Industry high after thriving Glee exhibition
The doors to Glee 2017 may now be closed, but the industry praise continues to be heard. From busy aisles, full-to-capacity exhibiting space, a positive, business-building atmosphere and the strongest ever offering of focussed added value features – including the hugely popular Retail Lab @ Glee – this year’s event has proven that Glee’s evolution is continuing to hit the mark for the industries it represents....
The doors to Glee 2017 may now be closed, but the industry praise continues to be heard. From busy aisles, full-to-capacity exhibiting space, a positive, business-building atmosphere and the strongest ever offering of focussed added value features – including the hugely popular Retail Lab @ Glee – this year’s event has proven that Glee’s evolution is continuing to hit the mark for the industries it represents.
In a move to be more reflective of the changes taking places within trends, consumer spending habits and future growth potential, Glee 2017 was designed to be bigger, fresher and bolder – full of innovative feature content, tangible business advice and the strongest collection of brands ready and willing to forge relationships with retailers. And it is this overall offering that is drawing praise from buyers and buying teams, owner/operators, key decision makers and influencers from across the garden, landscaping, builders merchant, home, gift, pet and wider retail markets, who attended en mass, including 98% of GCA members.
From the new Retail Lab - which drew crowds from both the UK and Europe, keen to join the area’s Creative Director, Romeo Sommers, to learn more about the four key future facing trends that will impact gardening and retail in the year ahead – to the unrivalled seminar programme created by The HTA, Innovators Zone, GIMA Business Village, PetQuip Business Village, International Buyers Centres, and the Buyers Power List and Glee New Product Showcase – Glee’s action packed programme of events, plus 550 exhibitors, meant that for three-days the industry came together under the Glee banner.
What’s more, Glee also placed gardening on the national news agenda, with a visit from BBC Breakfast on Monday 11th September. Steph McGovern, the BBC Breakfast business correspondent, reported live from the show, putting Glee in front of an audience in excess of seven million. Kick starting the show in style, this national news coverage helped create a buoyant and positive mood throughout the exhibition.
Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director, said: “From the comments we have received from both buyers and suppliers, this has been the most vibrant and exciting Glee of recent years. It was clear that plenty of business was being done, new relationships were being forged, and people were seizing the chance to network and build their professional insight. Visitors also took advantage of Glee unrivalled inspirational content, with many taking the time to visit both our seminar programme, and our new-for-2017 Retail Lab feature. We want Glee to provide a vital platform for growth for both suppliers and retailers, and believe that Glee 2017 has worked to reaffirm this role.
“We have already taken a significant number of re-bookings from suppliers keen to secure their places at Glee 2018, as well as Glee @ Spring Fair in early spring 2018.”
The industry speaks – praise for Glee 2017
This year – more than ever – Glee offered buyers the chance to shop across every aspect of their gardening ranges. Over 550 brands, including 150 international companies and 200 brand new exhibitors, came together to create the most exciting showcase of new products and leading innovation, to be seen anywhere in the UK. Here exhibitors and visitors share their thoughts on the show.
Jonathan Stobart, Managing Director, Smart Garden Products: “We have had another very positive experience at Glee 2017. From our largest ever product introduction, to a significantly expanded Glee presence, and significant orders taken, it’s been a great show. We have already committed to 2018 show with an enlarged single stand.”
Sheila Hill, General Manager of The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd: “Glee 2017 was a fantastic show. The strong BBC Breakfast coverage demonstrated progress in the industry and allowed us to raise the profile of our brands. As well as its usual high calibre visitors and exhibitors, Glee highlighted clear trends for the coming year, including the need to address changing demographics and demand for natural product ranges. We were delighted to see the positive response to our new products, and comments from visitors on how our innovative stand design is helping to inspire retailers to display products in new ways to excite customers.”
Craig Hall, Marketing Director, Deco-Pak: “Glee 2017 was a fantastic show for the Deco-Pak brand. We use Glee as our annual launchpad for our new products and latest innovations, and this year was no different. We met with both existing and potential customers, and were so impressed by the quality of audience the show drew. The BBC Breakfast coverage was also great to see. We have already signed up for Glee 2018, increasing our stand presence by 25% to ensure we make as much impact as we possibly can!”
Christine Virginie, Marketing Manager at Fordingbridge: “Fordingbridge once again thoroughly enjoyed the annual Glee show. We caught up with lots of existing clients and formed relationships with lots of new ones too! What is so good about Glee is that it concentrates everyone under one roof for three days, as the number of clients seen over the duration of the show would ordinarily take several weeks to achieve. A great event and we have already booked our stand for 2018.”
Katy Bracewell, GA Pet Foods “It's a good show. We have spoken to key contacts and there are some good leads here to meet the right people an organisation would need. We think the show has been a real success. This is our first show at Glee after five years. We decided to come back because our business has developed and changed, therefore we wanted to know whether it would be worth it for us and it has been worth it. One of our new products is grain-free products. We would definitely attend Glee again, we think it's a lovely exhibition.”
Jackie Eades, Founder, Briers: “For us, Glee represents an unrivalled opportunity for launching new ranges, reinforcing the brand, business building and of course a bit of after-hours bonding thrown in too! It has been a great success for us in terms of the goals we set out to achieve. One was obviously to demonstrate the newly expanded award-winning kids ranges and latest licenced offerings in their merchandisers, whilst also promoting ourselves as an increasingly trend orientated lifestyle outdoor brand. The other was to strengthen the message around quality, with our dedicated Compliance Director taking retail partners through the steps we are now committing to in terms of ethical production, material sourcing and the environment.”
Jack Nelson, Managing Director, Muztag: “Glee has been a real success. This is my first trade show ever and even my first year of trading. I think Glee gives off great exposure for brands. It's really good that everyone is all available in one place. It's a really nice show, really friendly, everyone's been really helpful and I would definitely rebook.”
Kyle Daniels, Sales, bio-bean (winners of the 2017 GIMA Innovators Seedcorn Fund – announced at Glee): “We think the show has been really, really good. There are extremely high-powered supermarkets and sheds. Glee is by far the best show.”
Fiona Pringle, Enchanted Earth – Buyers Power List, Best Online Buyer/ Buying Team winners: “For me this was the best Glee in all my years of attending. I attend each year as it is the best show to see brand new ranges and trends in the garden centre sector, I like to meet with new and old suppliers. I particularly enjoyed the Retail Lab - the use of the plants and the design was amazing and really helped me to unwind and focus, great ideas and so calming.”
Lee Plevey, Managing Director, Plevey: “We like to come to Glee every year, just because we like how everyone is in the same place. Of course, there are some companies who don’t exhibit but the majority of them do and make such an effort, it seems a real shame not to come. Especially as Glee make a lot of effort into getting everybody here, so it seems a shame for us customers not to come.”
What next for Glee?
The 2017 exhibition may be over, but the plans for Glee in 2018 are picking up apace!
Glee at Spring Fair (4th – 8th February, NEC Birmingham)
Glee at Spring Fair will give retailers the opportunity to see new and best-selling ranges ahead of the spring season. A second addition at this time of year will give retailers an additional destination to refresh their ranges for key retail spikes. Glee in February will also provide garden 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.
The spring edition will also provide Glee exhibitors with a secondary revenue opportunity in the year, and an additional touchpoint to meet with new and existing customers, whilst also enabling Spring Fair to benefit from having a dedicated garden centre hub at its heart. Glee at Spring Fair will take prime location in Hall 3, considered to be in the main thoroughfare, and will have the signature wide boulevard synonymous with the September layout.
Time to grow: Glee 2018
Next year, Glee will be relocating to NEC Halls 6,7,8, 19-20, providing the show with a much bigger footprint, and an even larger and more exciting exhibition. Exhibitors will be able to relocate, whilst visitors will be walking an updated floorplan; discovering new products and companies at every turn.
The overall effect will be a refreshed, revitalised event, as Matthew Mein explains: “Glee has been growing at a significant rate and that means we’ve outgrown our current home. Glee has successfully relocated before, and we hope that this next move will be received with the same level of industry support. Not only will the exhibition be able to better accommodate more exhibitors and visitors, but its refreshed layout will breathe new life into the show. This move is inspired by the way that retailers keep their store interesting for customers by constantly revising the layout. This way customers discover more, and ultimately spend more – something we know our exhibitors and visitors want to replicate during their time at Glee.”
Building more content to help support the continuous growth of gardening in the UK will be a key theme of the 2018 event. Garden retailing is continuing to buck the trend that other retailers have fallen foul of, with growth for both garden retailers and suppliers continuing to grab the headlines. At Glee 2018 look out for more features, seminar sessions and year-round information relating to trends, merchandising and practical advice on ways to build better business, whilst also tackling the most burning issue – how to attract millennials into the garden centre.
Find out more
Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits for buyers and suppliers within the core gardening and outdoor leisure product categories. To keep up-to-date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com. To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2018 call 020 3033 2160.
 |
|
Kelkay driving footfall and basket value
Just twelve months after the launch of their new branding and merchandising system, Kelkay have continued their extraordinary work rate by launching more than 80 new products, two completely new brands, a volume-driving promotional for aggregates and a totally new concept for outdoor landscape merchandising and point of sale...
Just twelve months after the launch of their new branding and merchandising system, Kelkay have continued their extraordinary work rate by launching more than 80 new products, two completely new brands, a volume-driving promotional for aggregates and a totally new concept for outdoor landscape merchandising and point of sale.
Visitors to the Kelkay stand at Glee were introduced to the new Portfolio range of porcelain paving which presents this beautiful, strong and versatile material to the market in an easy-to-shop presentation.
The Landscape Project was also on show, bringing together new garden features and vital accessories into a new value-driving opportunity for hard landscape retailers.
The RHS gardener’s collection has been one of Kelkay’s notable success stories and the merchandising and POS for the range has been updated for 2018.
They have also added a new and exciting RHS endorsed range of Endangered Wildlife Stepping Stones. The new Bee, Dragonfly, Owl & Hedgehog Stepping Stones capture some of the species the RHS are supporting the fight to protect.
The ground breaking Get Creative merchandising scheme has been designed to help retailers develop their hard landscaping category and build value as well as providing inspiration at both retail and consumer level.
The successful Pot Toppers range has been extended to include even more Rockincolour shades as well as the addition of the successful Touch and Feel point of sale to the merchandising units.
As well as introducing 31 new features to the Easy Fountain range Kelkay have also identified ten Best Seller lines for which they will be guaranteeing availability next season. They’ve also added 13 Exclusive Opportunity limited availability features available for order before October.
The hugely successful Kelkay aggregates volume promotion continues on selected lines with the tried and trusted ‘buy 3 get 1 FREE’ bags. For 2018 a new volume-driving promotion will be added exclusively on Cornish Stone which features the price crunching ‘5 bags for £20’.
Sarah Downing, Head of Marketing, commented: “It’s been a busy and exciting time for the whole team, and we are delighted with the reception we’ve enjoyed from our customers.” 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
|
|
|
|
Meadow View Stone unveil a new customer experience
Visitors to Glee this year were able to explore a new and extended range of products being unveiled on the Meadow View Stone stand. With 12 new decorative aggregates and over 20 additions to their paving collection, Meadow View have placed consumer trends at the heart of their product development process.
Visitors to Glee this year were able to explore a new and extended range of products being unveiled on the Meadow View Stone stand. With 12 new decorative aggregates and over 20 additions to their paving collection, Meadow View have placed consumer trends at the heart of their product development process.
