Continuing the trend for natural paving, Kelkay have developed a new heart shaped stepping stone in their sandstone range.



Warmheart Sandstone Stepping Stone RRP £9.99

Richard Pyrah, Sales Director (right) explained “We’ve seen huge growth in the sales of moulded concrete stepping stones in a range of designs over the past couple of seasons, and retailers frequently report these in their top selling landscape lines. With the recent trend for natural paving, it was a logical progression for us to develop stepping stones in quarried materials too, and we have been amazed at the response to the launch last year of our Random Stepping Stones in several sandstone colours.”

Kelkay have chosen to have this product hand made by skilled craftsmen from ‘Agra’ sandstone in India where it was also used to construct the beautiful mosque at the Taj Mahal. Each Warmheart Stepping Stone is approximately 45cm in diameter and 30mm thick. They’ll be available in pallet quantities of 78 which will slot seamlessly into Kelkay’s unique and flexible natural stone merchandising system.

Kelkay plan to unveil this and more than 80 other new products for the new season at GLEE 11 – 13 September. Hall 19 Stand A10 – C11

To find out more about Kelkay and their successful garden landscaping products, go to www.kelkay.com or e-mail the general enquiries office on salesenquiries@kelkay.co.uk or call to speak to us on 01405 869333

Kelkay, The Old Airfield, Heck & Pollington Lane, Pollington, East Yorkshire, DN14 0BA

Throughout Glee 2017 the team from GTN will be covering all the latest developments for Glee Daily News.

The Glee Daily News is sent by e-mail free to all visitors of Glee.  Advertising and promtion opportunities are available.  To book your activity into The Glee Daily News, please email Mandy Davies mandy.davies@tgcmc.co.uk, Ben Greenwood ben.greenwood@tgcmc.co.uk or Alan Burdon alan.burdon@tgcmc.co.uk

REMEMBER TO COLLECT YOUR FREE GLEE SHOW CATALOGUE AT THE ENTRANCES.

If you're feeling in a nostalgic mood, here are links to past issues of Glee Daily News:

Glee Daily News Omnibus Issue 2016

Glee Daily News Omnibus Issue 2015

Glee Daily News Omnibus Issue 2014

Glee Daily News Omnibus Issue 2013

Glee Daily News Omnibus Issue 2012

Zest 4 Leisure, leading manufacturer and responsible source of quality, stylish and dynamic FSC certified timber garden products, is set to bring the buzz of innovation to this year’s Glee.

Anyone visiting the Zest stand (20S32-T33) at this year’s show will have the opportunity to see what Zest’s innovative range has to offer for the new season of garden leisure.

Zest want to prove that ‘traditional’ can mean ‘new’ and are launching a variety of new garden products to broaden the range and add value for the customer.

Building on the existing range of winning products, Zest will be showcasing a range of new designs including a stunning diamond trellis arch, a new pergola seat, alfresco dining sets, planters and more.

The Meridian Pergola Seat (right) is a new idea that marries garden furniture to climbing plants and flowers to create an idyllic garden feature.

The innovative Denver Arbour Swing (above)  means any garden can be turned into an outdoor living space, beating the breeze with quality Perspex and timber panels and the protective roof - this new swing makes the summer last longer.

Zest’s new products for 2018 include:

• The Emily Corner Bench with matching Coffee Table (below) part of the Emily range and sold separately
• The Madison Picnic Table and matching Access Picnic Table
• The Bahama Large Round Table & 4 Stool Set
• The Sophie Bench
• A Stepped Herb Planter and a Vertical Herb Stand
• A Large Log Store with slatted back

Steve Morgan, Zest 4 Leisure’s Managing Director is expecting Glee to be the perfect opportunity to showcase the new range of Zest products and is looking forward to welcoming customers to the double decker stand.  

“Customer satisfaction and product design are at the heart of everything we do. We listen to our customers, and for 2018 we have taken some of our bestselling ranges and introduced new products, such as the Meridian Pergola Seat which was inspired by our popular Horizon Arch and the Emily Corner Bench, as well as creating completely new products,” Mr Morgan said.

“Zest has a hard-working, forward looking team with a flair for design. We’re looking forward to introducing our new range and seeing you all at Glee.”

The award-winning Zest 4 Leisure is known for the reassuring quality of their timber garden products. Manufactured from pressure treated timber, all of Zest’s garden furniture will stand the test of time with a 10-year guarantee against rot. The timber used is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and has been harvested from responsibly managed forests.

For a warm welcome and to find out more from their experienced team, be sure to visit Zest on stand 20S32-T33.

www.zest4leisure.co.uk

This Glee, Johnsons Lawn Seed – the UK’s leading grass seed brand – will launch its next bestseller to the market, accompanied by expert advice on maximising lawn seed sales and official announcements regarding its enhanced salesforce.

The No.1 lawn seed supplier’s latest innovation comes after yet more developments in state-of-the-art seed production technology.  The new product will feature packaging in line with the rest of the Johnsons Lawn Seed range and work to bolster interest in garden centre lawn care offerings next season.

Changes to the salesforce are to be announced at the show, demonstrations of an entertaining new way of growing grass, and the usual refreshments and goodies laid on for vistors to the stand.

Guy Jenkins and his team will once again provide expert on stand help and advice to exisiting and new customers, including merchandising, product application and interesting information regarding parent company DLF’s arrangements to supply the majority of sports stadia here in the UK.

Find out more

Johnsons Lawn Seed will appear in the company’s regular spot in hall 18, (18H26 – K27).  In the meantime, you can visit www.johnsonslawnseed.com or https://www.gleebirmingham.com/exhibitors/dlf-seeds-ltd-johnsons-lawn-seed for more information.

At Traditional Garden Games we make it our business to help create fun and happy memories.

Exhibiting at Glee 2017 for the first time, established brand Traditional Garden Games is delighted to be launching the NEW SEMBRA range of sow and grow kits for ‘little seedlings’ and ‘hobby gardeners’ to enjoy creating their own mini vegetable garden.

With over 20 kits to choose from, Traditional Garden Games are excited to add the SEMBRA brand and its products to their growing portfolio of classic and modern games for outdoors. So do visit stand 18L61 and be one of the first to see the new SEMBRA range of 'easy sow & grow' kits.

From herbs, to winter vegetables and cherry tomatoes, to speciality culinary and cocktail kits for adults - the SEMBRA sowing kits are a perfect addition to garden centre retailers.

