Glee delivers another thriving showcase for the garden retail industry
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Glee delivered another unrivalled platform for the growth of the garden retail industry, with full-to-capacity exhibiting space, a positive, business-building atmosphere and the launch of hundreds of exciting new product innovations.
Offering buyers the chance to shop across every aspect of their gardening ranges, Glee continued to successfully build on its ongoing programme of development, including a strengthened ‘Green Heart’, refocussed show sectors and a sold-out roster of exhibitors including over 220 new or lapsed brands and 100 international companies.
The show has drawn praise for its strong, business-focused visitor features, but more than this it continued to facilitate a vital platform for growth for suppliers and retailers within the garden retail and leisure sectors.
This year’s Glee attracted several thousand British and international garden retailers, online buyers, DIY stores, landscapers and builders’ merchants. Events such as the Leaders for Change lunch and Buyers Power List helped to increase the number of CEOs and MDs attending the show alongside their core category buyers. UK garden centres also attended en masse with over 98% of Garden Centre Association (GCA) members visiting the show to place orders and source innovation and inspirational products ahead of the 2017 season.
Matthew Mein, Glee event director said: “From the opening of the show we have been inundated with positive responses from both visitors and exhibitors, with many stating that Glee 2016 was one of the most successful shows for some time.
"We know that many people used the show to forge new partnerships, as well as networking with their peers, and building their professional knowledge through Glee’s seminar content. But more importantly, business was being done.
"Many exhibitors have remarked that this year’s exhibition has delivered more orders and leads than at any other show they have exhibited at within the last 12 months. This is exactly what Glee is there for – to help businesses to build better business and profitable futures, so it’s great to hear that this has been achieved.”
Glee 2016 – an overview
The seven dedicated sections featured in this year’s Glee encompassed every aspect of garden retailing including garden care; landscaping and garden decoration; plants & nursery; outdoor entertaining; home, gift & clothing; retail experiences and services; and pet. More than 550 exhibitors showcased their latest ranges, including 220 new and lapsed exhibitors, plus more than 100 international brands.
Amongst the show’s visitor features were the Glee New Products display (featuring the New Product and Retailers Choice award winners), the Glee Inside Retail Theatre and Green Heart plant area, which featured an exciting series of merchandising displays. Other initiatives included Glee’s Buyers Power List awards, a Leaders for Change lunch attended by top industry decision-makers, and an extensive Innovators Zone launching entrepreneurial new products. The Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association (GIMA) Business Village and Buyers Connect meetings and UKTI / Gardenex International Buyers' Centre created even more business-building opportunities.
A full ‘What you missed at Glee’ report will be made available shortly. The report will include an interview with Glee’s event director, a look at the keynote seminar sessions with Diarmuid Gavin, the HTA’s David Denny, and Chris Collins. The latest news from exhibitors will also feature, helping to paint a complete picture of everything that took place at the show.
Praise from retailers
Praise from retailers visiting the show extended from independent garden centres, to on-line providers and major multiple retailers.
John Cleland, Chief Executive at Dobbies: “I’ve only been at the show for a few hours and I’ve taken hundreds of pictures, it’s such an inspirational show.”
Emma Kelly, Bents Garden & Home: “Glee is the main garden show with the latest innovations and inspiring products. We’ve been coming here for 34 years.”
Stephen Searle, Monkton Elm: “I love that there are top quality suppliers all in one place.”
Lily Knowles, Sherwood Garden Features: “I really like how the hall is organised, everything is clear and easy to find. I’ve been coming for the last 10 years”
Toolstation: “The commercial side of the show is what really appeals to us, all the products are very innovative and there’s such a wide range to choose from.”
Find out more
To keep up-to-date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com. To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2017 call 020 3033 2160.
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