Garden Centres have big overheads. It is hard to make money all the year round and the winter months can be really difficult. That does not excuse a practice I have seen this year which has resulted in unacceptable prices. Taylors Bulbs do a good job supplying most Garden Centres with packets of bulbs. They try to introduce a few new or revamped varieties each year and their point of sales material is always attractive.
One local Garden Centre is now selling repackaged Taylors bulbs at a much higher price. Other Garden Centres are happy to stick with the Taylors packaging and mark-up. The price this year for many packets of gladioli corms from Taylors is £2.49. This will give the Garden Centre a profit margin and we are prepared to pay that price. Six different Garden Centres I visited had the same packets with the same prices on. However, the local Garden Centre has repackaged the very same varieties and is selling them for £3.99. That is an ADDITIONAL 60% profit. Gardeners are not stupid and will vote with their feet.