Enjoy your garden more with Traditional Garden Games

Whether your customers are looking for ideas to entertain children during the school holidays, or they're hosting a social gathering with family and friends or looking for an unusual gift - Traditional Garden Games has nearly 70 games which promise to inject fun, create memories and even ignite a sense of nostalgia.

From BIG board games including Snakes & Ladders, Chess Ludo, to timeless lawn sports such as Croquet, Quoits and Boules and not forgetting our jumbo range sports toys and play sets — there’s hours of fun to be had with our outdoor essentials .

For more information about Traditional Garden Games phone 028 777 68742 or email sales@traditionalgardengames.co.uk or see us at GLEE Stand 18L61



www.traditionalgardengames.com

“Perfect for Pots” is the new range of packs from Taylors Bulbs and will feature on their stand in Hall 19.  The range is designed to appeal to the novice gardener who may have limited space and confidence to make planting recipes of bulbs for colourful container planting.

 

In stores this Autumn and to be repeated in Spring 2018 with summer flowering bulbs, each “Perfect for Pots” pack contains complementary varieties to flower together or in close succession.  The range is ideal for linked sales and presenting a complete solution to customers by displaying 25cm pots and Taylors own 10L Bulb Fibre alongside the packs.  The complete Bulb Pot Shop.

Bulb Gifts for the Christmas market will be on display, including amaryllis kits in colourful presentation boxes which have been providing substantial growth opportunities for garden centres in recent years.  As well as the bestsellers, there are always new gift products to see for the first time including the Indoor Heart Trough, Crocus Glass Heart, and the Paperwhite & Amaryllis glasses.

With over 80 varieties in their collection, Taylors will also display their ranges of Seed Potatoes including some of the 54 varieties offered in 2kg CarriPack and 25kg ranges, and their Bestselling and industry leading Taster Pack range with seed in smaller quantities for the gardener requiring smaller quantities.  Taylors invested in a new packing line and 1800 tonne cold store for the 2016 packing season so they can control seed storage conditions and programme customer deliveries.

 

In 2017, Taylors Bulbs relaunched their website www.taylors-bulbs.com, an approachable page with great consumer facing features including downloadable planting guides, bulb calendars and our advice service in the form of the “Bulb Doctor”.  Taylors Bulbs can also now be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, You Tube and Google+ which are constantly being updated with exciting pictures, posts and videos.  Like, Follow, Share and Retweet us to your customer base to spread the word on bulbs.



         

Taylors Bulbs can be found in Hall 19, Stand G02 where they will also be offering special deals on selected Spring Flowering Bulbs.

Woodstock Chimes founder and owner, Garry Kvistad, on his front porch, enjoying his Chimes of Olympos – the original Woodstock Chime.

• Authentic and original musically tuned windchime
• Premier quality, affordable & value priced
• Created by GRAMMY® Award-winning musician Garry Kvistad
• The choice of discerning UK customers for nearly 40 years
• Chimes are in stock and ship within 48 hours from our UK warehouse

The first ever musically tuned windchime

Woodstock Chimes founder and owner, Garry Kvistad, created the first windchime tuned to specific musical notes. In the 1970s he was fascinated by the scale of Olympos, a musical scale from the 7^th century B.C., that couldn’t be played on modern instruments. Inspiration struck when he realised he could cut and tune aluminium tubes to the exact frequencies of that ancient scale, and just like that the first musically tuned windchime was born! Garry continues to be the talent behind the design and tuning of all Woodstock Chimes.

The Amazing Grace Chime – Medium, tuned to the opening notes of the popular hymn.

In the beginning, Woodstock Chimes were tuned to scales from various world cultures, such as the Chimes of Kyoto™, which are tuned to an ancient Japanese scale. From there Garry added chimes that paid homage to beloved composers such as Mozart and Pachelbel, and introduced more modern tunings, such as the Amazing Grace Chime™ (above), tuned to the opening notes of that popular hymn.

GRAMMY® Award Winner at the Helm

In addition to his work at Woodstock Chimes, Garry is a professional musician. He has been performing and recording with the ensemble Steve Reich and Musicians since 1979 and is one of the 18 musicians to win a GRAMMY® Award for the 1998 recording of Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians. In 2002 Garry joined NEXUS, the internationally renowned chamber music ensemble based in Canada. Called “the high priests of the percussion world” by the New York Times, NEXUS is considered to be one of the premier percussion ensembles in the world today.

Nearly 40 Years of Chimes

A family-owned business, Woodstock Chimes has been making beautiful music for nearly 40 years. During this time, our product line has expanded many times over. We have the widest variety of price points, tunings and designs in the industry. Many of our chimes now include removable windcatchers that can be personalised to commemorate life events, making the gift of a Woodstock Chime even more special.

Garry is passionate about music, which is why the music made by our windchimes, bells and gongs is unparalleled in the industry.

Hearing a Woodstock Chime is like listening to a

perfectly tuned musical instrument, played by the wind.

See all the Woodstock Chimes UK products here

Or visit our stand at Glee 19A02

www.woodstock-chimes.co.uk

White Pebble International
Unit 2, Plot 11, Terminus Road
Chichester PO198 TX UK
Tel +44(0)1243 780501
Fax +44(0)1243 839332
info@whitepebbleint.com

As a leading worldwide supplier of Garden Décor, Evergreen Enterprises is quickly becoming known in the UK as an innovative and dynamic vendor, offering a wide variety of quality, on-trend products.

With a customer-centric focus and an agile and creative product team, Evergreen works hard to stay focused on fulfilling their primary mission…

“To enhance life by providing exceptional home and garden décor products known for their quality, beauty, and functionality.”

Within the diverse Evergreen range, there is a product and a price point for everyone. 

In the soon to be released Spring 2018 range, consumers will be “wowed” by such unique products as their new Hydro-Wind Spinners.  These spinners spread water over a wide area while providing a fun “water show”.  Brass fittings will ensure a lasting and efficient effect.

Our Firefly Solar Lanterns are an easy, versatile, portable alternative for those times when a light source is needed.  These eco-friendly lanterns offer four different light settings, are waterproof, and can easily be charged with either solar light, or through their convenient USB connection. 

See these and many more of Evergreen’s  fresh, innovative, quality products by visiting their stand at GLEE 19H57, or by contacting them at:

White Pebble International

Unit 2, Plot 11, Terminus Road

Chichester PO198 TX UK

Tel +44(0)1243 780501

Fax +44(0)1243 839332

info@whitepebbleint.com

1.      Please tell me more about your role as Creative Director of the Retail Lab @ Glee. What does your role entail, and how will it work at the show?

