Who will be the winners in the Glee New Product Awards, in association with GTN, for 2020? 

Despite Glee not taking place for real at the NEC the teams at Glee and Garden Trade News are pulling out all the stops with Gee Gathering "exhibitors" to create a virtual showcase of New Products for 2021.

All Glee Gathering "exhibitors" have the opportunity to enter up to five new products in each of the following categories:

• 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
  Pet Products

A team of judges, led by GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer, will sift through all of the entries, submitted on-line with pictures and videos, and select a shortlist for each category that will be announced on Monday 14th September in Glee Daily News.

Then, during the Glee Gathering, 15th and 16th September, representatives of the three shortlisted products in each category will have the opportunity to "pitch" via live video to the judges, and the assembled Glee Gathering Audience, before they make their final decisions on the winners.

By the end of the Glee Gathering on 16th September we'll have announced winners in each of the categories above, plus the judges will also decide who should be the winners of the following overall Glee New Product Awards:

• Best House Plants and Accessories
• Best of British Award
• Best Eco Initiative Product Award
• Best Overall New Product at Glee

Entries are already pouring in for the Glee New Product Awards, in association with GTN, so Glee Gathering "exhibitors" who've not made their entry yet should use the form on the Glee Exhibitor Zone at www.gleebirmingham.com and make sure their entry is completed by Friday September 4th 2020.

Products that are eligible for entry need to have been launched / announced to the trade after last years Glee and at or before Glee Gathering 2020, that is between 1st October 2019 and 15th September 2020.

The full list of last years winners in the Glee New Product Awards, in association with GTN, can be found here

To see the winners of the 2020 Glee New Product Awards, in association with GTN, keep reading the Glee Daily News and register for the Glee Gathering here.

If you are launching New Products for 2021 and you're not a Glee Gathering Exhibitor just yet please contact Glee Event Director Matthew Mein on 0203 545 9776 or by e-mail: matthew.mein@hyve.group

Glee Gathering is a unique two-day digital experience designed to inspire whilst engaging buyers and connecting our community together.

The Glee Gathering will host a virtual showroom of our exhibitors, engaging product showcases, exclusive content sessions and panel discussions, a platform to connect buyers and suppliers in a one-to-one environment, and the 2020 New Product Awards. All from the comfort of your home or office.

How to get involved 

Glee Gathering brings the gardening community together this September. Register for your space to benefit from the latest insights, best new products, exclusive networking opportunities and more. https://www.gleebirmingham.com/register-Glee-Gathering-2020

Showcase your brand at Glee Gathering and reconnect with the industry.  https://www.gleebirmingham.com/glee/apply-for-a-stand

Virtual Showroom

The Virtual Showroom is all about brand discovery. With 150-200 brands taking part in the Glee Gathering, you’ll be able to browse the latest and most innovative products from exhibitors, including look books, videos, news and more. The Glee Gathering will connect buyers and suppliers directly, all with a few clicks of a button. 

Product Showcase

Brought to Glee Gathering by popular demand, the Product Showcase’s video first format is a must see. Each day we will feature 5 hour-long sessions dedicated to Garden Care, Outdoor Entertainment and Decoration, Landscaping, Home and Gift and Pets. Each hour will feature 10 companies who will show you what’s new, and importantly when you can have it in store. They will walk you around their showrooms, show you what they are excited about whilst introducing you to the latest products. What’s more you will be able to directly download brochures and show offers, and talk to the company as you watch these sessions.

This unique platform presents the newest products to the Glee community, companies who will be showcasing in these hours include Evergreen, Woodlodge, Schuerich, Deco-Pak, Kaemingk, Meadowview stone, Hygeia, Kelkay Primus, Beefeater, Steiff, Chive … and over 100+ other brands. The Glee product showcase is not to be missed.

How to get involved 

Glee Gathering brings the gardening community together this September. Register for your space to benefit from the latest insights, best new products, exclusive networking opportunities and more. https://www.gleebirmingham.com/register-Glee-Gathering-2020

Showcase your brand at Glee Gathering and reconnect with the industry.  https://www.gleebirmingham.com/glee/apply-for-a-stand

To meet the demand for peat-free growing media options, the UK’s leading garden care company, Evergreen Garden Care (www.lovethegarden.com) can now announce the biggest peat-free range in Europe. Across the Miracle-Gro and Levington brands, 13 new SKUs are now available in variants suitable for all growing needs, including for specialist plants, houseplants, and fruit and vegetable growing.  

