Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

Garden Centres prepare for GCA annual inspections

Published: 5 April 2012
Owners and staff at nearly 200 garden centres across the UK will soon receive a visit from a GCA inspector to assess whether they are meeting the strict standards of membership.
Garden Centres prepare for GCA annual inspections
The annual inspections are currently underway and will run until June 15, assessing each business across departments and awarding a final score which must be above 60% in order to retain membership.

GCA chairman Peter Burks said: "Once the inspection is complete, the inspector will discuess their findings with the garden centre owners, managers and staff in a constructive feedback session. This allows management to implement any necessary changes, based on the inspection findings, immediately."

Mr Burks added that many member garden centres see the inspections as "a fantastic motivational tool" to keep staff on their toes.

The garden centres receive no advance warning about when their inspection will take place and do not have the option to turn away the inspector.

"It's all about making sure they are offering a consistently excellent service and improving their customer service standards, which is what all GCA garden centres must do to remain members," said Mr Burks.

The scoring system has been changed for the 2012 inspections, splitting up merchandising and display. Mr Burks explained: "We are hoping that this will encourage members to try and create more inspirational displays."

The environmental section has also been changed to carry more weight and promote green efforts.

GCA chief executive Phil Slinger said: "Last year several garden centres were not ready and lost marks, which of course meant they will have also lost sales, because increased standards and motivated staff results in increased sales and profits.

"The results of the inspections form the basis for many GCA awards ... Any centres scoring 86% or above will also receive a Garden Centre of Excellence Award. We'd like to wish everyone the best of luck. GCA garden centres have such high standards and we are looking forward to seeing the ideas people have come up with this year to further improve these."

Comments


(Your email address will not be published)
6 + 2 =  
Already Registered?
Sign In
Not Yet Registered?
Register
Printable View E-mail Bookmark
*

Latest reader comments

re: Latest update on Green Homes Grant and implications for homeowners and landlords

John Hart
After applying for a green homes how long will it take for a decision? thanks...

re: SX Rainproof Exterior Caulk

Wally
I need the exterior sx rain resistant caulk! Can't get it anywhere so please help! How can I order it? Need it yesterday...

re: BCT can replicate any material in a ceramic tile

Christina Tiritanou
Not sure if you can help as I require a tile which has the measurements of 6”x 6”? Thank you....

re: Latest update on Green Homes Grant and implications for homeowners and landlords

colin thompson
SarahVery clear and helpful information.Thanks...

Most read stories