In support of Greenfingers Charity's special 20^th anniversary year, the Glee team, supported by Garden Trade News, are this year urging exhibitors and visitors to Glee to put the floral FUN into FUNdraising at Glee on Thursday 12th September.

With thousands of visitors and exhibitors at Glee on Thursday, it is hoped that the power of the flower will allow a brand new record to be set for the most people wearing floral themed shirts, dresses, ties, suits or jackets on the same day and in the same place.  All those taking part will also be invited to support the charity by buying a raffle ticket which will be entered into a prize draw to win fabulous prizes.

Greenfingers Ambassador Trevor Pfeiffer suggested the idea after getting so many positive comments while wearing floral shirts at Glee last year. “Every time I wear a floral shirt for work it makes people smile so if we can get as many people at Glee on Thursday wearing floral what a happy place it will be!”

“The plan is to sell raffle tickets as exhibitors and visitors enter the halls on Thursday morning with the Floral Thursday raffle being drawn at 2:00pm on the Glee stage. If everyone wearing floral attire could bring a little (or a lot!) of cash, buy a raffle ticket and then join us on the Glee Retail Growth Theatre stage for the prize draw, we will set a new record for the most people wearing floral attire in one place, and at the same time raise a record amount of money for Greenfingers in the charities 20th year. What great bit of PR for our industry that would be!”

Speaking about Floral Thursday, Glee Show Director Matthew Mein said: "We're all looking forward to a great show and to hopefully seeing many smiles as our industry friends don their favourite flowery outfit and put the FUN into FUNdraising to support the garden industry's favourite charity. "

Greenfingers Charity's Director of Fundraising & Communications, Linda Petrons said: "This is a fabulous new initiative which we hope will become a regular event in the Glee and Greenfingers Charity calendar.  We're hugely grateful to ITE and Garden Trade News for their support which will not only raise the profile of the charity but also help to make a difference to life limited children and their families who spend time in hospices."

Matthew, Linda and Trevor are calling on volunteers to help on the day by collecting donations and selling raffle tickets between 7.50am and 11am on Thursday 12th September.  If you are able to spare an hour or two, please contact Linda by emailing Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk

Greenfingers are also asking Glee Exhibitors if they would like to donate any prizes for the Floral Thursday raffle, please contact Linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk.  Thank you.

Implementation of the new La Hacienda merchandising system in 2019 saw the successful expansion of the outdoor heating and cooking category in more than 200 garden centres across the UK.

Now for 2020, the brand has seen a complete redesign to give it even more appeal to style-conscious Generation X consumers who have time and money to invest in enhancing their outdoor living spaces.

The upgrade goes across branding, packaging and point of sale, plus the new, beautiful lifestyle imagery which is designed to inspire and excite shoppers.

There’s also a wealth of unique new products thanks to La Hacienda’s in-house design team - driving real innovation with seventeen new models including extensions to the trending oxidised firepits and a completely new contemporary range of clay chimeneas that will re-invigorate the segment.

And the brand has not deserted its’ quality-value approach either with the launch of the new Katori firepit which is destined to be a star of the show when it opens on Tuesday. It’s a stylish steel firepit, almost 90cm in diameter, with a great retail price below £200 and available on promotion for an even sharper deal.

The full range will be on show on the La Hacienda stand in hall 6 – part of the AMES UK group of companies exhibiting at Glee 2019.

E: sales@lahacienda.co.uk             

T: +44(0)1285 762060        

W: www.lahacienda.co.uk

Burgon & Ball, the UK’s longest-established designer and manufacturer of garden tools and accessories, will once again be at this year’s Glee exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC to launch a wide range of new ideas in gardening and giftware. And what’s more, this year there’s an exciting new collaboration, with an organisation which can truly be said to be a household name in the UK.

For now the details of the new partnership are strictly under wraps, with visitors to the Burgon & Ball stand at Glee the very first to know the details. But that’s not the only development to make its debut at the show.

The Sheffield-based manufacturer will be building on its longstanding collaboration with the RHS, and Glee visitors will be able to see a new collection of RHS-endorsed garden tools on show. In a category new to the RHS-endorsed ranges, the three new tools in the collection have been drop-forged, a process lending increased strength and durability to the steel. These tools have been designed to do a tough job in the garden – but their appeal will also extend to non-gardeners as well, thanks to a key trend in interior design.

There will also be a new RHS-endorsed specialist rake for lawn care, designed to take the hard work out of an annual lawn care task which makes a huge difference to lawn health, but which often gets neglected.

At Glee Burgon & Ball will also unveil exciting new developments in the top-selling Sophie Conran collection. Sophie, the only daughter in the famous Conran British design dynasty has been working with Burgon & Ball since 2010, and the collaboration has proved a fruitful one. The ranges of garden hand tools and giftware have gained something of a cult following among gardeners, as they combine Sophie’s designer style with Burgon & Ball’s toolmaking expertise.

September will see significant updates to the range, with beautiful new serious-but-stylish garden tools, including large tools. Designed for ease of use, the new tool range positions the collection comfortably in both ‘garden’ and ‘gift’ categories. There will also be a selection of gorgeous new gardening gifts and accessories, developed with Sophie’s signature ‘modern country house’ style and Burgon & Ball’s keen eye for a trend. And to make sure these items catch the eye in-store, a fresh and contemporary look for the collection will be on show, with new-design packaging launching this autumn.

Another Burgon & Ball partnership in the Glee spotlight will be the Corona range of high performance tools from the USA. Engineered for lasting performance, Corona tools are a byword for quality across North America and are the choice of professionals as well as keen gardeners. Since previewing at GLEE last year, Corona tools have enjoyed very positive sales out, and awards recognition too (GIMA Awards and DIY Week Awards). Corona’s premium large cutting selection is unique in the UK market – and retailers can view the whole range at Glee.

With the vogue for houseplants in full swing and indoor greenery remaining an interior design must-have, GLEE will also see new designs added to Burgon & Ball’s hugely popular collection of indoor pots. The new additions include a selection of glazed pots exploring colour and texture; a way to increase sales of one of the runaway successes of the range; and something very different, to bring a taste of the exotic to those who’ve been inspired to flex their floristry muscles.

With a reputation for innovation and new product development, Burgon & Ball’s stand (8E50-F51) is a must for all show visitors. So make a note to visit Burgon & Ball at Glee to see the full range of exciting new products on offer from this respected name in gardening.

T: 01202 684141

E: sales@burgonandball.com

W: www.burgonandball.com

Pictured: In addition to announcing a major new collaboration at Glee this year, Burgon & Ball will also be showing new tools and gifts in the much-loved Sophie Conran for Burgon & Ball collection; new options in the top-selling indoor pots collection, and the full range of high performance Corona tools from the USA.

Following the introduction of the hugely popular RHS indoor pot range in spring 2019, Apta will showcase a broader selection at Glee. The surge in popularity of houseplants is driving great demand for decorative indoor pots and Apta’s new ranges look set to capitalise.

Additions to the RHS products will feature new patterns derived from designs held in the Lindley Library, as well as new on-trend colourways. There will also be larger pots to cater for the wider variety of plants that are now popular.

There will also be a debut for Laura Ashley pots featuring some of the brand’s iconic patterns, some of which have already been very successful on the outdoor pot range.

In another first, Apta will launch Green Haus - an innovative selection of handmade pots that use 100% recycled and recyclable materials. They are also produced in such a way that, unlike a traditional factory method, really benefits the workers and their local community.

To see the full range visit Apta at Glee on stands 7J40-L41 and 6L40-M41.

Fiskars will be unveiling a brand new Norden Axe range at Glee 2019. New for 2020, visitors to the stand (8D80-E81) will be able to find out about the revolutionary new axes, which have built on the company’s long Nordic heritage.

For the first time in Fiskars’ 300-year-old axe making history, the tools have a beautifully crafted wooden hickory handle. The Norden Axes marry old tradition with new technology to produce an axe that has wide appeal with guaranteed performance.

To find out more, visit the Fiskars stand (8D80-E81).

Award-winning Zest 4 Leisure, which manufactures and sources FSC® Certified timber garden products including furniture, fencing, trellis, gazebos, arches and a wide range of planters, is introducing a stunning range of new products for 2020, a Greenfingers Charity planter and a range of decorative aggregate at this year’s Glee.

The new timber range, to be showcased on Zest’s stand #20Z30, includes the elegant Santorini Swing which has been designed with comfort and style in mind with its new curved supports and side trellis panels.

The Appleton Gazebo is perfect for cooking and dining al fresco. The Gazebo’s extra roof height, open entrance and slatted side panels allows for maximum ventilation. The open feel and curved roof with apex supports gives the Appleton a solid and stylish look.

Ideal for entertaining friends and family, the elegant Rio Hardwood Bench, 2 Chair & Coffee Table Set is made from Jatoba wood, a Brazilian cherry or walnut hardwood which gives it a reddish colour and a very smooth finish.

Zest 4 Leisure is supporting Greenfingers Charity by launching the Tiverton Charity Planter with the aim of raising £10,000. The charity creates beautiful, well-designed outdoor spaces for children to enjoy whether through play and fun, or therapeutic rest and relaxation.

Commenting on the Planter, Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Greenfingers Charity said: “We are thrilled that Zest 4 Leisure has chosen to support us this year with this lovely new planter.  The funds raised through sales, will help us to bring the gift of a garden to more life-limited children in hospices and also help to raise the profile of Greenfingers Charity.”

Zest has launched an Aggregate decorative gravel range. The new range includes a choice of coloured decorative gravel and pre-crated rockery stone, all of which are packed and stored at Zest’s Saltney depot.

Steve Morgan, Managing Director at Zest 4 Leisure commented: “This range compliments our timber garden products allowing gardeners to easily change the look and feel of their outdoor space. Aggregate decorative gravel has been introduced in response to customer demand and I’m pleased to say it is available now and can be ordered alongside our timber range.

Steve continues: “Our focus on operational readiness and improved efficiencies across our ranges and the organisation as a whole is already showing excellent results, with higher levels of customer satisfaction reported in terms of delivery and overall customer service. Rolling out Aggregate is part of our long term strategy for becoming a supplier of choice.”

Zest has reported significant improvements in deliveries, quality standards and service levels - all as a result of considerable investments in warehouse and distribution depots, information systems, key management roles, in addition to employee training and development.

Smart Garden Products was delighted to add the much-loved Briers brand to the Smart portfolio earlier this year, since when it has had a complete “Smart Makeover” with new patterns of gloves and footwear, along with updated packaging.

There are Gloves for every possible gardening and DIY need, spanning both classic and contemporary designs. The Footwear range includes shoes, clogs, wellies and boots for all possible requirements, whether gardening, walking - or festivals. There is also a nifty selection of garden tools, gloves and wellies for budding horticulturists in the Kids range.

What the whole range has in common is fantastic quality, comfort and innovation, so make an early appointment to see the whole Briers range after Glee at one of the Smart showrooms in Peterborough or Abingdon.

Johnsons Lawn Seed will be celebrating a record spring sales season when Glee throws open its doors at Birmingham’s NEC on 10^th – 12^th September.

