Florist Ireland :: Latest News, Trends, Courses and Jobs for Florist & Flower Sector :: www.HortiTrends.com :: http://florists.posterous.com Floristry Ireland :: Horticulture Trends Latest News, Trends, Courses, Services, Products, Suppliers & Jobs for Floristry Sector in Ireland: Garden Centre, Landscape, Architecture, Nurseries, Arboriculture, Sports Turf, Greenkeepers & Fresh Produce Sectors posterous.com Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:26:56 -0700 Avoca Garden Centre County Wicklow http://florists.posterous.com/avoca-garden-centre-county-wicklow http://florists.posterous.com/avoca-garden-centre-county-wicklow


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Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:54:52 -0700 Bloom 2011 in Photos Part 2 http://florists.posterous.com/bloom-2011-in-photos-part-2 http://florists.posterous.com/bloom-2011-in-photos-part-2

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Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:47:19 -0700 Bloom 2011 in Photos Part 1 www.HortiTrends.com http://florists.posterous.com/bloom-2011-in-photos-part-1-wwwhortitrendscom http://florists.posterous.com/bloom-2011-in-photos-part-1-wwwhortitrendscom
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Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:51:57 -0800 RUSHING THROUGH CLIMATE CHANGE BILL A NON-RUNNER – IFA http://florists.posterous.com/rushing-through-climate-change-bill-a-non-run http://florists.posterous.com/rushing-through-climate-change-bill-a-non-run

RUSHING THROUGH CLIMATE CHANGE BILL A NON-RUNNER – IFA

IFA President John Bryan has strongly criticised attempts by the Green Party to rush through 

ill-timed and badly thought out climate change legislation, which he understands is to be discussed at a cabinet meeting today.

He said, “Hastily-introduced climate change legislation will be very damaging to the role that the agri-food and other sectors can play in Ireland’s economic recovery. Before the Government moves ahead with any legislation on this matter, it must take full account of Ireland’s sustainable model of farming and change the flawed method of calculating greenhouse gas emissions, to accurately reflect carbon sinks from soils and forestry.”

Mr Bryan added, “The Government’s Food Harvest 2020 Report identifies major growth in exports and jobs from the dairy and livestock sectors. If this legislation is introduced with the unrealistic reduction targets currently proposed it will have a very negative impact on the potential of the sector.”

“It is ludicrous that Ireland could introduce emission reduction targets way in excess of those proposed by other countries, while at the same time countries such as Brazil destroy Amazonian rainforests and allow their greenhouse gas emissions spiral out of control.”

The IFA President said, “Any climate change legislation must take account of the carbon sinks associated with permanent pastures and forestry. This is essential because Ireland has the largest carbon absorbing permanent pastures in Europe and the greatest potential to expand the forestry sector.”

The current proposals contained in the Programme for Government go far beyond demands from the EU Commission and will have a very negative impact on our sector. The Green Party could do much more for climate change by resolving the chaos their inaction has created in the renewable energy sector. An immediate package of measures must be introduced which includes a realistic REFIT tariff to support carbon neutral energy production from the micro and bio and micro energy sectors.

Concluding, the IFA President said, “Ireland’s grass-based production system ensures that we produce beef and milk with lower carbon intensity than other exporting nations. Over the past 20 years emissions from milk and beef production have all declined in Ireland. We have a low carbon model of food production and Government policy must not undermine the sector’s ability to drive exports and jobs as part of our economic recovery.”

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Wed, 08 Dec 2010 21:49:40 -0800 Replantable Christmas trees are festive success story. http://florists.posterous.com/replantable-christmas-trees-are-festive-succe http://florists.posterous.com/replantable-christmas-trees-are-festive-succe

Rebecca Smithers.
http://m.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/dec/08/replantable-christmas-trees-festive-success-story?cat=money&type=article

Potted and replantable Christmas trees have proved to be a 'surprise hit' say retailers

Potted and replantable Christmas trees have surprised retailers with their popularity with consumers this year.

Shoppers are showing their green credentials this year by creating a record demand for ecologically sound, replantable Christmas trees. The trees, which have roots and can be grown in the garden or in tubs ready for following Christmases, present a viable alternative to the annual hassle of getting rid of a Christmas tree.

Tesco says demand for the "green" trees – available in its stores in three sizes – have been the "surprise hit" this year. Its most popular so far is a miniature version that is about 50cm high, comes fitted with lights and costs £10. The other varieties are 2-3ft and 3ft plus high.

