To get in the mood for three days of Glee, we gave our photographer an hour to whizz round the show as build up nears completion.  200 plus photos later, an extra half an hour and here is our build up gallery for 2017. There is a lot to see! 

See you in the morning...

Building value and profit for their retailers, Kelkay saw huge success with their launch last year of the innovative Pot Toppers range. They have proven to be a great example of how it’s possible to leverage added value and margin from what is essentially a commodity material – decorative aggregates – modified and packaged to provide a unique and compelling consumer proposition.

So, capitalising on this successful and growing development, for 2018 the Pot Toppers range will grow significantly and be divided into two very clear ranges designed to appeal to consumers seeking very different looks.

Pot Toppers Premium will sit alongside other Kelkay premium aggregates in their classic-look packs and will include four new traditional colours – Polar White, Cool Glacier, Ocean Green and Dusky Rose. Each retails at £4.99 for a handy size bag. The complete range now includes eight premium Pot Toppers.

For consumers seeking a more contemporary or stylized effect, the exciting ‘RockinColour’ range has also been extended with four vibrant new colours – Burnt Orange, Hot Pink, Royal Purple and Aqua Sea. RockinColour handy packs retail at £3.99 and there are now a total of eight colours in the range.

Both Premium and RockinColour Pot Toppers will be supported with a bespoke display stand that allows tactical positioning of the product in indoor plant areas or with outdoor pots and containers giving consumers plenty of ideas and inspiration.

Sarah Downing, Kelkay Head of Marketing commented “We are very pleased with the way our plans to add value to the aggregates category have come together in the creation of both Pot Toppers ranges. Understanding consumer aspirations as well as their willingness to spend on added value products really led our thinking on this project.”

Kelkay plan to unveil more details of their new Pot Toppers as well as their other exciting new products for Glee, Hall 19 Stand A10 – C11.

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

Kelkay

The Old Airfield,

Heck & Pollington Lane,

Pollington,

East Yorkshire,

DN14 0BA

The doors open to Glee 2017 tomorrow (Monday) . In a change to the normal procedure, badges will not be automatically sent out to visitors unless they have registered for this year's show.

In a change to the normal procedure, badges will not be automatically sent out to visitors unless they have registered for this year's show. As a result, all visitors and interested parties need to visit www.gleebirmingham.com and register in order to secure their free entry to Glee 2017.

Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director, said: “Many returning retailers may be waiting for their badge to arrive via email in the normal way, however a change to our system means that they will need to re-register for the 2017 show. The process only takes a few moments to complete, and badges will be delivered shortly after.

“Whilst on the website – www.gleebirmingham.com – you can also view the wealth of wider information that is available, helping you to plan your trip around the show. With so much newness on display – including the exciting Retail Lab at the heart of the show -  it’s worth familiarising yourself with everything before coming on-site to ensure you maximise every moment at the show.”

To register for Glee 2017 simply visit www.gleebirmingham.com or head straight to https://lp.events.ascential.com/glee-registration-form.html?actioncode=WEB&_ga=2.18859321.1422162339.1503166298-246034704.1498465736  to secure your free ticket.

LInk for Glee 2017 pre-registration

Getting there

Glee takes place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, and is easily reached by car, rail and air.  If you are arriving by car, follow regional signs to the NEC where visitor car parking is plentiful and free.  All halls are within walking distance, but a free shuttle bus service is also available from car parks to the Halls.  Rail travel is equally convenient with Birmingham International railway station located on the NEC site.  For international visitors Birmingham International Airport (BHX) is linked to the NEC by the free SkyRail, departing every few minutes and taking just 90 seconds.  National Express Coaches run a regular service to and from the NEC covering most UK locations.

With more than 70 new products on show, the Burgon & Ball stand (9C26-E27) is simply a must-see at Glee this year. If past performance is anything to go by, there’ll be future best-sellers on show, and stand visitors can get an exclusive first look. What’s more, there will also be exclusive promotions on offer, available only at the show.

One of the new tools that’s sure to prove popular is a Wonder-ful new way to eliminate weeds in lawns. The Wonder Weed Puller from Burgon & Ball is an ingenious new idea for easy weeding, with an addictively satisfying ejection mechanism to consign weeds to the waste.

The new Wonder Weed Puller makes short work of weeds in lawns, and is a must-have tool for every lawn owner. Designed to be used standing up, without bending or stooping, it really takes the backache out of tackling weeds in lawns.

To remove a weed in the lawn, simply insert the three rust-resistant stainless steel prongs into the ground to surround the weed root, rotate the Wonder Weed Puller through 360 degrees, and pull to remove the weed with its root intact. It couldn’t be simpler!

But it’s the weed ejection mechanism which makes this new weeder so very satisfying to use. A plunger, operated by pushing a chunky button on the handle, jettisons the weed, roots and all, into barrow or trug for disposal. Result: weed-free lawns, without even getting your hands dirty.

Extremely lightweight thanks to its aluminium shaft and robust polypropylene handle, the Wonder Weed Puller is delightfully easy to carry round the garden.

With colourful packaging explaining how simple the weeder is to use, this clever new weeder is sure to be a hit with gardeners.

Over the last 25 years, Meadow View Stone has become an established and trusted supplier of Decorative Aggregates, Paving and Stoneware into the Garden Centre trade.

Building on this wealth of industry expertise the company has continually evolved and developed their product offering to inspire Garden Centres with a dynamic selection of quality products.

Meadow View Stone will be showcasing a range of new products at Glee which are designed to inspire customers by meeting the increasing demand for more unique and contemporary products within the hard landscaping category.

Meadow View's main strength is within the decorative aggregate sector as they are owned by the UK’s largest importer of decorative aggregates, Long Rake Spar. This gives them primary access to not only the widest range of products from around the world, but keeps them at the forefront of new product development.

To support their existing 2 sites and the company’s overall development plans, the new 20 acre dock side production site in East Sussex is now fully operational.

All sites have state of the art washing and processing facilities so Garden Centres can rest assured that products supplied are of the highest quality with assured stock availability.

This year’s Glee will focus on new product collections including 11 stunning new decorative aggregates and over 10 new paving products. Rebranded packaging and point of sale will also be unveiled and underpinned by the re-launch of an upgraded, consumer-friendly website designed to drive customers to their stockists.

All of this will be revealed on their Stand No: 20P20-Q21

At Glee, we’ll be showcasing products from the Bord na Móna Growise range, including our Bord na Móna Growise Composted Bark which is new for 2017, our extended growing media and new fertiliser ranges along with our premium Pro 5 range.

Our very own Doctor Compost, Deárbhail Ni Chualain PhD, will be on hand with the rest of the team to provide expert help and advice to new and existing customers regarding growing media and the move towards reduced peat or peat free products. 

We’ll be holding Irish Coffee mornings each day and customers will also be able to try our Human Fertiliser drinks. There will be 3 to choose from: Invigorate, Energise and Recharge, or try them all!

Further details on the products being showcased:

New to 2017 - Bord na Móna Growise Composted Bark is a long-lasting, natural mulch, providing an attractive finish to beds and borders. Being composted, will last longer than other bark products and it will slowly release nutrients into soil, increasing soil fertility. It provides an easy to maintain, decorative surface for paths and recreational areas around the garden, and also helps with moisture retention and weed control. Bord na Móna Growise Composted Bark is available in 50l.

The Bord na Móna Growise Fertiliser range, which includes the Bord na Móna Growise Pro 5, utilises innovative formulations and specialist blends to raise the standard of the UK plant food market and give customers the very best performing product whatever the task at hand.

Bord na Móna Pro 5 All Purpose Compost is the company’s fastest-selling newly launched offering for garden centre retailers. Blind independent trials have shown it to be one of the top performers in its class. The carefully crafted, traditional formula follows the Bord na Móna ethos of manufacturing consistently excellent products, with a blend of high quality Irish peat and sustainable alternative ingredients.

Bord na Móna Growise Pro 5 All Purpose Fertiliser is formulated as an easy-to-use, single-application, complete garden fertiliser. Contains 10 essential plant nutrients as well as seaweed and humic acid which release over the season to support growth, enhance flowering and increase crop yields. It includes all major, secondary and trace nutrients needed for strong, healthy plants.

Bord na Móna Growise will be at stand 18L10-M11. Visit www.thegreenergardener.com  for more information, or follow us on our social channels:

Twitter @GreenerGardener

Facebook.com/TheGreenerGardener

Lawn Thickener consists of seeds from the next generation of grass seed - tetraploid perennial ryegrass.  These contain twice as many chromosomes than normal (diploids),  meaning quicker germination and establishment, better drought tolerance, less watering and greater resilience, as well as the ability to be sown at temparatures as low as 3°C.  

Not only that, but Lawn Thickener also employs SeedBooster® technology – a child, pet and environmentally friendly two in one seed coating, initially developed for the professional turf market.  Each seed is wrapped in its own parcel of fast and slow release nitrogen based fertiliser, which not only promotes the seeds germination and establishment rates even further, but also causes more offshoots and a denser sward.  

