year in review


As much as the market has changed in recent years, the weather still played a key role in sales performance for the UK’s garden centres


2017 has also seen BHETA’s first direct venture into the consumer market in the form of Spring 2018’s National Home Improvement Week. Backed by brands from thirteen of the leading garden and home suppliers including Fiskars, Husqvarna, Cuprinol and Nilfisk, it uses the registered tag line ‘Love The Home You Live In’ and runs March 12 to 18 inclusive. Also supported by most independent retailers – garden centre, High Street and merchant – it is another route to facilitating the supplier/retailer/consumer relationship. BHETA home and garden sector director Paul Grinsell explains: “In these challenging times it’s vital that we act on all fronts – home/export, retail/consumer to show that home and garden improvement is achievable, enjoyable and profitable.”


Within the GCA, it has been a busy year too, Iain notes.


users and garden centres, it is now fully compatible with mobile and tablet devices. The number of learning modules available is expanding as well as the topics covered. The system has become a training staple for GCA members over the last three or four years and we are pleased to announce that the system will become available to HTA members in 2018.” He adds: “As 2017 draws to a close, we are looking forward to our annual conference which will take place at The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon from January 21 to 24, 2018.”


Diversification and growing networks The Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Association (GIMA) has also seen plenty of positivity, notes GIMA director Vicky Nuttall. “GIMA’s members have shown remarkable determination this year in the face of uncertainty regarding Brexit,” she comments.


GIMA’s members have shown remarkable determination this year in the face of uncertainty regarding Brexit


“We’ve launched a new website, which is much more user friendly and has more current information available than ever before,” he says. “The GCA e-learning site, GCA GROW is being used by more than 10,000 employees in 100 garden centres and there was a major upgrade for the site in 2017.


“As well as increased functionality for the 18 | www.gardencentreupdate.com


“Innovation has continued unabated with members continuing to commit to developing ground breaking new products, and the GIMA Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund continuing to bring new talent to the industry.” She continues: “Our commitment to unrivalled value has also seen our calendar of events expand, with further growth earmarked


for 2018, beginning with the Garden Press Event in February. Our second year at the helm alongside the HTA, the event has showed growth enough to warrant a move to a different location in Islington, and increasing engagement from both exhibitors and attending media. Our awards programme has also enjoyed a strong year, including another well-attended GIMA Awards, which also scooped a silver at the inaugural Awards’ Awards ceremony in May, a great boost, helping to set up next year’s award ceremony to be even better.”


The association has also been well positioned to respond to the needs of the market, Vicky adds, offering new tools to its members and analysis of the wide range of categories now covered by garden retailing. Vicky explains: “Much has been said about Brexit, rising costs and inflation, leading us to launch the GIMA Barometer of Trade to provide an invaluable extra tool to help provide in- depth information to members on the state of the industry, and adding to our roster of member benefits.


“Stable membership and diversification also allowed us to add further insight into a much wider range of garden retail sectors in 2017, matched by a growing network of retailers who are keener than ever to work more closely with suppliers as they look to have more influence on the supply chain.”


With all of the industry’s associations working hard to ensure a positive future, it can be hoped that even with a generally positive 2017 for the market, next year can be even better.


GCU November/December 2017


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