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 NEWS
and VIEWS
This section of our website is available to any member to put their views on any topic they wish, at the discretion of the Editor. We also encourage responses or comments from all sectors of the garden industry on these or other subjects of their choosing. e-mail: info@gima.org.uk |
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Patio heaters have been the subject of extended press coverage over many months. Be it major retailers seeking to improve their green credentials or the EU’s parliamentary vote on energy efficient appliances where patio heaters were mentioned as one of the appliances to be banned. Calor maintains the view that modern patio heaters are actually an efficient way of heating people outdoors without actually heating the outdoors itself. We are also conscious of our network’s backing of these appliances and the many thousands of catering establishments that now rely on us and our network to provide them with appliances and gas to enhance the outdoor areas of their properties. Some predictions estimate that the licensed and catering industry in the UK could lose up to £250 million each year if a ban on heaters were to be enforced. Impact Dr Eric Johnson, national expert reviewer for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), says: “The overall impact of outdoor heaters on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions is very minimal, and once you look at domestic models the impact is almost non-existent. “What constitutes a ‘waste’ of energy is always going to be open to debate but it is important that the public is properly educated about environmental impacts in order to make informed decisions about their everyday activities.” The Parabolic Patio Heater is part of the continued work between Calor and manufacturers to develop more efficient products. This unique three-position directional reflector directs the radiated heat exactly where you want it. The double insulated burner improves efficiency and the large, deep reflector focuses the heat downwards. These three key factors mean less heat is lost and the heat setting can be turned down – with consequent Patio Heaters – some facts and figures
These facts and figures could make some valuable POS for the retailers who want to challenge some of the myths about patio heaters and continue to make some healthy sales.
A GIMA Exclusive and fascinating look at the future retailer with Business Consultant Alistair Lorimer from the GIMA Business Meeting 13th March 2008 Click here for the presentation.
Maryanne Stokes, Sales & Marketing Manager of Vital Earth, has recently been elected to join the GIMA Council. Peter Field, GIMA President told us: "It is vital that we keep brining new blood onto Council from a variety of our members to ensure we continue to be representative of our industry. It is a pleasure to have Maryanne from the Vital Earth and Genie brands of peat-free growing media and plant feeds joining Council.” Maryanne, formerly Area Sales Manager for the south, joined Vital Earth in December 2006 following more than fifteen years in the garden industry, including buying and operational roles at both Wyevale and Haskins Garden Centres. Commenting on her appointment with GIMA, she said: “My career to date has given me an excellent insight into the buying patterns of today’s consumer and I’ve seen the growth of the environmentally friendly agenda amongst gardeners first hand. Being Sales & Marketing Manager of an expanding, exciting range, with such a topical green agenda has got to be the perfect job and I really look forward to using some of my experience and enthusiasm to help GIMA, and our members.“
 The hype and razzamatazz of the 21st Annual Industry Awards held at the prestigious London venue, the Royal Lancaster Hotel proved well worth while for the members of GIMA on Friday 9th May.
Three categories were most relevant to garden suppliers:
Silver winners in the garden chemicals and fertiliser categories were:
However it was Bayer Garden who scoped the gold award in this category, and Managing Director Tommy Gill was on hand, with Marketing Manager Jane Lawler, to collect the award.
Just when it appeared safe for the garden suppliers in the room to sit back and relax, to enjoy the rest of the afternoon the British Hardware Federation popped up as silver winners in the training category for their STEPS retail training programmes, a series of “distance learning” packages for retail staff including modules relating to garden products.
All in all a good day for gardening and congratulations from GIMA to all the winners and the awards organisers for a great event.
