Welcome to this first issue of the Glee Daily News for 2021.  We are so excited to be preparing for a real live event at the NEC and judging by all the conversations we’ve been having with exhibitors and garden retailers it will be, more than ever, a Glee-full occasion.

This is our “Late August” preview issue to give you a flavour of what’s to come and it will be followed up by our Full Preview issue during the week before Glee and then LIVE! Issues during Glee starting with our Build Up sneak preview on the evening of Monday 13^th August.

If you’ve not registered for Glee yet, you can do that now using this link

As well as bringing you Glee Daily News, the team from GTN have also been working on the Glee Show Guide which you’ll be able to collect up at the entries to the show.

Watch out also for GTN’s September issue, our printed Glee Preview issue.  That is packed with loads of information about exhibitors activities at Glee so that you can plan your visit and make the most of your time at Glee.

See you at the NEC!

Events are back, with Glee leading the charge as the first dedicated garden retail exhibition to make its in-person return post-lockdown (14th-16th September NEC Birmingham). This year’s show will bring together hundreds of brands and thousands of exciting products under one roof, providing garden buyers with the first opportunity in 18 months to ‘shop’ new ranges to boost their retail offering and build on the incredible momentum created throughout lockdown.

Reopening in line with government guidelines, Glee will provide a ‘Safe & Secure’ space where, under the banner of ‘refuelling retail’, the garden retail industry can come together to build business and network, as well as gathering inspiration for new product ranges, merchandising and point of sale, social media and branding. A visit to Glee can help fill the void created during the last 15 months where retailers were unable to focus on buying or source innovation and trend-led ranges.

Matthew Mein, Glee’s Event Director, said: “We move into the 2021 event with a sense of excitement regarding the future development of our sector following a period of significant growth. Despite the pressures that have been placed on many by the supply chain, gardening has won the hearts and minds of so many and, as such, we are moving into a new chapter supported by a newly expanded ‘gardening army’. From an engaged audience, the ongoing potential of the ‘millennial pound’, new tech hitting the market, and a wealth of existing ranges continuing to hit the mark, Glee 2021 will be a thriving hub for the garden retail market, offering unrivalled value for both suppliers and visitors.”

Glee – home to eight thriving product sectors

Exhibitors from across Glee’s eight product sectors are already busy planning their return to the exhibition. Whilst the pressures of the pandemic have forced suppliers to work differently, for many, new product development continued at pace. Reacting to consumer demand, suppliers are expected to bring to market products with a defined sustainability ethos, products that make life easier for gardeners, including high-tech innovations, plus latest design updates to core, volume-driven categories.

Garden Care is Glee’s most thriving area, and this year is set to feature everything from growing media, compost, fertilisers, and GYO products to garden machinery, garden tools and accessories, perfect for enticing the three-million strong new gardeners which took up the hobby during lockdown to keep flexing their green fingers.

Key exhibitors for Glee Garden Care include Evergreen Garden Care, Westland, Taylors Bulbs, Spear & Jackson, Mr Fothergills Seeds, Doff Portland, Fallen Fruits, Hozelock, Bathgate Silica, Agralan, DLF Seeds, Durston Garden Products, Equigrow, Sipcam Home & Garden, Sorbus International, Kaemingk, Handy Distribution, Garland, Fiskars, Husqvarna, De Ree, Graf, Hygeia Chemicals and Kapiteyn.

Glee’s Landscaping and Garden Decoration provides an unrivalled showcase of influential brands and leaders in garden and landscaping design.  Featuring stunning displays, this area of Glee is a must-see section of the show, featuring many best-practice examples of how to cross-sell products in situ. From hard landscaping and aggregates to fencing, garden buildings and decorative accents such as pots, structures, soft landscaping, statuary, water features and timber supplies, Landscaping and Garden Decoration has everything to help garden retailers, builders’ merchants and landscapers to maximise those products that create the framework of every garden.  

Exhibitors confirmed so far for the 2021 show include Azpects Ltd, Gorse Lodge Ltd, Enigma Home and Garden, Active Products UK Ltd, Woodlodge, Zest 4 Leisure, Primeur, Ivyline, Treadstone Products, Protek, Meadow View Stone, Yorkshire Flowerpots, Terraflex, Onduline Building Products Ltd, Mercer Agencies, Jagram, Hamac Trading, EKJU, Easigrass, Capi Europe, Abitquakers, Biohort, Deroma, Rowlinson Garden Products and Vivid Arts.

Outdoor Entertaining is the place to source products that really enable people to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle and will feature the best from the industry’s leading companies, making it the ideal opportunity for buyers looking to source next year’s ranges and tap into the stratospheric rise in the popularity of these products over the last 18 months. Showing everything from garden furniture, barbeques and parasols to chimeneas, conservatory and indoor furniture, play equipment and camping essentials will be Napoleon Grills, MORSØ, Kamado Joe, Broil King, Dizmezs Ltd, Pit Boss, Campingaz, Primus, CPL Distribution, Fusion Fire Bowls. O-Grill, Pearsons of Duns, Traeger Grills Europe, Premier Decorations, Tramontina, Grizzly Oven, Extreme Lounging and Black & Stainless Creative Metalworks.

Despite the pressures of the pandemic the popularity of gifts, homeware and outdoor clothing shows no sign of abating, helping to keep the tills ringing year-round as consumers look to optimise key gifting events as well as adding value to their homes and garden with stylish accessories. Post-lockdown, a shift towards UK-grown talent and production is coupled with an increased average spend as consumers look to treat themselves and loved ones more than ever following a year of enforced distance. As such, Glee’s popular Home, Gift & Clothing category is set to welcome a range of brands offering everything from outdoor clothing ranges and picnicware to seasonal decorations, games, toys and books, including Regatta & Craghoppers Limited, Teal International Ltd (The Satchville Gift Company), Leon Boots Co., Ecovibe Ltd, Little Plover, GRS Footwear, Kingsley Designs Ltd (Bootpac), Checker Leather, Casdon Toys, HJ Hall (Pantherella International Group Ltd), New English Teas, Korbond, Chive, The Strats Trading Company, Rouchette SAS, Evercreatures, Willsow Ltd, and Woodmansterne Publications (W Select).