The UK’s oldest grass seed brand witnessed a significant uplift in demand for its products as gardeners sought to repair lawns that suffered during the drought of summer 2018. Johnsons reports that sales of its extensive portfolio of high-quality grass seed and lawn feed products has remained strong throughout the 2019 sales season.

Johnsons Lawn Seed’s Consumer Manager, Guy Jenkins, said: “TV coverage on BBC Midlands last autumn, featuring our campaign to rejuvenate the nation’s lawns, resulted in buoyant sales that have continued to gain momentum through 2019. With consumer awareness growing about the environmental benefits of lawns – from their role in flood prevention to keeping summer temperatures cool and providing wildlife habitats – we are anticipating strong demand for lawn seed as the autumn lawncare season gets underway.”

At Glee, Johnsons Lawn Seed will be getting ready to mark 200 years in business during 2020, confirming its position as the UK’s oldest grass seed brand. The company, renowned as a pioneer in grass seed breeding and development, was founded in 1820 by 17-year-old entrepreneur William Wade Johnson, who bought land in Boston, Lincolnshire and set up a market gardening business that evolved to become a global brand. Now owned by Danish co-operative DLF Seeds, Johnsons Lawn Seed will be launching two innovative products at Glee that will drive sales in the lawncare sector.

The show will also provide a platform for Johnsons Lawn Seed to promote its rapid delivery service, which can see deliveries made in just two to three days from receipt of order, even during peak sales season, to retailers across the UK. At Glee, buyers will be able to witness the full sales potential of Johnsons’ market-leading product portfolio – from best-sellers such as Lawn Thickener Lawn Seed with Seedboster, Luxury Lawn Lawn Seed and Shady Place Lawn Seed – to the ground-breaking Super Smart Lawn Feed, a 100% natural and organic lawn fertiliser that took the market by storm when it was unveiled at Glee 2018.

Find out more

To find out more about the current product ranges from Johnsons Lawn Seed please visit http://www.johnsonslawnseed.com/product-range.aspx

TRIXIE is pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at Pets at Glee for the first time.

We are looking forward to attending and expect visitors to enjoy seeing our exciting new product launches as well as our attractive event promotions. In addition, we will, of course, present our top selling ranges which make TRIXIE a world leading supplier along with eye-catching and innovative presentation concepts.

TRIXIE provides about 6,500 products for dogs, cats, birds, small animals, fish and reptiles. Our extensive product range is exported to more than 80 countries. The complete logistical support and handling are carried out from our headquarters in Tarp (Northern Germany).
470 permanent employees and more than 100 temps work in our company. 7 sales representatives look after our customers in the UK.

With the new series “BE NORDIC” for dogs and cats, TRIXIE presents products with a maritime flair. Ropes and knots, anchors and seagulls, robust fabrics and colours like the sand and the sea – these features can be found in collars, leashes, places to lie, cuddly caves, bowls and toys. Maritime protection projects are supported from the sales of this series.

Furthermore, TRIXIE’s attractive Snack Bar is an eye-catcher for every shop. Customers can choose any treats from the catalogue assortment and fill it themselves. It is delivered including topper, self-adhesive scanner rails and various large display boxes looking like wooden boxes. For the sale of unpacked goods, block-bottom bags and the matching block-bottom bag holder can be ordered additionally.

At TRIXIE we pride ourselves on bringing to market the widest selection of product innovation, products that tap into the latest consumer trends and ensure pet owners are confident that they are making the best possible purchasing decisions for their much-loved pets. For us, Pets at Glee represents an unrivalled opportunity to showcase these products to a captive audience made up of both independent and multiple pet retailers. Additionally, Pets at Glee also gives us the opportunity to meet with garden retailers, online stores and high street shops – all of which represent a significant growth opportunity for us.

Visit us at stand 19Q30-R31 to explore our exciting new collections and find something unique to add to your offering.

We look forward to seeing you at Pets at Glee!

For more information visit www.trixie.de or call 020 7154 2940.

www.trixie.de

www.facebook.com/trixie.heimtierbedarf

www.youtube.com/user/trixieheimtier

https://www.instagram.com/trixie.de/

Bord na Móna will launch the Happy Compost range at this year’s Glee event, boasting a completely peat-free brand featuring six new products.

The Happy Compost product range includes vegetable compost, tomato planter, rose, tree and shrub compost, soil improvers and an all-purpose compost available in two different sizes. Bord na Móna is pleased to launch a range that caters to the needs of any gardener, whilst also staying true to its environmental responsibilities.

The most eco-friendly range yet, Happy Compost’s packaging is recyclable, using 30% recycled plastic in the bags – the highest amount achievable. The core raw materials in Happy Compost products are either recycled or by-products including bark, green compost, wood fibre and coir, all of which are 100% peat-free.

Steve Harper, Head of Commercial & Marketing for Bord na Móna UK, says:

“Happy Compost is our most innovative and versatile brand yet. The name Happy Compost is inspired by the feeling of happiness and contentment. The new products channel this by providing great gardening results and also supporting our environmental responsibilities by going 100% peat free. We invite everyone to visit our stand at Glee to get a first look at Happy Compost.”

Woodlodge, the UK’s leading supplier of pots and containers, is announcing a major expansion into the gardening accessories market with the launch of its new Down to Earth range – a line-up of high-quality gardening goods ranging from obelisks to decorative trellis and plant supports that blend in with the latest consumer trends.

The range will be revealed for the first time at Glee (NEC Birmingham, 10^th – 12^th September), where buyers will be able to see the full offering and examine the potential of Down to Earth products to grow the buoyant plant support and garden accessories sectors.

Down to Earth is a natural extension for Woodlodge, with a plethora of new products that sit alongside the company’s extensive pot and container offering. The new range will sit perfectly alongside Woodlodge’s existing square tree stakes that are already stocked by garden centres nationwide.

Down to Earth will feature ornamental plant supports and accessories that are in high demand from consumers. The range includes metal plant supports in the form of obelisks, as well as pot trellis and pot stands. Decorative garden trellis will be available in a selection of fashionable shades, from natural wooden appearance to ever-popular green.

Michael Wooldridge, Managing Director at Woodlodge, said: “The markets for ornamental plant supports and gardening accessories are well established and ideally positioned for growth. One significant trend that we’ve witnessed over recent years is how gardens – particularly at new build properties and in urban areas – are becoming smaller. That’s where garden arches, trellis and obelisks play a vital role, enabling homeowners to create privacy in their gardens. The addition of height can result in a stunning focal point, establishing a sense of depth in gardens, especially once climbing plants have been introduced. The launch of Down to Earth will enable retailers to significantly ramp-up their offering, appealing to consumers who want to make the most of every inch of garden space, as well as to shoppers who are seeking quality gardening accessories.”

Woodlodge’s new Down to Earth range will also encompass stylish metal decorative hooks, as well as tree ties and round tree stakes to enable consumers to establish young trees in gardens. Pot trollies will help gardeners to easily move heavy container plants for best effect, while both bamboo and metal canes will appeal to shoppers looking for products to support flowers and vegetable plants in gardens and on allotments.

To see Woodlodge’s new Down to Earth range, visit the Woodlodge exhibition space at Glee (stand 6S30-T31).

Or for more information about the company’s market-leading product offering, visit www.woodlodge.co.uk

As part of their centenary celebrations, Taylors Bulbs are organising a nationwide campaign to get children planting bulbs this October further details of which will be available to see at Glee.

The ‘Little Daffodils’ initiative will be widespread throughout the UK at participating garden centres who can either work with local schools or hold their own planting events.

Adam Taylor, one of the fourth generation of the Taylor family said; “As a family business, we know the importance and the joy of engaging the next generation with growing. With ‘Little Daffodils’ we want to create a really special event to mark our Centenary year, and we hope tens of thousands of children get a chance to plant bulbs this autumn and then watch them flower next spring, experiencing one of the delights of gardening.”

The campaign will take place during October when children will get the opportunity to enjoy planting daffodil bulbs in their own pot and go on to have the opportunity to learn more about nature and growing their own flowers.  Over 200 of Taylors’ customers nationwide have signed up to the initiative, with over 65,000 pots being supplied by Taylors, supported by Dejex and Poppelmann Plastics UK.  Bord Na Mona, Evergreen Garden Care and Westland have also agreed to support their customers with free compost for the events.

Adam added, “We are very grateful for the support of colleagues within horticulture, and delighted to be supporting the Greenfingers Charity alongside this initiative, raising money for this fantastic charity dedicated to supporting children who spend time in hospices. It seems the perfect circle to engage with children via our customers and then to support many others who may be unable to experience the joy of gardening for themselves due to illness.”

Taylors Bulbs are the UK’s leading supplier of flower bulbs, growing and supplying flower bulbs since 1919. At the helm of the family business is Adam and his cousin Sam, the fourth generation of the Taylor family, who also work with Sam’s father Roger to oversee the family owned business.

Relationships are the foundation of any true partnership and SBM has a clear vision that the future of its business relies on service and service is what the man at the helm of the business is going to deliver over the coming months.

Nick Walton, Head of the SBM Business in the UK/I tells us “It’s simple, people buy from people, and I need to make sure that our business is at the forefront of service. Price is only one dimension, but there are many other ways that we can add value to your business, and you will begin to hear of our future strategy at the industries kick off; GLEE 2019!”

As part of this ‘service strategy’, July saw Scott Williams lead his team to the shop floor, “Having come from a garden centre retail background myself, I understand the importance of service and to that end I want to ensure that my team understand what it is like to work in a busy garden centre."

Scott, along with Andy Reffold, David Fairless and Heather Mayne partnered with local garden centres to work with their staff on the shop floor during weekends in July.

 “It was a great experience as a team to spend some quality time on the shop floor” Scott continues, “and it wasn’t just selling our product, we worked within plant areas, stacking shelves as well as advising consumers on the right solution for their problem. We will definitely be revisiting this exercise again as we embark on 2020!”

For more information about SBM Life Science LTD and their future strategies for the 2020 season, be sure to visit stand 7G70-H71 at Glee 2019.

Web: http://lifescience.sbm-company.com/gb/

Stand: 7G70-H71

Squirrel Ban is a premium seed mix treated with Garden Pride’s patterned Chillimega which realises on a very powerful American Chilli.

To get Chilli this powerful it was extracted from a genetically modified crop which was banned from Europe in 2015. Dispute this Chilli not being for Human consumption Europe would not allow us to import this into England and we were forced to very sadly remove Squirrel ban from the market. However, through selective breeding and working closely with America the USA have been able to replicate a powerful enough chilli in a non GM form allowing us to reformulate Chillimega and relaunch squirrel ban into the UK market.

Squirrel Ban FAQS.

What is Squirrel Ban?
A premium seed blend that has been treated with chillimega™.

What is Chillimega ™?
It’s a quality blend of nutritional oils and chill extracts. It’s packed with vitamins and omega goodness with hot chilli to deter the squirrels.

How does it work?
Squirrels, rats and mice have a receptor that tells them chilli is hot and to avoid it. However birds do not have this receptor and therefore they eat it normally without knowing its there.