Highly effective the range includes different products that satisfy the special needs of  every type of plant. The new Miracle-Gro Peat Free range is packaged in 100% recyclable materials. We are actively working on improving the responsible sourcing profile of our compost mixes year on year and have increase the recycled plastic content in the Peat Free Compost bags to 60%. Our aim is to help growers grow plants that improve the environment and make the world a more beautiful place. The exciting new launch for 2020/2021 serves the eco-conscious consumer looking for peat-free alternatives that don’t sacrifice on performance or quality.  

Mark Portman, Managing Director at Evergreen Garden Care commented: “We are so pleased to be able to bring Miracle-Gro Peat-Free and Levington Peat-Free to the market to support customers meeting the added consumer demand for peat-free products. After years of trials and innovating, we are certain that our new products deliver on environmental sustainability, quality and affordability.” 

The launch of this range is a continuation of Evergreen Garden Care’s ongoing focus on sustainability and its environmental impact. Over the past 30 years, the company has restored and donated more than 3,000 hectares of peatland in Somerset, Yorkshire and Lancashire. In partnership with nature experts and conservation bodies, Evergreen Garden Care has been responsibly restoring peatlands ensuring best practice in terms of land management and restoration. The overall aim is to guarantee that wildlife can continue to thrive in these environments. 

Mark continues: “The launch of the new peat-free range is the next step in our journey to ensure that our business, and the garden care industry, is lessening its impact on the environment. As the UK’s leading garden care company, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are putting sustainability front and centre.” 

The range includes the following: 

• Miracle-Gro Peat Free Premium All-Purpose Compost: available in 20L (RRP: £4.99) and 50L (RRP: £5.99) 
• Miracle-Gro Premium Peat Free All-Purpose Compost with Organic Plant Food: available in 40L (RRP: £6.49) 
• Miracle-Gro Peat Free Premium Azalea, Camelia, Rhododendron Ericaceous Plants Compost: available in 40L (RRP: £6.99) 
• Miracle-Gro Peat Free Premium Bulb Fibre Special Plants Compost: available in 10L (RRP £3.99) and 20L (RRP: £5.99) 
• Miracle-Gro Peat Free Premium Moisture Control Special Compost for Pots and Baskets: available in 40L (RRP: £6.99) 
• Miracle-Gro Peat Free Premium Orchid Special Plants Compost: available in 6L (RRP: £3.99) Miracle-Gro Peat Free Premium Houseplant Potting Mix: available in 10L (RRP: £4.49) 
• Miracle-Gro Peat Free Premium Border Booster Soil Improver: available in 40L (RRP: 5.99) 
• Miracle-Gro Peat Free Premium Fruit & Vegetable Compost (RRP: 5.99) 
• Levington Peat Free Multi-Purpose Compost with added John Innes: available in 50L (RRP: £6.99) Levington Peat Free Organic Blend Topsoil: available in 20L (RRP: 4.99) 
• Levington Peat Free Organic Blend Soil Conditioner: available in 50L (RRP: 6.49) 
• Levington Peat Free Organic Blend Farmyard Manure: available in 50L (RRP: £5.99) 

To find out more, visit www.evergreentrade.co.uk  

There is no question that 2020 will need its own thousand-page chapter in the history annuals of the future. No-one could have predicted just how much this year could throw at us, and how quickly the entire world – including the garden retail sector - has had to adapt to a new normal. Primeur is one such company that faced the challenges 2020 had to throw at it head-on. In fact, the company has thrived. Here we find out more about why the Primeur team has more than one reason to remember the last 12 months.