Guy Jenkins, Consumer Manager said: “A single application of this new product will make it possible to increase lawn thickness by up to 30% more than applying lawn seed on its own or with loose fertiliser, creating a much more hardwearing and visually appealing lawn within a wide variety of conditions.  Perhaps the most surprising benefit of the nitrogen rich coatings are that it also acts as a harmless deterrent to birds - saving seed and improving oveall germination rates like never before.”

Developed with parent company DLF, the product aims to make it even easier and quicker for consumers to create a thicker and more luscious lawn – and for garden retailers to be able to stay on top of all of their customers needs and expectations, within one catch-all range.  Available in 500g £8.25 SRP and 1.5kg £18.49 SRP cartons, the product is now available to order and is expected on retail shelves in early spring 2018.

Find out more

At Glee 2017 Smart Garden Products will be bringing to market an even bigger and brighter proposition for garden retailers. An increased stand presence, advanced development of existing ranges and its single largest product expansion, will make this year’s exhibition one of the most exciting since the company’s relaunch in 2014.

In a move to demonstrate the breadth of product available, Smart Garden Products has added an additional stand space to its Glee plans. Located opposite the main exhibition stand (18L20-M21), this new area will be dedicated to Outside In, and will showcase the wide range of clocks, doormats, lanterns and lumières that have become synonymous with the brand.

But it’s not just floorspace that will be increasing. Buyers from across the garden and gift sectors will also be able to view the company’s rapidly expanding product portfolio. This year alone there will be over 300 new SKUs launching at Glee. There is no doubt that Glee 2017 will be the place to see how the company is building on its ongoing growth, which has exceeded 85% in the last 18 months.

Well-known as the market-leader in solar lighting, Smart Garden Products will be showcasing its latest innovations across its full solar offering. From new high lumen designs – stretching as far as 1000 lumens on the brightness scale - within its Super Bright collection, to expansions across existing ranges including the whimsical Elvedon Collection and Solar Flower range.

The popular Eureka! Zone range has also been further developed, featuring new lightbulb designs and innovative lighting options for both hanging and tabletop usage.

It is however within garden décor that will see Smart Garden Products’ biggest ever expansion at the show. Created to maximise the rising trend for more decorative garden accessories and helping retailers to exploit add-on and impulse buys, the company will be bringing to market a brand-new product range and exciting product introductions that will complement its existing offering. Full details are being kept firmly under wraps until the exhibition opens on September 11^th, but the company is confident it will cement its reputation as the leading lighting and garden décor supplier.

With diversification firmly on the agenda, the company has confirmed that its Gro-Zone and ChapelWood ranges are also set to benefit from some exciting developments.

The Gro-Zone – launched to critical acclaim at Glee in 2016 – was created to fulfil a need for more substantial and high-quality alternatives to existing patio greenhouse designs. This year the Gro-Zone collection will be expanding to include several new designs and essential features that will help the humble patio greenhouse become a much more essential and usable part of consumer gardening.

Having joined the Smart Garden Product family in October 2016, ChapelWood has continued to offer a comprehensive selection of feeds, feeders and bird tables as well as many other wildlife products. As part of the ongoing evolution of the brand, ChapelWood at Glee 2017 will feature a new look and feel. A refreshed range will be on display, which will include an expansion of the brand’s decorative designs including bird baths and feeders.

Finally, retailers joining Smart Garden Products on stand at Glee 2017 will also be able to learn more about the company’s commitment to providing outstanding customer service and improved stock availability. Further details about ‘The Eureka Building’ – the new logistics hub located in Cambridgeshire – will be made available. Set to open in October 2017, this new 250,000sq ft facility will enable Smart Garden Products to better service its customers with space to hold 40,000 pallets, hence enabling the company to facilitate over £100million worth of sales.

With so much to see, a visit to the Smart Garden Products stand at Glee is a must for any retailers wanting to source the best solar lighting, décor and garden brands.

To find out more about Smart Garden Products existing product ranges please visit www.sgpuk.com or contact your Sales Manager.

Top quality planter brands like the Royal Horticultural Society and Laura Ashley, both exclusive to Apta, are testament to the fact that Apta has been instrumental in growing planter sales, and profits, for its customers.

“We have an obligation to our customers to innovate,” says Managing Director Paul Sykes, which is why so much of Apta’s range is focussed on newness. “We’re competing with every other retail sector in the UK for the limited pounds in customers’ pockets, so showing them something new or surprising is absolutely essential. So is generating impulse purchases, or presenting garden centre customers with great products which they didn’t know they wanted!”

This strategy of focusing on innovation, quality and brands is clearly working for Apta as the company’s customer base continues to grow, especially in the independent sector.

Recently Apta has extended its range to include more lightweight designs such as Granito, so that the company is now recognised as having the best and broadest planter range.

The future is extremely bright for Apta, and the company looks forward to showcasing its new ranges at Glee on its larger stand – 19C20-E21 and 19C18.

Find even more Elho inspiration at Glee this year. Discover the latest innovations in grow your own, outdoor, indoor and designer pots and planters on the Elho stand – fresh from launch at spoga+gafa. Or visit the Family and Well-being areas of the Retail Lab, where all the pots and planters are supplied by Elho.

In the Family area of the Retail Lab, Elho shows how green fingers of all ages can get growing – with pots and planters inside and outside the home. Elho’s innovative range of grow tables, grow houses and pots demonstrate perfectly how quality family time together can be spent learning and developing new skills.

Elho understands that with the fast pace of urbanisation and new technology, our well-being needs careful attention. Elho provides an answer to the growing urge for nature in the Well-being area of the Retail Lab, with products that introduce a burst of green energy into any space. To create a sanctuary out of even the smallest balcony, terrace or garden.

 
Green Basics Grow Tables 

Encourage the whole family to grow and learn new skills.             

Corsica Wall Baskets (above right)

Create a sanctuary out of even the smallest space.

David Nicholson, Sales Manager UK and Ireland at Elho, said, “The Retail Lab is an exciting new feature at Glee 2017. The decision to become a preferred supplier was easy.

“At Elho we are all about bringing nature into people’s everyday lives and the themes of Family and Well-being resonate with our own vision, how we’re working with the trade and communicating with customers. The Retail Lab will excite and inspire visitors to Glee to improve how they do business.”

Outdoor living with Elho

From the innovative Corsica Door Stopper that props open patio doors to the limited edition Flower Light, Elho provides premium containers that instantly transform any outdoor or indoor space into a haven.

Corsica Door Stopper

The 2017 GIMA award winning Door Stopper fits any door and handy wheels make it easy to move into position.

Limited Edition – Flower Light

A uniquely designed high quality solar lamp and contemporary wooden framed flowerpot in one.

Allure Ribbon

The special blend of synthetics and wood fibre creates a warm feel – perfect for indoor or outdoor living.

B.For Soft Watering Can

Stylish and practical - two tone with a comfortable grip and non-drip spout.

Elho have been creating beautiful pots and planters for over 52 years – but that’s not all. Sophisticated instore marketing techniques ensure customers are seduced with eye catching displays, inspirational lifestyle imagery and planted up pots. All supported by the Elho team who deliver a bespoke concept based on your needs.

None of this is at the expense of the environment. Elho have their own wind turbine and 42% of Elho pots are made from recycled plastic – a percentage that continues to grow every year. With a stock availability of at least 99% and uncompromising quality control, Elho are reliable as well as innovative. The complete package for your garden centre.

Come and see Elho at GLEE, NEC Birmingham, 11-13th September on Stand: 19G10 and in the Retail Lab.

Contact

David Nicholson.

T: 07910 212155

E: david.nicholson@elho.nl

www.elho.com

www.facebook.com/elho

A selection of GIANT bulbs will be on the Taylors Bulbs stand in Hall 19 (stand G02).  As has become tradition for Taylors, they will offer some weird and wonderful, as well as some more well-known types of bulbs, available for this season.  As well as the giants, they have a handful of promotions to add to the bulbs in store as well so make sure you visit the stand for more details.

Adam Taylor, Director, told Glee Daily News: “Bulb sales have started very well this season which shows why it’s important to get delivered as much as possible as soon as possible.  We start our earliest deliveries in the last week of July and we have been told that sales were well ahead of last year from that moment on. 

"We are hearing many reports of positive sales to date, even +42% was mentioned by a big independent garden centre who make a big effort with bulbs, so that’s a lot of extra cash in the August till receipts.  We believe that our early deliveries capitalised on the August weather being more autumnal, and we have often stood at GLEE praying for rain as no one can get a fork in the ground, but not this year.”

As well as bulbs for delivery now on the stand, Taylors are looking to attract Unwins and Thompson & Morgan customers to the Taylors seed potato range as both companies have withdrawn their offers for this season.

“We chose to invest in our Seed Potato packing and storing facilities in 2015 with a brand new bespoke production line and 1400 tonne cold store and that investment appears to have been recognised by the market with the reliability and quality of the product we have been supplying” explained Adam.  “We have ample capacity in the facilities and list over 80 varieties and as well as our bestselling and industry leading Taster Pack range with seed in smaller quantities.”