Is it natural?
Totally natural! In the wild the heat of chilli protects it from animals that would normally eat it but its seeds are spread by the birds that are naturally immune to the heat. It’s totally harmless to birds, squirrels and humans.

What’s it suitable for?
It’s ideal for all bird types and is best feed from any standard bird seed feeder.

The Award winning, unique “acid free “ formulation ,of the Patio Black Spot Removal System has ensured it has remained, the UK’s best performing and, thus, best -selling Patio Cleaner and Restorer, for almost 8 years, providing a “Better than Professional” finish in less than 2 hours to garden stonework of any age and condition!

Now, for Spring 2020, the introduction of EUCHAN2® technology, means Patio Black Spot Remover works even more efficiently, providing even great penetration into the matrix of the stonework, getting to the very root of the Patio Black Spots!

The result:

• Faster, more efficient performance from an already established product.
• Greater benefits to the Environment – readily biodegrades – quickly decomposes; once it touches dirt, it becomes inert!
• Unlimited Shelf – Life means no wasted stock!
• Pressure washing is kept to a minimum, keeping surface damage to a minimum, using less water; kinder to the stonework, kinder to the Environment !
• Instantly removes slippery green algae in minutes , ensuring “year - round” patio safety.
• Garden safe formula increases stone surface longevity.
• Less time spent cleaning the Patio – more time enjoying it!
• Maximizing results and thus producing enhanced customer experience and even greater sales for your Garden Centres!

Meet us on stand 6L80-M81 and witness the launch of a MONUMENTAL NEW product to add to our existing unique range of products.

Launching at GLEE 2019 and available for delivery in January 2020, The Patio Black Spot Removal Company Ltd are delighted to announce this exciting new addition to their existing range.

Filling another niche in the existing Garden Retail Market , the product is designed to be used on Garden Ornaments, such as Statues, figurines, and bird baths. Supplied ready mixed, in a handy spray, the product will be able to be applied to vertical surfaces, completely restore the original colour, without the need to use a pressure washer, in less than two hours!

Full details of this MONUMENTAL ADDITION to our range will appear next week! Watch this space!

www.patioblackspotremoval.com

Primeur are excited to return to Glee after their recent ‘Sword of Excellence’ win at the GIMA Awards for their Tierra Verde range of recycled rubber planters.

Jenny Douthwaite, Sales Director, says: "We are immensely proud to win these awards. We hope the achievement will allow us to build on the success we’ve enjoyed so far and generate interest as we continue to develop innovative products which are stylish, functional and sustainable. We thank all our customers for their support in making 2019 such a memorable year."

The planter range will be displayed alongside the full range of garden edging, stepping stones, decking and mulch.  All made from recycled rubber tyres to create long lasting, indestructible products guaranteed to last in any weather.

Tyres are a large global environmental waste problem. Over 2.5 billion tyres are manufactured globally each year and when they reach the end of their life they are often sent to landfill or burnt.  Primeur’s range has been carefully designed to appeal to the eco-conscious gardener looking for a practical and stylish solution for their garden.

Primeur will also be showing their Mighty Mats range of doormats including environmentally friendly products such as the Scrape ‘n’ Sorb® and Contours mats which are made using recycled rubber. 

Launching at Glee, Primeur are proud to showcase their Christmas Doormat which has been developed with the team from Greenfingers Charity. As well as providing festive cheer to many homes at Christmas we want to help raise much needed funds for this fantastic cause.  The glitter Robin design in a display box is available to order now and for each mat sold, Primeur will be donating £1 to the charity.  Please come along and view on their stand.

Find out more

The Primeur team warmly invite you to visit their stand at Glee Hall 19 D10-E11. For more details about the company and to view their full ranges  visit www.primeur.co.uk

Since being acquired by E. P. Barrus two years ago, Town & Country has gone from strength to strength and continues to refresh and improve its product offering of gardening gloves, footwear and accessories.

The company will be launching a variety of new products at Glee, including a new range of Cloggies and Fleecy Cloggies – the popular slip on, slip off shoes for keeping by the back door. Following extensive customer research, the cloggies have been updated with new shades of green, navy and aubergine, with a contrasting lining. The fleecy cloggies also have a refreshed colour palette of navy, charcoal and raspberry, so there is a design to suit every taste. The new variations still retain the lightweight, durable and waterproof properties of the previous versions, with updated packaging highlighting the benefits to the end user.

The cloggies can be displayed on a rustic-themed wooden free-standing display unit. Informative point of sale is also available and provides the customer with at-a-glance price and product information.

The Town & Country stand at Glee will showcase the new range of Cloggies and Fleecy Cloggies, along with a selection of new gloves and accessories for the home and garden. In addition, new consumer-friendly branding and in-store merchandising will also be on display. Visit stand 7J30-L31 to see the exciting range ready for the new season.

The Glee trade show is an excellent platform to introduce new interesting brands and concepts to the UK garden centre and gift shops market. Pentik will be exhibiting at Glee for the first time.

Pentik is an international interior design retailer, who brings northern beauty and cosiness to homes. Pentik started as a pottery manufacturer in 1971, but it is nowadays famous for textiles and fabrics, home décor and gifts. Pentik’s lifestyle concept is built around four seasonal collections and a steadily selling basic collection.

Inspired by nature, crafted by four seasons.

Pentik´s signature style combines Nordic simplicity, rustic nostalgia and the exoticism of distant lands to create beautiful and harmonious interiors. Pentik's four designers challenge themselves from season to season, to bring joy and inspiration to as many people as possible. Artistic creativity forms the cornerstone of Pentik’s designs. The stunning patterns of textiles are created by painting, drawing and other techniques. Pentik’s Finnish, northern roots to appear in the choice of subjects: flowers, plants, animals and beautiful light. Most of the patterns are available as tablecloths, cushion covers, cotton fabrics and coated fabrics.

The Pentik ceramic tableware has gained a reputation for their round shapes, handicraft and artisan feel. Pentik’s ceramic tableware is manufactured in Posio, Finland, in the northernmost ceramic factory in the world. High-quality ceramics, glassware and kitchen utensils are perfect for both everyday use and special occasions. Ceramic tableware series are functional to use and they are oven, microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe.

Lovely Gifts for All Occasions

Pentik is famous for its high-quality gifts for kids and adults. A wide range of children´s textiles and toys offers wonderful products for home and hugging. Foxes, bears, squirrels, rabbits and owls pose in the children’s products. Pentik’s plush toys, tableware and textiles are truly loved by kids and parents alike.

Pentik’s unique, hand painted ceramic tableware and handmade candles make unforgettable gifts for adults. They bring a hint of northern magic to the table! What would be more beautiful than a gift full of light and warm feeling! 

At the Pentik Studio, ceramic art is created by highly-skilled craftsmen. All items are available in limited quantities and are carefully hand-decorated. The artist behind Pentik Studio is Anu Pentik. The most popular Pentik Studio products are plates, bowls and heart-shaped bowls.

Fordingbridge – the leading specialist design and build contractor of inspiring canopy, walkway and building solutions for the garden retail sector – are excited to be showcasing some of their work in the industry since GLEE 2018.

“The last 12 months have seen the firm deliver a number of great projects,” explains Stephen Toone, Managing Director of Fordingbridge. “We are fortunate to have worked within the horticulture market for over 50 years and have built-up not only great relationships with our clients, but also developed some really fantastic products to help our clients grow their businesses. 2019 has seen the launch of a beautiful garden centre in Scotland, featuring statement inverted curve timber arches, our striking hybrid canopies, combining warm timber arches and steel columns and beams, as well as steel and timber canopies for a multitude of uses.”

“As we work in so many sectors we’re in a unique position to really take the time to understand what our clients are looking for,” Stephen continues. “Garden centres have long been more than just retailers; we know that they are destinations. Places where you can visit for something to eat, shop for unique gifts and even let children blow off steam. Our varied experience, and a great team of staff, enables us to take our clients brief and deliver beyond their expectations.”

As with previous years, Fordingbridge will be displaying one of their structures, this year next to the Retail Lab in Hall 19. However GLEE 2019 will bring an extra dimension to the stand. “We want visitors to our stand to really be able to see what we can offer,” Stephen explains, “so this year we are giving visitors a chance to take a look around some of our bigger projects. GLEE is a fantastic place for owners to see new products, but even with the size of the NEC, many of ours simply would not fit. With Fordingbridge canopies nationwide, there are many to see, but we wanted to actually bring our products to the show. You will have to see for yourself!”

The Fordingbridge Statement Stand is located at 19L20-M21 next to the Retail Lab.

info@fordingbridge.co.uk

www.fordingbridge.co.uk

01243 55 44 55

The Environmental Factor, one of North America's leading supplier of biological insect controls, will unveil a new range of granular nematodes products which are set to disrupt the organic controls category in 2020.

The range includes for products treating some of the most destructive pests in the consumer controls market- namely Slugs, Weevils, Leatherjackets & Ants .  The exclusive new NemaKnights brand of easy shake granules, removes the need to mix nematodes into a watering can or hose end sprayer. Visit the stand by the New products section (Stand 8B74).

Each NemaKnight product is made with a proprietary encapsulated formula which protects the nematodes on the shelf and when applied slowly releases them into the soil. Now garden centre customers can walk into their local store and immediately buy the nematode product right off the store shelf. There is no need to wait for delivery by post while slugs are munching on you veggie patch.

Traditional nematode formulations have been a successful but limited biocontrol for over two decades. NemaKnights are the next generation biocontrol as they are able to be sold on store shelves.  The latest area of innovation is coming up with a granular formulation.  Several years of R&D has finalized a new proprietary slow release formula which makes the nematodes shakeable!  Available to consumers for the very first time is a way to apply Slug and Vine Weevil control by simply opening a lid and shaking out the product.  There is no need to mix nematodes into a watering can prior to application.

NemaKnight Nematodes can be used right up to harvest in your flower and vegetable gardens, or wherever pests are causing damage.  Finally, a biological control that is safe, effective and easy to use! Once applied the granular nematodes are child and pet friendly.

For more information visit 8B74 or email jon@environmentalfactor.com

Although RDA has enjoyed rapid growth since it’s establishment, there still remains a strong family core which has influenced our professional, friendly and approachable values and company ethos.

We like to think with pride and with confidence that it is this set of values, as much as the quality and experience that exists in the RDA family, that brings us repeat business from a variety of valued clients ranging from education, international blue chip companies, High Street Brands, NHS Trusts, and of course Garden Centres!

We offer a full ‘turnkey’ service - design and consultancy, equipment, supply and installation, both front and back of house.

We create innovative spaces helping you to enhance the customer experience.

To find out how we can help with your next project call 0844 873 4993 or visit www.rdalimited.co.uk

Visit our design experts on stand 19P18

Ireland based Hygeia has experienced rapid growth in recent years thanks to its leading portfolio of results-driven home and garden products, including lawn fertilisers, plant food and hard surface cleaners. Now, the brand is poised to expand its offering with some new product and retail solution introductions that will switch up the traditional garden retail sector.