Tesco horticulture buyer Shama Mehan said: : "The miniature tree with lights has become a surprise hit with shoppers and we've already sold tens of thousands of them. We initially trialled them last year and they were snapped up very quickly but this year their popularity has exceeded all our expectations and we have had to order more – and we're still only in the first week of December."

The miniature trees are a variety called Picea, which originally come from Scandinavia but were grown in Holland. Its 3ft high trees are a variety called Nordman Fir while the 2-3ft ones are a variety called Blue Spruce. Both come in one-foot-high pots.

Tesco said the huge demand echoes a major trend in the last year for plants with sales now growing twice the rate as for flowers. Every Christmas over six million real Christmas trees are sold in the UK, but many of which are grown in European countries: resulting in environmental costs created by the transport required to import them to the UK.

B&Q is also reporting strong sales of its potted Christmas trees, which range in size from 40cm to 140cm. This year it has also introduced the smaller Grow Your Own tree for £6.98, saying it marked the start of a new trend for families to buy more than one type of tree.

Annette Hill, assistant buyer in horticulture at B&Q said: "There appears to be a growing trend for households displaying more than one tree, giving parents and kids a chance to stamp their mark. We're also seeing more people than ever buying Grow Your Own trees, especially families with young children, who want to start a tradition so the kids can see their tree grow over the years. When Christmas is over they can put the tree outside in the garden and bring them back inside the following year."

To ensure the survival of a pot-grown tree indoors, you need to give it plenty of water about twice a week and make sure it is not placed too near a fire or radiator. Decorate with only small lights to reduce the heat exposure.

You'll be saving yourself money over the years as they grow. But just be aware that they can grow as much as two feet in a year and once they get much bigger than 5ft they can become difficult to handle. The British Christmas Tree Growers' Association has some handy tips.

Also remember to reintroduce it to the cold outside gradually after Christmas so it does not get a nasty shock. If you are keeping it in a pot outside, rather than in the soil, repot it in a bigger tub each spring so its roots have space to grow.

Homebase also sells live trees, starting at 1.5ft in height and available in Norway Spruce, Fraser Fir, and Nordman Fir. Prices range from £7.99 for the 1.5ft Norway Spruce to £69.99 for a 5.5ft Norway Spruce.

Roger Hay, secretary of the British Christmas Tree Growers' Association, said: "This Christmas, with the decline in availability of trees from the continent, we're hoping more people than ever will support our British growers with a homegrown tree. British Christmas trees are one of the most environmentally friendly crops there are. Opting for a real, UK-grown tree will ensure you're making the most sustainable choice possible and trees bought at Homebase have a tiny carbon footprint, sourced as they are from British growers."

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Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:21:16 -0800 Banks Rule the Roost at Monrovia. http://florists.posterous.com/banks-rule-the-roost-at-monrovia http://florists.posterous.com/banks-rule-the-roost-at-monrovia


Last Thursday, Monrovia customers found an e-mail in their inboxes containing two letters. The first letter, signed by Monrovia leadership, read (in part): 

“Our banks have expressed their concern by giving us until January 31 to show significant improvement [$20 million] to our 2011 bookings or face a distressed sale of our inventories";

“Accordingly, we are offering you the opportunity to add to your spring bookings now and until January 31 [reductions of 35%-50% on products]”; and

“Candidly, we are being advised by our lenders and their advisors to sell to the big box channel if we are unable to significantly increase our booked orders. We will not sell our brand into the big box channel but the quality of our plants, even in a black pot speaks for itself. We are aware that this affects your competitive advantage.”

Monrovia has long been an independent-only grower of premium nursery products. Which is why a possible move into the big boxes prompted a group of 75 garden retailers to pen a letter of support (also included in the Monrovia e-mail): 

“We, as Independent Nurseries, cannot afford this to happen,” the letter of support reads. “We agree that we shall increase our spring bookings by a significant amount to help Monrovia Growers reach their goal.”

Monrovia’s response
I was traveling when all this went down, but Green Profit Editor-at-Large Ellen Wells was hard at work in her Boston office, so she called Monrovia for the story. Here’s her report:

I spoke with Monrovia CEO Miles Roseland Friday to learn more. Sales, Miles says, had been “fine” for a six- to eight-year period—then for the last two years they’ve “slowed”—recession-related, he says. 

