Glee at Spring Fair opened on Sunday in Hall 3 at the NEC.  Nestled between Christmas and greetings cards, Glee at Spring Fair is an oasis of exhibitors that are a must visit for all visitors to Spring Fair who have gardening and leisure on their mind.

GTN have been organising the Glee at Spring Fair New Product Showcase which was judged during Sunday with the winner announced at 4:30pm.  Do come and join us for a drink!

Here's our photographic look of Glee at Spring Fair as build up came to a close on Saturday evening.

Sun 3 Feb - 9:00 - 18:00

Mon 4 Feb - 9:00 - 18:00

Tues 5 Feb - 9:00 - 18:00

Wed 6 Feb - 9:00 - 18:00

Thurs 7 Feb - 9:00 - 16:00

Register now using this link

The Great British Exchange (Hall 6 stand H43) are pleased to announce the launch of their exclusive Tom Kerridge cookware range.

The new range has been developed by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge in conjunction with a number of British artisan producers from around the UK. All the products are used at his own restaurant “The Hand and Flowers” in Marlow.

The new package has been designed to sit on a single slat wall section and includes a full selection of visual merchandising. The Great British Exchange are currently looking for garden centres around the UK to stock this new developing range.

For the BBQ enthusiasts amongst you the Great British Exchange has a selection of rubs,oils, sauces, beers and soft drinks again packaged for a slat wall display. All the products are UK produced and offer a supplement to your BBQ sales.

In conjunction with 7 small producers the Great British Exchange has put together its first range of giftware aimed at the garden centre market place. The selection has been placed on slat wall to merchandise it and includes a selection of visual merchandising.

Having access to a large pool of small suppliers means the range can be tweaked to fit a stores personal preferences and the in store display allows the GBE to monitor sales and adjust the stock accordingly.

For more information please visit stand H43 hall 6 and see Fleur Fox or John Hinde or email: fleur@thegbexchange.com.

Michael Weedon, MD of giftware suppliers Fountasia, has been away with the fairies over the past few months – as visitors to the stand in Hall 5 will find out!

At Glee last autumn, the company launched its first fantastical range of metal fairyland features to great acclaim. So successful was that launch that a Christmas fairies range was introduced at Harrogate last month.

Now, for spring 2019, there is a delightful new Pixies range, which has been enthusiastically received over the first three days of the show.

The ranges complement the company’s giftware offering, built by this enterprising family venture into an £8m business meeting an ever-growing demand.

The business has its origins in the manufacture of quality tin whistles, which Michael’s father still makes for a loyal market in the music industry

Fountasia, though, focuses largely on the garden centre market. Michael himself is the designer brains behind the features you see at the show today, in collaboration with a talented Chinese artist who exclusively interprets his drawings for manufacturing.

Charles Taylor Trading has an attractive line-up of new swing seats and arbours on display at Spring Fair – and examples of its newly-developed flat-packed furniture.

MD Richard Ball says the flat-packs have been introduced in response to demand from key customers. It marks a sea-change for the company, which has traditionally delivered in product ready-assembled. Customers can choose to receive the goods in either format – or both.

Good value pallet deals are available on selected lines, including the planters pictured here.

All Charles Taylor lines are made in the UK from quality Scandinavian cedar.

For 237 years Bulldog Tools has embraced the heritage and quality of its gardening and landscaping tools, combined with unparalleled industrial experience to introduce a fresh look for both its Premier and Pedigree Ranges, which you can see at on the stand at Spring Fair (6J06).

The Premier range famed for it's immense strength, quality and craftsmanship, is used by professionals across the industry from landscapers to keen gardeners wanting a lifetime of use and performance.

Made from a single piece of steel, with handle sizes to suit every kind of garden task, and powder coated for protection the range is targeted at the discerning customer where performance and looks matter in equal measure. The timber shafts are made from sustainable sources and each tool carries a ‘Lifetime Guarantee’. Stylish merchandisers are available for any size of retail space, with bespoke options offered if required.

Pedigree Garden is the newest super-lightweight stainless steel range of tools, designed to make gardening less arduous, with easy-to-clean tool heads, and shafts made from FSC accredited ash.  

Bulldog supports the Royal Horticultural Society via the RHS ‘Campaign For School Gardening’ initiative.

Fronted by ‘Hugo’, the little Bulldog who appears on all tool heads and shafts, the range is available in three sizes of merchandiser complete with stand up Hugos plus the Lifetime Guarantee.

To find out more visit stand 6J06, or email brand manager  Sarah Cottle on sarah.cottle@rollins.co.uk or call on 0773 606 1255.

Creative Products is showcasing four new products at Glee @ Spring Fair. Moving away from plastic, the company will be featuring sustainably sourced paper-based packaging where possible.

