There is great anticipation in the garden retail sector for the long-awaited return of Glee (14th – 16th September 2021, NEC Birmingham) as an in-person event; with suppliers and retailers set to reconnect and create new opportunities at this year’s show. Building on this excitement, the Glee team has confirmed that the 2022 event will move to a new date in order to meet the ever-developing needs of the garden retail sector. As a result, Glee 2022 will take place June 28th – 30th. Continue reading
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The ultimate way to get customers to your garden centre via Google Shopping
A worldwide survey among consumers showed that 76% of the offline purchases start online: consumers want to know which store is selling the products they are looking for. They also need practical information: opening hours, a phone number and directions. Continue reading
LifestyleGarden® launches Nassau Social Plastic® Collection at SOLEX 2021
New Social Plastic® offering to revolutionise the outdoor living category
LifestyleGarden® has launched its new-for-2022 Nassau Social Plastic® Collection – exclusively designed in partnership with Plastic Bank® at SOLEX 2021. The new range consisting of rainbow-bright mix and match chairs, bistro, and dining sets, is made exclusively from Social Plastic® – ethically-recovered plastic that helps fight ocean pollution by improving the lives of those who collect it. Continue reading
DuraOcean® from LifestyleGarden® – how one chair started a journey to save our oceans
Picture the scene – it’s 2019 and the judges are about to deliver their verdict on the SOLEX Best New Product award. Several products are vying for the title but only one brand – LifestyleGarden® – was able to walk away with the accolade. Little did anyone know just how this award would help to kickstart its recycled maritime plastic range, DuraOcean®, into the mainstream. Here the team tells us more about the amazing journey DuraOcean® has been on. Continue reading
The GIMA Judging is complete – find out who wins on Nov 11th
Hot on the heels of its Charity Golf Day, the GIMA team was out and about again, this time onsite at Warwick Racecourse to oversee the (socially distanced!) 2021 GIMA Awards judging. With almost 250 products entered, the judges had their work cut out for themselves, with winners having to wait a little longer to find out who has scooped this year’s highly contested awards with the annual celebratory dinner taking place on November 11th at the five-star Celtic Manor Resort. Continue reading
How the order to ‘stay home’ gave houseplants another welcome boost
Houseplant sales have been on an upward curve for some time now but, for anyone wondering if the trend has hit its peak, think again because Covid has taken the demand for greenery in the home up another notch. Lockdown has seen the nation engage with plants and gardening like never before, with retailers often struggling to keep up with demand and a new army of plant enthusiasts stepping up their spend. UK houseplant sales are forecast to top £4billion this year and the category is enticing in a wealth of younger consumers, for whom, becoming a ‘plant parent’ or impressing your followers on social media is all the rage. So, what’s behind this upswing in sales? The Glee team find out more. Continue reading
Top tips for maximising the sales potential of Primeur’s Eco Garden merchandising units
Primeur’s Eco Garden products often sell themselves thanks to their strong eco credentials, ease of use and cost effectiveness compared to traditional concrete and terracotta alternatives. However, the company is aware that some retailers are not allowing their displays to work as hard as they could, meaning vital profits are missed and customers disappointed. Here, Primeur’s Sales Director, Jenny Douthwaite offers some top tips to ensure that Eco Garden keeps the tills ringing. Continue reading
Lawncare is a breeze with DJ Turfcare’s MO Bacter – the innovative organic lawn fertiliser that effortlessly tackles moss and banishes labour-intensive scarifying
Flick through the pages of gardening magazines at this time of year and chances are they’ll feature a step-by-step guide on getting lawns into shape. While some lawncare products have evolved beyond recognition in recent years, gardeners are still being advised to kill moss with sulphate of iron, the active ingredient in lawn sand, then set about ripping dead moss from grass via the back-breaking process of scarification or hand raking. Not to mention, the problem of getting rid of the debris removed. Continue reading
GIMA Charity Golf Day welcomes the industry back with a day of sunshine and friendly competition
Marking the return of in-person events, the 11th annual GIMA Charity Golf Day (June 9th, 2021) was a fun-filled day of friendly competition, reunions, networking, fundraising, and glorious summer sunshine. Continue reading
New ULTRALIGHT™ garden wellies set to ignite garden centre sales year-round
A new name in wellington boots is helping to drive year-round sales, whilst also showcasing new material innovation to mix up the gardener’s favourite footwear category. Introducing Leon Boots Co Ltd – the name behind the all-new ‘revolutionary’ ULTRALIGHT™ garden ankle boot, the lightest and most comfortable wellington boot to ever hit the UK market. Continue reading
Glee 2021: celebrating newness within garden retail
As the first dedicated garden retail exhibition to make its in-person return post-lockdown, Glee (14th – 16th September, NEC Birmingham) has an important role to play. From networking and educating, to inspiring retailers and suppliers alike, this year’s event will be a highly anticipated showcase of the newest and most exciting innovations that the garden sector has to offer ahead of the 2022 season. Continue reading
Introducing Pelargonium for Europe – helping to increase sales & educate consumers about this summer stunner
Plant retailers will be pleased to learn that there is a thriving dedicated marketing initiative designed to help drive sales of pelargoniums and increase consumer engagement with this summer favourite. Continue reading
Last chance to enter the 2021 GIMA Awards
Don’t miss the May 28th entry deadline
Suppliers wanting to gain unrivalled market-wide recognition for their latest product innovation, marketing support or approach to sustainability will want to take centre stage at the forthcoming GIMA Awards (11th November, Celtic Manor). However, time is running out, as the deadline for entering the 2021 event– Friday May 28th – is now just days away. Continue reading
Re-elected GIMA President, Simon McArdle, thanks retail customers on behalf of the membership
Plus, Kate Ebbens re-joins GIMA Council
GIMA has announced the re-election of Simon McArdle of Westland Horticulture as GIMA President, following its AGM held virtually on Thursday 20th May 2021. Continue reading
Hug It out
We seem well on our way along Boris’ roadmap out of lockdown and, with each big date, comes a new taste of freedom. We’ve heard the cheers from fans, as outdoor sport kicked off again, watched people hit the high street for some retail therapy, seen pub gardens and outdoor restaurants bursting with thirsty punters and hungry diners desperate to go ‘out-out’ – even in the rain – and delighted as the nation was finally able to get a haircut. Surprisingly, even Boris went in for this one! The next milestone, on May 17th, sees indoor hospitality open up, 30 guests allowed at a wedding and, yes, hugging will finally be given the green light! Amazing news right? But, after more than a year of elbow taps, Zoom chats, and two-metre standoffs, without so much as a gentle squeeze, are you primed and ready to throw those arms wide and embrace your loved ones with gusto? If not, don’t panic because the lovely people at Robert Dyas will have you match fit in no time. Continue reading