 
Amaryllis and other bulb gift products in the Taylors extensive range will be on display, along with Pumpkins from the fields of Lincolnshire for Halloween sales or displays. 

Taylors Bulbs can be found in Hall 19, Stand G02.

www.taylors-bulbs.com

Premier is delighted to launch its fabulous new catalogue at Glee this year with eight fresh ranges, over 500 brand new products – plus over 140 exclusive offers to tempt customers the entire year-round.

The Outdoor Living Company’s Blue Collection is guaranteed to appeal to sophisticated consumers wanting to exert their own style, with cool contemporary shades in an exciting and totally co-ordinated collection.

With fashionable scatter cushions in an assortment of patterns from the lightest of greys, to turquoise and navy blues; matching door-stops and accessories such as water jugs, misters and trays – these products are designed to fluently blend the home into the garden. The range also includes galvanised steel planters, rustic mirrors and shelves, stylish garden ornaments and chic candle holders and lanterns.

Also not to be missed at the show – the Black and Gold Collection; the Bistro Collection; Outdoor Lighting; The Summer Living Collection with Outdoor Dining and Games; Outdoor Heating; and Everyday Essentials.

Finally, don’t miss Premier’s Sales Extras with great savings; plus fantastic new merchandising displays to make eye-catching in-store features and capture the imagination and buying potential of your customers.

Visit Premier in Hall 17 – Stand R20-T21 & R30-S31 to see the exciting new ranges our catalogue has to offer.

Premier Decorations Ltd – www.premierdec.com

Traditional artist Julie Dodsworth continues her partnership with leading supplier Briers, with a brand new range of artisan gifts for the garden and home. 

The Lavender Garden range is the third from Julie Dodsworth for Briers. Joining Orangery and Flower Girl, the new range includes garden gloves, footwear, tools and gifts, and will be available in time for Christmas gift ranges.

An artisan designer, Julie Dodsworth works from her narrowboat Calamity Jane which inspires her choice of colours and floral motifs.  

CEO Jackie Eades said: “Julie continues to create timeless, classic designs, and we are thrilled to also continue our partnership, working with her to turn her designs into beautiful gifts for the garden and home.”

Julie Dodsworth said: “The designs capture my love of the heritage of the waterways combined with my own romantic twist.  It is with great pleasure and excitement to be launching the new season collection, Lavender Garden, with Briers. 

"The new design vividly captures the lavender purple alongside subtle leafy greens.  The expertise of Briers and their amazing garden ware is the perfect collaboration for my designs.

"Being able to garden with such fantastic products really brings our garden ware home.”

To find out more about Briers’ licensed ranges, visit www.briersltd.co.uk and for up to date information on all things Glee visit www.gleebirmingham.com/exhibitors/briers-limited

Manufactured and developed in the UK, Block Blitz Gravel Treatment is a unique biodegradable mineral and plant based barrier detergent which has been designed to clean and protect gravel and decorative aggregates, reducing the need for using weed killing products.

The first product of its kind in the UK. Specifically designed to clean and protect gravel driveways and decorative aggregates.

Block Blitz Gravel Treatment is 100% non-abrasive. Contains no bleach, acids or biocides and is biodegradable.

Block Blitz Gravel Treatment is a powder that is quick and easy for the customer to use. Simply empty one pouch into a 10ltr watering can, apply and walk away. No measuring liquids or pumping garden sprayers are needed.

Everybody can now have great looking gravel all year around with this simple low cost solution.

Also launching at Glee is the Block Blitz Watering Can and applicator Rose, specifically designed and engineered to apply the Block Blitz range of powdered paving treatments.

All the Block Blitz range has been designed and manufactured in the UK.

Visit us at Glee, we can found in Hall 17 Stands R03 and P02.

To find out more about Block Blitz and their successful products, go to www.blockblitz.co.uk or e-mail the general enquiries office on enquiries@blockblitz.co.uk or call to speak to us on 01302 246451.

Innovative designers and global experts in outdoor heating, La Hacienda, are launching brand new outdoor heating and garden décor ranges for 2018.

Building on their existing selection of winning products, La Hacienda will be showcasing a variety of new designs including the stylish 'Matrix' steel chimenea, new Kamado multi-function ovens, fashionable décor products and much more.

La Hacienda's new products for 2018 include:

• Kamado Oven (in a range of sizes and colours)
• Contemporary Magnesia Firepits Oxidised Firepits
• Matrix Steel Chimeneas
• New Grey and Black Series Electric Heaters
• Powerful Warmwatcher Electric Heaters
• Metal Farmyard, Classic and Tropical Garden Décor
• Decorative Armillaries and Weathervanes
• Resin Buddhas

Simon Goodwin, Global Merchandise Manager, is expecting Glee to be the perfect opportunity to showcase the exciting new range of La Hacienda products and is looking forward to welcoming customers to the stand.

"Customer satisfaction and product development are at the heart of everything we do. We continue to work hard to meet our clients' expectations and to develop product that will lead the market.

"For 2018 we have taken some of our best-selling ranges and introduced new products, such as the Kamado which offers unrivalled cooking flexibility, aesthetic design and quality construction; as well as creating completely new products like the beautifully designed Matrix steel chimenea.

"Our range of products is vast and varied, and we're hearing great feedback from our customers that our service levels are the hottest out there.

"Our team work hard to maintain this fantastic reputation, and as a company we are proud of what we have achieved.

"We look forward to meeting with you at Glee and introducing you to our exciting new products."

While at Glee, be sure to pick up La Hacienda's NEW 2018 Outdoor Heating and Décor Catalogue which is full of great quality products across their core ranges of outdoor heating and cooking, and décor products.

Visit La Hacienda on Stand 17U20-V21 or online at www.lahacienda.co.uk

We all know that Garden Centres are growing in their popularity and as the target market widens, so does the range of products on offer. Products ranging from garden games and outdoor furniture to horticultural delights and outdoor fixtures and fittings are now showcased throughout these fantastic stores.

As more families choose the Garden Centre for a weekend day out it offers a great opportunity to combine the experience with a convenient shopping encounter. With easy parking and a leisurely approach to large item shopping, Garden Centres present an ideal location to purchase pet produce.

At GA we present an opportunity to create your own label pet food. With no minimum order quantity all we ask from you is a desire to succeed and an ability to sell the fantastic product!

At GA Pet Food Partners we are genuinely enthusiastic about giving people the opportunity to have their own label pet food within 7 days. With over 20 years experience in the pet food industry we pride ourselves upon three core values of Integrity, Innovation and Quality.

Our research suggest that own label brands are becoming increasingly successful and very appealing to the modern day customer who is tired of large multinational and global brands. With your established loyal customer base this presents a fantastic opportunity to further enhance that special relationship.

For more details and a no obligation conversation please call: 01257 633148 or email NewBusiness@ga-petfoodpartners.co.uk

If you are interested in this exciting venture please feel free to either call or visit us at our stand and receive a FREE product sample: 17P61

The Heritage Collection is inspired by History. Each planter incorporates a period design feature found at an English Heritage property, such as the Tudor Rose motifs on fireplaces at Dover Castle in Kent and detailing on statues at the gardens in Wrest Park in Bedfordshire.

Initially, models will be available in Terracini and Clayfibre. Whilst both are hardwearing and frost resistant materials, they offer very different looks; Terracini is a harder wearing variety of Terracotta whilst the eco-friendly Clayfibre provides an authentic, faux lead finish. A variety of sizes and shapes will be available, from a 27cm classic box to a tall 80cm square.

New styles and materials will be added throughout 2018 and 2019.  Further design themes are already being considered by the Pot Company in association with English Heritage – and will again be inspired by site specific features.

The range will be formally launched at Glee, the most valuable garden and outdoor living trade show in the UK, in Birmingham this September. The Pot Company team will be on hand at Stand 20K20-L21 to take orders, ready for fulfilment in 2018.

As with the entire Pot Company range, planters can be ordered individually or in nested sets and pallet combinations. Good margins are on offer to the end retailer and increase with volumes purchased. Merchandising solutions are also available, including point of sale marketing material.

About the Pot Company:

The Pot Company have over 30 years’ experience in supplying garden industry professionals.  With over 30 ranges to choose from, The Pot Company give customers the flexibility to order whatever they want and only what they need. Ranges include contemporary, rustic and traditional styles from value lines to high end items. The Pot Company stock over 250,000 pots at their warehouse in the Kent countryside and have established a rapid fulfilment delivery network.

About English Heritage

English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites - from world-famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, from Roman forts on the edges of the empire to a Cold War bunker. Through these, we bring the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year.

For more information please contact Katie Weller on Katie@thepotco.com or 01892 890 353.

Creative Products is launching a new improved version of its immensely, popular Star Magic Christmas laser lights kit, adding new aesthetic and convenience features. 

The original product was a massive seller for garden centres after it made its debut at last year’s Glee show, especially as it lends itself so well to Creative Products’ instore TV promotional advertising.