Four new product launches include a pet mitt, the ‘Mighty Little Digger’, a grill mat and a grey version of the company’s popular Auto Wash Stick.

Designed for furry pets, the new pet mitt invigorates the pet’s skin whilst maintaining a clean and healthy coat. Using the new mitt means the user can stroke away dirt and hair at the same time. The product not only cleans the coat by removing loose hairs with ease, but also massages the animal, which means pets greatly enjoy the process.

The new ‘Grill Mat’ is an innovative mesh style mat, which ensures food stays crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.  It is perfect for use on the BBQ and in a conventional oven.  The product also stops food slipping through griddles, making it ideal for vegetables, prawns and smaller foods.

The Auto Wash Stick allows the user to draw soapy water into its handle, slowly releasing it through the cleaning head, thereby enabling soapy water to be placed exactly where it is needed, and negating the need for buckets and sponges. The product makes cleaning the car far easier, and is now offered in grey.

The new ‘Mighty Little Digger’ is a great new gardening tool, which is designed to facilitate digging, loosening and weeding soil.

Visitors to the show will also be able to view a selection of existing options from Creative Products, including ‘Fly Away’, an environmentally friendly device for keeping flies off food. The product works by means of soft, flexible blades, which rotate quietly and are safe to touch.

Also on view will be a ‘BBQ Pan’, which is perforated, allowing the user to cook food items without them falling into the BBQ, and retaining that lovely Smokey flavour people love. The BBQ Pan also helps to separate food items, thereby dealing with food allergies. It is 30cm in diameter and features a clever fold-away handle.

Also on the company’s stand will be its popular ‘Fast Fix Hook and Loop Tape’, which is used for securing plants, branches and young trees in place. It is waterproof, durable, flexible and soft.  It can be cut to the required length, overlapped and easily fixed. The product could also be used to tidy garden products such as cables, bungy ropes and canes.

Having proved itself to be invaluable during the heat wave, the Cool Touch Ice Towel is sure to be a popular focus of the company’s stand. Users simply wet the towel, squeeze out the excess water, give it a shake, and it will drop in temperature to give a cooling, soothing effect. Whilst wet it will stay cold for over two hours, making it ideal for gym use, or to keep on hand when doing any other strenuous activity. Cool Touch Ice Towel is machine-washable.

Mark Hall, Managing Director at Creative Products, commented: “Glee is the UK’s top garden trade show and as regular exhibitors, we are proud to be able to showcase not only new products but our efforts to move to plastic-free packaging at Glee at Spring Fair.”

Contact details: 01476 564230

sales@creativeproducts.ltd.uk

www.creativeproducts.ltd.uk

Playwrite is the longest-running wholesaler of children’s party filler toys, Christmas novelties and wrapped grotto gifts – and its products regularly feature in the GTN Top 50 Christmas Bestsellers by volume.

Although the company enjoys impressive distribution to garden centres, MD James Cornelius believes that a number of larger centres who do not yet buy from them are missing out on a lucrative opportunity for festive season pocket-money pick-up sales with excellent margins.

New buyers visiting the stand will be introduced to the company’s Top 10 bestsellers extracted from last Christmas’s GTN list, which James believes promise almost guaranteed sales success. Choose from items like the Jingle Bells stick (their overall Christmas top seller), Gingerbread Man Crayons, Magic Snow, Christmas Ducks (half a million sold last year), Plush Christmas Elves, Puzzle Cubes and Paper Chase.

Playwrite’s Christmas range now accounts for a third of its £3 million plus turnover – a far cry from the days after the First World War when the Cornelius family started to import wooden toys from then-Czechoslovakia. Today, it’s the fourth generation of the family in charge of sales of more than 2,000 different products.

Pictured: Guy Cornelius with some of Playwrite’s bestselling Christmas lines.

With our Light Up Angels & Snowmen Christmas Decorations the number one Christmas gift of 2018 (GTN Bestsellers Chart) you can be sure our winning festive lines will make a real difference to your seasonal sales.

Scented Gingerbread Tree Decorations is also destined to be a top seller, alongside the beautiful Heart & Home Winter Wonderland fragranced candle collection - so make sure you have us on your must-see list at Spring Fair.

As the go-to company for impulse-buy, personalised, sentiment-based and fragranced candle needs, History & Heraldry's high-quality ranges offer you choice at competitive prices. All our ranges are designed on-site in beautiful Yorkshire and we work hard to ensure we create collections which build your sales year on year.

So pop onto our stand and see our latest lines - you won't be disappointed!

See us in Hall 4, Stand E30/F31 at NEC Spring Fair
Contact: History & Heraldry Ltd
T: 01709 730700
E: sales@historyheraldry.com

Burgon & Ball, the UK’s longest-established designer and manufacturer of garden tools and accessories, is showing simply stacks of gorgeous gardening gifts at Spring Fair this February.