It is now clear that the major high street banks have lost their appetite for lending. This is especially obvious in the asset-based finance area where one or two household names have declared that they are not offering help to new applicants, or have simply reduced the size of their dedicated team as the credit squeeze has depleted their interest in low margin business. Such is the premium price being paid by banks for cash at present that they cannot make ends meet on asset-based finance. . Business meeting report by George Bullivant www.gardenforum.co.uk GIMAs’ most recent Business Meeting was well attended, and followed on directly after the AGM (see separate report) With the recent launch by GIMA of the Allsolutions Manufacturers and Suppliers insurance package developed with the support of GIMA members, a different view of company insurance was presented by Jon Whitely, group chief executive of Rixon, Matthews Appleyard. Rather than treat insurance as a necessary evil to be bought at the lowest price, companies should think about reducing risk. This will lower premiums and incidents likely to lead to a claim. Whitely proposed four steps:
However he warned that there were some very poor policies and companies must be careful. In particular he warned against policies that contained an advice line warranty and those with a ‘reasonable prospects’ clause. Alistair Lorimer is an independent retail business development adviser. He presented a view of retailing in 2015, based on a paper by PricewaterhouseCoopers. His analysis should give the independent garden centres encouragement along with the suppliers that work with them. In 2015 the baby boomers will be 70 and the wealthiest older people ever and the fittest. This will also be the first generation with retiring career women. They will be active and have cash to spend on leisure and charitable work. They will be looking for a simpler, yet higher quality life. 2015 will see the digital generation growing up and setting up home. They will be less attracted to the chain stores and conglomerates. They will be more interested in entertainment and will shop multi-channel. They will want their products personalised and expect everything to be interconnected. Spending on goods will switch to shopping for service. They will buy less of what’s popular and more of what ‘suits me’. The importance of location is being undermined by the Internet. The appeal of the mass retailer is on the decline. Niche retailers that deliver a personal service will grow in importance. They will cluster in lifestyle centres, targeted towards a type of customer with restaurants and hotels they will want. As retailing becomes niche, so must distribution, with more rapid delivery – direct to the consumer. Products will have a shorter life, so manufacturers must always have innovative products up their sleeves. They should share information with customers and do more to understand the consumer. Lorimer warned GIMA members not to miss the bus. The changes are happening fast. The full report ‘Retailing 2015 – New Frontiers’ may be downloaded from the PwC website - http://www.retailforward.com/insight/retailing2015/ The meeting also heard from Trevor Pfeiffer, MD at TGCMC on the topic of the industries charity Greenfingers and on the Team Awards: He encouraged suppliers present to get involved with the Greenfingers Appeal, if they are not already, and highlighted the fact that for the first time since the charity began building garden and leisure areas at children’s hospices it now has a waiting list of projects requiring funding. One way suppliers can get involved is to join in this summers Dragonboat Challenge to be held on the 6th July. Trevor also took the opportunity to remind the delegates of The Greatest Team Awards being run around the garden retailers this spring and summer. Suppliers are encouraged to nominate the garden centre teams they feel are doing the best job in a number of categories. The event will culminate in a garden party on the 15th July when the winners will be announced and the awards presented. GIMA Director Neil Gow used the meeting to give GIMA Members an exclusive view of the GIMA Awards 2008. This year will see new categories in the product sectors, a new Environmental Commendation, a new entry and management system for the awards with new sponsors and a fine selection of industry experienced judges. All adding up to an ideal platform for suppliers (GIMA members or not) to get their recently launched products under the eye of some very influential people. Full details will be available, along with entry forms in the next couple of weeks.
