Remind your customers about Bestselling lines and TV adverts - it's a great signal to buy
Is garden centre retailing the light at the end of the tunnel? Are we seeing the green shoots of recovery before everyone else? Data from the GTN Bestsellers Epos panel shows that total volumes of products sold in April this year are 31% up on the same 4 week last year, and that after a 23% increase in March. Sure the weather and a later Easter have played their part but it does appear that there is something more to this gardening boom, people actively want to garden this year, and garden centres are riding the recession on the back of it.
And as for the greenhouse effect, many garden centres have reported to GTN that they have experienced extraordinarily high sales of greenhouses this year, another indication of the desire to actively garden rather than just use the garden as a leisure room. GTN data indicates that the bestselling Gardman 4-Tier mini greenhouse has already sold 25% more units this year than in the whole of 2008.
The boom in Grow Your Own means that sales of core gardening products are leading the way. GTN’s Bestsellers Charts from garden centre EPOS data report that Top 50 Growing Media sales volumes are up 53% year on year since the start of March, the Garden Products Top 50 are up 46% and Veg 2 Grow products Top 50 up 45%.
And all of that points to even more garden centre footfall during May and June as your customers come back for more plants and more products to make the most of their gardening activities.
Tools, wheelbarrows, plant fertilisers and pest control products are sure to be on their list of key requirements so be sure to have the best available for them.
High volume sales of products such as Solar lights – they have been No 1 for 2 weeks in April, point to a growing desire to add style in the garden too, so products such as garden clocks and stylish garden clothing are sure to be in demand too.
Some Future Bestsellers you should be thinking about?
Have you heard the news? Tenax have launched their exclusive Laura Ashley Garden product range, and it's been a tremendous success. Are you getting your share?
Designed specifically 'for women by women', it includes Wellingtons, gloves, aprons, trugs, hanging baskets and more. Everything is coordinated and uses recognised Laura Ashley patterns.
INFORMATION 01978 664667
Fax: 01978 664634
Email: info@tenax.co.uk
www.tenax.co.uk
Many end users buy £39.95 wheelbarrows from superstores but very quickly regret it. Most budget barrows are flimsy beyond belief, and quite useless as gardening tools. Not so the new Corvette from wheelbarrow experts Maingate - a real barrow for real gardeners, yet yours to sell for RSP £39.95 or less. Request full details.
Information 0845 230 6585
Introducing the best selling Waspinator - the unique and utterly effective Wasp Repellent which keeps wasps out of an area 40ft around the garden table or BBQ.
With huge retail sell through, Waspinator wins awards for wildlife and eco friendliness - Waspinator is maintenance free, chemical free, and doesn't harm the wasps.
INFORMATION 0113 815 4994
www.waspinator.co.uk
Look no further than Tenax UK Ltd for their innovative use of merchandising materials to display their products. Their exclusive Laura Ashley Garden range is merchandised on an imaginative three-tiered table display, which has resulted in soaring sales wherever it has been displayed. Striking POS is also available, in various combinations to entice the customer in store
INFORMATION 01978 664667
Fax: 01978 664634
Email: info@tenax.co.uk
www.tenax.co.uk
West Meters have over 100 products in the Outside-in Designs range of in and outdoor clocks and thermometers. Prices from £12 to £100 ensures you select products to suit your customers pockets as well as their individual style. The clocks and thermometers all come attractively packaged and make excellent gifts.
Fax- 01490 413336
mail@westmeters.co.ukm
The key to the success of Maxicrop's Liquid Houseplant Fertilisers is the unique blend of seaweed extracts that the range contains. This
seaweed extract blend improves leaf colour and rooting, as well as general planthealth and ability to withstand stress. RRP £3.42 per 250ml bottle.
INFORMATION
08700 115 117
www.maxicrop.co.uk
Tayberry understands your business and how it works. We appreciate the garden centre environment and - more importantly - your customers. We understand what your customers need, as well as what they like. Our high quality products will delight your customers for many years. Our unique service package is designed to maximise sales and profits whilst minimising the demands on your staff.
INFORMATION 01507 524816
www.tayberry.co.uk
Suttons 'Fun to Grow' range is the ideal introduction to sowing and growing fora new generation of gardeners.These products are fun to grow and highly educational.The seed-based growing products in the'Fun to Grow' 
range, feature practical tips, interesting facts and even healthy eating recipes, all designed to tie in closely with Key Stage 1 in the National Curriculum for 4 to 7 year olds. RRPs range from 99p to £4.99
INFORMATION 01803 696 364
ENTER THE
GREATEST AWARDS
Large or small, all garden centres and their staff can win with The Greatest Awards - and it's free to take part
www.thegreatestawards.co.uk for more information
Soil Miller (DAM) is currently featured in a full page advert in BBC Gardeners' World, Amateur Gardening, The English Garden, Garden Answers, Garden News and Gardens Monthly magazine. This back-saving soil miller has never been more in demand. Don't miss out on this fantastic selling opportunity - order yours TODAY!
INFORMATION 01905 353308
Fax- 01905 354416
Email- info@wolf-garten.co.ukm