Making its debut at the show is the new Oak Leaf design in the award-winning Love The Glove collection of ladies’ gardening gloves. With an RRP of £14.99, it has all the high-performance features which distinguish the range: padded palm and fingers, wrist strap, mesh between the fingers, and real leather trim.

In addition, the appealing new glove design is available in three colour choices, to complement the three best-selling shades in the popular Burgon & Ball Kneelo^® kneeler, poc-kit and Hip-Trug ranges. The new design allows shoppers to create the perfect mix-and-match gardening gift set, and will also appeal as a self-purchase for the style-conscious gardener who already loves the Kneelo^® kneeler, poc-kit or Hip-Trug and wants to accessorise, for the last word in garden flair.

To cater to the ongoing passion for houseplants, visitors can also see Burgon & Ball’s new additions to its hugely popular range of indoor plant pots. With RRPs starting from just £5.99, the new designs include hanging pots to take the trend to new heights, and a selection of elegant glazed and unglazed standing pots, so there’s something here for every houseplant, and every taste. There’s even a macramé hanging pot, a classic boho style statement that’s once again an interiors must-have.

And to keep houseplants in tip-top shape, there’s a new collection of specialist houseplant tools. With houseplant pruner, orchid snips, Japanese pruning scissors and a tiny terrarium tool set, this collection means everyone can have happy and healthy houseplants, even plant lovers who are new to indoor gardening. What’s more, these tools have been designed to retail at just £9.99 each, a perfect gifting price point which makes a great add-on sale.

Spring Fair visitors will also see British Bloom, the stunning new collection in the award-winning ‘RHS Gifts for Gardeners’ series. The design is a dramatic confection of some of the best-loved and most on-trend flowers that typify British gardening style, featuring sumptuous images from the RHS Lindley Library’s archives. The collection includes new lines that have proved top sellers in other Burgon & Ball collections, including a seed packet storage tin, an RHS-endorsed pocket pruner with holster, and an RHS-endorsed snip with holster. RRPs range from £9.99 up to £24.99.

With a reputation for innovation and new product development, Burgon & Ball’s stand (6G14-H15) is a must for all show visitors – and if past performance is anything to go by, there’ll be future best-sellers among them. So be sure to visit Burgon & Ball at Spring Fair to see the full range of exciting new gardening gifts on offer.

Discover an amazing collection of Luxury artificial Christmas Trees, wreaths and garlands from National Tree Company on stand D10-E11 in Hall 3.

National Tree Company joined forces with the team from Norfolk Leisure to ensure that their finely crafted trees and decorations are available more widely and with a better service experience.

You may be familiar with some of their more well-known innovations including Feel Real® PE branch tips that are so realistic in appearance and to the touch, it is very difficult to tell the difference between Feel Real® trees and their living twins.

Pair this with the advanced technologies to achieve the most advanced collection of artificial trees available.

The extensive design options include trees in every size from 2ft – 12ft, and matching accessories including all shapes of wreaths, table decorations, garlands, snowflakes, kissing balls, and majestic arches- enough to make beautiful fully coordinated Christmas displays.

Norfolk Leisure also stock an extensive range of the Fibreglass ornaments, including a LIFESIZE Santa. Many of these have LED lights and music options. The musical and mechanical drummer boy will actually play his drum to your favourite Christmas tunes.

‘A visit to the stand is a must for any Christmas buyer ‘says MD Nick Anderson ‘the quality stands out clearly from the competition and the designs are truly unique and stunning ‘.

Norfolk Leisure Lifestyle Limited

Garage Lane, Setchey, Kings Lynn Norfolk PE33 0AX

Norfolkleisure.com   Tel: 01553 811717

Christmas@norfolkleisure.co.uk

As additional commitment to their current and evolving customer base RSW International Ltd are exhibiting their ever-growing collections at Spring Fair 2019, with four stands across three Halls...

They are exhibiting in; Hall 12 A04-C02 & C04-D05 (Pet, Spring Summer, Homewares, Gift, & Stationery), Hall 5 K57 (Baby & Gift), and finally Hall 3 H10/J11 (Christmas Crackers, Paper Products & Tabletop).

RSW International Ltd; leading suppliers of; Christmas, Pet Care, Picnicware, Housewares & Gift are pleased to announce a new appointment to its growing business. Peter Hammett recently re-joined the business and it’s Garden & Leisure team to look after the South of the UK. Peter previously worked for RSW from 2011 to 2016 and re-joins the business further strengthening the Garden & Leisure team as part of its exciting future growth plan.

