As garden retailing continues to thrive, with double digit year-on-year growth, the future for our industry continues to look bright. One place where this optimism will shine through will be the forthcoming Glee exhibition (September 10-12, NEC Birmingham), where 550 plus suppliers will join with 7,000 UK and international key decision makers, buyers and trend setters, to showcase the future of gardening.   

Matthew Mein, Glee’s Event Director, said: “The market is reporting a strong start to the 2019 season, with sales up 37% year-on-year.

"A combination of good weather, and consumers retreating to their homes in a time of economic uncertainty, has paid dividends for our industry. As such we move into the 2019 event with a sense of excitement regarding the future development and growth of our sector.

"From an engaged audience, the potential of the ‘millennial pound’, new tech hitting the market, and a wealth of existing ranges continuing to hit the mark, Glee 2019 will be a thriving hub for the garden retail market, offering unrivalled value for both suppliers and visitors.”

What’s new at Glee 2019

Educational content will bring business growth opportunities to the fore

Building more content to help support the continuous growth of gardening in the UK will be a key theme of the 2019 event. Look out for more features, seminar sessions and new-for-2019 workshops, and year-round information relating to trends, merchandising and practical advice on ways to build better business, whilst also tackling the most burning issues set to affect the industry in the years ahead.

The purrfect place to source pet products – Pets at Glee to grow

Bigger and better than ever before, ‘Pets at Glee’ will be a thriving section of Glee, designed to make it even easier for garden centre pet buyers to directly source 2020 ranges.

Featuring a multi-functional space, Pets at Glee will house interactive workshops aimed at helping garden centres start their pet retail journey, as well as provide visual merchandising inspiration that touches on key areas of pet retail including pet food, accessories, luxury and technology. It will also house a dedicated networking space for pet retailers and garden centres to connect with each other to share their experiences through facilitated speed networking sessions. 

There will also be a dedicated Pet New Product Showcase, which will showcase the latest and great new product innovations from Pets at Glee exhibitors. This year the showcase will feature nine award categories made up of: Best Pet Clothing Product, Best Pet Toys and Entertainment, Best Pet Accessories (Collars, Leads, Muzzles, Harnesses), Best Pet Health, Grooming and Cleaning, Best Pet Bedding and Travel (housing, carriers, cages, baskets), Best Pet Food and Treats, Best Pet Technology, Best Eco Initiative Pet Product Award and Best Overall New Product for Pets at Glee.

PetQuip – the leading international trade association for manufacturers and suppliers of pet care goods and services - has also confirmed that it will be continuing its support for the PetQuip Business Village.

Retail Lab set to return in 2019

The Retail Lab @ Glee – in association with the HTA - was introduced in 2017 to showcase the latest trends within the garden industry, whilst also providing retailers with hands on advice and inspirational content that they can take back to their own stores to drive sales in the coming season.  The response to this new area surpassed expectations, with suppliers and retailers remarking on the immediate ‘take home’ value of the Lab’s content. 

This year the Retail Lab will focus on two key themes ‘Shop’ and ‘Nature’, both of which will be supported by eight key themes entitled - Do it Yourself, Plant and Gift Shop, Garden Therapy, ‘Do Nothing’, Plastic Free Future?, Urban Green City, Outdoors = Indoors, Nurturing Nature, and Pet Alley – all of which represent key growth opportunities for garden retailers, whilst also addressing those issues that are shaping consumer spending habits.

Once again, the Retail Lab @ Glee – in association with the HTA - will be created in partnership with a panel of industry experts, led by Creative Director, Romeo Sommers of ByRomeo. 

In addition to the amazing team behind the Retail Lab, the area will also be supported by a number of sponsors. Woodlodge, Scheurich, Key Essentials, Apta, Meadow View Stone, Verona, Laurica Plants, BPI Products, Ivyline, and Air So Pure are confirmed as 2019 Supplier Partners, providing them a wealth of opportunity to promote their brand and latest product innovations.

La Hacienda return to Glee 2019 with a new, sophisticated approach and brand proposition that will clearly segment their garden décor offer. The commercial package has also been reviewed to make ranging and display of the category easier and more effective for garden centre customers.

Thanks to the significant investment as a result of being part of the AMES UK group of companies two new brands join the family for 2020. Aston & Wold is a trend-driven collection of stylish lanterns and mirrors now available as part of an exclusive garden centre merchandising package on a specially designed stand. Vida is the new brand for outdoor décor which includes a wide range of colourful, but realistic animals which are also all available on bespoke merchandising units.

Star of the show will be the new Vida British Birds collection and the specially designed merchandising unit which will showcase this exciting new range. The stand can be located as an island unit or positioned against a wall and it is versatile enough to work in gifting, gardening or wild bird care areas.

Both the Aston & Wold and Vida ranges are part of the new La Hacienda exclusive garden centre deals package which makes ranging and merchandising these growing categories easy and space efficient. Each range, of which there are nine in total, has been selected to feature top selling lines and is presented on a merchandising deal with stand.

The full range will be on show on the La Hacienda stand in hall 6 – part of the AMES UK group of companies exhibiting at Glee 2019.

sales@lahacienda.co.uk             

+44(0)1285 762060        

www.lahacienda.co.uk

PAWExpo – a new high-end pet focused exhibition – will launch in September 2020, supported by the team behind the annual Glee trade event A special ‘first look’ at what is to come will be unveiled at the official PAWExpo reveal party on Wednesday 11th September at the Pets Café area, in Hall 19.
 
PAWExpo – Pet & Animal Wellbeing Expo – will offer a fresh look at pet product and accessories. Pet care, wellbeing, premier and luxury products will take centre stage, showcasing brands that cover everything from food and health, to accessories, technology and retail solutions.
 
Matthew Mein, Glee and PAWExpo’s Event Director, said: “The way our pets are integrated into our lives has changed exponentially in recent years. Animals no longer regarded as pets, but as one of the family, and it is this that is driving category growth, and why we have seen unprecedented level of premium and artisan products launched over the past five years, projecting luxury pet goods into the mainstream market.

"Pet owners are willing to offer animals their own products and unique items, which often carry a higher price tag. This is a great opportunity for retailers who want to optimise this long-term (and recession proof) potential, and to offer a new generation of pet products.

"At PAWExpo everything retailers need to create a strong and future-facing retail experience – from core products to exciting gifting ranges – is presented under one roof, at a time of year when ranges for the following season are most commonly selected. PawExpo is an exciting prospect, and one that we are looking forward to bringing to market.”
 
