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To find out more about Johnsons Lawn Seed, visit www.johnsonslawnseed.com, email consumer@dlf.co.uk, or telephone (01386) 791113.

• 7 Stadiums hosting 58 women’s and men’s and matches at the Olympic Football tournament from 3 August – 20 August 2016
• 16 national men’s football teams and 12 women’s football teams will compete for the gold medals
• The Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro will host the athletic disciplines
• The 2016 Olympics’ in Rio takes place from 5 August – 21 August 2016

This year's Glee, taking place on September 12-14 at the NEC Birmingham, is shaping up to be one of the most successful in the event's history. We've come up with 10 reasons why it's going to be special and why you can't afford to miss it...

1.     The world’s best opportunity to source world-leading gardening and outdoor living products. Over 550 UK and international suppliers will be showcasing their new ranges at Glee in 2016, representing the strongest showcase of leading brands and exciting innovators under one roof.

2.     Thousands of new products to set you apart from your competitors. Each year Glee is home to thousands of new product launches. Head to The New Product Display, to see the most innovative, unique and commercial products from the hundreds of suppliers at Glee. The competition sees new designs and products perfectly displayed for your consideration with the best of each category receiving the accolade of a ‘Glee Award.’ Visitors can also cast their vote for their favourite, awarding one lucky entrant with the title of ‘Retailers Choice Award’, sponsored by the HTA. New product winners will be announced at 5:30pm on Monday 12^th September.

3.     First look at future trends. From exhibitors to industry experts, Glee is where future trends are born. Look out for instant gardening solutions and innovative garden leisure products – just some of the exciting themes that will be showcased in September.

4.     A new look at garden retail categories. Glee’s core sectors are also set to benefit from a makeover in 2016.  In a move to ensure that the exhibition’s product sectors are more reflective of the modern garden retail environment, three of the show’s core sectors will be rebranded. First up will be Garden Leisure, which will become known as Outdoor Entertaining, whilst Glee Garden Design & Landscaping will enter a new chapter in 2016 under the banner of Landscaping and Garden Decoration. Finally, Retail Experiences and Services will replace Retail Services.  Offering the best in shop-fittings, POS, EPoS and retail design, this area will be expanded in 2016 to better incorporate the wider aspects related to inspirational and functional retailing concepts.

5.     Effective use of buying time. Buyers visiting Glee will find the full spectrum of garden retail categories under one roof, including Garden Care, Landscaping & Garden Decoration; Outdoor Entertaining; Plants & Nursery; Home, Gift & Clothing; Retail Experiences and Services; and Pet. 

6.     Revitalised format. The new location within the NEC has seen Glee benefit from a new layout and visitor flow. This simple change in 2014, heralded as a great success by the garden retail industry, has helped to bring together even more suppliers and retailers. It has also reinvigorated the industry’s connection with the event, creating a show that looks and feels unlike any previous Glee.

7.     Innovation at every turn. Launched in 2009, the Glee Innovators Zone has already helped more than 180 companies break into the garden retail market.  This special area is designed to help nurture valuable grass-roots product development and one-off design ideas, whilst also bridging the gap between market-ready new product launches from established companies and pre-commercial product ideas.   This year Glee’s Innovators Zone will be home to over 30 brand new companies.

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

9.     Network, network, network. Glee offers an unrivalled opportunity to network with your peers, and provides the perfect platform to meet with new and existing customers. Meeting rooms are also available, making the show the perfect base to conduct sales and 2017 planning meetings. The Buyers Power List will be returning in 2016, with this year’s winners announced on Tuesday 13^th September.

10.  Free entry; easy to register. Entry to Glee is free for all pre-registered trade visitors. To pre-register, visit www.gleebirmingham.com where useful show, exhibitor and travel information is also available. For details on exhibiting at Glee, call 0203 033 2160.

The Glee New Products Showcase, in association with Garden Trade News, is building up to be the biggest for years as entries from exhibitors start to come in.

All of the showcased new products will be displayed in a new Glee New Products Showcase display area at the end of the central boulevard in Hall 17 and judged early on Monday morning before the awarding of the Glee Awards at 5:15pm on the 12th September.