Covid-19 didn’t put the brakes on, neither did Primeur

Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way first - Corona virus. Never before has one event changed the way the garden retail sector operates. Overnight Primeur, along with all suppliers and retailers, was forced to rip up the rule book and find news ways to navigate the unknown. Remaining open throughout lockdown was a key target for Primeur and remain open they did!  Securing all pre-season stock in early 2020 stood the company in good stead as it meant it had direct and immediate access to its full 2020 stock offering. That said, the unprecedented demand for product as the nation took to their gardens in droves as it represented the only safe haven they had, meant that demand was starting to outstrip supply. Some quick thinking and optimising good relationships with its manufacturing partners meant more stock than Primeur had ever anticipated needing, was quickly winging its way to the UK.  

Online created a new love story for new generation of gardeners

Despite all these pressures, and the ‘unknown’ being the only constant, Primeur stayed ahead of the game. Lead times remained within the expected three to five-day range, and despite reduced team numbers, Primeur was able to continue to support its retailers who were driving sales through both bricks and mortar, and online channels. 

There is no doubt that online was the ‘king’ of lockdown. With the entire country confined to their homes, online was the only option for securing product. Without online, many new gardeners would not have been able to engage with this glorious pastime, something Primeur hopes will continue long into the future. Jenny Douthwaite, Sales Director at Primeur said: “Traditional garden centre stores are such an important part of our business, but we also welcome a move to incorporating more online sales channels. If the Covid-19 lockdown has shown us anything, it is that online sales cannot be ignored but should be used to complement in-store sales to reach a much wider audience. The convenience of home delivery and ‘click & collect’ has helped to make gardening more accessible to not just vulnerable customers but also the younger demographic, considered by many as the holy grail of shoppers as they represent the future of retail. For so long we have been asking how we can capture this audience and now we have done so. The job is now focussed on how we keep them engaged with gardening and continue to inspire and influence them once we get back to our day-to-day lives.”

Environmentally friendly agenda ever more important in a post-Covid world

Since launching its Eco Garden range in 2018, Primeur has been leading the way for environmentally responsible material usage thanks to the range’s reimagining of recycled rubber tyres. Recent months have seen consumers make more conscious choices, favouring products that do good for the world.

Bestsellers throughout lockdown were the award-winning Tierra Verde planters. This range has already received praise from the industry having scooped the GIMA Sword of Excellence, and two Glee New Product Showcase awards in 2019; these planters were tipped for big things and they have certainly proven their worth. From growing plants to making the good life a reality in small spaces, the Tierra Verde planters have earned legions of new fans. The company has also invested in building the brand profile to help drive sales. To date the range has been featured in national newspapers, gardening supplements and leading garden and home consumer publications.

The Glee Gathering & beyond

With a significant void to fill following the cancellation of the physical 2020 Glee event, the Primeur team has already been working tirelessly in the background to ensure that they continue to communicate with the market during this pivotal time of the year, as well as working hard to engage with the new Glee Gathering platform. The company is proudly supporting this event, including entering the virtual Glee New Product Showcase, and participating in the networking events that will see Primeur ‘meet’ with a wide range of buyers from garden centres, as well as the sheds and DIY stores.

Jenny said: “Whether it’s keeping in touch and networking, showcasing new product development or helping our retail customers better understand the successes of the season through sales and trend data, Glee is an incredibly important part of our annual strategy. So, whilst we can’t meet at the NEC this September, we will of course be participating in the Glee Gathering and are excited to showcase to our customers what we have lined up for the 2021 season. Beyond this we are also looking to create our own mini-Glee via virtual tours, product launches, and online meetings with our customers. Throughout the autumn season we will be continuing to communicate with our customers either directly or via the media, to continue to showcase the many ways we can help drive sales both during the anticipated extended season, as well as long into 2021. 

“We appreciate that this year not all retailers will be focused on new products, so in addition to having exciting new additions to showcase, we will also be sharing merchandising support and advice, as well as information on the latest trends and colours that are driving sales. We will continue to adapt what we have on offer to ensure that our offering, both product and customer service focused, remains relevant, valuable and effective for all.”

Details of Primeur’s virtual showroom tours, and new product developments will be announced shortly. 

Jenny finished by saying: “There is no doubt that 2020 is a year we will not forget anytime soon. It’s been incredibly hard at times, but the support of our retail customers and the wider industry has been phenomenal, and I’d like to say thank you from all of us at Primeur. We still have a long way to go but we remain optimistic about the future and we welcome an ongoing dialogue to ensure that we all ride this storm together. Here’s to the next 12 months, let’s hope they are a little kinder to us all!”

