GTN's Greatest Christmas Awards were revealed during a special breakfast event at Glee at Spring Fair today (Tuesday). Gold award winners included Brookside Kent, Ruxley Manor, The Old Railway Line, Kirktown, Silverbirch and Whitehall Lacock.

The awards, sponsored by Gardman, were presented to gold, silver and bronze winners by Kerry Freeman, head of brand for gardening at Gardman.

Awards organiser Trevor Pfeiffer said the standard of entries for the Greatest Christmas Awards keeps improving.

"The judging gets harder and harder," said Trevor. "The judges were looking for that extra special thing that sets a garden centre apart and they certainly found loads of examples during their visits.

"They were searching out that clever link sale that delivered extra customer satisfaction, a spark of a team member who made a real difference, and evidence of where teamwork really added value."

The full list of award winners are:

The Greatest Festive Plants Team

Gold: The Old Railway Line

Silver: Aylett Nurseries

Bronze:  Mains of Drum

The Greatest Festive Catering Team

Gold: Kirktown

Silver: Bents

Bronze: Woodlands GC, Ash, Kent

The Greatest Christmas Pets Team

Gold: The Old Railway Line

Silver: Planters Tamworth

Bronze: Frosts Woburn Sands

The Greatest Grotto Team

Gold: Brookside, Kent

Gold: Ruxley Manor

Silver: Pughs Radyr

Bronze: Millbrook Gravesend

The Greatest Christmas Display Team – Small Centres

Gold: Silverbirch

Silver:  Castle Gardens

Bronze: Fresh@Burcot

Bronze: Fron Goch

The Greatest Christmas Display Team – Large Centres

Gold: Whitehall Lacock

Silver: Scotsdales Cambridge

Bronze: Summerhill

The Greatest Garden Centre Team at Christmas 2017

Gold: Brookside, Kent

Silver: Summerhill

Bronze: Woodlands GC, Ash, Kent

No 1 in Wales: The Old Railway Line

No 1 in Scotland: Munro's

After three days of showcasing their new products in front of a wide-ranging audience at Glee at Spring Fair, exhibitors have been praising the 'new' addition to the garden industry calendar.

Here's a selection of comments from those companies exhibiting in Glee at Spring Fair.

“We’ve had a very positive response, we’ve had a few orders, few pro formas already.”

Debbie Garner-Jones - Kingdom Teak

“It’s been a good day today. We’re pretty happy, we’ve got a good position here. It works. The size of the stand is good for us – any bigger, visitors would get lost and the way we build them up should remind them of a shop – if we went much bigger they’re not going to be able to visualize the concept.”

Anders Jeppersen – Bergs Potter

“We’ve only been trading since September, so to win an award at our first show is a real surprise.  We knew the product was unique, we hoped the market would see what we saw – but until they come here and part with cold hard cash so that’s always a good sign.  One of the judges said to us that they had been looking at pot feet for 20 years, and hadn’t seen what we saw which was an opportunity to make something a bit more interesting, to make pots glow rather than just sit under the pot. We straddle the gift and garden sectors so for us to get the award is great and we’re delighted to be here.”

Tony and Andrea Barnett - Potty Feet

“We’ve been doing Glee for six years now, it’s quite a success for us, but we find Glee @ Spring Fair works particularly because of the timing – after the winter is the perfect time to buy our plants [Bay Trees].”

Elie Devisch - Laurica

 “We are from the Chinese mainland, we are a manufacturer looking to meet UK and European buyers.  We are testing the water with Glee @ Spring Fair and are now looking to come to the main Glee show as well.”

Jenny Wang - Putian Newpower.

“The audience at this show is totally different to the main Glee show.  A lot of smaller independents, gift shops - not so many garden centres - but we will see them at Glee anyway. First day was good for us.”

Richard Ball – Director, Charles Taylor Trading Limited

“We went to Glee in 2016, had a great reaction.  We decided to come to Glee @ Spring Fair because we wanted to reinforce our presence as a new supplier in the industry, to follow through on the interest from the main show and also to find some new business as well.  It was quite busy on Sunday, that was a good start and today has been steady too.  So we’ve been pretty pleased.”

Jon Couch, Director of Marketing – Harrod Horticulture

The doors open again at 9am tomorrow (Monday) and shut at 6pm. Make sure you visit...

You can still register at https://lp.events.ascential.com/spring-fair-registration.html?actioncode=PTRGLEEDAILYNEWS

See you here.

Kadai Living - an exclusive range of giftware products - made its debut on the Wilstone House & Gardens stand (H12-G13) at Spring Fair on stand in Hall 1.

The range, containing over a hundred items, included such products as pots, planters and coat hangers.

Kadai's sales manager John Hinde said: "Everyone know us for our firebowls but this new Kadai Living range adds another element to our business. Products in the range make great gift ideas so we thought it would be a good idea to bring them to Spring Fair.

"The Kadai Living range makes a great supplement to our firebowls and we've had a good response so far at Spring Fair."

Deco-Pak have hit upon an ingenious addition to their range of decorative bird feeders...based on an empty wine bottle.

Like many good ideas, it's brilliantly simple. You fill an empty wine bottle (not supplied) with bird seed and invert it in the Wine Bottle Feeder over the base. Gravity does the rest, gradually releasing more seeds as the birds feed. The base has drainage holes.

Deco-Pak earned a Highly Commended award in this year's Gift Association Gift of the Year competition.