At a glance - a look at the UK pet market

• According to AMA Research, the total UK pet market was valued at £6.5billion in 2017, when the pet market accounted for 1.8% of the UK retail market.
• Analysts have predicted “modest but continued steady growth” in the pet market – with a value of £7billion forecast for 2020-21.
• Mintel’s latest research (October 2018) found that 59% of British consumers own a pet, with full-time workers the most likely to own one (66%). Dog ownership peaks among men, with 35% owning a hound compared to 31% of women, and younger millennials aged 19-28 (42%). Cat ownership peaks among Brits aged 25-44. A third (33%) of Brits own a dog while three in ten (29%) own a cat.
• Mintels’ report also highlighted that the highest proportion of Brits who said they’d be prepared to put their pets’ needs before their own were millennials – those aged 19-38 – with 54 per cent saying they’d go without so they could afford to pamper their pets. In fact, millennials take their pets’ wellbeing so seriously, the survey claimed, that 30 per cent of young pet care shoppers said it was important that their pet keeps up with the latest trends such as clothing and grooming styles
• Another factor that’s shaping the fortunes of the pet trade is the rise of animal social media influencers, which are most likely to appeal to the millennial demographic.

Further details about PawExpo will be announced shortly.
 
Find out more
To keep up-to-date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.  To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2019 call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

A journey of discovery is coming to Glee this September as the key industry event confirms two exciting guided tour opportunities to ensure retailers make the most of their time at the show.

As the leading garden retail event in the industry calendar with unrivalled new product sourcing opportunities, it is vital that businesses get the most out of visiting Glee.  Plus, with Glee’s ever-expanding portfolio of show features it is more important than ever that visitors are armed with the right information to maximise their time at the show.

One of Glee’s most visited features, the Retail Lab - in association with the HTA - will benefit from a series of guided tours. Led by the Retail Lab’s Creative Director, Romeo Sommers, the Retail Lab tours will give visitors explanations and further knowledge into the key insights and trends being showcased on the Retail Lab feature in 2019, including ‘Do it yourself (and have fun)’, and ‘Saving the World – Nurturing, Nature and Animals’. Throughout the tours, Romeo will also provide top tips on how retailer and merchandisers can implement the trends within their own stores with quick and easy ‘takeaway’ advice.

The Retail Lab tours will take place daily at 11:00am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm, and will operate on a first come first served basis. To join one of Romeo’s tours please visit the Retail Lab ahead of each tour to secure your place.

Visitors will also be able to take full advantage of all Glee has to offer with the Discovery Tours led by Glee’s dedicated PR partners, Hornby Whitefoot PR. Offering a unique and bespoke visitor experience, the walking tours will take in the unmissable feature areas of the show including the New Product Showcase, Green Heart and the newly enhanced and dedicated pet sector - Pets at Glee. Each ‘stop’ on the tour will outline what is on offer, how retailers can benefit from spending time in each area and how they can maximise the inspiration and educational takeaway available.

The Discovery Tour will take place daily at 10:15am. Open to both new and regular visitors on a first come, first served basis, each tour will last just 45-minutes and will help visitors to plan the rest of their time at the show efficiently and take in the hottest new products from over 550 companies across eight sectors.  To join the Discovery Tour please visit the #PowerOfOne wall in the atrium and look out for the Hornby Whitefoot PR team.

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focusing 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 2019 call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Johnsons Lawn Seed, the UK’s leading supplier of grass seed, will take the wraps off two new products at Glee that are set to drive growth in the lawncare category in 2020.

The hotly-anticipated launches are expected to cause a frenzy of media interest on the company’s exhibition space (Hall 8, stand B50-C51), when Johnsons Lawn Seed reveals the solution to a lawncare problem that has plagued the nation’s gardeners for decades.

As part of Danish co-operative DLF Seeds, which channels €14million into research and development every year, Johnsons carried out over 670 tests before finalising the innovative formulation that will hit the lawncare market for the first time when Glee gets underway at the NEC on 10^th -12^th September.

With lawns under the spotlight for their environmental benefits – which include keeping temperatures down in summer, providing vital wildlife habitats and reducing flooding by absorbing rainfall, Johnsons Lawn Seed will also unveil second development in seed technology that will help consumers to establish a new lawn quickly, even when conditions for sowing and establishment are not favourable.

Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Consumer Manager, Guy Jenkins, said: “Retail buyers should make a beeline for the Johnsons stand at Glee, where we will be revealing a new generation of products, underpinned by scientific research, with the potential to significantly drive sales next season and beyond. A huge amount of research and development work has brought these products to market, and the result is true innovation that will generate additional sales in 2020.”

The launches follow the highly successful introduction of Johnsons’ Super Smart Lawn Feed at Glee 2018. The 100% organic product, which features naturally occurring ingredients, feeds lawns, greens grass and dramatically increases root systems – leading to stronger, greener grass.

Find out more

To find out more about the current product ranges from Johnsons Lawn Seed please visit http://www.johnsonslawnseed.com/product-range.aspx

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Wallace & Gromit hitting our screens, and also to mark the release in October of a new Shaun the Sheep film ‘Farmageddon’, Apta is launching a fantastic range of garden ornaments inspired by the much-loved Aardman Animations characters.

The intricately hand-painted figures depict some of the famous adventures of Wallace & Gromit, and the Shaun the Sheep range includes characters from the forthcoming movie, in cinemas 18^th October.

Each item comes in its own gift box and makes a perfect present for Aardman fans young and old!

To see the full range visit Apta at Glee on stands 7J40-L41 and 6L40-M41.

2019 sees Taylors Bulbs celebrating their centenary anniversary. The Taylors Bulbs Team look forward to welcoming visitors to Glee to talk about their history and show both new and existing customers the recipe to maximise bulb sales.

Taylors Bulbs are the UK's leading supplier of flower bulbs; a fourth generation family business since 1919, they grow, design, pack and distribute all of their products from their site in Lincolnshire, supported by a sales team with a combined experience of over 250 years.

Adam Taylor, Director, says: "Together with my cousin, Sam, we are immensely proud to be the current custodians of our family business for the 4th generation, and our goal is to continue the legacy and see if we can welcome a 5th generation.  As part of our celebrations, we had a "Daffodil Day" in April with 500 visitors and something that will live long in the memory of the Taylors Team and visitors alike.  We are also organising celebratory planting events for children with our customers nationwide, and supporting The Greenfingers Charity."

Taylors Bulbs pride themselves in having a range containing products suitable for all garden customers from smaller retail nurseries to multiple groups.  At GLEE, they will be displaying techniques to maximise the impact of the bulb display.  Their autumn 2019 flowering bulb range consists of over 750 products including loose bulbs, pre-packs, bulb gift items and grow your own vegetables.

Adam added: "We are constantly developing our product ranges and this year we have added our "Best of the Best Fragrance" pre-pack range, and over 60 other new varieties and products including continued innovation of our added value gift range.  We are looking forward to showing off our products and display techniques to our customers at Glee."

Also featured at Glee will be products from their spring 2020 range consisting of summer flowering bulbs, grow your own vegetables and seed potatoes.

Find Taylors Bulbs at Glee 2019, Birmingham NEC, Hall 6, stand N03, 10th - 12th September. 

www.taylors-bulbs.com

Bord na Móna will launch the Happy Compost range at this year’s Glee event, boasting a completely peat-free brand featuring six new products.

