Publisher: Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk
Advertisement Manager Marian McNamara marian@lemapublishing.co.uk
Features Editor: Sarah Welsh
Production Director: Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk
Circulation: Robert Thomas robert@lemapublishing.co.uk
At a time when most exhibition organisers are finding diminishing numbers visiting their various shows, it is most encouraging that the Harrogate Christmas & Gift show have reported an increase in attendance of 11.1%.
I appreciate that it is fashionable for exhibitors to always cast doubt on figures put out by exhibition organisers, but folks this is legit.
and all that late stock seems to have been moved through the system and buyers that I spoke to from our stand at the show were in the main well satisfied with their Christmas business and looking to replenish stocks and on the look-out for new products and exhibitors.
shipping delays, some container ships once they have docked in Europe, instead of taking onboard empty containers are refusing to take them and heading straight back to China, therefore causing a shortage in the Far East, that will once again possibly lead to increases in freight.
For some years now Harrogate has been the number one show for Christmas and Seasonal buyers. Not only for attendance but also as an ordertaking show.
A year ago there were a number of rather gloomy faces, as it was clear that due to poor deliveries in 2022, there was a huge stock carry over into the beginning of 2023, making the task of placing orders somewhat cautious. Move on into 2024
For some years now Harrogate has been the number one show for Christmas and Seasonal buyers.
Of course, there are always worries on the supply chain from the Far East and shipping companies are always quick to latch on to any problems affecting deliveries and the price of buying container space.
The latest Houthi rebels attacking Red Sea commercial shipping heading for the Suez Canal is a further pain in the you know where, forcing some shipping to take an extra eight days going around the Horn of Africa and thus adding to shipping costs. Armed conflict so often affects trading from overseas, so I sincerely hope that the rebels can be persuaded to back down allowing shipping to pass through as normal.
One or two people in the know, tell me as a result of these
A number of exhibitors I spoke to felt that they would not pass any freight increases on to customers – I wonder how long they will be able to keep to this promise?
There were some outstanding products shown at Harrogate. I particularly loved the Noma ‘Winter Wonderland’ sleigh led by four pairs of reindeers. Very much a product to display at the entrance to a garden centre. I’m told by Noma that quite a number of their customers felt they could sell them to the public.
There wasn’t any stand space to be had at the Harrogate show, it was totally full and I was particularly impressed with the Queen’s Suite, that saw Snowlodge occupying the centre area, with a number of smaller companies forming a circle around the outside. Whilst not the easiest exhibition area to find, certainly quite a few people were able to do so, giving the show an additional hall of interest with those exhibitors well pleased with business.
Next year sees Harrogate celebrate its 75th year with plans in hand to mark the occasion with a Sunday drinks event.
Next year’s dates are 12th to the 15th January.
To place high in the Garden Centre Association’s annual Christmas contest you have to excel at design, creative display, marketing, digital offering, sustainability and of course customer service. And last year’s competition was the most hard fought to date! As Sarah Welsh discovered…
For leading garden centres right across Britain brilliant and innovative festive retail isn’t just good for business. Its emotive impact hits close to home – with staff as well as customers. Yes, it boosts profit margins during the colder calendar months when minds turn away from the green-fingered side of things. And it’s true that with huge shop floor spaces, free car parks, child-focused activities and great catering options, Christmas shops within garden centres often attract a new type of customer through the doors. But a large part of the reason garden centres shine when it comes to Christmas is because designing, building, and delivering it for customers is truly personal to the teams behind it.
And nowhere is this more evident than with the entrants to the Garden Centre Association’s highly competitive annual Christmas competition.
Industry expert Phil McCann has been judging the contest for
three years now, including last year’s edition. The judging takes place over a month and during those four weeks Phil works tirelessly, visiting 40 centres in total in 2023 and criss-crossing the country from the Northeast to the Northwest of England, North, Central and South Wales, the Midlands and the Southern region, including Jersey.
“I’m not sure of the total mileage, but the many hours of travel are absolutely worth it to the see the brilliant results at all the garden centres,” Phil explains.
“What inspires me most about the job is how Christmas is so personal to many centres and their team members. So much work is put into the displays and customer experience and it is truly humbling. It is also always a genuine delight to see customers enjoying the superb
efforts of the centres.”
Phil says key factors he looks for that prove a store is doing exceptionally well in balancing product offering, display and customer service include innovative festive themes and drawing all aspects of the business into the Christmas feel.
the teams shine bright and along with customer reaction that’s the ultimate enjoyment I get from the visits.”
“The themes are always inspirational and the detail that goes into the displays is, at times, astonishing,” he reveals. “Last year plants played a much more important role and it was great to see that the centres have not lost their identities in the Christmas period – all are still very much garden centres. As ever the joy and enthusiasm of
Phil says that newer facets of the festive retail experience are now key when it comes to assessing entrants to the GCA competition. “Digital offerings are vital to centres and Christmas with many producing sensational marketing themes from early on in the festive trading period,” he explains. “Environmental themes are also developing, with many centres basing their whole buying strategy on sustainability from going plastic free to sourcing product locally.”
