EVENT REVIEW: GLEE 2021


the garden retail sector was finally able to reunite after a two-year hiatus. Millions of new British gardeners the past two years,


have made


even with all its many challenges, a period of tremendous growth and innovation for the industry and Glee is the most important launch platform, where suppliers can bring new products to market and engage with the retail trade. Featuring over 300 brands, 125 of


which were completely new to the show this year, the long-anticipated return of Glee as an in-person event was positively received from all corners of the retail sector: from traditional garden centres, DIY Stores and farm shops to high street retailers, department stores, builders’ merchants and thriving e-commerce sites.


As the first occasion since 2019, when so many gardening brands and retailers could meet face to face under one roof, it wasn’t surprising that Glee opened its doors on Tuesday September 14 to a large and eager crowd, who helped create “the busiest start to Glee ever” for many exhibitors. The show provided an essential hub for educational business content and future trends; also hosting a number of prestigious industry award ceremonies to celebrate the best of garden centre retailing and the most innovative and exciting new products launched over the past 24 months.


Buyers flocked to the NEC, raring to go and ready to meet their regular suppliers, source new product solutions and place those all- important trade orders at Glee. The ability to touch and feel products in person – something that’s been sorely missed over the past two years – brought a fantastic buzz to the busy show, which lasted for the full three days.


Among the many show highlights, 12 DIY WEEK SEPTEMBER 2021


T GLEE


hey say absence makes the heart grow fonder and this certainly felt


like a


true sentiment at this year’s Glee, when


SHOW HELPS GARDEN RETAIL SPRING BACK


Glee, the UK’s key trade event for garden and outdoor living, made a triumphant return to the NEC Birmingham earlier this month, as visitors keen to get out and meet people face-to-face again came in large numbers to see all the latest and greatest the industry has to offer and get back to a post-Covid new normal.


much quality in one day as we might do in three days previously. People were really engaging and were just glad to be there. There was a great vibe, and you could feel the halls buzzing. We saw existing customers but some new as well. It also feels as though people were really open and responsive


to


British Garden Centres was voted Garden Retailer Buying Team of the Year (six stores or more) and Aylett Nurseries was named Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year (up to five stores) in this year’s Buyer’s Power List Awards; Pot-mate was awarded this year’s GIMA Innovator’s Seed Corn Fund; Hills Plants scooped the Best Glee Green Heart Display award; and 19 fantastic new garden and pet


products were named winners of the coveted Glee New Product Showcase.


All the fun of the fair


Individual exhibitors had plenty of their own highpoints at this year’s exhibition. Nigel Thompson of Sipcam Home & Garden, which provides innovative solutions for home, pet and garden care, said: “We had some great leads at Glee 2021. In fact, we had probably as


change. The


consumer demographics have changed, and they are not your traditional gardener.” GYO specialist, Green Digit (Grow So Simple), were also feeling the buzz, saying: “It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were making our Glee debut within the GIMA Innovators Zone, with one product and a head full of ideas and now, we are here as a fully- established brand that is growing its portfolio and international reach. This has easily been our best ever Glee. Everyone has been so positive about being back at shows, but more were


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