The new Star Magic Motion has dynamic moving LED function with nine different and fun settings.  It also comes with remote control.  The kit which contains everything the consumer needs for a fabulous Christmas light show has an RRP of £69.99.

Managing director of Creative Products, Mark Hall commented, “Over the past year, we have built up a real reputation for product innovation and trend-setting.  Combining our advances in new product development with our ‘no risk’ sale or return approach to retail means we have a fantastic offering to share with our customers and we look forward to discussing this further with interested buyers at the exhibition.”

The Creative Products offer is ideal for independents, garden centres, cookshops, large retail chains and department stores alike.  Its products are all innovative and inspirational and presented to consumers in an explanatory and experiential manner in fully serviced merchandising systems, inclusive of instore TV promotion.

Interested retailers can find out more by visiting Creative Products on stand 18N30-P31 at Glee or can contact the company on 01476 564 230 or sales@creativeproducts.ltd.uk.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

White Pebble International

Unit 2, Plot 11, Terminus Road

Chichester PO198 TX UK

Tel +44(0)1243 780501

Fax +44(0)1243 839332

info@whitepebbleint.com

 

2018 is a year of change for Cadix UK. We have inspiring new designs to complement our Capi Europe collection of planters, made with different materials, colours and textures. 

The Urban collection is extended with a new structure, called Tube. A modern series next to our existing collection, the Smooth pots.

The collection is for the consumer who loves life and minimalist style in the house or garden with contemporary pots.

The Rib and Row collection of pots will be extended with a new structure; Rock, an outstanding cool pot with the structure of a robust rock block. Not to mention our Heraldry pots with a diamond structure, available next year in the colour rust, thus giving a new dimension to any garden or interior.

Interior is hot and happening, that’s why we extended our inside pots with some new ranges. In addition to the already existing Nature Rib and Row mini pots, we have designed a Wood and Stone structure. Trendy pots, a real eye catcher in every interior. The collection is available in black, brown and ivory.

Hall 20 Stand 20L30-M31. 

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

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

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

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

Glee Daily News Issue 2 2017 - Main Preview

Glee Daily News Issue 1 2017

Glee Daily News Omnibus Issue 2016

Glee Daily News Omnibus Issue 2015

Glee Daily News Omnibus Issue 2014

Glee Daily News Omnibus Issue 2013

Glee Daily News Omnibus Issue 2012

To help gardeners choose the right product and ensure garden centres promote the right product for a specific gardening problem, Vitax has invested in new point of sale material to help making the right choice easier.

From wire trugs and branded boxes through to clear signage and guides, Vitax will be providing garden centres with additional sales material to make it easier for visitors.

This is the first time Vitax has provided both indoor and outdoor promotional material to customers, but follows many years of developing new packaging and products in conjunction with customer feedback.

During 2018, Vitax will also be rolling out a range of helpful ‘How to’ guides and product information, as well as promoting the new www.gardenworld.co.uk website which contains all the information a gardener needs to make an informed product selection.

The new gardening website has recently added a new FAQ page as well as a ‘Contact Us’ page with various options – all developed to enhance the user experience.

To find out more visit Vitax at the front of Hall 19, stand E10 – F11.

This year Durston Garden Products is returning to Glee with a specific message to Retailers and that is to BUY BRITISH.

“With Brexit negotiations now well under way, we need to consider the way we do business in the UK going forward” says NEW, National Sales and Marketing Manager, Dan Durston.

Dan, a sixth generation of Durston says, “I am really looking forward to meeting and greeting both old and new customers alike in my new role at GLEE this year and persuading them that BUYING BRITISH is the right way to go. Shopping closer to home makes so much more sense and is not always as expensive as we’ve been led to believe. In fact here at Durstons we not only supply an extensive range of growing media products, which offer exceptional value-for-money, but we are confident that we can beat any price out there, and what’s more, we can deliver those products in just five days from  receipt of order! Now that’s got to be a good thing”.

Family owned for over 150 years, Durston Garden Products has been supplying composts and other growing media related products from its base in Somerset for 3 generations, so knows a thing or two about ‘what’s hot and what’s not’ when it comes to compost. It’s most popular brands include Manor Farm and its premium Multi-Purpose compost, but the entire range comprise a seed & cutting compost, tub and basket, an ericaceous compost, decorative bark, a John Innes range and much more.

 “As a family run business we can, and regularly do go that extra mile to accommodate last minute, one-off, urgent or tricky deliveries where retailers have been let down by their regular supplier” continues Dan. “It’s at times like this, when retailers are still feeling a trepid nervous about what’s to come following Brexit and are considering switching supplier, that we can hopefully persuade them that not only can we fix their short term supply problems, but that we can do so much more for them going forward.”

Some of the major benefits of stocking Durstons Garden Products include:

• Extensive range
• Home produced compost
• Excellent quality
• Added nutrient Gro-Boost technology
• Bagged in state-of-the-art packaging facility in Somerset
• Loaded onto Durston Lorry
• Delivered anywhere in England and Wales within 5 days

     from receipt of order

• Extremely price competitive

Durston Garden Products sales have grown significantly in recent years due in part to its investment in new plant and machinery. Combine this with the company’s recent investment also into a strategic BUY BRITISH marketing campaign and already you can see you have a company that is determined to make its mark going forward, not only as a true BRITISH supplier, but also as an all-round contender in the growing media arena.

For further information contact:

Durston Garden Products Ltd

Avalon Farm, Sharpham,

Street, Somerset, BA16 9SE

Tel: 01458 442688 Fax: 01458 448327

Email: info@durstongardenproducts.co.uk

Designed to create impact, interest and information, the new units are purpose built for each product group ensuring maximum attention and space efficiency.

Kent & Stowe gave the garden tools market dramatic boost in 2017 with the introduction of their ‘right tool for the right job’ campaign, supported by specific POS. This successful approach is being extended for 2018 with the introduction of ‘Potting & Planting’, ‘Topiary Essentials’, ‘Kid’s Range’, ‘Love your Lawn’ and ’Cutting Solutions’.

The extended Flopro range including the new solar efficient Eco Smart Watering is presented in evocative and informative display modules.

Plantpak has a host of new products for the coming season which includes two brand new terrariums which are available now to take advantage of the Christmas gift market. The terrarium display unit in pristine white with colour graphics is a real head-turner.

The new material will be revealed at Glee on the Crest Garden Stand No 19G21.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits within core product categories including Garden Care, Outdoor Entertaining, Landscaping and Garden Design, Pet, Home, Gift and Clothing, and Plants. Each year the show attracts thousands of buyers from top retailers, such as leading UK garden centres, builders’ merchants, multiple retailers, and DIY stores. To keep up-to-date on all the latest news log onto www.gleebirmingham.com or call 020 3033 2160 to find out about exhibiting.

Farplants reveal plans for Glee 2017

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

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

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

10 reasons why plant buyers should visit the Glee Green Heart

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The shop window for pet retail

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pet Buyers Connect

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

So much to see

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you!

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

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

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

12. What's on your career bucket list?

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

13. Most memorable moment?

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

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

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

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

Emerging trends:

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

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

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

How to use garden shows to promote your garden centre:

1. Stands, Displays & Sponsorship USP

2. Branding, Giveaways and Discounting

3. Clubs, Membership, Benefits & Services

Ways to engage the youth in horticulture:

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

2. 'Young Hort' and other representative youth bodies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See the team from Vivagreen at GLEE from 11 – 13 September on stand 18H52 or to find out more about Vivagreen’s range of environmentally friendly products go to www.vivagreengroup.com or e-mail the general enquiries office on office@vivagreengroup.com  or call to speak to us on 020 7197 2317.

Vivagreen

DMG House

Deansgrange Business Park

Deansgrange

Co Dublin

A94 H6P5

Ireland

New from Hygeia Garden Care is the multi award-winning GreenForce Lawn Gold range – an organic based 3-step lawn treatment that is child-safe, pet-safe and won’t turn moss black. 

GreenForce Lawn Gold uses slow release technology to feed and green your lawn for the season while strengthening the root system for thicker, healthier grass.

A unique blend of minerals controls moss naturally without the need to rake out – moss simply disintegrates back into the lawn. Apply GreenForce Lawn Gold Classic as a starter treatment, then GreenForce Lawn Gold Summer Green to keep grass lush and vibrant through the summer months, followed by GreenForce Lawn Gold Winter Protect in autumn to keep your lawn green and moss-free throughout the winter season.

The best defence against moss and weeds is a healthy lawn with GreenForce Lawn Gold!

We also offer a fantastic selection of tomato food, plant food and hard surface treatments to control moss and algae.

This year marks our first time to show at Glee, so come and visit us at Stand 19D18-E19 and see our brilliant range of Hygeia Garden Care products.

For expert gardening advice and more product information, see www.MyGardenExpert.com.

Specialist home and garden pest control product supplier STV will exhibit at Glee in Hall 18, stand L50.  Show visitors will be welcomed by STV’s commercial team, with drinks, snacks and a comfortable seat on offer throughout the show for customers wishing to drop by. 