Peter Field, the newly elected President of trade association GIMA told delegates at their recent AGM:
The Presidents address also included a round up of the Associations activities during the year. This included his statement that as a result of GIMA members sticking together in a co-ordinated fashion and speaking as one voice, the logical conclusion they had to come to is that the buying group GRO, being set up by AIS and the GCA:
he said using the terminology of its principles when they talked to a GIMA Business Meeting earlier in the year. Peter continued:
Peter also talked of the ever increasing range of benefits and services available to GIMA members from their Association. This included the recently launched Allsolutions insurance package set up by GIMA Member Rixon Mathews Appleyard specifically designed to meet the needs of manufacturers and suppliers. The Honorary Treasurers Report confirmed that the Association is in a healthy financial position, principally as a result of the sustained increase in membership numbers (8.9% growth in 2007). The GIMA Awards in 2007 had also been very well attended. The AGM also saw the formation of the Council for the coming year. These members are responsible for the activities of the association including recruitment, the GIMA Awards and the many benefits members enjoy. The Council are:
The meeting concluded with President Peter Field wishing all members a:
GIMA President Glynn Davis, who stood down as the Associations leader shortly before Christmas has returned to the garden products supply industry and so is eligible to retake his GIMA role. Glynn has been involved with GIMA for many years and has been president since the Associations AGM in March 2006. As a keen advocate of GIMA activities, including the annual GIMA Awards, many expressed their concern for the industry and the association when Glynn stood down last year. However the new gardening season brings the great news that Glynn is back! Glynn who has over 18 years experience in the garden related products manufacture and supply has joined industry leading design, development and distribution company Grey Technology Ltd (Gtech) that was founded by Managing Director, Nick Grey, in November 2001.They are innovators in the use of cordless technology in the home and garden market place. Glynn said:
Managing Director David Mathews added:
The GIMA AGM is on March 13th 2008 when a new Council will be elected for the coming year of the Associations activities.www.gima.o GIMA will use the Business Meeting following their AGM on Thursday 13th March at their venue in Warwickshire to launch the GIMA Awards 2008. The AGM will see the annual report and financial statements made for the leading trade association representing suppliers to the garden retail industry. The Association has grown in its number of members and in its activities over the past 12 months. Now involved in a number of areas, representing its members not previously covered by the association, Neil Gow the Associations Director has said for eligible companies:-
As well as an outline of the GIMA Awards 2008 at the Business Meeting, as the world of litigation grows, and to co-inside with the launch of the Allsolutions insurance package, there will be a presentation and “Risk Management” workshop by John Whitley CEO from Rixon Matthews Appleyard.
RMA are a major element of the ProAktive Group, one of the largest firms of risk managers and insurance brokers in the UK. This new insurance package specifically designed to cover the needs of Manufacturers and Suppliers by RMA with the help of GIMA members.
GIMA in conjunction with the GCA launched a new initiative for GCA member garden centres in the spring and summer of 2007 - “The GIMA Award for Excellence in Garden Product Retailing”. This award was conceived by members of both GIMA and the GCA who have concerns that too many garden centres are “sidelining” their core gardening ranges. So through the excellent GCA annual audit process, the garden centre in the country with the highest scores in the core gardening categories covered by GIMA members products would receive this recognition and be awarded the accolade of “Excellence in Garden Product Retailing”
The objectives of this initiative are:
The award scheme will run again as part of the GCA Audits 2008. Who will be the winner this time?
We are indebted to George Bullivant of gardenforum.co.uk who has summarised the responses given by the GRO management panel at the GIMA Business Meeting and these are set out below (in green) for you with the questions. 1) We doubt if any of the buying groups in the garden industry really done any good so far for either retailer or supplier. Why is GRO going to be any different? - We are different to other buying groups, we have the facilities, and infrastructure in place backed by the huge experience of AIS. We had already been approached by independent GC’s and another buying group when the GCA approached. 2) If GCA is so convinced of the need for this group why partner with AIS and not go it alone? - Why reinvent the wheel? It would cost a huge amount to replicate what AIS have. CENPAC (The central payment scheme) cost over £2m alone to establish. 3) 10 years ago this group might have been relevant in my view but is it not too late, has the world not moved on. We need a strong, united independent sector. AIS has given the independent furniture sector its strength. In time AIS can give GRO that strength. 4) What real benefits are the retailers who are apparently signing up expecting to achieve? Combined buying power, especially in sectors where garden centres have not traditionally been strong, such as clothing, cookshops and gifts. Plus there will be professional help with marketing, training and a reduction in the costs of utilities. 5) How is this group going to sit alongside the other existing buying and marketing groups? Leading lights in GRO are also members of other groups. What will the ruling be? GRO will have to prove its own worth. Other buying groups will continue and AIS would welcome them as a subgroup within GRO. As far as GRO is concerned there is no conflict if a retailer is a member of 2 buying groups. Tillington would be welcome as there would still be scope for larger turnover centres to buy on better rates. For instance there could be rates for single product, pallet prices and container prices. 