I like to think of myself as an ‘inspirator’, meaning I draw inspiration from all aspects of life and my surroundings. My job is to listen to the latest trends, and to interpret them into tangible and workable concepts that can work in a commercial environment. I love to get people outside of their comfort zone, getting them thinking differently about how products are presented, how retailing can be shaped and what this means for the future. It’s great taking people on this journey of discovery.

My role at Creative Director of the Retail Lab @ Glee is quite simply about putting these skills into action. I am working alongside a team of dedicated and proven professionals, who work, live and breathe the garden retail industry, and together we are able to take the latest trends and themes and put them into concepts and information that have immediate ‘take home’ for visitors to the show. My role specifically is to create a direction for these themes, and ensure they have longevity.

During the show, I will also be getting my hands dirty, from helping to build the area to leading tours of the show, and meeting with garden centres to discuss the Retail Lab concepts one-to-one. The fun doesn’t stop there though! Post-show I will be on hand to help retailers to implement ideas in their stores, whilst continuing to work with the Retail Lab team to build the ‘next steps’.

2.      How did you come to be involved in the project?

My career has been incredibly varied, including everything from being a concept designer, marketeer and stylist, as well as working in TV, floristry and horticulture. In doing so, I have been exposed to a number of different markets, but ‘green’ trends have always been at the heart of what I do. Glee has been on my radar for some time, having first attended six years ago, working with an exhibitor to launch edible flowers as a fun and exciting concept for garden centres. However, it was through my work with the Retail Experiences section at the HTA National Plant show in 2016 that kick started my involvement in this year’s Glee.

3.      How have you decided on the range of content? How important is it to use a range of mediums?

With 30 years’ experience under my belt, I have been witness to hundreds and thousands of ‘the latest trends’. It was during my time as a category buyer for a large Dutch garden centre chain, Intratuin, that I saw how trends could be incorporated into consumer product ranges. Excited by this, I later set up trend consultancy, ByRomeo, and have since gathered even more ideas on how trends can be taken from the page into reality. For me, this skill is almost subconscious, supported by a huge amount of research. Over the last few months I have been gathering trend ideas in my head, and it was only when the Retail Lab became a reality that I knew that these trends can be put into action. Luckily for me, WGSN, who has also identified future trends in garden retailing, matched my own thoughts, meaning we were most definitely on the right track!

In regard to using a range of mediums, this is truly vital. Trends and design concepts are not flat, instead they are three-dimensional, fluid and expressive. Without a range of mediums we would not be able to effectively communicate each trends, and more importantly retailers would not be able to understand the thought behind each trend, nor how to put it into practice in-store. The mix of medium also works to do what I believe is hugely important, and that is to take people out of their comfort zones. Obviously, not to the point of detriment, but certainly enough to get them thinking differently about how they interact with trends and how they implement them in their business. Garden centres currently suffer from a disconnection between the physical store and online, and we shall be working to create content that attempts to bridge this gap for them, encouraging them to become omni-channel retailers.

4.      How do you translate trend info into hardworking content that retailers can draw inspiration from? How will the Retail Lab @ Glee benefit retailers?

Translating trends is all about considering how they will best fit in both a consumer and retail environment. It’s not just about high-level thinking, but more about how trends can affect mid-level price points and below. It’s also essential to focus on those trends that offer both short-term and long-term opportunities.

The trends that we will be focussing on within the Retail Lab @ Glee, are best suited to garden retailing, whilst also offering consumers a number of ways to interact with the way that we live. For instance, the trend of ‘Re-wilding’ is all about how we can get back to nature. With 90% of our time spent indoors, this trend looks at ways we can reconnect with nature whether we live in urban or rural locations. From better merchandising and retailing, to incorporating nature into our retail environments through more natural materials, to utilising outdoor space as places to relax or meet.

It’s also important to look at how trends are influenced by geography. The trends we are focussing on are worldwide trends, but we have been sure to put them into context of the UK and European markets. As the home of garden retailing, the UK is already miles ahead but now is the time to take the next step and look beyond the now, and focus on how these trends can shape retailing in the near future.

The Retail Lab @ Glee will be designed to educate and inspire retailers. We’ll be encouraging retailers – no matter their size or bank balance – to take off their blinkers and open their eyes to fresh thinking and innovative ideas. From POS and merchandising ideas, to general trend info and design ideas, retailers will have plenty to take back with them – from big ideas to small changes that will make instant impact.

5.      In our opinion, what is the most exciting future trend set to shape the garden retail market?

Responsible gardening is one trend that I am particularly excited about. It’s all about having a consciousness for nature, incorporating everything from grow-your-own to creating environments that allow nature to thrive. My favourite aspect of this trend is that it can be achieved in even the smallest spaces such as apartment windowsills. It’s a trend that matters but is so easily achievable by all.

The achievability of trends is one area that impacts retailing the most. It’s not about dazzling people with jargon, but more about debunking common myths and misconceptions. Often people shy away from trends because they believe that they should be interpreted in one way and one way only. Creating inclusive content, only makes people feel excluded. It’s vital that trends are presented in an accessible and realistic way. Inspiration not dictation.

It’s also incredibly important that garden retailers don’t just focus on ‘standard’ trends such as colour or material. Bigger trends that address lifestyle choices are a fantastic way of capturing a much younger audience, a challenge that has plagued many garden retailers in recent years. With access to the latest trends, coupled with the added-value offering that is synonymous with garden centres – such as cafes and speciality foods, outdoor entertaining, garden centres as ‘destination centres’ – youngers consumers will naturally be drawn to the store, and will return. Access to a mixture of trends is undoubtedly one way to increase profitability both now and in the long-term.

In addition to trends, garden retailers have some great wider opportunities to increase their reach within their community and beyond. From improving their online presence through web-based retailing and social media, to echoing high street stores through cross merchandising and store flow, and creating environments which incorporates all the senses, the possibilities are endless. It’s an exciting prospect to be stood at the precipice of tit all.

6.      What is the future for the Retail Lab – what is the long-term vision?

The Retail Lab @ Glee is just the beginning of the journey. The trends that the Lab will focus on do not have an expiration date. Instead they will grow and develop over time, which is why the Retail Lab has been designed to follow this journey with them. First stop, Glee. After that we’ll be taking the concept on the road to provide as many retailers as possible with access to the information, inspiration and education on offer.

1.     60+ home, gift & clothing suppliers all ready and willing to do business. Glee’s dedicated Home, Gift & Clothing section has witnessed significant growth in recent years, reflective of the changing trends in garden retailing. Over 60 home, gift and clothing brands will be making their home at Glee 2017, bringing with them a wide selection of products, from seasonal gifts, to garden and outdoor clothing that has found its influence from future high street and catwalk trends.

