GTN September 2025 – Glee Preview Issue – Garden Trade News UK

SEPTEMBER 2025

BUMPER GLEE PREVIEW ISSUE

gardentradenews.co.uk

Advice & information for garden centre professionals

Introducing…

PureGreen

Your Lawn Perfected A HAND-PICKED BLEND OF WEST GREEN AND MARKET-LEADING L AWN SEED VARIETIES THAT CREATE A DENSE, WEED-FREE L AWN WITH A SEASON-LONG DEEPER GREEN

The Industry’s First Multi-Depth Planter

GIVING ‘GROW YOUR OWN’ ENTHUSIASTS UNPRECEDENTED VERSATILITY, ENGINEERED WITH PRECISION TO GROW AT 3 DEPTHS, CATERING FOR LONG-ROOT CROPS.

8 PAGE WESTLAND FEATURE 2026 COLLECTIONS DISCOVER OUR

NEW CROSS-CATEGORY

HORTICULTURAL EXCELLENCE

FROM WESTLAND

NEW CURATED UNWINS COLLECTIONS

2026 PECKISH

COLOUR WATCH CAMPAIGN

KENT & STOWE

ELEVATED WATERING RANGE

Love it, be proud of it, do amazing things with it, because…

It's your little corner of the Earth…

Our campaign celebrates the nation's gardeners, and we encourage everyone to discover the joy of gardening.

This year, Your Little Corner of the Earth is captivating consumers at every touch point, so we can help them to give it their best with Westland.

In-store

s perform

Captivating point-ofsale that engages with gardeners throughout the seasons.

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Education

Informative staff briefings & education tools.

Ordering

Easy stock replenishment through Westland Live.

The easy way to sow it with Unwins Easy Wins seed collection

Pre-spaced seed tapes and tried and tested varieties that deliver big results.

Easy Wins is the beginner-friendly way to grow like a pro.

Grow a pollinator Create an playground with it oasis in your home with it with Unwins easy to sow wildflower blends

New Unwins’ blends are curated to support pollinators and local ecosystems with native and long-established species chosen for their flower shape, colour, and blooming times. With deep and shallow flowers to support different pollinator anatomies, these blends nurture biodiversity.

with Unwins inspired collection of houseplant seeds

A curated range of eight indoor plant varieties, developed specifically to thrive in UK and Irish homes.

Feed it and nourish it

with traditional plant feeds trusted for generations

Healthy plants begin with healthy soil, and our feeds deliver nutrients in the right form at the right time, from fine grade meal for excellent root contact, fast-acting granules, and slowrelease pellets. Now enriched with seaweed* to boost nutrient efficiency and support the soil microbiome.

COMPETITOR SEED

Give it the right home for it to thrive with specialist blends for specialist plants

Our tailored blends care for the nation’s favourite flowers and plants, specially crafted with essential nutrients and additives to build strength and help specialist plants thrive season after season.

Except for chicken manure

*

PURE GREEN

Thicken it and green it

with our new PureGreen ultimate lawn seed For the densest, greenest, weed-free lawn, PureGreen is a hand-picked blend of our proprietary lawn seed, West Green, and market-leading varieties chosen to thrive in UK and ROI gardens. With an ultra-fine blade, high drought-tolerance, deeper rooting and enhanced germination, PureGreen ensures gardeners achieve the most perfect lawn.

Protect your indoor jungle with it with new natural pest control and our unrivalled indoor range

Our new Houseplant Bug Control Spray protects against pests and boosts foliar nutrients, while our Welsh dresser display drives +52% year-on-year sales, proving we’re the ultimate choice for houseplant accessories.

Defend and protect it

with new Slug & Snail Defence Spray

Our complete range is scientifically-backed, providing all gardeners with the protection they need.

Our new Slug & Snail Defence Spray starts to work immediately, giving two weeks’ protection even after rainfall, for all plants. Our new 800g Slug Killer features an easy to apply dosing cap.

BEFORE

AFTER

When you can barely see it, it might be time to weed and d clean it

with the UK’s No.1* weed killer brand Resolva is back on TV for its 15th year in 2026, and our latest Path & Drive formulation is effective against even stubborn perennial weeds in just one hour.

To get ahead early in the season, the Resolva Xtra Clean Patio Power Clean range removes green algae, mould, and black spots from patios, garden furniture and more, preventing them coming back for up to 9 months.

Gfk market share data, 2025. Resolva Xtra Clean Ready to Use contains Benzalkonium Ammonium Chloride. Use biocides safely.

Resolva Path & Drive contains Pelargonic Acid. Growing Success Slug Killer Advanced contains Ferric Phosphate.

Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

*

Whatever your little corner, it all starts with great compost Lay it, love it, and let it do the hard work Grow it organically

with the new Organic Gold Compost & Mulch range

with Westland’s extensive bark range

The specially graded barks range now features enhanced new packaging, with clear communication on chip size and coverage, as well as education on the importance of bark.

For a luxurious finish, our superior pine bark is screened, graded, and sustainably sourced, with up to 50mm chip sizes that last twice as long as regular bark.

The new Organic Gold range embodies everything that is natural about gardening, the way it used to be. Crafted with years of expertise, featuring a compost that’s enriched with Carbon Gold biochar and a fine grade mulch that nourishes the soil.

Delivering natural nutrients, boosting roots and growing healthier plants.

Grow it and grow it and then eat it

3 ways to grow

with a planter that offers greater depth for deeper rooting The 1st planter that adapts to gardeners’ needs, delivering horticultural excellence to ‘grow your own’.

Enriched with magnesium, 6 weeks’ feed, and added plant growth promoting bacteria for abundant fruit and veg.

I S WAY T H CM Hi U P gh 20

I S WAY T H CM Hi U P gh 30

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CHIL L IS, P E P P E RS, LE T TUCE , & M O RE . . .

TO MATO ES & CUCUM BE RS

P OTATOES, CARROTS & PARSN I P S

Bring extraordinary to your world

Make your store extraordinary with the Kent & Stowe Shop, designed to re-imagine how tools & gloves are merchandised, delivering a truly differentiated retail experience that brings our heritage and craftsmanship to life.

Encourages shopper exploration and engagement

Demonstration station

Brings clarity to tools

Average EPOS data increased by +28%

Extraordinary quality Bring extraordinary to your customer with Kent & Stowe’s collection of tools and hardware.

Elite Performance

Built To Last

Superior Craftsmanship

New Elevated Watering

MAXIMUM COMFORT & MINIMUM EFFORT

TOOLS THAT LAST SEASON AFTER SEASON

UNMATCHED IN STRENGTH & DURABILITY

STYLE MEETS TRADITION

Gloves to protect against intermediate mechanical risk according to EN388:2016

Introducing Kent & Stowe Watering New for 2026 Kent & Stowe has proven that the extraordinary is worth investing in.

Discerning consumers are no longer content with unattractive and shortlived watering solutions. We’re redefining the category with a refined, tightly curated range, crafted for exceptional durability and quality, backed by our 20-year guarantee. This is more than a product line; it’s a fresh, distinctive offer that meets an unfulfilled consumer need and is purpose-built to drive meaningful growth in the watering category.

Refreshingly different

Control under pressure

Premium metal with extended connectors for a secure, leak-resistant fit

Toughened metal with built-in protection for lasting resilience, paired with an ergonomic handle and intuitive thumb-flow control for effortless watering

It’s how you unwind The hose reel pairs anti-kink 6-strand knitted helix technology with a lightweight, frost-resistant PVC layer (-30°C), set within a durable aluminium chassis and polished stainless steel drum for lasting performance

Extraordinary gloves The Kent & Stowe glove collection blends timeless craftsmanship with modern innovation, driving trade-up and delivering proven results. A classic core range boosts revenue and encourages impulse purchase, while performance-led options offer unmatched protection and premium appeal. Let us elevate your glove category.

GUARANTEED PROTECTION

GUARANTEED PROTECTION

GUARANTEED PROTECTION

TRIPLE PACK

NEW

Comfort & protection

Versatile & durable

Lightweight & flexible

Covers all tasks

New countertop display

Crafted from high quality, super soft leather, with guaranteed protection and complete durability.

Breathable fabric, soft and supple leather with PVC patches for enhanced protection and flexibility.

Superior flexibility meets exceptional grip, with built- in abrasion resistance - the ultimate glove that can handle any gardening task.

The Multi-task triple pack features an Ultra-fine, Max Grip, and Water Resistant pair - a set of gloves that caters to any gardening need.

Compact and convenient for merchandising in-store and driving attachment purchases.

Keep a look out for

Our new consumer campaign aims to drive year-round category participation, and we’ll be creating captivating communication to engage consumers at every touch point, from stand out displays to high impact digital story-telling.

Introducing new Peckish Canto feeders.

Designed to bridge the gap between the home and garden, the seven piece collection is inspired by interior design trends and finished in an elegant Pistachio green, offering both style and function to wild bird feeding.

The Peckish Complete range is now bigger and better than ever.

The UK’s No.1 Seed Blend is bursting with energy and nutrition to help wild birds thrive all year round. And now, the Complete family has grown, with Energy Balls, Suet Cakes, and Ready-to-Use Feeders, it’s easier than ever to colour in your garden and discover the joy of feeding wild birds.

Supreme by Name.

Premium by Nature.

Introducing the Gardman Supreme Range, premium, expertly crafted bird seed blends, exclusively for garden centres. From everyday essentials to specialist mixes, Gardman now offers a complete range to trade up shoppers in store.

A tailored blend that’s crafted to the soft-billed robin’s dietary needs n

A wheat-free b blend that’s rich in protein and ideal p fo or insect-loving sp pecies

A fine mix that’s wheat-fee and w perfect for smallp beaked birds like b goldfinches and g greenfinches g

SEPTEMBER 2025 5

gardentradenews.co.uk

Advice & information for garden centre professionals

34 PAGE BUMPER GLEE PREVIEW

Building on legacies Alan Roper reflects on the success of Blue Diamond

BACK ON TRACK

AMES are ready for 2026

INSPIRATION STATION

Planteria ideas from Ball

FLORALLY FUNTASTIC

Floral Thursday at Glee for Greenfingers

Comment

It’s peak Glee!

P hew! What a scorcher this summer has been and for most of the past month we’ve been working at peak Glee, getting ready for what promises to be a very busy three days at the NEC. We’ve seen Show Guide entries from many new exhibitors and there has been a steady flow of exciting new product entries into the Glee New Product Showcase and Awards which we organise as part of our Official Glee Media Partner role.

As well as the 400 plus exhibitors at Glee there will also be a jam-packed line up of talks, interviews and award presentations on the two stage areas; The Hive Stage and The Feed Your Business Stage. It’s great to see so many industry leaders give of their time to be involved, and the GTN Team will be there too!

In this issue...

Front Cover Gatefold

GTN’s Exclusive Interview

54

with Alan Roper

12 15

Fandango Fire Tools

32

Handy

light up Glee

33

Burton McCall

GTN Planteria –

36

Bulldog Tools

Inspiration from Ball

37

AHS

42

AMES are back on track for 2026

56

PATS 2025

38

Meadow View Stone

Art in bone china from

58

Are you up for change?

40

Greenkey

Paul Pleydell viewpoint

41

Sockshop

HTA Viewpoint –

44

Vitax

Museums & Galleries

16

Zest have award winning flexibility

18

Vitavia are the smart choice

21

GTN’s Glee 2025 Show

34

GIMA Viewpoint – The perfect time to reconnect

Biohort

46

Countrywide – AE James UK Greetings

48

Evergreen Horticulture

6

Clover

49

Sipcam

11

Smart Garden Products

50

Monty Miracle

20

Primeur

51

Pelsis

products and services

22

Hortiwool

53

Thompson & Morgan

Floral Thursday

23

Woodlodge

57

Lava-Lite

FUNdraising at Glee

24

Durstons

57

PATS 2025

Hozelock’s Solar Select

27

Tildenet

61

Fordingbridge

watering system

30

Evergreen Garden Care

62

LOFA

Glee floor plan and where What’s on at Glee 2025

28 -52 Glee Exhibitor News – Latest 30

68

45 47

to meet Team GTN

25

Getting out and about

Advertisers in this Issue

preview starts here

22

67

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EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING Garden Trade News Potting Shed Press Ltd Dairy Drove Thorney Peterborough PE6 0TX Tel 01733 775700 www.gardentradenews.co.uk THE GTN TEAM Editor Trevor Pfeiffer trevor@pottingshedpress.co.uk Features Editor Anisa Gress anisa@pottinghsedpress.co.uk Advertising Sales Alan Burdon Alan@pottingshedpress.co.uk Digital Editor Neil Pope neil@pottingshedpress.co.uk Subscriptions Karen Pfeiffer karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk Design & Production AT Graphics Ltd www.atgraphicsuk.com Lucy Carnell – Design Alun Jones – Production Manager Robert Tipping – Managing Director James Tipping – Technical Director Printing CG Print Ltd Do you qualify for a copy of GTN?

Westland Glee Preview Special

8

Between now and the show opening we will also be counting the thousands of votes that are being made by garden centre customers for their favourite garden centre catering teams. We will be announcing the winners of GTN’s Greatest Food & Drink Team Awards on The Feed Your Business Stage at 5:00pm on Wednesday 17th September. As this issue of GTN went to press Meadowcroft and Old Railway Line Food & Drink Teams were in the lead in the on-line voting, find out who is the actual winner at Glee!

