industry news Glee confirms new


2019 opening days Glee has a proven track record of evolving and changing to meet the needs of the industry it represents. The latest update is a continuation of this theme, as it is confirmed that the 2019 event will take place on Tuesday September 10 to Thursday September 12.


Bord na Móna to launch ‘Growing Media Academy’ at Glee 2018


Bord na Móna has announced the launch of its ‘Growing Media Academy’, a brand new, educational initiative designed to strengthen retailers’ understanding of the Bord na Móna Growise range of products. This training platform aims to create more informed, knowledgeable and confident sales champions for Bord na Móna Growise within retailers across the UK and Ireland, with multi-channel content and in-centre training to be rolled out in 2018/19.


The upcoming Glee event, taking place from September 10-12 at the NEC Birmingham, will provide a valuable launch pad for the Growing Media Academy to garden industry experts, buyers, retailers and media. The Growing Media Academy will spotlight five core ingredients that go into the Bord na Móna Growise growing media range: coir, green compost, peat, composted bark and wood fibre. As part of the sensory experience at Glee, visitors will be invited to handle the organic


materials to better understand their natural properties and growing benefits. To further cement their understanding, retailers will be introduced to the Little Book of Ingredients: the ultimate handbook and training tool for understanding Bord na Móna’s approach to high-quality, responsibly-sourced products. Copies of the handbook will be available on the stand, providing a valuable asset for retail staff and consumers alike once the initiative is rolled out in centres. Bord na Móna head of commercial


Steve Harper commented: “The Growing Media Academy is an exciting venture for us and we’re delighted to be launching it at Glee, along with our Little Book of Ingredients. Our brand is trusted for producing high quality growing media products, and we want to ensure that all our customers, their staff and those that buy our products are fully understanding of what goes into them, as well as our environmental responsibilities and brand heritage.”


Woodlodge to showcase Marie Curie charity partnership at Glee


At Glee this year, garden pots supplier Woodlodge will be promoting its partnership with the UK’s leading terminal illness support charity, Marie Curie, to raise vital funds and awareness. The Marie Curie charity pots will be on show for retailers to order on the Woodlodge stands. The stackable pots, available in three different colours, all display the charity’s well recognised daffodil logo, and will help to raise money to help nurses care for more people with a terminal illness.


For every promotional flowerpot sold from the range 28 | www.gardencentreupdate.com


Woodlodge Products will give 75p to Marie Curie. There will be a minimum gift made of £20,000 regardless of the number of products sold, however there will be no maximum amount of the donation.


Woodlodge managing director Michael Wooldridge said: “We are delighted to be working with Marie Curie to raise awareness and money for such a deserving charity. The Marie Curie collection of flowerpots have proved popular since their launch on World Cancer Day in May and we would like to thank our customers who have joined us in supporting such a valuable cause.”


GCU September 2018


The simple act of moving Glee one day later in the week has been decided upon due to increasing demand from the show’s retail visitors. Visitor trends in recent years have hinted at the popularity of the show days later in the week and following a period of consultation with both suppliers/manufacturers and retail partners the move to a Tuesday – Thursday format has been confirmed. Glee event director Matthew Mein said: “Glee needs to adapt in order to be more responsive to the needs of our visitors. With Sunday trading continuing to dominate the weekly schedule within retailing, we are seeing more and more visitors attending Glee on Tuesday and Wednesday as many dedicate Monday as the day to reflect after weekend trading, to catch up with their teams and order additional stock for the weeks ahead.


“Recognising this, we have decided to amend our opening days to provide retailers with the opportunity to focus their attention post-weekend, before visiting Glee unhindered later in the week. During our period of consultation, the response to this was extremely positive so we hope the wider industry will be equally supportive.”


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