Greenfingers Charity received a cheque for £11,075.94 from The Great British Card Company at Spring Fair today (Wednesday)...

Chris Houfe, of The Great British Card Company, handed the cheque to Greenfingers trustee Carol Paris. The company has raised more than £30,000 to date for the charity from their range of Florea cards in support of both Greenfingers and Perennial.

Horticultural charity Perennial also received a cheque for £11,075.94 from The Great British Card Company.

While cut Christmas trees are still the best sellers, pot-grown trees saw strong sales growth last season, a Glee @ Spring Fair supplier said today.

FCPT (3E20) grow Christmas trees on their east coast nursery in Scotland and confirmed that Nordmanns were still the consumer's top choice. But they said pot-grown trees are growing in popularity with consumers looking for a living product that will not wilt or drop needles. Pot-grown trees are available in smaller pot sizes.

They also said sales of fresh trees in general are growing at the rate of 2-3%  per year.

It has been a busy Spring Fair so far for Traditional Garden Games with great interest shown in their fun games and 'sow & grow' kits for kids...

Traditional Garden Games has launched 10 NEW games and over 20 NEW SEMBRA ‘sow & grow kits’ for ‘little seedlings’ and ‘hobby gardeners’ to enjoy creating their own mini vegetable garden.

Enjoy family time outdoors more with Traditional Garden Games

While our eclectic mix of classic games continue to be family fun favourites, for 2018 we’re 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 new trend inspired and perfectly price pointed collection will charm and appeal to all ages – all year round! 

Grow smiles with SEMBRA ‘sow & grow’ kits

We’re also buzzing about a new brand to hit the UK and Ireland markets.  ‘EcoToy’ award winner SEMBRA (part of global seed manufacturer Fitó Seeds) has developed an inspirational range of ‘sow and grow’ kits for both children and adults.  With SEMBRA, all generations can share in an activity, experience the joys of completing projects together and have fun getting their hands dirty!  And with ‘sowing projects’ for all seasons, SEMBRA is an alternative gift idea for anytime of the year. 

If you’re visiting Spring Fair 2018, we’d love you to meet the TGG team and see first-hand, all our new products.  We’re in Hall 5, Stand 5G77.  Alternatively call us on 44(0)28 777 68742, email sales@traditionalgardengames.co.uk or click onto our website here to view our new catalogue.

The Personalised Angel and Snowman & Snowgirl Ornaments were a massive success last Christmas – topping the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 chart for long periods – and the success story for Suki Gifts International continued with lots of interest shown in the products at Spring Fair.

Suki used the GTN Bestsellers coverage to full advantage on their stand in Hall 5 (E64-F65).

As you can see from our picture, Suki displayed these top selling products on a special display stand with the GTN Bestsellers logo.

"Out coverage in the GTN Bestsellers Christmas has certainly given these personalised products a huge lift," said area sales Graham Miles.

Over the past 12 months, Block Blitz – a new, innovative company, which in 2016 won the Glee Best of British Award and New Product Award for garden care (chemicals
fertilisers and composts) – has gone from strength to strength.

Managing Director Dave Moore, his brother Paul and wife Amy have started to build a very strong brand in the garden centre, DIY and builders' merchant sectors.

Dave said: "In the 2017 season, Block Blitz began to supply to the prestigious Tillington Group of Garden Centre's, selling well throughout the year and becoming a go to product and brand for their discerning customers. We are now also proud to supply 3 of the UK's biggest wholesalers/distributors: Decco, Handy and Stax and are already stocked in over 200 outlets. We have also started to export our products to the Netherlands after only one  year in business!

"The Block Blitz brand has also featured on TV with Hochanda shopping channel and Ideal World and we are due to appear on QVC this Spring.

"It will be great to talk to new retailers about our unique and exciting products at our first Spring Fair. You can visit us in Hall 10 on stand B21.

"Our new product for the 2018 season will be on display Block Blitz for Gravel, the UK's first gravel and decorative aggregate specific treatment product. All our products are designed, developed and manufactured in the UK."

Bulldog have added a hedge shear and lopper to their Pedigree tools range.

Pedigree was launched to attract the new generation of users who value design and good looks as well as performance.

Both new tools employ a geared mechanism for easier cutting through thicker wood, soft-grip handles and non-stick blades. The Geared By-Pass Lopper is designed to sell at £32.99 and the Geared Hedge Shear at £34.99.

Floristry, party and horticultural products distributors APAC are exploring possible further expansion in to the garden centre market...

A comprehensive selection of products, including the decorative planter lines pictured above, are on display at Glee @ Spring Fair (3G10-H11). Now the company are looking into the possibility of exhibiting at Glee in the autumn.

APAC is checking out the best way of servicing the garden centre market, with its plethora of smaller independent retailers.

Many of their horticultural products reach the market through professional growers, who supply finished product in APAC planters.

Wicker baskets (pictured below), which the company has been supplying for 25 years, are among the products APAC believes have sales potential in the garden market. 

First-time Glee @ Spring Fair exhibitors Veito (3C23) believe their advanced carbon infrared heaters will make an profitable additions to garden centre outdoor leisure departments.

They offer a range of free-standing and wall-mounting heaters, some with remote control heat setting and a choice of finishes, from 1.2kw to 2.5kw.

Carbon infrared technology is a particularly efficient and cost-effective way of heating outdoor spaces.

Wood  is making a comeback in a garden furniture market long dominated by synthetic rattan weave, a Glee @ Spring Fair exhibitor claimed today.