The Happy Compost product range includes vegetable compost, tomato planter, rose, tree and shrub compost, soil improvers and an all-purpose compost available in two different sizes. Bord na Móna is pleased to launch a range that caters to the needs of any gardener, whilst also staying true to its environmental responsibilities.

The most eco-friendly range yet, Happy Compost’s packaging is recyclable, using 30% recycled plastic in the bags – the highest amount achievable. The core raw materials in Happy Compost products are either recycled or by-products including bark, green compost, wood fibre and coir, all of which are 100% peat-free.

Steve Harper, Head of Commercial & Marketing for Bord na Móna UK, says:

“Happy Compost is our most innovative and versatile brand yet. The name Happy Compost is inspired by the feeling of happiness and contentment. The new products channel this by providing great gardening results and also supporting our environmental responsibilities by going 100% peat free. We invite everyone to visit our stand at Glee to get a first look at Happy Compost.”

As a leading showcase of pet product suppliers, trendsetters and emerging brands, Pets at Glee is set to be a thriving platform for any retailers wanting to optimise the ‘pet pound’. Now it has been confirmed that Glee has introduced an additional added value feature to Pets at Glee called ‘The Marketplace’.

This exciting new feature may be small in size, but it will certainly pack a punch in regard to content! Positioned in Hall 19, the Pets at Glee ‘marketplace’ has been designed to support small independent pet brands that are looking to expand and break into the garden retail and pet markets.

Featuring first time exhibitors, such as BESTT, ‘The Marketplace’ will be a leading showcase of exciting, new and niche products from these grass roots businesses. Any retailers wanting to source products before they reach the mass market can do so by visiting The Marketplace, providing them with the opportunity to offer something different to their customers. What’s more, these products will fit perfectly into existing pet ranges; ranges that are so often influenced by consumers’ need for high-end, design driven products

Ruthie Conway from BESTT, who will be participating in the Marketplace said: “I decided to join the Pets at Glee Marketplace and am happy to be at its inaugural event. I believe this is a unique opportunity for me to showcase my brand of new and exciting eco-friendly dog biscuits. There is no other brand like mine, made only from fresh ingredients with no other additives. Baked ethically, sustainably and with a special regard to our planet in everything we do. I believe we have the BESTT biscuits in town - Baked Ethical, Sustainable Tasty Treats!

Matthew Mein, Glee’s Event Director said: “At Glee we love being able to help new and emerging brands come to the fore. Doing so not only does helps businesses break into the mainstream, but it also provides an exciting opportunity for our visiting retailers too. So much of the strength of garden retailing comes from its ability to provide a unique retail experience, and this includes offering products that often can’t be found anywhere else. We’re excited to bring ‘The Marketplace’ to Pets at Glee in 2019, and hope that retailers make a beeline for it as I know they’ll find something that will capture their – and their customers’ - imagination!”

In addition to ‘The Marketplace’ Pets at Glee will also be home to a wide range of leading pet brands including Vital Pet Products, Trixie, Butchers, Canine and Co, Jacobi Jayne & Company, Marriage Specialist Foods, The Barking Bakery, Winners Europe, Bon EOOD, Global 1^st Ltd, and H.von Gimborn, Pets at Glee will be the go-to destination for all pet care professionals who need to be first to see the latest trends and innovation.

Zest 4 Leisure is a leading supplier of high quality, FSC® certified, timber garden products including garden furniture, arbours, arches, fencing, trellis, planters and an extensive ‘Grow-Your-Own’ range.

“The whole team is looking forward to Glee. It gives us the opportunity to talk face to face with our customers and discuss our products”, said Alwyn Williams, Head of Zest 4 Leisure.

Zest returns to Glee again this year with their GIMA Finalist Noah’s Arbour on display as well as their new and innovative range of 2020 products.

“Innovation is at the heart of what we do”, said Steve Morgan MD of Zest. “The new range includes planters and display units to turn any garden into a colourful outside space filled with seasonal plants and flowers. All on display on stand #20Z30.

Zest 4 Leisure is committed to delivering the best in customer service and offering a broad marketing support package which includes, its digital library of product shots, visual merchandising and the new product assembly videos which will be showcased at the show. There are now over 50 product assembly and lifestyle videos available, used in conjunction with the standard instructions, the “how to” videos show every detail of how the product fits together. The Zest team will be highlighting the company’s range of support material that are available to customers for marketing use.

Zest 4 Leisure’s national account managers and office based sales teams have a friendly approach to business and are keen to support its customers in any way they can.

Visit Zest 4 Leisure on stand #20Z30 to see the company’s 2020 timber products, the new Zest 4 Leisure range and to meet the team.

With the exquisite design and production of Pentik's textiles, candles & homewares and our story being so unique, we invite you to watch this short production to give you an insight as to why your customers are going to have an instant affinity with our brand.

Take a tour inside our ceramic factory - http://bit.ly/pentik-factory

DESIGN CRAFTED BY FOUR SEASONS

Pentik's seasonal collection changes four times a year according to the seasons. In addition to these collections, the basic products are available throughout the year.

PENTIK CERAMIC FACTORY

Pentik's ceramics factory is the northernmost in the world. It is situated near the Arctic Circle in Posio, Finland.

Since 1971, Pentik has developed production technology that is unique worldwide. Our technology enables us to manufacture various different products, also in small batches.

We manufacture approximately 300, 000 ceramic products every year.

HANDMADE CANDLES

In Posio, the candles are made using candle moulds. The design process starts with choosing the shape and colours for thecandle. Then the moulds are prepared at our factory.

The coloured, liquid stearin-paraffin mixture is poured into moulds. After the casting, the candles are removed from the moulds. The candles will then be marked with a Pentik Finland label, after which they will be carefully packed. Eventually the candles will find their way to gifts, dinner tables and special occasions.

We are looking to discuss opportunities with Garden Centres at Glee and very much look forward to welcoming you on to our stand!

Primeur are excited to return to Glee after their recent ‘Sword of Excellence’ win at the GIMA Awards for their Tierra Verde range of recycled rubber planters.

Jenny Douthwaite, Sales Director, says: "We are immensely proud to win these awards. We hope the achievement will allow us to build on the success we’ve enjoyed so far and generate interest as we continue to develop innovative products which are stylish, functional and sustainable. We thank all our customers for their support in making 2019 such a memorable year."

The planter range will be displayed alongside the full range of garden edging, stepping stones, decking and mulch.  All made from recycled rubber tyres to create long lasting, indestructible products guaranteed to last in any weather.

Tyres are a large global environmental waste problem. Over 2.5 billion tyres are manufactured globally each year and when they reach the end of their life they are often sent to landfill or burnt.  Primeur’s range has been carefully designed to appeal to the eco-conscious gardener looking for a practical and stylish solution for their garden.