We are looking forward to seeing you all at Glee from the 16th to 18th September – remember to wear something floral for Greenfingers Floral Thursday at Glee!

If you’d like to be added to the GTN distribution list, please send your details to Karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk to see if you qualify to be included.

Alternatively, if you prefer your Garden Trade News digitally, sign up for GTN Xtra, our weekly e-mail newsletter at www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Potting Shed Press Ltd Garden Trade News is published by Potting Shed Press Ltd who also publish: GTN Bestsellers, GTN Xtra, Glee Daily News and the Glee Catalogue, and the Solex Sun. Potting Shed Press also supply Garden Radio to over 100 garden centres across the country.

Director Trevor Pfeiffer

SMALL PRINT: All material © Potting Shed Press Ltd 2025. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form whatsoever, either for sale or not, without the express permission of the publishers. The information supplied in this publication is published in good faith and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Potting Shed Press Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by reliance on information contained in this publication or in the event of any bankruptcy or liquidation or cassation of the trade of any company, individual or firm mentioned, is hereby excluded.

Septembeer 2025 7

Interview

Building on legacies

Alan Roper at Frosts, Woburn Sands.

With the purchase of Barton Grange Garden Centre now safely in the bag, Alan Roper talks exclusively to GTN from Blue Diamond’s Frosts Garden Centre in Woburn Sands reflecting on his success at building the brand.

F

or decades, Barton Grange Garden Centre has been one of the most influential and respected garden centres in the country. Built on firm family foundations, with Eddie Topping opening his first plant shop in 1963, its high-quality retailing has earned the team, the family, and the business strings of awards and accolades.

But like many independent family-run centres, there comes a point when it’s time to sell, and the Topping family has now handed over the reins to Blue Diamond.

An opportunity like this was too good to pass up for Alan Roper, Managing Director of Blue Diamond Garden Centres, but out of all his acquisitions (numbering around 50), this one, he says, is the most significant risk. “When you buy a broken business, the only way is up. But Barton Grange is an exception and already making

8 September 2025

the right level of profit, and the sense of pride in the business is probably one of the strongest I’ve ever seen,” he says.

At £24 million, including the nursery, Garden Centre Plants, the price tag reflected the profitability. “I could do so much more with that money, and in terms of return on capital, would get a far higher percentage. But with its history and the fact that the team have Barton Grange’ written right through them, like Blackpool rock! I don't think you'd want to see that destroyed like so many well-known independent brands.”

As a result, and like many of the other Blue Diamond centres, employees keep their original uniforms, the Brand is retained, and at Barton Grange, the statue of Eddie Topping remains at the front of the garden centre, sitting on a bench to welcome customers.

Looking back with pride When Alan Roper joined Blue Diamond Garden Centres in 1999 as Retail Director, its turnover was £6.7m. Most recent accounts put turnover at more than £338m, and with Alan expecting to announce breaking through the £400m barrier at next year’s Blue Diamond Awards, perhaps now is a good time to look in the review mirror and take stock of what’s been a busy couple of decades.

“Obviously, I feel very proud. I’ve never stopped to think about what I was doing — if I did, I probably would have looked down, got scared of heights and just bolted for the exit,” he says. “I'm very proud of my Team, how they have developed, gone on the journey, and how invested they are in the business. But I’m also proud of the company because it has values.

“When you take on a garden centre,

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Interview

it has a strong connection with the community. It's not seen as a high street business, it’s a place where you go to see a friendly face, be welcomed and recognised.

Centres that are now part of Blue Diamond, such as Cadbury’s and Sanders, had that, and I would argue that you can still go into Cadbury or Beckworth Emporium and they retain their original DNA. Van Hage has Blue Diamond blueprints all over it — but it's still very much run

by Team Van Hage, which is proud of its history. Every day, when you walk into Van Hage’s, you are reminded of the history, whether you are a customer or staff.” I installed a history of the Van Hage Family business on the wall as you enter.

Building on legacies is something Blue Diamond can do because it is not a corporate business. He says, “If you foster ownership within the team, they generate passion and take responsibility. It’s also about defining who your customer is and building a strong relationship with that customer through the product you sell and the team that delivers it.”

It’s not about numbers.

By 2008, Blue Diamond had just 12 centres.

Today, with recent acquisitions of Yarnton in Oxfordshire, Busy Bees on the Isle of Wight, and the three Dobbies stores, that number has risen to 52. “ I have always been asked, ‘How many are you going to buy?’ What's your number? It’s an impossible question to answer because it all depends on the opportunities. If you say you are going to buy every centre that comes on the market and hoover

them up regardless of location, size or demographic, you end up with a business Blue Diamond's team at that is impossible to manage. You try to Grosvenor be all things to all people, and you fail. 53 Garden Centre in Centres in the right location delivering Chester. £400m turnover is easier to manage than twice the centres and half the turnover”.

“My motivation was to be proud of what I've achieved at any point in the journey. When I started, the three sites I inherited were losing money, so my focus was to get them into profit. The first ten years were very slow because we first were building up our cash. The golden rules for any business in its early days an eight-pillar management system that are to stick to your vision, don’t water it would strengthen the business, much like down by listening to others, and avoid a Roman temple. If one of those pillars overextending yourself by getting into or business departments failed and the debt in the desire to grow your business. column collapsed, the whole company I've never done that in my own life, and I would remain stable.” It matters to Alan wouldn't do it in business. that the right people and management “So today, even though we're quite a pillars are in place so the business he large business, we have very low levels has created can be easily scaled up and of debt, and that is a healthy part of sustainable. our DNA. In recent years to people on He also bolstered the strong the outside of our business it looks like team culture through a commercial something has exploded and changed benchmarking system that’s visible to all [because of the number of acquisitions], centres, allowing them to compare their in reality, nothing has changed. The DNA weekly performance against others quickly. of the business has been the same and as He describes it as a ‘healthy ratcheting of we've got bigger, we have more cash and competition’. seize more opportunities. It's the ratio of “I give them visibility of the numbers and opportunities coming along and having the through this benchmarking exercise, which cash that provides the step change. is just measures customer conversion, they “It’s not a corporate squeeze and about have the tools to see exactly how their making as much profit out of the business product sales are doing compared to the as we can at all costs. It’s attitudes that other centres.” This delivers ownership makes Blue Diamond different.” and allows, for example, the team looking Commercial visibility after roses at Cadbury Garden Centre Alan doesn’t believe in a corporate layered to compare their performance against management system, and when turnover Van Hage. Irrespective of the difference topped £50m he realised he needed a new in footfall numbers, they can quickly approach. Given that a garden centre is identify, down to the variety level, how not one business but eight, I decided on many more they should have sold to

Left: Blue Diamond now has 80 restaurants in its portfolio.

Right: Alan says the team at Barton Grange are one of the strongest he has ever seen.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

September 2025 9

Interview

promotion is massive. In the pipeline is a plan to deliver stronger offers and create the Azure Level for high-spending loyal customers. The loyalty programme has been upgraded to enable the extraction of data with the aim of achieving more efficient customer profiling. “I want to know our customers' spending priorities.

With 8 businesses under one roof, profiling and understanding each customer's primary reason for visiting, and encouraging engagement in other areas, will drive the frequency of visits and average spend.

Hospitality Above: Team Endlseigh in Plymouth.

achieve the same customer conversion as the stronger centre. Teams can request pictures and information from centres that are performing better so they can take responsibility and make decisions to drive growth. If something isn’t working. “You can see it and correct it within a week.

“It's one team learning from another and competing against another, that’s part of the Blue Diamond DNA,” says Alan.

Ownership is not possible without good commercial visibility through benchmarking; otherwise, people make all sorts of random decisions, go in different directions, and it would be chaos.

Retail conversion is the glue that shapes everybody's thinking.”

It proved to be an extremely successful format for Blue Diamond. “I didn't build a business being shaped by other people's ways of doing things. It was only very much later in life that someone said I was an entrepreneur. I read up the definition and I thought, yes, that's probably what I am.”

What the customers want

Blue Diamond now runs a staggering 70 restaurants and cafes with a turnover of £90m. Alan is constantly tracking performance against the garden centre industry, but also the hospitality sector as a whole. He sees volatility between sites as the group grows in terms of footfall and sales, and, like all the other departments, is keen to analyse figures to understand better what’s going on.

“Restaurants are one of our biggest challenges, but as we get bigger, we need to retain our focus on excellent food and customer service. My instinct is that customers are considering how many times they're prepared to go out to eat and what money they're spending. There's more sensitivity regarding the economy, with less money available, and people are being more mindful of their spending. So you have to be the customer's first choice” A standout restaurant is Brambridge, where the restaurant massively overtrades, never has enough covers, but has still managed to show a 12% increase this year. The answer here is the united team (kitchen and front of house), who have a strong relationship with both themselves and the customer. “When customers go in, they feel the energy and the positive vibe,” says Alan.

Alan invests a considerable amount of time and money in developing the Blue Diamond teams, but he also promotes the brand through collaborations with the National Trust, the RHS, and the Blue Diamond gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Shows, as well as this year with a series of YouTube videos hosted by David Domoney.

He admits that financial return will be limited, but the three-year deal, with David hosting a series of ‘step-by-step videos, will return to the old style “how to” gardening programmes. He grew up watching Percy Thrower and Peter Seabrook.

Segments will also be used to send History is deeply to customers and be available inrooted at Van store through scanning a QR code.

Hage's Garden Centre.

With 1.5 million Blue Diamond Club members, the potential for

10 September 2025

What a ride!

Having a horticultural background has certainly helped and given Alan a good foundation. “I still look at the business through the eyes of a customer and anchor it with plants and gardening.” His inspiration came from visiting centres like Bridgemere back in the 1980s, which were set up by families that laid the foundations for the garden centre industry we know today. But he sees things are set to change. “You have to be a realist because of the industry demographic change of the next generation not wanting or able to take on their family business, which is going to cause more changes in the future.

The question is, how do they find a safe home for their business and their staff?

I believe Blue Diamond is that home by virtue of how we've restored the family brands destroyed by other Groups and the strength of the individual centres we have already taken on.

“If the industry sees that Barton Grange carries on with the same reputation and the staff are thriving, then anyone considering the future of their centre, wanting to protect their brand, their legacy, and their staff, can reach out to me and have a conversation. I can put them in touch with former owners who have seen their businesses restored and prosper,” says Alan.

Alan is the first to admit he has been in this game for a long time — 45 years if you count his previous horticultural experience. So, is retirement looming?

“It came up recently at the AGM, and the chairman said the question was asked the wrong way round. He said we should be asking what we can do to make sure Alan doesn't retire. “I still enjoy it and think there’s more to do and more opportunities on the horizon. I love the industry, my Team, and the journey ”

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

SPRING/SUMMER

UK SHOWROOMS NOW OPEN!

Contact your Sales Manager and book a visit to Peterborough or Abingdon today.

2026 6

catalogue e

out now!!

www.sgpuk.com

+44 (0)1235 424100

GTN promotion

Back on track After a challenging spring, AMES UK has made significant changes to its ordering system, and now with 290 new products, is looking forward to meeting customer expectations again.

A

fter a successful Glee last year, AMES was meeting targets and keeping its customers satisfied.

Ambitious plans to transition much-loved brands and companies such as Apta and Kelkay, to a 55-acre site in Pollington were completed on time and within budget, and things were going well.

Orders placed for delivery before December went smoothly but when it was time to despatch new products ordered pre-season, a problem with the recently implemented ordering, picking and delivery system raised its head. Many garden centres were impacted with delivery issues and left wondering if their confidence had been misplaced.

“We are truly and sincerely sorry to our customers for letting them down, not providing the service they're used to,” says Paul North, Managing Director, AMES UK & ROI. "And are very grateful for the continued unwavering effort of the team to keep us moving forward to ensure we provide the very best service to our customers."

“We’ve had a number of challenges, challenges that we own and have ultimately corrected. We are now in a position to provide the very best service and are very, very grateful for the continued effort, energy and motivation of the team as they step forward and do one more thing to help us on this journey of providing the best service, the best products and the best brands to our customers.”

12 September 2025

Even though sights are set on 2026 and beyond, Paul feels it’s his place to explain how the events of the past led to the troublesome issues. "We had a very ambitious transformation plan which was centred to providing the best brands, products and service to our customers. That plan required us to exit sites and integrate a new system to within a 2 year time frame. I’m so proud of the team for delivering this plan both on time and within budget."

Gremlins at work Paul admits that AMES was not able to deliver product consistently nor accurately for a number of weeks We never had a stock issue and the system did precisely what we asked it to do, we simply didn’t anticipate some of the challenges we faced earlier this year One key challenge faced was centred to product availability dates for example, orders with new products not available at the time of order fulfilment would ultimately lead to the entire order being blocked and of course, disrupted service for customers After a complete rewrite of the system in less than 30 days, Ames is now back on track and during July and August, has delivered service levels of 99% on time and in full.

‘Our infrastructure is proving we are able to deliver over and above the service levels our customers require restoring confidence to customers and colleagues alike."

Paul North is confident AMES can return to high levels of customer satisfaction.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

GTN promotion

Retail innovation for 2026 and beyond

Refreshing Kelkay’s visuals Every piece of Kelkay point of sale, including display boards, is being refreshed and rolled out throughout the season for aggregates, paving and landscaping. The new look focuses on lifestyle imagery of the product in situ. “It’s all about the product and how it will look in the customer’s garden,” says James Hoad, AMES Marketing and Product Director.