Glee Plants (Green Heart) is where buyers can shop for the best in nursery stock, bedding plants, trees and shrubs, as well as houseplants which has seen annual sales boom to over £4 billion as ‘urban jungles’ and ‘plant parents’ become the norm. Brand confirmed for the Glee Green Heart in 2021 include Javado, Jadecliff, Key Essentials, The Christmas Cabin, Infinity Christmas Trees, Laurica Plants, Floreac NV, and SP Trading.

Any garden retailer wanting to maximise the profitability and efficiency of their own store, won’t want to miss the wide range of retail support suppliers within Glee’s Retail Experiences & Services and the dedicated Food & Catering sectors.  Exhibitors confirmed for these two thriving and vital sectors include Swan Retail, Garden Connect, Pleydell Smithyman, Fordingbridge, CSY Retail, Creative Products, Whitco Catering & Bakery Equipment, Malcolm Scott Consultants, Urban Farm it, Formbar, Open Retail, 3 Pugs Gin, The Secret Garden Distillery and Tri-Star Packaging.

Finally, Glee’s PAW (Pet & Animal Wellbeing) sector will offer access to leading brands covering product sectors such as grooming, pet food, pet accessories, wild animal wellbeing, bird feeders, pet toys and wildlife gardening. This dedicated section of the exhibition will be a true destination for retailers who want to tap into the potential of this £6.2 billion (Statista report June 2021) industry and create a truly unique and personal customer experience. Look out for brands including Goodchap’s, Marriage Specialist Foods, Christies Direct, Vetark Products Ltd, The Edible Gang Limited, Hownd, Sniffe & Likkit, Scott Paper, Weenect, Mimi’s Daughter, Kelso & Titch, Collarways Limited, Aqueos, Weenact and Jacobi Jayne & Company.

Retailers wanting to nurture grass root businesses will be sure to make a stop by Glee’s Innovators Zone. Since its launch in 2009 the Innovators Zone has already helped more than 275 companies break into the garden retail market. This special area is designed to help nurture fledging product development and one-off design ideas, whilst also bridging the gap between market-ready new product launches from established companies and pre-commercial product ideas.  

WHAT ELSE TO SEE AT GLEE

Glee New Product Showcase & Buyers Power List

Glee is a celebration of the best products and best practice on both the supply and retail side that our industry has to offer, and the forthcoming edition of the show will incorporate two major industry awards ceremonies which reflect this.

For suppliers, there is the GTN sponsored New Product Showcase, which celebrate the best new product innovations as well as tried and tested favourites which have stood the test of time. This year’s showcase will see shortlisted entries make their pitch to the judging panel on September 14^th and 15^th. 

The best of garden retailing will also be celebrated at Glee with the prestigious Buyers Power List for 2021, to be held on Wednesday 15^th September. The awards recognise the individual buyers and buying teams who have gone above and beyond to make a difference within the garden retail industry this year.

Glee’s seminar content – The Stage

As always, Glee will offer visitors a free, three-day seminar programme organised in conjunction with the HTA (Horticultural Trades Association), providing an enriched programme of expert business and garden retail advice to help grow your business through challenging trading conditions. This content will be derived from extensive industry research and is set to tackle key talking points, struggles and successes.

Trade association support

As the central networking hub for the garden retail industry, Glee will once again play host to vital trade associations including GIMA, HTA, Gardenex and the GCA, all of which will all be welcoming existing and potential new members for the duration of the show, offering invaluable advice and expertise to those who need it.

GIMA will again run its popular speed-networking event, Buyers Connect, for the duration of the show. These effective and efficient business meetings are the perfect opportunity to make personal contacts with the most sought-after buyers and suppliers, without wasting any precious show time*.

REGISTER TODAY

Entry to Glee is free of charge to all pre-registered visitors.  Simply register via the Glee website www.gleebirmingham.com/register.  

Online registration for Glee is now live, enabling buyers and retailers to get online and book their free ticket to the first in-person garden trade exhibition anywhere in Europe within the last 18 months.

With the absence of live events having been felt across the industry, retailers from independent and multiple garden centre chains, DIY and high street stores, e-commerce sites, pet shops, home & gift and outdoor leisure specialists, builders’ merchants and landscapers alike will not want to miss out on securing their free ticket to Glee 2021 where over 300 brands – including 100 companies never before seen at the exhibition - come together to showcase eight thriving products sectors and also launch thousands of new products.

To register for Glee 2021 simply visit www.gleebirmingham.com and click the ‘Register Today button to confirm your attendance at the show.

In addition to bringing together the biggest and most exciting showcase of established and emerging brands, Glee will also be a hotspot for cross-industry networking and will benefit from a rich educational and inspirational programme of content that is designed to arm retailers with invaluable advice to help grow their businesses despite challenging trading conditions.

Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director, said: “Whilst visiting gleebirmingham.com why not also view the wealth of wider information that is available, helping you to plan your trip around the show. With so much content and so many exhibitors ready and willing to do business, a visit to Glee can be a fully-packed three-day agenda so time spent pre-planning will pay dividends onsite.” 

Important details on the latest Safe & Secure measures put in place to ensure a safe reopening of Glee – including the introduction of Covid-19 Status checks – can also be found at gleebirmingham.com/the-community/safe-secure. All attendees are advised to view this information before travelling to the show.

Find out more 

To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.  

Garden Care categories boom with Evergreen Garden Care (EGC) leading the charge, accounting for a third of all growth.

With lockdown providing ample opportunity for us to spend time in our gardens, it’s no surprise that 2.7m new households entered the garden care category last year, resulting in a growth of 76.9% YOY[1]. For Evergreen Garden Care, the growth was above and beyond this at 84.1% YOY.  

According to GfK data, between January and April 2021 the company grew ahead of the market and competitors, delivering +84% of value growth, most notably adding over £1m incrementally to the plant food category and adding over £2m incremental growth to the growing media category. This has been a particularly unusual season due to how fast sales began this year, but this doesn’t underestimate the growth that has been demonstrated across the gardening category.

House Plant Care is one of the fastest growing categories at +78% YTD – the category is becoming increasingly important with more consumers joining the houseplant trend, and the ability to enjoy gardening in any space. Evergreen Garden Care doubled its market share in this category - driven predominantly by the Miracle-Gro Pump & Feed with growing rate of sale by 93%YTD.

This year has not been without its challenges, with suppliers being forced to evolve and the industry-wide challenge of meeting the increased demand for growing media. The core range of the Miracle-Gro and Levington brands has been vital for this growth, providing new and novice gardeners the tools they need to start their gardening journey. 

