Four Oaks Excels Again

Although the British media are promoting the UK is heading for the worst recession in 60 years. The Four Oaks show was busy with plenty of exhibitors from Holland, Italy and Spain. The highlights of the show for me were as follows: Pic 1 – Aerobin. The Australian Aerobin was launched at the show. This was the only Australian exhibitor this year and the only booth promoting composting. Pic 2 – Peeblepots from Wales, I first discovered last year. A product that is difficult to transport, due to weight, but a great, unique container. Pic 3 & 4 – Flor A’s from Italy was one of the few companies that have identified the opportunity for Aromatic Herb Pyramids. A sure winner in today’s market. Pic 5 – NZ Liners travelled from Auckland to promote their liners in an interesting way to the UK market. Pic 7 – The Grass Factory are introducing artificial turf. It is interesting that you go around the world and artificial turf is now a garden centre product. Pic 8,9,10 – Kernock Plants, a member of the Proven Winners family provided an excellent exhibit which should be built in every garden centre, it’s a real winner. Pic 11 – Ball Colegrave provided an excellent way of displaying fruit and vegetable as a statement for the category. Pic 12 – their box displays are also effective. Pic 13 – Young Plants Ltd provided an excellent way of showing how herbs and vegetables can be displayed in a garden centre. Pic 14 – West Kingston Nurseries are growing plants in Eco pots and promoting low plant miles. Something more growers should be promoting. Pic 15,16,17,18 – Zenflora Europea have produced some excellent “easy buy” promotional material. The Top 5, Classic White and Purple Fashion show they are in-tune with fashion. Pic 19,20,21 – Quadrand from Holland showed what can be achieved with container gardening. I like the way they have categorised container gardening for the consumer into Basic, Basic Plus and Specialities. Pic 22 – In a recent newsletter I mentioned black and white posters are in fashion in retailing. This was reflected in the more progressive exhibits. If this is a period of the credit crunch and the start of a long recession, then Four Oaks shows that there are plenty of innovators out there who are prepared to make a difference.