6) What benefits will garden centres get compared to using present supply routes of manufacturer / wholesaler? See 4 7) If there is not to be a preferred supplier status, how are the suppliers joining in going to see the increased volume they will require to cover the margin loss expected of them? There will be preferred supplier status, and many suppliers have already approached GRO looking for exclusivity. 8) What rules will AIS/GRO impose on the retail members to ensure they stick to the deal? Retail members will be bound by the CENPAC rules. If not they will be asked to leave the group. 9) What rules will AIS/GRO impose on the retail members to ensure they stick to the “preferred supplier”? There will be no mandatory purchasing. If the deal is right then retailers will support the suppliers. AIS works closely with suppliers to construct favourable terms, even when conditions go against a supplier. 10) I would like to ask if they hope to include plants, when they expect this to happen and how they see this working. Yes, but not in 2008. AIS are still trying to appoint a buyer for GRO. Martin Isaac is doing a caretaker role, but will not be doing the buying. The softly softly approach should not be seen as a sign of weakness. It was planned like this as many orders have already been placed for Christmas and the 2008 season. 11) How is preseason going to work? Pre-season can work as before, but the GRO view is there will be less as suppliers do more just-in-time. 12) Are GCA retailers not concerned about the loss of their “regionality, individualism and exclusivity of their range”? Is this not part of what sets good GCA members apart for the mass retailers be it Wyevale, Tesco or B&Q? The reason for GRO is that we want to stay independent and individual. The independent department stores backed by AIS are a good example. But we will be dealing with fewer suppliers – there is too much duplication on the shelves. That’s where the volume of business can increase for some. 13) If the buyers focus on fewer leading brands, we are going to loose even more of the specialist/niche products that the garden retail industry still requires because these will be come uneconomic to supply if retailers cut the market for them. Niche products will stay. We are looking for products that give us a point of difference. 14) If the retailers are really looking for greater efficiencies to boost their profits are they really going to cut that tier of management out of their structures – the buyer – with doing the job buyers will not be needed at centre level? We will not be cutting buyers, but they will be much more professional because of the buying and marketing support from AIS. The GRO buyers will be guided by a members strategy team, who will advise on brand selection and suggest where own brand might be advantageous. 15) Is this industry ever going to learn that lower prices is not the way forward? We need to build perceptions of value and worth into what we do not just keep trying to be the cheapest all the time. How does GRO fit with this? AIS/GRO will work closely with preferred suppliers with the aim of increasing their business. Regular information about their business is sent to members, especially in the run up to product shows. These shows are buying shows. 16) The main benefit we are told GRO is going to bring suppliers is prompt and secure invoice payment. Given that there is not a massive bad debt problem in the industry and also that most suppliers give very generous extended credit terms already, what real benefits will we get from the demand from GRO for the additional 6% settlement discount? (Other than the threat of being de-listed if we don’t care that is). CENPAC also cuts out cost, equivalent to 2% of sales. Because suppliers receive a single weekly payment covering all GRO members and there are no debts to chase. 17) As a supplier we need to understand the objectives of GRO with reference to what they now expect of suppliers, and to create beneficial two way relationships that make business work, what can suppliers really expect in return? See above. 18) Do GRO envisage creating “own lable products”? AIS is already doing this we understand but to what sort of % level. Yes GRO will look at own label products where useful, but brands will be the mainstay of the business. GRO would like exclusive products. Where own brands are considered, existing preferred suppliers will be approached first. 19) We hear from other suppliers to AIS that the relationship is extremely successful and as suppliers they see considerable benefit from being “in” with them. As you question these suppliers further they are often new into the market place, dealing with products on an “un-known” value and therefore it is easier for them to start with a “special” price list for AIS which they have already added 8% to their trade prices so they can concede the 6% required to get them listed. However our industry knows too well the net prices of many products. A 70lt bag of multipurpose compost that I sell to a number of centres at £1.94 net already, those customers are not going to accept a GRO price of £2.09 with a rebate of 5% for a settlement discount. That will simply look like a 2.5% price increase to them! It is up to each supplier to negotiate their own deals. AIS realises that it will take time to get the suppliers that it wants on board. Some may resist initially. But experience shows that suppliers join eventually.20. 20) I am a small supplier of a niche yet seasonal product. How am I going to even achieve getting an appointment in the ivory towers of GRO offices beside the big suppliers with the cash to splash? The ivory towers pay for themselves and are not paid for by suppliers. We want niche products. 21) If a group has branches in GCA and GRO with more not in then will GRO deals apply to all or only those who are members? If a garden centre joins GRO, all its branches are included. 