Launch Gallery Glee Review

Transcription

GHN_OCT_NOV_15_ED1_JadeEdit_Layout 1 14/10/2015 16:33 Page 1
GA R D E N
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H OU S E W A R E S
•
H A R DWA R E
•
D I Y
•
G I F T S
Garden&Hardware
news
THE UK’S LEADING JOURNAL FOR GARDEN CENTRES AND DIY STORES
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2015 £4.95
FREE
RETAIL PLANTS
& SHRUBS
INSIDE
Glee Review
A LOOK BACK
AT GLEE 2015
Launch Gallery
A SELECTION OF
INSPIRING PRODUCTS
TONG GARDEN
CENTRE
We talk to Mark Farnsworth
of Tong Garden Centre
FISKARS LAUNCH AXE REVOLUTION
WITH JAMES WONG AT GLEE
Cover Photo:
Fiskars
page 16
November 2015
Hello and welcome to this
edition of Garden &
Hardware News. As Autumn
swiftly turns colder there is a
smattering of news
suggesting we are to have a
long, cold winter. Perhaps not the best
news, but as with all these things, the exact
opposite could be true, so it seems prudent
to maintain the positvity we’ve seen so far
this year.
That positivity was highlighted for me in a
recent visit to GLEE, where I had the
chance to talk to a number of exhibitors and
attendees. The packed out halls at the NEC
had a real buzz and some of the products on
Editor:
Ben Crowther
ben.crowther@onecoms.co.uk
Production Controller:
Robin Jeffries
robin.jeffries@onecoms.co.uk
Sales Office Manager:
Vicky Bullivant
vicky.bullivant@onecoms.co.uk
Account Manager:
Claire Jordan
claire.jordan@onecoms.co.uk
Credit Control Manager:
Carole Todd
carole.todd@onecoms.co.uk
Administration
& Subscriptions:
Louise Stupples
louise.stupples@onecoms.co.uk
Commercial Director:
Donna Jenkins
donna@onecoms.co.uk
Publisher:
Robert Nisbet
robert@onecoms.co.uk
show were inspiring and innovative in
equal parts. Our Glee Review section of the
magazine will hopefully refresh your
memories about some of the great things on
offer at the show and capture your
imagination all over again.
To keep those inspirational juices flowing
we’ve put together a Launch Gallery that
highlights some great products ranging
from outdoor cooking to retro giftware,
hopefully helping to inform your buying
decisions in the period coming up to
Christmas.
With gifts in mind we’ve taken a look at a
broad spectrum of great products in our
Gifts, Housewares and Kids feature.
NEWS 4
A two page round up of news and
and events from across the industry
LAUNCH GALLERY 6
We have selected some of our favourite products
from areas within the Garden & Hardware industry
Our Reader Profile this issue is one not to
be missed. This time we catch up with
Mark Farnsworth who, along with his
business partner, recently acquired the
iconic Tong Garden Centre in Yorkshire. It’s
a great success story.
It is, as ever, my hope that this issue of
Garden & Hardware News can inspire some
great buying decisions moving on into the
winter months and importantly to the busy
Christmas period.
Ben Crowther
Editor
18 READER PROFILE
We catch up with Mark Farnsworth, Owner at Tong
Garden Centre, and see it’s growing success
21 GIFTS, HOUSEWARES
& KIDS
This special feautre takes a look at what’s
on offer in the run up to Christmas
25 CHRISTMASWORLD
Our preview of this years Christmasworld
show hosted in Germany
INDUSTRY NEWS 8
Get the latest updates from the suppliers
on what’s going on in their wold
Media One Communications Ltd,
1 Accent Park, Bakewell Road,
Orton Southgate, Peterborough,
PE2 6XS. Tel: 01733 385300.
www.onecoms.co.uk
Copyright 2015©, all rights reserved. No part
of this publication may be reproduced in any
way without written permission from the
publisher. All views and opinions expressed
are not necessarily those of the publisher.
HARDWARE
& WORKWEAR 10
A selection of products that designed to make
DIY and gardening work easier for all
GLEE REVIEW 12
Our review looks back at this
years highly successful GLEE show
27 RETAIL PLANTS
& SHRUBS
Our special supplement looks at all the latest
growers’ news and developments
34 LAST WORD
Ray Brash, MD of PrePay Solutions, takes a look at
the changing face of contactless payments
DIYRetailer.co.uk | Garden & Hardware News | 3
NEWS
GARDEN & HARDWARE
NEWS
Quick
bites ...
HTA’s New President
The HTA Annual General Meeting
took place at Glee on Tuesday 15
September. Adam Wigglesworth
from Aylett Nurseries was
appointed as President of the
Association taking over the role
from Stan Green of Growforth
who becomes the Immediate
Past President.
US Representative
The Board of Directors of the
International Garden Centre
Association recently selected
AmericanHort to be the U.S.
representative to the association.
Company Growth
Catering Design Group (CDG),
the award winning restaurant and
commercial kitchen design
company for the hospitality
industry, has created its first
Creative Director and Business
Development Director roles, as
the business continues to enjoy
rapid expansion.
Scented App
Designed to help identify a
person’s perfect fragrance match,
or to help them explore gift ideas
for friends and family, Yankee
Candle’s new fragrance App
helps match customers with their
perfect fragrance in just four easy
steps.
Flower Power
In its 25th year of trading,
Lavender Green Flowers is to
open the doors to its new flagship
store located in the Brompton
quarter of the prestigious Fulham
Road, London. The store is
planned to open on Monday 2nd
November 2015 encompassing a
consultation area, workshop area,
office space and a range of
products.
Join us on Twitter at
@DIYretailer
COLIN SQUIRE
AWARDED
Industry stalwart and Chairman
of Squires Garden Centres, Colin
Squire, was presented with the
Pearson Memorial Medal at the
HTA Garden Futures Dinner,
which took place on 30
September at Heythrop Park in
Oxfordshire. In presenting the
award HTA Chief Executive
Carol Paris commented, “I am
delighted to present the Pearson
Memorial Medal to Colin for his
outstanding contribution to the
horticulture industry – it is well
and truly deserved. A much
respected figure, his boundless
enthusiasm, forward thinking
and high business standards are
an example to us all.” Colin is
celebrating his 60th year with
the company that was founded
by his father DJ Squire. After
training in architecture and
landscape design, Colin
designed many gardens in the
Twickenham area in the 1950s
and 1960s. Colin is a fellow of
the Institute of Horticulture, a
member of the Worshipful
Company of Gardeners and
founding member of the Garden
Centre Association. His interest
in garden design continues and
he always designs the Squire’s
exhibit at the Royal Horticultural
Society Hampton Court Palace
Flower Show. Colin has
witnessed many changes within
his time in the industry and has
often been at the forefront of
bringing new developments to
the UK. For instance, in the
1950’s at a time when plants
were grown in open fields and
couldn’t be lifted until autumn,
Colin introduced container
grown plants into Squire’s.
During the 1970’s the
Twickenham site was one of the
very first centres in the UK to
introduce the concept of garden
centre coffee shops. The
Pearson Memorial Medal for
outstanding service to the
garden industry and has been
awarded by the HTA on an
annual basis since it was
4 | Garden & Hardware News | DIYRetailer.co.uk
instigated in 1930 in memory of
the HTA's first General
Secretary, Charles Pearson.
GCA AWARDS
FOR CENTRES
The Garden Centre Association
revealed its Scottish and
Northern Irish regional winners
at a presentation on Friday,
September 25 at Glendoick
Gardens Ltd Nursery & Gardens
in Glencarse, Perth. Garden
Wise Plant & Garden Centre
was awarded Best Garden
Centre (GC) and Raemoir
Garden Centre won Best
Destination Garden Centre
(DGC) in Scotland. Creative
Gardens Donaghadee scooped
Best Garden Centre in Northern
Ireland. Iain Wylie, Chief
Executive of the GCA, said:
“The Scotland and Northern
Ireland area awards evening is
always a popular event and this
year proved to be no exception.
It was a great opportunity to
visit one of our newer members,
Glendoick, and we thank them
for hosting the occasion. There
were some fantastic examples of
best practice and innovation
shown in the presentation and
there were some very worthy
winners."
NEW MEMBERS
FOR GROUP
TWO GARDEN centres have
joined seven others as part of
the Great Western Buying Group
this month (September, 2015).
Caerphilly Garden Centre in
South Glamorgan and
Sunnydale Garden Centre in
Cwmbran have joined the group,
which includes garden centres
from Gloucester and the South
West. Steve Searle, Store
Manager at Monkton Elm
Garden & Pet Centre in
Somerset, which is part of the
group, said: “The group has
been working together for more
than 15 years and has built good
relationships with the best
suppliers in the garden
industry.The Great Western
Buying Group is a group of
garden centres who join
together to share best practice
in buying and marketing.The
group is made up of
independent, family run garden
centres and is currently looking
for new members to join.
A WYEVALE
RELAUNCH
Wyevale Garden Centres
re-launched its Cadbury garden
centre in Bristol on Friday, 9th
October 2015, following a 13
week redevelopment. The newlook space, which is the largest
garden centre in Bristol, includes
an extensive outdoor area
(91,221sqft) within an attractive
landscaped environment,
combines shopping, leisure,
dining and events making it the
ultimate retail destination. It has
been designed to spark a love of
gardening in all ages and offers
a choice of thousands of different
plants, shrubs and trees. As a
result of the new concessions
and shops opening within the
garden centre, the retail space
will create 41 new jobs for the
local area.
GREEN-FINGERED
MARROW GROWERS
Green-fingered staff at Mr
Fothergill's have been
competing against each other
this summer (2015) to see who
could grow the heaviest Fatboy
F1 marrow and heaviest
Costoluto fiorentino tomato. The
company's Rachel Cole reports
competition was fierce, but has
announced the winners
following the late-September
weigh-in. Warehousemen Alan
Kent and Colin Phillips, calling
themselves the Seed Store
Mafia, grew the heaviest
marrow at 7.6kg, while new
product development coordinator Pim Dickson was the
top tomato grower with a
specimen weighing 339gm.