The existing Hygeia portfolio includes the Green Force Lawn care range which contains feed, weed and moss killer solutions, the Goulding fertiliser range comprising of beneficial, straight and premium feeds, and their Powergrow fertilisers, which features the popular Tomato and Multi-purpose feeds offering exceptional value. The current product range also boasts the Mosgo Hard Surface Cleaner range, which has a proven track record for delivering professional quality results on a wide variety of paths, patios and exterior surfaces.

Boosting the Hygeia offering, and available to see for the first time at Glee 2019, will be ‘Nature Safe’, a new range of organic, eco and vegan-friendly feeds for plants and lawns. Exclusive to Hygeia, Nature Safe is 100% organic, plant-based, and is child and pet safe. Talking about this exciting new introduction, Hygeia’s Tom Stolworthy said: “Gardening may be a ‘green’ activity but there is still room to offer even greener solutions, especially in the current climate when consumers are looking at a range of ways to minimise their impact upon the environment. Organic and veganic gardening is a trend that we anticipate will continue to rise in popularity in the coming season, which is why we have chosen Glee 2019 as the official launchpad for the Nature Safe range. With the complete range, garden retailers can fill their shelves throughout 2020 and beyond with cost-effective solutions that will meet the needs of their customers, and help to drive the green agenda in store.”

Details of Hygeia’s new retail concept are currently under wraps, but Tom offers a small insight into what visitors to Glee can expect. “The environmental impact of consumer decisions is shaping all aspects of how they shop and how they spend. As a result, it is not enough to bring to market green products, but we must also look at the impact of how we retail products and consider whether there are greener alternatives to traditional packaging and retail displays. We believe that there is, and are excited to showcase what we have to offer. We’ve every belief that our new concept will be a real game changer, and will open up a much-needed conversation regarding retailing innovation.”

To find out more about Hygeia please visit www.hygeia.ie. You can also visit the Hygeia stand at Glee, Hall 8, stand B36-C37.

• Safe for pets, wildlife, children and non-toxic.
• High sell through rate and quality product with high margins.
• No shelf life and simple to use.

Keep exterior areas clean and presentable for a number of months with a simple application of Algon Organic Path, Patio & Decking cleaner. 

You can use Algon on driveways and brighten up the exterior of homes and gardens.  Algon can be used on fence panels, brickwork, patio flags, conservatories, roofs, artificial grass and a wide range of materials.  It is safe to use around animals and livestock. A versatile and safe to use product where animals are without waiting for it to dry into the surface due to the non-toxic ingredients and formula.  

Application couldn’t be easier. Simply apply the non-toxic liquid to the surface with a garden sprayer, soft brush or watering can and walk away – no scrubbing or rinsing necessary. Results can last for up to 12 months and it is best used on a dry day, so it has time to soak in.  Algon can prevent surfaces from becoming slippery when wet and maintain them from attracting general build up on stone, brick, wood and much more.

Product Features:

• Organic
• Easy to apply
• Non-Toxic
• Safe for pets/wildlife/animals
• Can be used around fish ponds
• No need to rinse off
• Treatment can last up to a year
• All year round use
• Shelf life of decades 

Products Available

• 2.5 litre Algon Concentrate covers 60 square metres (RRP of £6.99) 
• 20 litre Algon Concentrate covers 480 square metres. (RRP of £49.99)

More information can be found on our website or please visit us at Glee 2019 Stand 7F92.

Simple, effective and long lasting. 

Algon Ltd. Tel: 01772 823370 email: info@algonorganics.co.uk  Website www.algonorganics.co.uk 

At DOCTOR ORGANICS we have a great way of looking after the entire garden with a natural way of life.

All that we need in gardening is catered for in the doctor organics range of products. The little creatures can find their own balance in nature when nature is giving them a helping hand. All those plant nasties that cause us to use chemicals in our gardens are simply just a call of nature asking for balance to be achieved with love. All the small insects that eat the plants are out of balance when the ladybirds and the larger insects aren't about.

All the pollinators need a helping hand to bring us the flowers we desire, so at DOCTOR ORGANICS we hold natures answer to it all. With a large amount of organic content, a bacterial ‘probiotic’ and a natural growth stimulant the plants are fully nurtured with exactly what they need to find their own strength against disease. In our product range we have included the natural humic and fulvic acids that are natures answer to poor soil and on top of all that the NPK nutrients are provided by the little bottles of magic that make plants very happy. 

DOCTOR ORGANICS BIO-STIMULANT can be applied to plants, seeds, or soil to improve a plant's vigour, improve rooting, increase yields, and relieve plant stress. Our beautiful bacteria are specifically engaged in the war against nasties. They are your gardening best friend. No need to use chemical warfare when biological warfare does the trick.

DOCTOR ORGANICS TEA is our new idea. We have put our wonderful rooting compound into a great little potting system and we are loving the whole idea. Come along and tell us what you think, we can show you how to make a wonderful cup of tea for the relaxed way to grow.

DOCTOR ORGANICS PLANT PILLS are the home growers wonderful plant pot pill to treat those plants that please you all year round in the home. Keep them happy and they will return the favour.

DOCTOR ORGANICS GRASS TONIC & SOIL CONDITIONER has the answer to all those chemical feeds and weeding systems that make the garden a chemical war zone for a few days. Every time you spray you are making a future challenge. Let us convince you to do this differently.

Our DR FEELGOOD'S range of hydroponic products are the next big thing in your garden centre, they will be leading the way to great plant growth for all those home growing gardeners that use their free will to make a difference to their lives. Interesting stuff for those who are looking to support the next big thing.

DOCTOR ORGANICS - THE ORGANIC SOLUTION

Stand: Hall 06-19 8C80

Tel 01642 42 42 65

info@organicfertiliser.info

The Willow Wand ticks so many boxes for current and future trends making it a strong contender for most of the themes shaping the content within the 2019 Retail Lab at Glee. 

Top of the list is one of the main themes entitled ‘Do it Yourself- and have fun’ and its ‘Do Nothing Garden’. Planting of the Willow Wand couldn’t be quicker or easier: no digging needed, simply insert into the soil or compost, firm well, water… and walk away! Within as little as six weeks the stunning symmetrically woven living stem magically sprouts a topiary crown. Just water the base and trim the top for a real conversation piece.

Whilst our Wands can’t manage the conjuring trick of saving the world singled-handedly, it’s certainly giving it an incredible go. Nurturing Nature – the second theme of the Retail Lab in 2019 - is right at its core.

• Grown sustainably on precious wetland habitats here in the UK, using the age-old practice of coppicing.
• Handcrafted into living but dormant Wands so no heavy pots to transport to or from the garden centre.
• One of the very top wildlife friendly plants in the garden once planted

The Willow Wand really has put a superb modern twist on the most traditional and nature-friendly of native plants.  Whether planted in traditional garden settings or providing inspiration for the urban green city, the Wand can help blur the lines between the outdoors and indoors when grown on patio, decking or terrace, either as specimen plants or startling standard hedge dividers to flexibly delineate spaces.

And if all that wasn’t enough, the Wand is simply perfect in the Plant Gift Shop – another exciting concept within the Retail Lab during 2019. With ultimate portability, innovative concept design, and a range of price points, it makes a fantastic impulse purchase or gift, either in its own right or paired with added value lines such as decorative containers.

Strong branding and marketing presence help drive demand and our striking self-contained trolley display unit seals the deal. Fully merchandised and taking up less than 0.5m², simply roll into position and start selling!

About Willow Wand

Hardy Willow Wands are hand-crafted in the UK from nine living willow stems, each expertly selected by the company’s master weavers. The finished product – a stunning symmetrical wand that forms an eye-catching feature in any garden – is woven by hand with impeccable accuracy and skill.

Stems of the Willow Wand remain fixed at the same height, but over the years they’ll graft together and become one single willow trunk, while retaining a beautiful twisted decorative effect.

In as little as six weeks after planting, decorative stems of the Willow Wand will have grown a delightful topiary crown. All gardeners have to do is trim the crown into any desired shape – no expertise is needed. Wands create wow factor when planted as a centre piece, in groups or to form standard decorative hedging. They’ll thrive in sun or shade.

For more details call 0330 120 0604 or email info@willowwand.co.uk

Glee 2019 will be West Country Soil Improvement Ltd’s second as an exhibitor and already their unique new product, Bloomin Amazing has carved a firm foothold in the growing media and compost sector.

Winning the GIMA Seed Corn Fund at last year’s show was a great platform from which to launch their campaign to reach garden centres all over the UK.  Approaching 12 months on from the win they now boast nearly 100 garden centre stockists across the UK.

Remarkably, they have also staked their claim to a place in Best Sellers lists alongside some of the big brands. They put this success down to several factors, not least Bloomin Amazing’s impressive sustainability credentials, being sourced entirely from renewable by-products from the making of biogas. Its’ multi-purpose uses are also a powerful selling point – it’s an ideal mulch, weed suppressant, soil conditioner and plant food, with additional moisture retention and even slug-deterrent properties being reported by a growing group of gardening fans. It’s light, clean to handle and almost odourless and represents great value with a retail price of just 10p per litre.

Sales of Bloomin Amazing have more than doubled in the last year and West Country Soil Improvement Ltd have now invested in and installed a second screw press system at their production site on Rainbarrow Farm which will allow production output to be doubled in response to the growing demand.

Bloomin Amazing and the team from West Country Soil Improvement will be on stand 6R80 in the GIMA village.

To find out more about Bloomin Amazing go to www.bloominamazing.com or e-mail Nick at nfinding@bloominamazing.com or call head office to speak to us on 01305 889525

ESA Sales are making their Glee debut in the new Home & Gift village, showcasing their international portfolio of brands which cover the Home, Lifestyle and Gift categories.

The team are confident that they can help to maximise sales across the store with a broad range of products and merchandising solutions, providing retailers with the opportunity to create new consumer experiences in store. 

All visitors are welcomed to stand number 19L10 for a walk through the categories and a chance to experience and participate in product demonstrations.

Email caroline.holford@esasales.co.uk to find out about working with ESA.

Long the choice of landscaping and gardening professionals, Azpects have recently launched an easy-to-use range of their garden surface care products designed specifically for everyday gardeners and consumers.

Their new EASYGarden products help tackle a wide range of everyday challenges, from protecting paving to removing stains from decking and garden ornaments. Previously only available in larger packs for professionals, their powerful products are now available in consumer-friendly sizes.

The EASYGarden range has already proven a big hit with gardeners who report transformational results, impressed with the easy way they keep garden surfaces looking fresher for longer.

“We began ten years ago with just one thing in mind; to make hard landscaping EASY” reports Ben Wright, Businesses Development Manager at Azpects. “Our outdoor cleaning and protection products have been making life easier for professionals for a decade. We’re delighted gardeners and homeowners are now reporting the same!”

With ten EASYGarden products available, the range features cleaning products, sealants and protection for every type of outdoor surface. The choice includes products aimed at keeping outside wood and decking pristine, like their Deck Protect and Algae Remove & Seal. Paving and hard surfaces can be kept clean and protected with their best-selling Algae Remover and new Patio Seal & Protect. The range even includes a unique Artificial Grass Cleaner & Sanitiser and the very popular Grass & Foliage Greener which provides lawns and leaves with an instant burst of colour.

