As we head into the ‘Golden Quarter’ for giftware retailers, a tag that I had never heard until recently, although everyone in the industry knows this to be true, it’s good to see the category performing well in our Garden Centre Association Barometer of Trade.
While for the year to date the category is only slightly up against the same period last year, the performance during the past two months has been more than a 10% increase on last year. Research by a retail analyst Coveo into shoppers plans for gift purchasing showed 76% of those surveyed said they planned to maintain or increase their gifting spend compared to last year. There is already a change in purchasing patterns with little luxuries adding some vigour to the market and customers are keen to get buying their Christmas presents to spread the costs.
Most garden centres are already well down the road in stocking the kind of products that our customers are looking to buy. These include local or British made goods, often giving centres to chance to offer something unique, or with a clear point of difference. This entices thoughtful customers while supporting your local circular economy, always a positive experience for your business.
We are at that time of year again when the main focus within the Garden Centre Association team is finalising the details for our next annual conference. We are looking forward to welcoming our members to the De Vere Wokefield Park near Reading from January 26 to the 29, 2025. The conference has the title ‘The Unique Garden Centre Experience.’
It kicks off on Sunday 26 with a London Retail Safari, which has been organised by Ben Harrison from Haskins Garden Centres and is being led by Matthew Brown from Echo Chamber. This will start with a trends’ presentation in central London. Following a tour of various retail venues, the party will meet back at Battersea Power Station for drinks and nibbles before being ferried back to the hotel. As always profits from this event will be shared with our three main charities – Greenfingers, The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and Perennial.
On Monday morning, we will hear from our four inspectors on the highlights of their spring inspections and the various awards will be announced. Monday always focuses on the operational side of the business, so is a great day to bring team members, especially if you think you are in with a chance to collect an award.
We will see the presentations from this year’s Rising Stars and the guest speakers are focusing on Customer Experience, Employee Engagement and Leadership. The day finishes with our Associate Members networking dinner, which is always supported with a fancy-dress theme, with this year’s topic being The London Underground. I can’t wait to see the amazing ideas and creations that people come up with, and wear. Who can forget the Millbrook King Prawns from earlier this year at our 2024 conference!
During the day on Tuesday, there will be a particular emphasis on the economy, marketing and the environment. There will be updates from the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) and the HTA (Horticultural Trades Association) and a presentation titled ‘The Unique Garden Centre Experience.’ The conference concludes with our Associates Exhibition, which sees more than 50 members presenting their wares in an informal setting to all the delegates.
I’m reliably informed Walkers Shortbread will be bringing a good supply of samples once again this year! The whole event concludes with our annual black tie gala dinner. I am very pleased to be able to confirm that all prices have been held at the same figures as last time and once again the early bird 10% discount and a £50 discount for members of the YPHA (Young People in Horticulture Association) are also being offered.
If you would like further information on any part of this or if you would like to sponsor a part of our conference, please do get in touch with me on email: peter@gca.org.uk.