Display components have also been simplified with the overall result being visually striking. Retailers who have visited the showroom have described the point of sale as ‘the best in class’ and with images scaled 1:1, consumers can see exactly what they are buying, When it comes to natural stone, AMES is expecting a big increase in sales next year because the price of freight has come down. “We've been able to pass on some substantial savings so we expect the volumes to increase substantially next year.

Stepping stones will be half the original price," says James.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Scheurich

Above: James expects the Monaco pot to be a big seller.

Right: Freestanding display for Scheurich pots.

AMES launched its exclusive partnership with Scheurich last year with more than 300 SKUs. A further 60 are being added this year including the Monaco pot, expected to become a number one line. It’s simple, cylinder design won’t detract from the plant but instead add to its visual display and offer a waterproof solution so consumers can be confident water won’t mark their furniture. Available in four sizes and five colours.

“The focus this year is also on seasonal promotions like Christmas and Mother's Day plus specific pots for small cacti and succulents,” says James.

To aid retailers AMES is also introducing a freestanding display to boost hot spots and end of shelf displays as well as offering offering a solution for garden centres which don’t have a large back wall for pot sales.

September 2025 13

GTN promotion

Artevasi Building on the hugely successful partnership with Artevasi which began last year, 2026 sees the introduction of new merchandising solutions for the best-selling Madagascar range, plus new products in honey yellow and slate grey and a fantastic selection of on-trend indoor pots, pushing the total Artevasi offer to over 400 SKUs. Below: Known for its premium range, Apta is bringing in lines with attractive price points to boost volume sales. In green, blue and merlot comes the new Mayfield glazed cylindrical pot, the largest of which retails at an attractive £24.99.

Comprehensive range of tools With David Domoney as brand ambassador, AMES Tools have been well promoted and there has been good take up from retailers.

Already comprehensive, new models of cutting and pruning tools have been added for this year. Two bow saws, a cutting and a pruning saw along with telescopic handles lawn and edging shears have joined the line up.

So too has a gifting range with gloves, kneelers and accessories on a free-standing display unit, to boost sales.

Get in touch For more information, to book a tour of the bagging site or become a stockist, phone 01405 869333, email: ukorders@ames.com or contact us via www.AMES-UK.com

The Easy Fountain Vortex is a new introduction this year combining planting and moving water. Mains powered, these glazed water features allow gardens to have the best of both worlds, by growing their favourite plants which can be offset by a votex water display. “This is a concept we will be looking at more in the future,” says James.

14 September 2025

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Promotion

Art in bone china The first delivery of art-inspired bone china mugs is being eagerly awaited at Museums & Galleries as it adds another new product to its gift and homeware lineup.

T

his summer, the team at Museums & Galleries Ltd is excitedly awaiting delivery of its first shipment of bone china mug—a new product category the company previewed to visitors at London’s Exclusively Show in June. The collection is available for pre-orders now, with delivery in September.

The mugs join M&G’s home and giftware collections including insulated bottles and travel mugs, PLA mugs, aprons, oven gloves, tea towels, cushions and organic cotton napkins, and corkbacked placemats and coaster sets. In many cases they are coordinated across featured designs.

Research and development of the collection took the company over 18 months, chinaware being a completely new medium for the company. However, over the last few years M&G has successfully broken out of the paperbased greetings cards, stationery and gift packaging arena, first with textiles (tote bags and pouches; kitchen textiles) and then with metallics (the insulated drinksware), so was experienced in the issues—not least of which is achieving a close colour match across different substrates to ensure optimum

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

coordination across ranges of different products to create the most effective in-store displays. The mugs hold 380ml, are dishwasher and microwave safe, and are presented in keepsake gift boxes (but also have a ribbon tag for out of box display).

Drawing on experience M&G Creative Director Ben Dorney, explains the company drew on the expertise of many stakeholders and experts, including that of its many prestigious museum licensors.

The V&A and Tate Galleries especially have huge in-house experience creating, retailing and licensing bone china products, so both institutions were able to advise and have input into the final design. “We wanted the overall profile of the mug to be timeless and classic, but also uniquely ours. We adapted and refined the mug’s profile, subtly elongating the length and contouring the base. The loop of the handle was also reconfigured,” he explains. The result is a stylish, classic and very satisfying vessel for a delicious drinking experience.

M&G selected William Morris’s iconic ‘Strawberry Thief’ from the V&A collections as its primary choice for the collection of four V&A mugs. Another Morris design is the popular ‘Leicester Wallpaper’, with favourites by Walter Crane (‘Cockatoo and Pomegranate’) and William De Morgan (‘Frog

tile’) demonstrating the V&A’s wealth of Arts & Crafts masterpieces.

Designs from the Tate include two bold modern pieces – a Henri Matisse paper cut out (‘Dancer’) and a contemporary work by Alvaro Barrington a detail from the artist’s recent installation at Tate Britain, ‘Grace’. Accompanying these are designs by Romantic movement geniuses JMW Turner and John Constable—the subjects of a joint exhibition at Tate Britain in the autumn.

Designers Matthew Williamson, Mary Katrantzou and Emily Burningham supply beautiful and striking designs, as do popular M&G artists Angela Harding, Catherine Rowe and Helen Ahpornsiri for Wild Press. Van Gogh’s beautiful ‘Almond Blossom’ is also included.

All about the packaging For Tom Williams, General Manager of Museums & Galleries Ltd, the packaging was an essential component of the product, in order to elevate the mug as a gift or self-purchase for either home or office. The boxes are beautifully printed in full colour to match their contents, with all the technical details printed on a belly band. The box itself is sturdy enough to function as a keepsake gift box after the mug takes pride of place in the kitchen cupboard.

www.museumsgalleries.co.uk Tel: 01373 462165 sales@mgml.co.uk

September 2025 15

Promotion

Terraza Outdoor Kitchen Island Set for gardens big or small.

Award winning flexibility

Simon Davison, with the SOLEX rosette and award for the Terraza Outdoor Kitchen Island Set.

For spaces large and small, Zest’s modular outdoor kitchens, pergolas and dining sets offer heaps of choice, and new designs keep the company ahead of the game.

R

ecognising the trend for outdoor kitchens, Zest has established itself as a leader in this category.

In recent years it has not only designed and introduced the modular Terraza range of wooden outdoor kitchens, which proved to be an overnight success, but has continued to adapt modular range and design additions to make outdoor kitchens a viable choice for garden owners with limited space or budgets.

Zest is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and in that time many of its designs and expertly created pressure

16 September 2025

treated timber products have quickly scooped up awards from SOLEX, Glee and GIMA. This year is no different and at SOLEX in July, the company took home two more awards to add to the display case at its HQ in North Wales.

Best for furniture Winning the Best New Furniture Product award for its Terraza Outdoor Kitchen Island Set was the icing on the cake according to Simon Davison, Head of Commercial Development. The island combines food preparation and storage space with a brushed stainless steel top- and high-level seating. “If you’ve not got a large

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Promotion

The Terraza Outdoor Kitchen Compact Set, was also launched at SOLEX.

The Lara 3 seater Bench in a rich brown finish launched at SOLEX.

Another award for Zest at SOLEX was for the Ludlow Corner Pergola.

amount of space to play with, it enables you to have an eating and an entertaining island. Its creation all comes back to the work the design team has done to make sure we get it right.”

The Island Set now brings the choice of elements within the Terraza range to 10. This includes the new Corner Set and Compact Set, also launched at SOLEX, both of which have space for an Egg-style barbeque. Elements can be mixed and matched depending on customer needs and space. “It’s about having that flexibility to choose the elements that work best for you,” says Simon

Zest is proud to be a caring and responsible company that not only looks after its team, but since 2010 has selected chosen charities each year to support. With the latest fundraising events for the MS Society Cymru and the North Clwyd Animal Rescue, it hopes to add to the total amount and bring the figure to a staggering £200,000.

Zest’s expertly chosen sustainable, slow grown timber is all sourced from responsibly managed PEFC certified forests.

Working with one of its main suppliers in Poland, Zest is helping replant 10,000 acres of forest.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

adding that Zest is already looking at what to introduce for next year. “We need to stay ahead because kitchens are very much on trend at the moment, and we need to keep moving forwards.”

As well as new products, Zest has improved its existing Terraza Outdoor Kitchens with features including flexible shelving, brushed stainless steel tops and pre-hung doors to simplify construction.

Zest’s products are made using PEFC timber, and it is now appealing to a wider audience with new dipped products in a soft brown finish.

The Zest 2025 charity launch.

Winning pergola In further recognition of Zest’s continued focus on designing products to maximise on space in today’s gardens, it was also presented with the Best New Individual Product for its Ludlow Corner Pergola.

Cleverly designed, as creating strength on a corner structure can be a challenge, the pergola features a wide front expanse and the option of back panels. “We had the initial idea, and the innovative product development team put the design together.”

Zest has focused on making the most of outdoor living and entertaining as well as supplying a wide range of timber garden products including GYO and planters.

In the last two decades Zest has made the most of outdoor living and entertaining.

“We’ve got the whole kitchen set now;’ says Simon. “With our enhanced range, customers can now cook with Zest, eat with Zest, relax with Zest and entertain with Zest.”

For more details about Zest’s range contact: Simon Davison Head of Commercial Development sales@zestoutdoorliving.co.uk 01352 873555 www.zestoutdoorliving.co.uk/trade

September 2025 17

Promotion

Available in two sizes, Orion greenhouses have curved eaves for optimal growing heights.

Why Vitavia greenhouses are the smart choice Grow your business. Grow your reputation. Grow with Vitavia.

A

s the love for gardening continues to grow across the UK, garden centres are evolving from simple plant shops into full-scale destinations for both hobbyists and professionals. One of the most in-demand items for gardeners today are greenhouses and when it comes to quality, value and reliability, few brands match what Vitavia Greenhouses have to offer.

If you’re a garden centre owner or buyer looking to expand your product range, here’s why stocking Vitavia Greenhouses is not just a smart choice but a future-proof one.

18 September 2025

Trusted quality meets European engineering

A range that fits every gardener’s needs

Vitavia is a respected name across Europe, known for its robust manufacturing standards and reliable performance. Its greenhouses are made with precision-engineered anodised aluminium frames and come in a variety of glazing options, including toughened safety glass and polycarbonate.

The brand combines German design efficiency with practical features that UK gardeners love, ensuring customers invest in a greenhouse that will serve them for years to come.

From compact models for beginners or small urban gardens, to large, multi-purpose greenhouses for serious growers, Vitavia’s range covers it all: • Apollo: A great low-threshold, entry-level model for new gardeners • Orion: Unique curved eaves for a stylish look • Venus & Neptune: Classic, versatile models that are practical and perfectly formed • Saturn & Jupiter: Larger, heavy-duty greenhouses for committed hobbyists

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Promotion

The Neptune, with powder coated black frame, for gardeners wanting a larger greenhouse.

• Ida: Lean-to greenhouse ideal for patios, wall gardens and smaller spaces This diversity means your garden centre can appeal to a wide customer base, from first-time gardeners to seasoned allotment veterans.

Excellent value for money One of the most compelling reasons to stock Vitavia is that its greenhouses offer premium quality at reasonable prices. In a competitive market, its value that sells. Customers are increasingly savvy, doing their research before buying and Vitavia consistently comes out as a top contender for affordability without sacrificing quality.

For garden centres, this means better conversions and fewer returns or complaints.

Easy assembly & customer support Vitavia greenhouses are designed with assembly in mind. Whether customers are tackling the build themselves or hiring someone to install it, the instructions and customer support ensure a smooth experience.

For your staff, this translates to fewer after-sale headaches and for your customers, a greenhouse that’s ready to use with minimal hassle.

Stocking a brand that understands the UK retail landscape makes life much easier and helps you serve your customers better.

Sustainability & long-term gardening trends As more people look for sustainable ways to grow their own food and reduce their carbon footprint, greenhouses are becoming increasingly popular.

Vitavia greenhouses make it easier for customers to garden all year, grow organically, and cut down on food miles.

This aligns perfectly with current ecoconscious consumer trends and puts your garden centre at the heart of a movement that’s only going to get bigger.

Drive repeat visits & add-on sales Greenhouses aren’t just a one-time purchase— they’re the start of a gardening journey. A

In four sizes, the Ida is perfect for those with limited space.

customer who buys a Vitavia greenhouse is likely to return for seeds and young plant, compost and soil enhancers, pots, trays, shelving watering systems and greenhouse accessories By offering Vitavia, you’re opening the door to repeat custom and increased basket sizes over time.

In a competitive retail environment, stocking the right brands can make all the difference.

Vitavia Greenhouses combine everything today’s UK gardeners are looking for: reliability, style, choice and affordability.

By adding them to your product lineup, you’re not just selling greenhouses, you’re offering your customers a better growing experience and giving your garden centre a powerful tool for growth.

The Apollo is available in five sizes and comes with a low-threshold entrance for easy access.

UK distribution & dealer support Vitavia has a strong UK presence with dedicated distribution networks and support for retailers. It works with garden centres to ensure timely deliveries, promotional support and merchandising materials.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Get in touch with Vitavia today. Email: info@vitavia.co.uk

September 2025 19

Glee 2025

It’s time for Glee

Glee is just around the corner so it’s time to prepare for what promises to be a jam-packed three days. New features and more than 430 exhibitors will ensure your visit to the NEC will help your business maximise on sales for the rest of the year, and well into 2026.

L

ast year was a significant milestone for Glee as it marked serving the industry as a trade show for 50 years. The event had a celebratory air, with smiles all round and a positive mood.