22) GRO does a deal on a few lines within our range, is it correct that we then have to give these settlement terms on everything else we supply to that retailer too? What is the justification for this? Everything must be invoiced through CENPAC. This includes centrally negotiated key products and all other products 23) In my experience the buying groups only work when there is 100% commitment from both sides – for us personally as an example Choice is great. Hart we pulled out of yet our turnover with Hart members has not dropped even though we are not a supplier – how can that be? Will GRO be a Choice/Tillington or a Hart? To truly work surely they need suppliers that are 100% happy? Garden centres know that a lot of work has gone into negotiating the deals and so are likely to go along with the rates. The remaining questions were left unanswered. However the following points were raised in response to questions. 1) 106 GCA members have signed intent to join. Of these about 50 have submitted the necessary paper work and will soon become members. 2) Garden centres will pay 0.1% of turnover for membership in the second year up to a maximum of £5,000. 3) The focus shows are funded by GRO and are not expensive to exhibit at 4) We do not know how GRO will work with the traditional wholesale routes 24. 24) AIS claim to work closely and extensively with trade organisations and association. However GIMA, the leading supplier trade association has had no consultation or discussion with them. Even when we have offered to meet this has not been taken up. 25) We are hearing from colleagues that they have tried and in some cases even succeeded in setting up meetings with GRO/AIS to discuss terms and a way forward only to have these cancelled (not postponed) without much warning and no explanation. Who does want this to work? 26) If GRO going to be exclusive to GCA members (full members). Should it not be exclusive to Associate members too? 27) Are multiples who are GCA members able to join? e.g. Notcutts/Dobbies/Wyevale? 28) What geographical “exclusion zone” is there going to be on two GCA members in the same town wanting to join GRO? As a company, and I know we are not alone, we have a policy of not allowing two neighbouring outlets to stock the same lines from us – will GRO police this for us or will we still have to do it? What if we join GRO but have an existing customer who is not in GRO in proximity to one who is? 29) For low value seasonal products, if the GRO route is taken, how do products get to Garden Centres? 30) If AIS/GRO take a limited listing, how do a). we get other products in our ranges to market? and b). where does the distributor fit into the scheme of things? 31) How will AIS/GRO affect the role of the wholesalers? Will a preferred wholesale route be specified in conjunction with a supplier/brand? .
Report by George Bullivant www.gardenforum.co.uk. The most recent Garden Industry Manufacturers Association Business Meeting heard four presentations on how to deal with the growing demand to be greener from a public that fears the impact that global warming will have on them. The first was by Dr Margi Lennartsson, R&D Director of Garden Organic. The carbon footprint theme was developed by consultants, Click-On Logistics followed by Kate Newton of Brookes & Co., with a revealing look at measures taken by Sanders Garden World from MD Peter Burkes. Garden Organic stated reducing the carbon footprint is an important part of organic gardening. GO shows that its members’ carbon footprint is one third lower than the UK average. Almost 50% of carbon emitted is by the method of storing the food, notably freezing. 12% comes from manufacturing and using tools and power tools. GO members are advised to minimise this by buying the best tools, which will last longer and work more efficiently. Garden Organic would like to work more closely with the industry. They run a voluntary approval scheme, where pest control and other products can be tested and awarded the Garden Organic seal of approval. Click on Logistics said it was important for companies to calculate their carbon footprint before they were forced to do so by government legislation. Half of the UK’s top 250 companies had already done so. The process is not as difficult as companies fear, if a 4-step approach is adopted. First, define what you want to calculate. It is usually best to start with processes under your control. Step 2 is to map these processes, before (Step 3) collecting the energy data involved. The fourth and final step is to calculate the emissions from the energy used. Before considering carbon offset, companies should look at reduction. The advantage of this is that reducing carbon emissions means using less energy and so lowers costs. Peter Burkes built the Sanders Garden World garden centre, now part of Wyevale, seven years ago from a greenfield site. A little extra expenditure and planning has enabled the garden centre to save money and net a number of environmental awards. Burkes’ plea to suppliers was: Use less packaging, put products in boxes we can re-use, standardise the sizes of pots and plant trays so they can be re-used and only use cardboard and clear plastic. Polystyrene, foam, black and coloured plastics, and paper are difficult to recycle. Watch out for an announcement from Wyevale later this year that it will eliminate the use of plastic bags from this summer. This will continue the publicity it has received from phasing out the patio heater. Kate Newton of Brookes & Co warned that garden retail has been slow to respond to green marketing. Too many environmental policies are defensive because companies are afraid of and confused by apparently conflicting issues: peat-free, pollution, fair trade, organic, no added chemicals, PVC, recycling, carbon footprint etc. Her advice is to simplify the problem by looking down the carbon route. Actions taken to reduce the footprint will also satisfy many of the other issues. It is important to avoid a quick fix and to be marketable; a company must look at all its activities in a holistic approach. Having achieved a footprint reduction, Newton believed that carbon offsetting was a valid tool because if enough people do it, they will drive the environmental agenda forward. Sorry you missed the meeting now? Put the date of the next one in your diary now – 13th March 2008 – and don’t miss it!