Primeur will also be showing their Mighty Mats range of doormats including environmentally friendly products such as the Scrape ‘n’ Sorb® and Contours mats which are made using recycled rubber. 

Launching at Glee, Primeur are proud to showcase their Christmas Doormat which has been developed with the team from Greenfingers Charity. As well as providing festive cheer to many homes at Christmas we want to help raise much needed funds for this fantastic cause.  The glitter Robin design in a display box is available to order now and for each mat sold, Primeur will be donating £1 to the charity.  Please come along and view on their stand.

Find out more

The Primeur team warmly invite you to visit their stand at Glee Hall 19 D10-E11. For more details about the company and to view their full ranges  visit www.primeur.co.uk

Vitavia Greenhouses is the British partner of the Vitavia Group, the leading name throughout Europe for quality hobby greenhouses and greenhouse accessories.

From our warehouses in Suffolk, we provide home and trade deliveries throughout the UK together with a comprehensive greenhouse installation service.  We are proud to supply quality hobby greenhouses, widely regarded as being the best value for money, backed up by exceptional customer service.

Come and browse our fantastic range of greenhouses at Hall 20, Stand X20-Y21.

New for 2020

Vitavia Greenhouses are pleased to announce that from 2020 they will be the new UK distributors for Janssens greenhouses and garden rooms from Belgium.

Seen as the perfect complement to the already well established Vitavia Range, the new alliance will be launched at Glee, Hall 20, Stand X20 Y21.

Marketing Manager, Andrea Wells explained that “it adds a new dimension to our existing successful business and we are looking forward to adding market share for Janssens alongside Vitavia’s forever growing brand.”

Would you like to win a Greenhouse?

We are extremely excited to be a running a competition where one lucky winner could become the owner of the beautiful Orion Greenhouse we have on display at Glee! All you need to do is come via the stand to find out more @Hall 20, Stand X20 Y21.  

Stay Informed!

We will be on social media leading up to and throughout Glee, so make sure you’re following us in advance so you don’t miss out on any news and offers #VITAVIALTD #GLEE2019

Since being acquired by E. P. Barrus two years ago, Town & Country has gone from strength to strength and continues to refresh and improve its product offering of gardening gloves, footwear and accessories.

The company will be launching a variety of new products at Glee, including a new range of Cloggies and Fleecy Cloggies – the popular slip on, slip off shoes for keeping by the back door. Following extensive customer research, the cloggies have been updated with new shades of green, navy and aubergine, with a contrasting lining. The fleecy cloggies also have a refreshed colour palette of navy, charcoal and raspberry, so there is a design to suit every taste. The new variations still retain the lightweight, durable and waterproof properties of the previous versions, with updated packaging highlighting the benefits to the end user.

The cloggies can be displayed on a rustic-themed wooden free-standing display unit. Informative point of sale is also available and provides the customer with at-a-glance price and product information.

The Town & Country stand at Glee will showcase the new range of Cloggies and Fleecy Cloggies, along with a selection of new gloves and accessories for the home and garden. In addition, new consumer-friendly branding and in-store merchandising will also be on display. Visit stand 7J30-L31 to see the exciting range ready for the new season.

With over three quarters of Glee’s audience coming to source new products, with many stating the importance of being able to touch and feel products previously only seen in catalogues, Glee 2019 will see even more focus on new products, including the New Product Showcase – created in partnership with Garden Trade News.

This ever-popular competition sees new designs and products perfectly displayed for your consideration, with the best of each category receiving the accolade of a ‘Glee Award.’ Show visitors can also cast their vote for their favourite, awarding one lucky entrant with the title of ‘Retailers Choice Award’.

This year’s New Product Showcase categories will be:

• Garden Plants, Seeds and Bulbs
• Garden Growing Materials (Plant feeds, pest and weed control, growing media, cloches, seed trays etc)
• Garden Growing Containers (All pots, planters, hanging baskets etc)
• Garden Decoration (Garden ornaments, garden lighting, plant supports, wall art etc)
• Garden Tools & Machinery (Hand and powered garden tools, garden gloves, garden kneelers etc)
• Garden Landscaping (Paving, statuary, garden buildings etc)
• Garden Leisure & Entertaining (BBQ's, garden furniture and accessories etc)
• Garden Wild Bird and Wildlife Products (Wild bird feeds, feeders, wild life products etc)
• Garden Home, Giftware and Clothing
• Garden Retail & Industry Services, Best of British Award
• Best Eco Initiative Product Award
• Best House Plants and Accessories

Plants will also be celebrated through the ‘Best Green Heart Display’ award, in partnership with Woodlodge, whilst Garden Trade News’ annual Great Awards will be celebrating the ‘Greatest Awards Best Plant Retailing Team’.

Optimising your procurement process effectively in your busy garden centre or across your network can seem like an uphill struggle.

We know that keeping track on costs for your consumables is important for you.  72% of garden centers we speak to want to do this better.

When you consider that up to 25% of your operating costs are dedicated to goods not for resale spend, are you making the most of this investment?

Procurement Made Easy

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With our business intelligence tool My Acopia, you can save thousands of pounds from reduced administration time and delivery costs as well as competitively priced consumables.

Eliminate the need for processing hundreds of supplier invoices and petty cash receipts while benefitting from economies of scale. 

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Find out what My Acopia can do for your business and see why garden centres like Dobbies are already using it!

Click here to find out more or contact Jake Elkins today on 07881 311857 or email jake.elkins@acopia.co.uk 

My Acopia – a better way of procurement

Fiskars will be showcasing its extensive range of innovative and high-performing gardening tools at Glee 2019, including the revolutionary new Norden Axe range.

As well as having the opportunity to test some of the best gardening tools currently on the market, trade visitors to the Fiskars stand (8D80-E81) will be able to find out more about the company's popular seasonal marketing campaigns, as well as take advantage of exclusive show discounts.

In addition, there will also be the opportunity to meet local sales representatives and find out more about Fiskars' direct selling channel launched earlier this year.

The Award winning, unique “acid free “ formulation ,of the Patio Black Spot Removal System has ensured it has remained, the UK’s best performing and, thus, best -selling Patio Cleaner and Restorer, for almost 8 years, providing a “Better than Professional” finish in less than 2 hours to garden stonework of any age and condition!

Now, for Spring 2020, the introduction of EUCHAN2® technology, means Patio Black Spot Remover works even more efficiently, providing even great penetration into the matrix of the stonework, getting to the very root of the Patio Black Spots!

The result:

• Faster, more efficient performance from an already established product.
• Greater benefits to the Environment – readily biodegrades – quickly decomposes; once it touches dirt, it becomes inert!
• Unlimited Shelf – Life means no wasted stock!
• Pressure washing is kept to a minimum, keeping surface damage to a minimum, using less water; kinder to the stonework, kinder to the Environment !
• Instantly removes slippery green algae in minutes , ensuring “year - round” patio safety.
• Garden safe formula increases stone surface longevity.
• Less time spent cleaning the Patio – more time enjoying it!
• Maximizing results and thus producing enhanced customer experience and even greater sales for your Garden Centres!