As for two of their three banks (one wants out of the industry), “They are encouraging us to sell our plants into all channels and to find ways to increase our profitability as a company.” The one channel Monrovia currently isn’t in is the mass market. 

Asked if there would be a reluctance to go in that direction, Miles assured customers that Monrovia “wouldn’t go into that channel with our brand, and we haven’t been in business there so we don’t know exactly how to do it, but we’re going to look into it.”

“Humbling and quite remarkable” are how Miles describes the IGC letter of support. “When our garden centers became aware of our need to go into all channels, they said ‘Let us help you sell more plants. If you can pass savings on to us, we can try to pass savings on to our customers. Maybe we can order a little more.’” 

Premium nursery material in the mass-market channel—even in an anonymous black nursery pot—can and will be a threat to sales at IGCs. Does Monrovia feel they’d lose a lot of support from customers if they were to go into the big boxes, even if it wasn’t in a branded form? “We’re hopeful that our customers will understand the need for us to survive, and appreciate that we’re offering a differentiated product with a brand to them,” says Miles. 

What Monrovia wants IGCs to know is this:

* They’re in full production and have lots of plants to sell;
* They’re prepared to offer good pricing so they can pass savings along to consumers;
* They’re not asking you to take away from other growers; and
* They’ll continue to offer high-value, high-quality plants.

“Response has been very favorable,” says Miles. “If they [IGCs] are willing to increase their business, that should give us the basis to find bank support.”

The conference call
On Tuesday, Monrovia held four conference calls with customers and other interested parties (like me), sharing details of the issue and opening the phone lines to questions.

They explained that one of their three banks doesn’t want to be in business with an industry that has inventory on the books for more than 12 months. That bank has apparently been burned by other nurseries, and so wanted out of this field. “We’re faced with the need to replace one of our three banks, and that is what has precipitated this outreach,” said Miles. 

He was quick to add, “We’re not asking you to cancel from other growers. We recognize that other growers are in the same situation as we are, the same marketplace. We hope you’ll see the opportunity to add to your bookings with us, but we’re not asking you to cancel with someone else just to give us an advantage.”

Monrovia has more than 3,000 independent garden center customers. Quick math says each customer would have to increase its business by $6,700. Is that impossible? 

“We certainly don’t think so," said Bob Smiland, chief sales & marketing officer. "You can do the math yourself, but 3,000-plus locations, you don’t have to buy too much more per location to get to that number. So this is not something just for the larger multi-store operations or super-destination garden centers."

Will they enter the mass market?
That’s what one caller asked. Replied Miles, “The simple answer is, we really don’t know at this point. We haven’t done business in the box channel for 15 years, and really are not familiar with it, but it wouldn’t be prudent for us, facing our demise, so to speak, to not consider all the channels, and that’s what we are doing. So at this point we really can’t give you a definite answer one way or the other.”

But he added, “Our approach into the box channel is not with the brand. The brand is something that’s been built by the independent garden centers, and we want to keep that exclusive to your channel.”

That was the only probing question. Otherwise, the few comments were pledges of support. Said one caller, “Do what you can for Monrovia in this tough time. They’ve been here for us for many, many years.”

Added a representative from a multi-store independent, “I just can’t envision this industry without Monrovia. When things do turn around, we’re going to depend a lot on the guaranteed availability from Monrovia and being able to introduce their new varieties to our customers.” With that, he pledged to increase purchases this year by 25%.

Keep Yourself updated! Click Here to Subscribe to our News Letter and Alerts for the Horticulture & Fresh Produce Sectors In Ireland www.HortiTrends.com 

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News . Horticulture B2B Directory . Advertising . Sales . Marketing . Business Development & Support. 

Expertise, Practical Know-how, Passion for the Horticulture, Fresh Produce & Lifestyle Sectors.

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Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:39:34 -0800 The French Connection by John Stanley http://florists.posterous.com/the-french-connection-by-john-stanley http://florists.posterous.com/the-french-connection-by-john-stanley

Garden retailing in France is controlled by a relatively small number of retailers who between them own the major share of the garden market. The key players are Botanic, Jardiland and Truffaut.

What makes these retailers special and what can retailers in other countries learn from them and the French retailer?

Many of you may think it is the way they put the product together, the French are famous for their flair as fashion leaders, but this was not the main lesson I took away for a week looking at the industry.