 This commitment has also been echoed in their new retail-friendly packaging and informative brochure, as well as their customer driven website which launched at the show.
Marketing Director Sarah Hill said: “Glee is always a strong platform for Meadow View but this year has seen exceptional feedback.
"New product ranges such as our Urban Living collection and Travertine Paving were well received and we were able to effectively demonstrate how these might be displayed in a retail environment, especially to maximise linked sales.
"Many of the products that we have launched this year have been developed to complement our leading lines, giving customers a wider range of choice to suit every garden style and every shopper’s budget.”
Alongside discovering a wealth of new products and packaging unveiled at the show, visitors were able to take a break on the stand and enjoy a selection of speciality gins and drinks supplied by Halewood International.
Halewood, the leading brand in giftware packs, provided hospitality for guests and were able to introduce them to innovative new tastes and flavours from distilleries across the UK.
For more information about recent changes and new products from Meadow View Stone, please get in touch via email or visit the website.
|
|
The Retail Lab @ Glee has been voted a huge success. Here Creative Director, Romeo Sommers gives his verdict on the exhibition's latest feature.
How did the industry react to the Retail Lab @ Glee?
The initial reaction was a combination of excitement and interest. The Retail Lab was new to Glee, and as such a visual feast for the senses, many people were stopped in their tracks before coming onto the area to find out more.
Once the initial surprise passed, people were keen to learn more about how they could recreate the themes and ideas within their own retail environments – which is exactly what we wanted; to inspire! The great thing with the Retail Lab was the fact it was such a tactile feature. People were able to pick up product, walk through the different areas, and really take the time to learn more on their journey through the zones. I believe visitors really enjoyed this aspect!
The other thing visitors enjoyed was the fact that recreating the Retail Lab, or aspects of, is perfectly achievable. The whole area may have been created with the input from a whole team of industry experts, but these experts understand the retail environment and the challenges that can be faced in such an environment, so they were able to create designs and concepts that fit within this.
The Retail Lab is about maximum impact in even the smallest space. It’s about taking fun and inspiring design ideas, and pairing them with products that suit the space available. For instance, one visitor to the Retail Lab came from a small garden centre in central London.
With a small store footprint, they were excited to see how easy it was to design high impact displays in such a reduced space. The Community theme particularly stood out to them, as it best suited their business model, enabling local residents to use the centre as a hub for communal growing when outside space is at a premium.
It was brilliant feedback, that demonstrated how these different ideas can be implemented and translated in a number of exciting and differing ways.
What kind of questions did visitors to the Retail Lab @ Glee have?
The biggest query was one of intrigue, and how retailers could implement the different themes within their own retail stores. The Oxygen Bubble, featuring air purifying plants, was one area that people particularly loved, as it is such a simple yet effective idea that is easy to recreate.
The Greenhouse Cabinet also proved popular as it showcased how ordinary and typical garden retail displays can be reinvented for a more eye-catching retail experience.
I was also inundated with queries relating to houseplants. The last year has seen a resurgence in indoor plant sales, and not just within traditional garden centres.
High street retailers, including fashion stores, have been selling cacti and succulents in unbelievable quantities, with millennials and hipsters snapping them up quickest. The reason for this is simple: these consumers want plants, but plants that work around their lives. They want to be able to travel and not have to worry about watering their plants in their absence.
Cacti and succulents are also popular within wider interior and even fashion trends, making them much for lifestyle driven than traditional indoor plants.
Retailers have a great opportunity here, to reassess their category management and offer something different – from plants that suit modern lives, to those offering health benefits such as the pineapple that aids sleep that was a particular favourite of mine.
Have visitors been receptive to the themes identified in the Retail Lab?
Retailers have been so receptive to the trends, and it’s been great to see them want to get stuck in right away, with each taking a slightly different ‘takeaway’, meaning garden centres can maintain their individuality. The concept of ‘hotspots’ within the retail environment is something I discussed with a lot of our visitors, and I’m sure very soon many garden centre customers will shortly be pleasantly surprised to see so many new ideas being put into fruition.
The Community theme was one that retailers really loved, as it meant that retailers can create ‘fans’ not just customers. Providing a hub for the local community, and creating areas for them to work, play and grow together has been incredibly popular, and retailers are seeing not just the ease of being able to do this, but also the long-term benefits of what it means for product purchases and customer loyalty.
The role of family and pets was also something that Retail Lab visitors spoke to me about a lot. Family and pets is often at the heart of the traditional garden retail customer, so it was so important that we helped to create ideas, concepts and displays that included these two hugely important themes.
Re-Wilding was also an incredibly busy part of the Retail Lab. This was an area of serenity so I think many enjoyed taking a few moments away from the hustle and bustle of Glee, but more than that I believe they were understanding the importance of being able to take a moment to relax, and get back to reconnect with nature. Again, garden centres are already armed with the tools they need to create a similar atmosphere within their own stores, so many were excited to start planning their own decompression areas.
Re-Wilding also threw out some interesting topics particularly relating to recycling and environmental consciousness. In the UK plastic pots have a negative image, but within the Re-Wilding area we were able to show that contemporary designs are much more environmentally friendly, with waste and associated carbon footprints reduced. It certainly formed a real talking point.
What next for the Retail Lab?
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.
Now that Glee is over we’ll be looking to take the concept on the road to provide as many retailers as possible with access to the information, inspiration and education on offer. We’ll also be working hard to bring it back to Glee in 2018! The response has been fantastic, and we have a million more ideas we’d like to implement.
For now, the team and I will be available to the industry, so we ask that if you have any question to get in touch! We’re passionate about the Retail Lab and what it stands for so are keen to work with suppliers and retailers to continue to inspire and create stunning retail settings.
|
|
Retail Lab @ Glee: Interview with WGSN’s Lisa White
As Head and Creative Director of WGSN Lifestyle & Interiors, Lisa White and her team run the only B2B trend forecasting website focused on interiors and product design. Lisa was part of the team Retail Lab, a must-see part of Glee 2017. Here we talk to her about trends and how they can influence the decision of the consumer...
 As Head and Creative Director of WGSN Lifestyle & Interiors, Lisa White and her team run the only B2B trend forecasting website focused on interiors and product design.
Lisa was part of the team Retail Lab, a must-see part of Glee 2017.
Here we talk to her about trends and how they can influence the decision of the consumer.
Can you tell me more about the lifecycle of trends – why do some take hold, whilst some wither and disappear as quickly as they appeared?
I would describe trends as something that is going to be long term, anything less and it’s merely a fad. A trend is where you take a look at how people are living and how society is changing. They start and spread through innovators in fashion, media and influential figures in an industry.
A good example to demonstrate this is the colour ‘green’, this trend has been taking place for almost 20 years. In the beginning green was seen as a wishy-washy colour and people didn't like it as it was perceived to be bad luck. Now we see green everywhere, and people want the colour everywhere in their lives. Yellow was also seen as hard to wear and perceived as too strong a colour, yet has now become a trend as people want warmth and happiness around them.
Looking at the Diffusion Model relating to trends, how do you think the trends in the Retail Lab @ Glee will work on this graph – will the timescale from new product to establish products/concepts be short or more long-term?
The Diffusion Model is when a new idea or new product is accepted by the market and the speed with which the new idea spreads from one person to the next. The trends we have chosen for the Retail Lab are long-term. People want to feel part of a community and the essence of family is extremely important too, something garden centres can capitalise on when putting projects together, Grow-Your-Own is a great example of this.
Even though people can be split around the around the world, there is still a desire to be together and share moments. Wellness is a global trend and focuses on health and well-being which outdoor activities such as gardening can have, whilst Re-Wilding looks at how people want to get back to nature and enjoy the environment around them. The curve on the graph has slow and long but is picking up speed now and will hit a peak over the next 10 years.
How do you translate trends and identify those that you believe will ‘stick’?
Lifestyle trends often starts off as experimental. For example, wellness in food will see people experiment with, and try different things before they come into fashion. People start eating more salads and drinking more smoothies to feel healthier and better in themselves. Then you see the colours from the food and drink coming into the interior and into fashion. When something becomes popular and makes people feel good, they then want to surround ourselves with and it's amazing how one factor in our lives can influence another.
Are all trends translatable for all industries? How have you decided upon those trends that will best work within a garden retail environment?
Trends are translatable for all industries, especially the garden environment. One of the trends for 2018 is ‘Slow Futures’ which will see people want to slow down. They want to take a look at good things from the past and learn to slow down more in the future. In gardening, this trend will be seen with the resurgence of heirloom vegetables, vintage roses and “forgotten” flowers like marigolds, dahlias and zinnias.
There is also an upcoming trend called “Youth Tonic” where we will see Millennials wanting brighter colours in the garden. What is important to know is that for new generations, it is no longer about the experienced gardener but about the gardening experience. People want to enjoy doing everything they used to do inside outside: eating, relaxing, playing and even working in the garden.
What influences the power of trends – economic, lifestyle, environmental? Or are some as simple as colour or material for example?
All of the above! For a real trend to be powerful, it is fed by economics, politics, sustainability and social media. Everything influences trends, it can be as simple how you took the Tube this morning or something your grandmother said to you. We are definitely seeing a trend of going back to nature and the garden becoming more colourful and playful.
How influenced are home colour trends by the fashion industry?
Everything influences everything else and goes back and forth. The catwalks for S/S18 are set to feature a lot of interesting and powerful pastel colours and I expect to see these translated into the home and garden.
Of the trends highlighted in the Retail Lab @ Glee, which one/s are you most excited about?
Wellness, because gardening involves the individual, the family and the community and contributes to physical, mental and even spiritual health!
|
|
|
|
Burgon & Ball has Christmas gifting all wrapped up!
This year’s Glee saw the launch of more than 70 new products from Burgon & Ball, including plenty of gorgeous gifts for gardeners and plant lovers. These fresh ideas are sure to help retailers put together a tempting array of must-have gifts for the Christmas season ahead...
This year’s Glee saw the launch of more than 70 new products from Burgon & Ball, including plenty of gorgeous gifts for gardeners and plant lovers. These fresh ideas are sure to help retailers put together a tempting array of must-have gifts for the Christmas season ahead.
This autumn was the first Glee outing for the Brie Harrison for Burgon & Ball collection of gardening gifts. Featuring Brie’s beautiful illustrations of lush and leafy houseplants, the new range is on-trend, contemporary – and effortlessly stylish. Gardening gifts include a secateur and holster gift set; a trowel, snips and plant label gift set; a comfortable kneeler; gardening gloves; and twine in a tin.
There’s also plenty here for anyone who simply loves gorgeous design around the home: an indoor watering can, a peg bag, a pencil case, a drinks tray, a storage tin, and a gorgeous umbrella to spread a little sunshine on rainy days.
With RRPs from just £8.99 - £19.99, the beautiful gift packaging makes this collection stand out, with stylishly presented highest-quality gift boxes for the tool sets. Slide-out trays with ribbon pull handles, luxurious gold foil highlights and original artwork by Brie combine to make this range really special.
 New gifts in the Sophie Conran for Burgon & Ball collection were also a hit with Glee visitors. The Sophie Conran collection combines a heritage of traditional country house style with contemporary touches, and is hugely popular with discerning female gardeners. This autumn has seen the launch of a wide selection of gorgeously-designed new gifts for home and garden, created to make everyday living just that little bit more stylish.