“Our great range of products solve so many common challenges and delivers the easy results busy gardeners’ value most” states Ben. “Azpects has grown at a rapid rate entirely through our products’ reputation. Now available in garden centres and retailers, it’s great to hear we’re developing a whole new army of loyal customers, who choose our products again and again for the easy results they deliver.”

EASYGarden products can now be found in leading garden centres, DIY stores and builders merchants across the UK. To help promote the range, Azpects have developed an eye-catching free-standing display unit which showcases and promotes the products’ key and unique features.

The EASYGarden consumer range is fast establishing itself as the most effective and easy to use on the market, effortlessly solving a host of common outdoor challenges.

For more information visit azpects.co.uk/gardenproducts

Or visit us at Glee stand 19E36

Three years ago Checker Leather Ltd opened their first handbag concession under their brand ROWALLAN OF SCOTLAND. Since then, they have since gone on to open a further 23 concessions across the country.

Due to the success of these concessions Checker Leather Ltd are proud to announce that they are now offering concession opportunities within the Garden Centre industry.

Checker Leather Ltd has chosen Glee 2019 to launch their AW19 collection. You are invited to visit them in Hall 7 Stand J91 to view the collection and discuss the opportunity of obtaining a concession in store.

Fountasia is celebrating it’s 20^th anniversary this year, and the family-run business is going from strength to strength.

The business has it’s origins in tin whistles, which the father of MD Michael Weedon still makes for the music industry. However the company now focuses largely in the garden centre market. Michael himself is the designer-brains behind today’s current range in collaboration with partner factories who exclusively interpret his ideas for manufacture.

Over the past five years Fountasia has grown by more the 60% each year as consumers become more aware and spend more on quality gifts and garden decorations. This has seen the company regularly appear in the GTN Bestsellers charts with a variety of different products

Turnover has now reached over £8m this year and has seen the Fountasia family grow. Michael has now been joined in the business by his sons, Nik and Khris, making it the Third Generation.

At Glee this year we will unveiling a lot of new products along with enhanced display solutions focusing around key ranges and new-to-market concepts.

We will of course be showcasing  our familiar and very successful including World of Make Believe. This has been the best new product launch in Fountasia’s history and the company is very excited about the many developments to this range including a consumer-facing website to drive footfall in garden centes. With over 1500 décor products there is a huge range from which retailers can choose.

So to see the latest range in garden décor come and visit us at stands: 6M30-N31 & 6L30-6M31

In 1992, EKJU’s founding fathers created a vision built around sustainability, craftsmanship and quality. Egons, Klauss, Juris & Uldis were four men with a mission - to create garden furniture that is crafted with the care and attention needed to ensure the product lasts as long as it takes to regrow a new tree.

This would ensure years of use, bringing friends and family together in the outdoor environment, becoming closer to nature. Today, this vision is still inspiring EKJU as they strive to create the best quality products from specially sourced strong FSC timber from the northern European forests.

The focus and control on quality at their 18 acre site factory in Cesis (Latvia), twinned with the depth of range in garden furniture, means EKJU can boast a specialism for exports in timber garden furniture with classic designs such as the ‘Combined Picnic Table’, ‘Retro Table Set’ and ‘Round Table With Backrests’, ideal for the UK market.

For Glee 2019, EKJU will be raising the bar, showcasing new products and fresh manufacturing capabilities inspired by European outdoor living trends. There is a new treatment choice to join Green and Brown impregnation options. In response to the rise in popularity in the colour, Grey is now available across the entire EKJU range. This supplies the end user with the ability to create their own easy to assemble grey collection of furniture and matching accessories, such as planters and raised beds.

EKJU Sales & Marketing Director Laura Galzone commented on their focus ‘Our heritage as craftsman and focus on quality underpins our strategy of supplying the best range of sustainable timber garden furniture with the end users comfort in mind. Our products offer a solution for end users regardless of the size of their outdoor space and we remain focused on delivering high standards on all of our range so we can deliver the best in market product for our UK partners , whilst also delivering our founders’ vision’.

Al fresco entertaining is transformed with the new ‘Raised Bar Set’ which looks stunning in Grey as well as pressure treated Green. With a robust raised table and 4 carefully crafted matching stools, this set is ideal for those long summer nights where you can enjoy making and serving cocktails with friends.

If you need more space for a family gathering, the ‘Cesis Table Set’ provides a substantial table and bench solution for up-to 8 people, meaning your guests can dine in comfort for a lunchtime BBQ. Alternatively, place the set in a shaded courtyard and use as a retreat for an afternoon tea with loved ones.

When it’s time to wind down into the evening, pick a secluded spot on the decking and chill out together on the ‘Double Relax Chair’, available in treatment options green, brown or grey. Enjoy the comfort these chairs bring as you savor a glass of wine in the warm summer evening.

With a track record and ongoing ambition to supply quality timber furniture, EKJU’s founding fathers vision remains the cornerstone of their success in creating furniture designed to last, and working in partnership with retailers to bring people closer together.

The EKJU team will be exhibiting at Glee Birmingham 2019 at the NEC, 10th to 12th September in Hall 6, stand Q20-R21.

ABOUT EKJU

EKJU is a timber garden product manufacturer, based in Cesis, Latvia. The company was founded in 1992 by four founders - Egons, Klauss, Juris & Uldis and the brand name is based on their first names. EKJU specialize in quality timber garden furniture made from timber sourced from northern european forests. EKJU are committed to sustainability and are members of the forest stewardship council (FSC). For more information please contact Rob Giles, at Stratrg Ltd – E: rob.giles@thestratrg.com M: 07735 618972 or visit www.ekju.com.

As garden retailing continues to thrive, with double digit year-on-year growth, the future for our industry continues to look bright. One place where this optimism will shine through will be the forthcoming Glee exhibition (September 10-12, NEC Birmingham), where 550 plus suppliers will join with 7,000 UK and international key decision makers, buyers and trend setters, to showcase the future of gardening.   

Matthew Mein, Glee’s Event Director, said: “The market is reporting a strong start to the 2019 season, with sales up 37% year-on-year.

"A combination of good weather, and consumers retreating to their homes in a time of economic uncertainty, has paid dividends for our industry. As such we move into the 2019 event with a sense of excitement regarding the future development and growth of our sector.

"From an engaged audience, the potential of the ‘millennial pound’, new tech hitting the market, and a wealth of existing ranges continuing to hit the mark, Glee 2019 will be a thriving hub for the garden retail market, offering unrivalled value for both suppliers and visitors.”

What’s new at Glee 2019

Educational content will bring business growth opportunities to the fore

Building more content to help support the continuous growth of gardening in the UK will be a key theme of the 2019 event. Look out for more features, seminar sessions and new-for-2019 workshops, and year-round information relating to trends, merchandising and practical advice on ways to build better business, whilst also tackling the most burning issues set to affect the industry in the years ahead.

The purrfect place to source pet products – Pets at Glee to grow

Bigger and better than ever before, ‘Pets at Glee’ will be a thriving section of Glee, designed to make it even easier for garden centre pet buyers to directly source 2020 ranges.

Featuring a multi-functional space, Pets at Glee will house interactive workshops aimed at helping garden centres start their pet retail journey, as well as provide visual merchandising inspiration that touches on key areas of pet retail including pet food, accessories, luxury and technology. It will also house a dedicated networking space for pet retailers and garden centres to connect with each other to share their experiences through facilitated speed networking sessions. 

There will also be a dedicated Pet New Product Showcase, which will showcase the latest and great new product innovations from Pets at Glee exhibitors. This year the showcase will feature nine award categories made up of: Best Pet Clothing Product, Best Pet Toys and Entertainment, Best Pet Accessories (Collars, Leads, Muzzles, Harnesses), Best Pet Health, Grooming and Cleaning, Best Pet Bedding and Travel (housing, carriers, cages, baskets), Best Pet Food and Treats, Best Pet Technology, Best Eco Initiative Pet Product Award and Best Overall New Product for Pets at Glee.

PetQuip – the leading international trade association for manufacturers and suppliers of pet care goods and services - has also confirmed that it will be continuing its support for the PetQuip Business Village.

Retail Lab set to return in 2019

The Retail Lab @ Glee – in association with the HTA - was introduced in 2017 to showcase the latest trends within the garden industry, whilst also providing retailers with hands on advice and inspirational content that they can take back to their own stores to drive sales in the coming season.  The response to this new area surpassed expectations, with suppliers and retailers remarking on the immediate ‘take home’ value of the Lab’s content. 

This year the Retail Lab will focus on two key themes ‘Shop’ and ‘Nature’, both of which will be supported by eight key themes entitled - Do it Yourself, Plant and Gift Shop, Garden Therapy, ‘Do Nothing’, Plastic Free Future?, Urban Green City, Outdoors = Indoors, Nurturing Nature, and Pet Alley – all of which represent key growth opportunities for garden retailers, whilst also addressing those issues that are shaping consumer spending habits.

Once again, the Retail Lab @ Glee – in association with the HTA - will be created in partnership with a panel of industry experts, led by Creative Director, Romeo Sommers of ByRomeo. 

In addition to the amazing team behind the Retail Lab, the area will also be supported by a number of sponsors. Woodlodge, Scheurich, Key Essentials, Apta, Meadow View Stone, Verona, Laurica Plants, BPI Products, Ivyline, and Air So Pure are confirmed as 2019 Supplier Partners, providing them a wealth of opportunity to promote their brand and latest product innovations.

With over three quarters of Glee’s audience coming to source new products, with many stating the importance of being able to touch and feel products previously only seen in catalogues, Glee 2019 will see even more focus on new products, including the New Product Showcase – created in partnership with Garden Trade News.

This ever-popular competition sees new designs and products perfectly displayed for your consideration, with the best of each category receiving the accolade of a ‘Glee Award.’ Show visitors can also cast their vote for their favourite, awarding one lucky entrant with the title of ‘Retailers Choice Award’.

This year’s New Product Showcase categories will be:

• Garden Plants, Seeds and Bulbs
• Garden Growing Materials (Plant feeds, pest and weed control, growing media, cloches, seed trays etc)
• Garden Growing Containers (All pots, planters, hanging baskets etc)
• Garden Decoration (Garden ornaments, garden lighting, plant supports, wall art etc)
• Garden Tools & Machinery (Hand and powered garden tools, garden gloves, garden kneelers etc)
• Garden Landscaping (Paving, statuary, garden buildings etc)
• Garden Leisure & Entertaining (BBQ's, garden furniture and accessories etc)
• Garden Wild Bird and Wildlife Products (Wild bird feeds, feeders, wild life products etc)
• Garden Home, Giftware and Clothing
• Garden Retail & Industry Services, Best of British Award
• Best Eco Initiative Product Award
• Best House Plants and Accessories

Plants will also be celebrated through the ‘Best Green Heart Display’ award, in partnership with Woodlodge, whilst Garden Trade News’ annual Great Awards will be celebrating the ‘Greatest Awards Best Plant Retailing Team’.

The Glee Buyers Power List has been set-up to recognise the individual buyers and buying teams who have gone above and beyond to make a difference within the garden retail industry this year. Voting has been open since early summer, with nominations flooding in from all corners of the market. Now, details of those shortlisted have been confirmed.