Charles Taylor Trading, well known for their leisure product categories, started making wooden garden furniture four years ago and sales are now heading for the £20m mark. All their garden furniture products are designed and made in the UK and are available 52 weeks of the year at competitive prices.

On their hall 3 stand, the company are promoting their 'Baker's Dozen Event', in which buyers get 13 items for the price of 12. The display includes what they describe as the UK's best-selling wooden garden bench.

Five years ago, Innovators International (3B17) launched a range of furniture made from re-cycled high-impact polystyrene. Many thought it was ahead of its time, but now sales are growing strongly.

Polywood, as the material is know in the trade, is marketed by Innovators as the Winawood range, which is gaining an ever-increasing following for its long life and low maintenance qualities. Available in a range of colours, including a natural wood lookalike, it has all the qualities of wood but never needs painting (as its colour runs through the whole material).

A new colour - powder blue, left - recently joined the line-up, and it's one you can see ion a love bench and small planter in Hall 3.

Summit International, a leading manufacturer and distributor of multiple outdoor living and leisure brands, will be showcasing its wide collection of cross category products at this year’s Spring Fair. With new ranges launching across multiple brands including MyBento, B&Co, Pursuit and Discovery Adventures, Summit International’s stand is something buyer’s will not want to miss!

Summit’s ever-growing licensed range ‘Discovery Adventures’ -  the outdoor lifestyle brand powered by the Discovery Channel - features licensed products, offering the perfect gift for ‘Urban Explorers’. From rugged thermal flasks to practical LED beanies, the new exciting Discovery Adventure collection is designed to appeal to those who appreciate the great outdoors.

Designed to accentuate modern bistro themed dining the B&Co range has been constructed from contemporary materials and inspired by classic artisan tradition. The range includes innovative cooking appliances and serve-wear, outdoor living and smokeless BBQ’s, furniture and lighting, for a simple yet sophisticated al-fresco dining experience.

B&Co's Hamelin Collection has been designed to suit the ‘urban lifestyle’.  Its appealing aesthetics, rugged features and specification make this range ideal for everyday use in the great outdoors. The new travel-friendly range combines convenience with modern style, using only the highest-grade material for sustainability in all conditions. Made from durable stainless steel with a classic polished silver or black matt finish, this tactile yet rugged range offers an innovative design that is ideal for home and travel. 

To learn more about the B&Co range, visit Summit International in Hall 12, Stand D30 or contact Jasmin Atwal for an appointment at Jasmin.Atwal@miprglobal.co.uk.

Wildlife World, the European leaders in wildlife products, has just established an agreement with the National Trust to design and supply a complete range of wildlife habitat products under their name.

First shown at Glee 2017, the designs for the new product range were in development for several months. Under the agreement the National Trust will sell the products at their own properties situated all over the UK and Wildlife World will also sell the same products through the trade to the consumer.

Talks with the National Trust started in the spring of this year and the habitat range has been developed to cover most of the birds, animals and species which occur at National Trust properties. 

The National Trust is Britain's largest conservation charity, looking after over 200 gardens and parks and 76 nature reserves, as well as 300 historic buildings, 250,000 hectares of countryside and 775 miles of coastline. Working with the National Trust was a natural choice for Wildlife World, with their shared focus on wildlife conservation. All of the new products are designed and tested in Wildlife World’s own workshop in England, are from FSC wood and use recycled materials wherever possible, values important to the National Trust too.

The contemporary National Trust range is inspired by Stourhead's 1,060-hectare countryside estate, home to a variety of wildlife including the tree sparrow and 11 out of 18 UK species of bat. The rustic range is inspired by the National Trust's oldest nature reserve, Wicken Fen, home to over 9,000 recorded species including many rare birds, butterflies and dragonflies. 

At least £15,000 will be given to the National Trust through the sale of these products.

Wildlife World Managing Director Norman Sellers is delighted with their new partnership with the National Trust commenting, “These new wildlife products, which we are making especially for the National Trust and under their brand, fit well with the National Trust ethos.  All the products are natural, of British design, and environmentally responsible made from FSC certified timber using non-toxic water based stains and sealants.  Like the National Trust, at Wildlife World we are strongly committed to conservation and these special habitats with further support and encourage the wildlife population.”

The new National Trust wildlife range is a full range of wildlife habitats and food tables developed by Wildlife World and in total will comprise some twelve different products. Taking its inspiration from the National Trust properties at Stourhead in Dorset and Wicken Fen in East Anglia, the range covers most species including hedgehogs, wild birds, bats, bees, butterflies and other insects and small mammals. 

Based in the Cotswolds, Wildlife World is passionate about both the development and the manufacture of its products and it continually tests its products both at its Tetbury base and its 25 acre farm in Devon and products are manufactured at its workshops in Tetbury and also at FSC certified suppliers with materials from sustainable sources. 

Further information is available from Wildlife World on 01666 505333, by emailing info@wildlifeworld.co.uk or by visiting the company’s website at www.wildlifeworld.co.uk

Sales of Burgon & Ball pot covers has been brisk on the back of burgeoning growth in the houseplants market, the company reports... 

The launch of a new pot covers range last year was greeted enthusiastically by garden centres, and Spring Fair has seen the interest continue. A display (pictured on the cover page) on the stand (6G14-H15) was inspiring visitors to the show today.