NEWS
SALES RESULTS
Garden centres saw good sales
in clothing and food hall/farm
shops during September
according to the Garden Centre
Association’s Barometer of
Trade (BoT) results. Clothing
sales were up 30% compared to
the same month in 2014 while
food hall/farm shop sales were
up 14.5%. For the month of
September the overall garden
centre performance was up by
just 2% compared to the same
month last year.
Catering sales were up 8.33%
compared to 2014 while
Christmas sales start to rise
with a change of 8.5% compared
to last year. Gifts were up 4.5%,
pets and aquatics up 5% and
furniture and barbecues were up
9.8%. Iain Wylie, GCA Chief
Executive, explained: “The
weather during September gave
gardeners great conditions for
beginning their autumn
planning and planting. Sales in
clothing were up during the
month so it would seem
customers were not only
preparing their gardens for the
changing season, but were
preparing themselves too by
stocking up on wellies and
waterproofs.
A 4D EXPERIENCE FOR
CHRISTMAS VISITORS
Squire’s Garden Centre in
Milford have a 4D Grotto
Experience – new for 2015.
Santa’s chief elf “Elfin” will
personally greet customers who
will then watch “Boris in the
Winter Forest”, a film about
Boris the dog, featuring special
effects that turn this 3D film
adventure into an enchanting
and captivating 4D Christmas
experience. The journey then
continues with a visit to see
Santa inside his special toy
workshop before he dashes off to
load up his sleigh. Children can
tell Santa about their Christmas
wish list, and if they’ve been
very good, they’ll receive an
early Christmas present. The 4D
Grotto Experience is great fun
for all the family.
A MEDAL HAUL FOR APL
The APL and two APL members
received a Gold medal for their
garden at the Harrogate Autumn
Flower Show. Jody Lidgard of
Bespoke Outdoor Spaces, and
Justin Paxman of Paxman
Landscapes UK Ltd offered the
support of some of their
apprentices and young workers,
Jacob, Josh from Bespoke
Outdoor Spaces, and, Toby and
Jack from Paxman Landscapes
UK Ltd. After helping with RHS
Showbuilds, including the
Homebase garden at Chelsea,
this was Jacob and Josh’s first
solo garden. Josh and Jacob
built the majority of the garden,
with Paxman doing the hedge
planting and tree planting. The
APL's Phil Tremayne designed
and planted the planting.
New regulated food safety
qualifications that enable
workers, supervisors and
managers in the catering, food
retail and food manufacturing
sectors to learn how they can
ensure excellent food safety
standards have been launched
by the British Safety Council.
The Level 2 Awards in Food
Safety in Catering, Retail and
Manufacturing enable staff in
workplaces such as restaurants,
bars, takeaways, shops and food
preparation and manufacturing
sites to learn how to take
responsibility for food safety and
keep the workplace clean and
hygienic, in order that
customers do not become ill
from the food they purchase and
consume. The Level 3 Awards in
Supervising Food Safety in
Catering, Retail and
Manufacturing provide
supervisors and managers in the
same types of premises with an
essential understanding of how
to implement and monitor good
food safety and hygiene
practices and ensure the
business complies with food
safety law. The six qualifications
are designed to be delivered by
both large and small employers
in the catering, retail and
manufacturing sectors.
Workplaces across all
industries are being urged to
take advantage of a scheme
that offers substantial
discounts on new ladders
that are part exchanged for
old, damaged and unsafe
ladders. The Ladder
Exchange Scheme is run by
The Ladder Association in
conjunction with several
companies including
Slingsby, which supplies a
wide range of ladders,
access equipment and other
workplace products across all
industries. The scheme is
open to all businesses and
workplaces until 31st
December 2015. Slingsby’s
Group Sales and Marketing
Director, Lee Wright,
explains: “We’ve been
involved with The Ladder
Exchange Scheme for
several years and it
continually proves popular
with all types of businesses
and organisations. “It’s
estimated that there are
around two million ladders in
use every day in the UK and
falls from height remain a
major cause of workplace
accidents and fatalities.
These accidents can affect all
types of workers...”This
year’s Ladder Exchange
Scheme will again features
‘Idiots on Ladders’.
DIARY DATES
NEC, BIRMINGHAM
www.iog-saltex.co.uk
The UK's national event for
grounds care, sports, amenities,
estates and green space
management.
11 NOVEMBER
GROSOUTH
educator and animal welfare
advocate Dr Roger Mugford. Now
in its third year, the event was a
sell-out, attracting an audience
from across the pet trade sector
to hear the winners and runnersup names announced for each of
the eight award categories.
LADDER
EXCHANGE
November
4-5 NOVEMBER
SALTEX
PETQUIP AWARDS
Twenty-two petcare companies
were honoured at the PetQuip
Awards Dinner & Party, which
took place in the Ludlow Suite at
the Telford International Centre,
in association with PATS Telford.
There was also a Lifetime
Achievement Award for author,
FOOD
SAFETY
WESTPOINT EXHIBITION
CENTRE, EXETER
www.website.co.uk
The GroSouth Horticultural
Exhibition is the premier exhibition
in the South of England for the
horticultural Industry.
10-13 JANUARY
HARROGATE CHRISTMAS
& GIFT
1
the Christmas, festive and allied
markets Christmas & Gift
17-20 JANUARY
GIVING & LIVING
WESTPOINT EXHBITION
CENTRE, EXETER
www.givingliving.co.uk
Giving & Living is the biggest
Home & Gift trade show in the
South West and offers an
unrivalled selection of products
29 JAN- 2 FEB
CHRISTMASWORLD
MESSE FRANKFURT
christmasworld.messefrank
furt.com
Christmasworld presents the
coming decoration trends and
new products for all festivities of
the year
HARROGATE INTERNATIONAL
CENTRE
www.harrogatefair.co.uk
Recognised as a leading event for
LAUNCH GALLERY
THE LAUNCH GALLERY
Our Launch Gallery is truly inspiring. Surprise customers with innovative and retro gifts such as The Power Up 2.0 Plane and
keep them in touch with the wildside with conservation products. The Primus Onja can offer a trendy alternative to other
stoves, whilst Light ‘n’ Go is a great innovation in bonfires and the discerning gardener will love the unique slate markers.
 BEE-LDING BRICKS
The bee brick is an award winning
nesting site for solitary bees. The
brainchild of Cornish eco company
Green&Blue the bee brick can be used as
a standalone bee hotel in the garden but
can also be used in construction in place
of standard bricks to create habitat for
bees in places where it might otherwise
be lost.
www.greenandblue.co.uk
 LIGHT MY FIRE
The Light ‘n Go Bonfire is a great alternative to firewood and
manufactured firelogs and takes the guesswork out of set up. The
Bonfire is made of white birch, featuring an embedded wick, enabling
users to light each log with just one match, avoiding the need for
kindling or starters. They are 100 per cent natural, chemical-free, kilndried and safe for cooking. The unique designs of the Light ‘n Go
Bonfire creates an inside-out burn, holding the log together for a longlasting clean fire. The Jumbo Light ‘n Go Bonfire offers more than 2.5
hours of burn time and the standard Light ‘n Go Bonfire burns more
than 1.5 hours.
www.light-ngo.com
 MAKE YOUR MARK
These uniue garden markers include a Flower Slate
Garden Marker; a Watering Can Slate Garden Marker; and
a Butterfly Slate Garden Marker. They all come in a set of
six, wrapped in rustic style string, with a white crayon to
write on the slate to record what is planted where in your
garden, making them the ideal gift for the keen gardener.
www.romanathome.com
LAUNCH GALLERY
 PRIMUS AND READY
The ONJA (SRP: £105) is a show-stopper stove that has been
crafted from a unique blend of stainless steel, oak, brass, cloth and
leather. It’s compact and portable (with an integrated strap), easy to
assemble and pack away, yet suitable for large pots for cooking up
culinary delights outdoors. Once unfolded the body becomes a
stable cooking unit that protects the burners from the wind.
www.primus.eu
 WE HAVE LIFT OFF
The school boys’ staple Paper Airplane prank has been
turned into tech. The Power Up 2.0 Plane is kitted out
with electrically motorised technology, to keep the gadget
going for longer. Crash proof and re-usable, the superfast
15 second charge means more time to play. Old or young
this classic and newly gadgefied toy is durable and easy
to put together for awesome entertainment.
www.prezzybox.com
 URBAN BIRD
The stylish Urban Bird Feeder is designed for those
who enjoy nature but live in an urban environment
where very little outdoor space is available. The
modern aesthetics of the feeder make it particularly
suitable for those living in cities with a small garden
or an apartment with a balcony. It has been designed
with a large entrance to allow birds of all sizes to
feed, and is beneficial in areas where natural food is
hard for birds to find. The product retails at £24.99.
www.wildlifeworld.co.uk
INDUSTRY NEWS
WATER
COLLECTION
Eden Greenhouses has launched a
co-ordinated rainwater collection
system following the success of its
Zero Threshold™ aluminium
greenhouse range. The whole system
is supplied in complementary black
and grey to suit all four of the
greenhouses in the Zero Threshold™
range. The system comprises a 100L
water butt, made from recycled
materials and available in grey and
black to coordinate with the new
range of greenhouses. The butt
comes complete with a black water
butt stand and a hosepipe
compatible tap. Also in the range is a
gutter connecting kit, which is
designed to offer an easy solution to
joining both gutters to a single water
butt. It uses 40mm push fit
connectors and the greenhouse
down pipes to join to the centrally
located water but. Additional fittings
are available separately to allow an
end user to create a custom water
harvesting set up.
01242 676625
mail@eden-greenhouses.com
REMOTE CONTROL
Most people have either lost or damaged
their remote control at some point in their
lives. One For All has created a range of
dedicated replacement remotes to solve this
problem and to make consumers’ lives
easier. There is no longer any need to wait
for an expensive branded remote control to
arrive. With One For All’s new range, the
customer gets a cost-effective remote
(£18.99) that is guaranteed 100% compatible
with their Samsung, LG, Philips, Sony or
Panasonic television. And the bonus is that
the remote will work straight out of the box
GREAT PRICES
Bord na Móna UK is running a trade
promotion offering reduced trade prices for
the autumn. The products involved are 100
litre bales of landscape mini chip bark, 50 litre
bags of soil improver and 7kg tubs of Chicken
Poo, all aimed at helping retailers make the
most of autumn / winter preparation sales.
