Categories & Criteria
ENTRY DEADLINE EXTENDED - 13 AUGUST - ENTRY DEADLINE EXTENDED - 13 AUG
Project categories
Entries may be submitted individually or jointly by key parties involved.
Best Themed Promotion
Awarded to the entrant with the most innovative retail promotion. This could be a marketing or promotional campaign for the outlet itself, or for a specific event, for instance, Christmas, Easter or Mothers’ Day. Entrants will submit photographic evidence, or POS or advertising material in support of the entry, and describe how the initiative was conceived, executed and quantified in terms of success. Success may be quantified through the number of new customers it brought in and increase in turnover year-on-year. Suppliers and garden centres are eligible to enter.
Most Successful New Plant
The best new plant launched for sale through garden centres for the garden consumer. This must be launched within the qualifying period demonstrate innovation and fill a gap in the market for the gardening consumer. Entrants will submit photographs of the plant and information on a) the plant’s breeding b) the customers’ response to it c) quantified the plant’s commercial success. Entrants should explain why stocking the plant is important or beneficial to retailers.
Most Successful New Product
The best product launch for sale through garden centres for the garden consumer. This must be launched within the qualifying period and demonstrate innovation and fill a gap in the market for the amateur gardener. Entrants will submit photographs of the product and information on how it was a) conceived b) the response to it c) show its commercial success. Entrants should explain why stocking the product is important or beneficial to retailers.
Best Business Development: New Build, Refit or Launch
Awarded to the best garden centre development built within the qualifying period. This may be a new build centre, an extension, rebuild or refit or relaunch. It should show best practice in design, innovation and environmental standards. Entrants should describe how the initiative was a) conceived, b) executed and c) quantified in terms of commercial success.
Business categories
Best Concession
Awarded to the concession which shows the most interesting and commercially vibrant use of space within garden retail outlets. Entrants will submit photographic evidence and describe how the concession added to the garden centre’s atmosphere, overall offering, and commercial success. Garden centres who run a concession or companies who sub-let a concession may enter. Entrants should show how a concession contributes to the rest of the garden centre through turnover, traffic, or local market share in a particular product.
Best Customer Service Award
Awarded to the garden centre that shows customer service above and beyond the norm, for instance delivery services, garden design services, advice leaflets, advice lines and well-run customer service desks. Please include any feedback available from customers and evidence of what your centre’s customer service offer involves. The award winner will show it offers its customers advice, information, attention to detail and a pleasant customer service beyond its competition.
Best Catering Facilities
Awarded to the garden centre that can demonstrate it operates its catering operation runs to the highest standard no matter how big it is. The award will recognise innovation, success, customer service, quality of food and drink, ambience and efficiency. Entrants should submit written and photographic evidence showing commercial evidence of success.
Best Pet or Aquatics Department
Awarded to the garden centre that can show its pet or aquatic department is of the highest standard. The award will recognise customer service, quality and range of product, the best animal care and innovation. Entrants should submit written and photographic evidence.
Best Planteria
Awarded to the garden centre with the best outside plant space. It should reflect the best quality and range of plants and show a commitment to customer service and innovation in use of space. Entrants should submit written and photographic evidence.
Retail Outlet of the Year: under £3m turnover
Awarded to the garden retail outlet that most impresses the judges. The outlet will need to demonstrate excellence during the qualifying period for the Awards in one or more areas, including for example: profitability, turnover, growth, customer satisfaction, awareness within the local community, staff motivation/retention, significant improvements in one or more aspect of the business etc. Entrants will submit written evidence with any relevant supporting printed and/or photographic material.
Retail Outlet of the Year: over £3m turnover
Awarded to the individual garden retail outlet forming part of a chain or multiple group that most impresses the judges. The outlet will need to demonstrate excellence in one or more areas, including for example: profitability, turnover, growth, customer satisfaction, awareness within the local community, staff motivation/retention, significant improvements in one or more aspect of the business etc. Entrants will submit written evidence with any relevant supporting printed and/or photographic material.
General categories
Best Online Retailer
The Best Online Retailer award will be given to the company that has the clearest website design, simplest ordering process, best delivery times and best usability. Entrants will submit written evidence, with supporting printed material if available. The award winner will show evidence of competitive pricing, customer service, testimonials, turnover, profitability and company growth.
Commitment to Training/Education Award
Awarded to the garden centre with the best attitude and commitment to education and training in garden retail. Entrants will submit written evidence, with supporting printed material if available. Entrants should demonstrate how they are a) committed to training of the highest standard, and b) how they have enabled staff/students/trainees/apprentices to better their knowledge and career development.
Community Involvement Award
Given to the garden centre that shows the most commitment to getting involved in activities within its local community. This may include running kids’ clubs, older peoples’ clubs, gardening clubs, charity fundraising or any other activity that shows the centre is at the heart of local life. Show written and photographic evidence, including media coverage, of how being committed to the community benefited business and added to the garden centre’s appeal. The Award winner will show how a garden centre is more than just a retailer that sells plants and garden goods-it is important to its community.
Best Environmental Policy
Awarded to the entrant who has demonstrated the best attitude to environmental awareness within its operation. This could, for example, relate to peat use, or energy or water conservation, or any other environmental factor, including waste management, recycling, composting, etc. Entrants will submit written evidence, with supporting printed material if available.Written evidence should describe how the entrant’s policy was conceived, executed and quantified in terms of success.
Individual awards
Nominations are invited – and free of charge
Employee of the Year
Awarded to the individual who, in the opinion of the judges, has shown the most outstanding aptitude for and commitment to their role in the garden centre. Entrants must be nominated by their employer.Written evidence should explain why the individual nominee should be given the award, specifically: a) what successes/achievements have been accomplished to warrant nomination, b) how the entrant is regarded by their colleagues and customers.
Outstanding/Lifetime Achievement Award
Awarded to the individual who, in the opinion of the judges, has made the most outstanding contribution to garden retailing. This may be awarded to someone who has ‘lifetime achievement’ status, or it could go to someone who has made a significant contribution to the industry within the past few years. Entrants must be nominated by a third party (for example, a colleague or employer).Written evidence should explain why the individual nominee should be given the award, specifically: a) what successes/achievements have been accomplished to warrant nomination, b) how the entrant is regarded by their peers, customers, colleagues, subordinates, seniors etc and c) why the nomination is particularly relevant to the current awards qualifying period.
