Plant nursery Hayloft Plants has acquired bedding-plants and
vegetables etailer Plantconnection for an undisclosed sum. The
move signals Hayloft’s entry into the grow-your-own vegetables
sector.
“This is our chance to enter the sector without [the risk
of] damaging our brand,” says Hayloft Plants director Derek
Jarman. The two companies will be kept separate, in that there
won’t be a crossover in products sold, though both businesses
will be managed under one roof at Hayloft Plants’ Worcestershire
base, and by Hayloft’s existing staff. Two Plantconnection
employees were made redundant following the sale.
Plantconnection was a division of Roundstone, a supplier of
bedding plants and perennials whose clients include Hayloft and
other retailers such as B&Q. As part of the deal, concluded late
last year, Hayloft Plants acquired the business and goodwill of
Plantconnection including the domain name, customer list, packing
stock, and moulds.
Currently, says Jarman, there are no plans to produce a catalogue
for Plantconnection, which is an online-only brand. However,
Jarman did say the business will embark on an advertising
campaign selling off-the-page in the horticultural press and in
national newspapers. There are also plans to develop the website
and Jarman has not ruled out a catalogue for 2011.
Share