STV is unveiling an impressive range of NPD this year, including premium-priced insect control products under its Zero In Ultra Power brand, and a wide range of avian and nuisance animal deterrents from Defenders. 

Stockists of The Big Cheese rodent control products will also be able to learn full details of the impact of new regulations on rodenticide baits, set to take effect March 1^st. 2018. 

www.stvpestcontrol.com

info@stvpestcontrol.com

01953 881580

Above, from left to right: David Walton, Alex Eagleton, Chris Primett and Andrew Hulbert are all primed to offer guidance and expertise at Glee 2017.

With just a few more days to go before Glee 17, the Malcolm Scott Consultants team is excited to showcase its full service offering to demonstrate an end-to-end suite of property support services to visitors.

Chris Primett says: “MSC has more than three decades of experience so our planning expertise and successes to date need no introduction, but over the past year, since becoming part of the Harris Lamb group of companies, we’ve been able to offer clients a range of complementary services to help garden centres save money, expand their operations and capitalise on their property.”

Over the course of the three-day show, Chris will be joined by specialist colleagues from Harris Lamb’s Investment, Business Rates, Retail and Building Consultancy teams, all of whom have extensive experience within the commercial property sector and are on hand to discuss opportunities with visitors keen to make their businesses more efficient.

The Investment team will be advising garden centre and nursery owners on ways to maximise their properties and free up capital, while the Building team will be talking to visitors about its construction and project management experience when it comes to bringing planning projects to life.

David Walton of Retail will be sharing insight from the sector with owners keen to review and refresh their concession choice, while the Rating team has already secured a number of meetings with concerned centre managers who have seen their business rates costs rocket since the Revaluation earlier this year.

Chris added: “Glee is always a great event for us and it’s an opportunity for us to catch up with previous, current and potential new clients to find out what is happening with their respective businesses. Having a new spectrum of services now means we’re able to provide further insight and support to them, helping to develop their centres and identify ways to either save money or increase footfall and revenue.

“We’re looking forward to sharing some of the case studies and expertise that we have in the coming week.”

Malcolm Scott Consultants can be found in Hall 20 on stand G50 H51.

To secure an appointment with Chris or any of his colleagues, contact him directly at chrisp@malcolmscottcons.co.uk

DJ Turfcare – one of the UK’s most formidable suppliers of lawn care products – is excited to announce that at Glee 2017 the company will be officially launching its RHS endorsed range of chemical-free lawn fertiliser products.

Made up of MO Bacter, Bio-Lime and Recovery, the range – created by Belgian lawn care experts, Viano, and distributed by DJ Turfcare in the UK – marks the first lawn care range of this type to receive endorsement from the Royal Horticulture Society. 

At Glee, retailers visiting the DJ Turfcare stand will be able to find out more about the products on offer. Glee will also mark the first time that retailers will see the newly designed packaging that will support this new RHS endorsed range. Featuring a prominent RHS logo, the packaging has been designed to entice consumers at the point of purchase.

David Jenkins, Managing Director at DJ Turfcare, said: “We are incredibly excited to be launching this RHS endorsed range to the market, and feel that Glee is the perfect place to showcase it fully. We have worked hard with our partners, Viano, to create products that deliver time and time again, and to receive recognition from the RHS has made the hard work even more worthwhile. But more importantly, we believe that receiving the RHS endorsement will also be of significant benefit to retailers. The RHS is a highly regarded and recognisable body, and will offer consumers peace of mind and confidence when buying products that are endorsed by them, ultimately boosting sales.”

About the range

DJ Turfcare’s new RHS endorsed range will include three chemical-free lawn fertiliser products - MO Bacter, Bio-Lime and Recovery. Here we find out a little more about the products themselves.

MO Bacter is an organic-based, slow release fertiliser for lawns, which destroys moss as secondary action. It is easily spread, contains no chemicals, is also pet and child-friendly, and is designed to not harm plants and shrubs.

The second product in the range is Bio-Lime, which combats the acidic and sour conditions that can be an ideal environment for moss to thrive, by ‘sweetening’ the soil to raise its pH. Bio-Lime also contains magnesium, which helps the lawn to maintain its colour throughout the cold winter months, making it the ideal year-round lawn treatment.

The final product on offer is Recovery. Recovery has been created for those moments when lawns needs sprucing up. An organic fertiliser, containing a number of effective ingredients – including Humifirst, a unique ingredient that creates biological activity and acts as a plant growth stimulant – Recovery is perfect for use before laying turf, seeding or as an autumn lawn feed. The lawn develops hardwearing characteristics after application, making Recovery the top choice for use after drought, areas of high footfall and after the scarification process. Like the other products in the range, Recovery is also pet and child-friendly.

Find out more

To find out more about DJ Turfcare’s RHS endorsed range be sure to visit the team at Glee 2017 – Hall 19, stand A03. Further details about the company’s full offering can be found by visiting www.djturfcare.co.uk or by calling 01483 200976.

This year Great Sense Ltd is proud to work together with Grill Up Ltd to launch our newest range of barbecues and accessories. In celebration of our newest brand to join the Great Sense family, Great Sense will have two stands at this year’s Glee show, we will be featuring our 2017/2018 product lines for both our barbecues and our garden furniture collections.

Great Sense will be displaying our beautiful and diverse furniture collections in rattan and aluminium in a variety of styles, colours and set formations, aiming to brighten up the 2018 outdoor scene.

In a crowded market place Grill Up want to offer something different, with the introduction of the new in-house designed Tower Bridge range from Grill Up, we are looking to turn up the heat on other gas barbecue manufacturers. The Tower Bridge BBQ range brings a new dimension to the market by having pre-built BBQs across the range of the 3, 4 and 5 burner BBQs. These are delivered to store pre-built with no tools needed to assemble. Anyone can grill, but our goal is to make your BBQ journey from begging to end, a more happier and easier experience. We continue to work on every detail to improve our designs, making your cooking more professional and enjoyable.

Cadero alongside Grill Up as a company has been producing BBQ’s for more than 10 years. From its early roots, they continuously strived to make outdoor adventure more enjoyable through innovative thinking and ongoing research and product development, being one step ahead of the rest.

We hope for you to be a part of Great Sense and Grill Up’s vision for 2018 and future years to come.

These beautiful and functional bowls are handmade from recycled oil drums by family workshops in India. Hand cut metal plates are riveted in the traditional way for strength and durability, and feature the same drop handles as the Original Kadais. These were traditionally used as cooking bowls throughout India, Kadai firebowls repurposed their use and created the Internationally acclaimed Kadai Barbecue Firebowl.

“To show the versatility of the product, Kadai Firebowls have now re-engineered the Kadai to produce a stunning planter & with their one-piece bowl a superb water feature.”

Kadai Planter

An enhanced filter system in the bottom of the bowl allows for drainage and the depth of the bowl allows for deeper root systems. The result, we think, speaks for itself, wouldn’t you agree?

Accessories...

Kadai Warming Rack

Keep food warming gently above the heat while continuing to cook directly on the grill.

Kadai Shield

An alternative to the Kadai Canvas Cover. This metal shield helps to ‘weatherproof’ your Kadai Firebowl. It could also double up as a handy work-top

and snuffer.

Kadai Hot Plate

The Kadai Hot Plate sits directly on top of the main grill. Incredibly versatile for meat, vegetables, fish and fried dishes. Ideal for a barbecue breakfast.

Kadai Water Feature

Our Wilstone one-piece Kadai is a great place to start and with the filter system removed and sealed, the bowl is the basis of a perfect water feature. Add a beautiful water lily or other aquatic plants and you have a water garden to fit even the smallest of spaces.

Kadai Firebowls by Wilstone

Home Farm, Leebotwood, Shropshire SY6 6LX Tel: 01694 771800 www.kadai.com

Traditional Garden Games will be showcasing 10 new design led and trend inspired products with great price points. Hook a winner with ‘Big Fish, Little Fish’, try to hide your ‘hand’ with ‘XXL Playing Cards’ or together, pull your opponents over the winning line with ‘Tug of War’ – we know our new collection will charm and appeal to customers of all ages.

Along with our 10 new games, Traditional Garden Games is excited to launch the SEMBRA range of premium quality ‘sow & grow’ kits.  With exclusive UK and Ireland distribution rights to this brand, Traditional Garden Games has SEMBRA’s complete collection of kits which will inspire and encourage adults and children to grow their own herbs and vegetables at home. 

From adult ‘Cocktail’ Kits to children’s ‘BIG’ Winter Vegetables and ‘MINI’ Cherry Tomato Kits, SEMBRA strives to bring the world of ‘hobby’ gardening closer to people of all ages in a fun, easy, guided and educational way.

Kevin McKeever, Managing Director for Traditional Garden Games Ltd said: "As an established toys and games brand in the UK, Traditional Garden Games is delighted to be exhibiting for the first time at Glee. 

