Garden centres

​GIMA (Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Association) is a membership organisation of around 170 companies representing the majority share of suppliers and manufacturers operating within the UK gardening industry. MorePeople are proud to have been associate members of GIMA for the past 10 years. As part of MorePeople's core industries, we spend a lot of time working within the gardening industry – we have dedicated teams for supporting businesses in; Garden Centre Retail –Ben, Felicity and Michail recruit for garden centres across the UK for a range of roles including GCM’s, Plant Area Managers, department managers and more, including more junior positions. Commercial –Rae and Brian cover all commercial roles within the Gardening industry including buyers, account managers, sales executives and so on. Horticulture –Sarah looks after our more technical horticulture roles in terms of growers, nursery managers, Irrigation specialists for example. GIMA provides a host of events for its members over the year, which the team always enjoy attending to network and learn from industry experts – you can read more about our experience of this year’s day conference, 2023’s day conference and 2022’s day conference.We have been The GIMA Awards Raffle Sponsor for many years now and are pleased to announce our involvement once again with the 2024 Awards! Rae and Brian represented the team last year, enjoying yet another fantastic evening. We look forward to seeing everyone again on the 7th November for the 2024 GIMA Awards!If you’d like to read more of our Garden Centre content, click here. ​

​In the ever-evolving landscape of business, one foundational element remains constant: the importance of a positive workplace culture. A positive work environment is the cornerstone of organisational success. From fostering employee well-being to driving productivity and innovation, here's why creating a positive workplace culture is not just beneficial but essential. At the heart of a positive workplace culture lies engaged and satisfied employees. When employees feel valued, respected, and appreciated, they are more likely to invest themselves fully in their work. A culture that prioritises open communication, recognition of achievements, and opportunities for growth cultivates a sense of belonging and loyalty among team members. This, in turn, translates into higher levels of employee satisfaction, reduced turnover rates, and increased retention of top talent. It’s important for businesses to clearly define the core values that they stand for. These could include a passion for plants, commitment to customer service, environmental sustainability, community engagement, and teamwork. Ensure that these values are communicated to all employees and integrated into daily operations. Leadership plays a crucial role in shaping organisational culture. Management should lead by example by embodying the values and behaviors they want to see in their employees. This may be done by regular training on technical knowledge around plants so everyone is confident on helping customers with their purchases. It may be regular staff meetings so everyone is kept up to date on what’s going on so staff can do the best job they can to engage with the community. Providing employees with opportunities to make decisions and have their say can empower employees to use their creativity and judgment fosters a sense of autonomy and investment in their roles. Management putting up posters without all staff being aware of exactly what when and how won’t breed a culture of community engagement and teamwork. Providing opportunities for employee development and growth is also essential. Offering training programs on customer service skills, leadership development and progression. Encourage employees to pursue certifications or further education related to horticulture and gardening. When something is done regularly and consistently with support from all leaders, it doesn’t take long for that to be normal and for all employees to live and breathe the culture of your garden centre. If you would like to talk about workplace culture or finding the right candidate/ workplace for you, contact the Garden Centre Team on 01780 480 530 or email info@morepeople.co.uk and we'll be happy to discuss further!

