When Tina Harris first began experimenting with natural remedies during the COVID lockdown, she never imagined it would evolve into a brand now poised to add value to the UK garden retail sector. What started as a distraction for her young daughter has become GinGingers – a sustainable, multi-purpose skincare gel with a story that resonates strongly with garden centre audiences.
“Basically, it was a lockdown project. It was never meant to be a brand as such,” recalls Harris. With her four-year-old daughter at home and unable to see her parents, she turned to making and home remedies. “During lockdown I started analysing things and being more aware of not only what we put in our body, but what you put on our skin. I realised just how many synthetic nasties were in everyday products, even the kids’ ones.”
The name GinGingers came from her daughter’s bright red hair – a playful nickname that stuck. “That little joke at the kitchen table became reality.”
From Hobby to Hard-Working Product
The turning point came when Harris began to see real results. “There was nothing out there that was simple and natural and could help with so many different everyday issues. I’d used it on spots, dandruff, psoriasis, even foot odour. I’d tried it on absolutely everything and I was getting these results.”
Working with an innovation centre and university, Harris refined the formula around real apple cider vinegar with the Mother, made here in Yorkshire, developing GinGingers using a cold-process method. This choice not only preserved the integrity of the ingredients but also reduced the product’s carbon footprint. “It reduced our carbon footprint by up to 50% compared with regular manufacturing methods. It was a win–win: it protected the ingredients, saved on energy and was safe to use with my daughter involved.”
Why Garden Centres?
For Harris, garden centres are the natural home for GinGingers. “Garden centres are my ideal customer base because the product is natural and sustainable, built around Yorkshire-made apple cider vinegar with the Mother, and their shoppers are people who already care about nature and ingredients. The product is also simple; it’s a hard-working multitasker.”
She sees strong alignment with consumer trends in garden retail: “Garden centres and their customers are very aware of sustainability, natural products and brands with a bit of a story. It’s a place where you can sit down, have a cup of coffee, and that’s ideal for brands that need a moment for their story to be told.”
A Simple Story with Tested Results
GinGingers is deliberately straightforward. “It’s clear what it is and what it does. It’s a multipurpose gel. There’s no fuss about it, but there is a proper story behind it, and it’s tested. It’s not fancy, but it has been tested on different microbes, like acne bacteria, fungal organisms and dandruff-related microbes.”
This combination of simplicity, sustainability and proven efficacy makes it a strong fit for garden centres looking to expand their health and wellbeing ranges with something that genuinely works.
Challenges and Opportunities
Harris acknowledges the challenges of being a small brand with a single product.
“I’ve struggled because I’ve only got the one product at this stage. A lot of retailers like to deal with someone who has a full range. But my product is a multitasker – you don’t need a separate foot cream, a separate hand cream. Getting that message across has been key.”
Despite limited marketing resources, GinGingers offers garden centres a distinctive addition to their shelves, a product with a genuine backstory, broad appeal and a clear use case for gardeners, walkers and outdoor lifestyles.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Harris hopes GinGingers will become a staple in UK households. “I’d love my tube to become easily recognised. I’d love it to be that one multitasker everybody has in the bathroom that cuts down on other products and waste. It appeals to gardeners and walkers and to people who are susceptible to bites. It belongs in the wellbeing section. There’s no clutter with it, it streamlines a customer’s routine.”
Seasonal relevance adds further opportunity for garden retailers: “In summer you’ve got bites and nettle stings. Moving into winter, the boots come out, so you’ve got feet to worry about. It’s an all-rounder.”
Why It Matters for Garden Retail
GinGingers embodies the qualities garden centre customers increasingly value: sustainability, authenticity and functionality.
For retailers, it offers the chance to stock a product that not only aligns with the values of modern garden centre customers but also provides a practical, story-led solution they can confidently recommend.
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