To find out more, visit www.evergreentrade.com

For more information, contact evergreengarden@wildcard.co.uk

Over the past 18 months, gardening has been a key past time and source of relaxation for many people, leading to a surge in consumer demand for gardening equipment.

This trend in gardening is set to continue, meaning it is now more important than ever for gardening brands to constantly monitor consumer interests and develop products that will help everyone, from budding first-timers to the most active gardeners, to find the right products to help their garden flourish.  

Hozelock has specialised in meeting the needs of gardeners for over 60 years and, in 2022, is extending its product offering to launch a variety of new, innovative products at Glee.

The new portfolio includes an innovative tumbling composter, the EasyMix 2-in-1, which allows gardeners to recycle their food and garden waste into a soil-enriching compost and a high-nutrient liquid feed that can be easily distributed using the ‘Click & Spray’ hose attachment. 

With environmental issues on the nation’s agenda, sustainability has also been at the forefront of Hozelock’s product development for 2022 and will be a key focus on-stand throughout the event. Hozelock is committed to increasing the sustainability of its products, packaging and manufacturing processes. Notably, from 2022, its knitted hose range will be made from 40% recycled PVC*.

Keen to find out more and see the full range of new products? Join us at Hall 6, Stand A40-B41.

*On average across the range; as the % is dependent on the diameter of the hose 

Multi-award-winning ECO Garden from Primeur has, since its launch in 2016, generated an important conversation regarding sustainable material innovation.

Made from recycled rubber tyres, which would otherwise take upwards of 80 years to decompose, ECO Garden – which includes the stunning Tierra Verde range of self-watering planters – continues to demonstrate to retailers and consumers alike the many benefits that come from breathing new life into this waste product, in turn keeping the tills ringing.

With the 2022 season just around the corner, Primeur has added new designs to its offering, all of which will be enjoying their ‘first look’ at Glee 2021 (Hall 20, stand C40-C41).

Extending the ECO Garden landscaping offering which is made up of garden borders, stepping-stones and decking, will be Primeur’s newest garden border design: Maryland. Drawing on the success of the Carolina border, the new Maryland design – available in grey and earth colourways – draws its design inspiration from traditional log roll, whilst, unlike its wooden counterpart, also boasts a significant number of environmental and application benefits. From UV stability, to crack and rot-resistant, Primeur’s Eco Garden Maryland border is built for longevity and is backed by the company’s proven merchandising display units to drive sales in-store.

Furthering its appeal within garden retailers as well as within builders’ merchants and DIY stores, Primeur will also be using Glee to launch a new multi-functional deck board installation option – MultyDeck.

This new cost-effective innovation allows decking to be laid much quicker when compared to the traditional installation process, giving users a multitude of applications including patios, balconies, walkways, allotments and so much more.

Like the wider Eco Garden collection, MultyDeck will be made from recycled rubber and will enjoy the same features and benefits.

Find out more

To find more about Primeur’s full product range and to discuss your tailored product needs, please contact the team on 01274 518800 or email sales@primeur.ltd.uk

Onduline’s innovative and impactful EASYLINE Point of Sale (PoS) display units, introduced by the market leading manufacturer to help garden centres and other leisure retailers drive sales, will be taking centre stage on stand 6F23 at Glee 2021.

Visitors to Onduline’s stand will be able to see first-hand how these attractive, striking and free-standing displays are the ideal solution for helping retailers make an impact with customers and influence impulse purchases in-store.

Simple to stock on the shop floor, the EASYLINE PoS displays from Onduline look fantastic, with strong branding and clear calls to action, perfectly showcasing the EASYLINE range for customers, complete with accessories and fixings.  The displays also include a QR code that, when scanned, leads the customer to a simple-to-follow installation video.

The ONDULINE EASYLINE range is a compact and lightweight roofing system which can be used for sheds, studios, pet shelters and other garden buildings and annexes.  

Easy to fit into the boot of a typical family car, the range is a popular choice for its ease of transportation and the fact that it’s simple to cut and install, making it extremely user-friendly.  

Available in a number of bright and vibrant colours, EASYLINE is an attractive and fashionable alternative to traditional shed felt.  Its 10-year waterproofing guarantee and eco-credentials - with each sheet made of 50% to 60% recycled fibres – are also key selling points, plus the fact that it contains no hazardous substances, making it completely safe for people and family pets.

To find out more, visit Onduline’s stand at Glee 2021 (6F23) or visit www.onduline.co.uk.

The Old Railway Line and Moss & Moor garden centres sing the praises of Woodmansteme's W-Select Service as they increase card sales and impress customers.

Greetings card sales should be high on every garden centre’s agenda when planning your visit to Glee, following the 31% growth in card sales from 2019 to 2021 reported by GTN Bestsellers. Analysis of Epos data provided to GTN Bestsellers indicates that greeting card volumes have grown by 40% since 2017, so making the best decisions for supply, merchandising and management of greetings cards to maximise the opportunity is key to delivering increased customer satisfaction. 

GTN has been investigating the success of Woodmansterne's W-Select service at The Old Railway Line and Moss & Moor garden centres who have both recently moved to the W-Select service. You can find out more at Glee, Hall 20, stand 20A10-B11.

Customers love the new card ranges at The Old Railway Line 

At The Old Railway Line Garden Centre, customers travel an hour or so to visit the rural Mid-Wales 3 ½ acres site, so the family team have to work every inch of space hard to get maximum potential from it. 

Operations Director, Katie Eckley, explained why they moved to W-select: "I was first attracted by the quality of the cards and minimal packaging as we are looking at all areas of the business to reduce waste where possible. The simple paper smart seal holding the card and envelope together is a great solution to removing plastic from our stands while preventing the issue of cards and envelopes becoming accidently separated and envelopes left behind.

''The service has been excellent all round. The initial set up was very well organised, the office updates us weekly with order confirmations and new barcodes, plus images if requested and our sales agent Brendan regularly does our merchandising and ensures the stands are looking full and fresh at all times. 

"Customers have commented on the quality of the cards and the new designs and brands have gone down really well, especially Rosie Made a Thing and Emma Bridgewater. Our team have noticed how the area feels light, spacious and much easier to shop. Sales have been fantastic, since we opened on 22nd March, we have seen a 36% increase on cards when comparing with 2019 and comparing sales last month with July 2020 we saw a 50% increase. 

"The service and sales have been more than we could have asked for and the whole team were excellent with the switch over. I would recommend Woodmansterne to anyone looking for a refresh with a high-quality greeting card offering.”