Landscape mini chip bark is ideal for weed
suppression and moisture control, while the
soil improver and Chicken Poo products are
designed to feed, invigorate and improve soil
structure. Garden retailers ordering the
promotional products for immediate invoice
and autumn delivery can enjoy significant
savings which they can take as extra margin
or pass on to consumers in the form of
BOGOF deals. Bord na Móna UK trades peat–
RANGE EVOLUTION
Baby Bio® moved outside with the launch of
Baby Bio® Outdoor. Continuing investment
in this brand, Bayer Garden has streamlined
the range and is introducing new
packaging with a look and feel that closely
echoes Baby Bio Original. The packaging
makes it clear the plant food now comes in
a formulation designed for outdoor plants.
More than 1,000 outdoor plant food
consumers have already given the new
packaging their vote of confidence. Baby
Bio® Outdoor for Fruit and Vegetables is a
boosted plant food. Flowering plants fed
with Baby Bio® Outdoor will give up to 70%
more flowers than those not fed. Both Baby
Bio® Outdoor products are excellent value
for money: 750ml makes 75 litres of plant
food. 01223 426240 | www.babybio.co.uk
with no set-up required! Just add batteries.
Each dedicated universal remote has
improved usability using One For All’s
extensive remote control expertise. For
example, the included ‘learning’ feature
allows the customer to customise the new
remote to their needs. Hotels could also find
these remote controls helpful for guest use
in their hotel rooms when replacements are
required. Bulk deals are available for chains.
One For All is seeking new listings in retail,
DIY, electrical and hotel trade outlets
00 315 3488 8000
ofa-help@uebv.com
www.oneforall.co.uk
reduced and peat-free growing media and soil
improvers through garden centres nationally
and is the largest own brand supplier of
compost and bark in the UK. 0800 973 555
info@thegreenergardener.com
INDUSTRY NEWS
LEAN ON ME
Presented as an extra space for relaxation as
well as a home for plants, the new Juliana
Lean-To has been launched by Eden Halls
Greenhouses. The Juliana Lean-To comes in
three sizes – 5 x 10 foot, 7 x 14 foot and 10 x
14 foot - and is available in a choice of an
aluminium / black finish and an anthracite /
black finish. The Lean-To has lockable, double
stable doors at the front of the building, which
give it a particularly distinctive appearance as
well as providing excellent access. Combine
this feature with the superior eaves height of
the Lean-To and the result is a very spacious
area, which is perfect for people as well as
OFF THE SHELF
Eden Greenhouses has now added a
purpose designed shelving and staging
system for installation with the Zero
Threshold™ concept. The new staging and
shelving system will enable gardeners to
organise this growing area and maximise
the space available. The new range of
aluminium shelving and staging designed to
fit perfectly in every size of all the four
models in the new Zero Threshold
greenhouse range and is available in mill
aluminium and green or black powder coat
finish to match the greenhouses perfectly.
The sturdy design uses cantilever bracing to
attach directly to the greenhouse frame, but
does not waste floor space with unsightly
leg supports. The design also joins the
LIFE IS GOOD
Treadstone Products relaunched it’s
The Good Life branded range of core
gardening plant support and
protection products at GLEE 2015. The
Good Life is Treadstone Products’
response to modern ‘grow your own’
and includes core gardening essentials
such as cloches, frost protection, plant
ties and stakes, plant labeling, netting
and weed suppression. The range
plants. All three sizes of the Juliana Lean-To
are produced with 3mm safety glass in the
sides and a 10 mm pearl-white polycarbonate
roof, all designed for Scandinavian levels of
wind and snowfall. Like the other models in
the Juliana range, there is a large gutter with
a leaf guard for easy maintenance and a
40mm down pipe for high-volume rainwater
capacity. Ventilation is provided by a newly
developed side window feature and the stable
door system. The Juliana Lean-To has a
starting RRP of £2,100 including VAT and
home delivery.
01242 676625
ITS A MIRACLE
Choosing the right ornament or
statuary for your garden is as personal
as the decision about the layout and
planting. Whether it’s some fearsome
lions to guard your gates, a gently
bubbling water feature or, as in this
case, a delicate figure positioned to
add character to a walled cottage
garden, once you’re happy with it, it’s
like an old friend every time you
garden. In the case of Araldite’s
cherub, it seemed his wings might be
permanently clipped, until he was
restored to glory courtesy of Araldite®
Standard. The product is
recommended for use on masonry and
dry concrete, with a high temperature
tolerance of minus 300C to 650C it is
ideal for exterior use. When there is
gap-filling capability required, in other
words if the ‘break’ is not clean and
the pieces not close-fitting, it also
performs well. The Angel was left
overnight and back in place the next
day, keeping watch over his garden
flock.
www.go-araldite.com
glazing bars increasing the greenhouse
frame strength. The slat design features an
attractive ribbed finish that not only looks
good, but also helps water drainage from
pots and trays. 01242 676625
features many attractive products
manufactured from natural materials
such as willow obelisks and bean &
pea support kits in appealing
traditional and rustic styles. The Good
Life has new and attractive branding
for the 2016 season, a new catalogue
and a calendar of promotional support
with exclusive promotions for
independents. 01978 664 667
sales@treadstoneproducts.com
www.treadstoneproducts.com
HARDWARE AND WORKWEAR
MADE IN THE UK
With more and more consumers in the UK seeking out
home-based British brands, Fisco Tools has now joined a
growing number of British manufacturers to become a
member of the ‘Made In Britain’ campaign. Fisco, the UK’s
measuring tape manufacturer, is a leading world force in
the field of measuring and enjoys an unrivalled reputation
for high quality measuring instruments both in the UK and
abroad. So it’s highly appropriate that Fisco’s world-leading
products carry such a prestigious hallmark to promote the
quality of British manufacturing around the world. Fisco
spirit levels, tapes, rules and electronic measuring
instruments are a top quality range of products, which is
unbeatable in its design, manufacture, accuracy and
reliability, as well as offering excellent value for money.
As well as the Made in Britain brand, every Fisco product is
stamped with the ‘Hultafors Tools’ Hallmarks of quality and
reliability – a guarantee of on-site effectiveness.
01484 854788 | www.hultafors.co.uk
THE NEXT GENERATION
Now, after 40 years of innovation, Snickers Workwear is now
launching a completely new generation of Work Trousers for
professional tradesmen. While Fabric, Functionality and Fit are the
Hallmarks of this ‘Next Generation’, it’s the innovation and
technology in the design of the garments that really sets Snickers
Work Trousers apart from the rest. The new Work Trousers for
‘RUFFWork’ are based on an uncompromising design for tough work.
These are modern heavy-duty work trousers combining amazing
comfort and fit with reinforced functionality. They’re designed for
professionals who rely on their gear in demanding environments.
With all the functionality you can expect from Snickers, these Work
Trousers are made from a revolutionary fabric that’s heavy-duty yet
extremely comfortable. It’s a polyamide-reinforced Dobby Pro+ fabric,
featuring 100% Cordura® lining on the trousers themselves.
01484 854788 | www.snickersworkwear.com
A LUCRATIVE ADDITION
Vitavia manufacture a wide range of accessories to complement their
greenhouses. From downpipes to thermometers, staging to cold
frames, for all your greenhouse needs Vitavia have it covered. Every
greenhouse needs staging! Available in anodised aluminium, powder
coated green or black with a choice of 1 tier, 2 tier and top tier, the
4ft long stagings not only look great but provide an extremely useful
work surface and storage space. An accessory stand is available to
attractively display a selection of Vitavia accessories and Vitavia also
offer a UK wide home delivery service. Selling Vitavia greenhouse
accessories is a simple yet lucrative addition to any garden centre.
01473 218100 | sales@vitavia.co.uk | www.vitavia.co.uk
SLUG
GLEE 2015 REVIEW
GLEE REVIEW 2015
BUSY AISLES AND FULL-TO-CAPACITY EXHIBITING
SPACE WERE SOME OF THE HALLMARKS OF GLEE 2015
Offering buyers the chance
to shop across every aspect
of their gardening ranges,
Glee successfully built on its
2014 reinvention, which
included easily-accessed
new halls, a bright, ‘Green
Heart’ atrium space for
growers and strong,
business-focused visitor
features.
As a result, this year’s Glee,
organised by i2i Events,
attracted several thousand
British and international garden
retailers, online buyers, DIY
stores, landscapers and
builders’ merchants. The overall
number of retailers attending
increased, including more key
decision makers, buyers, MDs
and business owners than in
previous years. There was also
a particularly high penetration
of UK garden centres; in fact
98% of Garden Centre
Association (GCA) members
visited the show.
Matthew Mein, i2i Events Glee
event director, confirmed that
feedback from visitors and
exhibitors had been
exceptional: “From the
comments we have received
from both buyers and suppliers,
this has been the most vibrant
and exciting Glee of recent
years,” he said. “It was clear
that plenty of business was
being done, new opportunities
were being forged, and people
were seizing the chance to
network and build their
professional knowledge. We
have already taken a significant
number of re-bookings from
suppliers keen to secure their
places for next year.”
Praise from retailers visiting the
show extended from
independent garden centres, to
on-line providers and major
multiple retailers.
One of the visitors to Glee was
Nathan Dodd, buyer at
gardensite.co.uk. Speaking at
the show he said: “There is a
really good vibe at the show
this year. From the way we
were welcomed to the
atmosphere in the halls, it’s
great. The layout is good and
ensures much more
togetherness as a whole.”
Heidi Towse, head of buying at
Homebase, echoed his view.
“There's a great atmosphere at
the show, everyone seems so
happy,” she said. “The layout is
great, and having the show on
Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday is so much better.”
The eight, dedicated sections
featured in this year’s Glee
encompassed every aspect of
garden retailing including
garden care; garden design &
landscaping; plants & nursery;
garden leisure; home, gift &
clothing; food & catering; retail
services and pet. More than 500
exhibitors showcased their
latest ranges, including 190
new exhibitors and more than
75 international brands.
