DAVID LITTLE


Garden centres: Give your


shoppers more than they expect By David Little Owner of Poplars Garden Centre.


As the owner of a successful garden centre and a key member of theGarden Centre Association, David Little is both passionate and knowledgeable about this blossoming sector. Here he offers his predictions about the areas that garden centres can develop.


I


’ve been asked to predict the three main areas of growth for the next year. Whilst I


don’t have a crystal ball, talking to colleagues and peers I get the impression that food, community involvement and the provision of an enjoyable experience will be areas that will require our attention in the 12 months ahead.


WHET YOUR APPETITE Supermarkets are now starting to look very seriously at garden centre sites. Whether it’s a hand-in-hand development of a new site or joining an existing garden centre site. The next evolution may see supermarkets using their smaller express formats to take over food halls and farm shops. If it’s not the supermarkets themselves advancing the food offer then it will be the garden centre


Above: events such as Christmas markets give experiences to  remember


22 | 2012 | GARDEN & HARDWARE YEARBOOK |


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