Every year hundreds of new products are entered into the highly coveted Glee New Product Showcase with just fifteen gaining triumph after a fiercely fought pitching process and judges’ deliberation.  Nine months have now passed since the 2022 winners were crowned; here Glee catches up with a some of those winners to find out how their latest trophy has impacted their business and what they have planned for Glee 2023.

2022 Glee New Product winner: Planters - Woodlodge

Woodlodge is one of the leading gardenware suppliers in the UK, and as consumers become more environmentally aware of what they buy and how they garden, there has been a boom in consumer demand for more sustainable products from their suppliers.

Garden Planter winners, Woodlodge, which scooped the win with its EcoMade planters made from 97% ocean-reclaimed material, reported an uplift in sales since launching at Glee and winning the New Product Award. Michael Wooldridge, Director at Woodlodge said: “Sales have picked up for EcoMade since the launch and we’re forecasting these to continue increasing as sustainability moves up the agenda for retailers.  It was fantastic to have the product recognised by the judges and we are delighted to win. The award showcases Woodlodge’s outstanding product development and our ability to tap into the consumers’ mindset and demands.”

Looking to Glee 2023 Michael added: “Being the main garden trade event of the year we feel it is important to exhibit at Glee every year to reach as many buyers as possible.  We will be launching our new catalogue at the June show which is full of new ideas that are exciting to retailers and consumers. Our range of products is our best yet, with innovation, trend-led pieces and sustainability continuing to stimulate ongoing interest and conversation in the industry. “

2022 Glee New Product winner: Garden Plants, Seeds & Bulbs – Golden Grove Nursery

With planters come plants and the 2022 Glee Garden Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Award went to Golden Grove Nursery with Cryptomeria jap. 'Kyara Gold’. Talking about the win, Golden Groves’ Roger Ward said: “The award was a great boost of moral to the management and staff at the nursery and it is good to have a plant in development appreciated by the industry. Someone quipped to me at the time - “Fancy a conifer winning a best plant in show” - so it gives some positive publicity to the plant group after some recent lacklustre coverage. The nursery also gains positive publicity and perhaps gives it greater credibility and introduction to new customers who perhaps are unaware of its products. These benefits take some time to reach fruition.”

Come June, Golden Grove will be returning to Glee’s plant hub – the Green Heart – it has been confirmed that the team will be showcasing not just the standard ranges but also new varieties and will be highlighting how their plants lock up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the work they have been doing to reduce their own carbon footprint.

2022 Glee New Product winner: Landscaping & Garden Buildings – Meadow View Stone

The value of credibility that a Glee New Product award can offer was noted by 2022 Landscaping & Garden Buildings winners, Meadow View Stone. Sarah Hill, MD at Meadow View Stone said: “Winning the award against some very strong competition gave all our team a huge morale boost.  In what is considered a very competitive product category, it gave the business greater credibility and further cemented the Company’s strength - as innovators within the decorative aggregate category.”

Sarah added: “We have always been great supporters of the industry event, so will once again be exhibiting our products and new collections alongside our many merchandising solutions.  We continually study trends, evaluate sales data and collaborate with customers and key industry influences to identify gaps in the market or our product range.  This is what drives our NPD along with new or improved operating solutions, some of which will be evident at Glee. 

As a growing business we also recognise the need to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious, so Glee will be a platform to showcase the environmental benefits of some of our existing products, together with potentially new products and merchandising solutions, that improve or negate the impact on our environment.”

2022 Glee New Product winner: Garden leisure & Entertaining - Zest

Meadow View’s thoughts were echoed by Zest, which scooped the Garden Leisure & Entertaining award in 2022. “Not only is it motivational for the new product development and marketing teams, particularly because of all the hard work that is involved, a Glee New Product Award is a great asset for the sales team in driving next season’s business in terms of exposure and confidence.  An award attracts significant attention from the trade and is a great support when reaching out to garden centre buyers.  This is especially true in today’s uncertain times when a clear point of difference and peer group acknowledgement that a product is truly ‘on trend’ is a persuasive message for the garden trade,” said Zest’s Head of Commercial Development, Simon Davison.