Peter (pictured) said "I am overjoyed to re-join such a well-established and respected company as RSW International Ltd. I will be working with some customers who I already know well, and also have new customers to get to know too. The positive future plans are very much in line with my own goals and ambitions going forward. I can assure customers of my enthusiasm for our product range and for the success of working together in partnership with them to help grow their sales of our products."

Lee Kennerley (Head of Garden & leisure) said “With the businesses further commitment to strengthening the Garden & Leisure team these are exciting times for RSW and our customers. Since joining the business in 2016 we have seen large growth across various categories especially our Pet, Christmas, and Spring Summer Dining collections.  It's great to welcome Peter back on board, and I am looking forward to him assisting us in our growth within this sector. The plans we have for the business in this sector are ambitious, and it’s great to have someone like Peter with his strength and character on board for this journey."

Beefayre – a leading UK manufacturer of quality homewares, scented candles, beauty and gifting products – has launched four new body & bath collections at Spring Fair, (Hall 6, stand S42), bringing with it a wealth of not-to-be-missed discounts and exciting new lines.

Building on the success of their signature Winter fragrances, the AW2019 collection has had a complete revamp with exciting bold new colours, complete with stunning new anatomical bee prints on the glass.

New Body & Bath and Collection

With a stunning product portfolio already in place, Beefayre is already a popular choice for gift buyers. However, the introduction of the new collections is set to further cement Beefayre as the go-to brand for beautiful and functional body and bath products. The new collections come in 4 signature fragrances including Bluebell, Lavender & Geranium, Orange & Neroli, and Peony Rose which has been nominated for Gift of the Year.

All the lines will feature the beautiful hand-drawn packaging designs by artist and founder Sharon Jervis, and a style that has become synonymous with the Beefayre brand.

Orders for all new lines placed at Spring Fair will be subject to a 10% introductory discount, plus free testers in candles, creams & soaps.

Delivery for these new collections are confirmed for early Spring, enabling gift retailers to maximise the Spring / Summer gifting period and in particular Mother’s Day.

New Packaging & Printed Glassware for AW2019

Beefayre’s Autumn/Winter collection has had a complete revamp with the new packaging being shown at the show for the first time.  They also have some exciting new anatomical bee prints on the glassware. These will also be available to view and order throughout the exhibition.

End of line trade discounts

Gift buyers at Spring Fair can take advantage of amazing end of line discounts on selected products from the Winter range. The next Winter collection is having new packaging so everything must go!

Beehive POS & free testes

Not only does Beefayre create stunning products but its point of sale is also created to be eye-catching and reflective of the Beefayre brand. As part of the introductory offer Beefayre are offering free testers for all the new lines. Be sure to visit the Beefayre stand to find out more!

Further details about Beefayre’s full product portfolio including candles, room diffusers, and bath and body products can be found at www.beefayre.com. 

Premium German BBQ Brand Tepro is expanding its Gas BBQ range and is pleased to be exhibiting the New Toronto SteakGrill for the first time at Spring Fair.

Where a standard gas BBQ cooks at around 250-350°c, this heats to 800°c in under 2 minutes, cooking restaurant quality steaks in under 90 seconds.

Suitable for both home or restaurant use, the SteakGrill is something very special and sure to be a favourite “dad gift” for the holiday season.

UK Sales Director James Jagged said, “Steak grills are popular on the continent, but other brands retail at €800, making them a very niche item. Tepro’s in house team are proud to have produced this all Stainless Steel SteakGrill for mass market use, and a £299 RRP will ensure this is the must have grill for 2019.”

The SteakGrill’s top mounted ceramic burner helps retain the juice within the meat, whilst the intense 800°c heat ensures a caramelisation-like effect (the Maillard reaction) produces the restaurant flavour that has previously been hard to replicate at home. Constructed entirely from 430 grade stainless steel and with a 2-year guarantee, the Toronto SteakGrill will be impressing diners year after year.

Visit Stand 3E19 or head over to www.tepro-gmbh.co.uk for more details.

Award-winning garden furniture company Riverco Trading Ltd have introduced their brand new RSPB range at Spring Fair...

Riverco Trading Ltd
info@rivercotrade.co.uk
01538 528360
www.rivercotrade.co.uk
Spring Fair stand number - 3B14-C15

The team from GTN are proud to be the official media partners for Glee at Spring Fair producing several issue of Glee Daily News.

Glee Daily News, in its unique e-mail format, will keep visitors up to date with what they can see at the show and gives exhibitors the most up to date e-mail vehicle for ensuring buyers know about their new products and other Glee at Spring Fair activities.

For advertorial and advertisng opportunties please contact Ben Greenwood, Alan Burdon or Mandy Davies at Potting Shed Press Ltd, 01733 775700, owners and publishers of Garden Trade News, Garden Radio and The Greatest Awards.