"Glee and the show’s Retail Lab, will provide our business with the perfect platform to showcase to the garden centre market, our new garden games which are design lead, trend inspired and at great price points, PLUS the NEW Sembra ‘easy sow and grow’ kits.  We are certain both brands will be attractive additions to retailers’ offerings."

Come and meet the Traditional Garden Games team to see our extensive range of garden games and SEMBRA’s collection ‘sow & grow’ kits, on Stand 18L61.  Alternatively, call 028 777 68742 or email sales@traditionalgardengames.co.uk for more details.

This year mycorrhizal fungi has been mentioned many times on BBC Gardeners World which reflects the changing times to more sustainable gardening practices. This was further developed by PlantWorks Spring advertising campaign which asked gardeners, 'Given the choice would you garden with chemicals or would you use the natural power of pure biology?' This activity has seen a 30% increase in rootgrow sales so far in 2017.

It has always been an objective for PlantWorks to offer UK gardeners a very real alternative to the conventional chemical approach to plant nutrition so we are pleased to announce the extension of our popular After Plant granular feeds with liquid versions in seven types. In keeping with the core beliefs of the Empathy ethos, all products will contain natural and sustainable ingredients, pioneer new and exciting active components,  offer plants the best biological nutritional solutions modern day science has to offer and be highly effective and easy to use.

The Liquid After Plant formulations are specifically designed around the individual nutrient requirements of specific plant groups and the best method of application is considered very carefully. For instance After plant for Evergreens comes as both a granular and liquid formulation. Evergreens will benefit from a spring top dress with granular feed followed with regular liquid feed feed throught the season. Empathy products are designed to seed soil biology to create an environment where the fertility of the soil is kick started and can support the plant for its lifetime.

Other component parts of Empathy Liquid After Plant are Seaweed, Amino Acids, Nutrients derived from as sustainable sources as possible, Humic and Fulvic Acids, Potassium phosphite (Roses only).

With a strong history of reinvestment, Whitefurze, the privately owned company, has continued to bring new products and ranges to market.  Delivering on value, functionality and design and there has been a particular focus on expanding its garden range in recent years.

“The appeal of gardening is constantly broadening and we have consistently added to our range in order to keep step with the changing and increasing demands of garden retailers and consumers” says Managing Director Philip Lanni.

The Whitefurze garden range includes eight planter ranges, basic pots, propagation and composting lines, water butts, and watering cans, as well as garden accessories and seasonal lines. Recognising the need to further diversify its garden offer to include storage, recent new product launches have included a Garden Caddy and 40ltr Garden Storage Chest, both of which will be available to view on the stand at Glee 2017.

“Thanks to our ongoing programme of new product development, we are now able to offer a full garden range, 100% manufactured in Britain presenting a ‘one-stop-shop’ solution for retailers in the plastic garden category”.

A lot of these new arrivals are young/middle class urbanites looking for a better life but also inhabit a limited or tiny flat with a balcony or a small green patch of a garden.

Pop-Up Garden is a fresh/cool and new approach to nature through our funky wildlife habitats, herb gardens and flower boxes.

Our core market is the 18-35-year-old urbanites who are not only switched onto the environment but who also appreciates design with function.

This was proven on our Instagram page where the analytics showed that Pop-Up products appealed to a 55% female to 45% males’ audience between the ages of 18-35 years and popular in large cities such as London, New York and Los Angeles.

At Glee, we will be officially launching our own e-com web site as well as announcing International E-com retail partnerships!

All Pop-Up products come flat packed and are printed in vibrant anti-fade inks/colours and come with everything you need to mount your bird, bee, butterfly, flower and herb boxes.

Also, all Pop-Up product inks and materials have been tested to ISO and REACH standards and we have personally checked the factory to ensure that no child labour was being used in the making of any Pop-Up products.

Additional product features include three metal hole plate covers (40mm, 32mm & 25mm openings), internal front chick climbing mesh, optional internal raised floor in all our bird houses, butterfly shaped sugar water soaking sponges in our butterfly boxes and fifteen removable cardboard nesting tubes with holder in all of our bee hotels

 

Pop-Up Garden products are products with a conscience!

Pop-Up Garden has also teamed with the International Wildlife Charity Buglife.

In each Pop-Up Garden package, you will receive a One Year Free Membership Coupon to Buglife (£24.00 Value) which includes special web offers and a delivered cotton goody bag of really cool bug stuff! In return Buglife will receive a wholesale royalty which helps Buglife save the planet!

All Pop-Up habitat products will be available in November of this year and we will be pre-launching our funky line of flower boxes and herb gardens for Spring 2018.

For brick & mortar retailers, all Pop-Up habitats are available with a floor/point of sale unit.

Let’s Get Popping!

Pictured: Woodstock Chimes UK’s best-selling Bells of Paradise – Large, Pacific Blue is tuned to an ancient Chinese scale.

• Authentic and original musically tuned windchime
• Premier quality, affordable & value priced
• Created by GRAMMY® Award-winning musician Garry Kvistad
• The choice of discerning UK customers for over 30 years
• Chimes are in stock and ship within 48 hours from our UK warehouse

Musical Perfection
The music made by Woodstock Chimes is perfectly authentic because it’s tuned to real scales and melodies heard throughout the world from ancient times to the present. Our rich, pure sound quality comes from premium materials, expert design, and, of course, precise tuning. The length of each tube is honed and the sound is checked using an electronic tuning method to ensure the note is correct and the sound is pure. Some call this “precision tuned”, some call it “musically tuned”. We simply call it beautiful.

Lifetime Tuning Guarantee
Woodstock Chimes has a strong commitment to precise tuning. We are so proud of the music made by our chimes, all our metal-tubed musically tuned chimes come with a Lifetime Tuning Guarantee.

Optimize Your Display
The wonderful music made by our chimes is our strongest selling point. That’s why we recommend retailers hang our chimes at eye (and ear!) level. This makes it easy for customers to read the product hangtags, and puts the chimes at the optimal height for listening to them ring. Another hint is to point a fan towards your display. The gentle ringing will draw customers in and our reasonable prices will close the sale!

Diversity Expands Customer Reach
Our diverse product line incorporates not just classic chimes, but also bamboo chimes, windbells, gongs and fountains, all designed to deliver the highest quality in authentic and beautiful sound. This variety allows you to choose the best product mix for your customers, and we’re here to help, with assortments, packages and display suggestions that are time-tested to produce great results.

 Hearing a Woodstock Chime is like listening to a
perfectly tuned musical instrument, played by the wind.

See all the Woodstock Chimes UK products here

Our popular Chimes of Westminster is tuned to the notes of Westminster Quarters, played by Big Ben.

www.woodstock-chimes.co.uk

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

Trend 1: Community – bringing people together through gardening projects

With the increasing urban population, community gardening, shared gardens, and public spaces are becoming the new meeting places and the centre of community life. Garden centres are in a unique position to tap into this, providing a platform to enable people to work together to enjoy a greener lifestyle, even those without green fingers!

From mobile planting tables to a greater emphasis on herbs, cut flowers, vegetable and fruit, the Community section within the Retail Lab @ Glee, is designed to showcase how communities can be brought together, and how retailers can incorporate an area that enables customers the chance to get their hands dirty. From community GYO projects, workshops and training sessions, the desire to give customers a sense of belonging will underpin the Community trend.

Food miles is another idea that can be better communicated via the Community trend. At the Retail Lab @ Glee, inspirational ideas on how garden retailers can incorporate pick-your-own into their café environments will also be on display.

Trend 2: Family – combining quality time together with skill development

Garden centres are already well-known for their approach to family, with many incorporating kids’ play areas and family friendly facilities into the mix. However, the theme of ‘family’ within the Retail Lab @ Glee will go beyond this.

The role of the garden has changed. It is no longer just a place to work, or something to look at. The garden has become an extension of the home; an outside room. What’s more, gardens must incorporate all aspects of everyday living – from patios, play areas, outdoor entertaining, as well as being both child and pet friendly.

Projects are a huge part of the Family trend, and at Glee it will address the many ways that retailers can optimise this. From displaying products as ‘projects’, e.g. grow your own salad, build your own pond, decorate your shed, to inspiring ideas on how to help children understand the provenance of the food that they eat. But it’s not just children that can get in on the action, adults also benefit from this theme with fun ideas such as ‘grow your own cocktail’ and presenting ways to make gardening sexier e.g. ‘she sheds’.

‘Family’ will also address ways that retailers can bring the outside in, through indoor growing zones, and even interior barbeques and fireplaces, perfect for continued customer engagement throughout the year, even when the weather is classically British. Unique merchandising ideas will incorporate play slides for children, whilst product and design ideas will be displayed, showing how pets and gardens can live in perfect harmony.

Trend 3: ‘Re-Wilding’ – working with nature to create unique shopping environments

85% of people live in an urban environment, and this number is growing. However, there is a latent attraction to wildlife, and as the urban environment becomes greener there is a different market emerging.

This new market is characterised as having limited space available, and where gardens are far from conventional. Garden retailers have a fantastic opportunity to capture this market by providing inspiration, a can-do philosophy, and providing knowledge on the benefits of growing in small spaces, as well as looking at ways to encourage nature into the garden.

