Garden centre targets lucrative market

FRANCHISEES are being sought for a new, European-inspired Palmers garden centre and cafe in Petone.

Palmers Petone, at 85 The Esplanade, is due to open in August 2018 to capitalise on the lucrative spring, summer and Christmas seasons.

The 1100-square metre store will combine garden, retail and florist space with the Botannix Cafe in a destination location alongside other large-format retailers.

‘‘This is a fantastic opportunity to buy the store and the Botannix Cafe together or separately,’’ says Laurel McCulloch, of Link Business, who’s marketing the businesses with Paula Moore.

‘‘Palmers Petone will be a scaleddown version of an English Haskins garden centre, which is typical of a European garden centre format.

‘‘It will offer something for everyone, from plants, clothing, books and giftware to outdoor furniture, barbecues and spa pools.

‘‘There is no equivalent femaleoriented retail format in the New Zealand market. So this will be a real opportunity for Palmers to take a leadership role in the sector.’’

She says the new-format Palmers will be an exciting, vibrant store with a diverse, premium retail offering.

‘‘Palmers is an instantly recognisable brand. A retailing icon for more than 60 years, it has 14 stores in the North Island and is the country’s largest chain of standalone garden centres.

‘‘A few years ago, the franchisor for Palmers felt it was time for a new-look store in keeping with what they had seen and researched in the European market, especially England and the Netherlands. A lot of the evolution of the European garden centre has been driven by the need to take the seasonality out of the sales, thereby increasing profitability during winter months.

‘‘In New Zealand we don’t have as long and hard a winter but taking the highs and lows out of the turnover makes a more attractive business model.’’

McCulloch says the Botannix Cafe, which will include a quickservice deli/coffee takeaway station for people who want their coffee on the go, also will appeal to local office workers and shoppers at nearby stores.

‘‘Having other large format businesses nearby, such as Pak‘nSave, McDonalds, The Warehouse, Briscoes, Rebel Sports, Countdown and K Mart, will make this Palmers store even more of a destination.’’

She says ‘‘very attractive’’ lease terms for the first, second and third years will allow the franchisee to capitalise on the busy seasons.

‘‘The new owner of this store will need to be driven and passionate about the business.

‘‘Retail experience and customer skills will be essential but there will be a wealth of experience in all aspects of the business to tap into, from initial training to ongoing guidance. This support includes purchasing, staff relations, merchandising, and national and local marketing.’’

Including fit-out, franchise fee and stock, Palmers has an asking price of $1.435 million and Botannix Cafe, $500,000 (with cafe and deli counter satellite).

For more information, contact Laurel McCulloch, on 021 786 813 (laurelm@linkbusiness.co.nz), or Paula Moore, on 021 334 699

(paulam@linkbusiness.co.nz).