A busy spring and summer in 2025 has continued this positive vibe and will no doubt add a touch of vitality to this year’s show as buyers seek out products and services to keep their own customers happy.

To make show content even richer, organiser Hyve Events has added a new sector reflecting the rise and importance of cafes and restaurants in garden centres. Food @ Glee brings together quality food and beverage suppliers, plus catering equipment like coffee machines and industrial ovens to help garden centres maximise on café and restaurant opportunities.

Along with Fire, Grill & Chill, the Green Heart hub for all things planty and the New Product Showcase, Glee has everything buyers need in one place.

“Whether you are searching for the next breakthrough product or strengthening relationships with trusted suppliers, you'll find everything you need to help your business

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

thrive. I'm particularly excited about our 207 new exhibitors bringing fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the industry,” says Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director.

It's not all about product, The Hive Stage is the place where expert insights from industry leaders share game-changing ideas and trends.

In line with Food @ Glee, the new Feed Your Business Stage offers practical strategies to help transform your food and beverage offerings.

Glee 2025 Birmingham NEC Tuesday 16 September to Thursday 18 September Stay ahead on the socials Instagram: Glee_Birmingham Facebook: Glee.Birmingham1 Linkedin:glee-birmingham-show Twitter: @Glee_Birminghgam To pre-register and fi nd out more visit: find www.gleebirmingham.com

September 2025 21

Glee 2025 Catering Area

8E64 8E62 8E60 8E54 8E52 8E46 8E42

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Fire, Grill & Chill

International Buyers Centre

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Feed Your Business Stage

22 September 2025

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The Hive Stage

Glee 2025

Team GTN at Glee 2025 The GTN team will be busier than ever at Glee this year, and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

T

he best place to find us, or leave a message for us, will be the New Product Showcase, where we will be once again organising the judging of over 300 New Products from exhibitors who have submitted them for the 2025 Glee New Product Awards.

If we are not at the New Product Showcase on Tuesday we will be at The Hive Stage where the shortlisted New Products get to be pitched to the judges before the Awards are then announced and presented at 5:00pm, please come along for the presentations, there will be free refreshments!

On Wednesday, GTN’s Editor Trevor Pfeiffer, will be interviewing Dobbies CEO David Robinson on The Hive Stage, about his retailing experience insights and how garden centres are at the forefront of

experiential retailing. Then, on Wednesday afternoon we will be celebrating all that’s great about garden centre catering with The Greatest Garden Centre Food & Drink Team Awards. That culminates in another awards presentation session at 5:00pm on the Feed Your Business Stage, with more free refreshments!

Finally, we will all be donning our Floral best, or worst, to make the most of Floral Thursday at Glee and help raise more vital funds for The Greenfingers Charity.

Oh, and on top of all that the team will be producing daily editions of The Glee Daily News. Make sure you are subscribed to get all the news from the show, straight to your mailbox. https://gleedailynews. newsweaver.com/Gleeedailynews See you at Glee!

JOIN THE MANY GARDEN CENTRES VISITING THE WOODLODGE SHOWROOM Discover exciting new products, merchandise solutions and summer deals !

Unit 3, Babdown Airfield, Tetbury, GL8 8YL SPEAK TO YOUR LOCAL REP TO BOOK A VISIT

Or call Chloe Smart in the office on 01666 501 000

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

JOIN US AT GLEE 2025 Woodlodge 10B51-C50 & 10A51-B50 W Garden Living 12B20-C21

September 2025 23

Glee 2025

What’s on this year at Glee There’s more to Glee than buying with plenty of talks and events across the three days to maximise on retailing opportunities. This quick GTN guide gives you an overview of what’s happening to help you plan your visit.

New Product Showcase Each year around 300 products are entered into the New Product Awards competition across 15 categories. All featured products will be on display in the New Product Showcase (stand 12A50-B51) making it easy to find all new introductions in one place.

The Greatest awards in catering are back By popular demand, GTN has reintroduced Greatest awards to recognise the best garden centre food and beverage offerings and the teams that make the magic happen. Winners will be decided by garden centre customer votes and tastings on The Feed Your Business Stage, Wednesday 17th September at 5:00pm.

Green Heart and Future Plants In Hall 10, the Green Heart is the horticultural hub of Glee, displaying the best of British-grown indoor and outdoor plants. Stay ahead of the

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

September 2025 25

Glee 2025

game by visiting The Future Plants display curated

by Michael Perry, which brings together new plants which won’t be available for retail for 18-24 months.

If you want more information, Michael will also be on The Hive Stage talking about his favourites for the future.

are encouraging everyone to wear something flowery and help raise funds for the Greenfingers Charity. Buy a ticket and be in with a chance to win something in the Greenfingers raffle and let’s see if we can break a record a get 150 people in floral attire in one photograph.

On stage

Download the Glee App

This year there are two dynamic stages hosting presentations to help drive your business. The Hive Stage features industry leaders sharing gamechanging trends and business tips, while the Feed Your Business Stage focuses on transforming food and beverage offerings. The programme is packed, running from 9.30 on the first day until 2.30pm on the third and final day. For a full list of speakers see the Glee Daily News, The Glee Show Guide or the gleebirmingham website.

The official Glee app is the perfect way to connect with the Glee community. It will help you navigate the show, arrange meetings and discover and bookmark the exhibitors most suited to your business. Search ‘Glee 2025’ in the Apple Store or Google Play.

Glee First Be at the forefront of retailing innovation and check out Glee First, a dedicated area for startup companies to turn pre-commercial product ideas into market-ready product launches.

Stand 9A71-10F77

Fire, Grill & Chill If you see smoke outside Hall 10 there’s no need to worry — its grills, firepits and barbeques in action. For the third year running, the outdoor demonstration area will allow a selection of outdoor entertaining exhibitors to show how their products work, while serving up delicious food.

26 September 2025

Across nine sectors Glee has retailing covered Home, Gift & Clothing

Food @ Glee

Garden Care

An exciting new area dedicated to the profitable opportunities and extended dwell time that a strong F&B offering brings to your garden centre.

Whether exploring retail options like food halls and farm shops, or hospitality ventures from cosy cafés to food trucks and fine dining restaurants, the opportunities are endless and Food @ Glee is the place to be.

Food @ Glee

Floral Thursday

Outdoor Entertaining Landscaping & Garden Decoration PAW (Pet & Animal Wellbeing) Plants Retail Experience & Services Source Garden

If you are visiting on Thursday 18th, then don’t forget your florals. For the fifth year running we

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

MEET US AT

STAND

9G100

NEW RANGE LAUNCH

HELPING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS As the UK’s leading independent specialist Tildenet Gardenware are committed to supplying the best products and service to our customers with an unrivalled range and brands you can trust.

24/7 Online Ordering at tildenetgardenware.co.uk ® The Royal Horticultural Society. Trade marks of The Royal Horticultural Society (Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262) used under licence from RHS Enterprises Limited.

Glee 2025

Halls of opportunity

GTN brings you an early look at some of the products and services launched and offered at Glee to help retailers drive sales and keep customers coming back for more.

Primeur’ award-winning innovation and sustainable style Home to the multi-award-winning Tierra Verde recycled garden range, these elegant self-watering planters combine timeless design with eco-friendly credentials, crafted from recycled rubber to last season after season. Discover EZ Borders, the flexible, easy-to-install garden edging for a flawless finish, EcoWay Stepping Stones for practical, planet-friendly pathways, and EasyTile decking solutions – quick to lay, durable, and perfect for patios, balconies, and terraces. Don’t miss the enduring favourite, Mighty Mats, designed to keep homes clean and stylish all year round. Primeur also offers market-leading merchandising solutions and a flexible, partnership-driven approach, ensuring every retailer benefits fully from working together.

Stand 11E61-F60

Seedball makes sowing easy

For you and your salty sea dog

Award winning and best-selling Herb and Wildflower Tubes from Seedball each contain 20 seed balls, to cover three to five pots or a square metre in a garden bed. The range includes wildflowers, (poppy, cornflower, forget-me-not, oxeye daisy and red campion) plus garden herbs (basil, mint, rocket, chive and parsley).

Simply scatter onto bare soil in a garden bed or pot and water well. Made from UK-grown seeds, clay, peat-free compost and chilli powder, the balls naturally protect the seeds from being eaten by seed predators. The seeds will germinate and sprout from inside the ball as it slowly breaks down. Full user instructions included on packaging. RRP £6.50.

Delivered in a shelf-ready display box as a mixed or single flower or herb set.

Stand 9J84

It was our proximity to the sea alongside our dog’s nose for the saltier coordinates which were the beginnings of Salty Sea Dog. Long days outdoors, wet paws, and the kind of gear we couldn’t find elsewhere—so we made it ourselves. Salty Sea Dog is a brand built on utility, not novelty. We’ve created classic, go-to pieces that don’t become obsolete with the seasons. With a fine regard to detail and a keen eye on tradition, our timeless products are not dictated by trend. They’re built to last, to be used, and to come back saltier. This is kit for dogs who don’t stay clean for long.

Stand 12F33

Where gardens grow and dreams flourish Bloomcabin aluminum greenhouses combine timeless architectural elegance with modern innovation. Made from high-strength aluminum profiles, they offer unmatched durability, style, and functionality. Perfect for growing vegetables, relaxing in nature, or creating an outdoor office, Bloomcabin greenhouses are versatile, weather-resistant, and built to last all year round. DIY-friendly, they are easy to assemble and come with detailed instructions. With elegant design, quality craftsmanship, and fast delivery, Bloomcabin helps you transform your garden into a space of beauty and productivity.

Stand 9C85

WhitCo will get you future ready From kitchen to restaurant and beyond, that’s been the WhitCo Catering and Bakery message for 30 years. This year sees a massive leap forward with four new exclusive brands leading up changes in catering kitchens, bakeries, restaurant furniture and tableware. They all boast sustainability, durability and add value to both the design and operation of garden centre food service and hospitality areas.

WhitCo will show how today’s innovation and technology can help businesses move forward and adapt. At the heart of the Glee display is a fully integrated ecosystem featuring Debag, Wilmax, Tilia and LightFry – alongside WhitCo’s bespoke design service. Each brand is selected to solve rising costs, limited skilled labour, compliance complexity and shifting customer expectations.

Stand 11D91-E900

Solar Solve brings Ziptrak blinds to the UK Solar Solve, a trusted name in marine window blinds, is proud to announce the addition of Ziptrak® Outdoor Blinds to its portfolio. As the official representative for the UK and global marine markets, Solar Solve will now supply these innovative blind systems to enhance comfort, style, and functionality in UK homes and commercial premises as well as onboard vessels and in marine-related environments worldwide.

Ziptrak® Outdoor Blinds seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces, providing protection from wind, rain, insects, glare, and harmful UV exposure. Built to withstand demanding UK weather conditions and the harsh marine environment, they allow precise control of airflow, light, and temperature—making them perfect for outdoor areas, vessel decks, and spaces where weather protection is paramount. The durable track-guided system ensures reliable, safe operation without chains, ropes, or pulleys.

Stand 9H33-J32

28 September 2025

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Glee 2025

Eye-catching advertising from Creative Products It’s hard to resist media - television, smart phones and tablets absorb and engage almost all of us. This is why Creative Products TV advertising works so well. With a management team boasting more than 40 decades experience of television promotions, our instore screens and display stands engage with customers, stopping them in their tracks. Our product films are carefully crafted to quickly establish the products key selling points bringing the product to life. Our buyers visit all the major world trade shows to ensure the most current trending products are brought to market ahead of the competition. Each item is tested to ensure everything in our core range has a strong, proven sales record.

Stand 9E41-G40

DTG lights up with global brands

Controlling pests the Super Ninja way Super Ninja, trading since 2014, is now one of Europe’s leading suppliers of sustainable pest control products. Its 100% toxin free product solutions use 100% recycled materials together with recyclable packaging.

Solutions protect against fruit flies, mosquitos, wasps, silver fish, fungus gnats and clothes moths. Eye-catching in store display units are perfect for garden centres, DIY and hardware stores.

Stand K91-L90

Dalian Talent Group (DTG) established in 1997, is a world leading manufacturer and supplier of branded and private label candles, home fragrance, toiletries and personal care products with a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and quality craftsmanship.

DTG works with some of the largest global brands including Disney, French Connection, Hello Kitty, Little Miss Mr Men, Peter Rabbit, Care Bears and Emoji, to name a few, resulting in an enviable portfolio of brands to cater to retailers and partners from entry price point to luxury channels. Its entire ethos and success has been built on working to exemplary standards, utilising its vast knowledge and resources to ensure it brings the best private label and branded solutions for your business. DTG will help guide, expand and collaborate with you.

Stand 9E22

Practical water-saving from SealStop SealStop is a smart, time-saving solution designed to eliminate water waste. As hosepipe bans return amid ongoing drought concerns, this user-friendly device offers retailers a timely opportunity to meet growing demand for practical water-saving tools. SealStop clips onto any container and automatically shuts off the water flow once full, preventing overflow and allowing gardeners to multitask confidently. With fully recyclable, shelfready packaging, strong POS support, and a minimum order of just 12 units, SealStop is an accessible, margin-friendly option for independents and chains alike.

Stand K97

Quality British made animal deterrents British manufacturer Concept Research believes in offering quality and effective products that deliver on their promises, backed up by great customer service and continuity of supply. For more than 30 years, Concept Research has been manufacturing in its factory in Hertfordshire, a quality range of animal deterrents that deter ‘nuisance animals’ without harm to any species. With a range that includes Catwatch, the only cat deterrent tested and approved by the RSPB, Concept Research is proud of what it does and is happy to tell you more at Glee.

