In This Issue
Picture round-up from build-up day as Glee takes shape
Excitement mounts as Glee 2022 opens its doors tomorrow
Don’t miss out – register for Glee now
Vote now for the Best Buyers of 2022 - The Buyers Power List at Glee
Glee 2022 Show Guide available online
New products at Glee...in association with GTN
We are nearly ready to unveil the world of Westland
Burgon & Ball at Glee 2022: new improved Kneelo
Evergreen Garden Care continues its peat-free journey
Mower Edge Border leads Primeur’s product launches
A Greenfingers greeting from Woodmansterne!
Altico ramps up product programme and investment plans for 2023
10 reasons to not miss AMES UK at Glee 2022
Growing greener with Apsley Farms’ Natural Plant Food
Eliza Tinsley present Greenman Garden Tools
Ready – Set – Revive
Bloomin Amazing...an instant bestseller
World renowned V&A Museum collaborates with Bulldog Tools Pedigree Garden Range
New Campingaz Barbecue models made in Italy
New Campingaz Barbecue models made in Italy
Brothers taking Deco-Pak into its next chapter
Organic-based fertilisers & feeds order of the day for DJ Turfcare
Drop in on Durstons at Glee for exciting peat-free innovation
Come celebrate 30 years in business with EKJU
elho brings nature to Glee
Be part of a joyful tea revolution!
Barrus to launch over 60 new products to market at Glee
Wood Splitter Kindling Cracker comes to UK
Tildenet set to make big impact at Glee
Fifty new products and advanced customer services announced by Garland Products
Handy: The Ultimate Gardening Equipment Manufacturer and Supplier
Henry Bell introduces new wild bird care products
Sock specialist HJ Hall gets into the festive spirit
Sock specialist HJ Hall gets into the festive spirit
Versatile garden pad for use around home and garden
Award winning products from clever pots
See quality products from Flat Pack Sheds
LAVA-LITE Composter+...the perfect conditioner for compost
Time to get smart with Link2Home
Honeyfield’s info hub to help consumers in store
Meadow View Stone set to launch 20 new products
Norfolk Leisure turn up the heat at Glee 2022
Patio Black Spot - The complete garden stonework restoration system
Primus launch 115 new products exclusive to Glee!
Standalone PoS makes it ‘EASY’ for garden centre retailers
Red Gorilla looks forward to meeting everyone at Glee
Smart Garden set to unveil new products for 2023
Introducing Soilworx – a new natural organic fertiliser producer
Huge array of new products from Solar Centre
Huge array of new products from Solar Centre
New from Harmony Gardens
STV offers huge growth in online pest control sales
The Real Soil Company to showcase 100% peat free and organic Topsoil range
SunTime returns to Glee with a bang
SunTime returns to Glee with a bang
UK Greetings tailors initiative towards garden centre shoppers
New products, new sustainable options
Woodlodge partners with Pantone to create splash of colour in nation’s gardens
Yorkshire Flowerpots set to showcase British made terracotta planters
Zest countdown to Glee 2022. New stand, new products, new ideas!
Glee in June – everything you need to know
Gardenex hosting International Buyers’ Centre at Glee
Get ready for Fire, Grill & Chill at Glee 2022
Can you afford to miss the Glee Green Heart?
Europe comes to Glee 2022
Giving at Glee 2022
Home, Gift & Clothing
Glee Daily News brings you all the latest Glee news
Get your copy of GTN Xtra
Making peat free work for everyone - watch video discussion from the Glee studio
Bumper Glee Preview in GTN June issue - read online here
Glee in conversation with….UK garden centres
Send us your news and great ideas

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Glee in conversation with….UK garden centres

Glee catches up with a handful of forward-thinking garden retailers to find out more about how they shop the show, what they’d like to see more of from exhibitors this year and what impact the new dateline will have on their buying cycles. Pictured, from left to right: Boyd Douglas-Davies, Simon Bourne, Ian Richardson and Tammy Woodhouse.

 

How do you shop Glee?

British Garden Centre’s Boyd Douglas-Davies certainly gets his steps in and covers some serious ground around the halls. He explains: “Personally, I cover the whole show many times. Last time I checked my pedometer, I was walking over 10 miles a day at the show! For me, the New Product Zone is essential viewing at the start of the show, as it creates the ‘must learn more’ list. As nice as it is to see the tried-and-tested suppliers, it is really important to look at the new exhibitors, as they may hold the key to the future.”

 

Ian Richardson, Managing Director of Garsons, with centres in Esher and Titchfield, also makes the most of every minute he and his team spend at the show: “I tend to walk the hall, line by line, so I don’t miss anything. We always look at innovation in the New Product area and, if we see anything we like, we make a note to seek them out when we are walking around.”