My journey started with the annual nursery awards dinner organized by Groupe J, the main magazine company for the gardening and pet sector. The dinner is a combination of wonderful entertainment, fine food and the awards ceremony. The awards are dominated by presentations to the Buyers.

Awards are presented to the best buyers in each category and the buyer is held in more esteem than the store owner, or that is how it seems to come across to a visitor looking at the industry.

The argument is that the key to success is based on a business having a good buyer, as stock turn and getting the right product mix is critically important.

Having seen the French industry and the industry in other countries I can see why the French put so much emphasis on the buyer. Heroic buyers can make a big difference. I talked to Brond Wagenaar,

a French garden centre consultant, concerning the awards and how they are judged. He informed me that they are judged based on the following criteria.

Technical Knowledge

Partnership approach with the supplier

Mid and long term vision of the business and the industry

Respect and commitment.

With the shift in consumer thinking, this type of award needs to be promoted in other countries as well.

HOW ARE THE FRENCH PERFORMING?

The average French garden centre generates between 1000 and 1500 Euro per square metre with an average sale per customer of around 30 Euro, except this does rise to 40 euro in the more wealthy Paris region.

Pets are part of the garden centre scene and a typical centre will donate between 25% and 30% of retail space to the pet category. The return on pets is higher than the return on gardening.

The segmentation of the market is interesting. At the higher end is Botanic, the middle market is supplied by Jardiland and Truffaut and the lower end of the market by Garden Price

Botanic

First stop was Botanic  

who promote themselves as the first alternative brand  
in garden centres. The claim comes from them leading the way in natural, eco-friendly garden products. Consumers seem to like the message and have voted the company the best garden retailers in 2007 and 2008

Their Suresnes store, overlooking the Seine just outside Paris, is the flagship store in the chain and offers some interesting new trends in garden retailing. As a consultant I often advise retailers that a lifestyle retail store has to be on one level as it is difficult to get garden customers to travel from one floor to another. This store breaks those rules and is located on three levels and it works.

The lower level is the garden department, the second level is seasonal, including a balcony of outdoor plants and the top level is the pet department. Keeping pets and balcony gardens are the key interests of the local consumers and this business does a great job in serving both.

The middle market is the Jardiland and Truffaut market. Jardiland is a 800 million euro business started 30 years ago and now has 217 stores  aiming  to be the IKEA of the garden industry in France, Spain and Italy. Truffaut, a 440 million euro business is part of the De Haize supermarket family and has 55 stores spread across France, but has a critical 50% market share of the Paris market.

The challenge for these businesses is that 25% of their business comes in 25 days.

In fact Jardiland quoted the “three” concept in their business.

The business relies on THREE months...15 March until 15 June

                                        THREE days...Friday, Saturday and Sunday

                                         THREE hours...2.00pm until 5.00pm

Scarfs and Tea Towels

A new business to me was Garden Price, operated by three ex Truffaut team members .Their aim is to own the bottom of the market. They are the place you come when you want to buy on price. They locate themselves in retail parks near a Truffaut as they realize that their customers will have to finish their shopping at a fully fledged garden centre. You go to Garden Place for a limited range based on price. The stores are a warehouse with pallets and racking as shop fixtures.

During my visit Christmas lead up was in full swing, I asked what happened in January as stock turn was clearly critical to the business.  I was told that while other garden centres moved into garden furniture which does not pick up in sales until March , they move in to tea towels and scarfs to keep female customers coming in and buying product.

The French market has moved forward in the last five years.  It is clear that some retailers have a clear vision of where they want to be in the future and are focused on getting there. They realize that the buyer is a critical player in that process and they are recognised as the retail heroes.

John Stanley is a retail business coach, speaker and author.  John films retail stores with new ideas and films great display ideas or retail trends as he travels around the world for his internet TV program.   Members of his Club can view the TV program for free and receive team training for free.  John has authored several successful marketing and retail books including the best seller “Just About Everything a Retail Manager Needs to Know”. 
John Stanley helps retailers:

·          Increase sales per square metre

·          Train staff to increase the average sale per customer

·          Better manage stock, merchandising and display to maximise potential

·          Marketing more effectively to convert more lookers into buyers

  For more information on John Stanley or how to become a Member of his Club, visit www.johnstanley.com.au or email info@johnstanley.com.au

Keep Yourself updated! Click Here to Subscribe to our News Letter and Alerts for the Horticulture & Fresh Produce Sectors In Ireland www.HortiTrends.com 

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News . Horticulture B2B Directory . Advertising . Sales . Marketing . Business Development & Support. 