Environmental consciousness is becoming increasingly important, every industry is called upon to reevaluate its practices. Among these, garden centres stand out as spaces where sustainability takes on a particularly significant role. Sustainability is not just a trend, but something that needs to be taken seriously as garden centres could have a huge impact in changing practices and inspiring people to work towards a better future. Sustainability in garden centres is not just about being that little bit more eco-friendly but I think it’s so important to recognise that these spaces have the power to not only mitigate environmental impact but to influence, teach and educate individuals including the younger generation. At the recent GIMA conference, Mike Burks from The Gardens Group highlighted the importance of implementing sustainability in garden centres, wherever and however you can. He spoke about how The Gardens Group have already implemented guidelines for their business and where possible will follow them. Whilst it’s clear that there are massive benefits from being more sustainable such as creating a brighter future for everyone, there are also positives such as attracting the right kind of staff to your business. I spoke to a few of my colleagues and asked them how they think garden centres could be more sustainable and the answers were very similar; no single-use plastic, solar panels, collecting rainwater for irrigation- these were just a few of their suggestions. Of course, being more sustainable will incur extra costs to businesses and in some instances, changes can’t be made overnight. Some garden centres are embracing alternative materials for their products. For instance, a few businesses that we work with instead of traditional plastic pots, offer biodegradable options made from materials like recycled paper or plant-based plastics. These eco-friendly alternatives decompose naturally, minimising the environmental impact of discarded pots. Water conservation is another crucial focus area for sustainable garden centres. Many are promoting water-saving techniques such as drip irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting. By demonstrating these methods to customers and offering products that facilitate water conservation, garden centres empower individuals to minimise water waste in their gardens. Education plays a crucial role in fostering sustainable practices among customers, and garden centres are seizing the opportunity to educate and inspire. Through informative signage, workshops, and online resources, they guide on topics ranging from organic gardening techniques to eco-friendly pest control methods. By empowering customers with knowledge, garden centres encourage them to make environmentally conscious choices in their gardens. These sustainable practices can also benefit garden centres from a marketing perspective. Embracing sustainability practices demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility, which can enhance the garden centre’s brand image. Customers increasingly prefer to support businesses that prioritise sustainability, leading to a positive perception of the garden centre among environmentally-conscious customers. Implementing sustainable practices can help garden centres differentiate themselves from competitors. Ultimately, garden centres are embracing sustainability as a guiding principle in their operations. By prioritising eco-friendly practices such as responsible sourcing, water conservation, biodiversity conservation, composting, energy efficiency, and education, they are not only reducing their environmental impact but also inspiring their customers to do the same. As these green initiatives take root, garden centres are not just places to buy plants—they are becoming hubs of sustainability, nurturing both gardens and the planet. If you would like to discuss this with me or how I can help find like-minded people for your business email felicity@morepeople.co.uk or call Felicity on 01780 480 530​

​On Monday 5th February, Garden Centre Recruitment specialists Ben Woodward and Michail Michailou travelled to the NEC in Birmingham to attend the Greatest Christmas Awards prizegiving at the Spring Fair. MorePeople were given the pleasure of sponsoring the 'Greatest Festive Retail Food Hall Team' award. The award was judged against a list of criteria, and Pugh's Radyr came out victorious. Ben and Michail were asked to come onto the stage and present the award to the winners.The runners-up and finalists include:Silver WinnersGarsons Esher & Old Railway Line Bronze Winner Barton Grange Finalists Bents, Chessington Garden Centre, Klondyke Mortonhall, Longacres Bagshot, St Peters Worcester & Whitehall LacockMichail Michailou, Recruitment Consultant, comments;"The event was delightful, it provided us with the opportunity to network with industry professionals and gain a great insight into their perspective of our industry. And again, congratulations to the winners, runners-up and finalists!" ​Our Garden Centre team are always looking for new ways to connect with industry professionals, if you would like to have a conversation about your career goals or recruitment strategies please call Ben, Michail or Felicity on 01780 480 530 or email info@morepeople.co.uk

