Review - Top Exhibitors Glee: Refueling garden retail

They 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 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. www.gleebirmingham.com

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.