Traeger, the No.1 selling wood pellet grill in the UK and worldwide, is bringing superior grill expertise to Glee this September.

Thirty-five years of innovation means Traeger tech and taste reign supreme. With D2^® Technology, our variable speed fan and auger combine to control the fire like never before – eliminating standard pellet grill temperature swings and precisely grilling delicious meals. Traeger has a range of 7 superb grills of all sizes, suitable for every garden or even a courtyard or balcony.

Traeger’s patented WiFIRE^® technology, available on Timberline, Ironwood and Pro models gives you full control over your grill from a smartphone or watch, including over 1500 programmable recipes preloaded and programmable on the Traeger app.  

Traeger makes grilling to perfection is easier than ever before.  Simply select your recipe, set the time, and let the app and the Traeger Grill do the rest, smoothly moving through each step of the grilling process to monitor temperatures, check pellet levels and test internal food temperatures from wherever you are.

Jo McDonald, country manager for Traeger Grills in the UK, commented: “Our Smart grills offer the most flexibility for busy BBQers.  Traeger customers are customers for life, which also means great ongoing pellet sales opportunities”

Visit Traeger on stand 20E10-F11 to view our seven fantastic grills - RRP from £549 to £2,500 and find out why Traeger customers accept no imitation

When we left the NEC halls, having exhibited in September 2019, none of us guessed it would be two years until we returned? Our at Glee 2019, relating to 2020 Vision, retrospectively, can now be completely re written.

Company results, across the Garden Retail Market, ranged from catastrophic, to amazing! I am glad to say that Patio Black Spot Remover was lucky to be in the category of “Amazing”.

There were times when we wondered if things would ever be quite the same again – and to an extent, we still do.

Following our success at Glee 2019, with our award for “STONEKING” as the ‘Best New Product in the Garden Landscaping Section, the product was entered at RHS CHELSEA 2020, and was singled out as one of just 11 finalists, out a total of some 238 entries.

RHS Chelsea had to become ‘Virtual RHS Chelsea’ but the interest was, none the less,  phenomenal.

Since the garden centres have reopened, we are pleased to report that many of the centres that stock our Patio Black Spot Removal products have reported sales above pre-pandemic levels which is a great reflection on the strength of the garden retail business.

We are looking forward to welcoming both our existing clients and potential new stockists to our stand at Glee 2021.

There are also some new unique ideas we would like to introduce you to, including a brand new product for Spring 2022.

Expect a warm welcome from all at The Patio Black Spot Removal Company Limited.

Following the government’s recent update regarding the safe reopening of events and working in consultancy with the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) and the NEC, it has been confirmed that this year’s Glee exhibition (14th-16th September) will ask all attendees to verify their COVID-19 status on arrival.

Visitors and exhibitors at Glee 2021 will be asked to provide proof of completion of a full course of vaccination two-weeks prior to arrival; or proof of negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of arrival*; or proof of natural immunity shown by a positive PCR test result for COVID-19, lasting for 180 days from the date of the positive test and following completion of the self-isolation period.

These updated safety measures have been put in place to ensure that everyone participating in Glee 2021 feels both safe and secure onsite and are part of a list of measures that together form Glee’s “Safe and Secure Guidance”.

Created by Glee’s Operations Director, Ian Solomon – who has been instrumental in working with the event industry’s associations alongside the government to create a safe and secure route to reopening events – Glee’s Safe and Secure Guidelines will take into account all elements of the show including pre-, during and post show, and will ensure that all those onsite can rest assured that all possible measures have been put in place to reduce the chance of transmission.

Wider measures onsite will include access to hand sanitiser and increased cleaning regimes particularly in high traffic touchpoints, plus 3m wide aisles to allow for more comfortable movement around the event, and contactless registration of visitors at entry points.

Additionally, building on the experience gained when constructing and operating the NHS Nightingale Birmingham facility, the NEC has upgraded all the filter media within the ventilation systems to high efficiency F7 media, which was the standard specified by University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Trust.

Glee will also be a mask friendly event. Whilst not currently government legislation to wear masks, Glee will be encouraging all exhibitors, contractors, and visitors to consider wearing masks, especially when in enclosed or crowded spaces.  

Exhibitors have also been given a wealth of advice regarding how to ensure exhibition stands remain compliant, including guidance on stand layout, data capture, staffing and displaying product effectively. 

All of this, plus advice on how to plan your visit to Glee and details on how NEC facilities will be working within government guidelines can be found at https://www.gleebirmingham.com/the-community/safe-secure - with regular updates added as the show approaches.

Glee Event Director, Matthew Mein said: “The safety of our visitors and exhibitors is of paramount importance and we believe that by implementing COVID-19 Status checks – despite not currently being mandated by the government – we are operating in the best way to reduce the risk of transmission within the event itself. The return of Glee as an in-person event is a key milestone for us as an industry and we want to reassure our audience that we are doing everything we can to establish a safe and secure space for all involved.”

Adding to this, Ian Solomon, Operations Director said: “We appreciate that the situation is constantly evolving, which is why we are in continuous contact with our peers, supporting trade bodies, and the NEC to ensure that our ‘Safe and Secure’ guidelines go above and beyond.  Verifying COVID-19 status before entry is a pragmatic solution that is backed by the events industry as it enables exhibitions to resume but, more importantly, gives further confidence to customers that events are backed by protocols to ensure the safety and protection of all involved.” 

Find out more

To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.  To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2020 call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

* If your proof is a negative lateral flow test and you are onsite for multiple days this will need to be retaken and reported again every 72hrs.

The Glee team has confirmed that the 2022 event will move to a new date in order to meet the ever-developing needs of the garden retail sector. As a result, Glee 2022 will take place 28th-30th June.

Over several months, the Glee team undertook an in-depth consultation with key stakeholders, representing suppliers, retailers and trade associations. The outcome of these discussions was that a shift to a different time of year would better reflect, and support, the ongoing development of the garden retail supply chain and associated buying cycles.

This decision received unanimous support, and it has been confirmed that the annual Glee exhibition will take place in June, effective from 2022. The first show hosted under the new date line to take place on the 28th-30th, 2022.