Formed of the top nominations in each of the eight categories, the shortlist is representative of the leading buyers and buying teams from retailers across the country. The shortlist is now open to the industry to cast their vote for their top buyers or teams in each category. These votes will then be counted, with the buyer or team with the most votes being crowned as individual category winners during a special Buyers Power List ceremony taking place on Wednesday 11^th September (12:30pm – 13:30pm) at Glee 2019.

Voting for the top buyer or teams featured in the Glee Buyers Power List shortlist closes on August 31st. Casting your vote couldn’t be easier. Simply log onto https://www.gleebirmingham.com/visit/glee-buyers-power-list#/ to make your vote matter or e-mail with your vote to:

Grace.reilly@ite-exhibitions.uk  Voting is open to everyone in the industry.

Best single site independent Garden centre

Almondsbury

Alton Garden Centre

Ayletts Nurseries

Barton Grange

Bents

Bents

Chessington

Cowells

Fron Goch

Glendoick

Poplars

The Old Railway Line

Woodstock Buying Group

Best multiple site independent garden centre (5 stores or less)

Coolings

Grovewell Garden Centres

Haskins

In-Excess

Planters and Garden King

Longacres

Millbrook

Perrywood

RHS Retail

Rosebourne

Scotsdales

Stewarts

Best Garden Centre groups (6 stores or more)

Blue Diamond

British Garden Centres

Caulders

Cherry Lane

Choice Marketing

Dobbies

Great Western Partnership

Hilliers

Klondyke Strikes

Notcutts

Otter Nurseries

Squires

Best Supermarket/department store buyer/buying team

Aldi

Asda

Waitrose

Best Online retailer buyer/buying team

Crocus

Ocado

QVC

Richard Jacksons Garden

Gardensite

Amazon

RHS

Waitrose

Wayfair

Greenfingers.com

Best high street garden retailer buyer/buying team

John Lewis

Sainsbury’s

Argos

Morrisons

Waitrose

Tesco

Aldi

Best DIY/Builders Merchant buyer/buying team

Homebase

Screwfix

Wickes

Toolstation

Screwfix

Wickes

B&Q

Travis Perkins

Best Pet Category Buying team

B&M Stores

Bents

Chessington

Jollyes

Knights Garden Centres

Ocado

Pets at Home

Pets Corner

Planters

Scampers

Scotsdales

Waitrose

Squires

Voting for the top buyer or teams featured in the Glee Buyers Power List shortlist closes on August 31st. Casting your vote couldn’t be easier. Simply log onto https://www.gleebirmingham.com/visit/glee-buyers-power-list#/ to make your vote matter or e-mail with your vote to:

Grace.reilly@ite-exhibitions.uk  Voting is open to everyone in the industry.

PAWExpo – a new high-end pet focused exhibition – will launch in September 2020, supported by the team behind the annual Glee trade event A special ‘first look’ at what is to come will be unveiled at the official PAWExpo reveal party on Wednesday 11th September at the Pets Café area, in Hall 19.
 
PAWExpo – Pet & Animal Wellbeing Expo – will offer a fresh look at pet product and accessories. Pet care, wellbeing, premier and luxury products will take centre stage, showcasing brands that cover everything from food and health, to accessories, technology and retail solutions.
 
Matthew Mein, Glee and PAWExpo’s Event Director, said: “The way our pets are integrated into our lives has changed exponentially in recent years. Animals no longer regarded as pets, but as one of the family, and it is this that is driving category growth, and why we have seen unprecedented level of premium and artisan products launched over the past five years, projecting luxury pet goods into the mainstream market.

"Pet owners are willing to offer animals their own products and unique items, which often carry a higher price tag. This is a great opportunity for retailers who want to optimise this long-term (and recession proof) potential, and to offer a new generation of pet products.

"At PAWExpo everything retailers need to create a strong and future-facing retail experience – from core products to exciting gifting ranges – is presented under one roof, at a time of year when ranges for the following season are most commonly selected. PawExpo is an exciting prospect, and one that we are looking forward to bringing to market.”
 
At a glance - a look at the UK pet market

• According to AMA Research, the total UK pet market was valued at £6.5billion in 2017, when the pet market accounted for 1.8% of the UK retail market.
• Analysts have predicted “modest but continued steady growth” in the pet market – with a value of £7billion forecast for 2020-21.
• Mintel’s latest research (October 2018) found that 59% of British consumers own a pet, with full-time workers the most likely to own one (66%). Dog ownership peaks among men, with 35% owning a hound compared to 31% of women, and younger millennials aged 19-28 (42%). Cat ownership peaks among Brits aged 25-44. A third (33%) of Brits own a dog while three in ten (29%) own a cat.
• Mintels’ report also highlighted that the highest proportion of Brits who said they’d be prepared to put their pets’ needs before their own were millennials – those aged 19-38 – with 54 per cent saying they’d go without so they could afford to pamper their pets. In fact, millennials take their pets’ wellbeing so seriously, the survey claimed, that 30 per cent of young pet care shoppers said it was important that their pet keeps up with the latest trends such as clothing and grooming styles
• Another factor that’s shaping the fortunes of the pet trade is the rise of animal social media influencers, which are most likely to appeal to the millennial demographic.

Further details about PawExpo will be announced shortly.
 
Find out more
To keep up-to-date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.  To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2019 call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

As a leading showcase of pet product suppliers, trendsetters and emerging brands, Pets at Glee is set to be a thriving platform for any retailers wanting to optimise the ‘pet pound’. Now it has been confirmed that Glee has introduced an additional added value feature to Pets at Glee called ‘The Marketplace’.

This exciting new feature may be small in size, but it will certainly pack a punch in regard to content! Positioned in Hall 19, the Pets at Glee ‘marketplace’ has been designed to support small independent pet brands that are looking to expand and break into the garden retail and pet markets.

Featuring first time exhibitors, such as BESTT, ‘The Marketplace’ will be a leading showcase of exciting, new and niche products from these grass roots businesses. Any retailers wanting to source products before they reach the mass market can do so by visiting The Marketplace, providing them with the opportunity to offer something different to their customers. What’s more, these products will fit perfectly into existing pet ranges; ranges that are so often influenced by consumers’ need for high-end, design driven products

Ruthie Conway from BESTT, who will be participating in the Marketplace said: “I decided to join the Pets at Glee Marketplace and am happy to be at its inaugural event. I believe this is a unique opportunity for me to showcase my brand of new and exciting eco-friendly dog biscuits. There is no other brand like mine, made only from fresh ingredients with no other additives. Baked ethically, sustainably and with a special regard to our planet in everything we do. I believe we have the BESTT biscuits in town - Baked Ethical, Sustainable Tasty Treats!

Matthew Mein, Glee’s Event Director said: “At Glee we love being able to help new and emerging brands come to the fore. Doing so not only does helps businesses break into the mainstream, but it also provides an exciting opportunity for our visiting retailers too. So much of the strength of garden retailing comes from its ability to provide a unique retail experience, and this includes offering products that often can’t be found anywhere else. We’re excited to bring ‘The Marketplace’ to Pets at Glee in 2019, and hope that retailers make a beeline for it as I know they’ll find something that will capture their – and their customers’ - imagination!”

In addition to ‘The Marketplace’ Pets at Glee will also be home to a wide range of leading pet brands including Vital Pet Products, Trixie, Butchers, Canine and Co, Jacobi Jayne & Company, Marriage Specialist Foods, The Barking Bakery, Winners Europe, Bon EOOD, Global 1^st Ltd, and H.von Gimborn, Pets at Glee will be the go-to destination for all pet care professionals who need to be first to see the latest trends and innovation.

A journey of discovery is coming to Glee this September as the key industry event confirms two exciting guided tour opportunities to ensure retailers make the most of their time at the show.

As the leading garden retail event in the industry calendar with unrivalled new product sourcing opportunities, it is vital that businesses get the most out of visiting Glee.  Plus, with Glee’s ever-expanding portfolio of show features it is more important than ever that visitors are armed with the right information to maximise their time at the show.

One of Glee’s most visited features, the Retail Lab - in association with the HTA - will benefit from a series of guided tours. Led by the Retail Lab’s Creative Director, Romeo Sommers, the Retail Lab tours will give visitors explanations and further knowledge into the key insights and trends being showcased on the Retail Lab feature in 2019, including ‘Do it yourself (and have fun)’, and ‘Saving the World – Nurturing, Nature and Animals’. Throughout the tours, Romeo will also provide top tips on how retailer and merchandisers can implement the trends within their own stores with quick and easy ‘takeaway’ advice.

The Retail Lab tours will take place daily at 11:00am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm, and will operate on a first come first served basis. To join one of Romeo’s tours please visit the Retail Lab ahead of each tour to secure your place.

Visitors will also be able to take full advantage of all Glee has to offer with the Discovery Tours led by Glee’s dedicated PR partners, Hornby Whitefoot PR. Offering a unique and bespoke visitor experience, the walking tours will take in the unmissable feature areas of the show including the New Product Showcase, Green Heart and the newly enhanced and dedicated pet sector - Pets at Glee. Each ‘stop’ on the tour will outline what is on offer, how retailers can benefit from spending time in each area and how they can maximise the inspiration and educational takeaway available.

The Discovery Tour will take place daily at 10:15am. Open to both new and regular visitors on a first come, first served basis, each tour will last just 45-minutes and will help visitors to plan the rest of their time at the show efficiently and take in the hottest new products from over 550 companies across eight sectors.  To join the Discovery Tour please visit the #PowerOfOne wall in the atrium and look out for the Hornby Whitefoot PR team.

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focusing on building year-round profits for buyers and suppliers within the core gardening and outdoor leisure product categories.  To keep up-to-date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.  To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2019 call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Green gardening is not a fashion or a passing fad – it’s here to stay. With sustainable growing championed by the likes of BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Monty Don, demand for eco-friendly gardening products is on the up.

The top priority for the nation’s growing band of environmentally conscious consumers is cutting down on single-use plastics, an issue that was propelled to the top of the agenda when Sir David Attenborough’s landmark Blue Planet series highlighted the devastating effect that plastic waste is having on marine wildlife.

Here we look at how exhibitors at Glee are planning to reduce dependency on single-use plastics, while also examining manufacturers’ and suppliers’ efforts to boost recycling and lower carbon footprints. We focus on core gardening – suppliers of goods that help consumers to grow, sow and mow – and investigate what they’re doing to relieve their burden on the planet.

Garden products giant Evergreen Garden Care says it is “committed to finding new ways to reduce waste” and points out that it has systematically reduced the weight of packaging since 2001 by more than 1,000 tonnes. Recent initiatives include virgin plastic reduction of 800 tonnes via improvements made to its bottles, caps and sprayers. For example, the new Miracle-Gro 1L bottle saved 40 tonnes per year, according to the company.

An Evergreen Garden Care spokeswoman adds: “We have saved 420 tonnes of plastic with the introduction of recycled material in our compost packaging. Paper has reduced by 600 tonnes, with 95% of cartons made from 100% recycled paper fibres. Packaging recycling on sites has increased by 30% in the last 12 months, with all initiatives saving 2,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide in one year.”