Meet us on stand 6L80-M81 and witness the launch of a MONUMENTAL NEW product to add to our existing unique range of products.

Launching at GLEE 2019 and available for delivery in January 2020, The Patio Black Spot Removal Company Ltd are delighted to announce this exciting new addition to their existing range.

Filling another niche in the existing Garden Retail Market , the product is designed to be used on Garden Ornaments, such as Statues, figurines, and bird baths. Supplied ready mixed, in a handy spray, the product will be able to be applied to vertical surfaces, completely restore the original colour, without the need to use a pressure washer, in less than two hours!

Full details of this MONUMENTAL ADDITION to our range will appear next week! Watch this space!

www.patioblackspotremoval.com

The winner of the 2019 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund is poised to receive a £6,000 grant, and unrivalled developmental and marketing support to help them break into the garden retail market.

Last year’s winners – Bloomin Amazing from West Country Soil Development – drew praise from the judges thanks to the company’s and product’s environmental credentials, and volume sales potential. 

Now 12 months on since the win, we catch up with the Bloomin Amazing team to find out how it has shaped the business, and to learn more about how the company has been thriving during its first full season in the garden retail industry. 

Tell us more about what winning the GISCF meant to you and your business?

As a start-up enterprise with limited resources, winning the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund really helped us make our modest resources work much more effectively. It raised our profile during Glee thanks to the great PR coverage, and then the fund allowed us to continue to invest in promoting our product all through the season.

What was the immediate impact of your win?

At Glee 2018 we signed up lots of new customers and during the subsequent few weeks we built up our distribution significantly which allowed us to consider selling to a much wider network. We now reach North up to Manchester whereas before we restricted ourselves to a 100-mile radius of the plant. Approaching 12 months on from the win we can now boast nearly 100 garden centre stockists.

How was your first experience of Glee?

Glee was a great launch pad for our new business, and we found the networking opportunities extremely helpful. It’s a very competitive environment but we also found people in the garden market a friendly bunch and we got lots of helpful advice.  Winning the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund and the New Product ‘Best of British’ awards at Glee was an incredible boost for us.

How did the award win shape your plans for the year ahead?

We attended the Garden Press Event where we met some highly influential media people which has really helped to keep the profile of Bloomin Amazing high on the agenda, especially in social media channels. We’ve also been able to retain the services of some specialist trade marketing support which eases the pressure on the small team with which we run the business, and of course the grant has paid for a big part of the stand for this year’s Glee.

How has your business grown in the last 12 months?

Sales of Bloomin Amazing have more than doubled in the last year and we have now invested in and installed a second screw press system which will allow us to double our production output. We’ve recently moved to the use of euro pallets which allows us to increase loading to cope with our all-time peak in daily output.

What’s next for Bloomin' Amazing?

We are embarking on the next phase of our growth plans and aim to double our retail listings in the next few months. Next month we are back at Glee in the GIMA village on a larger stand (6R80) where we are looking forward to meeting current and new customers, including those being introduced to us for the first time by our new agents for different areas. Also, we are now in discussion with potential partners who are developing the use of Bloomin Amazing in blended growing media – something which is being strongly driven by the trend away from the use of peat.

Why should brands/ suppliers consider entering the GISCF?

The GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund is critically assessed by industry experts so winning is a really important and significant reflection on the potential for a new product. Their verdict is respected, and the spotlight is thrown on the product, but most of all the business generated is not something that could be bought with even a huge budget!

Flick through the pages of any trade or consumer horticultural magazine and you’re likely to see a mention of the ‘trend’ for green gardening.

In fact, far from being a passing fad, the shift to planet-friendly gardening started in the 1980s when organic TV gardener Geoff Hamilton took the helm of BBC Gardeners’ World. Three decades on, in a world where concern about the planet is escalating, and politicians are declaring a climate emergency, eco-friendly gardening is firmly engrained in British culture.

With a growing band of consumers choosing to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables organically, it’s no wonder that demand for natural plant feeds and pest controls is skyrocketing. However, the organic movement has evolved, to encompass soaring interest in vegan gardening. Championed predominantly by a younger generation of eco-savvy consumers, the number of shoppers who are switching to a plant-only, planet-friendly diet is on the up – and that’s driving sales of vegan gardening goods, with this fledgling category set to expand exponentially.

The figures speak for themselves. In 2016, The Vegan Society revealed there were 540,000 vegans living in the UK. In the space of just three years, that figure has soared to an estimated 3.5million vegan Brits, according to research by Comparethemarket.com, published in The Independent. According to The Vegan Society, in 2018, the UK launched more vegan products than any other nation.

Demand for meat-free food in the UK increased by 987% in 2017 alone. Last year, the value of the UK plant-based food market hit £443million, with the society claiming that veganism “now gets almost three times more interest than vegetarian and gluten-free searches”. It’s no wonder that manufacturers are clamouring to capture a share of the vegan pound.

With the UK population about to hit 67million, vegans remain a minority, and that’s why synthetic plant feed and pest control products still dominate the market. As the garden trade gets ready for Glee, the industry’s leading exhibition (NEC Birmingham, 10th – 12thSeptember), we look at the latest developments in the sector, and investigate how the market for fertilisers and bug killers is being shaken-up by the unstoppable rise of veganism.

One company that’s riding the crest of a wave from growth in the number of vegans is Natural Grower. It’s a supplier of organic fertiliser that’s free from any animal matter and made from a bi-product of an anaerobic digester that is fed with maize to make renewable energy for the National Grid. The products are approved by organisations including The Vegan Society and the Soil Association.

Owner, Charlotte Beaty said: “Vegan gardening is the growing movement of the moment. Organic gardening has steadily grown over the last few years, and more people are now looking to grow veganically. Most organic fertilisers or soil conditioners have animal bi-products in them, so vegan growers have been delighted to finally have a nutrient-rich product to use to grow their fruit and vegetables”.

The family has farmed in Market Harborough for over 50 years. They invested in the anaerobic digester five years ago and discovered that one of the process’s bi-products was a nutrient-rich organic fertiliser, free from animal matter, that could be used to fertilise crops. They used the fertiliser to replace chemical fertilisers on their land and soon saw outstanding results in their crops, garden vegetables and plants. Charlotte adds: “Naturally, we wanted to share this success with other keen gardeners looking for an effective, organic and vegan-friendly fertiliser solution.” At Glee, the company will showcase the liquid and mulch (soil conditioner) versions of Natural Grower.