Expertise, Practical Know-how, Passion for the Horticulture, Fresh Produce & Lifestyle Sectors.

Address: Suite 5 . 64 Dame Street . Dublin 2 . Ireland . Location: Map

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Fri, 03 Dec 2010 09:51:09 -0800 HortiTrends Breaking News! Inaugural Meeting of Horticulture Action Group Postponed Due to Bad Weather. http://florists.posterous.com/hortitrends-breaking-news-inaugural-meeting-o http://florists.posterous.com/hortitrends-breaking-news-inaugural-meeting-o
Rescheduled for December 15th. Full Report Coming Soon! Sign up to News Alerts & Directory Below.

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Expertise, Practical Know-how, Passion for the Horticulture Fresh Produce & Lifestyle Sectors...

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Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:08:02 -0800 Silence is Golden. First Load Carriers in the World to Be PIEK Certified http://florists.posterous.com/silence-is-golden-first-load-carriers-in-the http://florists.posterous.com/silence-is-golden-first-load-carriers-in-the

Unique silent transportation units from Container Centralen

The noise levels of the rolling ½ and ¼ steel euro pallets CC Rolly and CC Dolly from Container Centralen (CC) have been tested by TNO (a Dutch independent scientific research organisation) to acquire the PIEK certification. Noise levels of both pallets stay within the maximum of 60 dB(A) to classify for this certification. This means that CC is the first company in the world to obtain a PIEK certificate in the category “goods carts” (load carriers). This milestone within goods deliveries was furthermore awarded a so-called ‘Noise Oscar’ November 9. 

At a ceremony held by the British Noise Abatement Society at the House of Commons November 9, Container Centralen and its range of low-noise returnable transport items were awarded the Highly Commended accolade.


Joseph Blair
HorticultureTrends

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Sun, 28 Nov 2010 03:09:28 -0800 Dual Promotion of Keelings Flowers & Chocolates at Applegreen Making it Easier for the Guys to Choose http://florists.posterous.com/dual-promotion-of-keelings-flowers-chocolates http://florists.posterous.com/dual-promotion-of-keelings-flowers-chocolates
Imag0087

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Thu, 25 Nov 2010 09:14:36 -0800 Flora Florists Dublin Ready for Christmas http://florists.posterous.com/flora-florists-dublin-ready-for-christmas http://florists.posterous.com/flora-florists-dublin-ready-for-christmas
Imag0079

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Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:22:44 -0800 Kildare Trade Show 2011? Kildare Grower's Press Release - “Future for Kildare” http://florists.posterous.com/kildare-trade-show-2011-kildare-growers-press http://florists.posterous.com/kildare-trade-show-2011-kildare-growers-press

Having carefully considered the findings presented from the review of the “Kildare Show”, Kildare Growers Group Ltd, has decided to embark on an alternative path to support and promote Amenity Horticulture.  The group has elected to focus their efforts on creating an event which will showcase the best of Irish horticulture, in association with Bord Bia (Irish Food Board).

 

Our vision for the event is to assist growers to nurture and develop new ideas, to bring quality trade buyers to the event and, supported by Bord Bia, to provide mentoring to exhibitors in presenting their offering to potential buyers. All of these activities are focused on establishing a desirable annual event.

 

Planning for the new trade event, in July 2011, more focused on promoting Irish Nurseries and associated product suppliers is currently underway, details  of which will be announced in due course.   

 

Yours Sincerely

 

Brendan Guilfoyle

Chairman Kildare Growers

Regards
Joseph Blair
www.HortiTrends.com
HorticultureTrends
News . Advertising . Sales . Marketing . Business Development & Support. 
Expertise, Practical Know-how, Passion for the Horticulture Fresh Produce & Lifestyle Sectors...

Address: Suite 5,  64 Dame Street . Dublin 2 . Ireland . Location: Map & Directions
    
Mobile: 353 (0)87.9212044  

Email: jblair@hortitrends.com     

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Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:50:46 -0800 Westland Horticulture to hold Masterclass for Retail Garden Staff in Dublin - February 2011 http://florists.posterous.com/westland-horticulture-to-hold-masterclass-for http://florists.posterous.com/westland-horticulture-to-hold-masterclass-for Westland Horticulture’s masterclasses are aimed at garden retail staff, and experienced speakers will provide information to boost the skills and confidence of staff.