“The festive themes are always inspirational and the detail that goes into the displays is, at times, astonishing.”
Peter Burks, CEO at the GCA,
For more information visit: www.gca.org.uk, call: 01244 952170 or email: info@gca.org.uk. Follow the GCA at: facebook.com/GardenCentreAssociation
says that the importance of festive retail to the wider garden centre sector has completely changed how profits look across the year.
“Once upon a time in the industry centres were only really busy in the spring and autumn months due to gardening seasons and in other months you’d make a loss,” he explains. “The industry had to evolve and move though to weather proof things and Christmas offered that opportunity.
“Garden centres had long sold Christmas trees, but then started doing more and more. Also the fact that our stores usually have large free car parks, great catering options and large walk-in shop floor areas that are easy to clear and ideal for creating big festive displays means that nowhere does Christmas better than garden centres.
“Add to this that people in the sector have been doing so much with outside areas as well, adding ice rinks and other options that attract customers like soft play or play areas for children.
“Most of the year core garden centre customers are often 50 plus and retirees, but in the run-up to Christmas
you see a completely different audience in stores – such as young families – coming across the threshold. And you then have the opportunity to impress them and attract them as more regular customers.”
Looking at the 2023 GCA competition, Peter believes that the standard of displays and visual merchandising in the Christmas season is getting better year on year and is unsurpassed anywhere else in the retail world. And that this sits alongside the standard of other festive attractions – such as grottos and ice rinks etc –getting more sophisticated.
“Personally I think the importance of Christmas to our sector is only going to grow,” he says. “Our members report that December is often their busiest month now in terms of footfall and profit and that’s such a turnaround from earlier times.
“Take 2023 as an example, and the weather was poor earlier in the year. Luckily May was good and that saved the season, but November was not far behind for many in terms of profits. It’s true in some garden centres that May will still be their busiest month, but even
there the Christmas months aren’t far behind. For some stores May now ranks second or third in terms of monthly success and that speaks volumes.”
Louise Burks, owner of The Gardens Group, that had several high placing centres in the 2023 competition, says: “We were delighted that Castle Gardens not only won the GCA competition but to also have our Brimsmore Gardens centre in second place, and with Poundbury Gardens doing so well in the South Thames region, this contest was extra special for us as a group.
“It represents a huge team effort not just in the magical Christmas department but everywhere else in the centres as well, including houseplants, hardy plants, the restaurants, farm shop and till teams too. Multi generations of customers loved the displays and buoyant sales made the whole effort even more worthwhile.”
Nikki Macey, manager at Garsons Esher, the centre that scooped the Destination category for the second year in a row, adds: “We’re long-time supporters of the Christmas competition so winning means a great deal to the whole team. It’s recognition for everyone’s hard work.
1. Castle Gardens, Sherborne
2. Brimsmore Gardens, Yeovil
3. Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe
4. Poundbury Gardens, Dorchester
5. Parker’s Garden World
6. Knights Garden Centre, Betchworth
7. Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne
8. Squire’s Garden Centre, Hersham
9. Millbrook Group, Staplehurst
10. Perrywood Garden Centre, Sudbury
Destination Garden Centre category winners:
1. Garsons, Esher
2. Barton Grange, Preston
3. Gates Garden Centre, Oakham
4. Sunshine Garden Centre, Bounds Green, London
5. Garsons, Titchfield
6. Fron Goch, Caernarfon
7. Old Railway Line, Brecon
8. Pugh’s Garden Village, Radyr, Cardiff
9. Bents Garden & Home, Warrington
10. Ransoms Garden Centre, Jersey
Well, Harrogate Christmas & Gift certainly can. It was obvious from the rst day that a greater number of visitors were coming up to the show and so it was con rmed to me by show organizer Simon Anslow that this was the case with an 11.1% increase over 2023.
Being a Northern-based exhibition, there has always been a worry that buyers from the south would not make the trip, especially when weather forecasters were forecasting snow showers in advance of the opening day and gritters were very much in force on my drive up to Harrogate from Buckinghamshire.
This most certainly was not the case.
What in my opinion sets Harrogate apart from other shows is that the exhibition organisers are not part of some large conglomerate that forever is trying to nd new ways of charging exhibitors extra for anything other than the actual exhibition space.
After all, the simple plan for a show is for exhibitors to meet existing customers and try to persuade new visitors to their stand that their products are worthy of being sold in their stores, garden centres, on-line and any other category of buyers business.
Job done!
Speaking to visitors from our stand location at the entrance to Hall A, it was clear that they love coming to Harrogate. Many of them told me that they had sold through last year’s stock and were looking to place orders with not only existing suppliers, but also on the look-out for new suppliers.
As a Publisher of many years, I have always been of the opinion that good news rather than bad makes better reading, so below are a number of quotes from Harrogate exhibitors that rather proves my point that the 2024 show was very well received.
Jonas Clement – CEO Florelle
We took more orders on the opening day of the show than the whole four days of last year and enjoyed one of our best shows ever.