2.     Garden centre focused. The strength of Glee lies in the fact that its exhibitors are primed to do business with garden retailers, and this year’s exhibitors within Home, Gift & Clothing are no exception.These suppliers are armed with products and services designed to drive sales instore at garden centres, so make sure you don’t miss out on this captive audience.

3.     Year-round sales opportunity. Gifts, homeware and outdoor clothing are increasingly becoming big business within garden retail.  Offering an unrivalled opportunity to maximise year-round sales, from Mothers’ Day to Christmas, these product categories are also ideal for driving impulse sales as consumers look to add value to their homes and gardens with stylish accessories, as well as wanting to look good in the garden. 
 

4.     More time to compare & contrast. Whilst Glee doesn’t sell itself as purely a home and gift show, that certainly doesn’t mean that its offering is any less valuable. With a more targeted set of exhibitors comes less competition for time. And in a market where time with buyers is a rarity, the real strength of Glee comes to the fore. At Glee, home, gift and clothingretailers and suppliers have more time at their disposal to network, chat and learn more about the products. Better relationships are forged this way.

5.     New and lapsed brands provide variety. At Glee this year, visitors will be treated to a selection of home, gift and clothing brands never before seen at Glee, as well as some faces making their return to the show. Look out for Voyage Versand, Villeroy & Boch UK Ltd, Kettle Interiors, Bronte by Moon, as well as well-known brands such as Aigle International and RHS (Royal Horticultural Society).

6.     Selected, focused offering. Gift exhibitors at Glee know what garden centre gift buyers want to see, which is why they will be bringing with them a targeted and audited product range, featuring the hardest working and most profitable products in their arsenal.

7.     Better use of your time. All available under one roof for three dedicated days, Glee is the perfect way to streamline your purchasing process. Placing orders at Glee means your 2018 product selections are sorted well in advance, freeing up more time for category managers to develop inspirational in-store displays.

8.     Be inspired by new merchandising ideas & linked sales opportunities. Look out for inspirational content from Glee’s 600+ exhibitors, as well as those within the dedicated Home, Gift & Clothing section of the show. Best practice merchandising, the latest trends in POS and exciting linked sales opportunities from across Glee’s eight core product sectors will arm any garden centre manager or gift buyer with a wealth of knowledge, design ideas and concepts that can be put into practice immediately upon returning back to the store.

9.     Access to other exciting products you might not have considered before. Glee is the place to explore additional profit-making opportunities.  As the garden retail gift market continues to grow, Glee is the place to source those products that will make your gift offering stand out from the rest, including everything from homeware and seasonal decorations to stationery and greeting cards, music and audio, artificial flowers and curiosities. Glee’s wider categories will also offer exposure to product sectors you may not have previously considered, helping to create a vibrant and unique in-store offering.

10.  And if you miss it all, there is always Glee at Spring Fair 2018! Part of Glee’s ongoing investment and expansion plans, Glee’s Spring Fair concession will provide a second opportunity within the buying cycle to refresh ranges ahead of key retail spikes. Additionally, it will also give retailers the opportunity to see new and best-selling ranges ahead of the spring season, whilst providing garden, home and gift buyers with the latest concepts and trends for 2018, helping them to direct their buying.  Categories that retailers can look forward to sourcing will include garden care, landscaping and garden decoration, and outdoor entertaining.

This year Glee will be home to its strongest pet contingent for many years. From the PetQuip Business Village that has doubled in size, to the wealth of UK and international exhibitors and the newly introduced Buyer Connect event, pet buyers and garden retailers will be spoilt for choice. 

With a recent report suggesting that 70% of UK garden centres now feature a dedicated pet care section, it is clear that the UK’s love for their pets shows no sign of slowing.  In fact, total spending on pet care in the UK reached a record high of around £5.08bn last year as the role of the ‘pet’ continues to evolve into something beyond a secondary addition to the family, to an integral part of the family unit.

Garden centres are well positioned to take full advantage of this market potential - there has never been a more exciting time for pet product suppliers to greatly expand their stockists and market visibility.  

This year Glee will provide the widest range of profit-boosting products, advice and ideas that businesses need to stay ahead and capitalise on this ever-expanding sector.  Visitors to Glee – including the vastly expanded PetQuip Business Village -  should look out for a host of big name brands and niche suppliers from both the UK and international markets, as well as exclusive show offers and innovative products across the food, accessories, bedding, and fashion sectors.

Matthew Mein, Glee’s Event Director said: “We have invested a lot into our pet offering in 2017 and can assure the market that we have taken great strides in creating something unlike anything we have offered previously. Pet products is a huge part of garden retailing and we wanted this reflected in what we offer to the market. From an exciting collection of exhibitors to business support, pet buyers at Glee will be able to arm themselves with everything they need to build profits throughout the 2018 season and beyond.”

The shop window for pet retail

Pet food, treats and complementary foods, by far the largest segment of the UK pet sector, will be well represented at the show, with extensive ranges from currently confirmed exhibitors such as Burgess Pet Foods, GA Pet Food Partners, Supreme Petfoods Ltd, Carnilove, The Dog Treat Company, TDHGroup (Pet Cuisine), Feelwells, and The Barking Bakery.

Pet accessories also represent a huge area of growth for garden retailers as consumers look for new ways to treat their pets.  From dog leads and harnesses to pet beds and cages, Glee has it all from leading exhibitor such as PetFace, Unipet, Scruffs, Trilanco, Group 55, Aristocrats, Loving Pet Products, PacDog, Pet Rebellion, Pet’s Up Products, PetMaxi and many more.

The PetQuip Business Village at Glee 2017 – bigger than ever before

Introduced in 2015, the PetQuip Business Village is designed to offer pet suppliers wanting to build their presence within garden retailers, a platform to launch and showcase their latest ranges. This year the area has doubled in size, providing more space for suppliers to showcase their pet ranges to garden retailers.

Open to both PetQuip members and non-members, the Business Village will make its home at the heart of Glee, bringing together pet brands with garden retail buyers and key decision makers.  Led by PetQuip - the UK’s leading trade association for suppliers of pet products, accessories and services – the ‘village’ is set to welcome even more pet suppliers in 2017.

