industry news 2020 is declared a ‘record year’ for compost


by The Greener Gardening Company Leading growing media supplier, The Greener Gardening Company has hailed 2020 as a record year for sales of its portfolio of peat-reduced and peat-free growing media, despite the immense challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The company behind the innovative Happy Compost, Growise and Richmoor growing media brands hit the equivalent of 2019’s entire turnover within the first six months of 2020, as demand for compost skyrocketed due to the soaring popularity of gardening during lockdown and throughout the ongoing pandemic. To assist retailers in captitalising on expected growth in compost categories during 2021,


the Happy Compost range will expand for next season, with new products including Enriched Top Soil, Farmyard Manure, Lawn Soil, Composted Bark and three grades of Chip Bark being added to the Happy brand, renowned for its distinctive livery and commitment to helping retailers and consumers to realise their peat-free ambitions. Earlier this autumn, The Greener Gardening Company reported that sales in June were up by 41% compared to the same month in 2019, while July came in at 98% up on budget, as retail outlets sought to obtain additional stocks of quality growing media to satisfy huge consumer demand post-lockdown.


With Covid-19 resurgent in many regions of the UK, presenting further challenges for retail outlets in affected areas, The Greener Gardening Company is confident that its strategy of continuing with 24-hour production well into autumn will ensure that substantially enhanced levels of garden centre stock will be the ground by Christmas, enabling retailers to place orders with confidence ahead of the 2021 season.


BHETA to ‘walk 500 miles’ for


Rainy Day Trust A British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) team is set to walk (or run) over 500 miles between now and Christmas to raise money for the industry charity, The Rainy Day Trust. The specific target is 509 miles, that being the distance between BHETA’s most northerly member, housewares manufacturer, Aydya based in Dundee and the most southerly, heating and plumbing supplier, Select Products based in Torbay. Each member of the BHETA team will individually complete as many miles as they can during the next two months and record the distances achieved until the combined target of 509 is reached. The BHETA 500 Mile Walk team comprises


Nicola Adams, Helen Farnell and Zara Miah from BHETA member services, marketing manager, Steve Richardson, Chief Operating Officer, Will Jones, Executive Chairman, Andrew Weiss, Seema Grantham, housewares sector manager, Keeley Vernon, DIY sector manager and Finance Director, Clare Holland.


Companies or individuals who would like to sponsor the BHETA team should contact Member Services Manager, Nicola Adams on na@bheta.co.uk or 07946 078566.or visit the justgiving page using the link below.


Horticultural businesses optimistic but cautious for 2021, says HTA’s new Business Confidence Index


Business confidence is returning to UK garden industry after the record crash in confidence in spring, says the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), as shown by its new Business Confidence Index survey of members and supported by positive garden centre sales in October, with 17% growth on October 2019. The Business Confidence Index assesses


members’ confidence in sales and areas of investment in the business over the next 12 months and will be used to demonstrate the pulse of the industry during these times of uncertainty. Business outlook crashed in Q1 2020 when the impacts of Covid-19 began to take effect. However, both short- and longer-term business


GCU Winter 2020


outlook have steadily increased to Q3 2020, albeit remaining at lows not seen since 2013. The Index reveals that most members are


feeling comparatively optimistic about their future sales and many are looking to target new customers. The fragile market environment though is limiting their willingness to make more significant business investments, such as buildings or new premises.


October’s positive outlook was driven by exceptional garden/gardening category sales that finished the month 45% up on October of last year. Non-garden/gardening ranges also showed signs of recovery, helping calendar year to end of October comparisons finish -


12% down on the same period of 2019. Average transaction values were up 28% and 54% in the garden store and café/restaurant respectively, compared with October 2019. Catering typically makes up 21% of turnover in November amongst garden centres with a catering offer; so with cafes and restaurants forced to close once again, overall sales are likely to be hit, especially as we move out of the traditional gardening season. Retailers are advised to continue the hard work


to implement a safe trading environment by controlling customer numbers and avoiding Christmas events that cause people to congregate until at least Wednesday 2 December.


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