German organics giant Neudorff has made big inroads into the UK market for green garden products that harness the benefits of natural active ingredients. Many of its products are already certified by the Organic Farmers and Growers Association, but to meet growing demand from vegan consumers, the company will launch a new Vegan Society-accredited range of products at Glee. Buyers will be aware than vegan lines have been included in Neudorff’s line-up for some time, but the new stamp of approval – which runs across new and existing products – gives the range additional clout.

Neudorff’s Jude Beharall said a new generation of gardeners and increased consumer awareness of the ingredients used in weed, feed and control products was driving demand for vegan products. He explained: “Our range already included vegan-friendly liquid feeds, and in order to market them more effectively, we sought accreditation from The Vegan Society for those products. Furthermore, we will introduce a new vegan product at Glee.”

Continuing the eco-friendly theme, Hozelock will be promoting its Pure BioMix, which helps consumers to create home-made natural fertiliser. A Hozelock spokeswoman said: “Natural fertilisers are considered to be more productive, and to have higher active constituent levels, than artificially created feeds, without any risk of harming wildlife or pets. With Pure BioMix, in addition to helping protect plants from disease by creating their own fertiliser, gardeners will also reduce the amount of single-use plastic used compared to buying ready-to-use packs of artificial fertilisers. The BioMix will provide free natural fertiliser on tap.” As well as promoting Pure BioMix to buyers, Hozelock will be celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Lawncare is another category that’s being driven by demand for natural products, and DJ Turfcare, supplier of the established MO Bacter fertiliser brand, has a new addition in its stable that’s 100% organic and safe to use on lawns frequented by pets and children. MO Bacter Instant Lawn Tonic is said to destroy moss in 24 hours, and it can be used throughout the year as long as there is no threat of frost. Dead moss can be raked out and reseeding can take place straight away. Managing Director of DJ Turfcare Equipment, David Jenkins, said that he believes that MO Bacter Instant Lawn Tonic will “prove to be the ideal answer to persistent and difficult moss problems”.

Another launch aimed at gardeners who are concerned about the environment will come from Doctor Organics, which says it has a new product to “help the organic-conscious gardener to provide probiotic nutrition and strengthen plants, thereby helping with many common diseases while keeping pollinators happy”. By helping pest-eating insects, the company says, a balance can be established in gardens that results in easy pest control.

A spokesman says: “We have a small plant protection spray that dilutes to 100 times its volume to treat plants to a break from nasties that like to eat or set-up home in leaves and flowers. We have a soil treatment for lawns that is animal, child and worm friendly, whilst making grass healthy and green.”

Even outdoor cleaning products are being tailored to the chemical-free markets. Block Blitz will launch Block Blitz Zero at Glee – a new naturally-derived, chemical-free outdoor cleaning and protection product. It has been designed to remove dirt, grime and mould from all outdoor hard surfaces while deterring algae, moss and weed growth, reducing the need for chemical weed killers and toxic biocides.

A Block Blitz spokesman said: “There is growing demand for natural controls in the garden care sector. Block Blitz Zero contains active botanical ingredients and no synthetic chemicals. It is child safe, pet safe, wildlife-friendly and suitable for the vegan market. Packaged in 100% recycled plastic, the ground-breaking formulas are the result of a slow manufacturing process that requires minimal energy consumption.”

While rivals are focusing on the market for vegans and organics, garden products giant Westland says its strategy for Glee will be to “highlight changes being made across the company’s entire portfolio, to reflect key trends and industry changes”. Westland’s Head of Communications and Insight, Jo Wilkinson, said: “Shifting consumer behaviour means that the horticultural industry needs to adapt, which is why we are making it our focus to protect, educate and innovate for the future of gardening.”

Westland’s Glee launches will focus around “an ethos of problem prevention instead of solving.” Resolva Weed Stop Decorative Ground Cover is made of wood fibre and bark fines and is said to deliver 75% better weed prevention than bark, while Resolva Weed Preventer is an “innovative new product that seeks to create a new sector in the market”. Its 100% natural formulation is claimed to reduce the need for hand-weeding in beds, borders and veg patches, by preventing weed seeds developing. Westland will also “launch a new category” at Glee with 2-in-1 Feed and Protect products which strengthen plants, helping growth to remain disease-free. Products will be aimed at rose, and buxus growers.

Glee Event Director, Matthew Mein, said: “The shift towards natural, organic and vegan products is generating an outstanding level of innovation across the industry, with new categories set to emerge that cater for the next generation of environmentally conscious consumers. Whether it’s plant feed, pest prevention or weedkillers, buyers looking to stock the latest must-have products will be spoilt for choice at Glee this September.”

The Glee Buyers Power List has been set-up to recognise the individual buyers and buying teams who have gone above and beyond to make a difference within the garden retail industry this year. Voting has been open since early summer, with nominations flooding in from all corners of the market. Now, details of those shortlisted have been confirmed.

Formed of the top nominations in each of the eight categories, the shortlist is representative of the leading buyers and buying teams from retailers across the country. The shortlist is now open to the industry to cast their vote for their top buyers or teams in each category. These votes will then be counted, with the buyer or team with the most votes being crowned as individual category winners during a special Buyers Power List ceremony taking place on Wednesday 11^th September (12:30pm – 13:30pm) at Glee 2019.

Voting for the top buyer or teams featured in the Glee Buyers Power List shortlist closes on August 31st. Casting your vote couldn’t be easier. Simply log onto https://www.gleebirmingham.com/visit/glee-buyers-power-list#/ to make your vote matter or e-mail with your vote to:

Grace.reilly@ite-exhibitions.uk  Voting is open to everyone in the industry.

Best single site independent Garden centre

Almondsbury

Alton Garden Centre

Ayletts Nurseries

Barton Grange

Bents

Bents

Chessington

Cowells

Fron Goch

Glendoick

Poplars

The Old Railway Line

Woodstock Buying Group

Best multiple site independent garden centre (5 stores or less)

Coolings

Grovewell Garden Centres

Haskins

In-Excess

Planters and Garden King

Longacres

Millbrook

Perrywood

RHS Retail

Rosebourne

Scotsdales

Stewarts

Best Garden Centre groups (6 stores or more)

Blue Diamond

British Garden Centres

Caulders

Cherry Lane

Choice Marketing

Dobbies

Great Western Partnership

Hilliers

Klondyke Strikes

Notcutts

Otter Nurseries

Squires

Best Supermarket/department store buyer/buying team

Aldi

Asda

Waitrose

Best Online retailer buyer/buying team

Crocus

Ocado

QVC

Richard Jacksons Garden

Gardensite

Amazon

RHS

Waitrose

Wayfair

Greenfingers.com

Best high street garden retailer buyer/buying team

John Lewis

Sainsbury’s

Argos

Morrisons

Waitrose

Tesco

Aldi

Best DIY/Builders Merchant buyer/buying team

Homebase

Screwfix

Wickes

Toolstation

Screwfix

Wickes

B&Q

Travis Perkins

Best Pet Category Buying team

B&M Stores

Bents

Chessington

Jollyes

Knights Garden Centres

Ocado

Pets at Home

Pets Corner

Planters

Scampers

Scotsdales

Waitrose

Squires

Voting for the top buyer or teams featured in the Glee Buyers Power List shortlist closes on August 31st. Casting your vote couldn’t be easier. Simply log onto https://www.gleebirmingham.com/visit/glee-buyers-power-list#/ to make your vote matter or e-mail with your vote to:

Grace.reilly@ite-exhibitions.uk  Voting is open to everyone in the industry.