Also attracting admirers are the company's new merchandising tables, manufactured in-house at Sheffield. Production has been stepped up to meet demand.

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A company that has been in existence for only five months has picked up the first ever New Product Showcase Award at Glee at Spring Fair.

The Award, run in association with Garden Trade News, was won by Jardinopia Ltd, who scooped this year’s top prize with Potty Feet.

A new approach to pot feet, these resin feet come shaped in a variety of shapes such as squirrels, dogs and gnomes.

Judge Mike Cook, of Choice Marketing,  said of the winner: “Potty Feet is a fab idea. It’s a new take on a traditional product, but done so in a way that is fun, and will have mass appeal. It’s an exciting product, and even more so when you consider that Jardinopia launched just five months ago.”

Andrea Barnett, managing director of Jardinopia, said: “I’m really shocked. It’s so unexpected but we are obviously delighted with this accolade.”

Matthew Mein, Event Director for Glee, said of the winners: “Congratulations to all the winners of this, the inaugural Glee at Spring Fair New Product Showcase. The quality of product on display are of the highest possible standard and demonstrate the breadth of products on offer from Glee at Spring Fair exhibitors. Congratulations to all those that were recognised as part of this awards programme, and thanks to all those that entered. Finally, thanks to the judges. Their time and input is greatly appreciated.”

With 24 amazing and innovative new products to choose from the judges of the inaugural New Product Showcase at Glee at Spring Fair had their work cut out deciding on a winner.

Judged by Mike Cook of Choice Marketing, Steve Myatt, MD of Garden Retail Success, Simon Bourne of Perrywood Garden Centre, and Neil Gow, owner of Fresh @ Burcot, this year five products were selected, recognised for their unique designs, saleability and innovative approach to bringing to market products that will drive profits in the coming seasons.

The first product selected and taking home ‘fifth place’ is the Fast Fix Hook & Loop Tape from Creative Products.  This tape offers a quick and easy way to secure plants, branches and young trees. Durable, waterproof, flexible and soft, it’s quick to fit and delicate on tender plant material.

Fourth place was rewarded to the Redwood Gazebo from River Co. Handmade in the UK using the finest FSC certified redwood, the gazebo features louvre walls, a tongue and groove upgrade, and is perfect for use as an outside bar or gazebo cover.

Woodlodge’s Bespoke Pot Service scooped the third-place runner up prize. A simple, yet effective concept, this new service sees the UK market leaders provide customers with bespoke printed terracotta pots. Available on terracotta pots of all sizes, customers can print logos, images or slogans onto the pots, creating a visual feast and a personalised pot offering.

Just missing out on the title of ‘winner’ was Pouff Daddy’s Extended Curve. At 1.8m in length, fully waterproof and UV stable, this perfect pool side lounging cushion is available in three colours – included the hottest colour around ’rose gold’ – and comes with a lifetime stitch guarantee.

Ben Sowton, of Pouff Daddy, said: “We think our product is brilliant but it’s always great to hear that a panel of retail experts are impressed by it.”

But it was Jardinopia Limited who scooped this year’s top prize with Potty Feet.

A passion for gardening and a love of the outdoors were the key drivers behind the launch of Jardinopia Ltd, the company behind the award-winning Potty Feet products.

Husband and wife team, Tony and Andrea Barnett, started the business in September but have achieved so much in such a short space of time, including winning the first ever Glee at Spring Fair New Product Award.

So how did the success story begin? Andrea said: “Our children are growing up and we had time on our hands to think about ‘what next?’.

“So utilising Tony’s business experience working for large corporates for over 20 years, we decided to create a multi-brand garden oriented company that offered innovative new designs for practical and utilitarian products – affording something different for people that enjoyed a similar lifestyle and ethos, or that were perhaps looking for a gift for friends and loved ones.

“Another reason for establishing Jardinopia was to create a vehicle through which we could actively support worthy causes. We will therefore donate 10% of our profits to causes that are important to us. Our main aim for the ‘Potty Feet’ brand is to help impoverished communities to ‘get back on their feet’.

“Over the next few years we will be producing a range of garden related brands for both adults and children, and will be diversifying our good cause donations to reflect these.”

To commence their journey Tony and Andrea have developed and custom-designed a range of plant pot feet under the company brand  ‘Potty Feet’, which won the New Product Award.

There are 26 designs in the Potty Feet range.

See the range on stand 3C21, visit www.potty-feet.com or email info@potty-feet.com

The Extended Curve has created lots of interest on the Pouf Daddy stand (3E14) after winning the runner-up prize in the New Product Awards, run in association with Garden Trade News.

This has to be the most comfortable lounger on the market, that's a bold claim you say.  Well as we say, sitting is believing and we are certain that once you have laid down on this curvaceous beauty we are pretty sure that it will be love at first sight...

And it gets better...the Extended Curve comes in an outdoor faux leather, so it can be used either as a show off piece in your living room or be the envy of the neighbours as you sip your Mojitos and Caipirinhas, lounging on your fantastic new Pouf Daddy.  Buy with the Outdoor Guvnor and Poufs for a great alternative to boring old rattan furniture.

You can buy this product unfilled by selecting ‘cover only’ from the options above.

Fabric

Outdoor faux leather.