Ben Je ery – M.D. Giftware Trading Monday was the best ever day at the show. It was the best day in all our 16 years of showing at Harrogate. This show is the most important Christmas event we exhibit at. Monday was so good, buyers began at 9 o’clock and the last buyer left after 6.
Kelsey Heaton – Brand & Marketing manager, English Soaps
The company greatly enjoyed participating in Harrogate. As always it was a delightful experience to engage with both new and returning customers, as well as to exchange ideas with fellow exhibitors.
This vibrant fair serves as an excellent launchpad for the trade show season, o ering us invaluable customer feedback. Such insights empowers us to innovate and enhance our o erings every festive season, ensuring we continually elevate our customer experience and product ranges.
Marvin Lomax – M.D. The Straits Trading Co. Ltd
The show has been very positive. Feedback on the collection has been very encouraging with orders and genuine leads up on last year, which can only be good. Whilst I know it’s too early in the re-booking process, I’d like to be considered for more space next year, but this would depend on the location o ered, assuming there was any further availability.
Greg Jackson – Jacksons
This is the rst time that Jackson’s CRS have exhibited at Harrogate. As a whole we ‘ve found the show well laid out friendly and full of exciting opportunities.
Claire Bell – Zinc Home for the Gilde Group
We have had a super time exhibiting at the show. We have welcomed lots of our existing customers and are very excited about our new contacts, some of which are meeting us again next week at Ambiente 24. So lots of appointments made and good new connections for our brand.
We are delighted with the quality of the buyers and have exceeded our expectations.
The 2025 show dates are the 12th to the 15th January 2025.
Premier have had their showrooms fully refurbished, their product ranges increased, their prices much reduced and their showing at Harrogate was a literal sell-out. It has all been happening in 2024 and this is just the beginning!
Fresh from a restful holiday break, Christmas buyers from all over rushed into hall H at the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair to see for themselves what they have been wanting to sample since receiving their new noticeably much larger Premier catalogues.
The myriad of products on display on the Premier stand was not only expanded but also much easier to shop, due to their now proven methodology of display. Orders are increased in 2024 compared to 2023 which is a positive move for all and it looks as if after a tough few years for global industry some of the excitement and anticipation for ours is very much returning.
before exclusive designs. So innovative was the thinking behind their offer to customers it also integrated the mere concept of the infinity mirror technology into other top-selling categories such as path lights and hanging lit curtains with infinity mirror options also available in both of those areas.
Premier. The 2 metre Merry Christmas sign was of particular note and I was informed by John Athwal, Managing Director of Premier, that this SKU was in his top 100 sellers at the Harrogate trade show. An old favourite design with a fresh new twist.
Premier’s own infinity mirror range comprised of best-selling items from previous years combined with brand new never seen before exclusive designs
“ ”
With all suppliers touting their latest goods, infinity mirrors were seemingly the talk of the town with a plethora of product in all sorts of shapes and sizes available in this category. Premier’s own infinity mirror range comprised of best-selling items from previous years combined with brand new never seen
This however was not the most exciting category for me at least.
The impressive range of Premier’s brand new Flexibright motifs I saw on my pre-Christmas visit to their revamped Ruislip showroom are assuredly a huge hit. This move on from old rope light shapes and signs is an unexpected upgrade that brings a lower price point, but a more effective product compared to it’s counterparts. Surely this is just the beginning of yet another new category bought to you first exclusively by
Speaking of old favourites, Treebrights are of course selling greatly bolstered by the targeted approach Premier executes so well with its packaging. Marketing light sets with a specific purpose works to help consumers pick the right product for their needs and it is with this strategy in mind that (via Premier) the lit door garland first featured on UK shores. The company’s lighting buyers have now further built upon their very successful innovation by bringing a new product into this category in the form of a value led Supabrights Door Garland to match the more premium targeted Ultrabrights Door Garland. Both products will sit well alongside each other on the shelf and they allow a retailer to offer multiple price points, whilst catering to solve the same issue of lighting up ones door, garage or window frame.
Upon entering hall H it was hard to miss the incredible array of options that a retailer can choose from across all Christmas and Halloween related categories and it was most definitely hard to miss the HUGE new inflatables Premier is offering. The giant teddy bear drummer presents itself beautifully and customers have bought it well alongside the traditional looking Santa Claus which stands at 3.6 metres high. Sticking with the fun, another old favourite, the parachuting kicking leg animated plush products now have some new designs that have been wonderfully received with many orders being placed to re-invigorate this product line., That seems to be the theme of the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair in general. Ordering is most positive and there is a tingle in the air for what may become of Christmas 2024. Well, this coming holiday season will certainly feature both Scentscicles and National Tree products. Two stellar brands that are now both supplied exclusively by Premier in the UK. Having already carried a very comprehensive offering of trees and floristry in the past, we now offer
the main competition also is a great way to ensure that if you are buying this product range you simply must visit either Premier showroom where you can view the full ranges sitting together. One to watch out for is the large 1.2m wreath which customers are buying into for their own in-house Christmas displays.