Green gardening is not a fashion or a passing fad – it’s here to stay. With sustainable growing championed by the likes of BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don, demand for eco-friendly gardening products is on the up.

The top priority for the nation’s growing band of environmentally conscious consumers is cutting down on single-use plastics, an issue that was propelled to the top of the agenda when Sir David Attenborough’s landmark Blue Planet series highlighted the devastating effect that plastic waste is having on marine wildlife.

Here we look at how exhibitors at Glee are planning to reduce dependency on single-use plastics, while also examining manufacturers’ and suppliers’ efforts to boost recycling and lower carbon footprints. We focus on core gardening – suppliers of goods that help consumers to grow, sow and mow – and investigate what they’re doing to relieve their burden on the planet.

Garden products giant Evergreen Garden Care says it is “committed to finding new ways to reduce waste” and points out that it has systematically reduced the weight of packaging since 2001 by more than 1,000 tonnes. Recent initiatives include virgin plastic reduction of 800 tonnes via improvements made to its bottles, caps and sprayers. For example, the new Miracle-Gro 1L bottle saved 40 tonnes per year, according to the company.

An Evergreen Garden Care spokeswoman adds: “We have saved 420 tonnes of plastic with the introduction of recycled material in our compost packaging. Paper has reduced by 600 tonnes, with 95% of cartons made from 100% recycled paper fibres. Packaging recycling on sites has increased by 30% in the last 12 months, with all initiatives saving 2,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide in one year.”

Eco-friendly supplier Primeur offers a range of garden products all made from recycled rubber tyres that would otherwise be sent for landfill or burnt. With well over 2.5 billion tyres manufactured globally every year, the company says finding ways to repurpose the waste rubber has never been more vital.  Primeur won a GIMA award in 2018 for its Recycled Garden Borders, followed by the GIMA Sword of Excellence this year for its Recycled Planter range.

Primeur’s Sarah McLafferty said: “We know that recycling waste products has never been more important to our customers and we are already exploring how to expand the range with new innovation. As one of the major importers of doormats to the UK, we are also looking to bring environmentally friendly materials to this category. Our Mighty Mats range already includes mats made with Recycled Rubber and manufactured in a way to reduce pressures on the environment. We are working with our factories to create more recycled and recyclable products.”

Neudorff has made a big impact in the UK as demand for organic gardening goods grows. Its accolades include being crowned ‘National Champion’ at the European Business Awards in the Environmental and Corporate Sustainability category in 2016, while it also won the title of ‘Germany’s most sustainable company’ in 2014.

In recent years Neudorff has focused on helping retailers and their customers to use less single-use plastic by introducing refill options. But Jude Beharall, sales director at Neudorff UK, points out: “Plastic packaging is essential for many of our weed and control products, due to registrational reasons. However, we have taken steps to help customers make reductions. For example, our best-selling Sluggo Slug & Snail Killer range was the first slug killer to be made available in cardboard cartons. We encourage customers to use the 300g and 1 kg cartons wherever possible, thereby significantly reducing the quantity of plastic being added to landfill as a result of gardening activities."

Where plastic currently remains a necessity to deliver an eco-friendly product, suppliers have been taking other steps to reduce their burden on the environment. Equigrow, based in north London, produces and distributes compost, with the range featuring manure-based and straw-based green waste products.

Equigrow Director, Allan Clutterbuck, points out that although compost currently comes in plastic bags, the company is reducing its carbon footprint: “We source all of our horse manure and green waste locally, and deliver to the local area, although bulk loads sometimes go farther afield. Our products are ’green’ because they have been recycled from waste. We don’t add any chemicals and they are peat-free, contributing to the preservation of peat bogs and fens. We add nothing to our composts, and they decompose through a process of shredding, turning and heat.”

Promoting sustainable growing is the goal of Deep Roots, a company that’s dedicated to replacing plastic in both gardening and agriculture. Its own roots lie in a small town in western India, when in late 2017, Deep Roots founder, Nikunj Agarwal, saw saplings being nurtured and raised in single-use plastic containers. Nikunj said: “This seemed a huge irony, and since then, Deep Roots has dedicated all its resources to the pursuit of protecting of our ever-degrading environment.”

He adds: “DeepRoots brings Jute Grow Pots, the first of its kind for sustainable growing. Jute Grow Pots are organic plant-raising containers made out of natural jute fibre. They’re 100% bio-degradable and a great alternative to plastic pots. Not only is our primary raw material from a renewable source, we also run a zero-waste facility while, at the same time, promoting employment among under-privileged in society. We can do business and we can do good!” The company says sizes of Jute Grow Pots can be customised for various growing needs, from starting seeds to transplanting or as an attractive stand-alone planter.

Vegepod, a supplier of self-contained raised garden beds, says it is often asked about the green credentials of its polypropylene plastic, eco-climate covers and containers. A Vegepod spokeswoman says: “Because our containers are durable and designed for optimal plant growth, an individual Vegepod has a minimum 10-year lifespan. Most untreated timbers are lucky to last longer than two years before rotting and breaking down. The impact of such timber production, the repeated timber growing, harvesting and rebuilds would make an interesting study when compared to a one-off plastic container that lasts up to 10 years.”

But are Vegepod’s containers made from recycled plastic? The company points to an important issue: “Recycled plastic is unable to be certified as ‘foodsafe’ as it contains many different grades of plastic. Vegepod will not allow such material to be used for organic food growing, despite the appeal of the tagline ‘Made from recycled plastic’.  However, our eco-covers and containers are completely recyclable and do not end up in landfill.”

Vegepod puts forward a strong argument for the use of robust, long-life plastics in gardening. The spokeswoman adds: “When it comes to garden materials, there’s nothing more beautiful than timber. Unfortunately, termites agree. Untreated wood also has very little resistance to the elements such as moisture, mould, fungi, heat and pests. This significantly shortens the lifespan of such beds.  Corrugated iron beds also eventually rust and breakdown, and can leech harmful elements into the surrounding soils and plants. In our opinion, polypropylene pods are safer, more productive and a more sustainable way to garden. They’re durable, long-lasting, affordable, water efficient, and when all is said and done, they’re 100% recyclable.”