Find out more

To find more about Primeur’s full product range as well as how to access its leading merchandising displays, please contact the team on 01274 518800 or email sales@primeur.ltd.uk

The latest Summer Flowering Bulb and Grow Your Own catalogue from Taylors Bulbs is always a regular topic of conversation at the NEC partly due to the sight of packs of potatoes in September that always grab the attention of Glee visitors.  

Taylors were expecting their Spring 2021 catalogue and the seed potatoes, onion sets, shallots, garlic, etc., to be popular talking points due to renewed interest and the influx of new consumers for these products.  

With 70 seed potatoes, 25 onion sets and shallots, 11 garlic, and 12 varieties of rhubarb, asparagus, oca, artichoke and horseradish, Taylors Bulbs offer class leading choice in this product category.

Taylors were also intending to highlight their flowering ‘Garden Greats’ themed collections and the ‘Best of the Best Fragrance’ range at Glee as being ideal easy-solutions for the new gardeners who the industry have been able to welcome in to their stores in the past 12 weeks.  Both ranges are part of the Spring flowering and Summer flowering bulb offers and make easy-shopping due to their attractive images and clear and concise planting instructions.

Adam Taylor, Director of Taylors Bulbs, said: “If we can embrace the new gardeners who are wanting help with their gardening by retailing solutions with all the cultural instructions they need, we can ensure that they get success by planting reliable products in the right places.”

For more information, contact Taylors Bulbs on 01406 422266, Email sales@taylors-bulbs.com, or visit their website www.taylors-bulbs.com

Natural gardening brand, Empathy, is set to unveil a number of new products and updated packaging to buyers virtually during Glee 2020.

To further enhance the current range of class leading, eco-friendly and sustainable products that focus on reducing the need for synthetic NPK fertilisers and pesticides by improving soil and plant health naturally, the team will showcase a brand new liquid feed and starter product featuring rootgrow™ Mycorrhizal Fungi.

Following the successful launch of the Supreme Green lawn care range at the 2019 show and subsequent sales the company will also roll out its new striking white and green packaging design across another key product category. The new design will offer improved visual presence in store as the business moves towards a unified design that clearly communicate the key ingredients and the RHS endorsement.

Empathy’s Simon Taylor said: “Whilst the business has had an incredibly successful season we are now placing our focus firmly on 2021 and working closely with retailers to ensure we are providing the best service possible to their adapting businesses.

“We manufacture rootgrow™ Mycorrhizal Fungi and distribute all of our products directly via our facility in Kent, this means we can meet our customers' needs completely from developing themed packs such as the Summer Kits - which were specifically created for online retailers during lockdown - to delivering products directly to stores. 

“Myself and the team are looking forward to connecting with buyers virtually via the Glee Gathering, presenting the new products, discussing the fantastic link-selling benefits of our range and planning for a successful 2021.”

For buyers interested in setting up meetings with members of the Empathy team to discuss new and existing products please get in touch either directly via email or via the Glee Gathering. To view the current range of products visit rootgrow.co.uk

At the heart of the Glee Gathering is our secure meeting platform that will enable one-to-one meetings and virtual networking with the individuals who matter most to your business. Each meeting room will enable you to talk face to face and share materials in a secure environment, with the software ensuring that you stay on track with all the people you want to see that day.

The Glee Gathering is also proud to be working with GIMA again to take GIMA Connect into a virtual environment. This exciting speed-networking opportunity is designed to put the best brands in front of pre-qualified and purchase-ready buyers for an hour each day. Dynamic and fast paced, as always this is an hour well spent for all participants.

If you are a GIMA member or a buyer who would like to participate please get in touch with GIMA to secure your space. 

How to get involved 

Glee Gathering brings the gardening community together this September. Register for your space to benefit from the latest insights, best new products, exclusive networking opportunities and more. https://www.gleebirmingham.com/register-Glee-Gathering-2020

Showcase your brand at Glee Gathering and reconnect with the industry.  https://www.gleebirmingham.com/glee/apply-for-a-stand

Glee Gathering will present two days filled with exclusive content. The theme behind our content this year is to discuss and explore how garden centres can continue to take advantage of the new groups of customers that are have discovered their outdoor spaces.