Amongst the show’s visitor
features were the Glee New
Products display (featuring the
New Product and Retailers
Choice award winners), the
Retail Inspiration Theatre and
Green Heart plant area, which
featured an exciting series of
merchandising displays. Glee’s
Food & Catering Zone also
returned in 2015, featuring
exceptional advice on how to
maximise the profitability of instore catering. Other initiatives
included Glee’s inaugural
Buyers Power List awards, a
Leaders for Change lunch
attended by top industry
decision-makers, and an
extensive Innovators Zone
launching entrepreneurial new
products. The Garden Industry
Manufacturers’ Association
(GIMA) Business Village and
Buyers Connect meetings, UKTI/
Gardenex International Buyers'
Centre and UKTI International
Business Zone created even
more business-building
opportunities.
2016 product trends also took
centre stage at the show. Using
new website technology, Glee’s
Trend Reports revealed ten key
gardening trends including
Grow-Your-Own grow beds,
outdoor living products inspired
by ‘Eastern Promise’, and
products using the latest fabric
technology. Video and social
media content, Glee’s award
programme, plus thousands of
exciting product launches, also
made the show a hotbed for the
key new trends set to hit the
gardening sector in the year
ahead.
Glee will now continue this
momentum further in 2016.
0203 033 2160
www.gleebirmingham.com
GLEE 2015 REVIEW
CONTEMPORARY
GRANGE
Grange unveiled its new ‘Contemporary’
range at this year’s Glee. The ‘Contemporary’
is a premium range offering consumers
modern designs combined with the highest
quality materials providing substantial, solid
decorative garden features. The range
includes a heavy duty Gate that has an
integral metal frame and planed and rounded
slats, creating a seamless look when used
with the ‘Contemporary’ Panel. It can also be
used alongside the Fusion Trellis, which is a
unique design combining wood and metal to
SMALL SCALE
INNOVATIONS
Eden Halls Greenhouses has launched its
new Eden Birdlip. The four foot wide Eden
Birdlip boasts a whole series of design
breakthroughs which the company claims will
transform greenhouse gardening even in a
small outdoor space. This includes the patent
pending, Eden Zero Threshold™ Sliding Door
System, which offers users ‘no trip’ access.
Other technical innovations include increased
volume of air from the high eaves providing
an improved growing environment. High
capacity 80mm wide gutters increase
rainwater capture, allow for easier cleaning,
PERSONALISED
PLAQUES
For customers wanting for a true one-off
for their home, take a look at Centurion’s
Initial Monogram Tailored range, which
gives customers the opportunity to
design their own, totally bespoke, house
name and numbers plaques. Ideal for
both in-store as well as online retailing,
there is attractive matching point of sale,
create a heavy duty, eye catching modern
look. The range also features the Square, Tall
and Rectangular planters all, of which are
elegant and robust. The planters come fully
assembled and are pressure treated to protect
against wood rot. The stand out features of
the range are the ‘Contemporary’ Garden
Arbour and the ‘Contemporary’ Garden Arch.
The Arbour has a real presence, with modern
straight lines and stunning curved roof, it is a
space in which to relax as well as being ideal
for growing climbing plants. The
‘Contemporary’ Arch is substantial, yet
elegant, with the arch, posts and slats being
planed, rounded and chamfered.
01952 588 088 | sales@grangefen.co.uk
SUN CITY ROLLERS
The novel plant trolleys of the “Sun
City” line are available in three
different sizes. They have high load
capacities of up to 100 kg and allow
the easy and comfortable transport of
heavy planters, parasols and many
other items, anywhere within your
home, work or garden environment.
Practical and Functional: All “Sun
City” models are adjustable which
means they will fit exactly to the item
needed to be transported. Not only do
they look good but they also provide
consumer safety, because the sliding
of the load during the transport is
almost impossible. All plant trolleys of
the “Sun City” line are made of
stainless steel. Two types are
equipped with castors with efficient
and effective brakes. The effect: They
stand safe and stable at the desired
place as well as on uneven and steeply
sloping surfaces around your garden or
garden terrace. The plant trolleys of
the “Sun City” line made by the
leading European Brand Manufacturer
Wagner are available in Garden
Centres and Online-Shops.
www.wagner-system.de/en
leaf removal and improved rainwater run-off.
There is also a roof ridge designed to
accommodate hanging baskets.
01242 676625
available to clearly display the products
choices, including touch screen kiosks
specifically designed for the in-store
environment whilst Centurion can
integrate the Initial Monogram Tailored
range into retailers existing websites.. In
addition, Centurion is happy to develop
individual merchandising solutions for
customers requiring a more bespoke
approach. 01302 788700
www.centurioneurope.co.uk
GLEE 2015 REVIEW
IN FULL BLOOM
Vitax was blooming at this year’s Glee as it
showcased a host of new packaging and
products for the 2016 season, including its
brand-new rose range. With a mix of liquid
and granular feed available, the new rose food
line-up includes Rose Food, Organic Liquid
Rose Food and Rosegarde. Rose Food is a top
quality rose fertiliser which produces
abundant blooms. Containing three major
plant foods, with iron and magnesium to boost
plant health, it helps to increase flowering and
improves growth.
Rose Food is supported by Organic Liquid
Rose Food which contains natural plant
extracts and mineral nutrients. A high potash
feed, it is ideal for roses, top fruit and
flowering plants. Its versatility means it can
be used in a watering-can or in a foliar spray.
Although promoting plant growth is essential,
Vitax has also developed Rosegarde - a
combined insecticide and fungicide.
Providing three to four weeks protection, it
kills a wide range of aphids and pests - as well
as treating rust and blackspot.
In addition to the rose range, Vitax also
promoted its new Sequested Iron Plant Tonic,
Greenhouse Disinfectant and two new Nippon
products – Nippon Pre-Baited Mouse Trap in a
Box and Nippon Clothes Moth Spray.
However, it was not just about new products.
Vitax’s PY pest control range has received a
complete makeover to bring the packaging
right up to date.
Each product now clearly displays which pest
it tackles and for which type of plant.
Displaying bright new colours, the PY range
will be identifiable on any garden centre shelf,
making it easier for gardeners to choose the
right product quickly.
www.vitax.co.uk
GLEE 2015 REVIEW
SINGLE BRAND
STRATEGY
Following its recognition as Best Buy by
Which? Gardening in the raising young plants
category, Bord na Móna UK has launched a
GREAT E-VENT
Following on from the launch of its Zero
Threshold™ range, which won best new
product at the GIMA Awards, Eden
Greenhouses has added a selection of
sophisticated ventilation accessories as
optional extras or for retro-fit. The accessories
include automatic roof vent openers, a six
blade louvre vent and automatic louvre vent
openers. The automatic roof vent openers are
solar powered and regulate the temperature
inside the greenhouse. The six-blade louvre
has been designed to fit perfectly in the side of
any of the Zero Threshold™ greenhouses.
The louvre vents are available in mill
aluminium and green or black powder coated
finish to perfectly match the greenhouse. Like
the roof vent openers, the automatic louvre
openers are solar powered and adjustable,
completely new peat to peat-free range at
GLEE 2015 all under the Bord na Móna
Growise brand. The new Bord na Móna
Growise brand, which benefits from bright,
freshly designed colour coded packaging,
encapsulates the company’s single-minded
commitment to best in class consumer
satisfaction. Its range of growing
media and soil improvers offers the
perfect combination of peat-free and
peat-reduced, including specialist
blends, all from one reliable source.
The single brand strategy will be
delivered with the full backing of the
massive resources, technological
innovation and marketing support of
the premier global supplier in this
category, combined with the tight knit
and fleet of foot accessibility of the UK
sales team. Head of Consumer in the
UK, Charles Farmer said, “The Bord na
Móna Growise brand will cover all the
peat-based and peat- free growing
media and soil improver bases. The
new range includes peat-based and
peat-free multipurpose growing media
and peat-free Chelsea Mix as well as
specialist blends”
www.thegreenergardener.com
INNOVATIONS IN
BARREL PLANTERS
VegTrug, has unveiled its beautiful
new Barrel Planter at this year’s GLEE.
This uniquely designed planter comes
with an innovative plastic base which
prevents the wood of the planter from
rotting, whilst also encouraging
growth and allowing maximum
aeration to the roots. Available in three
sizes, the planter is perfect for either
growing flowers or vegetables, and will
sit comfortably on a patio or balcony.
Available in Charcoal, Burnt Oak and
Natural, the Barrel Planter will blend
beautifully in to any style of garden or
terrace. As CEO, Joe Denham
explained, “Home owners are always
on the lookout for more unique and
innovative products for their gardens
and our new Barrel Planter is just that
being a stylish alternative to terracotta
or plastic planters. It is also ideal for
those homeowners with limited
outside space, enabling them to grow
either plants or vegetables regardless
of whether they have a garden, a patio
or a balcony,” adds Joe. The Barrel
Planter is available in three sizes,
small, which retails at £14.99; medium,
which can retail at £19.99; and large
which can retail at £27.99. Pricing will
be dependant on trade volume.
01206 230025 | www.vegtrug.com
allowing the gardener to create an automated,
custom growing environment. 01242 676625
STAND UNDER MY UMBRELLA
Garden giftware company, Fallen Fruits,
whose themed, designer collections are
inspired by nature, has unveiled a new
uniquely designed umbrella. The Lovers
Umbrella has been created to allow two
people to shelter comfortably underneath.
The unique shape provides plenty of
room for two adults meaning there is no
need to fight for cover! The beautiful
umbrella features two white love birds on
a black background making it as stylish
and eye-catching, as it is practical. With
a RRP of £19.99 this novel umbrella will
make the perfect wedding present or a
gift for a loved one.
01584 873377
sales@fallenfruits.co.uk
GLEE REVIEW
NEW LOOK TOWN & COUNTRY
At the end of an exceptionally busy and fruitful three days at GLEE,
Town & Country says the unveiling of its new brand image has gone
down a storm with show visitors. Existing customers and new
customers alike, were full of praise for the new look Town & Country.