1. Optimise profit potential of seasonal plants now - with seasonal plants being more topical than ever, the Green Heart represents an opportunity to buy high impact lines for immediate delivery and sale.
2. Get inspired: see, smell & touch – 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 & build relationships - learn about the latest trends in plant sales and access the newest varieties and new-for-2021/22 additions 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 product categories. This year Glee will be home to 300+ brands, including 100 never before seen at the show, making for the strongest display of products under one roof within the last 18 months.
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. Find new sources of supply – with an estimated three million new gardeners (HTA Retail Monitor Report, 2020) finding joy from greening their homes and gardens during the last 18 months, now is the perfect time to find new supply partners; partners that can provide access to exciting new varieties that will set your plant offering apart from your competitors and encourage customers back time and time again.
7. Generate sales this autumn from instant impact, show only deals - benefit from buying ‘show only’ deals, gaining extra margin and impulse sales potential for your store this autumn and beyond.
8. Brainstorm – use your time to share your ideas with growers, helping both parties to sell more plants to boost overall sales and profits.
9. Look ahead to 2022 and beyond - meet with both UK and international growers to find out more about their plans for the 2022/23 season.
10. 20+ plant suppliers showcasing indoor & outdoor plants – this year over 20 plant suppliers, growers and breeders will be showcasing their 2021/22 ranges and recent introductions within the Green Heart, including Key Essentials, Craigmarloch Nurseries Ltd, Porters/Happy Plants, The Bransford Webb Plant Company, Lovania Nurseries Ltd, New Leaf Plants, MNP Flowers, Pacific Nurseries and John Richards Nurseries.

The team from GTN are proud once again to be the official media partners for Glee producing the Glee Planner, the Glee Show Catalogue and the Glee Daily News...

After 18 months of all the challenges thrown at buyers and suppliers due to the COVID-19 pandemic Glee will be celebrating the best buyers of garden, leisure and pet products in the Glee Buyers Power List.

To acknowledge the immense pressure buyers have been under this year across the wide range of products the feature in garden, leisure and pet retailing there are 10 Glee Buyers Power List categories this year.

Nominations have been received from growers, suppliers, agents and wholesalers for the following categories of buyers and buying teams:

1.            Plants buyer/buying team of the Year

2.            Garden Care buyer/buying team of the Year

3.            Outdoor Leisure buyer/buying team of the Year

4.            Landscape buyer/buying team of the Year

5.            Home & Gifts buyer/buying team of the Year

6.            Pet buyer/buying team of the Year

7.            Retail Food & Drinks buyer/buying team of the Year

8.            Christmas buyer/buying team of the Year

9.            Overall Multiple Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year – 6 stores or more

10.          Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year – up 5 stores

The Glee Buyers Power List has celebrated the excellence of buying in the Garden, Leisure and Pet markets annually since 2015, and the winners have included:

Aylett Nurseries, B&M, B&Q, Blue Diamond, Enchanted-Earth.com, Frosts, gardensite.co.uk, Grovewell Garden Centres, Haskins, Homebase, John Lewis, MacKenzie & Cruikshank, Notcutts, Perrywood, Primrose.co.uk, Richard Jacksons Garden, Stax, The Range and Waitrose.

The winners of the Glee Buyers Power List 2021 will be announced live at Glee 2021 on Wednesday 15^th September 2021.

With less than a month to go until the doors open on the first in-person Glee event in two years, retailers from across the garden retail sector will be busy planning their trip around the show. These retailers will be pleased to learn that this year’s event will be home to both established brands and exciting new grass-root innovators, and during recent weeks the show has welcomed a plethora of companies to the 2021 roster; companies’ retailers will not want to miss out on seeing!

This year Glee is set to welcome over 100 new brands, across its eight thriving product sectors. From exciting pet brands looking to expand their reach into garden centres and new innovators of furniture for the garden and home to unique gift suppliers, fencing experts, firepit designers, lighting experts and soil improvers, Glee will be a varied hotbed of the newest products and suppliers that the garden retail sector has to offer.

Edgard Cooper will be showcasing its new range if naturally tasty pet foods, which includes its first-ever plant-based offering. Backed by sustainable packaging, Edgard Cooper will also be using Glee to tell the market more about its Zero Pawprint Plan – a special strategy to make a positive impact upon the planet by 2025.

Brand new for the 2022 season will be Altico who will be showcasing its complete range of decorative aggregates including Scottish pebbles and Indian stone, plus winter and landscaping essentials. This new company has been brought to market by industry stalwart Antony Harker and marks an exciting new chapter for the aggregates market.

Birkdale – self-penned as “by fencers, for fencers” – will be showcasing a selection of its wholesale gates and fencing products, including its DuraPost fence post system and the recently acquired Ellumiere by Birkdale range - the simplest and most effective 12V garden lighting system in the UK.

Lighting will also be displayed on the Forum Lighting stand. As one of the largest suppliers of lighting and radiant heating solutions, Forum Lighting’s stand will be a must for buyers from across the DIY, garden and wholesale sectors.

Furniture and home accessories will be represented by several exciting brands at Glee 2021 including Italian-based Bizzotto who will be making its debut, whilst Norfolk Leisure, one of the UK’s most passionate outdoor leisure brands will be making its return to Glee after a number of years away from the show. Joining them both will be RiverCo Trading, which will be launching its 2022 range of ergonomically designed furniture for the home and garden at the exhibition.

Elsewhere, Useful and Practical Ideas Limited, also known as the ‘10 Minute Garden’, will be launching its new Flower Tower ahead of the 2022 season. Manufactured using only recycled materials, and designed and manufactured in the UK, the Flower Tower will tap into the trend for vertical growing which has witnessed stratospheric growth during lockdown.

Handmade in Sussex, Corincraft Limited’s range of home fragrances, including aromatherapy stones, will appeal to home and gift buyers who want to bolster the uniqueness of their offering, whilst the team at Top Banana Group UK Ltd will be providing access to thousands of unique gifting products, all designed and manufactured by the UK’s best small creative businesses.

Creativity is at the core of Scrunch Kids’ 2022 offering. Debuting at Glee this September, buyers will no doubt be impressed by the company’s range of buckets, spades and seaside paraphernalia which can be rolled, folded and scrunched to make them virtually indestructible and a godsend for parents packing for family vacations.

Other names confirmed for Glee 2021 include planter suppliers, ArrayGRP Ltd; family-run Christmas tree growers, Ballykelly Christmas Trees;Biomation, a micro-R&D company developing hygroscopic soil improvers from organic waste materials; DSL Group is the company behind superior quality products with mass appeal, as seen on forecourts across the country; crop enhancement and nutritional products will be on display at Engage Agro Europe Ltd’s stand; Moolenaar BV who will be providing both private label and brand flower bulbs, perennials, seeds and plants; Galeabel Studios will be showcasing handcrafted garden décor and art including carved plant labels, birdfeeders and planters; and Hull Fire Pits who will be bringing the heat will its range of flat pack and collapsible firepits as well as Fire Globe Firepits

Register now!