After setting up the Glee at Spring Fair New Products Showcase, your intrepid Glee Daily News reporter set off on a whistle stop tour of all fourteen halls of Spring Fair as build up continued into Saturday evening.

By 9:00am on Sunday 3rd February it was all clean, tidy and ready for you to come and buy from.

Here's our photo tour of Spring Fair 2019, Build Up LIVE!

See you at #SpringFair2019.

Jardinopia – designer and manufacturer of the award-winning Potty Feet plant pot feet range – reflects on a year of significant growth which all started at Glee at Spring Fair’s inaugural event last February.

The company joined the Glee at Spring Fair family with only a few months trading behind it. The exhibition represented the first time the brand had exposure to the exhibition’s garden centre and gift buying audience.

The response to the Potty Feet range of ‘pot feet’ was overwhelming, with the company winning the very first New Product Showcase award.

Choice Marketing’s Mike Cook – one of the 2018 judges – said: “Potty Feet is a fab idea. It’s a new take on a traditional product, but done so in a way that is fun, and will have mass appeal. It’s an exciting product, and even more so when you consider that Jardinopia launched just five months ago!”

Since February the company has gone on to enjoy rapid commercial growth, with Glee’s September show helping them to round-off a great year. Jardinopia is now stocked in over 500 locations, of which more than 350 are garden centres. They have also expanded quickly internationally, with distribution agreements in place in 10 countries including USA, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Germany and Japan.

The company has also secured relationships with the RHS, Sutton Seeds, high street retailers such as Waitrose (via Crocus), gift catalogues such as Qwerkity, and will be launching into additional high street retailers in early 2019. Charity link-ups come in the shape of Guide Dogs and the Woodland Trust.

Andrea Barnett, founder of Jardinopia, said: “The last 12 months have been a whirlwind and we certainly never expected to have achieved what we have in such a short timeframe – it’s been brilliant. The exposure we gained at Glee at Spring Fair has opened so many doors for us, and helped to kick start this period of growth. We’re not, however, done! We have so many exciting plans for 2019 including some top-secret brand licenced Potty Feet products that we believe will provide some great design alternatives, as well as two new associated sister product brands.”

The Potty Feet TM range currently features 54 unique designs, including 25 new products as launched at Glee 2018. An additional 40 designs are set to launch in early 2019. Styles include cats, dogs, horses, an extensive wildlife collection, and a British Country Garden range. A new point of sale floor-stand has also been created, enabling retailers to display products out of the box for maximum in-store impact and without the need to dedicate a huge footprint to the range.

Andrea added: “With 48-hour delivery times available we are able to assist retailers with last minute Christmas stocking options. Trade Prices start from just £7.50 (RRP £15) for a set of three figures, making Potty Feet a great pick-up or gifting line.”

Matthew Mein, Glee’s Event Director, said: “It’s great to hear of Jardinopia’s success over the last 12 months. The Potty Feet range is an excellent product that spans the core gardening and gifting sections, making them a great commercial option for garden retailers. To know that both Glee at Spring Fair, and the main Glee exhibition have had a role to play in this success is great, and we hope to continue to support the brand as it continues to forge ahead.”

What you can expect on the Fargro stand...

Can you tell more about the products you will be showcasing at Glee at Spring Fair?
We will be showing our ranges of indoor and outdoor planters and containers and garden decoration as well as new Christmas ranges.

Why should visitors stop by your stand?
We have a unique ranges of product many lines exclusive to Fargro.

What does 2019 hold for Fargro?
We see a very exciting time ahead developing our added value and garden gift ranges.

Why did you decide to exhibit at Glee at Spring Fair?
The timing is right for launching our new Christmas ranges and highlighting the Spring and Summer products we exhibited at Glee.

Spring Fair created a huge social media buzz around the event this week..

Exhibitors at the show posted the pictured graphic on their social media platforms with the following caption:

Join me at #SpringFair - February 2019

Candlelight Products Ltd has revealed its extended own-brand Candle Collection at Spring Fair.

Just 12 months since Candlelight first revealed its own brand Candle Collection, the design-led candle and giftware wholesaler has been working hard on introducing new candle and reed diffuser concepts, plus exclusive packaging to complement the product and enhance the gift buying experience.  

The Candle Collection comprises over 150 new product lines and 11 exciting ranges, including Feelings, Destinations, Bohemian, Inspired, Wellbeing, Lips and Kisses, which are packaged and presented to enable independent gift retailers to expand their sales.

These candles and reed diffusers are complemented by an inspirational range of home giftware.   This includes Trinket dishes, with a stoneware hexagonal dish in the range in white with gold effect, plus a gold and pink heart-shaped version, both of which make an ideal gift.  The range also includes a 25cm jewellery stand with marble base, to add that extra touch of glamour to the dressing table.  In addition, there are jewellery stands, hanging mirrors and photo frames, plus a 20cm hanging glass plaque with the slogan ‘Do good & be kind’.

