New thinking in Garden Retail

We were fortunate enough to be invited to a preview event for the RHS Garden Wisley Plant Centre and Gift Shop. The new Plant Centre is light, airy, confident and sophisticated. it lives out the RHS values with regards to sustainability, from the environmental credentials of the build, through to the reduced use of plastic, the…

The magic is back

#themagicisback That is Tong Garden Centre’s Christmas hashtag, which accompanies their TV advert, portraying the role that Tong plays in creating the perfect Christmas… While Timmermans Garden Centre is taking the magic further with a new twist on Santa, – Afternoon Tea with Santa It is also worth noting Timmermans also have the circus in…

10 Lessons to learn from a visit to Barton Grange Garden Centre

Barton Grange Garden Centre continue to push boundaries in Garden Retail. Recent visits reveal a strategic desire to communicate that this is a place that is all about plants. A place that is engaged with its customers, a place that is fun, vibrant, and most important of all relevant to them… Here are the 10…

Apple refresh their retail offer

Apple have opened their new refreshed Apple Store at Sheffield Meadowhall, and its not about selling product it is about selling the experience of using the product. It is about showcasing creativity not stating specifications… Just think, if we did the same with our plants, if we sold the dream of what the customer could…

Three brilliant ways to boost sales with POS.

We are often amazed that more retailers do not use POS (Point Of Sale) to its full advantage. We are loving the way that outdoor retailer Cotswold Outdoor were using POS in their Reading branch today. Book of the month, perfect for her, and perfect gift POS all backed up with plenty of product for…

What we can learn from a bicycle

Brompton make amazing folding bikes that just work.

Their MD has taken the company from 24 staff to 240 staff.

He has turned Brompton into a global brand.

Here he shares his amazing story…

Madly, deeply, passionate about…

Houseplants!

We visited Blue Diamond’s Trentham Garden Centre recently and were, to be honest, totally, completely and utterly blown away by their houseplant department.

The images tell their own story, celebrating the plants, championing the role of the great Victorian Planthunters and offering customers an amazing shopping experience.

Childrens’ treats with an adult twist – the latest coffee shop trend!

We were delighted to have been invited to host the second day of the HTA Catering Conference. During the day we were looking at coffee shop trends. Children’s treats with an adult twist were an unexpected trend, but if one looks at the rise of gourmet “fish finger sandwiches” then the trend makes sense. Boozy…

We are loving this great marketing idea

If word of mouth is the best form of advertising. If the way to continue to boost Cafe sales is to innovate. If connecting with our customers is what it is all about… Then what do you think of McDonalds latest idea… Until the 14th Feb customers, chosen at random can pay with love! Just…

From a Facebook lesson to a brilliant new gardening idea…

I recently received this message from Kim W. on Facebook – “Just read a post on your wall with regards to 25-35 year olds taking up gardening, I am in this bracket, I don’t know what I’m doing but I absolutely love it, I love being out amongst my plants and watching them grow, see…

Wild about Gardens – A marketing opportunity

The 15th – 21st September 2014 is Wild About Gardens Week, which will focus on the plight of the UK’s 1,500 species of pollinating insects. The aim of the week is to encourage people to do more to support our vital pollinators over the winter months. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and The Wildlife Trusts (TWT) are…