To secure your free ticket to Glee 2021 simply visit www.gleebirmingham.com and click the ‘Register Today’ button to confirm your attendance at the show.

The countdown is on to Glee making its in-person return post-lockdown as exhibitors and visitors alike, eagerly await the chance to network, share ideas and celebrate new launches.

The 2021 show will bring together hundreds of brands and thousands of exciting products under one roof, providing retail buyers with the first opportunity they’ve had in 18 months to ‘shop’ new ranges but also the chance to glean insight about top trends and consumer behaviour, helping to shape their offer and capitalise on opportunities in the market.

Here, Glee exhibitors detail their bestsellers during a year that has seen unprecedented demand for garden products, whilst sharing market knowledge to give visitors an overview of what they can expect to see showcased in the halls at Glee this September.

Growing interest in gardening

With so many people spending more time at home as a result of lockdown, furlough and remote working, Primus has observed an increase in sales of many of its products over the past 12 months, with a huge uptake in demand for garden wall art – and butterflies – in particular. Steve Perry, Head of Marketing for Primus, says: “Everything was so unsure in March, when Coronavirus hit our shores but, fortunately, we have a strong supply chain, and we were able to have most stock in our warehouse. However, with everyone at home and spending so much time in the garden, butterflies were the first thing to sell out, even though we had already doubled up our stock!” Off the back of this, the 2021 range increased massively, with mirrors and silhouette art added, along with geckos. Steve continues: “The 2022 season will see more expansion in this hugely-popular area, and we can’t wait to show everyone the new products at Glee.”

Fiskars has also noted how interest in DIY and gardening has grown, as consumers adapted to changes to their lifestyle. Many homeowners found themselves with more time and money to invest in their property, whilst gardening was lauded as a therapeutic source of relaxation and comfort during the pandemic.

As a result, there has been an increase in the number of consumers purchasing lawn repair and garden tools, with sales of the Fiskars Xact™ Weed Puller surging during 2020, as more homeowners devoted their time to looking after their lawn properly.

The state-of-the-art Xact™ Weed Puller features a robust design and is crafted using advanced manufacturing techniques and materials. Developed with the consumer in mind, it has been specifically created for optimal durability, function, and comfort. The tool is innovative and eco-friendly and allows users to remove weeds without the use of chemicals.

Consumers have turned their attention to maintaining and revamping their garden; a space they have spent significantly more time in over the past 18 months. This trend lead to a surge in customer demand from both avid gardeners and also those getting to grips with their garden for the first time.

For first-time gardeners, products that are straightforward and easy to use, such as the Hozelock Auto Reel, became must-have items. The wall mounted hose system allows a 180-degree reach for all areas of the garden, without the need to untangle any kinks. Plus, its patented automatic rewind system means that putting the hose away is simple and quick – perfect for those who don’t want to spend time manually winding in a hose. The product experienced a 35% increase in sales in 2020 due to the surge in new demand. 

Bathgate has also seen a boost from the growing number of Brits taking up gardening, with sales of all of its horticultural products rocketing over the past year. The company’s Multi-Purpose Compost (50 litre and 70 litre) and Enriched Topsoil have proved particularly popular with keen gardeners.  Both are premium quality and highly versatile. The Multi-purpose Compost is ideal for seed sowing, cuttings, bedding plants, plug and pot plants, and can be used in trays, pots, tubs, baskets and containers. Natural and additive free, Bathgate’s Enriched Topsoil can significantly enhance soil and be used in beds and borders, as well as on lawns.

Making a difference

For those consumers growing their own for the very first time, the challenge of preventing pests attacking their carefully tended edible crops could prove frustrating. This, naturally, resulted in a rise in pest control products. However, the new breed of gardener that has emerged over the past 18 months has a strong focus on sustainability and leans towards the use of chemical-free, eco-friendly products in their outdoor spaces, which gave a welcome boost to firms like Gardening Naturally. “Our insect netting is still one of our top-selling products, protecting fruit and vegetables from most insect pests, including the cabbage white butterfly, pea moth, cutworm, leek moth and many further species of aphids. You can feed and water through the netting too which makes life easy.

“Customers are enthused by our insect netting as it is extremely easy to simply lay over crops, hoops and cages. The netting simply ‘grows’ with the crop as it is incredibly lightweight and easy to use. Any crop can be covered with this insect netting. Use this netting all year round, not only does it protect against insects it also gives protection against heavy rain, wind and mild frosts which is ideal for our ever-changing British climate.”

The push to reduce our impact on the planet and garden more responsibly continues to gain momentum. Sipcam Home & Garden used Glee 2020 to launch its ecofective concentrated ‘Refills’ range to help reduce plastic waste. The purpose of the 200ml Refill range is to encourage users to re-use their empty, original, RTU ecofective bottle by adding the concentrated refill and topping up with water. This saves the need of throwing away the larger, RTU bottle and instead the 200ml recyclable bottle can be recycled, creating less impact to the recycling process and, ultimately, less waste for the planet. “This is a new concept within the gardening world, but we’re seeing consumers really engaging with the range,” says the company. “We believe consumers are making more informed decisions when it comes to products and the packaging that’s being used, with POS data reporting a one (refill) in seven (RTU) ratio trend across a number of the refills, meaning for every seven RTU’s purchased, one refill is purchased. We had originally expected a one in 10 ratio, so this range is exceeding our expectations.”

A new organic feed range from Vitax has also proved a hit with gardeners for the 2021 season, as they look to boost their gardens with natural feeds. Vitax Organic All Purpose Plant Food and Vitax Organic Tomato Food have become two of Vitax’s bestsellers this season, along with popular gardening brands Vitax Q4, Slug Gone and 6X.

Both feeds use 100% natural, plant-based ingredients, are child-, pet- and bee-friendly and ideal for vegan gardening. Organic All Purpose Plant Food is rich in organic nutrients and completely versatile; a perfect choice for gardeners looking for a good all-round feed which help produce stunning flowers and fabulous crops of vegetables.