Speaking about the garden trade’s increasing focus on environmental awareness, Glee Event Director, Matthew Mein, said: “The garden industry is channelling huge efforts into sustainability initiatives, delivering a new generation of products with truly green credentials. Not only will such initiatives play a role in preserving the planet, but they serve to cater for consumers who are increasingly demanding gardening goods that are free from single-use plastic while still delivering great results. We’re really excited about the level of product innovation at Glee 2019, and to see this combined with a focus on eliminating single-use plastic means there will be plenty to whet the appetite of buyers looking for the latest eco-friendly products.”

Find out more

To keep up-to-date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.  To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2019 call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Power of One is a new initiative being adopted by Glee to highlight the impact we each have on the environment. Supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, the campaign seeks to demonstrate how a combination of small, individual changes can create a more sustainable future for all.

At Glee, exhibitors and visitors will be encouraged to make a pledge, committing to making one small conscious change to reduce their impact upon the environment and the world in which we live. Pledges could include anything from promising to recycle more, choosing bio-degradable alternatives, or refraining from using single use plastics. Together these singular commitments add up to a much bigger and stronger impact; one that can help lead a positive change.

Showing your support for the initiative couldn’t be easier – simply visit the Power of One wall to make your pledge. All you need to do is snap a shot of yourself in front of the wall, share it on social media, along with your pledge.  As a little way of saying thank you, ‘pledgers’ will receive a free reusable water bottle, supplied by Glee exhibitor and Power of One partner, Summit International.   

You can also join in the conversation on social media by following #PowerOfOne, #Glee19 and #GleeBirmingham.

The Gardenex export federation will be hosting the International Buyers’ Centre at Glee 2019, which is valued by the international buyers as a business hub within the show. The Centre will be located once again close to the entrance of Hall 6 on Stand N10-P11.

The PetQuip association, a sister division of Gardenex, will also be providing business services to pet product suppliers and buyers on its Stand 19R51 in the PetQuip Village section of the exhibition.

During the three day event, an important element of the Federation’s export business creating activities will be the staging of a series of International Buyers Connect sessions.  The 10-minute introductory meetings will be held each morning of the show and are available exclusively to exhibitors at the show.  The International Buyers Connect sessions have played an important part in generating new export leads and sales for many UK participants over the years.

Buyers are still being recruited by Gardenex and to date the following have confirmed their participation:

• A buyer from an Austrian internet shop that stocks quality tools and other practical, decorative and wildlife products will be looking for quality British products to complement its existing range.

• A Canadian buyer from a leading wholesaler and distributor to garden centres and landscapers on the east coast of Canada will be seeking practical gardening products to add to its range.

• Two buyers are taking part from an import company in China, whose CEO is also the President of the China Horticultural Society who visited Glee in 2018.

• Three garden product distributors/online retailers from the growing Romanian market will be attending the sessions.  Also visiting Glee is a leading media company on the Romanian DIY and garden markets which operates several e-newsletters across different retail categories.

• A buyer is taking part from a Swedish online store selling direct to the general public that also acts as importer and distributor for several UK companies.  The buyer is seeking to source new, innovative garden products to add to its B2C online store and is also hoping to widen its range of seeds and unusual plants.   

• An importer and distributor from The Netherlands is attending the meetings.  The firm supplies independent garden centres, landscape businesses and garden centre chains.  It also has a well-established B2C garden online store, as well as a wholesale distribution business specialising in high-end garden items. 

• A buyer from a specialist mail order company from the USA will be looking for greenhouse-related and other practical gardening products to complement its existing range.

In addition to the International Buyers Connect meetings, the Centre will provide a wide range of other facilities and information for both international visitors and for UK suppliers.  

As well as meeting with international buyers and addressing their UK product sourcing enquiries, the Gardenex and PetQuip teams will be available throughout the show to meet with existing member companies and potential members.  Export advice and details of the wide range of business-generating services provided by the two associations will be available from the association teams, as well as early notification of business initiatives, events and export government grant funding opportunities for UK businesses over the coming 12 months.  

The GIMA Business Village is home to a great selection of up and coming companies exhibiting with the support of GIMA. 

Glee is also pleased to present the GIMA Business Lounge, an ideal place to take a break, arrange meetings and catch up with key suppliers.

It is also home to the “Buyers Connect” speed networking sessions which will see selected exhibitors meet with show visitors for 10-minute power-networking sessions.

Celebrating its 10th ‘birthday’ in 2019, the Glee Innovators Zone has already helped more than 275 companies break into the garden retail market. 

This special area is designed to help nurture valuable grass-roots product development and one-off design ideas, whilst also bridging the gap between market-ready new product launches from established companies and pre-commercial product ideas. 

Innovation will also be celebrated within GIMA’s Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund (GISCF). Since its launch in 2014, the GISCF has already witnessed great success. All previous winners have gone on to enjoy great commercial success; going from new brands to established and growing suppliers within the garden retail market.

Vicky Nuttall, director of GIMA said: “The GISCF is designed to help start-up businesses take their product from concept to reality, and with a £6,000 grant up for grabs it is always a hotly contested part of our annual programme of activities. The calibre of entries in recent years has been of the highest quality, and this year is certainly no different.”

As always Glee will offer visitors a free, three-day Seminar Programme organised in conjunction with the HTA (Horticultural Trades Association), providing an enriched programme of expert business and garden retail advice to help grow your business through challenging trading conditions.

This content will be derived from extensive industry research and is set to tackle key talking points, struggles and successes.

This year they will focus on sharing their insight on the health and outlook of the industry and also how garden centres can engage with millennial and younger gardeners who will really drive the growth of the sector in years to come.

Having hosted the ceremony to critical acclaim at Glee 2018, following a move from their previous home at the Edible Gardening Show, the Great British Growing Awards are set to return to Glee 2019.

These awards recognise all that is great within the gardening industry – from tool companies, to seed suppliers, garden writers to fruit nurseries and everything in between, as well as garden volunteers and community growing spaces.

This year, the awards will be supported by a panel of industry stalwarts making up the judging panel, including Katie Lane (Lavender & Leeks), Rob Smith, Charles Dowding, Will Livingstone, and the GYO team.  In an exciting move, the winners of the 21 categories for the 2019 awards will not be announced until the exhibition itself, making it an even more thrilling prospect for nominees and the wider market.

In a repeat of 2018’s successful competition, GYO magazine will again be holding a special competition that will see 10 lucky readers win the chance to visit Glee to see tomorrow’s bestsellers, today.

During the show these consumers will be hosted by GYO and given a guided tour of the halls, and features such as the Retail Lab and New Product Showcase.  They will also award their favourite product with a special ‘GYO Consumers Choice Award’, as well as receiving VIP access to the exhibition.

Located by the entrance within the atrium area of the NEC, this year’s Green Heart is the first element to welcome you to the Glee 2019 show.

The Green Heart really is the horticultural hub of Glee and features a huge selection of UK and international growers and plant specialists.

This year’s Green Heart will be made up of over 50 benches, containing a selection of indoor and outdoor plants making it the biggest one to date!

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.

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.

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.