Eco-friendly supplier Primeur offers a range of garden products all made from recycled rubber tyres that would otherwise be sent for landfill or burnt. With well over 2.5 billion tyres manufactured globally every year, the company says finding ways to repurpose the waste rubber has never been more vital.  Primeur won a GIMA award in 2018 for its Recycled Garden Borders, followed by the GIMA Sword of Excellence this year for its Recycled Planter range.

Primeur’s Sarah McLafferty said: “We know that recycling waste products has never been more important to our customers and we are already exploring how to expand the range with new innovation. As one of the major importers of doormats to the UK, we are also looking to bring environmentally friendly materials to this category. Our Mighty Mats range already includes mats made with Recycled Rubber and manufactured in a way to reduce pressures on the environment. We are working with our factories to create more recycled and recyclable products.”

Neudorff has made a big impact in the UK as demand for organic gardening goods grows. Its accolades include being crowned ‘National Champion’ at the European Business Awards in the Environmental and Corporate Sustainability category in 2016, while it also won the title of ‘Germany’s most sustainable company’ in 2014.

In recent years Neudorff has focused on helping retailers and their customers to use less single-use plastic by introducing refill options. But Jude Beharall, sales director at Neudorff UK, points out: “Plastic packaging is essential for many of our weed and control products, due to registrational reasons. However, we have taken steps to help customers make reductions. For example, our best-selling Sluggo Slug & Snail Killer range was the first slug killer to be made available in cardboard cartons. We encourage customers to use the 300g and 1 kg cartons wherever possible, thereby significantly reducing the quantity of plastic being added to landfill as a result of gardening activities."

Where plastic currently remains a necessity to deliver an eco-friendly product, suppliers have been taking other steps to reduce their burden on the environment. Equigrow, based in north London, produces and distributes compost, with the range featuring manure-based and straw-based green waste products.

Equigrow Director, Allan Clutterbuck, points out that although compost currently comes in plastic bags, the company is reducing its carbon footprint: “We source all of our horse manure and green waste locally, and deliver to the local area, although bulk loads sometimes go farther afield. Our products are ’green’ because they have been recycled from waste. We don’t add any chemicals and they are peat-free, contributing to the preservation of peat bogs and fens. We add nothing to our composts, and they decompose through a process of shredding, turning and heat.”

Promoting sustainable growing is the goal of Deep Roots, a company that’s dedicated to replacing plastic in both gardening and agriculture. Its own roots lie in a small town in western India, when in late 2017, Deep Roots founder, Nikunj Agarwal, saw saplings being nurtured and raised in single-use plastic containers. Nikunj said: “This seemed a huge irony, and since then, Deep Roots has dedicated all its resources to the pursuit of protecting of our ever-degrading environment.”

He adds: “DeepRoots brings Jute Grow Pots, the first of its kind for sustainable growing. Jute Grow Pots are organic plant-raising containers made out of natural jute fibre. They’re 100% bio-degradable and a great alternative to plastic pots. Not only is our primary raw material from a renewable source, we also run a zero-waste facility while, at the same time, promoting employment among under-privileged in society. We can do business and we can do good!” The company says sizes of Jute Grow Pots can be customised for various growing needs, from starting seeds to transplanting or as an attractive stand-alone planter.

Vegepod, a supplier of self-contained raised garden beds, says it is often asked about the green credentials of its polypropylene plastic, eco-climate covers and containers. A Vegepod spokeswoman says: “Because our containers are durable and designed for optimal plant growth, an individual Vegepod has a minimum 10-year lifespan. Most untreated timbers are lucky to last longer than two years before rotting and breaking down. The impact of such timber production, the repeated timber growing, harvesting and rebuilds would make an interesting study when compared to a one-off plastic container that lasts up to 10 years.”

But are Vegepod’s containers made from recycled plastic? The company points to an important issue: “Recycled plastic is unable to be certified as ‘foodsafe’ as it contains many different grades of plastic. Vegepod will not allow such material to be used for organic food growing, despite the appeal of the tagline ‘Made from recycled plastic’.  However, our eco-covers and containers are completely recyclable and do not end up in landfill.”

Vegepod puts forward a strong argument for the use of robust, long-life plastics in gardening. The spokeswoman adds: “When it comes to garden materials, there’s nothing more beautiful than timber. Unfortunately, termites agree. Untreated wood also has very little resistance to the elements such as moisture, mould, fungi, heat and pests. This significantly shortens the lifespan of such beds.  Corrugated iron beds also eventually rust and breakdown, and can leech harmful elements into the surrounding soils and plants. In our opinion, polypropylene pods are safer, more productive and a more sustainable way to garden. They’re durable, long-lasting, affordable, water efficient, and when all is said and done, they’re 100% recyclable.”

Speaking about the garden trade’s increasing focus on environmental awareness, Glee Event Director, Matthew Mein, said: “The garden industry is channelling huge efforts into sustainability initiatives, delivering a new generation of products with truly green credentials. Not only will such initiatives play a role in preserving the planet, but they serve to cater for consumers who are increasingly demanding gardening goods that are free from single-use plastic while still delivering great results. We’re really excited about the level of product innovation at Glee 2019, and to see this combined with a focus on eliminating single-use plastic means there will be plenty to whet the appetite of buyers looking for the latest eco-friendly products.”

Find out more

To keep up-to-date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com.  To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2019 call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.

Power of One is a new initiative being adopted by Glee to highlight the impact we each have on the environment. Supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, the campaign seeks to demonstrate how a combination of small, individual changes can create a more sustainable future for all.

At Glee, exhibitors and visitors will be encouraged to make a pledge, committing to making one small conscious change to reduce their impact upon the environment and the world in which we live. Pledges could include anything from promising to recycle more, choosing bio-degradable alternatives, or refraining from using single use plastics. Together these singular commitments add up to a much bigger and stronger impact; one that can help lead a positive change.

Showing your support for the initiative couldn’t be easier – simply visit the Power of One wall to make your pledge. All you need to do is snap a shot of yourself in front of the wall, share it on social media, along with your pledge.  As a little way of saying thank you, ‘pledgers’ will receive a free reusable water bottle, supplied by Glee exhibitor and Power of One partner, Summit International.   

You can also join in the conversation on social media by following #PowerOfOne, #Glee19 and #GleeBirmingham.

The Gardenex export federation will be hosting the International Buyers’ Centre at Glee 2019, which is valued by the international buyers as a business hub within the show. The Centre will be located once again close to the entrance of Hall 6 on Stand N10-P11.

The PetQuip association, a sister division of Gardenex, will also be providing business services to pet product suppliers and buyers on its Stand 19R51 in the PetQuip Village section of the exhibition.

During the three day event, an important element of the Federation’s export business creating activities will be the staging of a series of International Buyers Connect sessions.  The 10-minute introductory meetings will be held each morning of the show and are available exclusively to exhibitors at the show.  The International Buyers Connect sessions have played an important part in generating new export leads and sales for many UK participants over the years.

Buyers are still being recruited by Gardenex and to date the following have confirmed their participation:

• A buyer from an Austrian internet shop that stocks quality tools and other practical, decorative and wildlife products will be looking for quality British products to complement its existing range.

• A Canadian buyer from a leading wholesaler and distributor to garden centres and landscapers on the east coast of Canada will be seeking practical gardening products to add to its range.

• Two buyers are taking part from an import company in China, whose CEO is also the President of the China Horticultural Society who visited Glee in 2018.

• Three garden product distributors/online retailers from the growing Romanian market will be attending the sessions.  Also visiting Glee is a leading media company on the Romanian DIY and garden markets which operates several e-newsletters across different retail categories.

• A buyer is taking part from a Swedish online store selling direct to the general public that also acts as importer and distributor for several UK companies.  The buyer is seeking to source new, innovative garden products to add to its B2C online store and is also hoping to widen its range of seeds and unusual plants.   

• An importer and distributor from The Netherlands is attending the meetings.  The firm supplies independent garden centres, landscape businesses and garden centre chains.  It also has a well-established B2C garden online store, as well as a wholesale distribution business specialising in high-end garden items. 

• A buyer from a specialist mail order company from the USA will be looking for greenhouse-related and other practical gardening products to complement its existing range.

In addition to the International Buyers Connect meetings, the Centre will provide a wide range of other facilities and information for both international visitors and for UK suppliers.  

As well as meeting with international buyers and addressing their UK product sourcing enquiries, the Gardenex and PetQuip teams will be available throughout the show to meet with existing member companies and potential members.  Export advice and details of the wide range of business-generating services provided by the two associations will be available from the association teams, as well as early notification of business initiatives, events and export government grant funding opportunities for UK businesses over the coming 12 months.  

The GIMA Business Village is home to a great selection of up and coming companies exhibiting with the support of GIMA. 

Glee is also pleased to present the GIMA Business Lounge, an ideal place to take a break, arrange meetings and catch up with key suppliers.

It is also home to the “Buyers Connect” speed networking sessions which will see selected exhibitors meet with show visitors for 10-minute power-networking sessions.

Celebrating its 10th ‘birthday’ in 2019, the Glee Innovators Zone has already helped more than 275 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. 

Innovation will also be celebrated within GIMA’s Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund (GISCF). Since its launch in 2014, the GISCF has already witnessed great success. All previous winners have gone on to enjoy great commercial success; going from new brands to established and growing suppliers within the garden retail market.

Vicky Nuttall, director of GIMA said: “The GISCF is designed to help start-up businesses take their product from concept to reality, and with a £6,000 grant up for grabs it is always a hotly contested part of our annual programme of activities. The calibre of entries in recent years has been of the highest quality, and this year is certainly no different.”

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

This content will be derived from extensive industry research and is set to tackle key talking points, struggles and successes.

This year they will focus on sharing their insight on the health and outlook of the industry and also how garden centres can engage with millennial and younger gardeners who will really drive the growth of the sector in years to come.

Having hosted the ceremony to critical acclaim at Glee 2018, following a move from their previous home at the Edible Gardening Show, the Great British Growing Awards are set to return to Glee 2019.

These awards recognise all that is great within the gardening industry – from tool companies, to seed suppliers, garden writers to fruit nurseries and everything in between, as well as garden volunteers and community growing spaces.

This year, the awards will be supported by a panel of industry stalwarts making up the judging panel, including Katie Lane (Lavender & Leeks), Rob Smith, Charles Dowding, Will Livingstone, and the GYO team.  In an exciting move, the winners of the 21 categories for the 2019 awards will not be announced until the exhibition itself, making it an even more thrilling prospect for nominees and the wider market.

In a repeat of 2018’s successful competition, GYO magazine will again be holding a special competition that will see 10 lucky readers win the chance to visit Glee to see tomorrow’s bestsellers, today.

During the show these consumers will be hosted by GYO and given a guided tour of the halls, and features such as the Retail Lab and New Product Showcase.  They will also award their favourite product with a special ‘GYO Consumers Choice Award’, as well as receiving VIP access to the exhibition.

Located by the entrance within the atrium area of the NEC, this year’s Green Heart is the first element to welcome you to the Glee 2019 show.