Pat Flynn, Trade Association Manager at PetQuip said: “The garden centre market offers great potential growth for pet suppliers.  Garden centres usually have a larger footprint than most High Street independents, which aids effective product displays, and also being able to supply a wider range of products instore.  Customer loyalty and repeat visitors are the cornerstone of garden centre business, and pet ranges – especially pet food – is a proven way of achieving this, offering profitability for both the retailer and the supplier.

Pet Buyers Connect

For the first time Glee 2017 will be introducing a special pet focused Buyers Connect networking event. These special 10-minute speed networking sessions taking place throughout the show within the PetQuip Business Village, will place pet suppliers directly in front of buyers from key garden retailers. These retailers are actively looking for new and innovative pet product suppliers, and for many Buyers Connect will be the place where long-term and profitable relationships are forged.

So much to see

As well as leading brands and specialist pet care suppliers Glee will be home to a wide range of visitor attractions and events that will showcase the best the industry has to offer.

One of the most innovative features at the annual Glee exhibition, the Retail Lab @ Glee – new for 2017 - has secured backing from a wide range of leading suppliers, who have come on board as ‘Preferred Supplier Partner’ and ‘Selected Supplier Partner’ of the Retail Lab’s four trend-lead areas.  Here, ‘Preferred Supplier Partner’ Elho’s Sales Manager UK & Ireland, David Nicholson tells us more about Elho’s plans for the Retail Lab @ Glee.

Can you tell us more about what products you will displaying?

We’ll be displaying a selection of Elho’s new and best-selling pots. What we’ve found is that colour is one of the main things that attracts garden centre customers when they’re exploring the aisles. We’ll be showcasing how retailers can utilise colour to best effect - even if people end up buying more muted tones of pots. 

Why did you choose to become a preferred supplier of the Retail Lab @ Glee 2017?

The decision to become a preferred supplier of the Retail Lab was actually very easy. At Elho we’re all about bringing nature into people’s everyday lives. The four global trends the Retail Lab has identified of Community, Family, ‘Re-wilding’ and ‘Well-being’ resonate with our own vision and how we’re working both with the trade and also communicating with consumers. 

What changing trends are you witnessing, and how are they affecting your business? What future trend excites you the most?

As urbanisation takes over and our access to nature becomes more restricted, we’ve really noticed a trend towards turning any outdoor space into a garden. Balconies, terraces, vertical spaces are becoming green with easy to fit balcony pots and vertical gardens and drainpipe clickers.

What’s also exciting is to see the growth in house plants and pots used as interior accessories. While this has been a trend in Europe for a while, the UK has lagged behind. But we’re catching up fast and every garden centre we speak to is increasing their range of interior pots. We invest a lot in understanding colour trends researching everything from fashion to technology. This enables Elho to bring out ranges that are bang on trend every year. We’ll be showing these new colours at Glee. 

We’re also seeing a resurgence in grow-your-own. It’s felt that the movement that began stalled slightly in the last few years. It’s now picked up apace. And this grow-your-own isn’t just for people with allotments or larger gardens. Balcony allotments and window sill growing is an exciting trend which is why we’re bringing out a grow house for balcony pots. Our Grow Table continues to do extremely well as it provides space for growing is small gardens, patios and terraces - and people love how it combines design with function. 

What value do you think the Retail Lab will offer retailers/buyers?

Garden trade shows are not just about seeing new products, it’s about inspiring visitors to change how they do business. To excite them and to reinvigorate their innovation. That’s that the Retail Lab will be. Giving people access to innovative new ideas. Bringing trends to live in the retail environment. Inspiring people to do things different and better. Creating a community in the sector. We’re really excited to be part of Retail Lab at this year’s Glee.

Consumers have a short memory: if they don’t see your brand for a while they will forget that you exist. 



Garden Connect is now introducing our Remarketing service which allows you to show your banners and advertisements to customers in your own geographical location, they will be shown on well-known websites like the BBC, Telegraph and Daily Mail.  And to make it even better you can try it for free for 3 months, if you visit our stand at GLEE in September!

What is remarketing?
Every time that visitors open your website a small cookie is placed on their device. This allows us to show a banner to visitors within a geographical radius from your garden centre when they read the news, play a game or lookup some gardening tips.

To avoid annoyance, these banners will only be shown a couple of times a week to each individual consumer but over a long period of time. This will keep your brand top of mind to the people who are interested in your garden centre and that matter most, especially those that are located in your own area!

What do the banners look like?
Bespoke banners will be designed by Garden Connect or you can provide your own banners. Alternatively, we can also link banners to your website or webshop to show your latest promotions or newest products automatically. Banners will be designed for desktop, tablet and mobile to be sure consumers will see your brand regardless of the device they use. 

How much does it cost?
Showing a banner will cost you less than £0.025 per customer. That’s right: over 1.000 banner impressions for less than £2.50! Garden Connect has several services available starting at just £25 per month excluding VAT. 

Sign up in August or September to benefit from maximum exposure over the busy Christmas season and to get your first 3 months free!

Visit Garden Connect at GLEE or go to www.gardenconnect.com/remarketing for more information. Alternatively, give us a ring on +44 203 475 5541 to learn more.

One of the most innovative features at the annual Glee exhibition, the Retail Lab @ Glee – new for 2017 - has secured backing from a wide range of leading suppliers, who have come on board as ‘Preferred Supplier Partner’ and ‘Selected Supplier Partner’ of the Retail Lab’s four trend-lead areas.  Brands confirmed as ‘Preferred Supplier Partners’ of the Retail Lab @ Glee in 2017 are Cadix, Hozelock, Petface, Ivyline, Woodlodge and Elho.

Recognising the value of the Retail Lab and what it stands for – an interactive showcase of the latest trend information and informative business building advice, best practice and self-learning content – these brands from across the garden retail market have been quick to confirm their support of the area. The area is set to receive a high footfall throughout Glee’s three days, with each brand benefitting from this increased brand awareness.

Cadix will be providing products and display ideas within the Re-Wilding area, joined by Hozelock who will be showcasing some of its latest water-saving and water-management solutions and innovations. This area – one of four within the Retail Lab – will focus on the role that nature is playing within the way that we live and interact with our surroundings, and also how retailers can optimise this within the retail environment. From ideas to growing in small spaces (85% of people now live in an urban area) to ideas to support sustainability and encourage wildlife to the garden, the Re-Wilding trend is set to be huge in 2018 and beyond.

Over in the ‘Family’ area, Petface, one of the leading suppliers of pet accessories, will be building more content around the changing role of the ‘pet’ within the family, whilst Elho will also be supplying products to both the Family and Well-being areas. The Family area within the Retail Lab will focus on how garden centres can optimise activities and products that appeal to all members of the garden, reflective of how the way we use our garden spaces has changed. From indoor grow-zones, to project based play the Family section will be an inspirational hub that will provide ideas on how to broaden the appeal of gardening throughout the home.