Additions to the Sophie collection include handwoven wire baskets which are a delight to use for gathering flowers or harvesting, beautiful embossed plant labels to create a ‘country garden’ feel to any herb patch, a charming garden clock and dial garden thermometer in a timeless buttermilk shade, and two new apple bird feeders care for feathered friends in style.
The beautiful premium packaging of the Sophie Conran collection marks it out as a range of distinction. Gold foil details, leather cord ties and beautifully-printed card boxes subtly accentuate the quality of the range; these items are sure to be received with pleasure. With RRPs ranging from £6.99 to £29.99, there’s something here for everyone.
Attracting many admiring glances was the eye-catching arrangement of new indoor pots. Designed to sell at perfect gifting price points from £7.99 to £14.99, these pots make a beautiful and thoughtful gift for any plant lover. But with houseplants firmly in the design spotlight, these pots also make a perfect gift for any style-conscious home. And to make life easy, they’ve been designed to hold the most common sizes of plants sold in garden centres, creating plenty of opportunity for add-on sales.
 With designs including elegant glazed pots, on-trend hanging pots, and classic weathered terracotta pots, the new pots brings more than a dash of panache to this fast-growing category. The collection also includes quirky cactus vases which make a real style statement and are sure to be a big hit with fans of these popular plants.
Other gorgeous Burgon & Ball favourites include the elegant RHS Gifts for Gardeners Flora and Fauna collection, with its dainty songbirds and delicate foliage, as well as new items featuring the adorable Creaturewares animal characters.
With the perfect gift for every green-fingered loved one, Burgon & Ball is offering great gifting choices to retailers this Christmas. To find out more, visit www.burgonandball.com, call 01202 684141, or email sales@burgonandball.com.
|
|
GIMA Buyer Connect declared a great success
The GIMA Buyer Connect event has become one of the most highly-anticipated parts of the annual Glee exhibition’s programme of content. This year the event brought together even more suppliers and retailers, helping to facilitate in excess of 250 unrivalled networking opportunities...
The GIMA Buyer Connect event has become one of the most highly-anticipated parts of the annual Glee exhibition’s programme of content. This year the event brought together even more suppliers and retailers, helping to facilitate in excess of 250 unrivalled networking opportunities.
Taking place on all three days of Glee, within the GIMA Business Lounge, the 2017 Buyer Connect event helped suppliers from across the industry meet with key garden retailers including Wyevale, Wilko, Hillview, Bunnings & Homebase, Great Western Partnerships and Mole Valley Farmers, plus independents including Long Acres, Perrywood and Halls Garden Centre.
Each supplier had a 10-minute speed networking session with a key buyer. Each session provided enough time for the manufacturer to explain the many USPs of its product, with the aim of opening ongoing communications with the retailer, and securing orders for the season ahead.
GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “This year’s Buyer Connect was a great success, and I’d like to extend my thanks to all of those that got involved. As always the event was a key part of our Glee agenda, and I’ve seen a lot of exciting new partnerships be forged. I look forward to seeing how these relationships flourish post-Glee.
“On a wider note, Buyer Connect is a perfect example of the kind of activities that we can support our members with. One of our roles as trade associations is to connect retailers and suppliers, so events such as Buyer Connect have become an even more essential part of our offering in the face of a fast-changing marketplace. We are here to respond to, and support, our members’ needs so we urge any retailer that is interested in our ‘meet the buyer’ events to get in touch.”
The next GIMA Buyer Connect will be taking place at Home Hardware (Oct 17th, Barnstaple – applications now closed) and interest from a number of big name retailers for events in 2018 has already been confirmed. Visit www.gima.org.uk to keep up to date on the latest Buyer Connect developments.
|
|
Garden supplier's £4.5m investment in Ashford
Ashford-based Vatre Terracotta Ltd, which trades as Apta, has secured planning permission for a £4.5m warehouse, storage and distribution centre...
Brian Fraser of Oakover Nurseries (left) and Vatre Terracotta Ltd Managing Director Paul Sykes at the Tutt Hill site on the A20 north west of Ashford.
Ashford-based Vatre Terracotta Ltd, which trades as Apta, has secured planning permission for a £4.5m warehouse, storage and distribution centre.
Apta is the UK’s leading supplier of garden pots and planters, selling its products under its own-brand as well as other prestigious names, including the Royal Horticultural Society and Laura Ashley.
Vatre Terracotta has a head office and distribution site at two locations in Dencora Way and nearby Leacon Road, but the firm has outgrown the facilities and spent two years scouring Ashford for a new home. Sales have doubled in the last eight years to £14m, and the company now supplies more than 1,200 customers throughout the UK and Ireland.
The relocation plan safeguards more than 30 local jobs and will also enable additional staff to be employed as the business continues to grow. It will also reduce traffic in the town centre, especially HGVs and containers.
On Wednesday (21 Sept) Ashford’s planning committee heard that the company’s future in the Ashford borough would have been in jeopardy if it had been forced to find an alternative site outside the area. Councillors were unanimous in granting consent, subject to a number of conditions which the company is very happy to accommodate.
The development site is a six-acre parcel of surplus land owned by Oakover Nurseries at Tutt Hill on the A20 north west of Ashford, opposite the Holiday Inn Ashford North hotel. The plans cover commercial use for the import, storage, sorting and distribution of Apta’s products, plus a two-storey office and a showroom for the company’s customers and partners to view its products.
Managing Director Paul Sykes says he is delighted to have secured the go-ahead for the site, which he believes is the perfect base to enable the company to pursue expansion plans that have been curtailed by the lack of space at its current site.
“We are a growing business, an Ashford success story that’s been based in the town for more than 30 years. But by 2013 we were already starting to outgrow our current site. The owners were determined to keep the company in Ashford, but it took us a further two years of searching to find an alternative site in the borough.
“We’re absolutely delighted that Ashford Borough Council has approved our plans and we look forward to working with them to ensure that we satisfy the conditions attached to the consent.
“Tutt Hill is very important to our future in Ashford because it enables us to remain in the town for the foreseeable future. The A20 site is big enough for us to expand; it’s got excellent vehicle access and is convenient for the M20 and for our imports by road from Europe. It’s also within easy reach of Ashford so our existing workforce will have good access, and, above all, it’s affordable.”
He says the bigger site will allow the firm to expand. “In recent years we had to make the very difficult decision to decline several opportunities because we simply weren’t in a position to compete properly from our current location.
“At the new site we will have the opportunity to diversify into other similar items which compliment our existing products and customer base, and consider ways to co-operate with other local companies also supplying the horticultural trade.”
The company also believes that the new site will deliver important financial benefits by consolidating all of its activities onto one site with excellent transport links outside central Ashford. Paul adds: “At present we’re constantly moving stock from one location to another, which is costly and inefficient. By bringing all of our activity together on one site close to the town and M20 we won’t have to double-handle the goods, which is a great benefit.”
Brian Fraser of Oakover Nurseries welcomed the decision to grant planning consent for the development. He explained that the site was formerly used as a bulking plant for the nearby M20 construction works and today is easily accessed by an established apron off the A20. The land previously housed a consumer sales operation for shrubs and trees.
For more information about Apta visit www.apta.co.uk
Brian Fraser of Oakover Nurseries (left) and Vatre Terracotta Ltd Managing Director Paul Sykes at the Tutt Hill site on the A20 north west of Ashford.
|
|
|
|
Johnsons enhances lawn seed and salesforce at Glee
At this year’s Glee, Johnsons Lawn Seed (DLF) launched its next bestseller to the market, Lawn Thickener, demonstrating the quality of the product in living displays, whilst also announcing a newly expanded national salesforce.
At this year’s Glee, Johnsons Lawn Seed (DLF) launched its next bestseller to the market, Lawn Thickener, demonstrating the quality of the product in living displays, whilst also announcing a newly expanded national salesforce. Lawn Thickener is the UK’s leading grass seed supplier’s latest innovation, and comes after another 12 months of developments in state-of-the-art seed production technology. The product guarantees 30% more grass than uncoated grass seed, as well as faster germination and establishment. Thanks to the Seedbooster® pre-applied slow and fast release Nitrogen coatings, not only is the need to sow seed and fertiliser separately removed, but new sowings will now result in harmlessly deterring birds from pecking away at freshly sown seed. Displaying the product live for the first time at Glee using turf samples grown just days before, DLF’s Consumer Manager Guy Jenkins said: “All of the products that bear the Green Lawn Technology logo are the result of over a hundred years of research and development, and Lawn Thickener is one of our most advanced yet. With its unique Seedbooster fertiliser coatings we’ve created something that is not only more effective, but also more precise in its application. This makes it safer for children, pets and the environment.” Johnsons Lawn Seed has also added two new members to its North East sales force, Helen Thompson and Chris Paul, both of whom are part of Workforce Agencies Ltd, who also represent Johnsons Lawn Seed in the North West. The North East territory was previously held by sales agent Cliff Bowers, who retired this summer after 17 years representing DLF. Find out more For more information on Johnsons Lawn Seed, visit www.johnsonslawnseed.com, email info@johnsonslawnseed.co.uk or call 01386 791113
|
|
 SBM Life Science has launched a hard hitting hitting revolutionary new weedkiller brand, a key element in SBM Life Science’s new strategy, New Time, New Way, announced earlier this year, at the heart of which is a commitment to innovation.
Job done Tough Weedkiller Nothing kills tough weeds faster and prevents re-growth for longer (up to three months!). Building on a professional formulation used to clear weeds from rail lines, SBM Life Science has invested in innovative new chemistry. Job done Tough Weedkiller Ready to Use is available in 1L and 3L packs. A residual and systemic weedkiller, it: - Kills tough and deep rooted weeds like brambles.
- Produces visible results in just 24 hours!
- Provides three months’ prevention against new weeds.
Job done Tough Weedkiller Sachets kills tough and difficult weeds right down to the root. In simple soluble sachets, no measuring is required; just drop and go! Job done Path Weedkiller Nothing kills tough weeds faster and prevents re-growth for longer (up to three months!). With a systemic and residual action, Job done Path Weedkiller is available in Ready to Use 1L and 3L formulations. It kills weeds really fast, results are visible within 24 hours. Job done Path Weedkiller is also available in Simple Soluble Sachets. Job done General Purpose Weedkiller Kills tough weeds to the root so they don’t come back; the area can be replanted immediately. Job done General Purpose Weedkiller is ready in Ready to Use and Concentrate formulations. Job done Moss Killer is effective against moss and algae and Job done Lawn Weedkiller kills common lawn weeds down to the root. Solabiol – In Tune with Nature Solabiol is an exciting range of garden care products ‘In Tune with Nature’. Certified for organic use by the Organic Farmers and Growers Ltd, Solabiol Slug Killer is fast acting. Also certified for organic use, Solabiol Bug Free can be used on houseplants and ornamentals and Solabiol Rose Bug Killer tackles aphids and other pests on roses. Containing natural fatty acids, Solabiol Super Fast Weedkiller kills broadleaved weeds, grass, moss, algae and liverwort, with results visible in 1 hour. Solabiol BUXatrap®, a pheromone trap, offers biological season long control of box tree moths. www.sbm-lifescience.co.uk Job done Tough Weedkiller Ready to Use and Job done Path Weedkiller Ready to Use contains difluefenican. Job done Tough Weedkiller Sachets, Job done Path Weedkiller Sachets, and Job done General Purpose Weedkiller contain glyphosate. Job done Moss Killer Ready to Use and Job Done Moss Killer Concentrate contains natural fatty acids. Job done Lawn Weedkiller contains 2,4-D, MCPA, MCPP-P and dicamba. Solabiol Slug Killer contains ferric phosphate. Solabiol Super Fast Weedkiller contains natural fatty acids. Solabiol Slug Free contains natural fatty acids. Solabiol Rose Bug Killer contains natural fatty acids. Solabioal BUXatrap® contains pheromones. BUXatrap® is a registered trademark of Koppert, France. Baby Bio® is a registered trademark of SBM Life Science.
|
|
Amazing response to Premier’s sensational new launch
A brand new catalogue of products launched under the umbrella of two exciting new brands captured the attention of visitors to Glee this year, The Outdoor Living Company and The Summer Living Company – both fresh new inspirations from Premier...
