In early 2017, Glee, the UK’s leading annual exhibition for the garden retail industry, announced it will be become a biannual event with the opening of a Glee concession show at Spring Fair 2018 (February, NEC Birmingham). Since this announcement, the garden retail industry has been quick to show its support of this new chapter for Glee.
Leading trade associations, GIMA, The HTA and Gardenex have all confirmed they will be supporting Glee at Spring Fair, with all maintaining a presence at the event in February. GIMA has also confirmed it will also be bringing its popular Buyer Connect event, helping those exhibiting to maximise their exposure to key garden retail buyers through special speed networking sessions. International buyers will also be able to meet with enthusiastic suppliers within Gardenex’s own International Buyer Event, also confirmed for Glee at Spring Fair.
GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall, said: “Glee’s proposition has continued to change, each time offering the garden retail industry even more value. The new Spring Fair concession is a great strategic move, helping to extend the retailer buying season, whilst also giving retailers a second chance to see new and best-selling ranges ahead of the spring season. GIMA is pleased to confirm its support, and look forward to being part of the show early next year.”
In addition to association support, Glee at Spring Fair has also secured a number of key brands to exhibit at the inaugural event. Amongst the names confirmed are Pouf Daddy, Durston Garden Products, Charles Taylor Trading, Design Toscano, Neat Ideas, Darlac Tools, Harrod Horticulture, Apac Packaging, Laurica Plants and Vegtrug.
Finally, it has also been confirmed that Glee’s popular New Product Showcase, in association with Garden Trade News, will also be present at Glee’s Spring Fair concession event.
Glee Event Director, Matthew Mein, said: “I’d like to extend my thanks to all of those who have confirmed their support of Glee’s concession show at Spring Fair. Retailing is a constantly evolving business, and we appreciate that the buying cycle for gardening, outdoor living gifts, and design-led products stretches across the whole year, with spring remaining a key focus for many. With this in mind, we have launched Glee at Spring Fair as a secondary opportunity for retailers to source products in the first quarter of the year, whilst also increasing Glee’s visibility to those buyers that don’t normally attend the September show.”
Glee at Spring Fair – endless benefits for both retailers & suppliers
Glee at Spring Fair will give retailers the opportunity to see new and best-selling ranges ahead of the spring season, A second addition this time of year will give retailers an additional destination to refresh their ranges for key retail spikes, whilst also providing a showcase of the latest trends and concepts, helping retailers better direct their buying. Categories that retailers can look forward to sourcing will include garden care, landscaping and garden decoration, and outdoor entertaining.
It’s not just retailers that will benefit, a presence at Glee’s Spring Fair concession will also provide exhibitors with a secondary revenue opportunity in the year, Glee at Spring Fair will take prime location in Hall 3, considered to be in the main thoroughfare, and will have the signature wide boulevard synonymous with the September layout. Utilising a ‘shop in a shop’ concept, Glee has confirmed that the show’s recognisable branding will be present, helping to recreate the buzzing environment that is the hallmark of the September show.
Garden, outdoor living and design-led product suppliers are invited to contact the Glee sales team to find out more about how they can maximise this exciting new development.
Find out more
Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits within core product categories including garden care, landscaping, outdoor living, garden design, pet, speciality food and catering, home, gift and clothing, and plants. Each year the show attracts thousands of buyers from top retailers, such as leading UK garden centres, builders’ merchants, multiple retailers, and DIY stores. To keep up-to-date on all the latest news visit www.gleebirmingham.com or for details on exhibiting at Glee 2017, call 0203 033 2160.