The master classes will cover the follwing categories:

  • Developments and Trends in the market place.
  • Customer engagement.
  • How to maximise sales and product knowledge
  • The Future Foundation will provide information on trends and Westland Horticulture’s technical team will provide information on specific products to enable retail staff to pass this on to their customers. Westland Horticulture head of marketing Keith Nicholson said:  "The 2011 Westland Masterclasses are a must for all garden retail staff, as one of the leading companies within this area we will be using our knowledge along with those from outside professional organisations to reinvigorate gardening within centres across the UK."

    Westland Masterclass Date - Dublin: City West Hotel – 3rd February 2011.

    The classes are free of charge and restricted to 30 delegates per course.  A refundable booking fee of £35 is required. 
    To book your place email Nicola Bacon on nbacon@westlandhorticulture.com

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    Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:24:39 -0800 Irish Landscape Institute Events http://florists.posterous.com/irish-landscape-institute-events http://florists.posterous.com/irish-landscape-institute-events November 2010   

    Street Design in Ireland: A Renewed Approach
    Sarah Rock, Urban Designer & Principal of Placemakers  vwww.placemakers.ie 
    Jason Taylor, Urban Designer, South Dublin County Council

    Date:         Thursday 18th November
    Venue:      Conference Room, Pearse Street Library, Dublin 2
    Time:        Doors open 17h45pm, Lecture commences 18h15

    Sarah is actively involved in urban design research, education and training, and has a specialist interest in street design.  She runs the multi-disciplinary RIAI Urban Design CPD Series.  Jason is involved in a number of street design projects including the Adamstown Street Design Guide and is part of the working group tasked with producing new national guidelines for street design in Ireland.


    January 2011 
    Children, Play & the Elements - Harry Harbottle

    Date:          Thursday 27th January
    Venue:       Conference Room, Pearse Street Library, Dublin 2
    Time:          Doors open 17h45pm, Lecture commences 18h15

    Harry is co-author of the guide to the European standard for the safety of playground equipment and an expert in the specification and design of naturalistic playgrounds and play equipment.

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    Mon, 15 Nov 2010 03:46:49 -0800 Executive Summary of Plan for the Development of Horticulture in Teagasc 2010-2013 http://florists.posterous.com/executive-summary-of-plan-for-the-development http://florists.posterous.com/executive-summary-of-plan-for-the-development
    Executive Summary This “Plan for the Development of Horticulture in Teagasc 2010-2013” addresses both the ongoing need for change identified in Teagasc 2030 and the Teagasc Change Programme 2009-2013 as well as the need for maximising resources of horticulture in Teagasc against a background of a deteriorating budgetary position. The horticultural sector contributes over €360 million (CSO, 2008) to agricultural output at farm gate level and provides over 6,000 jobs in the production sector. In addition the amenity services sector has a value of over €2 billion and employs an estimated 12,700 people. There is considerable potential for development of horticulture at both production and value added levels. Fruit and vegetables play a very important role in addressing the nation’s health problems and horticultural pursuits contribute to a positive lifestyle. The need for ongoing industry modernisation remains a key priority to attain the efficiencies required in a competitive global horticultural industry. New EU regulations concerning pesticides were enacted in November 2009. These together with the volumes of existing regulations including the Nitrate directorate, hygiene regulations etc will have major implications for all growers as well as the input and output service industries. The goal of Teagasc will be to provide growers and the industry with the knowledge and skills to abide by these regulations while enabling growers and the industry to deliver increased profit from productivity. The primary recommendations are listed below: 1. Exploit the development potential of horticulture, prioritising mushrooms, fruit/vegetable, nursery stock/cut foliage and turfgrass sectors. a. Support innovation that adds value in the food sector taking advantage of the positive healthy profile associated with fruit/vegetables. b. Support innovation that creates diversity in the nursery stock/cut foliage sector. c. Use Producer Organisations to drive investment and consolidate market developments where possible. 2. Integrate horticultural research, advisory and education services in one programme under the leadership of a dedicated programme manager. This will better service the needs of the horticultural sector and enable rationalisation of Teagasc resources. Horticultural activities will be located at a) Ashtown/National Botanic Gardens b) Kildalton. Potato development work will be associated with the tillage crops and potato expertise in Oak Park. 3. The drivers of the horticultural programme will be a) Profit from productivity; b) Innovation for added value; c) Energy efficiency and d) stakeholders needs. 4. Teagasc will form a “Horticultural Commodity Team” comprising representatives from Teagasc, Bord Bia, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and stakeholders representing sectoral interests including growers and the industry. This team will provide leadership and coordination to the horticultural industry. Enterprise teams will be established to provide leadership to the individual sectors. A Joint Programme Development Team with representatives from Research, Advice and Education will draw up the annual Teagasc Horticulture Business Plan. 5. Key appointments required subject to resources are: a. entomologist to service the needs of all horticultural production; b. Specialist-Researcher on potatoes; c. Specialist-Researcher on mushrooms; d. Post doctorate or post graduate researcher on cut foliage; and, e. Knowledge transfer person dealing with horticultural web content, publications, short courses and public events.