As we reflect on the success of our industry’s latest event and specifically Premier’s presence in the building we have to mention that it is clear that
“
Upon
entering hall H it was hard to miss the incredible array of options that a retailer can choose from across all Christmas and Halloween related categories and it was most definitely hard to miss the HUGE new inflatables Premier is offering.
them as soon as possible to ensure you receive your preferred time slot at either the southern UK location in Ruislip near London, or at the northern UK location near Wrexham.
”this organisation leads in many ways and they have not just showcased products but curated an experience. Their commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer engagement sets a standard for the industry. Premier continues to be a beacon of creativity, spreading joy and festive spirit with each carefully crafted decoration. Please book your showroom appointment with
Premier House, Braintree Road, Ruislip, Middlesex
HA4 0EJ
United Kingdom
Premier House, Oak Road, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham
LL13 9PQ
United Kingdom
It is always great to have con rmation from customers following lots of hard work putting together new ranges for the forthcoming year and so it was with Shatchi. I caught up with sales director John McVey on the final morning of the Harrogate show where he told me “We are very happy with our new ranges and in particular with the new Floral range. Everything has been well received and customers complimented us not only on the various ranges, but also the layout of the stand. .” John continued “Shatchi’s value for money and excellent prices have been a highlight of the show for us. The value of orders taken at Harrogate
makes me very confident that 2024 will be an extremely good year for Shatchi. Buyers knew we were not showing at Spring Fair and I believe that this was yet another reason for placing their order with us at Harrogate.”
The new floral range from Shatchi comprises over 800 items in a variety of colourways and well exceeded their expectations. Yet another range was also well received – their ‘Essentials’ range of g-hooks etc.
Shatchi, 20 Wallace Way, Hitchin, Herts. SG4 0SE. Tel: 01462 432600. www.shatchi.co.uk
Jingles by Mercer and Twinkly are proud to announce they are working together for 2024.
Jingles will be exclusively looking after the garden centre channel with distribution of Twinkly’s retail product.
Twinkly is the new generation of smart LED lights, controllable via the Twinkly app. The technology has been designed in such a way to allow you to create any installation for any scenario using your WIFI connection. Thanks to their innovative mapping process, via the
app you can scan your lights and apply endless numbers of effects from the 16 Million Colours.
The Twinkly range is rich in variety: Strings, Curtain, Icicle and Festoon, plus the new in 2023 range Candies design especially for indoor and flexibility to use anywhere in the home, to name a fraction of the range. We’ll also be showcasing some exciting new products coming through for 2024.
Call onto the Jingles stand in Hall Q to see them in action and learn more about this innovative product.
Email: Elise@merceragencies.com
Tel:02892 619881
Frank Kaminski Marketing Director for NOMA summing up Christmas 2023, that despite whatever the problems facing the consumer and the Christmas Industry – Christmas always happens.
Christmas 2022, was more of a challenge mainly down to worryingly high energy costs and consumer con dence for the following year. Our challenge was to reassure the consumer the cost of running a set of LED lights is approximately 50p for the whole of December. We o ered our retailers free marketing material to get this point across which worked very well and was well received from our retailers.
The general feedback for Christmas 2023 was a reasonable Christmas with the priority being to nish the season without any or little stock left over.
NOMA had a great Harrogate with very strong footfall, some buyers questioned forthcoming delivery costs, very much due to the current shipping problems that may well a ect the price of freight during the course of the year.
Of course this is a very uid situation almost changing daily, but Leisuregrow have assured their customers that they will honour all pricing on the proviso that freight costs do not further increase signi cantly, in which case they would have to reconsider their position.
Several years in the planning stage and NOMA have launched a great new product with their ‘NOMA PLUS’ – remote control lighting range.
This allows the user with the NOMA+ remote, to control all their low voltage and battery lighting in both the house and the garden. Each controller can be paired up with a limitless number of products.
Frank continued “Our customers have not only loved the product, but more importantly understand the potential for other low voltage and battery item throughout the year.”
The system can be paired to any company’s lighting products, so it isn’t
purely just for use with NOMA products.
Another real showstopper at Harrogate was NOMA’s stunning centre-piece ‘WINTER WONDERLAND’, comprising a sleigh with eight reindeers measuring six metres in length. Introduced originally for customers to buy as a centrepiece at their retail outlets, quite a number have placed orders for several as they believe they can sell them to the consumer. As Frank explained the reindeers and sleigh can be bought individually or in any group size figuration. Using NOMA’s ‘Duo LED bulbs’ Winter Wonderland is supplied in white, warm white and a mixture named ‘Champagne’.
NOMA also launched their new range Arboretum, a new range of trees. Frank explained we have invested heavily in our own partner manufacturer enabling better control over quality, delivery and above all now extremely competitive prices, we aim to hit this market hard.