Zest is confirmed to be exhibiting at Glee 2023 and will be taking a proactive approach to on trend product development, which reflects the massive changes in consumer attitudes and needs in terms of outdoor living and acknowledges consumers’ concerns for the future.   Simon explained: “The company’s natural advantages are its use of slow-grown timber sourced from FSC® certified forests (FSC®-C114990), combined with quality manufacturing methods and a handcrafted finish with an absolute focus on desirability, durability, and sustainability.  Over and above that, the design team is focusing on products that reflect current trends such as outdoor modular cooking, wellness, relaxation and being close to nature. Our design team are also focusing on the use of the garden all year round and late into the evenings as well as during the day, grow your own self-sufficiency, and easy access products”.

2022 Glee New Product winner: Growing Materials – Sipcam Home & Gift

Sipcam Home & Garden scooped its first Glee New Product award in 2022, topping the Growing Materials category with its Peat Free Compost Booster & Organic Superfood. Talking about the win Sipcam MD Matt Jones said: “Since the Glee award many customers have been impressed with the Organic Superfood concept, which provides a multi-action 6-in-1 booster for plants and an organic feed solution that reduces carbon footprint. With Organic Superfood in stock this month, it represents an exciting time for the Sipcam team, with the biggest product launch since ecofective® was introduced to the market in 2018.

The product has gained hundreds of stockists and we are continuing to invest in the range to ensure we are meeting the increasing demand.

“Winning the award created heightened extra reach for the launch of Organic Superfood, positioning it as a ‘must view’ proposition for garden care buyers. From a brand recognition perspective, winning such a prestigious category upheld the growing reputation of the ecofective® brand within the gardening industry, something that the Sipcam team have been working hard towards over the last five years.

“We would definitely encourage suppliers to enter the awards. Even being shortlisted offers a useful platform to highlight your product range… If you win, it’s not only an amazing feeling but is an game-changing springboard for a new product launch.”

Glee New Product winner: Best of British - Airflow

Celebrating British manufacturing, the Best of British award was awarded to Airflow in 2022 for its “Bertie” Christmas tree stand. Talking about the win Airflow’s Managing Director, Lionel Huish said: “We created our Christmas tree stand based on the feedback we received from British Christmas tree growers who were frustrated with the quality of tree stands that were available in the marketplace.  We worked tirelessly, over two years, to develop an innovative design and solution to the problem, thus felt entering Bertie into the New Product Awards at Glee was an ideal opportunity to present our British designed and manufactured product to a mass audience.

“The move by the Glee organisers to hold the exhibition in June suited us perfectly, as it was well timed for buyers looking to place orders for the winter season. By winning The Best of British Award at Glee, we saw an immediate increase in enquiries and sales, particularly from Garden Centres and Wholesalers. We even saw Bertie showcased on Glee TV.

“The process of entering The Glee New Product Award was extremely straightforward, as the form could be completed through Glee’s online portal. Having been shortlisted, at the exhibition, Managing Director, Lionel Huish was required to present a two minute “elevator pitch” which was a great chance to unveil our product, while also gaining feedback from industry experts. This led to a huge increase in footfall to our stand from buyers who had seen our presentation and were keen to learn more about Bertie.”

Enter the Glee New Product Showcase in 2023

Entry into the Glee New Products Showcase is now open and is completely free of charge to all Glee exhibitors.  The showcase will feature entries from twelve different product categories: Plants, Seeds and Bulbs, Growing Materials, Growing Accessories, Garden Growing Containers, Garden Decoration, Garden Tools & Machinery, Landscaping, Garden Leisure & Entertaining, Wild Bird Care and Wildlife Products, Gifts, Body & Bath, Christmas, Greeting Cards, Toys and Games, Homewares, Clothing and Fashion Accessories, Pet Products, Retail Services & Experiences, and DIY Products.

To enter, simply download the entry form from the Exhibitor Zone (online at www.gleebirmingham.com)

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 2023, which will take place June 27th – 29th, please call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.