GLEE provided the ideal platform for the launch, which was the
culmination of a 12 month development project. With a new
corporate logo, new products, new packaging, new POS and new
merchandising solutions, the revitalisation of the brand is complete.
Comments Barry Page, chief executive: “I think this was the best GLEE
there has been for a few years in terms of the show layout and the
quality of exhibitors and visitors. Monday was the opening day as
opposed to Sunday in previous years, and for us was phenomenal. We
hardly had time to catch our breath with the number of visitors on stand
– from the big groups down to the independent garden centre owner.
Over the course of the three days we have seen existing customers
pledge to retain and increase their Town & Country product ranges, as
well as a number of brand new customers signing up for the first time.
We are particularly delighted with the confirmation from Choice
Marketing of a further two year commitment of support for the Town
& Country brand.
“Everything went down exceptionally well. At the beginning of the
rebrand process, we talked to our customers about what they wanted
from us. They asked for the continuation of the quality, value and
service with which the Town & Country brand is synonymous, and
wanted a refreshed look for the brand, with new products, packaging
and merchandising highlighted as areas of focus. “As the reaction so
far testifies, we are happy that we have delivered what we promised
and look forward to working with our retail partners to translate the
successful launch we had at GLEE into a vibrant new presence in
garden centres that will deliver tangible results.”
01530 830990 | info@townandco.com
A NEW GENERATION OF AXE
Fiskars new 4th generation Axes are virtually unbreakable, feature a
new structural 3D grip for increased safety and faster swing and
come with a new 25-year warranty. The new range has been
awarded the prestigious Red Dot Award 2015 for design quality.
Cutting and splitting wood has never been more precise and
efficient. Fiskars next generation chopping axes are perfect for multipurpose wood tasks and the splitting axes can deliver a one-strike
split. The length of the axe shafts are in perfect ratio to the blade
weight and designed for different sized users. “Fiskars Axes are the
easiest you’ll ever use. Your swing action will be so impressive,
people will think you’re related to Tiger Woods.” James Wong,
Ethnobotanist and TV celebrity. James Wong is the brand
ambassador for Fiskars garden hand tools campaign, designed to
revolutionise gardening and inspire a new generation to get
outdoors.
0121 7960444 | ukinfo@fiskars.com | www.fiskars.com
SLUG
READER PROFILE: TONG GARDEN CENTRE
TONG GARDEN CENTRE
MARK FARNSWORTH, owner of Tong Garden Centre, spoke
to GHN about the factors behind Tong’s ongoing success story
After acquiring Tong
Garden Centre in May
2015 Mark and his
business partner Tom
Megginson set about
implementing a large
number of changes to
rejuvenate this iconic
garden centre in
Yorkshire.
What was the origin
of the company and
when was it started, when
did you get involved?
Q
MARK FARNSWORTH
Owner
Tong Garden Centre
Tong began life in its early
days as a pick your own
centre, the then owner had a
decision to make as he could
either go the way of a chicken
business or a garden centre.
Fortunately he chose garden
centre or we wouldn’t be
where we are today! In 2000
the centre suffered a major
fire, meaning it had to be
completely rebuilt in 2001,
resulting in a large part of the
structure you see today (all
60,000 square feet of it). Me
and my business partner Tom
Megginson took over in May
2015.
Q
What lead you to the
decision of moving
into a full garden centre,
prior success with farm
shops? How do you see that
influencing your decisions
at Tong?
10 months prior to our purchase
Tom came across the site, he
then spent this time working up
to our eventual takeover and
liaising with the old owner. It is
rare to find a Garden Centre with
such a prestigious history and
well-regarded name up for sale.
Furthermore the amount of
space – including the sizeable
800 car parking spaces – along
with a great infrastructure
already in place, meant that our
decision to buy ended up being
an easy one. We felt that the
centre needed a refresh and an
injection of new ideas, something
we could offer in abundance and
were extremely excited about.
Q
Tell me a little about
the goals and ethos of
the company and how you
are setting about achieving
them since the
refurbishment?
It’s important to note that first
and foremost we are, and
always will be, a garden centre.
It is how Tong first made it’s
name and we will look to
continue to excel in this area
This is evidenced upon entry
with our range of garden solar
products. In fact the first section
we refurbished was the plant
area, getting this offering right
is commercially key: there are
great margins to be made and
it’s what the consumer expects.
We are extremely fortunate to
have such a large site and we
can offer so much to the
consumer and really give them
a destination they will want to
return to on a regular basis.
Tell me about your
product range, how
this has expanded since
your involvement and what
the original product range
was like? How have you
diversified in the face of the
evolving nature of garden
centres as one-destination
leisure facilities?
Q
We have added a coffee shop to
the centre; it’s something the
READER PROFILE: TONG GARDEN CENTRE
customer has come to expect
from a destination of our size
and an important aspect of our
business. Alongside this new
addition we have added a farm
shop, an area I have plenty of
experience in and felt we could
implement to good effect. One
of our biggest hits, in terms of
changes, is the addition of a
children’s play centre, over the
summer it had 22,000 visitors.
This meant we were able to
draw in a whole new range of
customers, younger gardeners
who would bring their children
along for the benefits of the play
area. The stock we adopted
when we took over wasn’t up to
the standard we have come to
expect and we initially looked to
consolidate and improve the
ranges on offer. We began to do
some category management
and one great example of how
we’ve changed the outlook on
stock is with pet shampoo.
When we took over the centre
offered a superfluous 13 pet
shampoos for one animal. So in
a move to consolidate we have
taken this number down to
three shampoos at differing
price points, still giving the
customer all the choice they
need but thinning down on the
space needed to carry so many
brands. We have opened up
space in the centre for other
retailers and brands such as
Mountain Warehouse who now
sell on site. Giving the customer
even more choice and helping
us make Tong a great shopping
destination.
plant area and make it more
shoppable. Whereas before the
area presented a maze of
benches and muddle of plants
we have created a streamlined
and straightforward retail area.
In regards to the landscaping
and gardening help, we plan to
implement plant advice areas
and landscaping services in the
next year. Our main focus thus
far has been creating a
shopping experience in line
with the quality we have come
to expect.
What has been your
best selling product
over the past few months?
What are you excited for in
the coming months?
Q
As we took over in May the first
really strong products were our
bedding and plant sales. We
entered at the right time to
really see the benefits of these
areas and it has set us up to
look forward to next year. Our
garden furniture sales have
been extremely positive and
we’ve picked up some great
ranges at this years Solex that I
am extremely excited to start
offering to our customers. I
touched on our play area earlier
and though it isn’t a product it’s
worth mentioning again
because it’s been so successful,
those 22,000 children have
meant a huge increase in
footfall and subsequently results
from catering have been
exceptional with the continued
refurbishment of our food
options for customers we hope
that this trend is set to go on.
One major area we have seen
improve beyond expectations is
our giftware, with sales tripling
and showing no sign of slowing
down.
How important do you
see catering as part of
your business model?
Q
It’s vital. Your average garden
centre consumer expects good
coffee, tasty cake and a great
meal. It’s clear that they won’t
put up with a sub-standard or
average offering as there are so
many places that offer great
catering choices. In light of this
the only thing to be done is
deliver something better than
all those around you. I recently
heard an interesting statistic
that suggested garden centre
shoppers spend an average of 2
hours on the premises. With
this in mind it is not only
important to inspire customers
with merchandising for their
visit, but to keep them fed and
watered well. Something you
can only achieve through
effective catering.
Are there any further
topics or issues you
believe should be
highlighted?
Q
As relatively new owners of this
great business we see that
there are obviously areas in
which we need to improve, but
the future certainly looks bright
for us. We’ve had a great
response from the staff at Tong
and the changes seem to be
great for morale, that lets us
know we must be doing
something right!
Q
Do you find that more
and more people are
engaging with their outside
spaces as extensions of
their indoor environment?
How do you look to aid
customers when
landscaping their gardens
and do you offer help to
customers with their
gardening?
Since the takeover I have come
to realise the extent to which
you, as a garden centre, rely on
the weather. A sunny weekend
can really make a difference to
everything and it proves that
people look outside and think
about their outdoor space when
the weather is good. As we only
took the centre over on the 7th
of May it has been our focus to
initially re-merchandise the
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GIFTS, HOUSEWARES AND KIDS
GARDENS FOR ALL AGES
PAUL SMITH, Brundle business manager, explores how good
products help to get kids involved in the garden
A lot is made about creating
a peaceful oasis in the
garden. A place where
maybe the soft focus is on
adults having a bit of ‘me’
time away from the hustle
and bustle of their busy
lives.
B
ut what about children?
What about creating
areas of the garden
dedicated to our young,
whether for play time or
teaching them about how
gardens grow, about caring and
looking after things and about
the great outdoors at large?
More and more garden centres
are realising that there is an
appetite for younger gardeners
and are showcasing products to
cater for a younger audience.
This can come in many shapes
and sizes, colours and designs,
and certainly doesn’t have to be
just confined to play equipment.
Special seating areas can give
children ownership of a small
part of the garden while many
smaller gardening products can
make them feel they are either
helping or copying mummy or
daddy.
This interest in what is going
on out of their house needs to
be gently fostered from a young
age.
And the products on sale can
help with this. Along with
bright, eye-catching seating,
specialist fun items can also
make the whole gardening
experience a welcome one.
Hoses to help children water
the garden and vibrant hanging
“There is a huge educational benefit to getting
children into the garden.”
chairs are among the products
that will capture and continue a
child’s interest.
The extensive range of play
areas and play pools are
obviously going to appeal.
But that should be nurtured
alongside buying children their
own gardening gloves and
sensible and safe tools.
Away from the fun element,
there is a huge educational
benefit to getting children into
the garden and the great
outdoors at a young age.
Children love getting dirty and
gardening is a great way to
teach them environmental
awareness.
There are also therapeutic
benefits to encouraging
children to experience life
beyond the living room.
Whereas some doctors
prescribe gardening to relieve
anxiety and depression among
adults, studies have shown
horticultural benefits to young
people with confidence and
self-awareness growing and
improved self-esteem and
awareness.
School gardening has been
shown to make an impact
beyond the classroom while
children growing produce are
more likely to eat fruit and
vegetables and maintain
healthy eating habits as they
get older.