For showroom bookings or to place an order contact your local sales representative or call 01462 744500. www.noma.co.uk
Spring Fair promises retail magic and buying inspiration on a scale that’s hard to match, and that’s certainly the case with the brightly lit Christmas Hall. As Birmingham NEC prepares to open its doors once more, Sarah Welsh takes a look at what’s in store…
In the Christmas and gift buying trade it is well accepted that nothing beats getting up close to carefully curated seasonal product or the in-person networking opportunities that trade shows give you.
Spring Fair, the historic retail extravaganza that takes centre stage at Birmingham’s NEC each February, o ers buying opportunities and the chance to build on a retailer’s existing brands in abundance. And in fact many ock here to complete their gift
buying for the year ahead, which is why the show is often referred to as a ‘one stop shop’ and the ultimate marketplace.
Just take a look at the show stats… Spring Fair boasts 13 product sectors across Home, Gift, Fashion and Everyday, more than 1,200 exhibitors and over 100,000 new products. This year alone there are more than 100 new companies showcasing their ranges at the event.
Christmas, Floral & Seasonal Decorations sits in Hall 5 - also home to Gift, Kids, Toy and Play and Source Home & Gift categories – and features everything from stunning floral displays to life-size animatronic festive characters. It literally welcomes visitors through the doors to a world of festive possibilities.
Seasonal buyers also shouldn’t miss Greetings & Stationery in Hall 3, which includes Christmas cards, paper decorations and all things wrapping related, and Party & Celebration.
Exhibitors to look out for include Kaemingk, Davies Products, CB Imports, Country Baskets, Lesser & Pavey, Joe Davies, Straits, Widdop & Co, Sass & Belle and Ling Design.
Kaemingk will be exhibiting at stand 6A50-C51, and this iconic festive brand is always a favourite at the show. Visitors to the stand will be able to immerse themselves in the magic of Christmas with a vast selection of twinkling lights, majestic trees, shimmering baubles and chic holiday items on o er. Kaemingk is often the starting point for retailers ranging from independent gift boutiques to large garden centres when planning Christmas, as the company has
decades of experience in trend-setting and inspirational styling.
Another global brand looking forward to exhibiting in Hall 5 is Florelle International, specialists in arti cial owers, trees, plants and festive decorations. Owner Jonas Lind Clement says: “We very much look forward to presenting our new stand and upgraded range of Christmas and Autumnal products to our UK customers. What better place than Spring Fair to do so.”
Spring Fair event director, Soraya Gadelrab, says much work has gone into making the show as easy to navigate and e cient as possible for the thousands of visitors expected to attend this year.
“Our aim is to produce the best possible platform for showcasing new products. We want those products and the people that make them at the heart of the show,” she explains.
“This year there will be a host of new activations across the show oor, so visitors should keep a look out for our special Christmas ones.
“In terms of our brilliant seasonal suppliers, they’ll be showcasing everything from small decorations to life-size Santas and show stopping oral décor. As someone who loves Christmas I cannot wait to immerse myself in it all!”
What: Spring Fair 2024 edition When: 4-7 February Where: NEC Birmingham Web: www.springfair.com
Anyone who works in Christmas retail will tell you it requires many different skills, so just as well the team at family-run Millbrook Garden Centres thrives on multi-tasking. As Sarah Welsh discovers…
Heading up a family business at the same time as sitting in the top job at the Garden Centre Association is no mean feat, but Tammy Woodhouse is still smiling after a hectic couple of years.
Tammy and her siblings grew up around Millbrook Garden Centres, the business their parents founded back in 1979. This year marks the group’s 45th anniversary, and there are now two centres in Gravesend and Staplehurst, Kent.
You could say a sheer love of this thriving retail sector is in their blood. In addition, Tammy has recently completed a two-year term as chairman of the GCA and was also acting chief executive for a six-month period in 2022.
During that manic time she relied even more than usual on her multi-talented buying, management and customer service teams, including festive buyer Adam Smith who has led creating Christmas for Millbrook for years.
How did you come to work in the garden centre industry?
Tammy: I grew up around the business. My parents started it when I was five. We lived next to the site of our original centre in Crowborough, East Sussex and I worked there during holidays and weekends.
“My roles with the GCA have been wonderful because you don’t stop learning. It was very eye-opening to see the other side of the industry.”
There was no expectation that I would join the business. I studied geology and ended up working abroad. The reason I ended up being involved was because very sadly my dad had a stroke and died at the age of 51. It was 1997, I was in Australia at the time and was only 24. My mum Sue asked me to come back for a year and over the next 12 months I ended up realising what an amazing opportunity it was.
also works here two days a week looking after all our illustration, in store messaging and the website.
Adam: I’ve been a festive buyer for nearly nine years now. I started as manager in one of our branches and in 2017 started buying for giftware, then that slowly evolved into seasonal – and many other areas!
What is it you love about the sector?
Tammy: The people element of it, and how varied it is. You need to know about plants, the catering side, Christmas and gift buying. I think I’m naturally quite entrepreneurial and it’s interesting how the sector has evolved over the past two decades. As retailers garden centres are in the lucky position to have lots of space. It’s horticultural at the core but there are so many other opportunities as well.