Meanwhile, Organic Tomato Food is a super concentrated, high potash fertiliser that benefits from iron and naturally present trace elements. It also contains magnesium - essential for tomato plant energy to produce an abundance of juicy tomatoes. Both new feeds are packaged in a recyclable bottle which carries the Organic Farmers & Growers approved mark.

A boon for outdoor living

It’s not just garden maintenance that saw a boost during the pandemic. Brits wanted to enjoy their outdoor spaces and maximise the time they could spend enjoying the garden (even on chilly evenings) – particularly, as Government guidelines meant that any chance to see friends and family usually revolved around being outdoors.

Demand for Mercer Leisure’s stylish Amalfi Square Fire Pit Garden furniture has skyrocketed over the past 12 months. This set is designed with luxury all-weather rattan, handmade from a high-quality natural, weave with varied textures and tones. It comes with an easy-to-use integrated fire pit that provides heat and a real centre piece in any garden. The cushions are also showerproof and machine washable. The Amalfi set comes with a five-year UV guarantee and offers quality, comfort and a durable addition to the garden. 

Mercer Leisure says: “We believe the Amalfi set has performed so well this year because it provides quality at competitive pricing. The impact of COVID leading to the consumer trend for better outdoor living spaces has also benefitted our sales.”

The aesthetics of gardening are just as important as what gardeners are growing, as consumers enjoy putting their stamp on their outdoor spaces, especially with a carefully curated selection of pots and planters. B GREEN has seen customers fall in love with the look of naturally-patinated pots. Building on this success, the company recently introduced a glazed line and reports that one of the best-selling items in this already-popular range is the F. Available in a variety of colours, the glazed green/blue mix has sold particularly well in the UK. The pots are handmade by a little Vietnamese pottery and burnt in small ovens, meaning that the colors and patination are unique in every batch, allowing consumers to have something unique in their garden. “When so many pots on sale in the UK have a very uniform appearance, the fact that the glazed lace-pot has variations really appeals to customers,” says a representative for B GREEN. The pots can be used indoors, as well as outside in a greenhouse or garden environment, the soft colour combination of the LACEPOT makes it a versatile piece that can easily be mixed and matched with different pots or pieces from the B GREEN range.

“Longevity, confidence, trust, beauty, enviro-consciousness, and community: These are some of the positive attributes consumers are seeking in a post-Covid world,” says Henri Studio/Stonecasters “We deliver on all fronts.  Our original outdoor fountain designs have stood the test of time, enhancing gardens around the world with visual and audible appeal.  As families have ‘come back home’ and invested time and effort in beautifying their surroundings, a Henri Studio fountain or garden ornament has become the crowning touch in many landscape masterpieces.  Our products are naturally made of limestone, sand, cement and water; a combination that will provide decades of enjoyment for the garden enthusiast.”

Opportunities in pet products

Another huge change in consumer behaviour was the sharp rise in pet ownership, as lonely consumers or those finding themselves at home more, welcomed four-legged additions to their family. The Pet Food Manufacturer’s Association (PFMA) reported a “staggering rise in pet acquisition” as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, with dogs the most favoured pet, closely followed by cats.

The explosion of dog ownership during the pandemic has resulted in huge demand for toys and, as a result, the West Paw range of durable products reported a phenomenal increase in turnover of more than 250% in the UK over the past 12 months, with demand still strong.  The most popular are the enrichment toys to help occupy and reward good behaviour, especially as playing with a mentally stimulating toy requires more energy than an hour’s walk in the park.  The Zogoflex Toppl, Qwizl and Rumbl are the best-selling products in the range and, being made in the USA by a B-corp company, this brand ticks all the right boxes for consumers.  Available in the UK from Collarways.

Goodchaps also recorded a significant rise in demand for its already-best-selling Pup’s 1st Fetch & Tug, an eco-friendly toy duo for puppies and smaller dogs. To capitalise on the trend, the company decided to launch a gift box aimed at these same consumers. Pup’s 1st Gift Box contains a set of handmade cotton rope toys, 150g of Goodchaps’ popular healthy training treats and a pocket-sized tin to keep them in.

As activity ramps up ahead of Glee 2021, GIMA is encouraging new business and innovators to consider entering the 2021 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund, with this year’s winner being unveiled at Glee, the leading annual exhibition for the garden and outdoor leisure industries.

Introduced in 2014 – and supported by Glee ever since - the fund offers the winner an unrivalled prize package, including a grant of up to £6,000  and help with developing and marketing their product to the UK garden retail sector. Included within this prize fund is a year’s full GIMA membership, plus a wide range of business support tools designed to help ease the journey into a new and unfamiliar marketplace, such as free exhibition space at Glee and free PR support during the event; design, development and manufacturing or marketing cost support up to the value of £3,000; access to an industry business consultant; one-year ACID (Anti Copying In Design) membership; and a half page advert in the next GIMA Product Digest.

Since its inauguration, six highly deserving winners have been crowned, all of which have gone on to witness significant core growth. Last year’s winners were Natural Grower, who were selected by the judges thanks to the potential of its Natural Liquid Fertiliser, which taps into the ever-growing popularity of organic and veganic gardening. The judges said: “The product offering, and story behind the brand, is right on message and fits perfectly with the trends that are influencing category growth and consumer demands. An incredibly strong entry, Natural Grower offers well delivered products and a branding that stands out on the shelf. We’ve no doubt that retailers will be wanting to know more about Natural Grower.”

And, indeed, the judges were correct. Since winning the GISCF in 2019 Natural Grower have enjoyed significant growth as the company’s Charlotte Beaty explains: “We launched our Natural Grower liquid fertiliser and soil conditioner for organic growers in February 2019, and with the support of the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund we have had a phenomenal response. Our products are approved by the Soil Association, OF&G, the Vegan Society and the BioDynamic Association. The organic and vegan movements have gained traction over the last year, with consumers looking for more environmentally friendly ways to garden. The GISCF enabled us to develop and expand the marketing of our products and we were able to pay for consultants to advise us on additional e-commerce opportunities. As a result, we were able to make the most of the shutdown period to promote and sell our products online.”

Talking ahead of this year’s unveiling of the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund – which will take place on the first day of Glee 2021 (Tuesday 14^th September) - GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “I’m really excited to see what new innovations are emerging this year as gardening’s popularity increases. At GIMA, we are very keen to continue to support new and emerging businesses entering our sector as they are the lifeblood of the future.  Our Seed Corn Fund often gives these new businesses the kick start they need to succeed.”