Many garden centres up and
down the country are starting to
realise there is a market for
gardeners of the future.
As well as the educational
benefits, get them interested
early and their love of the
garden will remain through
adulthood.
Even if all children do is have a
little play and a potter, then it is
still very much worth the effort.
And anyway, why should adults
have all the fun?
LOVE YOUR LAUNDRY
Beldray’s Laundry products offer great quality and as a brand Beldray is
passionate about making life as easy as possible. Beldray Clothes Airers
are a practical laundry accessory that will saves time and keep clothes
looking great. The Beldray Freestander 6-Arm Airer’s compact design
ensures plenty of drying space, holding up to 54 garments and folds for
storage. Laundry bags can help to keep dirty laundry from cluttering a
home and make it easier to get laundry done quickly and conveniently.
The Beldray Laundry Bags with easy-carry handles feature a spacesaving design, include a storage zip and can be wiped clean. Ironing
boards are an essential household product and since ironing isn’t the
most joyous of tasks, Beldray Ironing Boards have unique features to
make ironing easier. This Over-Door Ironing Board with 8 height
positions can be easily hung over any standard door, folds up and down
instantly and locks when in the upright position. It comes complete with
a clothes rack for neat, space-saving storage of pressed clothes whilst
ironing and the 100 % cotton cover guarantees a smooth press.
0161 934 2283 | sales@upgs.com | www.beldray.com
STAR WALLS
Hot on the heels of their hugely
successful Marvel range, JWP
Ltd’s popular brand of 3D wall
lights, 3DLightFX launches its
brand new, highly anticipated
Star Wars range this month. With
the latest instalment of the Star
Wars movie franchise, ‘The Force
Awakens’ released in December,
the Star Wars range is perfectly
timed to capitalise on the huge hype already surrounding the
film’s release, and the clamour for Star Wars merchandise that
goes with it.
The lights, which have brightened up the bedroom walls of
children and comic book fans of all ages are battery powered, so
require no wiring, are simple to install and use LED bulbs that
never get hot to the touch, ensuring they can be placed wherever
convenient. Each light also comes with its own crackle effect
sticker, which gives the visually stunning impression that the
light has crashed through the wall.
The new ‘Episode VII’ range combines familiar characters and
spaceships, such as Darth Vader, Yoda, the Millennium Falcon,
R2-D2 and Stormtrooper with ones taken exclusively from the
new film, such as the loveable droid BB-8 and the villainous Kylo
Ren. Each looks truly fantastic, either as a cool wall feature when
turned off, or emitting a soothing glow when lit that will amaze all
who see them.
The Star Wars wall lights follow the Marvel range launched last
year, for which a TV Commercial has been commissioned that
will air on selected children’s television channels later this month.
The commercial is sure to heighten the awareness of 3DLightFX
products in the minds of retailers and the public throughout the
country. 01254 503780 | sales@jwpltd.co.uk | www.jwpltd.co.uk
TOP TRENDS AT TRADE SHOW
From 12 to 16 February 2016, the Ambiente Trend Show in Frankfurt
will showcase a presentation of the latest trends in four themed
scenarios: “artisanal gardening”, “futuristic couture”, “functional
simplicity” and “composing freedom”. The trends, which have been
identified by the trend bureau stilbüro bora.herke.palmisano, are
inspired by directions in design, art, fashion and architecture. To
create the thematic scenarios, the trend consultants choose products
of Ambiente exhibitors and allow people to experience the trends of
the future first hand, using specific examples. As a leading
international trade fair for the consumer-goods sector, Ambiente is
able to reflect the trends in the areas covered by 'Living', 'Giving'
and 'Dining' like no other event and offers an overview of the entire
sector, together with its new products and innovations. There is a
brochure, available in advance, and packed with information on
trends in colours, materials and stylistic combinations.
www.ambiente.messefrankfurt.com
Importers of scarves for Garden Centres
borzelino@gmail.com | 07920 125124
●
Free courier service
●
40 days credit
●
●
●
●
●
●
Ring us for
Free Samples
Hundreds of styles
for all seasons
We can card, price
& barcode each
scarf for you
for easy display
Best selling line
each year for
Garden Centres
Over 25 years
in this business
Unsold scarves
over season will be
credited so never
pay for unsold
stock
www.scarvesinternational.co.uk
QUALITY BLADES
Opinel has been manufacturing quality knives and folding
tools in the heart of the French Alps since 1890, the year
when Joseph Opinel invented the penknife which today
bears his name. These knives have been at the side of the
craftsman, hiker, fisherman, nature enthusiast and others for
125 years.
2015 marked the 125th Anniversary for Opinel and as part of
their celebrations Opinel have launched a number of new
products including the No. 8 Le Tour de France Collection, a
Limited Edition No.8 Ebony, Boxwood and Rosewood Knife,
two No.7 Outdoor Knives, Le Secateur Collection, and last
but definitely not least, the No.8 125th Anniversary Creative
Contest Knife.
The Creative Contest invited fans to submit their own design
to feature on the handle of the popular No.8 Opinel Knife. The
winner of the competition, Mathieu Gazaix said he wished to
honour Opinel’s mountain roots and the memories associated
with the knife. The knife has a 8.5cm Sandvik stainless steel
blade, VIROBLOC safety locking ring and a Hornbeam
handle. The design for the handle was made with a blue
ballpoint pen and matches with Opinel’s values: simplicity
and expertise. A limited quantity of these knives have been
produced and will be supplied in a gift box – they are set to
become a popular Christmas present for Opinel lovers.
The introduction of Le Secateur further adds to Opinel’s
Horticultural collection. These attractive secateurs feature
varnished beech and polyamide handle, robust stainless steel
blades for a clean cut and a 3 position switch giving multiple
options to adapt the pruner to the diameter of the branches
or size of the user’s hand. It also has a protected spring to
prevent dirt clogging the mechanism.
01539 721032 | sales@whitbyandco.co.uk
www.whitbyandco.co.uk/opinel
FOR THE NEXT
GENERATION
Treadstone Products has unveiled an
exclusive range of children’s
gardening accessories in the form of
the Peter Rabbit licence. Based on the
CBeebies phenomonen this licensed
range features characters from the
popular programme and will include
gardening accessories and clothing
for children up to the age of seven.
The range will showcase Peter Rabbit
and his friends, Lily Bobtail and
Benjamin Bunny, all of whom are
being introduced to a new generation
of Beatrix Potter fans through the
CBeebies programme. The range is
desinged to help encourage children
into the garden with character
themed products for girls and boys.
The launch is also supported with a
new catalogue, merchandising
planograms, and POS units. UK Head
of Garden Retail, Matt Thompson,
explained, “GLEE 2015 was a major
opportunity for Treadstone Products
to ‘return to the main stage’ in terms
of supplying UK garden retail with
core gardening essentials.”
01978 664 667
sales@treadstoneproducts.com
A CRATE GIFT
FOR EVERYONE
With the festive gifting season around the
corner, T&G have everything from the
everyday kitchen essentials to those special
gifts, prefect for garden centres, and all
designed in Britain. Featured are the unique
Gift crates launched by T&G. The crates are
ideal for making and giving something
A WEE DRAM
Echoing the traditional skills needed to
make great whiskies, every glass, jug and
decanter in LSA International’s new
Whisky collection is mouthblown using
centuries-old techniques. The modern yet
timeless designs offer a contemporary
update on traditional whisky drinkware
Named after Scottish whisky producing
islands and other historic regions, the
collection includes gift-boxed sets for
connoisseurs, decanters and tumblers as
well as mixer and nosing glasses,
accompanied by solid walnut accessories.
The variety of pieces can be bought as an
entire collection or individually and added
to each year. Either way, LSA
International’s Whisky collection makes a
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Bonnington Plastics Ltd, one of Europe’s
largest suppliers of gardening, home and
leisure goods, and importer of the
Kingfisher brand of value-for-money
products, held their Autumn Open Week
at their head office in Nottingham,
welcoming over 110 customers to a VIP
showroom tour. The visitors were the first
to experience the purpose built Direct
Furniture showroom, where new garden
furniture lines are displayed in a lifestyle
setting. All items are available from stock
or to order direct from the factory. The
one-off promotions and special offers, as
well as over 120 new products ensured
this was the most successful open week
to date.
0115 985 4119
sales@bonningtonplastics.com
www.bonningtonplastics.com
special and unique this Christmas. Each
crate is made from rustic acacia with
different text printed on the front from
“jams, preserves and pickles” to “homemade, home grown, home picked…” there
is a crate for everyone. Make Christmas
extra special by creating your own gifts
whether they be home-made treats, homegrown treats or something special. These
clever little crates make the perfect present!
01275 841841 | www.tg-woodware.com
gift which will be savoured for a lifetime.
LSA International has been designing and
creating contemporary mouthblown glass
and high quality porcelain since 1966.
www.lsa-international.com
CHRISTMASWORLD PREVIEW
AN INTERNATIONAL CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMASWORLD will be more international than ever and
keynote speakers will be focusing on digital transformation
Digitalisation accelerates
the process of change
within a company; it
impacts on strategy,
business model, structure,
processes and the company
culture. What will this
mean for the future and
what opportunities does the
'digital transformation'
open up for shopping-centre
operators, retailers, cities
and communities?
W
ith precisely these
things in mind, the
Premium Business
Programme will bring together
international sector experts at
Christmasworld in Frankfurt am
Main on 29 January 2016.
Futurologist Stephan Jung,
Chairman of Retail Innovation,
ICSC Europe, London, has,
together with Messe Frankfurt,
invited some exiting
international guests to the
stage in Frankfurt and will act
as a guide through the
programme.
The challenges and the
opportunities which digital
transformation brings with it
will be examined in detail
during the panel discussion at
the 'Premium' session, where
examples of best practice will
be considered and possible
approaches to solutions
developed. The high-calibre
programme of lectures will
include many international
speakers and the very different
perspectives and spheres of
activity of the speakers promise
a fascinating exchange of
experiences.