When Christmas in February spoke to Adam and Tammy they were in the midst of the last Christmas rush, but that wasn’t stopping them steaming ahead with carefully curated plans for the 2024 festive season…
I then went to gain experience as part of the Debenhams’ graduate retail scheme and I also did a horticultural design course. I came back more permanently in 2002 and haven’t looked back. Now my sister Kirsty
We opened a butchers at our Gravesend site in the last couple of years building on already incredible seasonal food sales. Being located in Kent we work with local vineyards including Meopham Wines and stock local beers, ciders and chocolates. It’s definitely something our customers look for and they like to buy local. Adam: I just love the buying process and how much you’re always learning. We reinvent Christmas every year and I always enjoy it.
Has Millbrook Group seen much change since the Covid pandemic?
Tammy: There’s been lots of change since 2020. Garden centres have had to adapt but we’re quite good at that fortunately. This is a sector that likes change, we’re nimble!
Our Crowborough site closed in early 2022 and we were planning that for a year. It wasn’t an easy decision as that’s where the business started but it was right for the long term.
Tammy you recently finished a two-year term as chairman of the Garden Centre Association, and you were also acting CEO for six months. How did you manage all that with the day job at Millbrook? It was really a question of prioritising. We made sure everything was still running at the GCA whilst recruiting the new CEO Peter Burks who started just before the conference in 2023. I have to say my team here were absolutely brilliant and took on much of the day to day running.
The GCA has been a wonderful experience because you don’t stop learning. And the roles there brought me into contact with different forums. I worked closely with the Horticultural Trade Association (HTA) on legislative pressures, and we also had a meeting with DEFRA looking at the impact their decisions can have on our sector. It was very eyeopening to see the other side of the industry.
Christmas in the mix. She saw a glimmer of something then, and it’s a spark that’s really grown. It’s really important for our business but also interesting to look at how Christmas differs for garden centres globally. In Canada centres often close between December and March, whereas here you have festive retail, farm shops and cafes and restaurants to boost those months.
“Building Christmas at Millbrook is a joy. And now I’ve got two children I think you get even more into the spirit.”
How important do you think Christmas retail is to the sector?
Tammy: Interestingly our mum was one of the first garden centre owners to put
How does Christmas work across your two stores?
Tammy: Gravesend is by far the bigger of our stores. I get involved a little with the festive buying but Adam does it all really. We have four themes each year across both centres and these change annually. When designing them colour is key and we also try to do our displays as room sets and mix in interiors pieces.
Adam: The themes for 2023 were a traditional one ‘Home for Christmas’, a red, white and pink one called ‘Santa’s Bakery’, ‘Alpine Lodge’ that mixed different tones of blue, white and mossy green and ‘Champagne Christmas’, a very stylish theme with gold, silver and crystal. We try to be as sustainable as possible with our displays and teams at both stores built a bar for the champagne theme using upcycled materials. Both stores certainly have their own personality and put their own stamp on Christmas.
When did planning start for this Christmas?
Tammy: At the end of October. We start
thinking about the space some 14 months in advance and then do some showroom visits, to Festive, Kaemingk and Edelman. Most of the buying gets done at Harrogate though. It’s such a nice environment and a manageable size. Important brands for us that we catch up with there include Premier and Smart Garden Products.
Adam: We do look at best sellers when planning for the following year but we like to go for a fresh approach as well. We didn’t have a traditional red, green and gold theme in the mix for 2022 but brought it back, reinvigorated for 2023. Santa’s Bakery was our most popular theme last Christmas and I think the colours will continue to be big this festive season.
Building Christmas at Millbrook is just a joy. I’ve always been a fan, but now I’ve got two children I think you get even more into the spirit. Festive shows and showroom visits are crucial and we attend eight or nine per year.
www.millbrookgc.co.uk
Harrogate is a must-visit... and has been for us since 2019. You get all of the big names under one roof but the show is also very good for finding new, smaller suppliers. We love working with Giftware Trading and another called Anglo American. Spring Fair is a great show for us for gift buying.
features meticulously crafted, original designs that embody the festive spirit. Perfect for retailers seeking high-quality, unique items, these gurines are tokens of joy and love, transforming any space into a holiday wonderland. Elevate your festive o erings with Kaemingk’s magical touch – where each piece is more than decor; it’s a celebration of the season’s warmth and cheer.
All set to entice customers at Spring Fair with a wealth of new product for right across the year, hundreds of fresh festive pieces and a big push on eco-friendly designs, Lesser & Pavey director Jonny Greves shines a light on what’s in store…
From wooden advent calendars and festive wall hangings to delectable Christmas scents and warming hats, gloves and socks, Lesser & Pavey’s reputation for delivering designs with the broadest appeal imaginable only grows.
This year the much-loved gift company – home to the renowned ‘Leonardo Collection’ brand – is bringing literally thousands of new products to Birmingham’s NEC for Spring Fair. So whether visitors are in the market for coveted homeware created with a portfolio of fine artists, decorative pieces for Christmas, tabletop items that are perfect for festive dining, soft plush or designs for gardening enthusiasts, they can be sure of a warm welcome at Lesser & Pavey’s show stand in Hall 5.