The company has also introduced a range of attractive photo frames, ideal for showing pictures of loved ones, one with pink marble effect, one with pink and gold edges and one grey with gold edges, to fit with contemporary home styling.   

Debbie Isles, Sales Director at Candlelight Products, explains: “Our designers have pulled out all the stops to create a collection that is set to revitalise the gift market.  We are really looking forward to demonstrating the new collection to retailers at the Spring Fair and to discussing the service and support that we offer.”

Candlelight’s designers have taken inspiration for the own brand range from many different aspects of modern life, including the trend to bring the outdoors indoors, as well as the desire to re-live the sights and smells of foreign travel, which is captured in exotic and tropical fragrances.  Some ranges feature bold patterns and colourful designs, whilst others are very simple and minimalistic to suit the contemporary house or apartment.

Debbie continues: “We invest just as much time and effort in designing the packaging as the product - both are created in harmony with each other, so they make gift buying and giving a wonderful experience.”

Candlelight certainly is equipped to meet both large and small candle order requirements.  Its UK warehouse and showrooms include a 150,000 sq. ft distribution centre and over 10,000 sq.ft of showroom in South Yorkshire where products can be viewed, by appointment.  Candlelight also has a showroom in Hong Kong which is open all year around for buyers to view its extensive collection.

Candlelight is one of those well-established names in the gift trade today that has, over the years, built up a loyal base of high street and independent retailers.  The company has been designing and selling quality wholesale candles, with a wide choice of design-led ranges, for over 46 years.  

Don’t miss the new Candle range by Candlelight at the Spring Fair, Hall 4, Stand H70-J71.

For more details, visit www.candlelight.co.uk or call 01709 723000.

Glee’s dedicated marketing team, responsible for the promotion of the leading garden, outdoor leisure and pet exhibition, has been expanded with the appointment of Grace Reilly.

Grace joins the team as Senior Marketing Executive, and will help to develop Glee’s presence across both print and online media, as well as working with Glee’s content and sales team to enhance the exhibition’s offering for suppliers and retailers in both the UK and across the globe.

Previous to this new role, Grace spent three years working as part of the wider ‘client service team’, acting as the first point of contact for buyers and exhibitors within the ITE UK portfolio.

A self-confessed candle addict, Grace is particularly excited to see what Glee’s Home, Gift and Clothing exhibitors will be showcasing at the September show.

Talking about Grace’s appointment, Glee’s Event Director, Matthew Mein said: “Grace is a great addition to the team. Her previous exposure to Glee, its brands and the wider market means she can hit the ground running. She will be an integral part of growing Glee’s offering, and will certainly become a well-known face as she continues to meet with buyers and manufacturers over the coming months.”

Grace added: “I’m pleased to be able to confirm my new role. Glee is a fabulous show, and one that I have always loved visiting. I look forward to joining the rest of the team on the road, and to helping grow Glee’s brand awareness.”

Spring Fair 2019, the UK’s all-encompassing sourcing marketplace, has brought together a unique selection of kid’s toys wholesale newcomers as part of its new ToyFirst and NurseryFirst showcases.

Amongst the debuting exhibitors at NurseryFirst will be the likes of Snuggle Soother, whose new take on the dummy could redefine the way parents help their infants relax. They’ll be joined by personalised baby clothing manufacturers Knit my Gift and teething solution providers Cheeky Chompers.

ToyFirst is set to be as equally varied in its offering with the likes of Labels4Kids, who’ll have their range of personalised attire and gift ideas on display.

Ensuring children are out and experiencing the great outdoors is high on the agenda, with exhibitors like Seekers Games and The Den Kit Company encouraging kids to get the outdoor experiences they need.

Visitors can also look forward to seeing Spring Fair favourites like TY UK, Keel Toys and well-loved brands such as Hornby Hobbies and Playmobil at the fair.

Rob Hayes, Key Account Director at Spring Fair, gave some insight into this year’s exhibitors, “ToyFirst and NurseryFirst are exciting additions to the Children’s Gift & Toys section of the fair, showcasing brands that in many cases won’t be at any other UK events. Spring Fair is the grand finale, the culmination of the show season for the toy sector; there are over 100 toy and children’s gift suppliers that you won’t see at any other Q1 event in the UK.”

Spring Fair is a must attend for toy and gift buyers that want to ensure that they’ve seen everything that the kid’s toys wholesale suppliers have to offer before making those crucial buying decisions for the year ahead.

Garden centres across the UK are being encouraged to take part in Garden Re-Leaf Day on Friday 22 March and raise vital funds for the Greenfingers Charity, the national charity that creates magical gardens for children’s hospices.

