After a long period of consultation and analysis Tetra, a global leader in fish food, treatments and equipment, has decided not to take a stand at GLEE 2009.  The decision follows concern over the drop in numbers at last year's show and responds to the new pressures on customers due to the current economic climate.  Tetra was, however, present at PATs in Sandown and will also be at Harrogate, enabling the company to meet a wide-section of retailers from both the aquatic and general pet trades.  Additionally the company will be attending a dedicated pet show in Ireland at the beginning of September.

The first GIMA meeting of the year providing some fascinating insights from some of the most influential people in the garden centre industry. The overall message was one of cautious optimism, which may seem strange, coming as it does at a time when we are reeling from recent snowfalls and the credit crunch. As we look for a silver lining among the clouds, we should consider the strong euro and dollar, which will see many stay at home to enjoy the garden this summer. The first speaker of the day was Caroline Owen managing director of one of the UK's largest garden centres, Scotsdale "In times of austerity, suppliers are the key to a garden centre's success," she said. "We need trusted market-leading brands that we can work together to promote."

The TV star has teamed up with Garden Centre Update, and Dunweedin' - the recycling company that makes attractive landscape chippings for gardens - to give her expert advice on the latest issues facing the modern gardener.

Saving water in the garden is one of the most important ways we can look after our environment.

Arbours and Arches are always a favourite and year on year the market has seen a wide range of styles and designs. With the trend towards spending more time at home, and the gardening public being more geared up to "project gardening", 2009 could be the year of the arch and arbour. Nigel Poyner, Managing Director at Worcestershire based M&M Timber Ltd. suggests British made timber products like their Cottage Arch are the best value for money on the market thanks to the current Euro rate.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company promises to maintain its ad spend at 2008 levels with £6.3 million committed to nationwide TV and press advertising during the spring and summer of 2009.  Many of Britain's greatest garden brands will receive big-spend advertising support including:-

EverGreen Complete, EverGreen Mow It Less Lawn Food, Weedol MAX, Roundup Pump N' Go, Pathclear, Miracle-Gro Liquafeed, Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Compost, Miracle-Gro Singles

The Resolva 24H television advert with its popular ‘weed characters' is coming back to the small screen this summer after phenomenal sales proved it was a hit with UK homeowners last year. Westland Horticulture has invested a further £2 million to bring the weeds back to life for a period of eight weeks starting from 8th April, reminding viewers to ‘Resolva their weed problem' for good with Resolva 24H.

Peat-free and 100% recycled composts manufacturer, Vital Earth, whose products are made from recycled garden waste, has won the Association for Organics Recycling's Jim Ballance Compost Marketing Award, following the  launch of ten new products, the re-branding and repackaging of its range and a substantial commitment to PR and advertising.

Organic, peat free compost manufacturer, Vital Earth, all of whose products are made by recycling garden waste, has concluded a very successful 2008 with two accolades for environmental excellence, both from outside the industry.

THE UK'S leading manufacturer of washable cotton doormats has launched its new spring 2009 collection with a whole host of contemporary designs to be sold via flooring companies, garden centres and furnishing retailers nationwide. The Turtle® Mat Company,  has developed a collection to appeal to all homeowners whether they have welly-strewn country cottages, rambling mansions, bijou, urban pied-a-terres or even hip townhouses.

A unique cat activity toy, designed by Helena Dbaly, is now available in the UK from Trixie. Cat Activity Fun Board is a cleverly designed moulded plastic board measuring 30 x 40cm with non-slip feet. The board offers five areas for cats to use in different ways to retrieve treats, play and exercise their minds. The toy provides valuable physical exercise and mental stimulation to cats and kittens and also to older or less active cats.

The age old tradition of using bits of broken pottery at the bottom of flower pots and containers could now be eradicated by an innovative new product from Sankey Home & Garden Products. An ingenious new product - the Plant Drainage Dome, is proving to be an overall cleaner, easier and more environmentally friendly solution to achieving perfect drainage. The domes are placed at the base of plant pots, eliminating the need for bits of broken clay pots to block the drainage hole, nothing else is required.

With between 20 inches and 200 inches of rainwater falling each year in certain areas* Sankey Home & Garden Products' launch of its 250 litre Super Space Saver Water Butt will help keep gardens looking green and lush all year round. In the current situation of climate change, the need to conserve water is paramount in certain parts of the country. Space in many homes is at a premium and the water butt is designed to fit into the smallest of areas. It holds 150 litres more than the original version. The Super Space Saver Water Butt is ideal for storing water run-offs from the roof, greenhouses and sheds.

Known for generous show promotions, specialist shop fitters CASCO are making no exception at the forthcoming Pet & Aquatics Trade Show (PATS). The company are giving away two specialist units to display reptiles in-store. The units will be in different configurations with several compartments to house a variety of species. Included will be a hatchling compartment and a specialist tortoise tank. The prize also includes all the cage accessories a store will need to house reptiles in the best way possible.