• Waterproof
• Stain-resistant
• Fade-resistant
• Mould resistant
• Recyclable (find out about our recycling options – link)

Product Information

Construction:

• Constructed from faux leather, treated to ensure the fabric is waterproof
• Double stitched.  Lifetime stitching guarantee
• Metal eyelet for hanging
• 2 internal zips and heavy-duty Velcro for extra safety
• FR certified filling 2-5mm EPS bead
• Detailing on the back
• Magazine pocket

The Glee @ Spring Fair New Product Award, in association with Garden Trade News, was judged on first day of show by a panel of retail experts pictured above.

The judges were Mike Cook of Choice Marketing, Steve Myatt of Garden Retail Success, Simon Bourne of Perrywood Garden Centre and Neil Gow of Fresh @ Burcot. Also pictured (second from left) is GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer, organiser of the judging.

The list of companies, their stand numbers and New Product Showcase entry are listed below:

African Creations    3B30    White Barn Owl
Bergs Potter    3C11    Copenhagen Pot
Briers    3G37    Julie Dodsworth Leather Comfy Gardener Gloves
Cadix     3G37    Houseplant Pot
Charles Taylor    3F10-G11    Three Piece Window Planter/Herb Box
Creative Products     3D20-E21     Fast Fix Hook and loop tape
Darlac    3E10    Sabre Tooth Saw
Green Digit Ltd    3F09    SeedCell® My Garden in a Box
Harrod Horticultural    B10    Cone Wire Obelisk  – corten/rust effect
Hygeia Chemicals Ltd    E15    GreenForce Feed Weed & Mosskiller
Innovators International Ltd    3B17    Winawood 2 Seater Bench
Jardinopia    3C21    Potty Feet
Joseph Noblett    3D30B    Aqua Stand
Loving Pets    3A20    Le Bol
Neat Ideas    C30    Mole Garden Gloves
On Guard Hygiene Connection    3B22    E-HANDY portable steam system
Pouf Daddy    3E14    The Extended Curve
Riverco    3C22    Redwood Gazebo
The Garden Furniture Centre    3D20-E21    Fiji Magic Apple Lounger
Unique Tables    3B16-C17    Monte Carlo 10 seater party table
VegTrug    3E8-F7     Greenhouse Nursery
Veito    3C23    Blade Carbon Infrared Heater
Woodlodge    3C18    Bespoke Pots

A gallery of pictures of the new products is featured below...

Premier Decorations were presented with a special cake to mark their 30th year of exhibiting at Spring Fair.

The cake was given to John Athwal of Premier Decorations by the Spring Fair team.

John, who was awarded the OBE in the New Years' Honours List, will be also be celebrating his 65th birthday on Tuesday.

Stax announced at Spring Fair that they have been granted Preferred Wholesaler status for the full range of products from leading decorating tool manufacturer LG Harris.

The strategic pertnership, which has been agreed in conjunction with bira Direct, holds a number of benefits for customers who previously placed orders direct to Harris.

The good news is that prices remain consistent with what they're used to, and with Stax discounts, may even end up cheaper. What's more, it will reduce the need to overstock, as Stax will continue to sell Harris products in single quantities.

Chris Scott, sales director at LG Harris, said: "We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Stax to deliver the extensive Harris product range. The new arrangement will help increase ordering ease for our valued customers and increase the distribution of our products."

Eddie Brady, chairman of Stax Trade Centres, said: "We are delighted to enter a strategic partnership with Harris, a name synonymous with quality decorating tools. Harris retailers can look forward to Stax's award-winning operation and can take advantage of a wide variety of additional products and unique services to help grow their business."

Glee at Spring Fair 2018 opened its doors today (Sunday) and after several hectic days of build up the exhibitors are ready and waiting to show you their new products and services on offer...

To get in the mood, we gave our photographer an hour to whizz round the show as build up nears completion.  

See you in the morning...

Creative Products is welcoming retailers to its two stands, Stand 3D20-E21 in Hall 3-3A at the Glee at Spring Fair concession and Stand 9B44-C45 in Hall 9, to come and discover the unmissable benefits of its unique ‘no risk’ retailing opportunities.

Sales opportunities which offer retailers ‘no risk’ are few and far between, but TV merchandising expert, Creative Products can make just that claim.  The company’s sales method could prove an irresistible option for garden retailers with its fully serviced merchandising system where products are supplied, promoted via instore TV, serviced and replaced on a fully sale or return basis. 

Creative Products offers a wide range of innovative gardening products, presented in an explanatory and experiential manner. Products are supported with top quality TV screen demonstrations incorporated into their merchandising stand, making for inspired impulse and gift purchases.  With huge potential for peer to peer recommendation, the result can be significantly intensive purchasing based on sudden consumer trend or simple seasonality.

The real attraction of the Creative Products proposition is the company’s trading method. In general, most listings are based on firm sales and if these do not materialise, retailers are compelled down the discounting route with consequent erosion of margins.  The Creative Products system is quite different.

Merchandising stands including TV promotional content are supplied on loan free of charge and supported every four weeks by Creative Products personnel.  Each support visit includes an assessment of sales achieved, a change of product if appropriate and full credit supplied for any product unsold.

Working with Creative Products, retailers can try any product from the company’s extensive range. An individually tailored 12-month programme of product promotions will then be created to best reflect the retailer’s store footfall, customer base, adoption of consumer trends or seasonal plans.  The result can be entirely bespoke to each retail customer and the whole programme of products can be tweaked and updated on a four-weekly basis with any unsold product being credited.