Stand K101

New look for Miracle-Gro

LV Bespoke brings garden delight LV Bespoke is excited to return to Glee this year in the GIMA Village, showcasing garden decoration and plant support products designed to help retailers grow and thrive in 2025. Visitors can explore a range of designs, developed with sustainability, quality, and customer demand in mind. Whether you’re a garden centre, gift shop, or retail buyer, LV Bespoke is here to support your business with proven bestsellers and forwardthinking point of sale solutions. Don’t miss your chance to connect with the team, view collections, and take advantage of exclusive Glee promotions.

Stand 9H90

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Evergreen Garden Care is Europe’s leading garden care manufacturer, home to trusted consumer brands including, Levington®, Roundup®, Weedol®, Clear™ and Patio Magic®. For 2026 and debuting at Glee, it is elevating Miracle-Gro® with a refreshed visual identity across the entire range. The relaunch will be supported by a bold, campaign to ignite national gardening pride.

Rooted in simplicity, education, and proven performance, the campaign reinforces Miracle-Gro®’s commitment to making gardening accessible, enjoyable, and rewarding for everyone. To further empower consumers, it is launching the Miracle-Gro® Performance Guarantee - promising bigger plants, more blooms, and visibly healthier foliage. To drive sustained category growth for retailers, it is collaborating with industry partners to ‘Grow Happiness, Enrich Your Space’ to inspire more people to discover the joy of gardening and transform their outdoor spaces.

Stand 11A51-11C50

September 2025 29

Glee exhibitor news

Florally FUNtastic

With so many friends from the sector in one place it’s the perfect opportunity to get together and raise as much money as we can for the Greenfingers Charity.

F

or the fififth fth year running Glee has hosted Floral Thursday, encouraging visitors and exhibitors to join the flfloral oral community and wear something botanically fashionable. It’s the perfect day for taking a little bit of time out from the serious business of buying and networking and having a bit of fun.

Raffle tickets are sold throughout the Raffle morning and there’s a chance to win one of

30 September 2025

a great selection of prizes donated by exhibitors when the grand draw happens a 12.30 on The Hive stage (Thursday 18th). Other prizes will be given to the best dressed floral floral teams and individuals who have embraced the flfloral oral theme.

This year Floral Thursday has two records to break. The fifirst rst is to get 150 people in flfloral oral attire in one photograph and the second, to beat the fundraising target of £3000 raised last year.

So now is the time to trawl the charity shops and hit the high street to find find the perfect shirt or dress so you can join in with the Floral Thursday fun.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Glee exhibitor news

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

September 2025 31

Glee 2025

Claber brings irrigation excellence

Garden green with Breinas Breinas is proud to introduce its latest range of Raised Garden Beds, crafted entirely from 100% recycled plastic (HDPE) – a sustainable and durable solution for modern gardeners. Designed with ease of installation in mind, these beds are UV-resistant, non-toxic, and built to last, making them ideal for residential gardens, greenhouses, or even schools and community spaces. With a sleek modular design available in five sizes and an extension system, the raised beds offer flexibility and functionality. Healthy plants and happy gardeners – it’s what Breinas beds are made for.

Stand: 9F75

Since 1969, Claber has been a leading Italian company in the irrigation sector and chosen by millions of nature lovers in over 70 countries worldwide, from beginners to professionals, seeking excellence in gardens and green spaces care. With a range of more than 500 products for above-ground, underground and drip irrigation, Claber offers a comprehensive choice and with a history marked by iconic, innovative, and highly functional products, continues to manufacture entirely in Italy, ensuring complete control of the production process and safeguarding the excellence of its Made in Italy reputation. Combining advanced technology with refined design and an authentic natural touch, Claber creates smart, reliable, and user-friendly irrigation solutions, designed to enhance plant care, simplify daily life, and promote responsible and efficient water use.

Stand 12G28

Sussex Seed Balls has something for everyone Sussex Seed Balls is excited to be exhibiting at Glee for the first time. After a successful summer at flower shows across the country, including RHS Hampton Court, it was delighted to be awarded the Innovation Award at RHS Wentworth Woodhouse in July.

With a unique range of small-batch wildflower seed balls made specifically for different soil types, Sussex Seed Balls is looking at increasing its customer base of shops, florists and garden centres. Gifts, including seed ball mini gift boxes, seed ball gift jars and seed ball planter kits, ensure there is something for everyone!

Stand 9F90

Autumn Savings for Retailers

Take advantage of reduced SSPs across a wide range of popular garden tools

As long summer days begin to take their toll on gardens, Autumn becomes a key season for garden maintenance. With homeowners and professionals alike preparing for the tougher winter months ahead, demand for reliable, effective gardening machinery rises sharply.

Stocking the right Autumn tools is essential - not only to meet seasonal customer needs, but to unlock timely sales opportunities.

With Autumn comes one of the season’s biggest garden challenges - clearing fallen leaves. Garden blowers and vacuums are essential tools for tackling this task quickly and efficiently. Handy is offering special Autumn deals across a wide range of models, including Greenworks cordless blowers, The Handy and Q Garden electric units, and powerful Webb petrol models. Many of these also include vacuum and shredding functions, turning debris into compostable mulch -ideal for eco-conscious gardeners.

To secure your promotional copy, please email sales@handys.co.uk call 01793 333212 or visit www.handys.co.uk

MARKET LEADIN G PRICES!

AUTUMN

20 2025

British garden equipment manufacturer Handy has announced a raft of promotional offers across a substantial range of garden machinery, ideally suited to Autumn tasks.Retailers can now take advantage of reduced SSPs across a wide range of popular garden tools - including hedge trimmers, chainsaws, log splitters, leaf blowers, shredders, and more. + parts & accessories!

PROMOTIONS

PROMOTION ROMOTION ENDS

30.09.25

TRADE GARDEN MACHINERY - PROMOTION ENDS 30th SEPTEMBER 2025

£17

P OFF SS

GWGD24X2BVK4X

Greenworks 48V Cordless ess Brushless Blower Vacuum (2x 4AH Battery & Charger)

AUTUMN CHAINSAW DEALS WEECS402200

Webb 2200W 40cm (16”) Electric Chainsaw

£30

GWG24PS20K2

Greenworks 24V 20cm

£10

P OFF SS

P OFF SS

WEV20PSB2

Cordless Pole Saw (2Ah Battery & 2A Charger)

Webb 20V 15cm (6”) Cordless Pruning Saw (2AH Battery & Charger)

£5

PROMO SUPPLY

P OFF SS WEWBVAC

THPLS

WEV20PHTB2 2

Webb 140cc

The Handy y

Webb 20V V 50cm (20”) ”)

Petrol Walk

66cm (26” ”)

Cordles ess Long Reach

Behind Vacuum m

Push Lawn n Sweeper

Hedg dge Trimmer (2AH Ba attery & Charger)

£30 P OFF SS

£10

P OFF SS

PROMO SUPPLY

£15

P OFF SS

PLACE YOUR ORDERS ONLINE AT WWW.HANDYS.CO.UK EMAILSALES@HANDYS.CO.UK SALES@HANDYS.CO.UKOR ORCALL CALL01793 01793333220 333220 EMAIL

1

Become a Stockist Scan Me!

32 September 2025

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Glee 2025

Countrywide Bird Food has its Glee debut Countrywide Bird Food is exhibiting at Glee for the first time and showcasing its exciting range of new, eyecatching wild bird seed mixes. The company has been producing carefully crafted, premium wild bird, indoor, aviary, and pigeon seed mixes since 1962 and is renowned for its quality and expertise. Its impressive range includes eight engaging wild bird mixes in a variety of pack sizes, plus a wide choice of straight seeds and treats.

Fresh, contemporary, engaging pack designs with clear features and benefits aid merchandising and provide a point of difference. Only the finest ingredients are used - full of flavour and nutrition, attracting a wide variety of popular garden birds. Visitors can take advantage of special offers, including introductory savings and six months of extended credit for new stockists.

Stand 12C22-D23

Klass aims for sector expansion Klass is a UK, family-owned women’s fashion retailer and clothing manufacturer with a heritage of over 30 years. Today it has more than 150 stores and concessions trading within UK garden centres. From headquarters in the north-west of England, the in-house design and tech team create clothes to help women look and feel great whatever they are doing. Ranges make the latest seasonal trends accessible and affordable, while capturing a look and fit that is modern, stylish and works for today’s woman. Klass is actively seeking new opportunities for further expansion in the garden centre sector.

Stand 7E50-6A51

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Alternative garden care from Andermatt Andermatt offers a range of alternatives to traditional garden care, such as plastic-free fleece and netting (BioFleece and InsectoNet), which are plant-based and biodegradable. Andermatt has been manufacturing natural products for over 35 years, firstly in Switzerland, and now across Europe.

Stand 9K93

September 2025 33

Promotion

Hozelock’s Solar Select automatic watering system makes garden care even easier.

34 September 2025

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Promotion

Let the sun shine and the water flow Capturing the growing interest in sustainable watering solutions is Hozelock’s new Solar Select automatic watering system which will be a key focus at Glee.

Dripper irrigation nozzle can be placed close to the growing media to direct water exactly where it’s needed.

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ith more than 65 years horticultural experience coupled with continual innovation, Hozelock is constantly helping as many people as possible get the most out of gardening. This year it has made garden care easier and more sustainable than ever with Solar Select – a new and complete, eco-friendly automatic watering solution ideal for pots, flowerbeds, and hanging baskets.

Automatic watering systems have gained popularity by offering gardeners the convenience of staying hands-off while ensuring plants stay hydrated, even while you’re on holiday. The Solar Select takes this a step further by being entirely solarpowered, using the sun’s energy to water up to 20 pots, making it both reliable and environmentally friendly.

Clever features Suitable for outdoor and indoor use, Solar Select features a large solar panel that

powers three rechargeable batteries, eliminating the need for electricity and making the most of renewable energy. A handy hook on the back of the timer allows it to be placed on flat surfaces or hung on walls or flowerpots for added versatility.

Designed to reduce household water consumption, the Hozelock Solar Select works seamlessly with rainwater collectors like water butts using a weighted filter, to help conserve water while benefiting from rainwater harvesting.

With 13 preset watering programmes, users can easily control the duration, frequency, and volume of watering per dripper. Additional features include a ‘Rain Delay’ function, which pauses watering for up to five days based on weather forecasts to conserve water, and a ‘Water Now’ function for on-demand watering whenever needed.

Indoor plants too can benefit from Solar Select. Its a perfect solution for keeping plants hydrated when on holiday.

Solar Select’s timer can be hung from a wall, and used to irrigate from a water butt.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

To find out more and meet the team, visit Hozelock at Glee in Hall 12 stand 12E53-11B52

September 2025 35

Glee 2025

Jenolite makes DIY simple

Canadian charm from Quirky Barn Re-discover the charm and craftsmanship of The Original Vancouver® Oak Collection (est 2006) from Quirky Barn - where timeless design meets everyday functionality. Crafted from solid oak with a rich golden finish, each piece showcases elegant, tapered legs and bold rustic brass handles that add just the right touch of character. Built to last, the range also has traditional dovetail joints for unmatched strength and stability. Whether you’re dressing up a dining room, refreshing your living space, or adding warmth to a bedroom, these beautifully made pieces bring natural elegance and practicality to any interior. Order The Original Vancouver® Collection with ease now for delivery in just 6-8 weeks! Choose between a 20ft or cost-effective 40ft HC container, with no minimum order quantities, giving you total freedom to curate your perfect range.

Stand 9J35-L34

Established in 1939, Jenolite is Europe’s original rust treatment brand, trusted by industry leaders like Boeing, Airbus, and the Ministry of Defence. Today, that same trusted performance is available for your home, garden, and DIY projects. From restoring benches and repainting railings to protecting tools and vehicles, Jenolite offers a wide range of surface treatments and protective coatings — including rust removers, converters, primers, paints, sealers, wax oils, and lacquers. Easy-to-use paints and sprays come in satin, gloss, chalky, and metallic finishes, ideal for updating furniture, ornaments, gates, and more. Suitable for metal, wood, stone, ceramic, and hard plastics, Jenolite products are built to last and made to perform.

Stand 9C80-D81

Everyday rituals, beautifully made Green Traffic Light® is a UK-based brand crafting natural, waterless skincare, eco-friendly soy candles, bath salts, and handmade aprons, designed to turn everyday rituals into meaningful moments. But we’re more than just a product brand. We’re the result of a journey rooted in the food sector, where precision, quality, and care shaped everything we do. That same attention now drives our passion for sustainability, transparency, and conscious craftsmanship. Every piece we create is made in the UK and designed to be a luxurious, thoughtful gift for those who appreciate the finer things and care about the planet. Be the first to discover our brand-new product line, launching at the show, experience our latest creations, and explore gifts that nourish both people and the planet.