A new feature of the judging this year sees the shortlisted entries in each category being given the opportunity to present to the judges at 2:00pm on the 12^th. Once the judges have come up with their shortlist of three in each category, the candidates will be invited to a special forum with the panel where they’ll have a chance to explain why their product deserves to be a winner.

Exhibitors are entering up to 5 new products in each of the following Glee New Product Showcase 2016 categories:

1. Garden Care (growing accessories)
2. Garden Care (chemicals, fertilisers and compost)
3. Garden Decoration
4. Landscaping
5. Outdoor Entertaining
6. Machinery and Tools
7. Home, Gift & Clothing
8. Pet and Wildlife Products
9. Plant Seeds and Bulbs
10. Retail Experiences and Services

If Glee exhibitors have not made their entries yet, this can be done via the Glee website using the Exhibitors Zone log in at: http://www.gleebirmingham.com/page.cfm/Action=Form/FormID=3

The closing date for Glee New Product Showcase entries is Friday 2nd September, so don't delay, fill out the form today.

As last year the GTN team are organising and administering the entry and judging process for the Glee New Products Showcase, which promises to be even more helpful to both visitors and exhibitors in it's new location. If you have any questions please contact: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Bonningtons will be launching their new identity during Glee 2016 and demonstrating their three core values – Integrity, Quality and Trust. 

The company is keen to show that the popular conception that they are a small business, selling only to discounters is simply not true. 

Managing Director Ian Fisher, has built a solid business based on great products and a strong commitment to customer service. 

Fisher said “I’ve built this business only with the support of an amazing group of people who I like to think of as my “Dream Team”.  Together, they’ve driven the growth and development of Bonningtons and I’m immensely proud of them."

To launch the new and completely different Bonningtons, the company is investing heavily in Glee 2016, with a large visible presence and a total of three stands.

1. Bonningtons Central Visitors to the NEC will be invited to Bonningtons Central, where they can find out about the new business launch, and collect their personal prize cube as well as grabbing refreshments.  Every visitor will claim a prize, which will vary in value, details of which to follow nearer the date!
   
   
2. Bonningtons Brand Street This will give customers a journey through the company’s exciting range of brands - a tiny piece of the Bonningtons showroom transported to the NEC.  Discover 8 new brands, which demonstrate the company’s commitment to offering a strong good – better – best option across a range of categories, with a strong focus on the independent retailer.  Here visitors will see 500 new products for 2017, 2500 best-selling products, and Bonningtons’ 2017 deal for independents.
   
   
3. Bonningtons Gardens A place to relax with a cocktail and view a range of outdoor leisure from Bonningtons, including a new high end collection of teak furniture.

Stand Details:

• Bonningtons Central:  N23 – Hall 20
• Bonningtons Brand Street:  N16 – Hall 20
• Bonningtons Gardens:  X10 – Hall 17

 For more information call 0115 985 4119 or visit www.bonningtons.com                 

Twitter:  @TeamBonningtons

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 – addressing key demographics and providing interactive tours, the Green Heart has a wealth of content to inspire plant buyers and retailers alike. Developed in association with The HTA’s own reports and brought to life by the HTA’s Market Information Manager David Denny, the Green Heart will address three unique consumer profile areas: Gardening Elders, Garden Proud and Family Focus. These profiles will be recreated as three large product areas, drawing product inspiration from across Glee’s eight core sectors. Demonstrating cross merchandising, these inspirational displays will add real and tangible value for visiting retailers, and help them identify ways to reach out to key consumers at the point of sale.

3)    Network & learn - learn about the latest trends in plant sales and access the newest varieties and new-for-2017 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 – Green Heart will demonstrate how to link sales and create successful cross merchandising opportunities through some exciting interactive content. Led by The Garden Works’ independent garden centre consultant, Kevin Waters, the Green Heart will benefit from an increased interactive and live element in 2016.  Each day Kevin will lead three guided tours around the Green Heart to demonstrate how cross merchandising can highlight a continual year-round association with the plant offer. Showcasing how plants can take centre stage, Kevin’s tour will inspire action by giving ideas, help to make the buying decision easy, and ensure subsequent success for the customer, through linked sales ideas from across the retail floor. 

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 2017 - meet with both UK and international growers to find out more about their plans for the 2017 season.