Creative Products’ Managing Director, Mark Hall (above right) explained, “We are excited to be at Spring Fair once again to showcase our constantly refreshed range of great product ideas all merchandised with TV promotional material. With our ‘nothing to lose’ offer, retailers can be totally confident whether they have experience of this approach or are trying it for the first time.  Moreover, if either the retailer or Creative Products has any doubt when setting up a new relationship, we are always happy to work on a mutual trial basis while footfall and sales numbers are established.  It is a fail-safe merchandising system for the garden sector.”

Interested retailers should visit Spring Fair Hall 9, stand 9B44-C45 or Hall 3-3A, stand 3D20-E21. Alternatively, contact the company on 01476 564 230 or email sales@creativeproducts.ltd.uk. Visit www.creativeproducts.ltd.uk for more information.

The Garden Furniture Centre were turning heads today (3D10-E11) with their Magic Apple folding lounger, which you can see on the New Product Showcase.

When folded, the lounger, in resin rattan weave, looks like a spectacular giant apple. It folds out into an impressive lounger/leisure bed, complete with luxurious cushions.

The product was much admired by the new product showcase judging panel but narrowly failed to make the cut. Visitors, though, have been giving it the thumbs up.

Glee @ Spring Fair is the company's first UK trade show outing.

Left: Debbie Garner-Jones demonstrates the Magic Apple on the New Product Showcase.

Neat Ideas have a brilliantly simple philosophy - innovative products that offer unique user benefits, backed up by compelling video POS.

Among the many ideas on the stand (3C30) – and, to be sure, they're all pretty neat! – are the Jumbo Fork, the Kitchen Multi-Mate and the Mix and Serve, all candidates for the garden centre cook shop department.

The Jumbo Fork has strong stainless steel prongs to help you turn a steak or cut a lemon. The Multi-Mate has a multitude of uses, from gripping and removing hot plates and lids to service as a splatter guard, trivet or lid-opener. The Mix and Serve is whisk that transforms into serving tongues.

The power of the company's linked eye-catching videos massively increases sales potential.

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

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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.

The Glee Daily News team are based in office 2.1 next to the Hall 2 Managers office and in the Glee at Spring Fair Cafe in Hall 3.  See you there!

Retail giant Wesfarmers could abort its troubled invasion of the British Isles as soon as June after admitting it made serious mistakes when trying to transplant the successful Bunnings model to the northern hemisphere, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Unveiling a $1 billion writedown of Bunnings UK and Ireland (BUKI) on Monday, Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott said he would not let the troubled business hang over Wesfarmers for "years and years and years" in the way rival Woolworths was haunted by its disastrous Masters Home Improvement experiment.

"We need to provide some certainty and clarity," Mr Scott said as he announced a review into BUKI's future due back in June and revealed its first half losses would blow out to about $165 million.

That writedown is greater than the $705 million Wesfarmers paid for the home improvement chain Homebase in 2016, which it planned to convert to the Bunnings brand and format.

The news sent Wesfarmers’ plunging 4.5 per to close at $42.34 - the biggest one day fall since October 2016, and the second biggest one-day drop in eight and a half years.

“I appreciate what we’ve disclosed today is terrible news, terrible news for shareholders," Mr Scott was reported as saying the Sydney Morning Herald.

He said that "all options" - including an exit - were on the table. However an exit was not the preferred option and it would have been premature to make that decision before the review.

"To shut the door on this today would be incredibly damaging to shareholders, particularly where the current level of losses are," Mr Scott said.

 “This business was profitable two years ago, so we know that there is the capacity within this network when things are working to generate profitability."

In the meantime BUKI would try to improve sales at the remaining 231 Homebase stores.

Sales have suffered as Wesfarmers management alienated customers by removing important product categories and concession stores, and moving some to the Bunnings format.

Mr Scott said Wesfarmers had earmarked between 20 and 40 of the worst performing Homebase stores for possible closure.

The first 19 "pilot" Bunnings stores had seen some encouraging results, Wesfarmers said, but sales had suffered during the winter months when it did not have the right products. It was still searching for a "proof of concept" for the Bunnings format.

Five more Homebase stores are currently being turned into Bunnings, but Wesfarmers will not start any more conversions until the review is completed in June.

The full Sydney Herald report can be viewed at http://www.smh.com.au/business/retail/bunnings-uk-woes-deepen-with-1-billion-writedown-20180204-p4yze8.html

Squire’s Garden Centres is actively looking for further sites having taken the difficult decision to part with their Windsor centre, which will close in the autumn of 2018.

The sum received from the sale of the site will be re-invested into Squire’s other centres, where they have an ambitious improvement programme, as well as being used to look for new investment opportunities.

Deputy Chairman Sarah Squire said, “We are committed to re-investing in all areas of our business and one of our primary aims is to add further sites to our portfolio. We have confidence in the future of our sector despite the current economic and political uncertainty.”

Managing Director Martin Breddy added, “We do not have any particular size requirements, although we are keen to keep within the South East of England, and our preference is for freehold sites wherever possible.”

Over the years Squire’s in Windsor has had limited ability to maximise its potential, partially for physical reasons due to its small car park, which is shared with customers and trucks accessing goods inwards, and also due to planning constraints given its green belt status. The Borough Council has an obligation to build houses to address the housing shortage in the area and identified Squire’s Windsor within the emerging Local Plan as being a site suitable for the development of about 40 new homes.

A number of development businesses expressed interest in buying the site. Given the inability to grow in the ways the company would like, these offers were considered seriously and a decision made to sell the site.

