John’s Blog

In 1956, Victor Gruen from Austria built the first shopping mall, Southdale in Minneapolis, USA. Since then the USA has built 1000’s more, however they are one of the fastest countries that are returning to to village square shopping. The ‘coatless’ shopping experience that Americans enjoyed for so long is now on a downturn. The […]

As a publicist and writer I get to play a part in the promotion of all kinds of internationally marketed products. From electronic goods to sports shoes to business IT services to human resources, plus of course plants and horticulture-related items. This exposure to other markets sets examples of what businesses in the horticulture industry

By Daily Mail Reporter 28th August 2008 Superfruit: Aronia berries A berry reckoned to be the healthiest fruit in the world will soon be available in Britain’s shops for the first time. The aronia is a ‘superfood’, richer in anti-cancer antioxidants than raspberries and more modern imports such as the goji and acai. It even

Edelmans are one of the major Dutch suppliers of “Living Room” products for garden centres. Whilst in Holland in August I had the opportunity to go to their showrooms and look at the trends or 2009. One of the trends is that ‘bling’ or the platinum look is now coming into garden products, alot of

One of the challenges of our industry is getting to the younger gardener. On my travels in the U.S.A. over the last two months I met Patti Moreno, the TV’s Garden Girl. Patti is on Public Television in the U.S.A. as a segment in the Farmer’s Almanac TV. Her aim is to inspire Generation X

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

Yes, it’s definitely time to be thinking through how you will make this festive season the best ever for your business, your shopping centre or your town. To help you on the way, we have a special promotion for my good mate Jurek Leon’s ’52 Terrific Tips for Christmas Workbook’ . The book is jam

“The horticulture industry needs to move out of its comfort zone and work together to improve product promotion if it is to capture the new generation of consumers” is the message being highlighted by horticulture-specialised publicist Miriam Young (Planting Stories Public Relations) in a new international trade publication due to be launched at Glee. Writing

I often discuss that we need to be in tune with events when it comes to marketing and also dare to be different. Papa John’s, the American pizza company have definitely achieved that with their latest effort. It is Democratic Convention week in the USA and everyone is flying into Denver Airport. If they look

By John Stanley Chelsea Flower Show may be the most famous garden show in the world but the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is the biggest. The show is held every year at “the palace” on the outskirts of London. This year it ran from 8th-13th July. What I like about this show is that