Woodlodge will be assisting with the Retail Lab’s Community section, using its expert merchandising display knowledge to create moveable retail units. The company will also be supplying pots for use throughout the Retail Lab area. From mobile planting tables to a greater emphasis on herbs, cut flowers, vegetable and fruit, the Community area within the Retail Lab, is designed to showcase how communities can be brought together, and how retailers can incorporate an area that enables customers the chance to get their hands dirty.

Finally, Ivyline – suppliers of trend-led pots and accessories – will be providing indoor pots, whilst also showcasing the Barry the Cactus brand, which has already captured the attention of a much younger audience through insightful and playful social media and branding.

In addition to the ‘Preferred Supplier Partners’, the Retail Lab is also being supported by a number of ‘Selected Supplier Partners’. More names are set to be finalised in the coming weeks but Glee are pleased to confirm that Traditional Garden Games, Primeur Ltd, Carnilove, Woodstock Windchimes, The Patio Black Spot Removal Company Ltd and Potters Crouch Candles are already onboard as Retail Lab sponsors.

Growers Profit Plant and Air So Pure, have also confirmed their support for the Retail Lab, and will be showcasing their latest plant innovations within the Re-Wilding and Community areas respectively.

Glee Event Director, Matthew Mein, said: “Our thanks go to all of those that have already confirmed their involvement in the Retail Lab. This is our most exciting feature ever, and having so many key brands on board adds even more weight to its proposition.

“The Retail Lab is all about helping to inspire and educate retailers, providing them with tangible trend information and merchandising ideas that they can implement in their own stores to grow both their offering and business, whilst also targeting new customers. The support and products offered by our preferred suppliers and sponsors will help the many ideas and concepts that shape the Retail Lab to come to life. What’s more, even more brands are set to confirm their support, making the Retail Lab an even more exciting and thriving proposition.”

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits within core product categories including Garden Care, Outdoor Entertaining, Landscaping and Garden Design, Pet, Home, Gift and Clothing, and Plants. Each year the show 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 log onto www.gleebirmingham.com or call 020 3033 2160 to find out about exhibiting.

Created by a panel of industry experts to create something entirely fresh and new at Glee, the Retail lab @ Glee is set to the be the key focal point of the 2017 show, and will be the exhibition’s interactive hub full of inspiration and the latest trend information.

Unlike any previous features at Glee, the Retail Lab will be future facing, providing visiting retailers with a long-term vision for their retail environments.

Focussing on consumer engagement, market insight and effective access to future facing trend information, the Retail Lab @ Glee will be located at the very heart of the show.  Combining interactive content, guided tours, and self-learning material, visitors will be able to arm themselves with content that not just inspires but will also drive them to action new retailing ideas within their own stores. The aim of all of this being to help retailers to grow both their offering and business, whilst also targeting new customers.

Split into four sections, the area will focus on four key consumer themes as identified by the Retail Lab’s Creative Director, Romeo Sommers, and world-leading trend experts, WGSN. These themes will be: Well-being, Family, Community, and ‘Re-wilding’.

Why has it been developed?

The Retail Lab @ Glee has been created to offer something that looks to the future of garden retailing, focussing on trends that are within touching distance; trends that will directly affect consumer spending habits in the near future.

As consumer spending habits continue to change, and become increasingly influenced by aspects such as environment, economics, and social consciousness, the role of garden retailers and the way they interact and appeal to their core markets is also changing. The Retail Lab @ Glee recognises that these changes are taking place, and is here to cut through the noise.

What will retailers and suppliers get out of visiting the Retail Lab?

The Retail Lab @ Glee will enable retailers to retail effectively, ensuring the longevity of their existing customer base, whilst also engaging with new consumers for a profitable future. From inspirational ideas regarding retail spaces, to new merchandising ideas, the Retail Lab @ Glee will be unlike anything ever before seen at the show.

What shape will it take?

Designed by Retail Lab’s Creative Director, Romeo Sommers, and made a reality by Robin of Moore Consulting, the Retail Lab will form a real hub area at Glee 2017. The ‘Lab’ will be divided into four unique sections, that will work as stand-alone inspiration hubs, or together as a visual journey through the store of the future. Guided tours, info points, interactive content, and TV screens will also be supported by the onsite Retail Lab team who will walk retailers through the area, answering questions as they go.

The HTA, associate partners of the Retail Lab @ Glee, will also have its own inspirational dedicated area, providing a networking and educational hub at the show.

Glee’s seminar theatre – in partnership with Inside Retail - will complete the offering, bringing a daily schedule of top industry speakers together to tackle those big issues affecting the garden retail industry today.

The Retail Lab @ Glee branding – more than just a logo

Like all aspects of Glee 2017, the Retail Lab has been issued with its own branding identity. The icon itself takes inspiration from the Fibonacci Sequence. It represents the team of specialists working together to help you take advantage of new developments in garden centre retailing. specifically, the Golden Section which occurs throughout nature, and has a three-fold meaning:

• It represents growth, evolution, progression and trust
• A scientific solution with organics origins
• A natural mix of specific elements that create a perfect balance.

The four carefully selected colours represent the Retail Lab’s four themes: Family, Community, Re-Wilding and Well-being

Reflecting Glee’s ongoing growth, the show’s Green Heart is set to welcome its largest ever number of exhibitors including a wealth of returning and new names. Additionally, it will be celebrating the introduction of its first-ever Flemish Pavilion, plus providing a launchpad for some exciting new product innovations that are unlike any plant varieties seen before.

Big name brands such as Wyevale Nurseries, Gardeners Kitchen, Chessum Plants, Golden Grove Nurseries, Anglo Aquatic Plants, , Channel Island Plants, Craigmarloch Nurseries, Darby Nursery Stock, H.S.Hommers, Hawkesmill, Javado, Kilworth Conifers, , Lovania Nurseries Ltd, Morleys Nurseries Ltd, New Leaf Plants, Van Poecke and Viking Nurseries Ltd, will also be joined by Hillier Nurseries and Farplants to create the strongest display of new plant varieties and inspiration for plant buyers and retailers looking to develop their plant offering in the coming season.

Glee will also be welcoming its very first Flemish Pavilion, as VLAM - the Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board - has confirmed its attendance.  The Flemish Pavilion (Hall 20, stand H30) will be home to a host of seven top growers under the VLAM banner, all ready to showcase their industry leading horticultural products.

