The sun is shining and retailers are smiling! As GCU went to press, the Met Office announced its predictions for a barbeque summer, with temperatures being warmer than average across the UK. I have spoken to a number of retailers in the last few weeks and the general consensus is that if the sun is shining, people will spend. So despite the recession, retailers should enjoy soaring profits in the summer months.

Your re-launch of the Unwins seed range is the result of quite extensive customer research isn't it? Can you tell me some more about this?

The Unwins brand has been around for about 100 years - we acquired it in 2005. We wanted to make the seed category exciting again and asked ourselves a number of questions. What were the consumer's frustrations? What did they like about using seeds? And how can we improve the experience of growing from seed? The result of this was a revolution in our seed offer and a new standard in performance, both exactly what the consumer wanted.

With over 40 years of trading under their belts the Bonnington Plastics brand, Kingfisher, has developed into one of the largest manufacturers and importers in its field.

Kingfisher is opening an all-new 8,000 sq ft showroom in Old Dalby, Leicestershire, on the 5th June 2009. Situated near their distribution warehouse in Hoton: the showroom will be opened by Playboy model Lisa Maria and will feature every item in the Kingfisher range. Designed to show how co-ordinated and exciting the current range looks when merchandised correctly, the showroom allows them to display all the products to full effect.

Countax have developed a new grass cutter deck capable of either mulching or cutting and ejecting. The new 97cm (38") Combi deck is currently available for the Countax X Series range, and has been designed to provide neat, fast mowing, with the ability to eject long cut grass from the rear of the deck on a standard setting. 

The GIMA Business Meeting scheduled for the 11th June promises to be another valuable day for suppliers to the garden retail industry.

Described by some as the "greatest awards on earth" the GIMA Awards give manufacturers and suppliers of product to the garden retail trade such great opportunities.

Three products from peat-free and 100% recycled composts manufacturer, Vital Earth, whose products are made from recycled garden waste, are being listed by Wilkinson. Multi purpose in 10 litre pack sizes, Seed & Cutting compost in 10 litres and Tub & Basket in 10 litres are all available now in Wilkinson's 372 stores nationwide.

Peat-free and 100% recycled composts manufacturer, Vital Earth, whose products are made from recycled garden waste, has been awarded a Green Heroes 2009 Wall Shield by The Green Organisation, a not-for-profit body that recognises environmental best practice around the world.

Outdoor living specialist Rowlinson Garden Products has introduced a Picnic Bench to its extensive product range. Ideal for family dining and children's parties, the timber Picnic Bench has attractive rounded ends and comfortably seats four adults. Measuring 715mm x 1500mm x 1790mm (h x d x l)

Tetra, the global leader in fish food, treatments and equipment has donated a brand new marine livestock system to Sparsholt College to help their students broaden their knowledge and become familiar with a true to life commercial marine system. The marine system is currently being used to spawn marine fish and has become an important learning tool for students of the Sparsholt Aquatics Centre.

Even in the middle of a recession, specialist shop fitters CASCO Europe, has announced the company's best year's sales in its entire history. With record sales for the full year ending March 2009, CASCO put its success down to products that boost business and increase client turnover.

Eric Lane, former Buying Controller for  B&Q, Costco, Texas Homecare, Decco and Carrefour (now Asda), and now Managing Director of Great Star UK , wants to give something back to the industry that he has been a great part of for many years.

Retailers are seeing sales of Bayer Garden products soar. Sally Spicer of Scotsdale Garden Centre said:

"The growth in sales is incredible.

TV advertising for three of the biggest brands in gardening will start just before Easter and retailers are advised to stock up ready for a huge surge in consumer demand for EverGreen Complete, Weedol MAX Gun! and Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Compost. Big spend TV Advertising for Roundup Fast Action Weedkiller will start w/c 30 April and a campaign for EverGreen Mow It Less and Miracle-Gro Liquafeed will start in May.

The ‘It's Gro Time' marketing initiative from Scotts Miracle-Gro will be the theme for its stand at the Chelsea Flower Show. The ‘Gro your own Sunday Roast' area will show how to grow potatoes, carrots and other vegetables on patios, balconies or other hard standing thanks to the growing abilities of the new Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potato and Vegetable gro-sac. A separate area of container-grown bedding plants and shrubs will provide a beautiful display of blooms to delight visitors.

Nottingham based Henton & Chattell Limited is the sole UK distributor for the Brill range of mowers designed to bring a professional finish to domestic lawns. As part of Brill's innovative product development, and added to their product stable for the 2009 season, is the RazorCut LION 38, a rechargeable lithium ion battery cylinder mower offering a superb classic cylinder cut finish with the added benefit of boosting the users fitness programme. The mower gives a fine 38cm cut from the electrically driven 5-bladed heat-treated cylinder and a cutting height infinitely variable between 20-45mm.

With long-handled scissor-action device and two strong opposing paddles the Grab-O-Saurus enables users to collect waste material from above. Invented by Graham Renny and made in Britain, the Grab-O-Saurus meets every normal, everyday requirement in the collection of waste matter at ground level - without the need for bending.

How long have you been established?

Scotsdale Garden Centre has been established since 1964 (45 years).

How would you describe your store?

Scotsdales is a true garden centre and sells everything for the garden. We have a wide and varied choice on most products.

Kiddimoto's multi-award winning range of wooden balance bikes are a proven platform to teach children important motor skills, balance and co-ordination in a fun and safe manner. The ideal first bike, Kiddimoto bypasses the need for stabilisers, allowing children to jump straight onto a pedal bicycle when they are big enough.