From natural wildlife settings, and planting scheme inspired by the influential Dutch designer, Piet Outdolf, to insect houses, wild flower seeds, bird feeders, the Re-Wilding trend will offer a fully immersive experience for those wanting to tap into this ever-growing trend.

The area will include a range of products and display ideas that demonstrate how retailers can incorporate the Re-Wilding trend in-store. Look out for a virtual reality pod, and special botanic store, and products linked to sustainability, water-saving and green roofs.

Trend 4: Well-being – creating outdoor retreats to regain balance

Wellbeing is a truly global trend, stretching across a wide variety of products and industries. The immediate reaction would be to look at ideas that promote health and wellbeing, such as healthy eating and environmental consciousness, and this is certainly true of the content on display within the Retail Lab @ Glee, however so much more will also be on offer!

There is a growing understanding of the importance that outdoor activities play in our psychological and physiological wellbeing. The benefits of healthy eating, exercise and mental de-stressing (mindfulness) are well known. However, there is an understanding of the positive aspects that plants can play in our life as well. Smell, sound, air circulation and recharging all help us study and perform better.

From eating food grown in-store through dedicated healthy living take-away schemes, and microfarming, to encouraging wellness through areas of relaxation and digital detoxes, the Well-being trend is all about taking a moment away from the stresses and strains that everyday throws us at.

Well-being within the Retail Lab @ Glee will also look at ways that garden retailers can maximise gardening as a form of therapy, and as a quiet retreat from the daily grind. A visit to the garden centre should be an experience, one that is full of opportunities to optimise all our senses – from scent, to sound, to touch.

Content within this section will showcase how garden centres can create a ‘decompression’ environment; a space that offers a pressure-free shopping experience. From sinking your feet into the grass, to filling your nose with the sweet scent of fresh herbs and fragrances, and even garden yoga, this concept goes far beyond products alone. The products that are on display will also be used in a brand new and fresh way, creating examples of retail areas that not only imaginatively display product but do so in a way that creates a truly green environment; one that consumers will want to create within their own homes and gardens.

One of the most innovative features at the annual Glee exhibition, the Retail Lab – new for 2017 - has secured backing from a wide range of leading suppliers, who have come on board as either a ‘Preferred Partner’ or ‘Selected Partner’.  Here, ‘Preferred Partner’ Hozelock’s UK Marketing Manager, Carol Wright, tells us more about the company’s plans for the Retail Lab @ Glee.

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

Many of our new products are under wraps until the doors open on Glee 2017, but we can confirm that all those on display will be highly relevant to those trends that feature within the Retail Lab, especially within the Re-Wilding section where our water saving and management products will be most prevalent. This area, which focusses on how nature is helping to shape both consumer trends and the retail environment, is reflective of the ethos of many of our products. Appropriate and careful watering is essential to maintaining plant health in the garden.  Gardeners can help wildlife, including bees, to establish in their gardens by planting containers and pots – these need water to ensure their health and longevity and Hozelock have the systems to support this, and to make watering easy and less time consuming.

Innovative products on display will include the popular Easy Drip range of automatic watering systems and a range of controllers, including the high-tech Cloud Controller, which enables gardeners to water their gardens remotely.  Hozelock’s range of products, including the Pure collection, designed to support alternatives to chemicals in the garden, will also be a strong feature. We’ll also be showcasing products that tap into the trend for compact and urban gardens, such as the small yet mighty Pico Power pressure washer.

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

For us, the Retail Lab represents an opportunity to demonstrate Hozelock’s position as both the UK and world leading experts in garden watering. More importantly, we wanted to highlight the relevance of products, such as automatic watering and alternatives to chemicals, within popular and growing consumer trends. 

We also believe that it is so important for retailers and manufacturers to work together to create better understanding of the future trends that will be impacting on consumer lifestyles and the garden industry.

Why Re-Wilding?

The Re-Wilding area is a perfect fit for Hozelock’s garden watering initiatives in sustainability, wild life protection and bee health.  The garden is probably one of the easiest and most effective routes for consumers to participate in supporting wildlife.  Even a single pot of bee friendly plants is a small step in reversing the trend in declining bee numbers and our helpful Bizzi mascot will be encouraging all gardeners to help bees by planting a pot of bee-friendly plants.

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

We believe it is essential that as an industry, retailers recognise the importance of trends.  The Retail Lab will enable brands and retailers to work together to share in the benefits that understanding these trends can bring, and to develop new markets with new, and importantly, younger consumers.  We have a responsibility and a desire to encourage gardening across the generations, and believe that the Retail Lab is a great way of opening a forum for discussion on this topic, whilst also providing retailers with a number of inspiring ideas that can be put into practice in-store.

See more from Hozelock at Glee by visiting the company’s stand Hall 20, stand Q10-S11, or find them in the Retail Lab’s Re-Wilding area. More details can be found at www.hozelock.com

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits within core product categories including Garden Care, Outdoor Entertaining, Landscaping and Garden Design, Pet, Home, Gift and Clothing, and Plants. Each year the show attracts thousands of buyers from top retailers, such as leading UK garden centres, builders’ merchants, multiple retailers, and DIY stores. To keep up-to-date on all the latest news log onto www.gleebirmingham.com or call 020 3033 2160 to find out about exhibiting.

One of the most innovative features at the annual Glee exhibition, the Retail Lab – new for 2017 - has secured backing from a wide range of leading suppliers, who have come on board as either a ‘Preferred Partner’ or ‘Selected Partner’.  Here, ‘Preferred Partner’ Ivyline’s Director, Scott Thomas, tells us more about the company’s plans for the Retail Lab @ Glee.

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

At Glee, we will be showcasing our latest innovative trend led products. Our latest innovations include top-selling concrete planters for cacti, patterned planters in the latest print trends, new and on-trend hanging planters, unique lightweight outdoor planters, contemporary fire bowls, plus new display systems and so much more. We are launching in excess of 200 new carefully designed new products. 2017 saw amazing growth in houseplant pot sales and our new innovation will help retailers to increase sales in the season ahead.

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

Ivyline is delighted to be a main sponsor of the Retail Lab, and to support Glee in bringing fresh ideas to the industry.

Working with major UK fashion and home retailers gives us a unique insight in to the upcoming retail trends and consumer spending habits. Ivyline is driving these changes through its business and we want to see the industry adapting to the changing retail world.

The Retail Lab is new and innovative. It reflects the changing face of retail as well as the health benefits of plants and nature in our lives. This gives great synergy between the vision for the future at Ivyline and the core theme of the Retail Lab itself.

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

We are seeing unprecedented changes in retail trends, consumer buying habits and people lifestyles.

In the past two years there has been a big shift away from price based decision making in consumer purchasing, to consumers buying into a quality product that makes an instant impact in the home and garden. Ivyline’s trend-led patterned planters have become the number one selling range in our product portfolio, and our superb sales growth across all categories along with latest consumer spend reports give us the firm data to back this up.

Houseplants are once again fashionable as consumers recognised the instant impact they bring to the home, as well as the health benefits. Minimal maintenance plants such as cacti and succulents have seen phenomenal growth, as have foliage plants, particularly amongst the younger demographic. In one well known leading clothing fashion retailer based in key cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham, our cacti pot sales have been more than triple the whole garden centre industry combined. Garden centres can learn from this success story. In garden centres, this upward trend has been reflected in our houseplant pot sales and we have seen a 1200% growth in the sale of terrariums. Hanging plants are also in huge demand.

Another key growth area is in outdoor living and outdoor entertaining. This is especially around natural light and heat. Over 55% of consumers in a recent survey rated re-designing their outdoor entertaining space as their number one priority for their gardens. In addition to this, consumers are looking for instant easy to maintain gardens with planted containers and raised beds as a top growth area. Listening to consumer requests in garden centres you can also see the traditional seasons for plants, leisure and other seasonal products changing. Consumers are no longer bound by tradition and you can see the impact of this over the whole of retail.

Technology is playing a huge part in consumer spend, décor and garden trends. With the online retail forecasted to grow by over 14% this year, way we shop is changing. The latest interior and exterior design trends are so readily available to view online, and as a result consumers of all ages want to see this in the stores that they visit. This demand will undoubtedly impact on the garden centre industry. Bricks and mortar retail needs to combat this through the retail leisure experience at their store; by increasing their own online presence so consumers can research their purchases, by building their own unique identity, and becoming a store with a culture of excellence in inspiration and service.

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

The Retail Lab offers retail buyers a source of inspiration both for product and their store environments. It reflects the latest trends in a rapidly changing retail landscape. It provides many thought provoking ideas and will inspire innovation back in our own business environments. It is an excellent addition to the show and we are looking forward to it further developing in the coming years.