Over the two days we will explore the future of garden centre retail, we will talk about how you can take advantage of the shop local trend, where consumers are incredibly motivated to support local business. We will explore the impact of hospitality and in store food retail, and not forgetting how stores are more conscious of the importance of ensuring sustainable operations.  

With 15-20 leading garden centres sharing their views and experiences, the Glee Gathering agenda is not to be missed… but if you do miss a session … it’s all available on demand for you to catch up on. 

How to get involved 

Glee Gathering brings the gardening community together this September. Register for your space to benefit from the latest insights, best new products, exclusive networking opportunities and more. https://www.gleebirmingham.com/register-Glee-Gathering-2020

Showcase your brand at Glee Gathering and reconnect with the industry.  https://www.gleebirmingham.com/glee/apply-for-a-stand

The Glee New Product Awards are back, albeit virtually, and hosted by Trevor Pfeiffer, Director of Garden Trade News. Each year the Glee New Product Awards offer brands the opportunity to pitch their latest product to an expert line up of judges who will choose the best product in each show sector.  This year however, you get to see the process. 

Join us on Tuesday 15^th and Wednesday 16^th at 12:30 –  1:30, as you get to see the pitches, the products, and the panel of expert buyers as they judge the entries and question brands about their products as they try to uncover what the best new innovations are coming onto the market this year and next. Plus, don’t miss out as we announce the winners at 16:30 on Wednesday, 16^th September. 

To be in with a chance of winning, exhibitors enter the form on the e-Zone by 4^th September.

Ground-breaking new garden products were confirmed as the winners of the coveted Glee New Product Awards 2019, run in association with GTN...

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 362 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 results:

Garden Decoration: Jardinopia Cane Companions

Growing Containers: Primeur Tierra Verde Planters

Garden Growing Materials: Environmental Factor NamaKnight Nematodes Biological insect control

Garden Giftware, Home & Clothing: Joint winners – Luxa London,The Holly Branch Candlesticker and Smart Garden Products Faux Bouquets

Garden Landscaping: Patio Blackspot Removal Co Ltd, Stone King Restorer

Garden Leisure & Entertaining: Mookie Toys Muddy Madness Wooden Mud Kitchen

Garden Tools & Machinery: iTip Rotating Handles for Wheelbarrows

Garden Plants, Seeds & Bulbs: MNP Flowers, Granvia Gold Zerochrysum

Garden Retail & Industry Services: The Christmas Cabin, Vacu Bio Net Christmas Tree Netting

Garden Wild Bird and Wildlife Products: Jacobi Jayne, Easy Peasy Bird Food

Best House Plants and Accessories Award: Tradescantia Nanouk from Javado

Best of British Winner: iTip Rotating Handles for Wheelbarrows

Best Eco Initiative Award: Tierra Verde Planters by Primeur

Best Overall New Product at Glee:  Granvia Gold Zerochrysum from MNP Plants

While we can't all meet up at the NEC in September, the team and GTN will still be bringing you the Glee Daily News to keep you in the Glee mood.

We'll be providing updates about the wonderful Glee Gathering that's taking place, on-line, on Tuesday 15th September and Wednesday 16th September and bringing all the news from the exhibitors taking part in the Glee Gathering throughout the week that we would have been at the NEC.

After this initial Preview Issue we'll be publishing another preview during week ending 6th September and then an issue every day of the Glee week beginning on Monday 14th September.

Glee Daily News will bring you the results of the Glee New Product Awards, in association with Garden Trade News and we'll end the week with a #FloralFriday celebration for Greenfingers Charity.

If you'd like other members of your team to receive Glee Daily News 2020 they can sign up via this link.

We hope Glee Daily News helps fill the gap this year and provides plenty of inspiration when it comes to buying decisions for 2021.

Any Glee Gathering participating exhibitors that would like to place adverts or advertorials in Glee Daily News 2020 should contact alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 01733 775700.

See you soon!