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    Thu, 11 Nov 2010 10:23:38 -0800 Breaking News! Development Plan for Horticulture In Ireland to be Released within days http://florists.posterous.com/breaking-news-development-plan-for-horticultu-0 http://florists.posterous.com/breaking-news-development-plan-for-horticultu-0
    Director of Horticulture at Teagasc Jim O’Mahony is making ready the plan for the public domain and all interested industry sectors. Stay tuned to HortiTrends for this and other latest news updates!

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    Thu, 11 Nov 2010 10:12:33 -0800 Breaking News! Development Plan for Horticulture In Ireland to be Released within days http://florists.posterous.com/breaking-news-development-plan-for-horticultu http://florists.posterous.com/breaking-news-development-plan-for-horticultu

    Director of Horticulture at Teagasc Jim O’Mahony is making ready for the public domain and all interested industry sectors. Stay tuned to HortiTrends for this and other latest news updates!

    Joseph Blair
    www.HortiTrends.com
    HorticultureTrends


    News . Advertising . Sales . Marketing . Business Development & Support. 
    Expertise, Practical Know-how, Passion for the Horticulture Fresh Produce & Lifestyle Sectors...

    Address:#20 The Cutlers . 33/34 Parliament Street . Dublin 2 . Ireland . Location: Map
        
    Mobile: 353 (0)87.9212044  

    Email: jblair@hortitrends.com     

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    http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1291753/HortItrendsLogoCloseupV2__1_.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fdyqRZ9dYid Horticulture Trends HortiTrends Horticulture Trends
    Thu, 11 Nov 2010 10:00:29 -0800 HortiTrends to Give Industry Talk to ITB Horticulture Entrepreneurship Programme 2010 http://florists.posterous.com/hortitrends-to-give-industry-talk-to-itb-hort http://florists.posterous.com/hortitrends-to-give-industry-talk-to-itb-hort Joseph Blair of www.HortiTrends.com and Director of Horticulture Network Ireland will be speaking to students and entrepreneurs in the Institute of Technology's Horticulture Department tomorrow. He will be discussing a range of issues that are effecting existing businesses and new entrants into the horticulture sector in Ireland and Europe. He will be also showing students the benefits of joining the HortiTrends Business2Business Horticulture Directory and Sourcebook that will help them to Grow their Trade in Horticulture in Ireland now and into the future. 
    It is a free online directory that unlike paper catalogue directories will not be gathering dust on any shelf and are not out of date as soon as they are published. He will be also be revealing some trick of the trade and the benefits of a Social Media for Business campaign that will make the Directory outshine any new or existing entrants to the market. he will also talk about getting Free Money! from the likes of Bord Bia through the MAP programme among others. Check back over the weekend for an update on the talk and also how your company too can benefit by getting its business profile on Hortitrends now! Stay tuned for an important link up with and online consumer gardening website. Sign up to day at www.HortTrends.com

    Keep Yourself updated! Click Here to Subscribe to our News Letter and Alerts for the Horticulture & Fresh Produce Sectors In Ireland. 


    News . Advertising . Sales . Marketing . Business Development & Support. 
    Expertise, Practical Know-how, Passion for the Horticulture Fresh Produce & Lifestyle Sectors...