Stand 9E92

See us at GLEE on Stand 9G93

Tools that stand the test of time www.pedigreegarden.co.uk

36 September 2025

bulldog_tools

bulldogtoolsgardenclub

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Glee 2025

Lodi UK pest premiere Coming to a home, garden or shed near you! Join Lodi UK’s Pest Premiere at Glee 2025. We’re rolling out the red carpet and lighting up the big screen (popcorn provided) with blockbuster pest control! From the creators of Organ-X Slug Lentils, Storm Weed & Moss Killer, and Racan Grab Bags, get ready to preview our latest releases. Discover Lodi’s full cast of leading and targeted products…Racan rodent control with main-character energy; Organ-X, the director’s choice for naturally effective, garden-friendly protection; Insecto Pro-formula insect control which is fast-acting, scene-snatching and bug-busting; Storm is the final act for dirt, droppings and weeds. It offers hardcore cleaning with Hollywood results. All products are rated “P” for performance, precision and pest-free - trust us, pests won’t make it to the sequel.

Stand 9D21

Magrini combines tradition and automation

Eco Fuego wax fire pit sensation

Magrini is exhibiting for the first time at Glee with a range of commercial coffee machines and hot and cold milk solutions for garden centre cafes. Visitors will see traditional espresso machines with automatic tamping and milk foaming and stand-alone automatic milk texturing machines that are already in use in many garden centre sites. Attendees at the Magrini stand can sample coffee made by the expert baristas at 200 Degrees Coffee and challenge the team to help solve their individual coffee issues. Magrini will also show café operators how to eliminate queues, increase productivity, reduce expensive milk waste and learn how automation can be key to solving current industry challenges.

Stand E110

Say goodbye to annoying wood smoke and messy ash with EcoFuego, the world’s first Wax Fire Pit, the new effortless and cleaner way to create magical moments outdoors, as featured on ITV’s Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. Now you can relax in your garden without smoke, faff or the dread of the evening chill. Crafted for ecoaware homeowners, EcoFuego offers instant warmth and ambiance without the hassle plus its unique patented design uses 100% natural vegetable wax to create a perfect flame every time. An EcoFuego Wax Fire Pit lights in seconds and with no wood smoke and no mess, your neighbours will be seriously impressed! Join the fire pit revelation sweeping the country and see what everyone is talking about. Available in modern and traditional styles.

Stand 12B31

NEW PRODUCTS

peat free and consciously sourced

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

STAND 10B62 | GLEE BIRMINGHAM September 2025 37

“Choose Meadow View

MEADOW VIEW ROFESSIONALS THE STONE PROFESSIONAL

and partner with the UK’s most innovative, dependable decorative aggregate supplier.

Let’s build a stronger, more profitable future - together.

TEN Reasons why Meadow View Stone will be the Smartest Choice You Make at Glee

”

Sarah Hill Managing Director

When you’re walking the halls at Glee, you’ll see plenty of suppliers promising great products. But few can match Meadow View’s proven combination of innovation, quality, and partnership that consistently delivers results for retailers nationwide.

With over 150 years of expertise in decorative aggregates, we understand what drives customer choice and repeat sales.

We’re not just here to supply products - we’re here to be your long-term growth partner. Here’s why we should be top of your list when you visit Glee.

1

Superior Product Quality

First in the UK to introduce the washing of premium decorative aggregates, we supply cleaner, more accurately sized products that outperform the competition. Our ISO 9001:2015 accreditation guarantees industry-leading product and service standards.

Most Innovative 2 The Range From AR technology that lets customers visualise products in their own gardens, to six trademarked European blends that now sit among the UK’s top 20 best-sellers, our range is designed to lead trends, not follow them.

Sustainability 3 Values As proud PlanetMark members, we actively measure and reduce our carbon footprint with a target of carbon neutrality by 2030. Solar power installations at our newest facility are just one of the many tangible steps already in place.

Cleanest product in the industry.

Support with merchandising and point of sale.

Proven Sales 4 Increases Retailers switching to Meadow View typically see sales rise by around 30% - a result of our high-quality products, market-leading range, and inspiring merchandising displays that convert browsers into buyers.

Product 8 Proven Performance We constantly review and refine our range. Flexi-Fix Edging, introduced to replace slowing concrete edging sales, now achieves a 95% re-order rate - proof of our ability to identify and fill market gaps.

Flexi-Fix merchandised display unit.

and 9 Knowledge Expertise

5

Full Control of the Supply Chain

We are the only UK decorative aggregates supplier importing over 50 shipments annually direct from our international partners, giving us complete control over supply, quality, and availability. Ensuring on time in full deliveries.

7

Merchandising That Lifts Basket Spend

From AR-enabled POS to full lifestyle garden displays, our merchandising inspires customers to choose complementary products - increasing average basket spend by up to 30%.

Infrastructure 6 Largest in the Sector With four washing plants, 16 robotic packing lines, four production sites, and four dockside storage locations, we have the capacity to meet demand reliably - even during peak trading periods.

AR on point of sale boards.

Our team boasts over 150 years of combined category expertise, ensuring we deliver the extensive insight, experience, and support needed to help you significantly grow your sales and stay ahead in the market.

for 10 Partnership Growth We work side-by-side with our stockists, optimising ranges, improving product positioning, and supporting promotional activity to ensure lasting growth in both sales and footfall.

Visit us at Glee STAND 11E51-F50 01948 841 607 info@meadowviewstone.co.uk www.meadowviewstone.co.uk

Glee 2025

Get into beekeeping Honeybees are under increasing pressure on multiple fronts and it’s time we gave them the help they need. Buzz Into Beekeeping Limited, has a goal of increasing the number of beekeepers in the UK from 49,000 to 100,000 – with 80,000 beekeepers in the 1950’s, this target is realistic. To help reach the target, the Buzz Box Beekeeper’s Starter Pack has everything a new beekeeper will need and, as gardeners are among the most likely to be interested in beekeeping, it been designed to sell in garden centres. Perspex windows also make it possible to have a look into the hive and see the bees working away on the honeycomb without opening the hive up.

Stand 9D91

40 September 2025

Stand out with Meadow View Stone Following a highly successful launch of several key products at Glee 2024, Meadow View Stone returns ready to build on that momentum. Flexi-Fix edging has seen rapid uptake, with 95% of garden centres reordering within 60 days of launch. Eco Sparkle has also proven its appeal, achieving a 72% reorder rate in the same period.

Meanwhile, customers adopting the Meadow View Stone’s market-leading retail displays have seen sales uplifts of up to 60%, underlining the commercial impact of this solution. Explore this season’s exciting new product launches, alongside inspirational POS and garden displays designed to transform retail spaces. If you’re looking to drive sales, improve customer engagement and stand out in a competitive market, Meadow View Stone has the tools to help you succeed.

Stand 11E51-F50

Tilnar Art expands AluminArt Collection Tilnar Art is proud to lead the way in Fair Trade and ecofriendly designs with the latest addition to the AluminArt Collection, the vibrant new Rainbow Highland Cow Ornaments, launched at Autumn Fair and Glee. These bold and colourful pieces have been created due to the popularity of the AluminArt Rainbow Highland Cow Wall Art, which has sold out twice since its launch in May this year. All Tilnar Art’s products are fairly traded, and hand crafted with care to reflect our commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability. Made from recycled, plastic free aluminium, they not only look stunning but also help reduce waste and protect our planet’s resources. By choosing Tilnar Art, you’re supporting fair working conditions and a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Stand G25

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Glee 2025

West Country substrate fuels RocketGro compost

Light up the dark with in-lite Landscapeplus x in-lite is excited to be exhibiting for the first time at Glee. in-lite transforms outdoor spaces with innovative lighting solutions by inspiring and creating magical spaces after sunset.

Stand 12E63

RocketGro is a leading 100% British, organic, peat and coir-free compost producer based in Somerset on a 6000-acre family farm. All composts and growing medias are developed from Somerset and West Country sourced substrates, are 100% sustainable and Soil Association Approved for organic growing. RocketGro’s farm produces renewable energy and enables RocketGro to run its production line on 100% renewable energy. Product carbon footprint is so low that a recent audit found them to be almost carbon neutral without buying carbon credits. With leading horticulturalists behind product development, and enough substrates to produce 2.5 million bags per year, RocketGro is staying ahead of the science and future proofing the business to make sure it’s at the forefront of the peat-free revolution, with professional grade products that are priced to sell.

Stand 12G40

Vitax expands Easy Choice

Co-op Wholesale offers partnership for growth

Glee is set to be a standout event for Vitax as the company not only unveils an exciting range of new season products, but also debuts a larger stand designed to showcase its extensive product portfolio. Taking centre stage in Hall 10, Vitax’s expanded floorplate will provide improved visibility of its market-leading brands, including Vitax Q4, Slug Gone, SBK, Nippon and 6X. Vitax will also be launching a number of new products for the 2025/26 season, including key additions to its liquid feed and ‘Easy Choice’ ranges as consumer demand remains high for plant-specific products.

Stand G61-B60

At Co-op Wholesale, we’re here to power the success of independent retailers and corporate partners by delivering the very best of Co-op through our flexible, scalable wholesale services. With over 160 years of wholesale heritage, we understand what ambitious businesses need to grow, and we’re proud to bring our expertise to Glee.

At Glee, we’ll showcase our trusted Co-op own-brand range, supply chain strength, and buying power. Our wholesale model is designed to help retailers increase footfall, improve margins, and achieve long-term success. Its adaptable structure allows garden centres to scale at their own pace while staying true to their unique business goals. We’re here to help you grow, your way. This is more than just wholesale – it’s a partnership for growth, done right.

Stand 11D121

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

September 2025 41

Glee Promotion

Light up your outdoor life New outdoor living offerings from Fandango Fire Tools bring portable cooking and clean burn firepits in the mix.

F

andango Fire Tools, the exclusive UK distributor of the award-winning Kindling Cracker™ firewood splitter, is strengthening its outdoor living portfolio with two exciting new categories: O-Grill portable gas grills and Nordic Embers clean burning fire pits.

Cooking on the go Compact, powerful, and easy to use, O-Grill is the ultimate portable gas BBQ for the growing outdoor cooking market. Its sleek design, portability, and strong price point make it a proven best-seller across Europe and beyond.

Available in a range of contemporary colours, the 500M is the most compact model but can easily cook enough food for a small family.

The extra heavy duty cast iron and porcelain coated grill plate ensure perfect cooking time and time again.

Fandango Fire Tools will be supporting the launch of O-Grill and Nordic Embers with trade events, marketing campaigns, and dedicated dealer support. To see the range of new products visit us at Glee, stand 12A40.

Email: info@fandangofiretools.co.uk Tel: 0161 327 3984 Visit: www.fandangofiretools.co.uk

Keeping warm Nordic style Under their Nordic Embers brand, Fandango Fire Tools is launching a striking collection which includes Scandanavianinspired firepits, designed for clean burning and reduced smoke. With their premium finish and sustainable design, Nordic Embers fire pits offer an exciting opportunity for garden centres to expand their outdoor living ranges.

Reasons to stock Already trusted by leading retailers including Blue Diamond Garden Centres, Lakeland, Waitrose Garden, Burford Garden Co., and Polhill Garden Centre, Fandango Fire Tools has built a reputation for supplying innovative, high-quality products that drive footfall and deliver strong sell-through.

Portable O-Grill has integral feet which provide a solid base and fold up for easy storage.

42 September 2025

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Glee Promotion

At the heart of Fandango Fire Tools’ success is its focus on dealer support coupled with its ability to recognise and bring great products to market with the aim of enhancing everyone’s outdoor living experience. The company offers: ● Selective distribution and price protection,

giving retailers confidence that they won’t be undercut online. ● Great point-of-sale provision, designed to maximise in-store visibility and sell-through. ● Stockist-friendly MOQs, making it easier for independents and groups alike to bring the products into their ranges.

“Our vision is to partner with UK retailers by offering innovative products backed by strong marketing, reliable stock, and margin protection,” says Paul Jenkinson, UK Manager at Fandango Fire Tools.

Fandango Fire Tools is building on the success of the ingenious Kindling Cracker™ firewood splitter.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

September 2025 43

Glee 2025

Wilsons of Colchester brings in the big names At Glee, Wilsons of Colchester brings together two powerhouse brands. Buffalo, trade tough and built to last brush ware has a metal FSDU which has been making waves across the UK. Just 1m wide, this sharp, spacesaving unit transforms brush ware departments in garden centres, hardware stores, and builders’ merchants.

Striking grey-and-green design, quality brush ware, and strong trade margins – all in one. FSDU supplied free with recommended stock. Dethlac, insecticidal ant killer has been trusted for more than 60 years. Dethlac ant lacquer spray boasts in excess of 5,000 Amazon reviews. Sprayed on entry points, it dries clear, is child and pet safe once dry and lasts for weeks. Fast working with no reapplication needed. FSDU and CDU displays available. Pre-order for Spring 2026.

Stand 9H75-J74

Helping Hand Environmental seeks garden centre outlets

Bustaseed brings innovation

Helping Hand Environmental is excited to exhibit at GLEE for the first time, showcasing sustainable litter-picking tools trusted by professionals and volunteers worldwide. Part of The Helping Hand Company, we’ve been designing and manufacturing in Herefordshire since 1965 and launched the world’s first litter picker in 1971. Today, we are the UK’s leading manufacturer of litter clearance tools. Our Britishmade range is 100% reusable, built to last, and designed with sustainability in mind.

Already widely used by local authorities, waste contractors, and community groups, we are now branching into the retail environment, including garden centres. We are already in Notcutts as part of an ongoing trial. Visit our stand to see how our innovative, environmentally responsible range can add value to your business.

Stand 9F85

Bustaseed Ltd is beyond excited to attend Glee for the first time promoting environmental practices such as recycling, composting and chemical-free gardening with wildlife in mind. The Bustaseed Propagation Tray is a revolutionary product.