There must be some song lyrics in there, but I am not sure I feel much like singing at the moment. Yes I have to admit it is “baaa humbug” season but the real reason for my lack of joy at this time of year is the news of another buying group setting up. Garden Retailers Organisation (GRO) is being set up jointly by the GCA and AIS but why? Certainly there are benefits to be gained but by who? Those days of “win win” negotiations seem to have gone. Be it Tillington, Futures or whoever the potential benefit to the suppliers has to be increased volumes. They may well get it the first year, as members swap from their traditional supplier to the “nominated supplier” but then all the buying groups established to date have not been that successful in making their members “stick to the deal”. Why will GRO be any more successful at this? For suppliers who are “in”:
For GCA members who are in other groups, they will have a dilemma. Do they stay where they are or move? What will happen to those other groups? Will GCA force their members out of them? Knowing the capability of the GCA Executive Board they will have thought all of these through I am sure. If its principles are really behind this, a number of them already have executive positions in these other groups, then it can work. What do retail members expect to gain? Lower prices probably. But what about better value or greater worth? It could let them see staffing efficiencies, but will they and their teams really let them hand over “buying” to somebody in a remote office they have never met? (Sounds like an even bigger leap of faith than bungee jumping!). Why do we want lower prices – no wonder garden retail sales are about static year on year, we are selling twice as much at half the price of 10 years ago! We undervalue this market and the products in it. The greatest real potential for retailers has got to be those opportunities for efficiencies in staff time, but will that time saved in “buying” really be redirected into “selling”? – now that would push up those volumes suppliers need. I get accused of living in the past by some, I know the world has changed, it is changing faster than ever but one thing has not changed in the 30 years I have been in the commercial world is - “in every deal there needs to be some gain for everyone” - one of the first lessons I ever learnt. I know it is not just the buying groups who promise extra volume as a justification for demanding lower price. Barry Stevenson from Wyevale in a recent interview suggested that he was “offering 50% more turnover than a year ago.” Perhaps there is some more volume but at what price? Our industry must talk margin not turnover. If you were supplying that big independent before it was swallowed up by a chain operator, from what members tell me, they only ever see decreased volumes and margins. Too often I feel disheartened by our industries apparent determination to talk ourselves out of trying something new, our hell bent approach to lambasting anything that is looking like being a success but I do urge caution. Don’t get caught up in this countries vision that the “future” is only the next 24 months and the quick gain. Perhaps I am jumping the gun, all these questions and many more will be answered for us on the 13th December. As the GCA invitation says “at least it’s not a Friday” but who might GRO be unlucky for? Happy Christmas!