The centre will stay open for business throughout the spring and summer of 2018 and will eventually close in the autumn of 2018. Squire’s hope that as many team members as possible will be able to take alternative employment within the company.

Squire’s would like to thank their team at Windsor for their longstanding commitment and hard work, and they also recognise and thank their customers for their support over the years. Until the autumn of 2018 it is business as usual.

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.

2018 could be a great year for gardening as early indications are that growing activity is at and all-time high, according to GTN Bestsellers.

Growing Media and Plant sales, both up by over 30%, lead the way as January gets the year off to a flying start.

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year...

• Garden Products - up 29%
• Growing Media - up 26%
• Veg-2-Gro - up 2%
• Wild Bird Care - down 35%
• All Plants Index - up 56%
• All Items Index - up 8%

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

What a start for plant sales in 2018! January total plant sales volumes in the GTN Bestsellers EPOS data are up 32% on January 2017.

• Helleborus total sales jumped 144% compared to the same week last year.
• Primula sales grew by 71% over last year’s sales for the same week.
• Planted Narcissus stayed at No 2 with sales increasing by 60% year on year.
• All Plants volume sales change: Week on week UP 37.6%. Year to date UP 32.0%  on 2017.

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

Another good week for garden product sales sees January GTN Top 50 volumes reach the highest level since 2015, up 22% on January 2017.

And it is garden lighting that is the spark that is driving sales.  This week there are seven garden lighting lines in the Top 10.

• Premier Decorations Coloured Led Pull Light & Bulb holds onto the No 1 spot for the third consecutive week.
• Smart Solar Eureka! LED Frosted Lightbulb is the highest climber, up 26 places to No 6.
• Fito Drip Feeder For Orchids 32ml is the sole plant related product in the Top 5 at No 2. It is joined this week by the Fito Cacti Drip Feeder, a new entry at No 50.

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

Veg-2-Gro sales picked up last week to end the month 10% down on January last year, making it a below average start to the veg growing year.

A notable new entry this week is T&M’s Black Russian Tomato seeds, the highest placed of the seven tomato seed varieties in the GTN Top 50.

• Black Russian Tomato Seeds from T&M are a new entry at No 11.
• Taylors Onion Sets Stuttgarter stay at No 1 on the back of a 16% week on week sales increase.
• Mr Fothergills Beetroot Perfect 3 had the biggest week on week percentage sales increase to re-enter at No 27.

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

January sales volumes of the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 growing media lines have reached a record high, driven by early bird offers that have really been taken advantage of by keen gardeners.

January 2018 sees sales up 28% on January 2017 and 147% on the like for like sales seen in January 2014.

• Westland Jack’s Magic All Purpose Compost, 40 litres, is the highest re-entry to the Top 50 at No 17.
• Growth Technology Houseplant Compost, 8 litres, is the highest chart climber moving up 36 places to No 9.
• Sales of Scotts Levington Tomorite Giant Planter with Seaweed increased by 600% to re-enter at No 26.

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

Gardman has acknowledged the company has experienced teething problems at its new £30 million custom-built distribution centre in Daventry but says it's confident it will cope with the busy Spring period.

The new centre was fully tested in Q4 2017 with a full “go live” date of 2^nd January.

"Unfortunately, due to a lower than expected picking rate we have failed to meet our normally high service standards," said Pete Utting, Gardman's Chief Executive.

"This has now been solved by increasing our picker numbers and putting on a night shift to meet demand.

"This change has resulted in achieving our desired output. We will continue to build this capacity further over the coming weeks to counter any spikes in demand.

"We are confident we can catch up through February and then successfully meet the spring demand.

"I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to our customers and reassure them that the challenges have now been managed.

"The foundations for great service are now in place. The building is complete in the centre of the country, the system works, we have the right people, our stock build is bigger and earlier than last year and now we have achieved the output rates we need.

"My sincere thanks to all our customers for their patience and understanding.

"I would also like to thank all the Gardman staff and contractors who have worked tirelessly to get this problem fixed."

Bergs Potter's pots are created with love in Tuscany. We take pride in the beauty and strength of our pots, made from premium clay.

High quality materials and craftsmanship means the pots' patinas will improve with age and live on from one generation to the next.

If your plants could speak, they would tell you that there's nothing better than a quality clay pot. Proper drainage gives their roots room to breathe, and superior clay holds in the moisture they need.

The natural strength of Bergs versatile pots means they can work both inside and out. Their durability comes from high-temperature firings and a subtle silicone treatment - which means they are also completely waterproof.

Visit Glee at Spring Fair 2018, stand no. 3C:11 in Birmingham the 4th-8th of February to see more.

www.bergspotter.com

info@bergspotter.com

The vibrant display of daffodils on Woodlodge's Glee @ Spring Fair stand is designed to draw attention to their Marie Curie charity promotion, launched yesterday on World Cancer Day with a pledge to donate at least £20,000.

Woodlodge have agreed to donate 75p for each Marie Curie-tagged pot, which is offered in three designs. They have already made a donation of £20,000 to get the ball rolling.

Richard Newton, on the stand today, has been impressed with the number and quality of visitors to their Hall 3 exhibit. "We have been seeing new customers as well as existing ones," he told Glee Daily News.

Darlac, well-known for precision cutting tools and useful garden equipment, are upbeat about exhibiting at GLEE at Spring Fair especially after picking up two prestigious Best Buy awards in recent Gardeners’ World Magazine trials reported in the February 2018 edition.