Its innovative design allows young plants to be securely and swiftly removed from their tray module when ready to be potted or planted out.

The open-fronted, insert row arrangement allows plants to be tipped out with ease. Base trays, packaging sleeves and insert rows are fully and easily recyclable. Plant propagators are extremely durable and come with a five-year guarantee.

Stand 9K96

Looking for show stoppers?

We’ve been hard at work creating an exciting range of new products designed to delight gardeners. We’re eager to share the latest developments from Vitax and how they’ll benefit our customers in 2026. Call in for a chat to discover more.

44 September 2025

VISIT US AT GLEE HALL 10 G61-B60

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Glee 2025

Trigano Jardin combines play and outdoor living Trigano Jardin is a European leader in leisure and outdoor activities offering products with recognised expertise and a reputation for excellence. As the pioneer of the first metal swing set kit launched in France, it has established itself as a key player in outdoor play through two complementary areas of expertise: outdoor play equipment with Aléo by Trigano and outdoor living solutions with Kover by Trigano (carports, sheds, etc.) Based in the centre of France employing 120 people, the company draws on its solid expertise. The new eco-friendly Harmonie range reduces its carbon footprint with sustainable materials such as wood from responsible sources and locally sourced plastic and ropes reindustrialised in France. More than 50% of the products are certified Origine France Garantie (produced on-site in France).

Stand 12A33

Smart storage from Soho Sumex Tools Exhibiting for the first time this year is Soho Sumex Tools – a well-established manufacturer of gardening hand and power tools, watering accessories, gloves, kneeling pads, storage systems and general hand tools. Supplying private label products to the UK for over 15 years, its modular wall storage system will be exhibited as Glee.

Suitable for use in sheds, garages and outbuildings, this practical storage solution offers a broad range of configurations that can be adapted to individual requirements - making storing lawnmowers, tools, ladders and car accessories easy and convenient.

Available in pre- packed configurations and individual components, including hooks, power tool holders, shelves and drawers. For large and small items, this is a flexible storage solution for the smart organisation of outdoor spaces.

Stand 9H80

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AutoPot for automatic watering At Glee, AutoPot will have its Khloris automatic plant watering systems in action. Part of the RHS-endorsed range, it is the first automatic, powerfree, fully responsive plant watering system to be designed for living rooms, balconies, and conservatories, combining a tasteful, sculpted, interior-friendly aesthetic with highly effective, easy-to-use irrigation technology. The system puts an end to hand watering and gives plants full control of their own irrigation - they can draw what they need, when they need it, and thrive. All of this, while requiring no electricity or mains water.

Accompanying Khloris will be AutoPots full selection of RHS-endorsed products which encompass pretty much every plant watering application imaginable - something for every type of grower and every type of growing space.

Stand C71-D70

KERBS

SE

RVICE

Biohort

For outdoors, forever.

Stand Number: 10E81-F80

100% Made in Austria

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

September 2025 45

Glee 2025

Stepping into Glee with botanical charm

Mercia masters outdoor buildings and toys After more than 140 years, Mercia Garden Buildings remains true to its values: sustainability, passion, and quality craftsmanship. These principles are at the heart of all it creates, and they shine in the brand-new range of outdoor toys being unveiled at Glee. Designed and built in the UK factory, just a stone’s throw from its original workshop, each piece is crafted from sustainably sourced and certified timber.

Pastel blue accents on swings, slides, and secure brackets add a charming touch, while the modular design means each structure adapts easily to any garden and can be expanded over time. With five generations of expertise, Mercia has also mastered the art of building spaces from its built-to-last garden sheds to premium insulated garden rooms made from slow-grown Scandinavian timber.

Stand 12E50-F51

46 September 2025

Remembered for its retail innovation in the 1980s and early ’90s, SOCKSHOP now brings its trusted sock expertise to Glee with a fresh focus on the garden centre market. From the warmth of Heat Holders® to the everyday comfort of Gentle Grip® and the wellbeing support of IOMI FootNurse®, SOCKSHOP’s brands are proven favourites.

New for this year is the elegant RHS Collection, inspired by botanical art and perfect for garden lovers. With stylish socks that make great gifts and deliver excellent margins, SOCKSHOP is a must-visit for buyers seeking quality, innovation and retail-ready appeal.

Stand 9E83

Celebrate with Henry Bell & Co There is an air of celebration on the Henry Bell & Co stand as the company marks its 200th anniversary. Established in 1825, it has two whole centuries of manufacturing under its belt and has become a leading light in the world of animal and wild bird feeds, delivering quality products and excellent customer service. Visitors are invited to the Henry Bell stand, which has been created to showcase the company and its rich heritage and powerful portfolio of brands - Henry Bell Wild Bird Care, Mr Johnson’s, EquiGlo Horse Feeds and Dog Gone Fishin’. Much-loved best-sellers and some exciting new range extensions from the Henry Bell Wild Bird Care Collection will be on parade throughout the show, with team members looking forward to meeting existing and potential new customers.

Stand 9H33-J34

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Glee 2025

Jagram’s 3D configurator unlocks design potential

Stylish rainwater harvesting Prestige Water provides UK-manufactured rainwater harvesting and garden solutions, featuring durable MDPE water butts and planters designed for sustainable water management. Products blend practicality with aesthetic appeal, enhancing garden ambiance. Specifically, the water butt range combines robustness with elegant design, offering efficient rainwater capture for environmentally conscious homeowners. These aren’t just functional vessels; they’re stylish additions to any outdoor space.

Planters, crafted from recyclable MDPE, ensure durability with frost and UV resistance combined with natural-looking finishes and matte textures, in various sizes to accommodate diverse planting needs.

Select models include integrated water storage or attenuation, promoting sustainable gardening.

Stand 9G95

For 35 years, Jagram has been designing and manufacturing unique wooden garden structures. This year, highlight for the New Product Award, is the Venetian Planter – a stylish, durable solution crafted from premium, weather-resistant larch wood. Already a well-known and loved product, the new innovative 3D configurator offers added value to unlock the full potential of the entire Venetian panel system allowing the design of modular layouts that combine planters, panels, and other accessories. In just a few clicks, you can visualise your space, adjust dimensions, and explore endless combinations, turning ideas into the build-ready designs. Step into the world that transforms wood into harmony, meet the passionate team and discover how Jagram can help transform your garden.

Stand 12D40-E41

Robert Dyas plants a new seed Robert Dyas, a leading retailer in the home and garden sector, has lots to offer both on the high street and online: its extensive garden category includes everything from garden equipment to live plants and outdoor buildings, providing for every consumer need. Still growing strong after 150 years on the high street, it is now thriving alongside a new shoot…New online brand, gardencentre.co.uk, brings the garden centre to your home.

Garden enthusiasts and pet owners can browse thousands of lines across expertly curated ranges, from live plants to outdoor furniture, garden buildings and pet products – with free delivery nationwide. This new addition to the Theo Paphitis Retail Group portfolio provides a dedicated platform to deliver an extensive garden centre experience, showcased and promoted all year round.

Stand 12G61

View our Range of

PREMIUM PEAT FREE COMPOSTS Natural, Organic & Sustainable

Stand 9D71-E70 48 September 2025

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Glee 2025

Outdoor cooking Sahara style Sahara BBQ’s is a European based bbq and heater manufacturer with a broad range of gas and charcoal grills, along with a full range of accessories. Sahara has grown to become a leading brand in the UK bbq market and is excited to launch innovative new bbq models and the Sahara modular outdoor kitchen for the 2026 season at Glee. Alongside is the current range which features the exciting and new for 2025, social Arke bbq, and stylish Charcoal Forge Host.

Stand 10G60

STAND

9G96

Monty Miracle launches hand-held product and ‘Complete Your Clean’ range at this year’s Glee Monty Miracle is returning to GLEE with a range of new products and merchandising opportunities for all types of retailer. Below is a full list of products that will be showcased by the Monty Miracle team: • NEW 750ml Outdoor Cleaner

• NEW 1.5L Pump Sprayer

• NEW 2L Outdoor Cleaner

• NEW 5L Pump Sprayer

• 5L Outdoor Cleaner

• NEW Telescopic SS Agitating Brush

• 1L Artificial Grass Cleaner

• Protective Gauntlet Gloves

• 5L Artificial Grass Cleaner

• NEW 20m Complete Hose Reel

• NEW 2L Patio Sealer

• NEW Artificial Grass Cleaner Hose Attachment

• 5L Patio Sealer

VISIT FOR YOUS FREE 7 UR 50 SAMPL ML E

montymiracle.co.uk 50 September 2025

Greetings from Woodmansterne Woodmansterne is set to make a big impact at Glee, with its latest Gift Packaging Collection alongside award-winning greeting cards. The stand is styled with a striking botanical design by licensed artist Sarah Gordon, creating an inviting space for visitors with refreshments and treats. Alongside the Gift Packaging Collection, visitors can explore a carefully curated range of new products, featuring The Leaf, National Trust, the Greenfingers Charity and more than 20 leading UK publishers through its W-Select Category Management Programme.

Woodmansterne will also show retailers how to boost sales through cross-selling greeting cards and gift packaging.

Stand 9D31-E30

Toucan brings a competitive edge In the competitive garden centre supply market, success depends on understanding customers, spotting trends, and acting quickly.

Toucan Sales Analytics gives suppliers a powerful advantage by transforming raw sales data into clear, actionable insights. Fully integrated with leading accounting and order systems, it tracks every product, customer, and territory, helping you identify top performers and areas for improvement. Real-time dashboards reveal customer buying patterns, seasonal shifts, and missed opportunities—allowing you to make smarter stock, pricing, and sales decisions. From increasing repeat orders to targeting the right products at the right time, Toucan empowers teams to sell more efficiently and profitably. For garden centre suppliers who want to stay ahead, Toucan Sales Analytics is more than software—it’s a competitive edge.

Stand 11E83

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Glee 2025 Monty Miracle is tough on grime

Greenkey makes gardening easy

Monty Miracle is returning to Glee with new products and merchandising opporrtunities for all retailers to help drive sales. The team will be introducing its 750ml hand-held and d accessories range - created in response to conssumer and trade demand. Monty Miracle Outd door Cleaner is proven to eliminate black spot, algae, lichen and other organic stains on most external hard surfaces including stone, wood, plastic, concrete resin and coated metals, making it ideal for cleaning driveways, patios and walls. Made in the UK, Monty Miracle completely neutralises following the cleaning process. The entire range and all merchandising support will be on the stand and guests will be provided with a branded tote bag with the new handheld product to take away.

Stand 9G96

Greenkey Garden & Home brings quality, function, and innovation to everyday outdoor and home care. As a passionate tribe of garden enthusiasts, we supply solutions that help people enjoy gardening and household tasks with ease. Our range of carefully selected products includes expertly designed tools, watering solutions, wildlife habitats, decor products, and accessories that combine durability with user comfort. The Greenkey range continues to evolve with fresh new ideas for 2026, designed to inspire gardeners and homemakers alike. With over 100 new practical gardening and décor products there is lots to talk about.

Stand 10D40

New RHS-endorsed range from Tildanet Tildenet Gardenware is launching its RHS-endorsed Country Forge Range at Glee–a handcrafted collection of garden structures, plant supports, and hanging baskets developed in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society. Featuring arches, obelisks, trellis, border edging, screens, and traditional hanging baskets, each piece is made from robust, powdercoated steel for durability and finished in a classic matt black for timeless appeal. Designed to suit any garden setting, the products carry the iconic RHS logo, guaranteeing authenticity and high standards. Strong ‘Hand Crafted’ packaging and custom merchandising stands help maximise retail impact, while versatile designs ensure year-round appeal combining Tildenet’s quality craftsmanship with the RHS’s prestigious reputation.

Stand 9G100

Primus unveils largest ever catalogue

Joyful gardening from Taylors

Primus is celebrating its most successful year to date with its largest-ever product catalogue at Glee. Featuring over 150 new product lines, the 2026 range cements Primus as the UK’s first choice for garden décor. Available for presale with stock ready for the start of 2026, a selection of products is also available to order for delivery in Q4 2025, giving retailers an immediate sales opportunity. New ranges feature expansions of Primus’s best-sellers from 2025, alongside a host of new, in-house designed collections. Each range embodies the brand’s commitment to originality and creativity, offering retailers garden décor that stands out in the marketplace. Primus is also proud to announce a role of exclusive UK distributor for Nature’s Melody musically tuned wind chimes, bringing one of the world’s most celebrated chime ranges to UK garden retailers.

Stand 9K71

Taylor’s Bulbs has unveiled its Packed With Joy multi-channel campaign to boost engagement and drive sales and footfall through garden centres this autumn. Rolling out across social media and in-store, the clever marketing campaign encourages customers to buy and plant bulbs now for a spring full of colourful displays and vibrant blooms. With attention-grabbing visuals from the creative instore POS and a focus on feel-good messaging, this joyful campaign is designed to inspire and educate the public, while supporting retail outlets UK wide.

Stand 9K50

52 September 2025

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

WE’RE BACK! Come and visit us at GLEE to see whats new for 2026 Stand location

9G74

Two of the UK's most iconic and trusted gardening brands

Planteria

Inspiration station Each year Ball in Oxfordshire, opens its gates for retailers and growers to see the latest trends and cultivars for sale in the coming year and beyond.

Bouquet Buffet selections look good in the garden and as cut stems in a vase indoors.

D

Experiments for three in a pot include Dianthus Dart Scarlet, Cuphea MYRTIS DARK PURPLE and Cineraria ‘Silver Dust’.