 A brand new catalogue of products launched under the umbrella of two exciting new brands captured the attention of visitors to Glee this year, The Outdoor Living Company and The Summer Living Company – both fresh new inspirations from Premier.
Pravin Patel of Premier explains: “We spent the last year exploring the ‘outdoor’ market, listening to our customers and noting consumer trends – the most popular colours and designs and fashion-led products that are welcomed into the modern home. The result has been a consolidated range of top quality products which are guaranteed to be ‘hot properties’ for retailers across the board.”
Visitors were hugely impressed with Premier’s new look at Glee which included eight fresh ranges, over 500 brand-new products and over 140 special offers.
Pravin continues: “We realise that presentation is everything and have therefore focused heavily on some stunning new merchandising solutions which will make a real impact in-store and present products in an alluring way. The reaction to these by visitors at Glee were overwhelming.”
The Blue Collection oozes sophistication with contemporary shades from the lightest of greys to turquoise and navy blues with co-ordinating products from door-stops and cushions; water jugs, planters; mirrors and ornaments to chic candle holders and lanterns.
The Black & Gold Collection is the essence of chic with an array of tealight, candle holders and lanterns in an assortment of designs from burnished gold and nickel to sparkling glass and fashionable wall art.
 With the UK’s temperate climate, outdoor heating remains an important retail focus and Premier has increased its offering to include solutions for all ends of the market. Smaller low cost chimeneas and fire pits provide welcoming heat in compact city gardens, whilst premium outdoor fireplaces not only make a stunning feature but also throw out extensive heat. These heavy-duty appliances are crafted in Europe to perform brilliantly whilst offering the ultimate in style and innovation.
A prime example is Premier’s Tulip and Wine Chimeneas, in matt black these are effective, ultra stylish and give a contemporary feel to the modern garden. Also, Premier’s stone collection which make imposing fireplaces made from steel and galvanised mesh which can be filled with a choice of stones.
Pravin concludes: “The reaction to all of the new products launched at Glee could not have been better and we are delighted by the response of both existing and new customers who visited our stand at the show. We now offer a complete all-round package to retailers with quality products, a beautiful new catalogue; FSDU and merchandising solutions – plus lots of special offers to help maximise revenue.”
For those of you who missed Glee this year, check out Premier’s Facebook page to view images of these new ranges first hand. Alternatively, Premier’s fabulous collections can be viewed at its showrooms in Wrexham and Ruislip.
For more information and to make an appointment to visit, contact Premier on 020 8624 5555 or email: sales@premierdec.com
|
|
|
|
Deco-Pak focus on traditional garden centres
Decorative aggregates specialist Deco-Pak has announced it will be refocussing its business strategy, with garden centre customers at the heart of the move...
Deco-Pak’s One Penny stepping stone became the star of BBC Breakfast’s news.
Decorative aggregates specialist Deco-Pak has announced it will be refocussing its business strategy, with garden centre customers at the heart of the move.
In the wake of recently ending a business partnership with a discount retailer, Deco-Pak has set out a strategy for the year ahead that is better reflective of its working ethos, and will see the market-leaders focus on core business, enhancing its portfolio of products and continuing to create POS best suited to the garden retail market.
National news coverage
The business strategy announcement wasn’t the only highlight for Deco-Pak as the company also made the national news. In an unprecedented one-off broadcast live from the first day of Glee, Deco-Pak’s One Penny stepping stone became the star of BBC Breakfast’s news as Steph McGovern presented it to visitors waking up for the first day of the show.
Exciting new products & brand new merchandising ideas
Launching new premium decorative birdhouses, heritage gravels and Italian cobbles and pebbles, Deco-Pak used Glee to showcase its new merchandising solutions, and unique quality of service.
Deco-Pak also demonstrated at Glee that they are continuing to push the boundaries of what is normally expected from landscaping staples such as gravel, bark, pebbles and compost. Deco-Pak’s garden vignettes are space-saving cutaways placed between palleted merchandisers which allow for easier and more effective cross merchandising. Products available on garden vignette stands include the Chelsea Garden Range which now includes top soil, bark and John Innes multipurpose compost.
The company also introduced a new way of creating easier add-on sales and cross-selling opportunities for weed control, with dispensers attached to pallets. Accompanied by gravel sample trays and sample bags, the new arrangement helps to engage browsing customers whilst discouraging bags being opened. New aggregates this year included Deco-Pak’s Heritage Stone Co. Pearl Grey, as well as Milano Silver Granite and Rose cobbles and pebbles.
The Deco-Pak team with garden centre customers at Glee.
Deco-Pak Director Rod Slater said: “In my previous life managing garden centres, I was always passionate about creating great looking sales areas inside and out, whilst also making sure retail space was as profitable as possible. By investing more in the Deco-Pak Retail Theatre concept and other creative merchandising, we are moving away from discount retail and aiming to appeal more to traditional garden centres – and from the comments we received at Glee, so far it’s been the right decision.”
Find out more
Visit www.deco-pak.co.uk, connect via twitter @deco_pak, or call the customer service team to find your nearest stockist on 01422 204394.
|
|
Super Bright Glee for Smart Garden Products
Smart Garden’s successful year continued at Glee with a marked increase in orders while new introductions in its renowned solar lighting range proved a hit with retailers...
Smart Garden’s successful year continued at Glee with a marked increase in orders while new introductions in its renowned solar lighting range proved a hit with retailers. The leading supplier of garden products has seen phenomenal growth in 2017, resulting in it outgrowing its warehouse as Smart Garden continues to meet consumer demand for trend setting and high-quality product ranges. With an increased stand presence in the halls and extensive development of existing ranges, Smart Garden had its largest and strongest new product introduction ever, which proved a big draw for visitors.
 Amongst these were additions to the stunning and best-selling Super Bright range, including the space themed 3-D Cosmos Collection and Super Bright String Lights, continuing to lead the way in solar innovation. As the leaders in solar lighting, Smart Garden showcased its complete range at Glee, including the Elvedon Collection, the Solar Flower range, Funky Fruit and the expanded Eureka! Zone range which featured new lightbulb designs along with innovative lighting options for hanging and table top usage.  Garden Décor was a key focus at Glee with the introduction of the new Flamboya brand, with 110 new products including Chorus Chimes, InSpinners, Bobbly Birds, Polka Pets, Hangers On and Loony and Barmy garden stakes, all predicted to make a big impact in 2018.
To capitalise on the trend of grow-your-own and sustainable living, The GroZone – which was launched at Glee last year – has been expanded to include several new designs offering additional choice and practicality for consumers, from the Tomato GroZone through to large walk-in greenhouses. Wild bird care was also high on the agenda with the recently acquired ChapelWood brand boasting an updated and eye-catching selection of beautifully designed feeder stakes, stunning glass hanging birdbaths and feeders, hand-painted bird baths and many other decorative wildlife products. The new striking and contemporary livery launched at the show, along with new merchandising solutions, were met very positively by retailers. Jonathan Stobart, Managing Director at Smart Garden Products said: “Visitor traffic on the stand was strong once again this year. We introduced a selection of “Glee only” offers and as a result we took a significant number of orders, with a value over four times higher than last year.
"It was also immensely satisfying to receive so many positive comments about the new product introductions, as well as the new packaging and merchandising concepts.
"We were very happy with the show and have already booked a larger stand for next autumn, with 50% more space overall, enabling us to show even more product as we continue to add new products and categories.” Smart Garden’s success at Glee has rounded off an exciting 2017 which saw the opening of the brand new 250,000 square foot Eureka Building, a new logistics hub to meet ongoing demand after the company saw an 85% growth in the past 18 months. To find out more about Smart Garden’s market leading product offering please visit www.sgpuk.com
|
|
Successful show for Kadai Firebowls
Glee 2017 was another successful event for Kadai Firebowls, with new stockists coming on board and existing customers looking forward to working with Kadai into 2018...
Glee 2017 was another successful event for Kadai Firebowls, with new stockists coming on board and existing customers looking forward to working with Kadai into 2018.
2018 welcomes the introduction of The Kadai Planter and The Kadai Water feature. “To show the versatility of the product, Kadai Firebowls have now re-engineered the Kadai to produce a stunning planter & with their one-piece bowl a superb water feature.”
 
Innovation is key to the great success of Kadai Firebowls® by Wilstone, who have been at the leading edge of fire bowl barbecuing for the last decade. Their approach brings together the traditional skills of artisan producers with innovative British designs that have shaped the way fire bowl cookery has evolved.
As Christo Mckinnon-Wood, Co-founder and Managing Director of Wilstone, explains: “The new Holi Grill is an example of innovation in action, our newly designed grill system will be incorporated into the Recycled Kadai Firebowl®, allowing wood or embers to be moved, stoked or replenished without the need to interrupt cooking time. This provides unlimited levels of flexibility and control over cooking and heating zones and styles."
Next year promises heavy focus on the World of live fire cooking, having sponsored some of the UK’s most dynamic and successful BBQ and live fire events during 2017, Kadai Firebowls have teamed up with some of the biggest and best names in cooking over fire and barbecue, with a view to bring this to the forefront of the British outdoor cooking scene in 2018.
Existing and new stockists have been extremely pleased with the transformation that Kadai has taken this year, with colourful and eye catching slat wall displays, attractive and informative hang tags and beautiful photography. Kadai Firebowls strive to bring the beauty of outdoor living, straight to customers World-wide. Kadai will continue to explore ever more creative and stunning visual merchandising throughout the next year.
Kadai Firebowls by Wilstone offers a total outdoor living experience unlike any other, specialists in embracing the outdoor way of life for over ten years, the product range has grown to encompass every aspect of enjoying your garden.
Great design begins with great ideas and the team over at Wilstone have worked closely with their artisan producers for the last 10 years to bring the traditions of Indian Kadai cookery to the fore of British leisure time, doing so in a contemporary yet time honoured way. Quality, authenticity and environmental responsibility combine to create a product, brand, and service that you can truly rely on. With a full stockist management team, marketing support for visual merchandising and live cooking demo's as part of the service.
Thank you to Glee and to everyone who came to see us. Your time and continued support is always appreciated and we look forward to working with you throughout the years to come.
“With over 30 accessories in the range, superb merchandising and an award winning, dedicated stockist team...where will your Kadai take you?”
|
|
|
|
Westland launch ‘We Are Gardening' campaign
Glee saw the unveiling of the new ‘We Are Gardening' campaign which talks to everyone with a space and an urge to grow. Whether they have a traditional house with a garden, a flat or apartment with a balcony, a small patio or backyard or even no outside space at all, everyone with an urge to grow has a windowsill...