See more from Ivyline at Glee by visiting the company’s stand Hall 20, stand K50-L51, or find them in the Retail Lab. More details can be found at www.ivylinegb.co.uk

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits within core product categories including Garden Care, Outdoor Entertaining, Landscaping and Garden Design, Pet, Home, Gift and Clothing, and Plants. Each year the show attracts thousands of buyers from top retailers, such as leading UK garden centres, builders’ merchants, multiple retailers, and DIY stores. To keep up-to-date on all the latest news log onto www.gleebirmingham.com or call 020 3033 2160 to find out about exhibiting.

One of the most innovative features at the annual Glee exhibition, the Retail Lab – new for 2017 - has secured backing from a wide range of leading suppliers, who have come on board as either a ‘Preferred Partner’ or ‘Selected Partner’.  Here, ‘Preferred Partner’ Woodlodge’s Managing Director, Michael Wooldridge, tells us more about the company’s plans for the Retail Lab @ Glee.

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

We will be displaying an attractive selection of pottery from our Potting Shed and Heritage Garden ranges.

Our chocolate coloured plain pots are crafted in the best quality terracotta; these pots are perfect for kitchen gardens for growing herbs and vegetables, whilst the bestselling Heritage Garden pots combine traditional design with contemporary style, showcasing in trend muted colourways. These beautiful planters work well to complement flowers, creating stunning displays for your garden.

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

We chose to become a preferred supplier of the Retail Lab at Glee 2017 to demonstrate that garden centres can harness the trend of being a destination that offers the consumer a real experience with nature, whilst promoting linked sales between garden pots and plants.

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

We’ve noticed a significant rise in gardeners having smaller spaces or no space at all to plant and grow. This means that container gardening will always be a popular choice as there are no space constraints and they are extremely portable and relatively easy to upkeep.

Following the colours for the home and garden allows us to keep up with the interior design trend of ‘bringing the outdoors in’. Gardeners want their garden to complement their home and having matching colours allows them to do this. We also actively design new shapes and styles to ensure that there is something fresh to the market each season, taking inspiration of shapes from history and nature.

We are excited for the future and hope that we can lead the market and offer gardeners a unique product offering.

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

We believe that the Retail Lab will inspire retailers to bring groups together in the garden centre and demonstrate skills such as a potting up workshop, which will help to drive link sales of plants and garden pots whilst providing a fun experience for consumers that will keep them coming back.

See more from Woodlodge at Glee by visiting the company’s stand Hall 19&20, stand A30-C51 and S02-U03, or find them in the Retail Lab. More details can be found at www.woodlodge.co.uk

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits within core product categories including Garden Care, Outdoor Entertaining, Landscaping and Garden Design, Pet, Home, Gift and Clothing, and Plants. Each year the show attracts thousands of buyers from top retailers, such as leading UK garden centres, builders’ merchants, multiple retailers, and DIY stores. To keep up-to-date on all the latest news log onto www.gleebirmingham.com or call 020 3033 2160 to find out about exhibiting.

One of the most innovative features at the annual Glee exhibition, the Retail Lab – new for 2017 - has secured backing from a wide range of leading suppliers, who have come on board as ‘Preferred Partner’ and ‘Selected Partner’ of the four trend-led areas.  Here, ‘Preferred Partner’ Cadix’s Managing Director, Kate Ebbens, tells us more about the company’s plans for the Retail Lab @ Glee.

Can you tell us more about what products you’ll be displaying?

This year at Glee we will be launching to the market our new range of indoor planters. A natural evolution for the Cadix portfolio, and reflective of changing consumer trend for a greener interior lifestyle, these new indoor planters have been created to reflect nature in both their design and manufacturing process.

These new indoor planters will be displayed within the Retail Lab’s Re-Wilding area; an area dedicated to an emerging market that sees nature take centre stage. The latest Cadix planters fit perfectly within this theme. Not only does the range draw its inspiration from nature and are manufactured from recyclable material, but they also demonstrate the ways that different textures, materials and designs can be merchandised within a retail environment together to create an eye-catching and memorable display that can encourage cross and upselling opportunities.

Why did you choose to become a preferred supplier of the Retail Lab @ Glee 2017, and what value do you think it will offer retailers/buyers?

Cadix is very active within the wider European and international garden retail market. We’ve been lucky enough to attend many other events and exhibitions, and have seen similar concepts to the Retail Lab along the way. In each case, there has been no doubt surrounding the value of such features. From bringing together the industry, showcasing how products can be merchandised together, and helping retailers to consider their own retail environments, is invaluable to both retailers and suppliers. I’ve no doubt that the Retail Lab @ Glee will deliver comparable benefits.

From our perspective, I am also keen to encourage younger shoppers into garden centres. This has been a hot topic for some time and I’m sure it will rumble on for many years to come. The fact is we know the younger demographic are going to garden centres but often look to catch-all retailers such as IKEA for their plant and pot needs. Educating this audience and getting them to understand that garden centres offer so much more - and all at the heart of the local community - is something we are dedicating to succeeding in. Both our involvement within the Retail Lab and the wider show will be focussed on delivering inspirational ideas to capture this vital consumer group.

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

For us the move into interior trends is extremely exciting. Indoor gardening is growing rapidly, and we want to offer something that enables consumers to access this trend without having to compromise on style or clashing with their home interior choices.

Our new designs – collated into two collections: Natural and Lux – offer designs and textures that fit both traditional and contemporary backdrops. In particular, the Lux collection features a very modern and graphic heraldry design that has become increasingly prevalent on social media and leading trend blogs. From a retailer point of view, we also believe we have created a capsule range of sorts, featuring a wide selection of designs, sizes and choices without flooding the market. Our collections are made of carefully considered products, in a number of colour ways and sizes to meet popular and classic tastes.

The move into interiors is also aligned with our business development plans, which will see all our production moved to Holland by the new year. The move to more localised producers means we can better ensure product quality and have a closer relationship with our manufacturing partners, enabling us to quickly develop new concepts, designs and ranges to suit ever changing consumer trends, both exterior and interior.

See more from Cadix at Glee by visiting the company’s stand Hall 20, stand L30-M31, or find them in the Retail Lab’s Re-Wilding area. More details can be found at www.cadix.co.uk

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits within core product categories including Garden Care, Outdoor Entertaining, Landscaping and Garden Design, Pet, Home, Gift and Clothing, and Plants. Each year the show attracts thousands of buyers from top retailers, such as leading UK garden centres, builders’ merchants, multiple retailers, and DIY stores. To keep up-to-date on all the latest news log onto www.gleebirmingham.com or call 020 3033 2160 to find out about exhibiting.

One of the most innovative features at the annual Glee exhibition, the Retail Lab – new for 2017 - has secured backing from a wide range of leading suppliers, who have come on board as either a ‘Preferred Partner’ or ‘Selected Partner’.  Here, ‘Preferred Partner’ Meadow View Stone’s Marketing Director, Sarah Hill, tells us more about the company’s plans for the Retail Lab @ Glee.

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

Meadow View Stone will be displaying a contemporary collection of Natural Sandstone Planks, a selection of new decorative chippings, pebbles and cobbles in the latest on trend colours along with a choice of ornamental stoneware.  These products will be positioned within the Re-Wilding Butterfly Garden, Community Pallet Garden and the Wellbeing Garden, fully showcasing the versatility of our products and the great part they play in creating the look, feel and ambience of the garden spaces.

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

Our product collections span such a vast range of colours, textures, styles and trends that any opportunity to display complementing products together helps our customers understand the upselling opportunities available, together with the importance of product placing in store.  This also aids them in advising their customers which products complement and correspond to create the look and feel they desire for their own outdoor spaces.

The Retail Lab, which consists of industry specialists, provides a great independent insight into how they perceive our products creating the various design briefs and ambiences for each garden style.  As a company, we constantly monitor and look at new colours and style trends in outdoor landscaping, and this is reflected in our new ranges, with Scandinavian inspired living and urban colour palettes featuring in many of our new product collections launched this year.

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

Any opportunity to see our products up close in a touch and feel environment greatly assists customers in understanding the colour tones, sizing and quality of the products we have.  By encouraging retailers to ‘sell the dream’ and showcase a collection of products together in an all-encompassing garden design has a much greater return than displaying each element of outdoor living separately.  The various garden display areas within the Retail Lab re-enforce this thinking so it helps our retailers visualise how displays in store with complementing products can work to greatly inspire and increase spend with their customers.

PREFERRED PARTNERS

• Cadix
• Hozelock
• Petface
• Ivyline
• Woodlodge
• Elho
• Fallen Fruits
• Meadow View

SUPPLIER PARTNERS

• Traditional Garden Games
• Woodstock Wind Chimes
• Potters Crouch Candles
• Primeur Ltd
• BSB Products Ltd (Carnilove)
• The Patio Blackspot Removal Company
• Solar Centre
• Tildenet
• Voyage Maison
• Premier Decorations
• The Outdoor Living Company
• Bord Na Mona

PLANT PARTNERS

• Profit Plant B.V.
• Air So Pure
• Wyevale Nurseries

CATERING PARTNERS

• Tea from the Manor
• Dawn Foods
• Zeo Drinks
• The Beanworks

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

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