Darlac picked up Best Buys for their Expert DP1030A bypass secateurs and their Compound Pruner DP332.

Commenting on the trials, Darlac Business Development Manager Chris Owen (below) said; “We were delighted to pick up two of the five Best Buy awards and see it as a ringing endorsement of the quality of our secateurs and look forward to showing these winners to garden retailers at the show. Given the other winners in the bypass section were Felco and Niwaki the award underlines our ‘quality at affordable prices’ position. The Darlac Expert bypass secateurs currently retail at around £24, approximately half the price of the other bypass winners.”

The company will be showcasing its tailor-made tool collections which are becoming a hit with UK retailers. The Collections were compiled using sales data from the Darlac brand identifying its fastest moving lines and included a ‘Best Sellers’ range and specific specialist ranges such as the ‘Expert Range’, the ever popular ‘Swop Top System’ and more.

“We offer a fantastic range of quality cutting tools and other garden equipment and we believe that by creating these collections it will be easier for the garden trade to make their choice” explains Chris Owen. “These collections simplify our offer and hopefully will save time for the busy buyer while also making it easier for the gardener to choose what they want.

“The Best Sellers range is exactly what it suggests and is already proving a great hit with garden centres as they add our brand into the mix,” continues Chris. “The Expert Range collection of precision engineered tools of the highest quality is also causing a stir along with the versatile Swop-Top Range.”

Darlac has long been recognised as a company which supplies quality garden tools and equipment, at affordable, value-for-money prices. It boasts an array of award-winning products, which more-and-more garden centres are now stocking, and which garden writers are also recommending.

Details are obtained from Darlac sales agents or direct from the company – info@darlac.com or 01753 547790.

Cadix is a leading distributor of contemporary outdoor and indoor planters, and artificial topiary.

A spokesperson for Cadix said: "We have recently released our 2018 range including the innovative and modern ‘Made in Holland’ range which, is becoming well-known for it’s lightweight, durability and unique design. An exciting part of our 2018 range is the introduction of our indoor mini-pot range. These planters are not only a stylish addition to the indoor space but also a fantastic way to bring your garden indoors.

"Within our new indoor mini pot range, we have included a mixture of sizes, an assortment of natural colours, including our newly added dark brown colour. Also, a variety of textures, introducing our wood and stone series, which look fantastic.

"Our expanding range has something to suit every design space and style.

"Our customers are leading UK retail brands in the garden and home sector.

"We also supply to commercial customers including architects and designers, landscapers and to the hospitality sector.

"We will be displaying our new collection at Spring Fair this year, please join us for a cup of coffee at Hall 4 Stand G88. We look forward to seeing you.

www.cadix.co.uk

hello@cadix.co.uk

Woodstock Chimes UK’s best-selling Chimes of Pluto – Bronze is tuned to a lovely pentatonic scale

and acts in concert with the wind to create random patterns of wonderful music.

• Authentic and original musically tuned windchime
• Premier quality, affordable and value priced
• Created by GRAMMY® Award-winning musician Garry Kvistad
• The choice of discerning UK customers for nearly 40 years
• Shipping within 48 hours from our UK warehouse

As a music student in the 1970s, Garry’s curiosity about ancient worlds led him to learn about ancient music and musicians. The musical scales he was studying could not be played on modern instruments, so he decided to build a metallophone (a xylophone-like instrument with metal bars) that could play the ancient scale of Olympos, a Greek flute player from the 7th century B.C. Being an ecologically minded recent college graduate on a tight budget, Garry found the materials for his metallophone at a landfill—it was made from the aluminum tubes of a discarded lawn chair. Garry’s metallophone experiment was so successful, he had the idea to cut and tune aluminum tubes to create windchimes, and Woodstock Chimes was born!

Right: Garry with his adapted lawn chair.

In addition to his work at Woodstock Chimes, Garry is a professional musician. He has been performing and recording with the ensemble Steve Reich and Musicians since 1980 and is one of the 18 musicians to win a GRAMMY® Award for the 1998 recording of Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians. In 2002 Garry joined NEXUS, the internationally-renowned chamber music ensemble based in Canada. Called “the high priests of the percussion world” by the New York Times, NEXUS is considered to be one of the premier percussion ensembles in the world today.

Garry (far right), performing with NEXUS.

See all the Woodstock Chimes UK products here

The popular Chimes of Pluto - Evergreen!

See us at Spring Fair

Booth 4D82

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."

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

Veg Trug's latest new products, the X-Large Greenhouse and Bee Bar - are on show at Glee @ Spring Fair...and more new products are promised for later in the year...

The 190cm tall greenhouse offers generous protected growing space for small to medium-sized gardens. The Bee Bar, presented as a leg-frame insert for a full-size Veg Trug, provides a suitable habitat for several species of solitary non-swarming bees.

New products currently in the pipeline will be unveiled during the summer.

If you're a retailer who craves more flexibility from your display systems, you could check out the Multiform system on the Ceramic Nighlights stand (3G19).

Multiform, distributed by Good Deal Marketing, is a modular system that lets you build display units to your required configuration, with varying shelf widths and heights - ideal for unusual window displays, free-standing gondolas and wall displays.

Finishes include black, white, pine or dark oak tubes (in three sizes) with black or white connectors. Shelves can be glass, solid black or white or pine/dark oak.

Good Deal Marketing director Keith Roberts is happy to provide designs for individual projects.