Glee saw the unveiling of the new ‘We Are Gardening' campaign which talks to everyone with a space and an urge to grow. Whether they have a traditional house with a garden, a flat or apartment with a balcony, a small patio or backyard or even no outside space at all, everyone with an urge to grow has a windowsill.
Westland are spreading a philosophy that focuses on the fun in the doing - hoeing, sowing, mowing, growing, feeding, weeding, watering, waiting.
Throughout 2018, Westland will run a fully integrated campaign, championing all types of gardeners, inspiring their urge to grow and helping everyone to make their garden spaces get even better than they were before. The campaign will run throughout the whole year and will consist of advertising in print, digital and on social media, supported by PR and organic reach.
With new hands-on lifestyle photography showing gardeners enjoying getting their hands dirty, Westland are able demonstrate that they understand gardeners more than anyone else in the industry.
The unifying banner means they are able to support a wider range of products with more advertising touch points than ever before. From the New Gro-Sure Smart Patch, to Growing Success Slug Control range the reach will be massive.
Westland have created a bank of ‘How To Videos’, designed to inspire but also provide people with the know-how required to take on a new project in the garden. “We’ve focussed on the topics that are most searched for and provide everyone with the helping hand they need to inspire them to try something new in the garden in 2018 and beyond. Topics include: How to grow tomatoes; How to plant vegetables in raised beds; and How to keep your orchids flowering for longer,” explained Westlands Head of Communications and Insight, Jo Wilkinson.
Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland added: “Our campaign is designed to bring us closer to our consumers, driving more footfall into retail stores and creating more interest in the products stocked both in-store and online. The campaign will reach more potential consumers, educate more staff and inspire more consumers throughout the seasonal calendar. Content will be critical for this, so we are delivering a whole host of new assets and tools. These include a library of lifestyle images, inspiring infographics and helpful tutorial videos, available for you to share and distribute on their own channels.”
Whether it’s a new gardener researching lawn seed on Google, a kitchen gardener chatting to friends on Facebook, or an allotmenteer walking the aisles of your garden centre, Westland aim to capture the interest of them all.
“There are a potential 37m gardeners in the UK and Ireland. People with an urge to grow that are hands-on, practical, health conscious and interested in learning. For them, gardening is about the happiness in doing it, rolling up the sleeves and getting stuck in, the ups and downs of the journey and the pride in what’s achieved. We will be reaching them in 2018.”
See the full story in the October issue of GTN - out now.
|
|
Successful Glee for Traditional Garden Games
Exhibiting for the first time at Glee, established UK brand Traditional Garden Games are already reaping the benefits the show has offered the business – with considerable orders secured and interest from across the globe...
Exhibiting for the first time at Glee, established UK brand Traditional Garden Games are already reaping the benefits the show has offered the business – with considerable orders secured and interest from across the globe.
Kevin McKeever, Managing Director for Traditional Garden Games Ltd, said: ‘Glee and the show’s Retail Lab, provided our business with the perfect platform to showcase our new range of design led and trend inspired garden games, and the NEW SEMBRA collection of ‘easy sow and grow’ kits.
"Glee has successfully exposed Traditional Garden Games to both domestic and global buyers from the garden sector market. With the launch of new product lines, 2018 is already shaping up to be an exciting time for our business."
Traditional Garden Games’ extensive range of garden games and the SEMBRA ‘sow & grow’ kits, are all in stock and ready to deliver direct to stores.
There is no minimum order quantities, however businesses can avail of FREE carriage on orders over £350 + VAT (delivered to one UK & Ireland address).
For further details, to receive a quotation, pricelist or to place an order, please call 028 777 68742 or email sales@traditionalgardengames.co.uk
|
|
Great response to Gold Leaf Gloves' new RHS Collection
The owners of Gold Leaf Gardening Gloves were overwhelmed by the response to their new RHS Collection which won Best New Product in the Home, Gift and Clothing Products category at Glee...
Owners Peter and Kelly Cooney with their Glee New Product Award.
The owners of Gold Leaf Gardening Gloves were overwhelmed by the response to their new RHS Collection which won Best New Product in the Home, Gift and Clothing Products category at Glee.
"Following eighteen months of development working closely with The RHS, and through our specialist knowledge of leather gloves, we were confident that we had produced something special for the gift market but the response from buyers at the show has been quite amazing," commented owners Peter and Kelly Cooney.
Owners Peter and Kelly with their Glee New Product Award.
|
|
|
|
Briers’ new products reinforce quality
Launching eight new ranges at this year’s Glee exhibition, leading garden lifestyle brand, Briers, was more keen to display its commitment to higher standards for quality and how that has stepped up even further in the last 12 months...
Launching eight new ranges at this year’s Glee exhibition, leading garden lifestyle brand, Briers, was more keen to display its commitment to higher standards for quality and how that has stepped up even further in the last 12 months.
Briers kicked off their time at Glee 2017 with the help of designer Julie Dodsworth, as well as showcasing an expanded kids range, together with a new licensed range, Pantone.
 Briers is unique within its sector, as the only garden clothing manufacturer that employs a dedicated compliance director. At key points of the sourcing and manufacturing process this role ensures that all products meet the standards set by the worldwide organisations Briers now belongs to, including SEDEX, FSC, BLC, SATRA and FIRA, ensuring the company achieves worldwide standards.
Briers CEO Jackie Eades said: “As a consumer facing brand that is now so well known, we simply can’t afford to ignore the most crucial aspects of running a global business. Sourcing materials ethically, testing products to the required standards and ensuring working conditions for every member of production staff is at the forefront of our operation now. All this whilst also ensuring the best price - it’s not easy but it is 100% necessary for continued growth and providing consistency in supply for our retail partners.”
Jackie continued: “Glee has been a great success for us in terms of the goals we set out to achieve. We demonstrated the newly expanded award-winning kids ranges and latest licenced offerings in their merchandisers, whilst also showing how increasingly trend orientated our lifestyle outdoor brand has become.”
New products this year included a new country fashion inspired Sandley range, the third gardening gift range from Julie Dodsworth ‘Lavender Garden’, new Bamboo gloves, Premium Leather and Flex and Protect gloves, as well as brand new kids garden products, making the Briers range the largest fully compliant kids’ range in the UK.
Find out more For more information on how quality is shaping Briers brand new product ranges, contact by email - hello@briersltd.co.uk, or telephone - 01963 269077. Alternatively you can visit www.briersltd.co.uk.
|
|
Great response to Great Sense range
The outdoor furniture rattan range, aluminium collections and new LED parasols from Great Sense had a great reception at Glee 2017. The company had a lot of interest and secured a decent amount of pre-orders and containers for 2018.
Our outdoor furniture rattan range, aluminium collections and our new LED parasols had a great reception this year for Glee 2017. We had a lot of interest and secured a decent amount of pre-orders and containers for 2018. We are very happy with the turnout for Great Sense.
Our brand-new “Grill Up” brand also made its debut and took the show by storm, we sold out on our existing BBQ stock during the show due to the sheer amount of interest. It could not have gone any better.
Understandably the pre-built BBQ’s were most successful, as they will save a lot of time putting away on shop floors and reduce risk of returns due to assembly issues.
Ian Taylor, Grill Up Sales Director, has put his wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm into this unique range of Grill Up BBQs having spent the last 16 years in the BBQ market.
He said ‘’in a crowded market place the team at Grill Up want to offer something different, with the introduction of the new inhouse designed Tower Bridge range from Grill Up, we are looking to turned up the heat on other gas barbecue manufacturers’’.
The new Tower Bridge BBQ brings a new dimension to the market by having pre-built BBQs across the range of their 3, 4, 5 burner BBQs these are delivered to store pre-built, so customers can take the BBQ home and use it virtually straight away.
All the Grill Up products are made to a very precise high standard they are solid durable and have been designed to last for many years to come, each Grill Up BBQ has a distinctive look and quality feel, every component is carefully machined to fit together just right.
It's only natural that such a well-conceived product range would also have a complimentary selection of accessories to enhance user experience and convenience. The Grill Up design team have been busy developing an essential range of Grill Up BBQ tools and covers too.
Cadero alongside Grill Up as a company has been producing BBQ’s for more than 10 years. From its early roots, they continuously strived to make outdoor adventure more enjoyable through innovative thinking and ongoing research and product development, being one step ahead of the rest.
For more information please visit our websites www.greatsense.co.uk, www.grill-up.com or contact us at sales@greatsense.co.uk, ian.taylor@grill-up.com or phone 01206 622399.
|
|
New range of cutting tools from Pedigree Garden
Pedigree Garden launched their brand new range of cutting tools at this year's Glee . All have a "Lifetime Guarantee" as standard, are lightweight and 'easy to clean', which keeps the tools looking their very best at all times of the year no matter how many times they are used...
Pedigree Garden launched their brand new range of cutting tools at this year's Glee . All have a "Lifetime Guarantee" as standard, are lightweight and 'easy to clean', which keeps the tools looking their very best at all times of the year no matter how many times they are used.
 The newly launched 'Geared Bypass Lopper' has a wonderfully strong gearing mechanism which provides over 20% more power for cutting through thicker wood. With Teflon coated non-stick blades, lightweight yet strong handles, a comfortable soft touch grip and a bumper for knuckle protection they really do provide the strength and performance that the keenest gardener can rely on. The Lopers have a cutting capacity of 38 mm and have a recommended retail price - £32.99  In addition to our new Lopper we've added the brand new "Geared Hedge Shear" to the range, again with over 20% more power for easier hedge trimming.
With Teflon coated on-stick blades, lightweight yet strong handles, soft touch grip and knuckle bumpers, they make hedge trimming a pleasure not a time consuming chore
Recommended retail price - £34.99 To find out more about the products and the Pedigree Garden range please go to www.pedigreegarden.co.uk, email Sarah Cottle, Brand Manager on sarah.cottle@rollins.co.uk or call on 0773 606 1255 for more information.
 The Pedigree Garden range is manufactured by Bulldog Tools who have been crafting tools to last since 1780. For more information go to www.bulldogtools.co.uk
|
|
|
|
Bright outlook for Zest 4 Leisure
Zest 4 Leisure’s new product range for 2018, the announcement of its warehouse and distribution centre purchase, a new operations system and new HR director, means a bright outlook for the new garden leisure season...
Zest 4 Leisure’s new product range for 2018, the announcement of its warehouse and distribution centre purchase, a new operations system and new HR director, means a bright outlook for the new garden leisure season.
Zest’s new products launched at Glee proved to be a huge success with everyone who visited the stand at the prestigious show.
Steve Morgan, Zest 4 Leisure Managing Director said: “With the exciting new product range for 2018, the new warehouse and distribution centre in Saltney and our new operations system means an improved customer service experience and increased business efficiencies for Zest 4 Leisure.”
|
|
Woodstock Chimes UK’s best-selling Chimes of Polaris - Verdigris is tuned to a beautiful pentatonic scale
Musical Perfection The music made by Woodstock Chimes is perfectly authentic because it’s tuned to real scales and melodies heard throughout the world from ancient times to the present. Our rich, pure sound quality comes from premium materials, expert design, and, of course, precise tuning. The length of each tube is honed and the sound is checked using an electronic tuning method to ensure the note is correct and the sound is pure. Some call this “precision tuned”, some call it “musically tuned”. We simply call it beautiful. Lifetime Tuning Guarantee Woodstock Chimes has a strong commitment to precise tuning. We are so proud of the music made by our chimes, all our metal-tubed musically tuned chimes come with a Lifetime Tuning Guarantee. Optimize Your Display The wonderful music made by our chimes is our strongest selling point. That’s why we recommend retailers hang our chimes at eye (and ear!) level. This makes it easy for customers to read the product hangtags, and puts the chimes at the optimal height for listening to them ring. Another hint is to point a fan towards your display. The gentle ringing will draw customers in and our reasonable prices will close the sale! Diversity Expands Customer Reach Our diverse product line incorporates not just classic chimes, but also bamboo chimes, windbells, gongs and fountains, all designed to deliver the highest quality in authentic and beautiful sound. This variety allows you to choose the best product mix for your customers, and we’re here to help, with assortments, packages and display suggestions that are time-tested to produce great results. 