Many of the Flemish brands will also join Glee’s Green Heart, to demonstrate merchandising best practice, and showcase exciting new plant varieties within indoor plants, cut flowers and different types of young plants. Exciting new additions will include the Helleborus VIV Collection, and 110cm Chrysanthemums. One VLAM exhibitor will also showcase Pineberry (produces white strawberries that taste like pineapple), Framberry (produces strawberries that taste like raspberry) and Bubbleberry (produces pink strawberries that taste and smell like bubble gum).

Plants will also be celebrated through the Greatest Awards Best Plant Retailing Team, which will be announced on Tuesday 12th September. Part of Garden Trade News’ “Greatest Awards”, this award – presented for the first time at Glee – will celebrate those plant retailing teams that have gone above and beyond in 2017. 

Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director said: “The Green Heart is a really important part of Glee, and is designed to put plants right at the centre of the show, but more than this we want to arm retailers and growers with a platform to communicate – whether in regard to what’s new or how to better drive sales in-store. It’s set to be a great showcase of UK and international growers, so I urge plant buyers and garden retailers to make this their first port of call at Glee 2017.”

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits within core product categories including Garden Care, Outdoor Entertaining, Landscaping and Garden Design, Pet, Home, Gift and Clothing, and Plants. Each year the show 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 log onto www.gleebirmingham.com or call 020 3033 2160 to find out about exhibiting.

Farplants reveal plans for Glee 2017

Farplants will be showcasing its 2017 Christmas range at Glee’s Green Heart. As well as its festive best-sellers, the company will have new themes and formats inspired by this years’ trends.

Andy Harding, Added Value Manager at Farplants, said: “We are delighted to be a part of Glee and give buyers the opportunity to see first-hand the new styles and quality on offer in our festive range. Stop by our stand to see how the beautiful planted collection will create impact in store and inspire customers. Our new themes perfectly embody this years’ trends, from sparkle lights and stunning zinc to a touch of rustic charm, the new materials and styling will ensure all Christmas shoppers are spoilt for choice.”

As well an extended range of wreaths, the Farplants stand will feature containers that are not only perfect for festive arrangements in the home but could be reused in the New Year, encouraging replacement plant purchases come the spring.

10 reasons why plant buyers should visit the Glee Green Heart

1)     Optimise profit potential of seasonal plants - with seasonal plants being more topical than ever, the Green Heart represents an opportunity to buy high impact lines for immediate delivery and sales through tills.

2)     Get inspired –the Green Heart has a wealth of content to inspire plant buyers and retailers alike. From new varieties to exciting merchandising ideas, this thriving part of Glee is a must for garden retailers who want to step up their game when it comes to plant retailing.

3)     Network & learn - learn about the latest trends in plant sales and access the newest varieties and new-for-2018 addition whilst networking with industry colleagues in one convenient location.

4)     View complementary products – whilst at Glee don’t forget to visit the wider show, using the time to catch up with compost, fertiliser and chemical suppliers to ensure you are up-to-date with the ever-changing ranges and supporting legislation surrounding these core sellers.

5)     Linked sales and cross merchandising inspiration – Exhibitors within the Green Heart will demonstrate how to link sales and create successful cross merchandising opportunities that can be quickly and easily implemented instore.

6)     Show-only deals - benefit from buying ‘show only’ deals, gaining extra margin and impulse sales potential for your store.

7)     Brainstorm – use your time to share your ideas with growers, helping both parties to sell more plants to boost overall sales and profits.

8)     Look ahead to 2018 - meet with both UK and international growers to find out more about their plans for the 2018 season.

9)     70+ plant suppliers – this year over 70 plant suppliers, growers and breeders will be showcasing their 2018 ranges and recent introductions within the Green Heart.

10)  Follow-up on NPS conversations - finalise details with new contacts initiated at the National Plant Show.

1. After 27 years’ experience in the horticultural industry, what continues to inspire you about gardening?

I am often described as an expert in my field, but I see myself still a student in it. You never stop learning. It's exciting to still be learning - every day, observing, even if not actually gardening. I enjoy plants and how the environment responds to them.

2. What have been some of the key learnings from your experiences overseas, having worked in Spain, South Africa and Australia?  

There have been some key challenges: Plant supply - in UK & Europe we have a huge diversity of plants. Just in the UK alone there are some 70,000 plants in Plant Finder. In Spain, there are a reasonable level of plants but not the range in the UK. South Africa and Australia are good, but nothing like the UK. Second big challenge is ensuring the watering / irrigation & establishing of plants in hotter climates - low rainfall presents challenges.

3. What advice would you give your younger self if you had the chance?

Looking back, I feel I have had the right mixture of experience in my career, I have taken the right route with no wrong turns. I have in the past questioned whether horticulture was the right career and having done career 'Tests' on websites, they have always come up with the answer that I should be a Gardener, Artist, Designer or Teacher, so ultimately, I believe I have made the right choices along the way. I should have believed more in my choices.

4. What has been the biggest challenge you've faced during your career?

Chelsea Flower Show (in 2016) - pulling off a Main Avenue Garden whilst holding down a full-time job (HG, CPG) and some part time ones too! Coordinating all the growing - buying trips to 4 countries, buying stock from 5, grown on 3 sites in the UK - and ensuring all the thousands of plants were 'Chelsea Ready' at peak perfection for 21st May. Coordinating all aspects of the hard landscaping, adhering to RHS rules, dealing with huge complexity, all within tight time constraints and very close working conditions (220m²) with some 40 in the team. 

5. You have spent the last 7 years modernising the design of CPG in London. What advice would you give to a garden centre who might be looking to modernise their store?

Horticulture has woken up to needing to be customer focused, being led by the direct needs of clients. I learnt at CPG that functionality needs to work for space and spatial design was key. When I was first at CPG, we welcomed some 2,000 visitors a year, so designing for 7 years later with some 60,000 visitors the space was key. CPG is a very special garden, so it was crucial to ensure the spirit of the garden was maintained, holding onto the essence of the area, and yet making it accessible. Space changes need to consider other facilities too - gift shop, loos - so it is all about ensuring the fulfilment of customer experience is maintained and that the spirit of the garden is captured.

6. For garden centres looking to inspire their customers, what are your recommendations with regards to finding new and unique products?

How plants are addressed at the Point of Sale. People love plants and gardens, but sometimes don't have the imagination for grouping / pairing them together. In my experience, for nurseries to have seasonal displays with plant combinations already set up will give people ideas. It will inevitably increase sales of plants and give people inspiration too.