​The garden retail industry, like many industries, is facing challenges related to worker shortages. But what can be done to combat this? ​Having a good candidate onboarding process is incredibly important, it is crucial for setting the tone for a positive and productive employee experience. Its importance extends beyond just the first few days of a new employee's tenure - developing a detailed onboarding plan that covers the first few days, weeks, and months of employment is a good idea. This should clearly outline the training, introductions, and milestones that new employees will experience – it’s a great way to show new employees how they will be immersed in the business. Too many businesses expect new employees to slot into a business without a second thought to their development or training. A business we work quite closely with pairs new employees with an experienced employee who can serve as a mentor or buddy, this person can help answer questions, provide guidance, and facilitate social integration. The feedback we have received from candidates is extremely beneficial and it helps them learn the ropes quicker than if they were left alone to just ‘get on with it’. With the ever-growing battle to get young talent and new graduates into garden retail and showcase our industry to this younger audience, more support could be given and work done within the industry and trade bodies. The implementation of things like management training programmes, internships and graduate schemes which can be marketed to colleges and universities when young people are starting to think about their career paths would be really helpful, along with the education piece about the garden industry and what opportunities there are. Networking opportunities would be extremely useful for those starting in the industry, but along with these employees need the support from management to attend events if they fall within working hours – within reason of course. Keeping up…Since COVID customers have more options to buy plants and gardening products from other retailers, such as supermarkets, online platforms, and discount stores. Consumers were forced to find alternative shopping behaviours whilst confined to their homes. These competitors can offer lower prices, wider selection, and convenience to customers. Over the past few years garden centres have certainly diversified their product offerings to meet the demands of a changing market and have introduced new, trending, or sustainable products to keep up with other retailers. Products within garden centres are now a lot more varied and you can find a larger selection of choices now than compared to three or four years ago. We see this from a recruitment point of view as we recruit for roles such as Home Department Managers and Food Hall Managers now which is a more frequent occurrence compared to a few years ago. Conducting regular market research to stay informed about industry trends, consumer preferences and competitors is key to keeping on top, remaining successful and having a more desirable place to work for potential employees. Garden Centres must differentiate themselves by providing more value-added services, such as expert advice, workshops, and loyalty programs just to name a few. A garden retail group we work closely with has recently implemented loyalty cards and vouchers for customers both of which encourage repeat business. These things don’t just benefit the customer, but give employees more experience, learning opportunities and progression in their roles. How can we help?As garden retail recruitment specialists, we have a deep understanding of the garden retail industry, including its unique challenges, trends, and specific skill requirements for certain positions. We can share market insights with garden retail businesses regarding salary trends, competitive hiring landscapes, and talent availability. We get to see both sides, we work with candidates and clients. We conduct thorough screenings and assessments to ensure that candidates possess the necessary skills, experience, and cultural fit for clients. We’re also able to collaborate closely with hiring managers to help with onboarding processes to ensure they’re as smooth as possible. Relaying any feedback from candidates to clients on how they find interview processes too.We recruit for specialised roles within garden retail such as Plant Area Managers and Horticultural experts, but we also look at all the other functions within garden retail that now exist. Felicity Mitchell, Ben Woodward & Michail Michailou Recruitment Consultants for Garden Centres​Get in touch for an informal chat to see how we can help you find your next opportunity and the best people for your business. Felicity@morepeople.co.uk Ben@morepeople.co.ukMichail@morepeople.co.uk​01780 480 530​

​​​Name: Michail MichailouRole: Consultant, Garden CentresJoined MorePeople: September 2023​​​​1.Describe your job in three words: Rewarding, exciting and fun 2.What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now? Expanding my knowledge about the Industry 3.Which famous person would you love to meet? Lionel Messi 4.Favourite drink? Disaronno sour 5.Best holiday destination so far? Budapest at Christmas & Greek islands in the Summer 6.What are you currently reading? My life in Red and White by Arsene Wenger 7.Current favourite song? 25 - 8 by Larry Fleet 8.If you weren’t a recruiter, what would you be? Playing upfront for Barcelona 9.If you had to watch only one tv show over and over forever, which one would it be? Supernatural 10.What’s your biggest claim to fame? Used to play semi-professional Football if that counts 11.Where were you born? Rhodes 12.What’s your proudest moment? Becoming a Father 13.Dogs or Cats? Dogs 14.Which football team do you support? AEK Athens 15.What skill do you wish you possess? Being able to fly 16.What’s your guilty pleasure? Cheesecake 17.What did you want to be when you were a kid? Professional football player 18.What three things are you taking to a deserted island? Knife, fishing rod and a ball named Wilson haha 19.Do you have any phobias? No 20.Where are you next going on holiday? Miami 21.What’s your least favourite household chore? Washing the dishes 22.Describe MorePeople in three words: Inspiring, Motivating, Genuine 23.What do you love most about your sector? I enjoy visiting garden centres with my family in my free time, so to have the opportunity to be part of the garden centre desk just mixes work with pleasure. All the store visits and the great people we get to talk to daily make our job even more interesting and fun.24.Who inspires you? My mum ​