Hearing a Woodstock Chime is like listening to a perfectly tuned musical instrument, played by the wind.  - 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
See all the Woodstock Chimes UK products here Web: click here White Pebble International
Unit 2, Plot 11, Terminus Road
Chichester PO198 TX UK
Tel +44(0)1243 780501
Fax +44(0)1243 839332
Email: click here
|
|
|
|
Seed potatoes for the coming season were the main topic of conversation on the Taylors Bulbs stand at Glee this year, according to Adam Taylor, Director of the fourth generation family business.
“We have had some very interesting conversations with potential new customers for seed potatoes who have been let down by their supplier previously or left without a supplier at all now that Unwins and Thompson & Morgan have withdrawn from the seed potato marketplace.” Taylors grow thousands of tonnes of ware potatoes on their Lincolnshire farm and invested in packing and storing facilities in 2015 for seed potatoes with a brand new bespoke production line and 1400 tonne cold store.
“That investment appears to have been recognised by the market with the reliability and quality of the product we have been supplying and we have ample capacity in the facilities,” says Taylor. Taylors Bulbs spring 2018 Seed Potato range comprises over 80 varieties and as well as their bestselling and industry leading Taster Pack range with seed in smaller quantities. 54 varieties are offered in 2kg CarriPack and 25kg’s for loose sale. December deliveries are available and can be programmed thereafter to customer forecasts, and for arrival with deliveries of summer bulbs, onion sets, shallots, etc. Stock is held in cold store and programmed deliveries can be called for earlier if required. Taylors’ top-up service offers delivery the same week if ordering by midday Monday, and with a minimum carriage paid order value of only £100 (in combination with all Taylors products including flower bulbs, etc.). Adam Taylor, Director, reported earlier in the week that Autumn bulb sales have started well. “We are hearing some really positive news from retailers visiting GLEE that their bulb sales have started very well. Traditionally, we are the earliest to make deliveries to UK garden retailers and this early delivery of stock appears to have got our customers off to a good start.”
www.taylors-bulbs.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. Contact Evergreen Enterprises 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
|
|
|
|
‘Accident Black Spots’ are highlighted as areas to avoid on our roads, but ‘Patio Black Spots’ have been challenging the sanity of gardeners throughout the land for decades.
But help is at hand. Now there is a product that not just removes those unsightly black spots, but completely cleans and restores the original colour to all garden stonework, within a matter of hours!
Patio Black Spot Remover has changed people’s perception of the performance and success of patio cleaners, giving instant results, at a better than professional standard.
If you still need convincing here are 10 top reasons how Pat Black Spot can boost sales in your garden centre:
1 Demand in Patio Black Spot Removal Products is soaring thanks to an increasing number of people seeking to entertain in great surroundings outdoors.
2The advent of the Alfresco dining craze, some 15-20 years ago, triggered a massive increase in new garden patios, using new materials such as Indian Sandstone. The first time it rains after laying the new terrace, millions of micro spores, emanating from the trees, are watered into the pores in the garden stonework. Following their two year germination period, they appear as tiny black spots at the beginning of the third year. Suddenly, your monetary investment has been blighted by millions of black spots and has lost its colour.
3 Pressure washing will not remove black spots – but Patio Black Spot Remover will! How many times have you heard, “I’ve just had my patio cleaned and it’s still covered in black spots?”
4 Generally, for less than 3% of the original investment, on a DIY basis, the patio is restored to its original glory!
5 Many garden centres currently stock patio cleaners, capable of removing green algae but they won’t begin to remove the patio black spots. Acid based cleaners cannot be used on Indian Sandstone or Limestone as they will stain the former, and dissolve the latter..
6 The Patio Black Spot Remover sits very comfortably alongside other standard patio cleaners. Although it costs more, the performance more than matches the price.
7 Allows the consumer to achieve a better than professional finish, on a DIY basis.
8 Reduces pressure washing.
9 Patio Black Spot Remover is part of the Patio Black Spot Removal System – a combination of products that will keep the problem in check. By using the Patio Black Spot Preventer, every 12 months, it guarantees that black spots won’t return.
10 Garden centre sales of Patio Black Spot Remover have shown up to 300% increase in sales volume year on year over a three year period.
Call 01252 702123 or visit www.patioblackspotremoval.com
|
|
Another successful Glee for award winners Vivagreen
The team from Vivagreen reported a second busy Glee following their debut at the 2016 event when they were awarded the GIMA innovators Award. This year the stand was buzzing with key buyers from a number of large independent retailers, and the team reported lots of new listings for their unique MossOff Chemical-Free...
The team from Vivagreen reported a second busy Glee following their debut at the 2016 event when they were awarded the GIMA innovators Award. This year the stand was buzzing with key buyers from a number of large independent retailers, and the team reported lots of new listings for their unique MossOff Chemical-Free.
“We have literally hundreds of requests from indpendent garden centres to follow up in the next few weeks, as well as some exciting conversations with multiple chains,” said Russell Walsh, Director at Vivagreen. “I’m so pleased with the response we’ve had from the show and I’ve already booked a much larger stand for next year.”
MossOff Chemical-Free is designed to clear moss and algae from any garden surface from garden furniture, fences, paving, awnings to glass and even stainless steel. It is totally biocide free and safe and easy to apply.
MossOff Chemical-Free is available in a multi surface formula but can also be purchased in a special lawn moss control version with special instructions on how to get the best results on turf.
Also in their unique range of ‘free from’ products for the home and garden are the totally compostable waste bags known as ‘Greensax’ which come in a range of sizes from huge wheelie bin liners to small pocket size ideal for biodegradable doggy poop bags. They also supply strong paper caddy liners for kitchen food waste bins. Their new Scrapack, table top food waste container, and Lunchpack are further developments of their fully compostable paper sacks designed to be strong, leak resistant and resuable but totally biodegradeable too.
Working with Vivagreen on the ‘free from’ range is garden designer and author, Diarmuid Gavin, who says: “The products are great quality and very effective – as good, if not better, than the conventional alternatives I’d been using.
"The products are totally free from damaging ingredients so they’re safe around my family and pets, and they’re really kind to the soil also. I choose ‘free from’ products from Vivagreen whenever I can because I know I’m taking care of my family and doing my part for the care of the environment.”
To find out more about Vivagreen’s range of environmentally friendly products go to www.vivagreengroup.com or e-mail the general enquiries office on office@vivagreengroup.com or call to speak to us on 020 3808 9124
|
|
|
|
|
with all the news direct to your e-mail inbox. The best news service every weekend and all the breaking news as it happens.
Subscribe for free using this link: http://tgcmc.newsweaver.co.uk/gtnxtra/7rulj2yio7x?a=6&p=49514304&t=20355005
Glee New Product Awards
Ten ground-breaking new garden products were confirmed as the winners of the coveted Glee New Product Awards 2017...
Ten ground-breaking new garden products were confirmed as the winners of the coveted Glee New Product Awards 2017.
The winning products were chosen by an expert panel of judges representing independent and multiple retailers, consumer gardening media and trade media.
After initial judging of the 321 new products entered first thing the judges selected finalists in each category. Then those finalists had the opportunity to meet the judges, answer questions and make a pitch to be chosen as the winner.
The winners were:
Retail Services and Experiences
Winner: Mud Daddy – Mud Daddu 20A37
Finalists: Masterlock Sales UK Ltd – Select Access Smart Key Lock Box 20U42; SmartPlant App – SmartPlant Software 20A29.
Outdoor Entertaining
Winner: The Fire Pod – The Fire Pod – 17V51
Finalists: Delivita – Delivita Wood Fired Oven – 17Y02;Jagram SA – Genoa Stand with Gaya Basket – 20Q20.
Garden Decoration
Winner: The Solar Centre – Trueflame – 20S44
Finalist: Creative Products Ltd – Star Magic Motion – 18N30-P31; Neat Ideas Ltd – Friendly Froggies – 17R02.
Home, Gift and Clothing
Winner: Gold Leaf – The RHS Collection – 18K01
Finalists: Coffee Logs – Coffee Log – 20A31; Burgon & Ball – Enamelwares “Hang it” Pegboard – 19C26-E27.
Wildlife and Pets
Winner: Wildlife World – Dewdrop Wildbird Window Feeder – 18M50
Finalists: Blumen International Ltd – Blumen Natural Health Pet Seed – 18N10-P11; CarPET Hair Remover – Car PET Hair Remover, Box of 10 – 17P66.
 Garden Care - Growing Accessories
Winner: Elho – Green Basics Grow House Flowerbridge – 19G10 Finalists Burgon & Ball – “Dotty” Kneelo Childrens Garden Kneeler – 19C26-E27; Garland – Self Watering Grow Pot Tower, Green -18H10-11.
Garden Care – Chemicals, Fertilisers and Growing Media
Winner: Neudorff – Nematode range (all three) – 20R20-S21 Finalists: The Scotts Company – Evergreen Premium plus No Rake Moss Remover Lawn Food – 18M20-P21; Westland – Big Tom Tomato Feed and Westland Orchid Water – 19G20-H21.
Plants, seeds and bulbs
Winner: Wyevale Nurseries – Senecio Angel Wings – NB21
Finalists: Hawksmill Nurseries – Salvia Pink Lips – NB18; Taylors Bulbs – Perfect for Pots Bulb Collections – 19G02.
 Tools & Machinery
Winner: Burgon & Ball – Wonderweed Puller – 19C26-E27 Winner: Crest Garden – Kent & Stowe Stainless Steel Lawn Aerator 4 Prong – 19G21; Gardena – Gardena Combisystem – 19C30-F31.
Landscaping
Winner: I-glo – I-glo Decking Disc – 20A49 Finalists: Panacea Products – Rosette Fence and Collection – 19F60; Screen with Envy – Mouchrabiya Garden Screen – 20A27.
Best of British
Winner: I-glo – I-glo Decking Disc – 20A49
Best @ Glee
Winner: I-glo – I-glo Decking Disc – 20A49
Consumers' Choice (sponsored by Modern Garden magazine)
Winner: Elho – Green Basics Grow House Flowerbridge – 19G10
|
|
Glee Buyers Power List 2017: the winners
The winners of the 2017 Glee Buyers Power List were announced by GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer during an exciting awards ceremony within Glee’s buzzing hub: Seminar Theatre...
The winners of the 2017 Glee Buyers Power List were announced by GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer during an exciting awards ceremony within Glee’s buzzing hub: Seminar Theatre.
From individual garden centre buyers to multiple retailer buying teams, the Glee Buyers Power List was introduced to recognise and celebrate the many garden retail buyers who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to make a difference within the industry in the past 12 months.