Were you at the launch of GRO? What did you think? To quote GCA Chairman David Danning: “This is the dawn of a new age within the garden centre business in the UK ...” and I really think it could be, but one thing was very apparent at the presentation to industry suppliers and GIMA members on the 13th December, there is still an awful lot to do. This new buying group, set up jointly by the GCA and AIS is not yet even at the end of the runway let alone ready for take off. There is still a lot of discussion needed between the company and the vital supply chain to get this into a working format. Retailers may well think they see the potential benefits for them, but until the suppliers see what benefits they can aim for, the project will continue to sit on the runway. One GIMA member who is supportive of the principle, keen to get involved and can see the benefits retailers perceive said: “This has come across to me as a forced marriage, with no courtship and no prenuptial discussion. However it is a great opportunity for GIMA members and GCA to work together so we can all benefit, so let’s get on and talk” This is a view shared by many suppliers who already do substantial business with GCA retailers.
Please contact GIMA Director, Neil Gow at: neilgow@gima.org.uk
The Park Lane Grosvenor House Hotel, in London’s glittering West End was the scene for this years Garden Retail Awards ceremony on the evening of 12th November. Guests arriving for the evening were welcomed by a heavy police presence around the entrance – was trouble expected? Well it nearly was – compare for the evening Chris Barrie, (Mr Britas) did nearly make an ass of himself by opening the evening with his recommendation of Wyevale having bought a chimenea from them this year. The reception from the 300 or so guests around the room was no where near as warm as his patio heater! Winners of the evening were:
Our grateful thanks must go to Mathew Appleby the editor of Garden Retail Magazine, the team who work with him and publishers Haymarket for not only a good evening but their organisation of the whole event which gives our industry the chance to “blow its own trumpet” and raise the profile. Well done from all at GIMA to all the winners and all those involved.
Overall satisfaction for the 2007 show was 70.6%, compared to 58.7% in 2006. 1. Stand position at the show
2. Support services at the show
3. Visitor numbers
4. Visitor quality up to your expectations?
5. How do you feel the new hall layout worked?
6. New Products Display Areas: Appropriate sitings?
Your product well presented?
7. Refreshments Of acceptable quality?
Value for money?
8. Show publications useful and well presented?
9. GLEE party
10. Overall value of show for your company
11. Intention to exhibit at GLEE 2008
12. 2008 space
13. For those who did not exhibit at GLEE, why didn’t you?
14. Which other shows do you exhibit at?
15. If you prefer these shows, why?
16. What month do you think GLEE should be held in? Positive feedback:
Negative feedback:
Where could we be going – and how safely can we get there? A well attended GIMA meeting heard three key speakers: Alan Roper, the new chief executive Blue Diamond Garden Centres have sales of £30m from 8 UK garden centres, 3 being in the The key message that James Barnes wished to convey to GIMA members was one of continuity. This did not mean there would not be changes; change has been continuous in Dobbies for the last 10 years. Dobbies plans 3 new stores next year and 4 the following year. If it continues increasing the new openings by one each year, Dobbies will have 100 stores in 10 years and sales of £1 billion. Currently these are £80m. Dobbies plans to add a credible range of environmental products, which will appear in 2 or 3 MP Philip Dunne said that we must not accept that all British manufacturing will move overseas because of increased taxation and red tape. It was essential to withdraw from the Social Chapter in Europe and cut the cost of regulation and bureaucracy. Addressing issues particular to the garden sector, Dunne felt it unlikely that he would wish to scrap the agriculture wages board, but hoped that the competition commission would bring to an end the predatory activities of the supermarkets. He welcomed that GIMA was seeking greater representation within parliament. Andy Bolton from the Institute of Advanced Motorists stressed that under health and safety The Spring Garden Show at Malvern is the fourth largest RHS garden show with 90,000 visitors. The showground also hosts the 3 Counties Show and the Malvern Autumn show. These shows have gardening high on the agenda and present opportunities for trade stands or sponsorship. GIMA, 225 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7UB. Tel: 0121 446 5213 “Never mind the summit, most small firms would be happy to feel they could keep their heads
above water” Delegates to the summit heard from speakers including Steven Cooper, Managing Director for MP and former Home Secretary Charles Clarke and leading Civil Servants such as Anne Weinstock put forward their views of what was being done and the help available for small businesses. Janet Shelly MBE who started the business “Women Builders” in 2003 and serial entrepreneur Alex Pratt whose current business Serious Readers is expanding its production of lamps for specialist applications including space ships were the final presenters of the day. These two presentations came from real people, who are trying to run small business in the current economic and political climate. So what are the concerns of small businesses?