The L&P team are looking forward to a really productive show at Spring Fair, following a fantastic turn out at the Harrogate Convention Centre.
Director Jonny Greves, who has been with the company for nine years, says: “We had a really successful show at Harrogate and it was great to see so many customers showing such a huge interest in our newly launched Christmas ranges.
“We have new designs from the Macneil Studio, Jennifer Rose and Bug Art, all of which are fantastic. And we’ve also expanded our Cozy & Comfy range in response to popular demand.
“For those with a sweet tooth we have a range of novelty products that are sure to impress. These include novelty mugs with chocolate bombs and bowls with Christmas snacks.”
Jonny says Lesser & Pavey will be showcasing more than 1,500 pieces for Spring and Summer alone, and as demand for diverse ranges from garden centre customers continues to increase, the team has worked tirelessly to launch product speci cally designed to meet this need.
“Our ‘Green Fingers’ collection – designed in house by our art department – is a great example of this,” Jonny reveals. “As the name suggests it covers everything any gardening fan could possibly want, from a stylish mug to a ‘To Do List’ and ‘Bits & Bobs Tool Box’.”
As for home fragrance, this is a product sector that is also continuing to expand for Lesser & Pavey with new pieces and bespoke fragrances in innovative gift packaging.
“New additions include more 500ml and one litre reed di users,” Jonny adds. “These have proved very popular since their initial launch in the autumn. And we have added a tester to the side of the gift box which allows you to smell the fragrance without having to unpack and open the bottle. Very simple and e ective.
“As a company we are also continuing to build on our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint. As well as eliminating the use of plastics wherever possible, we have two notable new eco-friendly collections.
“Our Cute ‘n’ Soft RPET Pals, a collection of supersoft plush toys, and RPET Travel Mugs, which we are introducing to replace the hugely popular bamboo-based Travel Mugs.
“We are launching more new products at Spring Fair than ever and we very much look forward to welcoming customers to our stand at the front of Hall 5.”
For more information visit: www.leonardo.co.uk Spring Fair: Stand 5D10-E11, 5D20-E21
● Having had a chat with the M.D. of Porth Textiles - Klaus Benedict (then the largest manufacturer of Christmas Trees employing over 1,000 staff in the Welsh Valleys), I decided that the Christmas decoration industry should have its very own mouthpiece to be heard by their customers.
● In that first issue a fledgling Premier Decorations who were then based in Wembley were offering from their stand down in basement, that throughout most of the year was a car park a range of foil garlands and lanterns in red/gold, green/ gold and a very striking blue/silver.
● They told us back in January 1989 that their lights conformed to the very highest British standards, offered in a variety of styles.
● Noma were celebrating their 50th back then and proudly boasted that they were the only light manufacturer who had never had their kitemark suspended, with their involvement with the BSI going right back to the early sixties.
● Move on 35 years and Noma will be celebrating their 85th in Harrogate 2024.
● Ti-Well were another established company, having launched into the party business with their ‘Party Concept’ collection.
● Tom Baker of course was soon to leave Ti-Well to launch his own company.
● Other names no longer in the business in my first issue include Anglocentrop, Damio, Christmasworld representing French company Droguet, Pifco, Artek and Porth.
● We also ran an interview with the Christmas buyer at House of Fraser. A lady answering to the name of Janet Saunders – I wonder where this lady is now?
● This particular year marked the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair. Snowtime were
on our front cover with their fibre optic rainbow Christmas tree.
● One of the topics under discussion then was ‘Should suppliers when describing their products in their catalogues give the size in inches or centimetres?
● I confirm that fibre optics are still big sellers, as indeed they are today.
● I also urge buyers to keep an eye open for Millenium lighting and other Millenium products just right for the big build up to New Year.
● Widmanns were another company celebrating 50 years of continuous exhibiting at Harrogate and a few years later they celebrated their 100th year of trading. Sadly, they are no longer with us now, but what a great company to work with, I’m referring of course to Vernon Butler and Andrew Widman.
● Wang’s International had purchased Porth back in 1995 and whilst they had closed the manufacturing shortly after the acquisition, they were now trading as Wang International. It wasn’t to last sadly, yet another Christmas name in Porth bites the dust.
● Bert Wood had just celebrated his 70th and was still going strong at Puleo.
● The very first Christmas Trades golf day occurred in the June organized by John Hughes at Hill Valley golf club in Whitchurch. Over 40 attended including such luminaries as Colin Eccleshall, Carl Raysun, Julian Stein, Ron Bent, Ian Jones and Tracy Cannon from Spring Fair.
● Christmas companies who still appear within our columns 25 years later include Premier Decorations, F.D.L. Puleo, National Tree, Festive, PMS, Spring Fair, Gisela Graham, Weiste/Morris May and Noma.
● As the state of the banking industry affects us all, I begin my Leader page with attacking those greedy bastards in the City. I worry about the dollar that has plunged
to $1.55. How we would like that exchange rate in 2024!