9)    60+ plant suppliers – this year over 60 plant suppliers, growers and breeders will be showcasing their 2017 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.

Key names already confirmed for the Green Heart include Chessum Plants, Quality Ornamentals, Javado, Anglia Group of Nurseries, New Leaf Plants, Chamberlain Nurseries, Chapel Cottage Plants, Channel Island Plants, Kilworth Conifers, Gardeners Kitchen, Topbuxus B.V., and Wyevale Nurseries. New exhibitors for 2016 include Armlee Nurseries and Butters Group, suppliers of houseplants, garden plants and planted materials to supermarkets and garden centres.

Crest Garden are celebrating their success in the Product, Packaging, Marketing Communications and Point of Sale categories in the Gima 2016 Awards.

The Flopro gun display was the winner of the Best Point of Sale where it was up against some tough competition. The judges commented “There is currently no other watering brand displaying their products in this way, bringing product off the back wall and adding drama to the watering category.” The stunning display module features a super size three dimensional model of the Flopro+ Hydra which really creates the wow factor in-store.

The Kent & Stowe Lawn Edge Trimmer took the top prize in the Garden Tools, Machinery and Implements sector. The judges said “The comfortable foot plate allows a ‘walk and cut’ rocking motion above the blade, meaning edging has finally become a quick and painless task.” This new lawn edger has a high quality stainless steel blade which gives a clean and precise cut, trimming quickly and effortlessly.

Flopro received two further awards as finalists in the Best Consumer Packaging sector and also in the Best Marketing Communication category for the Flopro ‘No Leaks’ campaign.

Commenting on this success, Natalie Searle, Marketing Manager said “Our philosophy from Day 1 has been to create a ‘point of difference’ in all our marketing activity. To be recognised in the prestigious GIMA Awards across product, packaging, POS and communications inspires us to continue investment in our product and brand development programme”.

The full range of Crest Garden products will be showcased at Glee 2016 in Hall 19 Stand G21.

New products to be launched at Glee 2016 show include:

• A  range of water butts and composters that comprises twelve different water butts, stands and sundries, plus two composters of 220 Litre and 330 Litre capacity.  Within the range there is also a value 10 Litre blow moulded watering can along with nine premium 5 Litre and 10 Litre injection moulded watering cans.
• A new range of fleece and fabric that includes three sizes of fleece tubes and a 1 m x 16 m roll of fleece, a 1 m x 20 m roll of landscape fabric plus a 1 m x 16 m weed stop.  All of the products are presented in new heavy duty dump bins.
• Also new is a range of tarpaulins measuring 3 m x 2 m, 4 m x 3 m, 5 m x 4 m and 8 m x 5 m, all of which are packed in handle bags.  The range also includes four related sundries, comprising a pack of ball bungees, hook bungees, wind secure clips plus a coil of 30 m x 6 mm polypropylene rope.

Extended ranges comprise:

• The Christmas Range for the 2016 season has been expanded to include a round 4 to 5 inch stackable plastic Christmas tree stand in green and red that will be promoted at a competitive price of £9.99.
• The Barbecue / Garden Furniture Covers Range has been repackaged for 2017 with a brand new fabric in the company’s entry-level range.  The full range of PVC backed polyester covers are available in green or black, and are presented in smaller packs that take up less space at retail-level.
• The Premium Propagation Range has two new top-end professional electric propagators that have   heat thermostats.
• The Patio Gardening Range has had two new storage bags added, one for onions and one for potatoes.
• The Garden Tray Range now includes a new 60 cm² deep garden tray.
• The Self-watering Range has now been extended to include 2 m x 60 cm capillary matting.
• The Mower Range now includes two sizes of fuel funnels.
• All of the new heavy duty promotion bins are in a new colour that will boost promotion in store.

In order to provide further information and support on the company’s complete range of products, the Garland/Worth Gardening’s full sales and marketing team will be on the Glee stand together with the company’s sales agents that represent the whole of the UK and Ireland.

The Garland Products Group specialises in the manufacture of plastic injection moulded products and is one of the fastest growing suppliers to the garden industry.  The products available to both keen and hobby gardeners have been designed through the company’s own experience as keen gardeners.

