Garden Retail Buyers' Guide

In this special edition of Garden Retail, we have incorporated the Garden Retail Buyers' Guide 2007, bringing you the best listings for all your product needs from bedding and bulbs to pots and power tools. The guide, now in its third year has firmly established itself as a crucial aid for anyone working in the garden retail industry.
In addition to the extensive and comprehensive directory section, we have commissioned a series of special management features addressing a range of crucial themes for the sector over the next 12 months. We begin with a detailed overview of the market based on data from the HTA's latest Garden industry Monitor. The analysis reveals that despite tough conditions including increased market competition and poor weather garden centres have managed to hold on to their customers and maintian market share.
We also take a detailed look at the garden centre sale-and-lease-back boom, which promises to be a major theme in garden retail as cash-strapped business owners look for ways to invest in and develop their outlets.
Another key report by industry consultant Andy Campbell tackles the critical area of planteria quality control. It is Campbell's belief that, in a market that is less strong than in previous years, retailers simply cannot afford to skimp on plant quality.
Eve Tigwell and Neville Stein report, retrospectively, on customer service and the significant effect that suitable concessions can have on a garden centre's business. Stein reminds us that concessions require a relationship that needs to be nurtured by the garden centre manager.
Finally, HTA human resources advisor Penny Worner takes us through the key changes to employment legislation that will be taking place over the next 12 months.
It is a full and wide-ranging issue - keep it handy for those important buying needs over the coming year.   

Graham Clarke, Editor
Email: graham.clarke@haynet.com

Garden Retail