    Mobile: 353 (0)87.9212044  

    Email: jblair@hortitrends.com     

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    Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:02:08 -0800 The Marketing Secret for 2011 http://florists.posterous.com/the-marketing-secret-for-2011 http://florists.posterous.com/the-marketing-secret-for-2011

    The Marketing Secret for 2011

    John Stanley

    Marketing has gone through a revolution over the last few years and month

    . It seems like every month a new idea hits the market place. Gone are the days when it was as simple as writing a newspaper advert and the job was done. The retailer of today has to consider the social media, conventional promotions, word of mouth marketing, loyalty schemes and a host of other ideas to develop their business.

    All these new ways of developing and growing your business have been proven to work by retailers and small business, but the real challenge is implementationin your own business.

    The down turn and uncertainty in the market place due to the financial meltdown in 2008 has resulted in most small businesses considering  downsizing and either shedding staff or not recruiting more staff.

    In 2010 many economies around the world are still “soft” with governments bringing in stricter governing regulations and as a result retailers are still nervous about growth in the economy. This really came home to me when I had a conversation with my local travel agent. We were having a conversation about marketing and she mentioned that the challenge was not developing new ideas, but having the time to implement those ideas. She was confident that if she had the time she could develop her business and spread the message about how good her service was helping her customers.

    She is aware of the marketing secret for 2011...it is TIME .Those businesses that can find time to develop their marketing strategy are those that will prosper in 2011.

    I was recently working with a client and his reaction was very similar. His comment was “I am too busy to do marketing, I need all my time to just keep the business afloat, when the business is going well I will give myself more time to do the marketing”.

    The extra pressure that retailers and small business are feeling at present is resulting in less people doing more work and as a result they are not having time to develop their business. This strategy will work in the short term, but in the long term it will result in a reduction in customers as other businesses gear up to develop their marketing strategies and attract customers away from your business.

    TIME SAVERS

    The key to developing your business in the next few months is going back to the basics of management and looking at how you can use time more effectively to allow you and your team to develop marketing strategies for the business in 2011.

    My top 7 Tips are as follows

    1 Write down your goals as far as marketing is concerned. What do you want to achieve and by when. I think the key is to write them down rather than just think about them and to put a date to the time you will have achieved these goals.

    2 When travelling give yourself a target to achieve. I am a typical “Road Warrior” and use the time at airports and on flights to achieve work goals, you may not be an air traveller, but travel time can still be a valuable time to catch up and research what marketing you need to develop.

    Do not procrastinate. Set a deadline, write it down and do it. Tell work colleagues and family members what you are doing so they can help you develop your goals.

    4 Balance your time between traditional marketing and social media marketing. It is easy to get engrossed in one at the expense of the other. You will need both techniques in your tool kit for 2011.

    5 Is there something that you can delegate to allow you to invest more time in the things that will make a difference in your business? For some of us it may be worth delegating the marketing, for others it may mean delegating other areas of work.

    6 Measure the success of marketing. Measure how you are achieving more customers and the increase in the average sale per customer. This will give you the motivation and confidence to develop your marketing skills

    7 Reward yourself when you have achieved your goals in marketing.

    I am confident that 2011 will result in more unique marketing ideas being presented to all of us and it will be easy to feel swamped by all these ideas. My advice is to keep it as simple as you can, set some goals and make sure you achieve them.

    John Stanley (CSP) is one of the top 10% of speakers in the world today, an acclaimed retail consultant and WA Entrepreneur of the Year 2009.  The author of several marketing, customer service and retail books including the best seller “Just About Everything a Retail Manager Needs to Know”, his company is WA Small Business Champion 2009 – Educational Services and WA Small Business of the Year 2010 for Export Services.  John was voted one of the “Power 100” in 2010 by the UK Horticultural Press.  Visit his websitewww.johnstanley.com.au or email linda@johnstanley.com.au to see how he can help you grow your business. 

     

      

     

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    Sat, 06 Nov 2010 15:50:39 -0700 Garden Centres and a Florist Winners in Retail Excellence Ireland Awards http://florists.posterous.com/garden-centres-and-a-florist-winners-in-retai http://florists.posterous.com/garden-centres-and-a-florist-winners-in-retai Irelands top 50 stores in 2010 include Arboretum Lifestyle & Garden Centre at number 11, Orchard Home & Garden at 13 and Lamber De Bie Flowers at 25. Both Arboretum and The Orchard were winners in the Best Superstore Category with De Bie Flowers a winner in the Best Small Store Sector. www.retailexcellence.ie

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