball, visit its website at www.burgonandball.com.

Since the initial announcement of the change of ownership GTN now understands that Heather Culpan will continue to be involved in the business in a role yet to be determined.

Squire’s Garden Centres have announced the winners of their annual garden centre awards. With 15 centres across the South East competition was tough, but Squire’s in Long Ditton came out top and won the double – best Garden Centre and best Café Bar of the year!

They also won top awards for their Christmas Department and Pets & Aquatics Department.

The awards were voted for by the senior management team at Squire’s, and are based on results as well as customer feedback. Anne Deadman, Manager at Squire’s in Long Ditton, received the trophies from Chairman Colin Squire and Deputy Chairman Sarah Squire.

Other notable winners included Theresa Scattergood at Squire’s in Washington, and Emma Large at Squire’s in Badshot Lea, who both won Customer Service Awards for their work in the Garden Centre and Café Bar respectively.

Deputy Chairman Sarah Squire said, “These awards recognise the great effort and achievement made by our garden centres, and by individual employees, throughout the year. A big well done and thank you to everyone for their hard work which is much appreciated.”

This week's GTN Bestsellers focussed on Christmas 2017, which many garden centres described as “Challenging.”  Indeed overall trading was down on all of the previous three years in the run up to Christmas, as our All Product index graph below shows. 

Some ground was made up with Week 51 being a full week, but not enough to make up the lost ground.

However the sales volumes of the Top 100 Bestselling Christmas product told a different story, up by 22% on last year.  Our graph of the weekly GTN Top 50 Christmas products shows the increase in these bestselling line sales ran right through the season.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Each year we endeavour to be better, eat better and exercise better. Make this the year you succeed by signing up to one of the Garden Re-Leaf challenges to raise money for Greenfingers Charity.

Shed those festive pounds by signing up for the Garden Re-Leaf Day Walk which will take place on Friday 16th March starting from Wyevale’s World’s End Garden Centre, Buckinghamshire. You can either take a gentle 10-mile stroll, or complete a more challenging 20-mile route through the Chilterns which is the ideal way to get in shape following the Christmas break.

The popular Plantathon will return with Greenfingers calling for garden retailers across the country to pot up as many plants as possible.  This year the time frame to plant as many pots as possible will be 12 hours and promises to be a popular event.

Where does the Garden Re-Leaf money go?

In July 2011, Hillview Garden Store CEO, Boyd Douglas-Davies announced the inaugural Garden Re-Leaf Day at the Garden Retail Awards in London.  Now in its seventh year, Garden Re-Leaf Day is the biggest charity fundraiser in the garden industry’s calendar and has raised over £500,000.

Positioned as the garden industry’s answer to Comic Relief and Sports Relief, the aim of Garden Re-Leaf Day was to celebrate the start of the garden year with fundraising events to raise money for Greenfingers, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of children in hospices through the creation of magical gardens.

For the garden industry, the day creates valuable team building opportunities and brings more shoppers into garden centres earlier to extend the peak Spring season. Garden centre managers, staff and other industry professionals tirelessly set up fun and exciting ways to not only raise money for Greenfingers, but also to promote gardening as an enjoyable pastime.

But where do these vital funds go?  Most will already be aware that the money raised is used to build Greenfingers hospice gardens which enable children and their families to enjoy special time together outside enjoying the therapeutic benefits of nature, and away from the bedside. 

Greenfingers work exclusively with each hospice to come up with a unique design that suits the needs of the children and families they care for.  Each garden is created with top industry designers and landscapers, as well as help from the local community, volunteers and gardening clubs.

In total, 53 Greenfingers gardens have been built since the charity’s creation in 1998 with many being funded by monies from Garden Re-Leaf Day.  The inaugural Garden Re-Leaf Day in 2012 raised more than £55,000 for Greenfingers, helping a specially designed, family garden to be built at both Robin House Children’s Hospice in West Dunbartonshire, and Donna Louise Children’s Hospice in Stoke-on-Trent.  In 2017, two new gardens were opened – the new Kaleidoscope Garden at Helen & Douglas House in Oxford, which features a colourful and protected garden pavilion that is being enjoyed by patients, their families and hard-working hospice staff.

The Courtyard Garden at Keech Hospice Care in Luton was officially opened by garden designer and Greenfingers Ambassador Adam Frost and featured a multi-coloured soft, but durable, flooring in swirling shapes and will be well used by families who are now able to enjoy mealtimes and activities outside in this new bright and sheltered courtyard.

The most recent Greenfingers garden was started in October by landscaper and designer Jody Lidgard of Bespoke Outdoor Spaces. The pirate themed garden is being built at St Andrew’s Hospice in Grimsby, which provides palliative care for children and young adults suffering from progressive life-limiting illnesses. 

More gardens are in the pipeline to be built in 2018 but this is where Garden Re-Leaf Day comes into its own, raising much needed funds.  The garden industry will be exploding with colour with plenty of FUNdraising activities throughout the day. 

Boyd Douglas Davies said: “Garden Re-Leaf Day has resulted in life-limited children and families who spend time in hospices every single year being able to enjoy precious time together in a Greenfingers garden.  It’s really easy to take part, you can sign up and participate in one of this year's organised initiatives such as the Garden Re-Leaf Walk or Plantathon.  Why not organise your own event, and register it so that it can be included in all the media briefings that raise awareness of the cause?”

You can sign up to take part in Garden Re-Leaf Day events or register your own by visiting the Greenfingers Charity website www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/gardenreleaf

If you want to find out more about how to get involved in Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day 2018, whether by putting on events in your garden centre, through sponsored solo activities or simply by donating - contact the Greenfingers office on 01494 674749 or email Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk.

After the hugely successful launch of Block Blitz, the UK's first block paving specific cleaning product, the Block Blitz brand has launched Block Blitz Gravel Treatment – another UK first.

Manufactured and developed in the UK, Block Blitz treatments are unique biodegradable mineral and plant based barrier detergents, which have been designed to clean and protect paving without any physical or mechanical means.

Block Blitz paving treatments are 100% nonabrasive, contain no bleach, acids or biocides, are biodegradable and have a minimal environmental impact.

Visit Block Blitz at Spring Fair on Stand 10B21, the DIY hall.

www.blockblitz.co.uk

Traditional Garden Games are in the business of creating fun and happy memories!

While the classic games continue to be family favourites, for 2018 the company is excited to launch 10 NEW games. 

"Hook a winner with ‘Big Fish, Little Fish’ or together, pull your opponents over the winning line with ‘Tug of War’, we know our trend inspired and perfectly price pointed collection will appeal to all ages.

"We’re also buzzing about the new SEMBRA ‘sow and grow kits’ which will be an exciting retail offering for budding hobby gardeners of all ages."

Visit Traditional Garden Games at Spring Fair 2018 in Hall 5, Stand 5G77.