Welcome to the August issue round-up of Garden Centre Retail

News Centre: A round-up of news from the industry

News Extra: Garden Centre Retail took a trip to the SOLEX at the NEC in Birmingham

Association News: The Garden Centre Association and Horticultural Trades Association share more of their thoughts on what’s going on this year.

Business Tips: Ian Boardman talks about the value of business appraisals, Liz Dobbs on the merits of rose certification, and Edwin Meijer on how a little help from Google can go a long way.

Opinions: Jane Perrone talks about how garden centres can target the niche of camping, and Kevin Waters shares his thoughts on sending plants to the moon!

View From The Top: Matthew Bent talks to us about Bents Garden & Home, and the lengths they go to in order to ensure they are a top quality garden centre.

Store Design: Paul Pleydell looks at how a structured approach to corporate identity can help you create memorable retail spaces.

Plant Focus: Lucy Summers, garden designer and plant lover, explains the magic of architectural plants and selling them to your customers.

Catering: Carl Hadfield, Group Catering Manager at Haskins, talks about the best ways to maximise the use of your catering space.

Catering Q&A: We ask five different garden centres a series of questions about their produce, and how they can best offer it to their customers

Show Preview: We take a look at some of the key exhibitors appearing at Four Oaks and GLEE this September, that you should make sure you go and see.

Product Lines: A selection of product news, as well as a look at the latest products in the wellington boots and interior displays markets.

Trading with: This month, Garden Centre Retail speaks to Duncan Ross, Garden Centre Sales Director at Gardman, who talks about the vast array of products they have to offer.

Jobs: A collection of vacancies from across the garden retail industry.

Staff Room: A selection of little interviews, a calendar of “what’s on” and Alex’s corner all feature in our Staff Room section.