Popular collections such as the company’s range of award winning inflatable pouffes and Nature Print umbrellas have been expanded to include a wider choice of print designs and new ideas, including a range of on-trend copper bird feeders and funky waterproof animal ponchos for kids, are sure to impress visitors to the exhibition next month.

Particular highlights include Fallen Fruits’ new Cream Aged Metal range of Edwardian-styled home and garden accessories, featuring a variety of stunning candleholders, mirrors and small furniture items. The company will also be unveiling a number of flamingo themed outdoor accessories, incorporating a doormat, novelty watering can and shopping bag. The range also includes a hot pink freestanding Flamingo Umbrella to brighten up even the dreariest of rainy days!

Offering a huge choice of garden giftware and furniture collections, Fallen Fruits has fantastic appeal for a wide variety of consumers including keen gardeners and those who just like to enjoy their outdoor space.

sales@fallenfruits.co.uk

Visitors can this year expect a big push from Gardena at Glee as the company has been increasing our brand awareness across the UK.

"To tie in with this we will be launching the GARDENA smart system and the GARDENA city gardening products," says Paul Simpson, UK Account Manager at Gardena.

"It is expected that there will be 25 billion devices connected to the internet by 2020 and all aspects of our lives are becoming more and more automated.

"The GARDENA smart system is innovative and unique and let the consumers control their watering and lawn care from their phones wherever they are.

"With regards to city gardening we all know that urbanization is increasing with 82% of the UK now living in an urban area which has meant that Gardena have now had to come up with some innovative ways to cater for this growing market of balcony and terrace owners.

"One of the products we are launching this year is a Balcony Tool Set which is multi-functional – the dustpan also doubles up as the case for the set as we have the consumer in mind for smaller spaces.

"Our year started slowly up until Easter because of the weather and has been good since then.

"The trends we are seeing in the market are smaller urban gardens, balconies and terraces which is the reason we have invested time and energy into GARDENA city gardening.

"We’re also seeing a huge European trend coming to the UK which is robotic mowers. Even more so the smart home area is also extending into the garden with several Internet of Things solutions coming to the market."

Recognising that not all gardens have the space to grow at ground level, Brundle Gardener has designed GreenWall, its innovative vertical planting system.

The system offers an ideal vertical solution for growing a wide variety of flowers, fruits and herbs against walls, sheds and fences - or just free standing. The modular system is ideal for any size garden or outdoor area – whether that be decking, a patio, balcony or allotment and can simply be a freestanding vertical garden.  GreenWall also features an effortless watering system that can be either manual, using a watering can or automatic at various levels.

Also on show will be a colourful new range of powder coated steel planters, space saving tool sheds, illuminated bistro sets and DeWit high quality gardening tools.

Click here for more information or  us this email link  Tel 0131 335 5955

Stewart Garden, now more than 70 years old, will be showcasing new initiatives at Glee (18K14-L15).

Among the company’s successful 2015 launches is the Varese planters collection (pictured), which has gone from strength to strength and exceeding its targeted growth.

Stewart invested £400,000 in a new rotational moulding machine at its Banbury factory earlier this year for use in the decorative planter category. The new machine will enable a 27% increase in production.

Launched in April after extensive consumer testing, the brand’s new website makes it easier and more enjoyable to browse products and select stockists.

The Stewart Garden Schools Campaign, launched in 2012, has engaged with more than 100 schools nationwide, challenging pupils aged 6-11 years to get creative with Stewart Garden products. Schools taking part receive a kit worth more than £400 to get their projects up and running, while the winning school receives £1,000 to spend at its local garden centre.

Juan Pillay, marketing director at Stewart Garden, said: “There’s been so much happening here at Stewart this year, as visitors to our stand will discover. We’ll be announcing the winner of this year’s Stewart Garden Schools campaign and launching the 2017 campaign. We’ll also be presenting a number of new products at the show.”

• • • Early August Preview       - 1^st August
    • Mid August Preview        - 17th August
    • Late August Preview        - 31^st August
    • Full Show Preview           - 7^th September
    • Build up preview - Live from the Show - 11th September 
    • Live from the Show Day 1 - 12^th September
    • Live from the Show Day 2  - 13^th September
    • Live from the Show Day3   - 14^th September
    • Omnibus Issue                 - 27th September