Proceedings will be opened by
Professor Tobias Kollmann from
the University of DuisburgEssen. He holds the chair for
e-business and eentrepreneurship. In his
keynote speech, he will
encourage people to take a
radical new approach in the
face of the new digital age.
Kollmann is one of the top 50
experts on the internet start-up
scene and is held to be a
pioneer of the electronic
marketplace in Germany. In
addition, he is responsible for
digital business in the German
State of North RhineWestphalia.
Baumann, Future Lab, ECE, will
examine how shopping centres
and retailers can best respond
to digital changes and, above
all, how they can exploit them
in sensible ways. Amongst the
members of the panel are
Zulfukar Tosun from Retail
Baltic, a well-known retail
consultancy in Riga, and Kemal
Üres, founder of the successful
catering company, DAILY. In
addition, there will also be
discussion of the extent to
which staged displays and
innovative lighting design at
the point of sale might
accompany these changes or
even develop into a real factor
for competitiveness in highstreet retail. If we look at best
practice from an international
perspective, it is Turkey, above
all, that stands out. Istanbul is
booming, as far as shopping
centres are concerned. It is also
particularly interesting to see
how Turkey is approaching the
whole issue of urban
development. A number of wellknown speakers will be offering
an introduction to Turkey and
the growth market it represents.
They will include
representatives of the Turkish
Council of Shopping Centres
(AYD), shopping centre
operators and retailers.
STRONG PARTNERSHIP TO
LINK SUPPLY & DEMAND
The exclusive range of
'Premium' networking
opportunities and lectures is
now in its fourth year, it was
started by Messe Frankfurt,
together with the German
Council of Shopping Centers
(GCSC). Christmasworld, a
leading international trade fair
for seasonal and festive
decoration, is the perfect
framework for this and, at the
same time, a huge source of
inspiration. On a total of 5
floors, from 29 January to 2
February 2016, it will showcase
a range of Advent and
Christmas decorations that is
unparalleled anywhere in the
world, including interior and
exterior seasonal decorations,
as well as decorations for largescale and commercial
situations. In the tour of the
show that ensues, it will be
possible to make contact with
manufacturers of large-scale
decorations and lighting. These
exhibitors are identified
specially at the trade fair with
the 'Concept Decorations' label.
christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com
“The exclusive range of 'Premium' networking
opportunities and lectures is now in its fourth year.”
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR GARDEN CENTRE AND DIY STORE BUYERS
GARDEN &
HARDWARE
YEARBOOK
TO OBTAIN YOUR COPY OF THE
GARDEN & HARDWARE YEARBOOK
CALL 01733 385300 OR
EMAIL LOUISE.STUPPLES@ONECOMS.CO.UK
Retail Plants & Shrubs
Special news and feature supplement devoted to growing and planting
Four Oaks Show
WE LOOK BACK AT THE
YEARLY SHOW
Myplant & Garden
A LOOK FORWARD TO
THE GROWING SHOW
RETAIL PLANTS & SHRUBS
November 2015
In this edition of our Retail Plants & Shrubs
supplement we explore the annual Four
Oaks Trade Show that continues its role as a
major event in the industry. We also look
ahead to the Myplant & Garden Exhibition,
to be hosted in Milan,which is swiftly
establishing itself as a major international
event surely not to be missed.
For many this has been a fine summer of growth and I know
that the industry is extremely positive in their outlook. A
plethora of awards from shows across the UK and Europe
are testament to the innovation and inventiveness many of
our nurseries have. We’ve seen some truly exceptional
plants that break the boundaries of what we would normally
expect and I cant wait for this trend to continue on into
next year.
Ben Crowther
Editor
NEWS 29
A round up of some of the key news
in the nursery and growing industry
MYPLANT & GARDEN 30
We look forward to the show that is making a name for
itself on the international show circuit
FOUR OAKS REVIEW 31
An overview of this years Four Oaks
Trade Show going strong after 45 years
NEW &
EXCITING
PLANTERS
FOR 2015
Quality Horticultural Products
www.angloeasterntrading.co.uk
RETAIL PLANTS & SHRUBS NEWS
INSPIRING SPEAKERS
AND TOP TRENDS
The ‘FloraHolland House’ is the
centre of the FloraHolland Trade
Fair. It forms the central
meeting spot where customers
and consumers can get
together. Under the motto,
'Home of Opportunities', it
forms the central meeting spot
where customers and
consumers can gather and
network. During the days of the
trade fair, an interactive
programme of interesting and
inspiring speakers will be
offered daily for the visitors. For
example, trendwatcher Adjiedj
Bakas will give an energetic
and positive presentation on
Thursday, November 5, during
which he will inspire and
motivate the visitors to do
things differently.
HEDGE YOUR BETS
Wyevale Nurseries has started an
initiative to promote the benefits
of the British hedge to the
horticultural retail and amenity
and landscaping sectors.Adam
Dunnett, Sales and Marketing
Director at Wyevale Nurseries,
said: “Hedges are natures fences
– natural boundary markers,
privacy givers and security
providers. Not only do they work
for us, they also make a living
corridor for birds and animals,
offering nesting and food
throughout the year. Hedges
have been used as field
boundaries in England since the
times of the Romans and we feel
Britain and its patchwork of
market, with our range led by
Salvia ‘Love & Wishes’, which is a
truly exceptional variety...We
were delighted that during the
trade show Salvia ‘Love and
Wishes’ was awarded the Best
Plant Introduction – Nursery
Stock Award. It thoroughly
deserves the win."
BUMPER
SHOW FOR
EARLEY AT
FOUR OAKS
Wyevale Nurseries Transplants
Division in Ledbury opened its
doors on Tuesday, September 8
and customers who attended
were taken on tours around the
nursery and light refreshments
were also served. Ray Jenkins,
Director at Wyevale Nurseries
Transplants Division, said: We
are part of the Confor Nursery
Producers’ Group and as a
member we were very pleased
to be involved in the first Confor
Nursery Producers’ Group –
hedges are iconic. We want to
see them continue to flourish.
There are many benefits to
hedges for example walls or a
fence will only divert wind,
whereas a hedge filters and
calms it, improving air
circulation and forming sheltered
microclimates for other plants to
grow. Hedges can also be
planted for sound proofing and to
absorb air pollution. They are
ideal for use near busy roads or
in industrial areas. The best
hedges are planned. Knowing
what to plant and where to put it
can make a significant difference
to the initial impact as well as
the desired long-term
MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
Seven new plants were
unveiled at this year’s Four
Oaks Trade Show by
Wyevale Nurseries. The
plants included Fuchsia
‘Thumbelina Gem’,
Geranium ‘Purple Ghost’,
Raspberry ‘Ruby Beauty’,
Salvia ‘Clotted Cream’,
Salvia ‘Joy’, Salvia ‘Love
and Wishes’ and Salvia
‘Super Trouper’. Adam
Dunnett, Sales and
Marketing Director at
Wyevale Nurseries, said:
“We were very excited to
be able to unveil seven
new plants at this year’s
Four Oaks Trade Show.The plants
show true innovation in the plant
market. Raspberry ‘Ruby Beauty’
is the first ever dwarf, patio
raspberry and is perfect for the
modern day gardener. We believe
the four new Salvia varieties are
the best Salvia selections on the
OPEN
DOORS
PROVE A
SUCCESS
National Nursery Open Day. We
had a very successful and
enjoyable event with a steady
stream of visitors arriving
throughout the day. There were
several tours around the 200
acre nursery allowing visitors to
see our home grown transplants,
which this year have seen good
growth and quality. It was a
great opportunity for people to
meet in an informal environment
and to hear other people’s views
and discuss the industry. There
was lively discussion about
forestry requirements in general
and the low level of available
Government grants, the narrow
window for applications and
how this will affect the coming
seasons.” Confor is a members’
organisation, which promotes
forestry and wood, and is funded
by and accountable to people
and businesses who own forests
and who work in forestry or with
wood and forest products.
Earley Ornamentals, has
reported record visitor
numbers to its successful
stand at this year’s Four
Oaks Trade Show – the
UK's premier show for
ornamental horticulture held
in Cheshire recently. Earley
doubled last year’s record,
with over 250 people
welcomed on to the stand
over the busy two-day
exhibition. Earley
Ornamentals stand was
double the size of last year
and featured even more
exciting new varieties,
colour additions from the
award-winning SunPatiens®
range and all the latest
growing technology news.
Other stand highlights
included the new striking
Begonia Fortune Salmon
Bicolour, the latest
introduction to the Quick
and Compact range, new
variety, Nemesia Easter
Bonnet, the Earley Viola
Vibrante F1 and new
on-trend colour, Henna,
which has been added to
the versatile Supercal
range. Commenting on the
success of the stand this
year, Earley Ornamentals
managing director Simon
Earley said: “The new
Earley stand really attracted
attention, with enquiries
coming in thick and fast,
and orders being placed
there and then. Our Earley
Experts manning the stand
agreed it was the best show
yet.”
MYPLANT & GARDEN
MYPLANT & GARDEN EXHIBITION
MYPLANT & GARDEN’S qualification as an international fair
has been reconfirmed and certified for the second show
The new Myplant & Garden
exhibition proves itself to be
a reference point for
businesses and the green
sector, in which plant
cultivations and constructions,
flower cultivations and
decorations, techniques and
machineries, services and
equipment all can find an
international aim in their
business
T
he show represents a real
push to recognize the
excellence of the Italian
flower and plant sector and of
the green solutions, which are
being designed and presented
from Italy.
The presence of buyer
delegations, which have so far
been remarkable, will be further
improved, thanks to the
cooperation with bodies,
institutions, agencies and
companies.
“The booking process of the
exhibition,” says the
organisation office, “is following
a good trend and our interest,
which is primarily focused on
important topics for the flower
and plant and garden sectors, is
expanding to themes related to
green projects. For the first time
an Italian fair has connected the
protagonists of architecture,
constructions, flower and plant
providers for projects and public
and private, urban and extra
urban green areas under
construction”.
“We are talking about flower
and vegetable gardens, parks
and territories – and their
maintenance – bearing in mind
the needs of retailers and big
wholesalers”.
