Westland takes steps in expanding bird care retail market

Pet care and bird care continue to be a growing segment within the garden centre retail market. Photo: Frans Van Heerden.

Westland has partnered with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) as part of an ongoing strategy to drive the bird care sector in garden centres and educate the public.

Retail

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22 May 2019

Westland, a key partner in the supply of bird care products to garden centres, has partnered with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) as part of an ongoing strategy to bring education and quality to the sector.

The new partnership will re-invigorate the existing relationship that the BTO had with Gardman, which Westland acquired in 2018, and set it on a new path. The partnership will enable Westland’s retail partners to access BTO data and utilise the charity’s considerable knowledge and expertise to inspire consumers, educate staff, and engage through social media.

The BTO and Westland will also create new standards in bird care products, ensuring rigour in testing and design. A key aim of the partnership is to boost education around birds and bird care, whilst also delivering a greater understanding of the role that wild bird feeding has in consumers’ gardens.

There will be a series of events and activities taking place throughout the year in order to achieve this aim, with the BTO providing educational content. The two organisations will also unite to conduct the largest ever survey of gardens, wild birds, and the importance of local gardens on wildlife. The survey results will provide valuable insight and aid future product developments, as well as increasing knowledge of how gardens are used, both now and in the future. The research is expected to be released in October.

“We’re really pleased to be working with the BTO, the most authoritative name in ornithology. The partnership came out of the recognition that both Westland and the BTO are striving to boost the participation of caring for and enjoying wildlife. We both want to make a difference in every garden in the UK and inspire people to feed the birds, so what better solution than to combine efforts and join forces and expertise to launch a cohesive campaign?”, said Rachael Dickinson, senior marketing manager at Westland.

Further information about the partnership will be released to garden centres throughout the pre-season sales period.

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