Speaking at the Glee Buyers Power List awards ceremony, which was well attended by retailers and suppliers alike, Glee’s Event Director Matthew Mein confirmed: “The Glee Buyers Power List was set up to recognise a key group of decision makers in the gardening industry who are often overlooked: garden retail buyers. Through these awards, we are pleased to be able to celebrate and reward their continued hard work, passion and dedication.
"Our huge congratulations to all of the winners, the finalists and the many excellent shortlisted nominees.”
The winners and finalists were announced as follows: Best Independent Garden Centre Shortlisted: - Almondsbury Garden Centre
- Aylett Nurseries
- Barton Grange Garden Centre
- Baytree Garden Centre
- Bents Garden Centre
- Frosts Garden Centre
- Haskins Garden Centre
- Jacksdale Garden Centre
- Longacres Garden Centre
- Perrywood Garden Centre & Nurseries
- Poplars Garden Centre
- Raemoir Garden Centre
- Scotsdales Garden Centre
- St Peters Garden Centre
- Woodside Garden Centre
WINNER: Mackenzie & Cruickshank
Best Multiple Garden Centre Shortlisted: - Caulders Garden Centres
- Klondyke Garden Centres
- Notcutts
- Squire’s Garden Centres
WINNER: Blue Diamond
Best DIY / Builder Merchant Buying Team
Shortlisted: - B&Q
- Homebase
- Home Hardware
- Jewson Landscaping
- Wickes
WINNER: Stax Trade Centres
Best Online Buyer/ Buying Team Shortlist: - B&Q
- Crocus
- Gardens4Less
- GardenSite
- Nutleys Kitchen Gardens
- Ocado
- Seeds by Post
- Wayfair
- Wilko
WINNER: Enchanted-Earth.com
Best ‘Other’ Garden Retailer Buyer Team Shortlist: - Choice Marketing
- Future Marketing Group
- Snape Maltings
- Worm.co.uk
WINNER: John Lewis
Matthew Mein added: “I’d love to offer my sincerest congratulations to all those who were shortlisted, and also to this year’s winners. There is no doubt that you are all highly deserving of the praise that has been bestowed upon them by their peers and wider industry. Our thanks also to all of those that took the time to vote – your continued support of the awards is greatly appreciated.”
|
|
I-Glo, the revolutionary glow all night product, won the Glee Retailers Choice Award to gain a clean sweep of four Glee New Product Awards for 2017.
Having already won the Landscaping Product Award, the Best of British Award and the Best New Product at Glee following on from Mondays judging, retailers have been able to vote for their choice of best new product for the duration of Monday and Tuesday. I-Glo was the clear winner of the retailers vote.
Glee Show Director Matthew Mein and HTA Commercial Manager, Martin Simmons, sponsors, presented the Award to the I-Glo team on their stand, 20F21, on Wednesday morning.
www.i-glo.co.uk
|
|
GTN's Greatest Plant Retailing Awards were presented on the second day of Glee.
The awards were presented by David Nicholson of awards sponsor Elho, Matthew Mein of Glee, new HTA President Adam Taylor and GTN Director Trevor Pfeiffer.
Winners
The Greatest Plant Advice Team, sponsored by glee
Bronze Award: Summerhill 
Silver Award: Scotsdales
Gold Award: Aylett Nurseries and Fron Goch
The Greatest Planteria Linked Sales Team
Bronze Award: Fresh@Burcot Silver Award: Barton Grange Gold Award: Burston
The Greatest Pot and Plant Sales Team – Top of the Pots, sponsored by Elho 
Bronze Award: Millbrook Gravesend
Silver Award: Fron Goch 
Gold Award: Bents
The Greatest “Garden Decoration” Sales Team 
Bronze Award: Stratford Garden Centre
Silver Award: Cowells Gold Award: Millbrook Gravesend
The Greatest Plant Retailing Teams, sponsored by the HTA 
Bronze Award: Notcutts Woodford Park
Silver Award: Coolings and Castle Gardens Gold Award: Perrywood
Finalists: - Altons
- Aylett Nurseries
- Barton Grange
- Baytree
- Bents
- Burston
- Castle Gardens
- Chessington
- Coolings
- Cowells
- Fresh@Burcot
- Fron Goch
- Glyndwr Plant Centre
- Green Pastures
- Millbrook Gravesend
- Notcutts Woodford Park
- Perrywood
- Planters Tamworth
- Scotsdales
- Squires Badshot Lea
- Squires Chertsey
- Stewarts Christchuch
- Stratford Garden Centre
- Summerhill
The winner of the Glee, Best Plant Display was also announced during The Greatest Plant Retailing Awards; Javado.
|
|
JAVADO were presented with the Best Plants Display today at Glee 2017.
Judge Marcus Cousins from Aylett Nurseries said; "the winning stand is the Javado stand containing the house plant display with the succulents. It give the customer great ideas on how to display and merchandise the product."
|
|
In May 2016 the Great British Card Company launched a range of beautiful photographic greeting cards, Floreo, supporting both Greenfingers and Perennial.
Each card sold donated £0.20 to the charities (split £0.10 for each charity) and to date the company has raised just over a staggering £40,000.
Chris Houfe, Sales Director GBCC, said: "This is an ongoing project and we’ve just launched a further eight designs to refresh the everyday range.
"For Christmas 2017 we’ve introduced five Floreo acetate boxes and each box sold has a £0.60 charity donation (split £0.30 for each charity), plus twelve single cards, again with a £0.20 charity donation (split £0.10 for each charity) for each card sold.
"We’re expecting the Christmas alone to raise a further £10,000 in total."
At Glee GBCC presented cheques to both charities.
|
|
After a show which many felt was the most positive for years, Tildenet Gardenware are reflecting on the great reception that they received from visitors to Glee 2017.
With a dramatic (and tall!) new look to the stand, Tildenet were easy to spot in the crowd and many visitors commented on how impressive the look and feel of the stand was - a real indicator of the significant growth seen this year at Tildenet Gardenware.
The display of consolidated furniture covers in the Bosmere range, defined by a distinctive new livery, attracted praise for the ease with which the customer can now understand the choices available and the response to the new modern look of the refreshed Haxnicks branding was universally positive.
Steve Millington, Sales Director said: "Glee has given us the opportunity to demonstrate the synergy between our brands which has been enhanced by introduction of new POS within our Haxnicks and Bosmere ranges. This has been a buoyant season for Tildenet Gardenware with record sales figures showing growing support from our customers - we have made very significant investments into the business this year and look forward to an exciting 2018."
Angus Lewis, Marketing Manager added: "Glee is always a great show to launch our new ideas and show the trade what we are all about; giving us the opportunity to chat to customers and gain feedback as well as looking at the other trends around the industry. The response to our stand, new products, updated branding and newly developed merchandising solutions this year was phenomenal. The Retail Lab was also a fantastic addition and offered an additional avenue for suppliers to show their products in an inspirational and well-presented manner. All in all, an excellent show and we’re already planning for Glee 2018."
For enquiries about Tildenet products visit www.tildenetgardenware.co.uk or telephone 0117 9341799
|
|
Vitax on point with its marketing
To help gardeners choose the right product and ensure garden centres promote the right product for a specific gardening problem, Vitax has invested in new point of sale material to help making the right choice easier...
Vitax’s decision to put garden centres and retailers at the heart of its Glee exhibition with striking marketing and point of sale materials has been a great success with an increase in visitors to this year’s stand.
Designed to help gardeners choose the right product and ensure garden centres promote the right product for the right gardening problem, Vitax will be providing customers with range of promotional materials from 2018 varying from sales buddies and branded boxes through to clearer signage and product guides.
This is the first time Vitax has provided both indoor and outdoor promotional material to customers, but follows many years of developing new packaging and products in conjunction with customer feedback.
Sales manager for Vitax, Mark Butler, says: “Gardeners are demanding more from their products not just in terms of specialist feeds and fertilisers, but also guidance on how to use them to get the best out of their crops and flowers.
“To help educate and support both experienced and young gardeners, during 2018 Vitax will be rolling out a range of helpful ‘How to’ guides and additional product information.
“We will also continue to invest in the www.gardenworld.co.uk website which contains all the information a gardener needs to make an informed product selection.”
  In addition to new point of sale material, Vitax has also weather-proofed some of its leading brands.
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser, Clematis Feed, Organic Rose Food and Azalea & Rhododendron Feed have all undergone a packaging transformation with the addition of 900g pouches. Developed to aid garden centres promote products next to plants and shrubs, the new waterproof pouches will enable centres to use them outdoors next to its plant displays.
|
|
Gardening broadcaster and writer David Domoney was at Glee to help promote the new range of seeds he has helped to develop for Mr Fothergill's.
The range is a collection of tried and tested varieties with packs that feature jargon-free growing instructions aimed at beginners and the less experienced - a point emphasised on the distinctive all-new merchandising display.
David took the Mr Fothergill's Glee team through the story of the range on the stand.
|
|
Adam Taylor from Taylors Bulbs was elected as President of the HTA at the Association’s AGM which took place at Glee. Adam takes on the role from Adam Wigglesworth of Aylett Nurseries who has completed his two-year term of office to become the Immediate Past President. In other appointments Sandy Shepherd from Ball Colegrave was re-elected to the Board and Simon Fraser from Ben Reid and Co was elected as a new Board member. Stan Green from Growforth Ltd stood down from the Board, after serving since 2007. Adam Wigglesworth took the opportunity to say what an honour it had been to serve HTA members and thanked the Board, Council, HTA staff and fellow Directors at Aylett Nurseries, for their support during his presidency. Members from across the sector attending the AGM received the finance reports and annual review and re-appointed BDO as auditors. Dougal Philip provided an update from the HTA Benevolent Fund and encouraged all to help raise awareness of this resource which is available to HTA members and their staff. HTA subscription rates are not increasing in 2018 in the light of other challenges for the industry such as uncertainty around Brexit, exchange rates and increasing prices. The minutes of the AGM will be available to members on the HTA website in the near future.
|
|
Glee was under the spotlight on the first day of the show on BBC’s Breakfast programme. Fronted by presenter Steph McGovern, leading garden industry figures were interviewed during a live broadcast from the halls.
 Regular updates from Steph featured throughout the three-hour show, with talking points that included the latest gardening trends and insights, new product launches and debate on how to engage with the younger gardener. Duncan McLean, buyer at Wyevale Garden Centres, was interviewed by Steph on the garden retail market, whilst Sheila Hill, UK general manager of Scotts Miracle-Gro also did a piece to camera discussing the latest trends.
 Romeo Summers gave viewers a tour of the new Retail Lab @ Glee and its interactive hubs focusing on Family, Community, Re-Wilding and Well-being and how the public can be inspired by gardening with the latest products. George Williams of SmartPlant also gave a demonstration of the SmartPlant app, innovative technology that enables the consumer to identify plants and receive advice and how to care for them. The coverage also included Matthew Appleby of Horticulture Week, who was interviewed from the industry viewpoint.
Trevor Pfeiffer, director of GTN, was interviewed twice about Glee New Products. He was spotted on TV by son Robert and grandson Arthur (aged nine months) - see picture below.
|
|
Time to grow: Glee 2018
Recent years have demonstrated that Glee is not afraid of change. This theme will continue in the year ahead as the organisers of the annual exhibition for the garden retail industry confirms its exciting plans for the 2018 show – including a bigger exhibition space and brand new products...
Recent years have demonstrated that Glee is not afraid of change. This theme will continue in the year ahead as the organisers of the annual exhibition for the garden retail industry confirms its exciting plans for the 2018 show – including a bigger exhibition space and brand new products. Next year, Glee will be relocating to NEC Halls 6,7,8, 19-20, providing the show with a much bigger footprint, and an even larger and more exciting exhibition.