● For the first time Hall ‘A’ is being used as a Christmas decoration hall. During the show two companies celebrate their 50th anniversaries including Peter Harvey Ltd., and Christmas Concepts. Both no longer trading, but with family members still very much involved in the Christmas business.
● The show also celebrates its Diamond jubilee and according the show organisers are giving away plenty of goodies to mark the milestone.
● Wholesaler Abbey Cards are celebrating 25 years and feature in a two page article where Harry Rai gives us the history of his company. Whilst a card wholesaler first and foremost, they do big business in Christmas decorations.
● We also interview Fermoys Garden Centre in Ipplepen, near Totnes Devon. A thriving garden centre.
● Festive create a ‘Suppliers’ charter in China that over 70% of their suppliers have signed up to which stipulates that as long as Festive give their orders early enough, that they will guarantee to deliver on the promised date.
● Noma Lites are acquired by the Leisuregrow group with Frank Kaminski heading up sales and marketing.
● We also salute Weiste who are celebrating their 90th year.
● Harrogate Christmas & Gift continue to grow their numbers when it comes to Christmas Dec., exhibitors with quite a number of new exhibitors.
● Festive had our front cover and were in the pink highlighting their ‘Kirsty Allsopp’ range. Our Editor visits three well-known garden centres All-in-One, Snowdonia Nurseries and Armitage Penine Garden Centre.
The past three years have been nothing if not challenging in every possible way for everyone in our industry and beyond. Seasonal trade, while occasionally shielded from major moves in market conditions has been no exception, this time. On the contrary, it has probably been one of the most challenged sectors
Premier Halloween are all looking forward to 2024 and are full of expectation and excitement. As the air turns crisp and leaves transform into a vibrant array of reds and golds, the arrival of October will once again signal the commencement of Halloween preparations. Beyond the costumes and confectionary, one of the most delightful aspects of this spooky season is the artful array of Halloween decorations that transforms towns and villages into enchanting realms of mystery and magic.
With that in mind the Premier Decorations Halloween 2024 range draws upon the creativity displayed by individuals with their families and contributes to a collective sense of wonder with its massively expanded offer being once again full of new and exciting products.
Halloween decorations have evolved from simple jack-o’lanterns to now elaborate displays as complex as haunted houses. The charm lies not only in the variety of products we see in use but also in the collective enthusiasm of people coming together to celebrate the spirit of the season.
Premier’s bright and lively colours sprinkled throughout their offer bring oomph and excitement into old favourites from candles to decorative pumpkins. Light strings with new colourways specifically designed for Halloween provide bright mixed colour LEDs on a flexible flat string that can easily adapt to any surface leading to less tangles.
This Flexibright light string has also been utilised to create a new outdoor twinkling silhouettes range that offer a spooky, yet bright and exciting visual to any house or Halloween display with minimum effort in a variety of shapes such as frowny eyes, incredibly effective spiders, scary pumpkins, floating ghosts and decorative looking skulls. Pumpkins, perhaps the most iconic
a visual to any house or pumpkins, floating
scenery display products for every corner of the house contributing to a perfect mythical and mysterious night. Premier decorations offers the most intriguing ranges which tickle all senses and create unforgettable experiences.
most of tools
become the canvas for intricate carvings and imaginative designs made possible by a vast array of carving tools that always sell well. These designs can be illuminated safely and easily with the addition of one Premier’s many LED candle options. They also feature in large statement products such as animation and inflatables, in standing and hanging plaques and appear as the smallest detail included in tinsel and tinsel characters, web, candy baskets and jars, lights and stakes as well as in an array of indoor harvest
safely and easily with
hanging plaques symbol
Amazingly fun activities that can be shared have been included in the 2024 Halloween Premier Decorations range by way of a variety of arts and craft kits. The artistry of creation is further strengthened by the communal joy created by families and their DIY Halloween decoration endeavours facilitated by innovations such as
Ultimately, Halloween decorations are a testament to the creativity and communal spirit that define this beloved holiday. Whether modest or extravagant, traditional or contemporary they contribute to the tapestry of memories that make Halloween a cherished tradition for families and communities. So, as the witching hour approaches, let us embrace the spooky charm of Halloween
are a testament to the creativity and of Halloween decorations, revelling in the
magic they bring to our lives.
w E I s T E
Weistecelebratesits 100th anniversary 2024
Our story began in Christmas 1924 and has all the elements of a fairytale - Christmas spirit, bringing joy to people, through the hard work of an entrepreneurial single dad and followed by a chain ofgenerations... and probably the best tinsel ever made. The relationship with the U.K. is unique and together we have established a strong reputation for over 40 years.
See the Exclusive Weiste 2024 Collections ONLINE via our web shop or via a video meeting with our Sales Team
Weiste will have its usual stand at Christmasworld in Frankfurt (4.0 E40) 26-30 January 2024
Enquiries UK: Morris May Ltd t0131 208 0247 m:07774 493 594 info@morrismay.com
Discover more at: weiste.com weisteshop.fi
