One of the most innovative features at the annual Glee exhibition, the Retail Lab – new for 2017 - has secured backing from a wide range of leading suppliers, who have come on board as either a ‘Preferred Partner’ or ‘Selected Partner’.  Here, ‘Preferred Partner’ Hozelock’s UK Marketing Manager, Carol Wright, tells us more about the company’s plans for the Retail Lab @ Glee.

Can you tell me more about what products you will displaying?

Many of our new products are under wraps until the doors open on Glee 2017, but we can confirm that all those on display will be highly relevant to those trends that feature within the Retail Lab, especially within the Re-Wilding section where our water saving and management products will be most prevalent. This area, which focusses on how nature is helping to shape both consumer trends and the retail environment, is reflective of the ethos of many of our products. Appropriate and careful watering is essential to maintaining plant health in the garden.  Gardeners can help wildlife, including bees, to establish in their gardens by planting containers and pots – these need water to ensure their health and longevity and Hozelock have the systems to support this, and to make watering easy and less time consuming.

Innovative products on display will include the popular Easy Drip range of automatic watering systems and a range of controllers, including the high-tech Cloud Controller, which enables gardeners to water their gardens remotely.  Hozelock’s range of products, including the Pure collection, designed to support alternatives to chemicals in the garden, will also be a strong feature. We’ll also be showcasing products that tap into the trend for compact and urban gardens, such as the small yet mighty Pico Power pressure washer.

Why did you choose to become a preferred supplier of the Retail Lab at Glee 2017? 

For us, the Retail Lab represents an opportunity to demonstrate Hozelock’s position as both the UK and world leading experts in garden watering. More importantly, we wanted to highlight the relevance of products, such as automatic watering and alternatives to chemicals, within popular and growing consumer trends. 

We also believe that it is so important for retailers and manufacturers to work together to create better understanding of the future trends that will be impacting on consumer lifestyles and the garden industry.

Why Re-Wilding?

The Re-Wilding area is a perfect fit for Hozelock’s garden watering initiatives in sustainability, wild life protection and bee health.  The garden is probably one of the easiest and most effective routes for consumers to participate in supporting wildlife.  Even a single pot of bee friendly plants is a small step in reversing the trend in declining bee numbers and our helpful Bizzi mascot will be encouraging all gardeners to help bees by planting a pot of bee-friendly plants.

What value do you think the Retail Lab will offer retailers/buyers? 

We believe it is essential that as an industry, retailers recognise the importance of trends.  The Retail Lab will enable brands and retailers to work together to share in the benefits that understanding these trends can bring, and to develop new markets with new, and importantly, younger consumers.  We have a responsibility and a desire to encourage gardening across the generations, and believe that the Retail Lab is a great way of opening a forum for discussion on this topic, whilst also providing retailers with a number of inspiring ideas that can be put into practice in-store.

See more from Hozelock at Glee by visiting the company’s stand Hall 20, stand Q10-S11, or find them in the Retail Lab’s Re-Wilding area. More details can be found at www.hozelock.com

Find out more

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits within core product categories including Garden Care, Outdoor Entertaining, Landscaping and Garden Design, Pet, Home, Gift and Clothing, and Plants. Each year the show attracts thousands of buyers from top retailers, such as leading UK garden centres, builders’ merchants, multiple retailers, and DIY stores. To keep up-to-date on all the latest news log onto www.gleebirmingham.com or call 020 3033 2160 to find out about exhibiting.