Independent garden centres to reap the benefits of collaboration.
The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has joined forces with Associated Independent Stores (AIS) to form a new buying group for independent garden retailers. A name for the new partnership has not yet been released.

Expected to offer significant benefits to potential members, the new group will be backed by AIS - the largest non-food buying group in the UK, which has a membership of 270 independent department stores and specialist retailers across the UK. The organisation also boasts a combined membership turnover of around £1.8 billion.

The GCA, which has around 160 members, has planned a launch to garden centre members on Wednesday, December 12, followed by a meeting for Associates the next day.