Exhibitors will be able to relocate, whilst visitors will be walking an updated floorplan; discovering new products and companies at every turn.
The overall effect will be a refreshed, revitalised event, as Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director explains: “Glee has been growing at a significant rate – for example we had over 200 new brands join us at the 2017 event - and that means we’ve outgrown our current home.
"Glee has successfully relocated before, and we hope that this next move will be received with the same level of industry support. Not only will the exhibition be able to better accommodate more exhibitors and visitors, but its refreshed layout will breathe new life into the show.
"This move is inspired by the way that retailers keep their store interesting for customers by constantly revising the layout. This way customers discover more, and ultimately spend more – something we know our exhibitors and visitors want to replicate during their time at Glee.” Building more content to help support the continuous growth of gardening in the UK will be a key theme of the 2018 event. Garden retailing is continuing to buck the trend that other retailers have fallen foul of, with growth for both garden retailers and suppliers continuing to grab the headlines.
At Glee 2018 look out for more features, seminar sessions and year-round information relating to trends, merchandising and practical advice on ways to build better business, whilst also tackling the most burning issue – how to attract millennials into the garden centre. The Retail Lab, launched to critical acclaim in 2017, will be returning to the heart of the exhibition, showcasing even more inspirational trend information, interactive content and retail best practice. Get set to see even more leading brands and industry experts putting their weight behind this must-see part of Glee. With a larger central boulevard, Glee 2018 will be an impressive sight, with even more space for its ever-popular show features including the New Product Showcase, Innovators Zone and GIMA Business Village. The show’s dedicated pet section – including the PetQuip Business Village - will also be given additional room to expand, helping even more pet product suppliers to get their ranges seen by core garden centre pet buyers. All of this will be supported by Glee’s refreshed and contemporary branding that was launched to the market in early 2017. 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.
|
|
bio-bean scoops the 2017 GIMA Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund
A proven vehicle for celebrating grass roots development and true innovation, the GIMA Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund (GISCF) has already contributed to helping three brands crack the garden retail market both here and across the globe. This year, another company is set to benefit from the GISCF excellent prize package. Introducing the 2017 winners – bio-bean...
 A proven vehicle for celebrating grass roots development and true innovation, the GIMA Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund (GISCF) has already contributed to helping three brands crack the garden retail market both here and across the globe. This year, another company is set to benefit from the GISCF excellent prize package. Introducing the 2017 winners – bio-bean.
A clean technology company, bio-bean has industrialised the process of recycling spent coffee grounds into advanced biofuels and biochemicals. It was the company’s Coffee Logs that captured the attention of the judges thanks to its simplicity and environmentally friendly nature.
Beating off stiff competition, bio-bean – as GISCF winners - will receive support up to the value of £6,000 to help with development and marketing costs associated with entering the UK garden retail market, including a year’s full GIMA membership, and a wide range of business support tools. Coffee Logs are quite simply, a fuel for stoves, wood burners and chimeneas. The difference comes from the fact that the logs are each made from 25 cups of spent coffee grounds. These compressed coffee grounds produce more heat and burn longer than wood, making them not just cost efficient but help to lower emissions and reduce waste. GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “We’re incredibly pleased to confirm that bio-bean is the 2017 winner of the GIMA Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund. The company, its processes and resulting product are not just innovative, but they are also changing the way we think about traditional heating methods, and how recycling of an everyday bi-product can reduce waste and lower our environmental impact. bio-bean are certainly opening a wide conversation about waste and how it can be reinvented. We’re so pleased to be helping them reach a wider audience.”
 In addition to choosing a winner, the panel also selected two highly commended companies. Those just missing out on the highly coveted title were: - Screen with Envy - Made from an advanced mix of wood and composite, these UK designed modular garden screens and trellises are unique in the market. Offered in a variety of sizes, colours and stunning designs, the products look like wood, and can be cut to size like wood. However, due to the composite mix of the material, they won’t warp, rot, mould or age. They are UV treated and fully waterproof.
- SmartPlant™ - SmartPlant is the app for people with plants. The app provides plant and pest identification, monthly plant care advice and the ability to chat with over 100 regional plant experts. With hundreds of thousands of downloads and an instore presence in over 110 plant retail locations in both the UK and USA, SmartPlant is focussed on making sure everyone can grow beautiful, healthy plants. SmartPlant’s latest innovation, SmartPlant barcode scanning technology, allows people to scan the barcode of their new plants and automatically receive monthly care advice.
As the winner, bio-bean is now set to receive funding and help with the development and marketing of their product, together with support from experts within the industry.
|
|
This year Durston Garden Products returned to Glee with a specific message to Retailers and that was to BUY BRITISH...  “With Brexit negotiations now well under way, we need to consider the way we do business in the UK going forward” says NEW, National Sales and Marketing Manager, Dan Durston.
Dan, a sixth generation of Durston says, “I am really looking forward to meeting and greeting both old and new customers alike in my new role at GLEE this year and persuading them that BUYING BRITISH is the right way to go. Shopping closer to home makes so much more sense and is not always as expensive as we’ve been led to believe. In fact here at Durstons we not only supply an extensive range of growing media products, which offer exceptional value-for-money, but we are confident that we can beat any price out there, and what’s more, we can deliver those products in just five days from receipt of order! Now that’s got to be a good thing”.
Family owned for over 150 years, Durston Garden Products has been supplying composts and other growing media related products from its base in Somerset for 3 generations, so knows a thing or two about ‘what’s hot and what’s not’ when it comes to compost. It’s most popular brands include Manor Farm and its premium Multi-Purpose compost, but the entire range comprise a seed & cutting compost, tub and basket, an ericaceous compost, decorative bark, a John Innes range and much more. “As a family run business we can, and regularly do go that extra mile to accommodate last minute, one-off, urgent or tricky deliveries where retailers have been let down by their regular supplier” continues Dan. “It’s at times like this, when retailers are still feeling a trepid nervous about what’s to come following Brexit and are considering switching supplier, that we can hopefully persuade them that not only can we fix their short term supply problems, but that we can do so much more for them going forward.”  Some of the major benefits of stocking Durstons Garden Products include:
- Extensive range
- Home produced compost
- Excellent quality
- Added nutrient Gro-Boost technology
- Bagged in state-of-the-art packaging facility in Somerset
- Loaded onto Durston Lorry
- Delivered anywhere in England and Wales within 5 days from receipt of order
- Extremely price competitive
Durston Garden Products sales have grown significantly in recent years due in part to its investment in new plant and machinery. Combine this with the company’s recent investment also into a strategic BUY BRITISH marketing campaign and already you can see you have a company that is determined to make its mark going forward, not only as a true BRITISH supplier, but also as an all-round contender in the growing media arena. For further information contact: Durston Garden Products Ltd Avalon Farm, Sharpham, Street, Somerset, BA16 9SE Tel: 01458 442688 Fax: 01458 448327 Email: info@durstongardenproducts.co.uk
|
|
Crest launch stunning new POS campaign
Crest Garden grabbed the headlines at Glee with a stunning range of in-store display equipment across their full range of brands – Kent & Stowe, Flopro and Plantpak...
Crest Garden grabbed the headlines at Glee with a stunning range of in-store display equipment across their full range of brands – Kent & Stowe, Flopro and Plantpak.
Designed to create impact, interest and information, the new units are purpose built for each product group ensuring maximum attention and space efficiency.
Kent & Stowe gave the garden tools market dramatic boost in 2017 with the introduction of their ‘right tool for the right job’ campaign, supported by specific POS. This successful approach is being extended for 2018 with the introduction of ‘Potting & Planting’, ‘Topiary Essentials’, ‘Kid’s Range’, ‘Love your Lawn’ and ’Cutting Solutions’.
The extended Flopro range including the new solar efficient Eco Smart Watering is presented in evocative and informative display modules.
Plantpak has a host of new products for the coming season which includes two brand new terrariums which are available now to take advantage of the Christmas gift market. The terrarium display unit in pristine white with colour graphics is a real head-turner.
 
|
|
This year’s Glee saw record breaking donations to Greenfingers as exhibitors donated hundreds of stunning products to the charity. As well as stock from Bord Na mona and the New Product Zone, generous donations from Cadix. Woodlodge, The Solar Centre, Ivyline and many others who contributed to the Retail Lab helped to make-up the FIVE vans of stock which will be up-sold by Hillview Garden Centres, to raise money for the charity that creates therapeutic gardens for children and their families who spend time in hospices across the UK.
 Head of Fundraising and Communications, Linda Petrons said: "On behalf of everyone at Greenfingers Charity I'd like to say a huge thank you to Glee for their overwhelming generosity this year. The much loved Woodlodge fire pit of booze was raffled at the exhibition raising a huge £550 and donations received at the end of the three-day event will go on to raise many hundreds of £s in the weeks ahead.
I'd also like to say a very special thank you to the HTA and Boyd Douglas Davies and his fantastic team from Hillview Garden Centres for working so hard, late into the evening on Wednesday and Thursday to ensure all donations were securely packed into the waiting vans for onward delivery". The charity also took the opportunity to remind visitors and exhibitors to the show that it’s just six months until Garden Re-Leaf Day which next year takes place on
FRIDAY 16TH MARCH 2018
To register your event or sign up to take part in, or support the GREAT Garden Re-Leaf Day walk, contact Mandy in the Fundraising Team on 01494 674749 or by email gardenreleaf@greenfingerscharity.org.uk.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
We're already well advanced in preparations for the Glee Planner which is posted to all pre-registered Glee visitors and the Glee Show Catalogue which is available for FREE as visitors enter the halls at the NEC and now we've published the first issue of this years Glee Daily News.
From now until the end of September the Glee Daily News, in its unique e-mail format, will keep visitors up to date with what they can see at the show and gives exhibitiors the most up to date e-mail vehicle for ensuring buyers know about their new products and other Glee activities.
Here's the schedule for the Glee Daily News 2017:- 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 - 11th September
- Live from the Show Day 2 - 12th September
- Live from the Show Day3 - 13th September
- Omnibus Issue - 27th September
To make sure you get your own copy of Glee Daily News sign up here
For advertorial and advertisng opportunties please contact Ben Greenwood, Alan Burdon or Mandy Davies at Potting Shed Press Ltd, 01733 775700, owners and publishers of Garden Trade News, Garden Radio and The Greatest Awards.
|
|
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.
We're already well advanced in preparations for the Glee Planner which is posted to all pre-registered Glee visitors and the Glee Show Catalogue which is available for FREE as visitors enter the halls at the NEC and now we've published the first issue of this years Glee Daily News.
From now until the end of September the Glee Daily News, in its unique e-mail format, will keep visitors up to date with what they can see at the show and gives exhibitiors the most up to date e-mail vehicle for ensuring buyers know about their new products and other Glee activities.
Here's the schedule for the Glee Daily News 2017:- 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 - 11th September
- Live from the Show Day 2 - 12th September
- Live from the Show Day3 - 13th September
- Omnibus Issue - 27th September
To make sure you get your own copy of Glee Daily News sign up here
For advertorial and advertisng opportunties please contact Ben Greenwood, Alan Burdon or Mandy Davies at Potting Shed Press Ltd, 01733 775700, owners and publishers of Garden Trade News, Garden Radio and The Greatest Awards.
|
|
|
|