Yes it was all of these, but above everything else it is the ever increasing cost to small business of “red tape”. That cost may in principle be “time” but unless the
product you sell is “time” then too often people do not attach a real value to it.
Research undertaken by the FPB, and presented to the summit by Matt Hardman Health and Safety – 14 hours/month spent of H&S administration with comments from those surveyed of: overbearing, often irrelevant, takes no account of size of business, of dubious benefit in proportion to size of business Absence Management – 5 hours /month, but increasing at a worrying rate and getting more and more complex, particularly in long term absence management where if you only have 10 staff and 1 is long term sick you have lost 10% of your workforce Dismissal/Redundancy – takes an average 4 hours/month – regulations are badly written and definitely skewed towards bigger businesses Maternity/Paternity Leave – costs 3 hours/month with the cost of finding replacement cover the biggest cost of all. Again in small businesses taking only 1 employee out of the business for Maternity leave can devastate the work force in terms of ability and resource and be impractical to replace at any cost. Perhaps it is time GIMA members did their own quantitative research and over a period of time you record the time spent each month on these tasks either by yourself or members of your team, and add up the real cost to your business. Conservative MP and Shadow Minister for Innovation, Universities and Skills, Adam Afriyie, pointed out that in many areas of regulations they have actually had the opposite effect to that which was intended in their conception. Small businesses employ less women of child bearing age than they did 10 years ago. Anybody running a small business who has read the legislation will know why. He argued that perhaps small business should be exempt from new legislation for a period of time from its inception until it is proven to be working and adding value. For Charles Clarke the former Home Secretary and Minister of State for Education and Skills stated that he felt the environment for small firms was in a “relatively stable financial situation" more so than it has been at any time in the past 10 years. Not a view shared by delegates in the room or arguably business at large. The recent changes with the abolition of taper relief on Capital Gains Tax and the decreased threshold of Corporation Tax at the higher rate are both set to penalise small businesses while potentially supporting larger firms. He conceded that the government had defied the wishes of smaller businesses in the changes they
adding that he believed the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, would consider the case against these changes. Entrepreneurs Janet Shelley and Alex Pratt both take the view that while the odds are definitely stacked against those seeking to set up and run small businesses the rewards in financial and personal terms are there for the taking for those with a good idea and determination to succeed. If you have a different view and understand “where your moat is” as Alex likened running a business to the world of giraffes at the zoo, you will get there and see the benefits. Charles Clarke MP tried to convince delegates at the Smalls Firms Summit that business leaders should embrace some red tape rather than complain about it. He said that aspects such as Health and Safety were welcomed by the general public.
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Multiple award winners Cuprinol along with Bosch, Plasticote and wasp deterrent Waspinator were all silvers finalists in the Garden Equipment category. Despite the enormous success the revolutionary Waspinator product has achieved since it was launched from the GIMA Pavilion at this Januarys Totally DIY show, including daytime TV coverage from David Domoney, and more recently the Radio 2 show by Chris Evans, it was piped at the post by the Bosch Aquatak pressure washer. The duty for presentation of the gold award was made by GIMA President Peter Field to jubilant members of the Bosch team.
Garden Tools category saw top class entries from Black & Decker for their cordless hoe, set to revolutionise that garden task. And while we may have been calling a spade a spade for many years and think that the design has not fundamentally changed in perhaps hundreds of years, Spear and Jackson have reinvented the wheel with their “E series” spades and forks. In stainless steel their design allows for a more effortless dig as a result of shifting the pressure and leverage points from the traditional spade. This resulted in S&J scoping the gold award in this category.
However, just as the garden industry is starting to enjoy some better trading as retail outlets across the country get going now the sun is shining and the temperature has risen, garden products manufacturer Bayer Garden popped up again to scoop the marketing award for their innovative and practical training road shows. These have been a two pronged assault aimed at both the public at events such as the RHS garden shows and also aimed at retailers on their own centres to develop the retailer’s product knowledge and selling skills.
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Report by www.gardenforum.co.uk
