contents Winter warmer


As we close on what has been a particularly challenging year for us all, it’s a time to reflect and celebrate the endeavours of garden centres across the country that have worked so hard during this past year. From implementing social distancing guidelines, to making garden centres a safe and welcoming place for new and existing customers, it’s been a challenging year, but in which we’ll reflect in years to come as potentially one of the most significant year in garden centre retail.


It’s been a year where the benefits of the outdoors, green space and people’s gardens have really resonated with the population. And the fact that shoppers could visit garden centres in a safe and welcoming environment, is testament to all of you. 2021 is the time to capitalise on this renewed interested in gardening and I’m confident the trade


will facilitate and grow this interest. It really could be an exciting opportunity for garden retail. Here at GCU, we look forward to covering this opportunity with interest.


A Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.


Alex Fordham, Editor afordham@datateam.co.uk


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@ GCUMagazine Association Comment- BHETA


10 Association Comment- GIMA 12 Association Comment- GCA 14 Online Sales 16 Andy Campbell feature 18 Digital sales and marketing 22 Product Review 24 Autumn Fair@Home 26 Range Review edit 28 Profile: Greener Gardening Company 32 The Secret Gardener


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GCU Winter 2020


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