80 Glee Review - Top Exhibitors
Glee: Refueling garden retail
Johnsons Lawn Seed
T
hey say absence makes the heart grow fonder and this certainly felt like an accurate sentiment at Glee last week, when the garden retail sector was finally able to reunite after a two-year hiatus. Millions of new British gardeners have made the past two years, even with all its many challenges, a period of tremendous growth and innovation for the industry and Glee is the most important launch platform, where suppliers can bring new products to market and engage with the retail trade. Featuring over 300 brands, 125 of which were brand new to the show this year, the longanticipated return of Glee as an in-person event was positively received from all corners of the retail sector: from traditional garden centres, DIY Stores and farm shops to high street retailers, department stores, builders' merchants and thriving e-commerce sites. As the first occasion since 2019, when so many gardening brands and retailers could meet face to face under one roof, it wasn't surprising that Glee opened its doors on Tuesday, September 14th 2021 to a large and eager crowd, who helped create “the busiest start to Glee
G ever” for many exhibitors. The show provided an essential hub for educational business content and future trends; also hosting a number of prestigious industry award ceremonies to celebrate the best of garden centre retailing and the most innovative and exciting new products launched over the past 24 months. Glee returns to Birmingham’s NEC this year from 28-30 June 2022. This is our pick of the best exhibitors from last year’s event, listed here in alphabetical order: Anglo Peruvian Trading, Golden Grove Nursery, Johnsons Lawn Seed & Trianco. Further details can be found on this page.
lee 2021 saw Johnsons Lawn Seed, the UK’s oldest seed range, unveil a new look with their lawn seed range. In the UK there is a growing trend in the use of smart phones and apps for everyday tasks. Gardening and lawn maintenance are no exception. The new look retains the recognisable Johnsons branding and colour schemes while incorporating two QR codes. On the front ‘How to choose your lawn seed’ helps guide customers to make the right choice. On the back ‘Hints and tips’ details useful advice on ground preparation and how to sow.
with gardening and, despite the unprecedented COVID-19 turbulence that has shaken garden retail this season, the industry now stands in a prime position to capture a new generation of consumers. A recent survey by LV General Insurance claimed that 74% of people said they had changed the way they used their garden during lockdown, pointing to an increase in outdoor space for relaxation and entertaining. Lawns are the focal point of outdoor living and consumers now demand superior, natural products that are child and pet safe. For stocklists, please go to: www.johnsonslawnseed. com
Lockdown saw more people than ever before begin to engage
www.gleebirmingham.com
Autumn Fair & Moda deliver record orders
M
illions of pounds worth of business was generated during the four days of the UK’s leading home, gift and fashion trade show, Autumn Fair co-located with Moda, reigniting, and refuelling the retail industry at Birmingham’s NEC from 5-8 September 2021. Retailers from across the UK, including Harrods, Anthropologie, Dunelm, Walt Disney Company, B&Q, Oliver Bonas, Fenwick, Boohoo, Blue Diamond Garden Centres, Bloom & Wild, British Garden Centres, Daylesford Organic, Fortnum & Mason, Graham & Green, Tesco, Hobbycraft, La Redoute, Lakeland, Next, Paperchase, Pets at Home, and Sainsbury’s, flocked in their thousands to attend the first major retail trade show since lockdown in March
2020. The desire to refresh their stock levels, inject newness and discover exciting new products for their stores, and experience product in person, created a very confident mood and many exhibiting suppliers secured record numbers and quality of orders. Creativity, innovation, inspiration, and inventiveness were in abundance throughout the four key show destinations: Home, Gift, Fashion and Design & Source. Overall, feedback from exhibitors has centred on the amount of pent-up demand there is for face-toface trading again. Spring Fair and Moda take place from 6-9 February 2022 at the NEC, visit: www.
springfair.com for more details.This is our pick of the best exhibitors from last year’s Autumn Fair, listed here in alphabetical order: Gimme-4, iBeani, LoveLilly, Peacock Supplies & RTC
Direct. Further details can be found on the following page. www.autumnfair.com
Rutland Farm Park sponsors this issue of Community Update, see them on page 4
