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Retail Suppliers Group

Our Retail Suppliers Group represents nurseries that specialise in the supply of plants to retail across the UK. Their supply goes into national garden centres, supermarket chains, DIY stores, and small independent businesses. The group focus on sharing knowledge and ideas that may be implemented to reduce challenges, protect the collective interest, and promote the growth of quality plants.   

This group was instrumental in creating the HTA’s National Plant Show, one of the most successful and productive trade shows in the UK. Members meet twice a year, one virtual event and one in-person to discuss the future of plant and garden retailing including topics such as marketing, selling skills, and business growth and development. Alongside the regular get-togethers, the group has called interim meetings in times of uncertainty or change, to discuss legislative changes or critical issues, such as biosecurity and plant health, with an expert in the area invited. 

Our past Chair, Adrian Marskell, Managing Director of The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, shared the below regarding the group and industry:   

“There are definite areas of common concern within the group, the availability of labour being the biggest and most immediate, followed by the rise in costs and going peat-free, making it extremely difficult to know where to pitch prices for next year… despite all the concerns, there is a high degree of confidence in 2022 being another strong year for UK grown plant sales.”  

September 2021  

Chair:  Andy Merrick – Farplants Sales Ltd

Contact Details: [email protected] 

 

Membership 

Colin Stanley, Wyevale Nurseries - Wyevale Nurseries Ltd

David Chilvers - The Bransford Webbs Plant Company Ltd

David Higginson - New Leaf Plants Ltd

Geoff Ceaser - Allensmore Nurseries Ltd

Hannah Darby - Darby Nursery Stock Ltd

Ian Ashman - Trade Roots Horticultural Sales

James Ball - Lovania Nurseries Ltd

Kyle Ross - Wyevale Nurseries Ltd

Mark Taylor - Allensmore Nurseries Ltd

Mark Reynard - Johnsons of Whixley

Natalie Porter - Happy Plants Ltd

Nick Dunn, Frank Matthews - Frank P Matthews Limited

Richard Evans - Hawkesmill Nurseries Co Ltd

Simon Catterall - Garden Centre Plants

Will Murch - Osberton Nurseries Ltd