The Green Heart really is the horticultural hub of Glee and features a huge selection of UK and international growers and plant specialists.

This year’s Green Heart will be made up of over 50 benches, containing a selection of indoor and outdoor plants making it the biggest one to date!

Flick through the pages of any trade or consumer horticultural magazine and you’re likely to see a mention of the ‘trend’ for green gardening.

In fact, far from being a passing fad, the shift to planet-friendly gardening started in the 1980s when organic TV gardener Geoff Hamilton took the helm of BBC Gardeners’ World. Three decades on, in a world where concern about the planet is escalating, and politicians are declaring a climate emergency, eco-friendly gardening is firmly engrained in British culture.

With a growing band of consumers choosing to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables organically, it’s no wonder that demand for natural plant feeds and pest controls is skyrocketing. However, the organic movement has evolved, to encompass soaring interest in vegan gardening. Championed predominantly by a younger generation of eco-savvy consumers, the number of shoppers who are switching to a plant-only, planet-friendly diet is on the up – and that’s driving sales of vegan gardening goods, with this fledgling category set to expand exponentially.

The figures speak for themselves. In 2016, The Vegan Society revealed there were 540,000 vegans living in the UK. In the space of just three years, that figure has soared to an estimated 3.5million vegan Brits, according to research by Comparethemarket.com, published in The Independent. According to The Vegan Society, in 2018, the UK launched more vegan products than any other nation.

Demand for meat-free food in the UK increased by 987% in 2017 alone. Last year, the value of the UK plant-based food market hit £443million, with the society claiming that veganism “now gets almost three times more interest than vegetarian and gluten-free searches”. It’s no wonder that manufacturers are clamouring to capture a share of the vegan pound.

With the UK population about to hit 67million, vegans remain a minority, and that’s why synthetic plant feed and pest control products still dominate the market. As the garden trade gets ready for Glee, the industry’s leading exhibition (NEC Birmingham, 10th – 12thSeptember), we look at the latest developments in the sector, and investigate how the market for fertilisers and bug killers is being shaken-up by the unstoppable rise of veganism.

One company that’s riding the crest of a wave from growth in the number of vegans is Natural Grower. It’s a supplier of organic fertiliser that’s free from any animal matter and made from a bi-product of an anaerobic digester that is fed with maize to make renewable energy for the National Grid. The products are approved by organisations including The Vegan Society and the Soil Association.

Owner, Charlotte Beaty said: “Vegan gardening is the growing movement of the moment. Organic gardening has steadily grown over the last few years, and more people are now looking to grow veganically. Most organic fertilisers or soil conditioners have animal bi-products in them, so vegan growers have been delighted to finally have a nutrient-rich product to use to grow their fruit and vegetables”.

The family has farmed in Market Harborough for over 50 years. They invested in the anaerobic digester five years ago and discovered that one of the process’s bi-products was a nutrient-rich organic fertiliser, free from animal matter, that could be used to fertilise crops. They used the fertiliser to replace chemical fertilisers on their land and soon saw outstanding results in their crops, garden vegetables and plants. Charlotte adds: “Naturally, we wanted to share this success with other keen gardeners looking for an effective, organic and vegan-friendly fertiliser solution.” At Glee, the company will showcase the liquid and mulch (soil conditioner) versions of Natural Grower.

German organics giant Neudorff has made big inroads into the UK market for green garden products that harness the benefits of natural active ingredients. Many of its products are already certified by the Organic Farmers and Growers Association, but to meet growing demand from vegan consumers, the company will launch a new Vegan Society-accredited range of products at Glee. Buyers will be aware than vegan lines have been included in Neudorff’s line-up for some time, but the new stamp of approval – which runs across new and existing products – gives the range additional clout.

Neudorff’s Jude Beharall said a new generation of gardeners and increased consumer awareness of the ingredients used in weed, feed and control products was driving demand for vegan products. He explained: “Our range already included vegan-friendly liquid feeds, and in order to market them more effectively, we sought accreditation from The Vegan Society for those products. Furthermore, we will introduce a new vegan product at Glee.”

Continuing the eco-friendly theme, Hozelock will be promoting its Pure BioMix, which helps consumers to create home-made natural fertiliser. A Hozelock spokeswoman said: “Natural fertilisers are considered to be more productive, and to have higher active constituent levels, than artificially created feeds, without any risk of harming wildlife or pets. With Pure BioMix, in addition to helping protect plants from disease by creating their own fertiliser, gardeners will also reduce the amount of single-use plastic used compared to buying ready-to-use packs of artificial fertilisers. The BioMix will provide free natural fertiliser on tap.” As well as promoting Pure BioMix to buyers, Hozelock will be celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Lawncare is another category that’s being driven by demand for natural products, and DJ Turfcare, supplier of the established MO Bacter fertiliser brand, has a new addition in its stable that’s 100% organic and safe to use on lawns frequented by pets and children. MO Bacter Instant Lawn Tonic is said to destroy moss in 24 hours, and it can be used throughout the year as long as there is no threat of frost. Dead moss can be raked out and reseeding can take place straight away. Managing Director of DJ Turfcare Equipment, David Jenkins, said that he believes that MO Bacter Instant Lawn Tonic will “prove to be the ideal answer to persistent and difficult moss problems”.

Another launch aimed at gardeners who are concerned about the environment will come from Doctor Organics, which says it has a new product to “help the organic-conscious gardener to provide probiotic nutrition and strengthen plants, thereby helping with many common diseases while keeping pollinators happy”. By helping pest-eating insects, the company says, a balance can be established in gardens that results in easy pest control.

A spokesman says: “We have a small plant protection spray that dilutes to 100 times its volume to treat plants to a break from nasties that like to eat or set-up home in leaves and flowers. We have a soil treatment for lawns that is animal, child and worm friendly, whilst making grass healthy and green.”

Even outdoor cleaning products are being tailored to the chemical-free markets. Block Blitz will launch Block Blitz Zero at Glee – a new naturally-derived, chemical-free outdoor cleaning and protection product. It has been designed to remove dirt, grime and mould from all outdoor hard surfaces while deterring algae, moss and weed growth, reducing the need for chemical weed killers and toxic biocides.

A Block Blitz spokesman said: “There is growing demand for natural controls in the garden care sector. Block Blitz Zero contains active botanical ingredients and no synthetic chemicals. It is child safe, pet safe, wildlife-friendly and suitable for the vegan market. Packaged in 100% recycled plastic, the ground-breaking formulas are the result of a slow manufacturing process that requires minimal energy consumption.”

While rivals are focusing on the market for vegans and organics, garden products giant Westland says its strategy for Glee will be to “highlight changes being made across the company’s entire portfolio, to reflect key trends and industry changes”. Westland’s Head of Communications and Insight, Jo Wilkinson, said: “Shifting consumer behaviour means that the horticultural industry needs to adapt, which is why we are making it our focus to protect, educate and innovate for the future of gardening.”

Westland’s Glee launches will focus around “an ethos of problem prevention instead of solving.” Resolva Weed Stop Decorative Ground Cover is made of wood fibre and bark fines and is said to deliver 75% better weed prevention than bark, while Resolva Weed Preventer is an “innovative new product that seeks to create a new sector in the market”. Its 100% natural formulation is claimed to reduce the need for hand-weeding in beds, borders and veg patches, by preventing weed seeds developing. Westland will also “launch a new category” at Glee with 2-in-1 Feed and Protect products which strengthen plants, helping growth to remain disease-free. Products will be aimed at rose, and buxus growers.

Glee Event Director, Matthew Mein, said: “The shift towards natural, organic and vegan products is generating an outstanding level of innovation across the industry, with new categories set to emerge that cater for the next generation of environmentally conscious consumers. Whether it’s plant feed, pest prevention or weedkillers, buyers looking to stock the latest must-have products will be spoilt for choice at Glee this September.”

The team from GTN are proud once again to be the official media partners for Glee producing the Glee Planner, the Glee Show Catalogue and the Glee Daily News.

From now until the end of September the Glee Daily News, in its unique e-mail format, will keep visitors up to date with what they can see at the show and gives exhibitiors the most up to date e-mail vehicle for ensuring buyers know about their new products and other Glee activities.

To make sure you get your own copy of Glee Daily News sign up here

For advertorial and advertisng opportunties please contact Ben Greenwood, Alan Burdon or Mandy Davies at Potting Shed Press Ltd, 01733 775700, owners and publishers of Garden Trade News, Garden Radio and The Greatest Awards.

The winner of the 2019 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund is poised to receive a £6,000 grant, and unrivalled developmental and marketing support to help them break into the garden retail market.

Last year’s winners – Bloomin Amazing from West Country Soil Development – drew praise from the judges thanks to the company’s and product’s environmental credentials, and volume sales potential. 

Now 12 months on since the win, we catch up with the Bloomin Amazing team to find out how it has shaped the business, and to learn more about how the company has been thriving during its first full season in the garden retail industry. 

Tell us more about what winning the GISCF meant to you and your business?

As a start-up enterprise with limited resources, winning the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund really helped us make our modest resources work much more effectively. It raised our profile during Glee thanks to the great PR coverage, and then the fund allowed us to continue to invest in promoting our product all through the season.

What was the immediate impact of your win?

At Glee 2018 we signed up lots of new customers and during the subsequent few weeks we built up our distribution significantly which allowed us to consider selling to a much wider network. We now reach North up to Manchester whereas before we restricted ourselves to a 100-mile radius of the plant. Approaching 12 months on from the win we can now boast nearly 100 garden centre stockists.

How was your first experience of Glee?

Glee was a great launch pad for our new business, and we found the networking opportunities extremely helpful. It’s a very competitive environment but we also found people in the garden market a friendly bunch and we got lots of helpful advice.  Winning the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund and the New Product ‘Best of British’ awards at Glee was an incredible boost for us.

How did the award win shape your plans for the year ahead?

We attended the Garden Press Event where we met some highly influential media people which has really helped to keep the profile of Bloomin Amazing high on the agenda, especially in social media channels. We’ve also been able to retain the services of some specialist trade marketing support which eases the pressure on the small team with which we run the business, and of course the grant has paid for a big part of the stand for this year’s Glee.

How has your business grown in the last 12 months?

Sales of Bloomin Amazing have more than doubled in the last year and we have now invested in and installed a second screw press system which will allow us to double our production output. We’ve recently moved to the use of euro pallets which allows us to increase loading to cope with our all-time peak in daily output.

What’s next for Bloomin' Amazing?

We are embarking on the next phase of our growth plans and aim to double our retail listings in the next few months. Next month we are back at Glee in the GIMA village on a larger stand (6R80) where we are looking forward to meeting current and new customers, including those being introduced to us for the first time by our new agents for different areas. Also, we are now in discussion with potential partners who are developing the use of Bloomin Amazing in blended growing media – something which is being strongly driven by the trend away from the use of peat.

Why should brands/ suppliers consider entering the GISCF?

The GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund is critically assessed by industry experts so winning is a really important and significant reflection on the potential for a new product. Their verdict is respected, and the spotlight is thrown on the product, but most of all the business generated is not something that could be bought with even a huge budget!