Developing Business In The Garden Industry
Milestone sales for HTA Garden Gift Card
Over 10,000 HTA National Garden Gift Cards have been sold since the launch of the scheme at the end of October 2011 generating an estimated extra £½ million spending for the garden industry so far.
Wilkinson’s and Midlands Co-op have both recently joined Sainsbury’s and WHSmith in selling the cards which can only be spent in participating HTA member outlets. With 10,000 card sales this represents a minimum of 10,000 customer visits generated to garden retail outlets.
David Butler, HTA Garden Gift Card Manager, comments, “We are confident that the HTA Garden Gift Card is driving new business into garden centres and nurseries. The £½ million generated is additional money that is going into member businesses rather than the retail businesses that the cards are being purchased in.”
He adds, “The whole ethos behind the new gift card is to attract customers that wouldn’t normally go to a garden centre to purchase the cards as gifts for family and friends. From our research there is no evidence to suggest cannibalisation of National Garden Gift Voucher sales so far and so this is incremental business for the industry.”
There are currently almost 500 members taking part in the scheme but additional members can still sign up to join the pilot. They can either contact their HTA Account Manager or email gardengiftcard@the-hta.org.uk
Contacts
Gill Ormrod, Angela Bean or Cassie King
HTA Media Office
Tel: 0118 9303132
Email: media.office@the-hta.org.uk
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Notes to editors
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is the trade association for the UK garden industry. It is dedicated to helping develop the industry and its member businesses, including most garden centres and other garden retailers, growers, landscapers, manufacturers and service providers. The HTA was founded in 1899. Its key roles include: provision of advice-based services such as business improvement schemes, briefings and help lines; training, conferences and events for members; market information and research; promotions such as the National Garden Gift Voucher scheme; and working closely with government and the media to influence policy and projects
Last updated: 12/07/2012 15:43