54 September 2025

ahlia Gardinetta Velvet Crush graces the front cover of the Ball 2026 catalogue which comes out this month and for good reason. It has already caused a stir winning best new plant at BBC Gardeners’ World Live in June – it’s dark foliage and deep purple blooms securing it as a customer favourite.

At Ball’s Summer Inspiration open events during July, Lisa Jeffs, Marketing and Product Manager, says Velvet Crush will soon be joined by Scarlet and Pearl with plugs available from week 10 deliveries. “Some of our customers sampled Velvet Crush this year, but it will be launched in September and available to a much larger audience.”

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

Planteria

Lisa Jeffs with Petunia Easy Wave Pink Pearl, a new colour in the series which is celebrating its 30th year.

Dahlia Gardinetta Velvet Crush.

Lisa adds the open events this year promoted Ball’s big push of basket and container plants plus the expanding range of its perennials. “We are constantly reviewing and adjusting our perennial range to keep things fresh,” she says.

This includes trials experiments with three perennials in one pot for instant sales. Of this ‘one and you’re done’ approach, Lisa says: “We’re looking at more combinations that help garden centres and other retailers elevate everyday items.”

A similar idea for 2026 comes from the retail concept of Bouquet Buffets. Again, it brings three complementary plants together in a single pot but this time they look good and offer the option of cutting blooms to enjoy in the house.

Pushing home the fact that trolly dressing and bench tape add value, convey themes, draw customer attention and hopefully lead to an impulse purchase.

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

September 2025 55

PATS 2025

Countdown to biggestever PATS

PATS 2025 will stage the biggest-ever exhibition in its 16-year history when the event takes place at the NEC Birmingham for the first time. The Pet & Aquatics Trade Show will be hosted in Hall 1 over three days from Sunday, 28th September through to Tuesday, 30th September 2025.

F

ollowing a record-breaking PATS 2024, which saw the largest ever increase in both exhibitor and visitor numbers, the 2025 event is set to offer companies even more opportunities as it moves to the UK’s largest exhibition centre.

The move to the NEC means that over 430 exhibitors can be accommodated and more of the latest launches can be showcased to a wider audience of pet store, garden centres and international buyers.

One of the most popular features of the exhibition – The New Product Showcase – is always popular as it gives buyers the chance to feel and touch the new products they

will be stocking for the coming season.

All entries in the Showcase will be judged by a panel of independent pet retailers to decide the winners of the New Product Awards.

Visitors can also look forward to the New Starter Zone, where buyers can source products from new businesses and start-ups; and the Aquatics Zone, a focused area for the key aquatics, reptile and watergardening exhibitors.

PATS will also be presenting state-ofthe-art demonstrations in the Grooming Workshop.

PATS offers free show entry and a free catalogue. With good catering facilities and plenty of seating areas taken care of, visitors can concentrate fully on the main business of the day – seeing top-class pet products from the biggest range of suppliers and manufacturers…all under one roof.

Retailers and buyers can register for PATS 2025 by going to the exhibition website www.patshow.co.uk, which has all the up-todate information about the show.

Opening times Sunday, 28th September 2025: 9.30am-5.00pm Monday, 29th September 2025: 9.30am-5.00pm Tuesday, 30th October 2025: 9.30am-4.00pm

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

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Whether you’re a garden centre, retail chain, or boutique store, we’d love to talk.

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View wpoint

Our sector is ? changing… are you?

Paul Pleydell – Founder and Director of Pleydell Smithyman.

W

e are part of fantastic industry, that we love, cherish, and enjoy, and every week I am reminded of the passion that drives us all forward.

But we are also all too familiar with the uncertainties and pressures that surround us. It is easy to ignore these and bury our heads ‘ostrich style’ deep into the sand, but in this rather undignified position, problems are likely to bite us on the backside before we realise what is going on.

So, what is going on, and what should we be doing...?

Weather and costs

The way ahead is to have a plan.

Despite what we might like to think, the weather is still in charge. It has the power to control how our businesses perform. This season was a very delightful ‘up,’ but we all know it can also be a devastating ‘down.’ And that is fine when you have a business that has traditionally made a healthy margin, and there was enough of a cushion in the bottom line, or the bank, that tough years could be absorbed. Sadly, those days (like my hairline of many many years ago) are receding.

Staff costs and product costs are rising and yet, after many years of low inflation, in a very ‘British’ way, we feel slightly awkward about raising our prices. As a result of these financial pressures, the key topic of conversation we are having with our clients now is about restoring profits and strengthening the ‘bottom line’. For many this is unfamiliar and therefore uncomfortable territory.

And we are all starting to recognise and get used to the fact (and yes, it is a fact) that a lot of non-gardening products are out-performing plants and gardening. If we put on our accountant’s hats on and look at sales performance (and margin) from every square metre of our retail space, we might

end up with a gigantic play barn selling meat – with not a plant in sight.

The reality is that the regular and detailed analysis we do at Pleydell Smithyman clearly shows gardening departments don’t perform as well as non-gardening products, but they are our lifeblood, and we need to maintain the right balance across our businesses.

Yes, businesses will differ, and we love that, but we need to be aware that when times are tough money starts to talk louder than values, so we need to listen carefully.

The way ahead For me, the way ahead for our sector is clear and centres around six simple ideas.

• Understand where you are going.

Have a well-considered vision and strategy for your businesses – this isn’t just an idea, biggest, best etc, it is an analytical understanding of where you are taking the business and why. It can also be personal, what is important to your future.

• Pass it on. Prices and costs are going up and we shouldn’t have to absorb these. I recognise the economists amongst us will see me fanning the flames of inflation, but everyone is getting used to higher prices,

and to quote the old adage ‘only one person can be the cheapest.’ Recognise the value you bring.

• Make it worthwhile. See a business through the eyes of its customers. What tangible benefits are you really providing over and above the norm? Sadly, in some cases not enough. ‘I will shop online until you give me reasons not to… ‘ • Understand what good looks like.

Celebrate what you are doing well, but the real opportunity is what we aren’t doing so well, and where there is headroom for growth. These are the areas to understand and focus on, not just the things we do now but new things that could add depth, range and strengthen the business.

• ‘Batten down the hatches’. Our climate is getting drier, wetter, hotter, and colder – we need to recognise this and create places that soften these uncomfortable impacts.

Let’s get weatherproof.

• Create great projects that deliver return on investment. Our business helps businesses build and grow. Sometimes this includes ‘bricks and mortar’ but not always.

Supporting clever and profitable events programmes and better use of space is always a good thing, but not just by copying others, by creating something that has true meaning.

We are blessed by being part of a sector that is a true community, where people share, listen, support, and enjoy helping each other.

Now, more than ever, we need each other.

We need to support each other and invest in this community. Those I see doing this are flourishing and those that are ‘doing their own thing’ aren’t finding things so easy.

Let’s all look after each other in these trying times and create a future for the sector we can continue to be proud of.

Find out more

Pleydell Smithyman is a design and business consultancy assisting garden centres and rural businesses to be even better. With an experienced team, Paul has supported the sector for more than 40 years. Working nationwide, they provide business strategies and masterplans, planning advice, architecture, retail, café and interior concepts and designs, operational advice and landscape and ecology services. Contact Paul on 01952 433211 or email paul@pleydellsmithyman.co.uk www.pleydellsmithyman.co.uk

58 Septtembeer 2025

www.garde entra adenews..co.u uk

Viewpoint

Getting out and about Will Armitage, HTA President

I

hope you managed to enjoy a break this summer after what was a hectic spring season; you all truly deserve it! The summer holiday season seemed to flash by in the blink of an eye for me, but I still managed to squeeze in an HTA Business Improvement Scheme (BIS) quarterly meeting at New Hopetoun Gardens, just outside Edinburgh, as well as an inspirational meeting at Kirton Farm Nurseries in Hampshire for an education on how to build a truly environmentally sustainable business.

Now it’s on to the exhibition season…

At the time of writing, the next few weeks are a constant stream of exhibitions: Four Oaks, The Autumn Fair, Glee, BETA, PATS, Ecommerce Expo and Garden Expo.

Members of the HTA team are attending most of these events, and I will also be at many of them, representing the HTA as well as my retail and manufacturing clients. If you do see me, please stop and say hello.

Did you also manage to catch the HTA’s Technical and Trade Policy Manager, Sally Cullimore at Four Oaks? She was part of a panel discussion on Wednesday 3rd September, exploring what the future may hold for the EU-UK deal for plant exporters and importers.

As one of the Glee Partners, the HTA will be at the NEC Birmingham from the 16th-18th September. You can find us in Hall 11 stand number 70A, where we’ll be providing complimentary refreshments to our members. If you are passing, please call in, meet the team, see what the HTA has been up to and what we have planned for the future. You can also find out more about some of the fantastic speakers and sessions lined up for HTA’s ‘Horticulture, the Conference’ at the Barbican Centre on Thursday 25th September, for what I am sure will be the best HTA Conference yet (tickets are still available).

Regional member events But it’s not just exhibitions this autumn, the HTA’s member engagement team is busy

www.gardentradenews.co.uk

with our new series of regional member events. These events offer a chance to connect and engage with fellow HTA members, learn from industry experts on topics affecting you, and share your voice to make a difference in environmental Horticulture. All of the details can be found on the HTA website so please do have a look and remember you don’t have to stick to events in your area, you are always welcome to book onto any or as many events as you choose.

And if that’s not enough, the HTA’s Policy Team are also flat out as Party Conference season approaches. The team continues to engage across the political spectrum and will attend political party conferences this month and in October, to make sure horticulture stays on the agenda, whatever the political colour.

Our Policy team is also preparing the HTA’s Autumn Budget submission, which we expect the Chancellor to deliver in late October or early November. We are all too aware of the impact of last year’s Budget on the horticulture industry, so our asks focus on business rates reform, sustainability grants, EPR and the Recycling Assessment Methodology, and transitional support for businesses as negotiations between the UK and EU get underway.

Find out more

The Horticultural Trades Association is the UK industry’s leading membership organisation and welcomes all sectors of environmental horticulture.

To learn more, please visit www.hta.org.uk or to enquire about membership please email: membership@hta.org.uk

September 2025 59

Viewpoint

The perfect time to reconnect

Vicky Nuttall, Director of GIMA

A

s we hurtle headlong towards autumn and take stock on an extremely busy season, it’s time to come together to share our stories and start gearing up for 2026. What better place to do this than at Glee, where we are excited to be hosting our biggest-ever GIMA Business Village and welcoming a wealth of new members.

So many of us spend a large part of our days glued to a screen, firing off emails and talking virtually on Zoom, which is why opportunities to meet face-to-face and network with our peers is such a pleasure. Connecting people is a big part of what GIMA does and, this year, having seen significant growth, we are delighted to be able to bring even more members together than before. After the season, no doubt, there will be much to talk about!

Into 2026 Although we are still only in September, Glee does tend to mark a gateway into the next year, as new launches are unveiled, plans are made, and trends forecast. We will be kicking off our first series of GIMA hosted Buyer Connect meetings at the show, fostering meaningful collaboration between retailers and suppliers. We will also be awarding the new recipient of the GIMA Innovators Seedcorn Fund, in partnership with Glee. This initiative is something our organisation is extremely passionate about, as it helps give a leg-up to game-changing new brands, giving them access to far more than just a sum of money. We’ve had some brilliant winners in the past, who have gone on to do great things in the industry, with a helping hand from GIMA along the way.

There’s a lot to celebrate at Glee and the

What’s coming up

2nd Sept 2nd-3rd Sept 17th Sept 7th Oct 23rd Oct 30th Oct 6th Nov

60 September 2025

“Connecting people is a big part of what GIMA does…”

Business Village provides a fantastic hub, where visitors and exhibitors can tap into our network and experience. That goes for both members and non-members, so please do pop by and say hello. You can come and talk to us, find out about membership and what we’ve got coming up in the calendar because we always have something going on.

I relish any opportunity for the industry to come together and am looking forward to catching up with people at Glee, hearing their comments and what they’ve made of the season so far. For most GIMA members, it’s been a good year but there are still some underlying challenges for all businesses out there. Looking ahead, there is still confidence in the trade and we should see strong autumn gardening demand, as people replace plants

B&Q Marketplace Four Oaks Trade Show Glee – GIMA Buyer Connect Aspin Tymeonline Daley Hub #2 GIMA Awards Gala Dinner

Webinar Cheshire Birmingham Webinar Webinar Webinar Newport

and refresh their lawns. Cash has come through the tills this year and people are feeling relatively optimistic. In fact, we’ve seen that confidence reflected in ticket sales for the GIMA Awards. We’re at 350 guests already and we haven’t even announced the host yet!

The heat was certainly on this year – in more ways than one – but now we’ve got the chance to re-group, come together to share our experiences and make positive plans for 2026.

About GIMA GIMA is a membership organisation of over 200 companies representing the majority share of suppliers and manufacturers operating within the UK gardening industry, together with an estimated £4billion in annual trade.

GIMA’s goal is to promote the commercial, trading and industrial interests of its UK and EU-based members supplying the UK garden retail industry. Run by a small team of dedicated professionals, and governed by a council of members, GIMA is funded by membership subscriptions and services. The range of services and support provided for members is extensive, offering something for all members, regardless of their size or heritage.

Find out more

Any businesses interested in joining GIMA can contact the GIMA team at 01959 564947 or info@gima.org.uk. Full details regarding GIMA’s multiple-member benefits can be found at www.gima.org.uk

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