Businesses interested in entering the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund in 2021 are invited to do so by visiting www.gima.org.uk/innovators-seed-corn-fund/ and completing the online application form ahead of the Friday August 20^th 2021. The full criteria on eligibility to enter can also be found here.

For further information about GIMA, please call (01959) 564947 or email info@gima.org.uk

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The Glee New Product Awards, in association with Garden Trade News, is one of Glee’s most inspirational features and is sure to be the place for buyers to source the most unique and sought-after products during Glee 2021. The showcase features the latest and greatest products on the market, offering visitors a chance to see all the newest products all in one place.

Exhibitors who display their products also get entered into The Glee New Product Awards. The winners are decided by a panel of expert judges who award the best products in their categories based on innovation, saleability and aesthetics.

The Top 3 products in each category will also have the chance to make a live pitch to the judges and the Glee audience as part of the judging process.

New Product Awards Glee 2021

• Plants, Seeds and Bulbs
• Growing Materials (growing media, plant feeds, pest & weed control)
• Growing Accessories (cloches, seed trays, hanging baskets plant supports garden gloves, garden kneelers, gardening clothing, etc)
• Garden Growing Containers (All pots, planters, indoor & outdoor)
• Garden Decoration (Garden ornaments, statuary, garden lighting, wall art etc)
• Garden Tools & Machinery (Hand and powered garden tools)
• Landscaping & Garden Buildings (Paving, pergolas, garden rooms, sheds & greenhouses)
• Garden Leisure & Entertaining (BBQ's, garden furniture & accessories etc)
• Wild Bird Care and Wildlife Products (Wild bird feeds, feeders, wildlife products etc)
• Homewares, Giftware, Toys & Games, and Clothing
• Pet Food
• Pet Health & Beauty
• Pet Accessories
• Retail Services & Experiences (Physical & digital)

Plus:

• Best of British
• Eco-Initiative
• Overall Best New Product

With over 300 new products expected to be entered and displayed in the Glee New product Showcase, exhibitors need to make sure they have made their entries via the Glee Exhibitor Zone. Due to “Safe and Secure” guidelines there won’t be a facility to make entries at Glee this year so entries must be made on-line well before the show.

We look forward to seeing you at the Glee New products Showcase and hope you’ll be able to join us for the announcement of the Glee New Product Award winners on Wednesday evening, 15th September 2021.

Back by popular demand, Thursday at Glee is your chance to join in some light-hearted fun as we get all floral to raise money for Greenfingers.

Just come to the show in your brightest floral gear, buy a Floral Tursday raffle ticket and be part of a record-breaking floral gathering.

Who will be wearing this shirt on Floral Thursday? Find out at Glee.

Here are 10 reasons why Glee should be firmly in your diary for September...

1. Exhibitions are back - Glee 2021 represents the first in-person garden retail event to take place anywhere in Europe within the last 18 months! With the absence of exhibitions felt so significantly, Glee 2021 is here to fill the void. Get up close and personal with new products, place orders for the coming season and meet with suppliers both new and existing.
2. 300 brands and counting - This year Glee will welcome over 300 brands to the exhibition roster, together covering eight core product sectors – Garden Care, Landscaping & Garden Decoration, Outdoor Entertaining, Plants, Home, Gift & Clothing, PAW (Pet & Animal Wellbeing), Retail Services & Experiences, and Food & Catering. With so many brands under one roof, retailers can expect to see the biggest profile of new products and innovation as thousands of new products are earmarked to exclusively launch ahead of the 2022 season at this year’s Glee event.
3. Welcome to 100+ debut brands - Newness at Glee doesn’t just take the shape of product, however. Look out for over 100 brands never before seen at the show. Covering everything from pots to growing media, pet care accessories to footwear, these new brands can offer your business the chance to diversify and build customer loyalty in the year ahead.
4. The return of big brands - Glee 2021 will also be welcoming back several brands that have not exhibited for a number of years. These brands, including Norfolk Leisure, Regatta & Craghoppers, Landmann, Apollo Gardening, Kettle Interiors and Azpects are back at Glee with an exciting story to tell and are ready to build new relationships with retailers.
5. Network, network, network - Zoom, Teams and Skype may have stepped up to the plate when it was needed most, but after 18 months of only seeing each other on the screen, we can perhaps all agree there is no real substitute for face-to-face. At Glee this year there will be plenty of opportunity to network like you’ve never networked before, so why not bring your whole buying team with you to cover more ground and make sure you don’t miss out on finding your dream supply partner!
6. Get connected - Let the Glee Connect app help guide you to new products. Designed to provide an unrivalled matchmaking solution to help suppliers and retailers get the most out of their time at the show, Glee Connect, is a pocket-sized interactive guide to the show. Built using intelligent AI- functionality, visiting retailers using Glee Connect will be able to better measure – and even increase - their ‘Return on Time’ spent at the show, through personalised exhibitor recommendations, and an easy-to-use meeting scheduling function.
7. Education & celebration - As always, Glee will offer visitors a free, three-day seminar programme organised in conjunction with the HTA (Horticultural Trades Association), providing an enriched programme of expert business and garden retail advice to help grow your business through challenging trading conditions. This content will be derived from extensive industry research and is set to tackle key talking points, struggles and successes. In addition, the Glee New Product Awards and Buyers Power List will celebrate the best our industry has to offer.
8. Get ahead of the curve – With over 300 brands, thousands of new product launches, an unrivalled seminar programme, and leading trade association support, Glee is the place to come to see exactly what trends are shaping consumer demand. A day spent at Glee will provide detailed insight into the trends, colours and issues that are shaping garden retail and what will keep the tills ringing the year ahead.
9. Access trade association support - As the central networking hub for the garden retail industry, Glee will once again play host to vital trade associations including GIMA, HTA, Gardenex, GCA, PetQuip and Pet Industry Federation, all of which will all be welcoming existing and potential new members for the duration of the show, offering invaluable advice and expertise to those who need it. 
10. Be safe and secure – Glee’s return is only possible due to the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that the show remains safe, secure and compliant with government Covid guidelines. From showing proof of Covid-19 status to increased cleaning regimes, wider 3m aisles, access to hand sanitiser and being a mask-friendly event, attendees can rest assured that the organisers have gone above and beyond to minimise the risk of transmission. Further details regarding Glee’s Safe & Secure measures can be found at www.gleebirmingham.com/the-community/safe-secure/guidelines-for-exhibitors