Last year’s event – the gardening industry’s equivalent of Comic Relief – broke records, raising more than £70,000. Since its inception in 2012, Garden Re-Leaf has raised £600,000 for the creation of gardens designed to enhance the lives of children with life-limiting conditions.

Now, retail managers are being urged to get garden centres involved in FUNdraising activities for this year’s Garden Re-Leaf day. Charity events on the day and over the weekend can raise footfall at garden centres while generating funds to enhance the lives of terminally ill children.

Greenfingers’ director of fundraising and communications Linda Petrons said: “We’re issuing a rallying call to every garden centre in the UK to participate in Garden Re-Leaf Day 2019. As a result of previous years’ events, life-limited children and their families have been able to share precious time together in Greenfingers gardens at hospices. It’s easy to sign up and take part in organised activities and we urge the industry to come together and support our mission to design and build beautiful gardens for play, therapy and relaxation.”

For an adrenaline-filled challenge, retailers can hold a Great Garden Re-Leaf 12-hour Plantathon (Charlie Dimmock, right, took part in one last year at Squire's). Garden centres can invite customers and staff to take turns and continuously plant for 12 hours – or nominate one brave person to plant for the duration! It’s a great way of team-building, and plants potted for the Plantathon can be sold, with a percentage of each sale going to the Greenfingers Charity. Gardening workshops can run alongside plantathons, with retailers encouraging customers to buy tickets and brush-up on their gardening know-how.

Retailers could decide to hold a raffle, cake or book sale, or host a car wash in the car park and donate the proceeds. Managers are being encouraged to invite customers to enjoy afternoon tea in garden centre cafes and make a donation from every cup of tea and slice of cake sold.

Carrier bag tax could be donated to the Greenfingers Charity in March, and for retailers who have in-store activity areas such as soft play or crazy golf, 50p could be donated from the cost of every child who visits on Garden Re-Leaf Day. And why not get colleagues into Garden Re-Leaf Day spirits by encouraging staff to wear their best (or worst!) green or floral outfits to work, and asking everyone taking part to make a donation?

An ever-popular fundraising event is the Garden Re-Leaf Day Walk, which gets underway from Wyevale’s World’s End Garden Centre in Buckinghamshire. Garden centre staff of all ages are invited to take part, with the option of a 10-mile walk or, for eager hikers, a more challenging 20-mile route through the Chilterns.

2019 will be the fifth annual Garden Re-Leaf Walk, and those who have taken part in the full 20-mile walk since the outset will mark having completed their 100th mile in aid of Greenfingers as they cross the finishing line.

For those who prefer pedal power to donning a pair of walking boots, the Garden Re-Leaf Day Cycle Challenge is an excellent way to burn off any lingering excesses from the festive season and raise cash for a great cause in the process. The cycle ride also starts and finishes at Wyevale’s World’s End Garden Centre in Buckinghamshire.

The Greenfingers Charity has ambitious plans to raise more than £500,000 this year and hopes that Garden Re-Leaf day will smash the £70,000 record it hit in 2017. The charity has already created 55 gardens at children’s hospices across the UK and plans to build four more in 2019 – at Claire House Children’s Hospice in Wirral, Richard House Children’s Hospice in London, Little Harbour Children’s Hospice in Cornwall and Grace House Hospice in Sunderland.

Last year’s event saw firms including Vitax, Johnsons Lawn Seed, Woodlodge, Elho, Hozelock, Briers, Taylor’s Bulbs, Mr Fothergill’s, Glee, Hornby Whitefoot PR, GIMA, HTA, QVC, Cadix and Kew Green Hotels all take part in Garden Re-Leaf Day.

Poplars Garden Centre, Hillview Stores, Perrywood Garden Centre, Alton Garden Centre, Old Railway Line Garden Centre, Downtown Garden Centre, Whitehall Garden Centre, Haskins Garden Centres and Aylett Nurseries were among many retailers to get involved with fundraising activities.

For more information about Garden Re-Leaf Day 2019, and for details of how to take part, click here https://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/gardenreleaf.

It’s easy for garden centres to register a 2019 Garden Re-Leaf Day event. Visit https://www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk/gardenreleaf/register-a-2019-event to fill in a short online form.

Ends

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For more information, interviews or images from Garden Re-Leaf Day please contact:

Linda Petrons by email linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or call 01494 674749/07908 221240. 

Kimberley Hornby by email: kimberley@hornbywhitefootpr.co.uk or call 07851 610573.

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Today (3^rd February, NEC Birmingham) the second annual Glee at Spring Fair New Product Showcase Awards – in association with Garden Trade News - was the centre of much industry buzz as the ‘best in show’ were selected by a panel of industry experts, with the winners being celebrated in a special awards ceremony.