“Last year we already created
an area in the exhibition where
a very high level (from an
economic and project point of
view) international delegation
discussed some topics about
big scale green projects,
presenting some development
models being studied and even
some completed projects (parks,
cycle paths, slow mobility etc.):
the results were a surprise, as
well as the profits (especially
from an economic point of view)
generated by requalification/
maintenance of green areas”.
“In this perspective we are
going to present a creative
contest for green projects, in
partnership with Fondazione
Minoprio, Aiapp Lombardia,
Politecnico di Milano and the
Ordine degli Architetti PPC of
the Provincia di Milano: the
successful projects will be built
at the trade fair”.
“At any scale flowers and plants
are a heritage which needs to
protected: “We know the
meaning of 2016 for the green
sector: Italy will host IFLA
World Congress, an
extraordinary opportunity to
talk about green, landscape and
territory”.
Going back to distribution, a
garden centre from the “future”
is being presented and open to
a more and more varied offer, a
more and more accurate
demand and an innovative,
efficient and effective ‘visual’
sales format. New products,
new layouts, improved stock
management to base sales on
impulse, attraction, need,
organization.
There will be room for cut
flowers and flower decorations
as important schools and
experts, from Italy and abroad,
will discuss creativity and
beauty in flower compositions.
There will also be room for
tasting with cooking shows
from acclaimed chefs looking at
vegetables and food. Moreover,
professionals will have the
opportunity to update their
knowledge about technical and
professional themes.
In February 2016 FieraMilano
will be once more a strong
attraction for Italian and
international professionals.
Among the new concepts, it
will be considered as a hub for
green sector professionals in a
historically central, and not
marginal, commercial area.
The exhibition is transparently
managed in cooperation with
companies and is an example
and boost for the whole sector,
especially in Italy, in the Italian
and world market.
info@myplantgarden.com
www.myplantgarden.com
FOUR OAKS
FOUR OAKS
Four Oaks is a commericial horticulture
show and has been running for over 45
years. The 2015 show took place at the 23
acre nursery site in Cheshire, featuring an
exhibition site with 17,000m² under glass
with additional areas outside.
The large amount of exhibitors at this
years show, including new exhibitors and
those returning after absences in previous
years, are testament to the growing
strength of the nursery industry. There
were also exhibitors from overseas,
including growers/grower retailers, garden
centres, multiple retailers, farm shops,
landscapers and architects, garden
designers, local authorities and florists.
A number of awards were given out at the
show acknowledging the successes of
those in the industry. The awards at Four
Oaks were judged by Garden Centre
Association chief executive Iain Wylie
along with Horticulture Week’s Technical
editor Sally Drury and Editor Kate Lowe.
The winners were presented with their
trophies at an after show reception with
over 200 attendees.
GROWING ONLINE
Bord na Móna UK has launched a completely new website to reflects its
single brand peat to peat-free range unveiled at GLEE 2015 all under the
Bord na Móna Growise brand. The all new website went live on 14
September 2015. The new Bord na Móna Growise brand, which benefits
from bright, freshly designed colour coded packaging, encapsulates the
company’s commitment to consumer satisfaction. Its range of growing
media and soil improvers offers the perfect combination of peat-free and
peat-reduced, including specialist blends. The single brand strategy
boasts new literature, the new website and a new trade and consumer
promotional campaign. The new consumer-facing Bord na Móna Growise
website covers all the peat-based and peat-free growing media and soil
improver bases including multipurpose growing media, specialist blends
such as ericaceous, sowing and cutting, rose, tree and shrub and tub and
basket as well as a John Innes range, a grow your own collection and a
selection of peat-free soil improvers. 0800 973555
info@thegreenergardener.com | www.thegreenergardener.com
TOSHIBA TEC AT FOUR OAKS
Kelgray is an approved Toshiba TEC reseller and specialises in
providing label application technology solutions to a diverse range of
customers. Kelgray understands the vital role that high-quality
printing technology plays within the horticulture sector and Four Oaks
visitors were able to get hands on with a range of devices. These
include the Toshiba TEC B-EP2 and B-EP4 portable printers and the BSA4 barcode label printer, all of which are suitable for a variety of
horticultural uses, including plant labelling. Kelgray also displayed a
selection of Toshiba TEC’s ribbons and papers. Designed for use with
the B-EP2 and B-EP4 printers, the LL paper range is suitable for most
applications and environments. Perfectly adapted for use in garden
centres and other horticultural environments, Toshiba’s range of
thermal transfer ribbons and
speciality label types will
offer outstanding print
quality in any environment.
Complementing these
products is a range of highly
visual, liner free continuous
label rolls in 7 individual
colours that can be easily
removed and re-stuck to
different surfaces without
leaving residue or damaging
surfaces
0843 2244 944
info@toshibatec.co.uk
www.toshibatec.co.uk
ROMANCE ISN’T DEAD
Ahead of launching Lily ‘Romance’ in the Thompson &
Morgan 2016 Spring Catalogue, Horticultural Director Paul
Hansord set staff and members of the press the challenge
of producing the best patio pot of this new dwarf oriental
lily. From dry East Anglia and the wet Welsh Valleys in the
west, up to the most northerly point of the UK – one thing is
clear; Lily ‘Romance’ is a top performer no matter the local
weather conditions. “Every staff entry was a winner – in
the end we had to award more prizes than intended”,
said Paul.
www.thompson-morgan.com
CLASSIFIEDS
Retail Plants & Shrubs
For further information tel: 01733 385308
email: claire.jordan@onecoms.co.uk
Country Herbs & Plants Ltd
• 9cm
• Wild
and 1 litre Herbs
F lowers and Strawberries
• Weekly
• New
national garden centre deliveries
look labels, POS, barcoding available
01775 713330 www.countryherbs.co.uk info@countryherbs.co.uk
BUYERS GUIDE: the essential address book...
: : ASSOCIATIONS
: : GREENHOUSES
: : OUTDOOR
: : HOME FRAGRANCES
: : OUTDOOR FURNITURE
: : MARKETING
: : PEST TRAPS
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Site 41, Knowsthorpe Way
Cross Green Industrial Estate
Leeds LS9 0SW
t: 0113 240 3456
www.everbuild.co.uk
Tel: 01606 738806
www.go-araldite.com
: : BBQS
Araldite products are distributed in the UK by Velcro Limited.
: : ADHESIVES & SEALANTS
Weber – the UK’s number
one barbecuebrand – has
been a force to be reckoned
with for over 50 years
The Four Columns,
Broughton Hall Business Park,
Skipton, N. Yorks BD23 3AE
t: 01756 692600
salesuk@weberstephen.com
www.weberbbq.co.uk
: : GARDEN CARE
Founded in 1855,
R Sankey and Son Ltd is a
leading UK manufacturer
of garden products which
combine functional
gardening solutions with
innovative design
rsankey.com
0115 927 7335
: : GIFTS
: : TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
Fiskars UK Ltd
ukinfo@fiskars.com | 01159 277 335
www.fiskars.com
GARDEN & HARDWARE NEWS Buyers’ Guide: the essential address book. Call 01733 385300 to advertise
The largest independent manufacturer of
Sealants, Adhesives, Fillers & Building Chemicals
LAST WORD

The last
WORD
CONTACTLESS EVOLUTIONS
RAY BRASH, MD at PrePay Solutions, takes
a look at the changing face of contactless pay
Customers continue to opt for
greater convenience and as
they become familiar with
contactless technology, there
has been a huge upsurge in
popularity.
RAY BRASH, Managing
Director, PrePay Solutions
Shoppers in the UK are now able to
spend up to £30 per contactless
transaction. This is an increase on
the previous limit of £20 for cards
which do not require a signature or
PIN to authorise payment.
According to the UK Cards
Association, contactless
transactions in the first half of this
year alone totalled £2.5 billion, an
impressive increase from the
£2.32bn spent in the whole of 2014,
demonstrating increased
awareness and adoption. As
customers demand faster
transactions without compromising
on security, the increase to £30
means that the average
supermarket spend of £25 will now
be covered and the drive to full
contactless acceptance is taking
hold.
There is certainly momentum from
financial organisations towards
contactless capabilities. MasterCard
recently announced plans to enable
‘high-value’ contactless payments
across all European terminals by
2017. From 2016 onwards, all new
card terminal implementations
must feature ‘tap and go’
technology and by 2020 all retailers
must accept contactless payments.
The news comes after selected
retailers accepted higher value
transactions authenticated through
mobile services such as Apple Pay
and Samsung Pay. With the
wearable technology market also
set to erupt in coming years, it
seems inevitable that contactless
will become a core business staple.
For retailers, the good news is that
not only customers benefit from
contactless payments; its swift and
flexible nature enables retailers to
serve more customers during peak
periods, reducing queuing times,
maximising sales and boosting
customer satisfaction.
If the above advancements
underline one thing, it is that
contactless has now moved from
being a beneficial feature to a
necessity for businesses.
Consumers want to pay quickly by
card, and now expect this option.
You do not want to have to tell
customers that, “sorry, we don’t do
contactless”.
PrePay Solutions has been there
from the beginning when we first
launched Orange Cash and EE
Cash on Tap, and we look forward
to seeing where it will grow next –
it is an exciting time for
contactless. However, retailers that
are slow to embrace the future of
payments could see themselves
being left in the shadow of forwardthinking rivals.
Ray joined PrePay
Solutions in 2004,
after holding senior
finance roles within
retail, finance and
information services
businesses for more
than 20 years.
Alongside his role at
PrePay Solutions,
Ray also sits on the
advisory board of the
UK Global Prepaid
Exchange
association. Since
taking on the role of
Managing Director in
June 2012, Ray has
overseen a period of
sustained growth
within the company. In
September of 2013
Ray was appointed to
the position of
Chairman, alongside
his duties as
Managing Director.
prepaysolutions.com
WANT TO OFFER
YOUR CUSTOMERS
SOMETHING
DIFFERENT FOR
2016?
Anglo Eastern Trading Co Ltd
Dingle Farm Rural Business Park, Unit 2, Vicarage Lane,
Newton-with-Scales, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 3RX
Tel: 01772 673865
sales@angloeasterntrading.co.uk
www.angloeasterntrading.co.uk

Launch Gallery Glee Review

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