Changes at Wyevale

Wyevale, the UK garden centre chain, which is the market leader in Britain with a current total of 114 outlets, has announced a series of measures to counteract weak business development. Sales rose by 0.4 per cent to £ 108.6 mio (€ 157.11 mio) in the first six months, and 0.7 per cent like-for-like. The measures announced include the sale of 28 smaller garden centres. What is more, the company will be concentrating on larger formats in future, in line with customer preferences. The existing stores are to be renovated and expanded. Chairman David Williams, who has been in office since March of this year, is confident that, "The review confirms that we have substantial opportunities to transform Wyevale's retail performance." Bob Hewitt, the current Chief Executive, is to step down after 16 years with Wyevale. No successor has been found yet.