This year’s judging panel was made up of Trevor Pfeiffer of Garden Trade News, Simon Bourne from Perrywood Garden Centre, Romeo Sommers, Glee’s Retail Lab Creative Director, Garden Retail Success’, Steve Myatt, and Cameron Whitworth of Baytree Garden Centre. Together the judges selected five products, all recognised for their unique designs, saleability and innovative approach to bringing to market products that will drive profits in the coming seasons.

The first product selected and taking home ‘fifth place’ was the William Morris range from Woodlodge. This new range was praised for its combination of strong design, as well as it’s additional boost to the pot sales category.

Fourth place was rewarded to the Three-Hour Heat Box from Dizmezs. As the name suggests, this product provides three hours of heat for indoor and exterior gardens. Combining logs and kindling, the all in one cardboard box simply needs the power of a match to light it for up to three hours of heat distribution, and was praised for its convenience and excellent value for money.

Creative Products’ Mighty Little Digger scooped the third-place runner up prize. A simple, yet effective tool, the judges commented that the Mighty Little Digger offered a great price point and strong impulse buy potential.

Just missing out on the title of ‘winner’ was the Toronto Steak Grill from Tepro.  An ideal Father’s Day gift, or just a great way for urban gardeners with limited space to cook outside, this product was a highly deserving runner-up in 2019.

But it was Creative Products who scooped this year’s top prize with Fly Away. The judges remarked upon Fly Away’s ability to tap into the al fresco dining trend, and how it will also appeal to the millennial market with its insect friendly credentials.

Matthew Mein, Event Director for Glee, said of the winners: “Congratulations to all the winners of the 2019 Glee at Spring Fair New Product Showcase.  The quality of product on display are of the highest possible standard and demonstrate the breadth of products on offer from our exhibitors. Congratulations to all those that were recognised as part of this awards programme, and thanks to all those that entered. Finally, thanks to the judges. Their time and input are greatly appreciated.”

Find out more

Glee and now, Glee at Spring Fair, is the UK’s leading garden retail show. Both events focus on building year-round profits within core product categories including garden care, landscaping, outdoor living, garden design, pet, speciality food and catering, home, gift and clothing, and plants. Each year the two events attracts thousands of buyers from top retailers, such as leading UK garden centres, builders’ merchants, multiple retailers, and DIY stores. To keep up-to-date on all the latest news visit www.gleebirmingham.com or for details on exhibiting at Glee 2019 or Glee at Spring Fair 2020, call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Spring Fair are launching the Power of One movement to the retail sector at the show on Sunday 3 Feb in an effort to promote sustainability across the industry.

Initially launched by London’s largest festival of fashion, Pure London, the campaign has now been extended to Spring Fair’s home and gift audience, and seeks to demonstrate how a combination of small, individual changes can create a more sustainable future for all. Sustainability has been high on the agenda for both the fashion and retail sectors in recent years, and continues to drive consumer behaviour and purchases.

Supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Power of One has been created to encourage small yet powerful steps towards a better future by giving others the power to speak up and to focus on long term changes.

At the show, Spring Fair will encourage and empower exhibitors and visitors to commit to one sustainable personal or business change, whether it’s choosing sustainably-sourced producte, avoiding single-use plastics or recycling used materials.

Leading by example, the show will collect and recycle all unwanted and leftover route planners and guides from the show and reward visitors who share their #PowerOfOne pledges on social media throughout the event, with 1,500 awarded with a MyBento BPA-free drinks bottle, donated by exhibitor Summit International. Just one MyBento bottle can prevent 150 single-use plastic bottles from disposal in landfill or by incineration.

Summit International’s Sales Director, Richard Taylor, said he hoped the donation would help to make visitors and other exhibitors think about their own use of single-use plastics. “With Summit International’s ongoing support for the Marine Conservation Society and commitment to bringing sustainable products to market, our values really align with what Power of One is all about,” he added.

Spring Fair MD Julie Driscoll joined Caryn Franklin MBE, fashion and identity commentator and ambassador for Power of One, for a dedicated speaker session on the growing movement and how retailers are embracing the philosophy.

“You might not think making a small change to become more sustainable really impacts your daily life, but when these actions are combined together, they can revolutionise industries,” Driscoll said. “ By bringing the Power of One movement to Spring Fair, we hope to unite like-minded visitors and exhibitors, and empower them to pledge to make essential changes for a more sustainable future.”

She said 92% of millennials were more likely to buy ethically-produced products. “We therefore want to encourage brands to be completely transparent about their sustainability efforts. In the upcoming years, we pledge to help identify and profile exhibitors with ethical and sustainability credentials, and will seek to collaborate with more ambassadors to raise awareness of this essential movement.”

Spring Fair runs at the NEC Birmingham from Sunday 3rd February until Thursday 7th February.