 

Simon Bourne, Garden Centre Manager at Perrywood Garden Centre shares his tried-and-tested technique: “We normally visit all of our existing suppliers and spend a differing amount of time with them, depending on what new products they have to show, how they have performed as a supplier and what we are looking to change. We make sure we see as many other suppliers – new and old – as well and will often place orders with companies we haven’t worked with before.”

 

Keen to be efficient with her time at the show, Tammy Woodhouse, Managing Director at Millbrook Garden Centres says that her team, “goes to Glee with a plan”. She explains: “There are always people we must see, and we do make some appointments. We try to walk every aisle and see everything. It means we don’t miss anything.”

 

Do you take a large team with you?

“We take as many people as we see necessary, which is quite a large number, but that’s because they're all needed and there's so much to learn,” explains Boyd. “We have buyers and a support team for all categories represented at Glee. Gardening will be there for the duration and even our gift buyer will go for a day.”

 

Tammy tells us her team will be out in force. “Our buying team is quite small – there’s only three in the team – but, this year, I think there will be seven of us going to the show. We will take the category managers for each department, so they can have an input into the range.

 

Ian says: “I like to take as many people as possible, so they can see how it’s done. They work with the reps all the time, so it’s nice to get face time with them at the show.” 

 

One thing that retailers are particularly enthused about is the unrivalled opportunity that Glee presents for their buyers to compare offers from a wide range of leading suppliers, with so many key exhibitors together under one roof. 

 

Boyd says: “The way the show is laid out means there is a real comparison opportunity, so you can assess Westland versus Evergreen, for example, then go and take a look at what Vitax is up to. It doesn’t matter how many reps you see regularly; it doesn’t beat being able to hoof it up and down at the show and look at six suppliers, comparing their offer and considering what will sell better in your business. It allows me to really look into the product.”

 

What do you look out for from exhibitors and is there anything you wish you they would do differently or more of?

Simon Bourne from Perrywood is very clear on this: “Inspiration!” he says. “Packets on a shelf are boring but bring something new to the show and it creates an atmosphere. I love to see plants on a stand too.”

 

Meanwhile, Boyd believes exhibitors are missing a trick when they have something new and exciting to talk about. “It surprises me when people don’t push ‘new’ as a message. I wish they would all highlight new products on their stand. Also, I’m looking for suppliers to present new ways to increase our sales, which, of course, increases their sales.”

 

Ian says: “We look out for new or different products, innovation and any new suppliers we don’t already deal with. We’re glad they’re not pushy and don’t grab you in the aisles.”

 

As well as looking for products to create differentiation, Tammy and the Millbrook team are also seeking products and companies with strong green credentials. She explains: “Increasingly, we are looking for newness and innovation. I know all garden centres go to the show, but it is nice to find something a bit different.

 

“For us particularly, we are also looking for the sustainability of products. That might be a reduction in packaging, if it is made in the UK, and so on, because these are the questions that we’re getting asked. I think exhibitors could shout about sustainability a bit more. A lot of suppliers are on board with the issue already, but I think there’s loads more we could do, as an industry.”

 

How important is Glee to your buying cycle each year?

“Very!” says Perrywood’s Simon Bourne, in Tiptree, Essex. “It gives us an opportunity to compare suppliers against each other, check we have the right products and ensure that we have the best mix for our customers.”

 

Another retailer that places great value on Glee is Boyd Douglas-Davies who enthuses: “For us, it’s the most important show in the year, as it covers so many categories. Over half of our business is garden. We offer other categories, but gardening is still core to our business, and Glee is the number-one show for gardening.”

 

Ian from Garsons, explains how his team utilises the show. “We use Glee to source new suppliers and also take the time to talk to existing suppliers. Glee is where we do our ranging; we do the research and plan our ranges, then follow up with purchases.”

 

Tammy Woodhouse echoes the sentiment: “It’s really important. We have always previously waited until Glee to start the ranging process… We try to see everything when we are there, determine what’s new and we then use that as a basis to move forward.”

 

What do you think of the new June timing of Glee?

“For us, the timing is great because it’s at the end of the season, so you know what sold well and you can make more informed decisions at the show, when all that information is fresh in your mind,” says Ian Richardson

 

Like Ian, Tammy from Millbrook believes having the show hot on the heels of the season will be beneficial. She says: “In a way, waiting until September was starting to become too late. The good thing is that spring will still be fresh in our mind when we attend in June. It’s how we shop other categories, like Christmas, so could work well.”

 

She adds: “Also, there are increasing supply chain issues, which mean we are now under growing pressure to order earlier and earlier. 

 

Boyd Douglas-Davies is very positive about the June timing, stating: “I think the move is great. The manufacturing world has changed, and we need to guarantee stock is in front of our customer when they want it. With the increased interest in gardening, the season has extended in both directions, so placing orders earlier is essential. The old Glee was too late for this new world order. June is therefore logical.”

 

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits for buyers and suppliers within the core gardening and outdoor leisure product categories.  To find out more about exhibiting visit www.gleebirmingham.com

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