Plants - not just from big seed companies or breeders, but ones with a bit of magic. For example, at the same time Geranium 'Rozanne' came out to a big fanfare, a smaller nursery produced Geranium 'Lilac Ice'. Similar parentage and performance but with a pinky / white flower, so keep looking at the peripherals, having contact with the smaller growers for different varieties & products.

Artisan products e.g. pottery, timber and forged iron. Support the local community with locally sourced products.

7. With a significant trend in customers moving to mobile devices for shopping and advice, what impact will online garden retailing have on traditional garden centres, and the horticultural industry as a whole?

In the last 10 years online suppliers, for example Crocus.co.uk has grown enormously and have exceptional customer service. It's a change to keep up with their quality & diversity of offerings. What Garden Centres can offer is the on hand expertise which will be unique - answering questions and managing events. Customers coming to the experts, the human touch is the key.

8. How should garden centres be engaging with the younger generation? Have you seen any great examples of garden centres introducing a new area within the store to attract new audiences?

Lots of products out there to interest the younger generation, for example: sun flower growing kits, equipment, bug catchers. When I was 7 years old, I spent my pocket money at the local nursery and they gave me a junior discount. It worked well!  For example, gardening clubs supported by the Garden Centre for children after school - parents use the café and brings many more potential customers into the retail environment. Great engagement with youngsters and overall spending will increase!

9. What top 3 tips would you give to an audience who don't have a garden, but who wish to be involved with the movement towards indoor plant life?

Much of UK horticulture increasingly is being run by volunteers which give individuals great experience and exposure to gardens without having your own garden.

There are 1000's of garden clubs - gaining knowledge plus plant sales / swaps.

The rising trend in house plants - succulents /cacti etc. - don't just visit garden centres, look in Botanic Gardens and what is being grown there under glass and replicate the ideas at home to have more exotic plants than just cacti!

10. Is there anything you think the horticultural industry and garden retailers need to do differently?

Yes. No surprises here, but there is an issue with attracting younger people to work in the industry. It's seen too much of a vocation not a career and pay should be reflected accordingly. The industry should be made more appealing and be well supported with apprenticeships & recognised / supported qualifications. Pay should be increased to make it more in line with other comparable retail industries (e.g. fashion outlets and so on).   

11. Congratulations on winning the Garden Journalist of the Year award at the Property Press Awards in May! What's coming up next for you?

Thank you!

I have another 7 more films lined up for Gardener's World coming up for 2017.

My new book 'Revive your Garden' will be published at the end of March 2018.

And on-going, I am being kept busy with garden design & build projects, garden maintenance work, as well as public speaking and overseas tours.

12. What's on your career bucket list?

I would love to be more engaged with plant hunting aspects. There are parts of the world with new plants being discovered and I would love to be in that environment. Places like Patagonia or China: I would relish the adventure and treasure hunting and finding something new.

13. Most memorable moment?

When my first book '365 Days of Colour in Your Garden' went to the top of the best seller list. I was told prior to publishing the book that horticultural publishing was dead, so I was truly astounded to see the book perform in both the UK & European markets and to hold that top position for nearly 2 years. I hope the reason is that it taps into a very particular aspiration for all gardeners, year round colour!

14. Other than gardening, how do you relax / switch off?

I love being in the wild - for example, last summer I spent time in the Cairngorm region - being in an environment with no sign of human activity or presence, is both humbling and overwhelming, as well seeing plants in their natural habitats. For example, seeing Alchemilla alpina growing there was fantastic.

15. You are presenting 3 x 30 minute talks on Monday 11th September at Glee at the NEC, in Birmingham. Can you give us an idea of what you’ll speak about?

Emerging trends:

1. Threat to bees / wildlife & wider environmental concerns is leading to an expanding interest in eco & organic growing

2. Broadening demographic of those engaging in gardening in its widest sense

3. The broader range of Mediterranean climate zone plants species being available

How to use garden shows to promote your garden centre:

1. Stands, Displays & Sponsorship USP

2. Branding, Giveaways and Discounting

3. Clubs, Membership, Benefits & Services

Ways to engage the youth in horticulture:

1. Make more of the rising trend of youth engaging in "chefing" - vegetables, sourcing, home-grown etc.

2. 'Young Hort' and other representative youth bodies

3. The HTA and The Garden Centre Association (and similar), career shows / events 

Joining Glee’s keynote roster in 2017 will be well-known naturalist, film maker, author and co-designer of several award-winning garden wildlife products, Simon King OBE.

Simon will be presenting a special off-one session on Tuesday 12th September (2:10 – 2:30pm within Glee’s seminar theatre, Retail Lab) entitled ‘The Secrets to a Successful Wildlife Garden’.

Never before has there been such a wide choice of products to help attract and support wildlife in your garden. Whether you have a square metre in the heart of the city or a rambling spread in suburbia, there are a host of interventions you can make to increase both biodiversity and biomass in your home patch. It will be within Simon’s session at Glee that you will be able to learn more about what to look out for and how to make the most of what’s on offer.

Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director said: “I am so pleased to be able to confirm Simon as our second keynote speaker. His enthusiasm and passion for nature is infectious and I’ve no doubt that he’ll bring a number of exciting ideas to the fore that retailers and suppliers can consider in their future wildlife and associated ranges.”

The theme of nature will also be carried into Glee’s most exciting ever feature – the Retail Lab. One of the ‘Labs’ four sections will focus purely on ‘Re-Wilding’ and how retailers can work with nature to create unique shopping environments.From natural wildlife settings, and planting scheme inspired by the influential Dutch designer, Piet Oudolf, to insect houses, wild flower seeds, and bird feeders, the Re-Wilding trend will offer a fully immersive experience for those wanting to tap into this ever-growing trend.  The area will include a range of products and display ideas that demonstrate how retailers can incorporate the Re-Wilding trend in-store. Look out for a virtual reality pod, and special botanic store, and products linked to sustainability, water-saving and green roofs.

Full details about the wider Glee seminar schedule, and Retail Lab can be found at https://www.gleebirmingham.com/event-timetable and https://www.gleebirmingham.com/visit/retail-lab-at-glee

• • • August Preview        - 20th August
    • Late August Preview  - 25th August
    • Full Show Preview           - 1st September
    • Build up preview - Live from the Show - 10th September 
    • Live from the Show Day 1 - 11^th September
    • Live from the Show Day 2  - 12^th September
    • Live from the Show Day3   - 13^th September
    • Omnibus Issue                 - 27th September