Available from Mines for Pets are 5 different variants of the popular Chuckit Ball Launcher. No other ball launcher offers the quality, variety of colours or diversity of design as the Chuckit. The full range includes the original Ball Launcher (packaged dimensions 29x4cm), Ultra Ball Launcher the same size but with an ergonomic rubber handle, the slightly smaller Junior Ball Launcher (packaged dimensions 21x4cm), the portable Pocket Ball Launcher (packaged dimensions 14.5x4cm) and Mini Ball Launcher for small dogs (holds a 2inch diameter ball).

In January, over 100 people crowded into the first GIMA meeting of the year, eager to hear the prospects for 2009. The consensus, echoing the GCA conference earlier in the week, was "we are cautiously optimistic." The first speaker was Caroline Owen managing director of Scotsdale Garden Centre. She said that only good garden centres major on gardening and in a recession this is where you need to be.

Kick start your customers' tool purchases with the latest TOP DEALS promotion from DRAPER TOOLS. 

With home composting rising in popularity, outdoor living specialist Rowlinson Garden Products has introduced two composters, as part of its new collection of ‘grow your own' products. A neat alternative to a compost heap, the new Deluxe Composter has a lifting lid complete with prop, making it easy to fill with garden and kitchen waste. Plus, the handy front door can be used to draw out the composted material. Also new is the rustic Budget Composter. Ideal for first-time home composters, it comes flatpacked in easy-to-assemble slatted planks.

According to the Maingate mantra, designed-in Product Excellence holds its own reward: Regardless of economic conditions, markets will always gravitate towards Quality! Peter Valentin, Maingate MD, explains, "A garden wheelbarrow is no different from any other purchase: If it's a joy to use and stays looking great for years, then we as Maingate will have both a happy end user and a happy retailer.

A new green product made only from green waste. Microlife is a sustainable growing media and a great alternative to peat based products.

Building on the Industry Gold Award-winning success of 2008, attendance has been impressive with nearly 100 garden centre staff attending the first two Bayer Garden regional training seminars in 2009.

American organic specialists Sunshine Paper Company have developed "WeedGuard Plus", an environmentally sustainable, weed controlling mulch. 100% biodegradable paper mulch that decomposes at the end of the season and then can be ‘worked in' to the soil. This innovative new opaque product effectively eliminates weeds by blocking light, reduces erosion, moderates soil temperatures and can become part of the soil after the growing season.

Roundup® weedkiller is offering gardening enthusiasts the chance to win £500 worth of National Garden gift vouchers by completing a simple online opinion survey. The survey, featured on www.roundup-garden.com, has been launched by the leading weedkiller brand as part of its ongoing commitment to improve its service offering to its customers. The aim is to get your views on its current website and how you feel it can be enhanced and improved.

Bayer Garden, which already dominates the slug control category has done the unexpected; it's launched an innovative new organic slug bait, grabbing this part of the market from the traditional players in the sector.

Brookside Nursery & Garden Centre in East Peckham near Tonbridge in Kent has set the highest standard with its refitted aquatic department from CASCO. Garden centre owner Terry Shead spoke to several store fitters about the proposed re-fit. Although CASCO was not the cheapest, Terry could see the company had the most to offer, so the deal was finalised and the process begun.

Kingfisher is opening an all-new 8,000 sq ft showroom in Old Dalby, Leicestershire, on the 1st June 2009. Situated just five minutes from their distribution warehouse in Hoton the showroom will feature every item in the Kingfisher range.

Tetra Europe has won this year's Global Pets Forum Award, voted winner by well-known international representatives of the pet sector. Competing against 19 nominated companies from manufacturing, wholesale and retail, the jury elected Tetra Europe as a clear winner.

Millions of gardeners and homes will soon find access to a more vibrant and healthy garden on their doormat.

DRAPER TOOLS has launched the 2009/10 edition of its main tool catalogue, providing a comprehensive guide to the thousands of products available from this leading tool company.

Outdoor living specialist Rowlinson Garden Products has introduced a Cold Frame and Grow Bag Tray, as part of a new range focused on the ‘grow your own' trend, designed to help boost sales for stockists.

Fancy your own TV channel? It may surprise you to know that you don't need the resources of Rupert Murdoch to promote your brand via the medium of television. Thanks to Retail Digital Networks - an innovative idea created by Richard Mann in 2005 - garden centres can be seen on screen for as little as £250 per month.

The unique design releases water slowly throughout the length of the hose, ensuring an even coverage without the danger of over-watering and wastage.

Henton & Chattell have been appointed sole UK distributor for the high quality BRILL range of outdoor power equipment.

One of world's most advanced ergonomic hand tool manufacturers - Bahco - has launched its next generation ERGO Handsaw System. Designed for professionals, serious craftsmen and DIY enthusiasts, the ERGO Handsaw System employs a revolutionary handle design, which enables users to interchange 10 different blades in a matter of seconds.

Makita, Britain's number 1 professional power tool manufacturer, introduces a new range of electric hedge trimmers made at the company's factory at Telford in Shropshire. Previous Makita products have been made at their Dolmar subsidiary in Germany but the growth in Makita's market share in the horticultural market in Europe has required increased production capacity to be established at the Telford facility.

These Stackable Tool Tray (4508) are ideal for organising workshops, garden sheds, garages and utility rooms.