As the doors close on the biggest and most successful edition of Glee in years, the organising team of the UK’s leading garden retail show has reviewed key trends emerging from this year’s event and is looking ahead to June 27 to June 29 2023 for an early glimpse of what’s in store next for the exhibition.
The team said: “If one key message emerged from the superb content programme offered at Glee 2022, it was that despite the huge economic challenges our country is facing, the gardening industry is better placed than almost any other to not just survive but thrive. Always strong on content, Glee pulled out all the stops with a host of expert commentators who were united in their belief that the future is bright for gardening.
“As retailers adjust their business models and learn new skills to keep up with consumer shifts, the trade event that serves them has also changed with the times. This has already seen Glee shift from its historic September date to a late June timeframe, which better suits the buying patterns of garden centers and other outdoor living specialists.”
Commenting on the new June date, GCA (Garden Centre Association) chairman Tammy Woodhouse, who is the managing director of Millbrook Garden Centres, said: “In the long-term, I think the new slot will help us make buying decisions earlier and allow us to have a summer sale and clear through old stock to make way for new ranges for next year.”
British Garden Centres joint managing director Charles Stubbs added: “It was great to see Glee back and in such good health! The level of commitment to the industry from suppliers was obvious through their NPD and investment in existing stock. I was particularly impressed by the number of new exhibitors; every one of them relevant to our industry.”
Robin Mercer, owner of Belfast-based Hillmount Garden Centres and the recipient of the coveted Best Independent Award in this year’s Glee Buyers Power List, also shared his thoughts: “We need to go to shows to see what’s new, and the stand quality was very good, the layout was great – it was spacious and easy to get around. People went to a lot of effort to make their stands look nice and decorated them well with nice features. We also made a point of visiting the New Product Showcase.”
Robin and his retail colleagues were spoilt for choice at this year’s Glee, where exhibitor levels were back to pre-pandemic numbers, with 170 new brands – never-before seen at the event – showcasing their latest innovations, and international exhibitors from 22 countries out in force. Exhibitors agreed that the quality of retailers in attendance was also very high, with all the major garden centre groups sending buying teams and a wealth of independents from around the UK turning out to support the event.
What’s new for 2023
Newness, of course, is the name of the game when it comes to inspiring buying, and Glee had much to offer in the way of product innovation, especially in the all-important realm of sustainability. This newness will be amplified at next year’s event, when the show will extend from four to five halls of the NEC, enabling key sectors to expand and opening up new growth areas for Glee.
After an exceptionally strong 2022 showing, which saw buyers turning up in droves to place orders ahead of Christmas, the Home, Gift & Clothing sector will be transformed into a dedicated village for trend-driven garden home and giftware. A new DIY sector will also debut at the 2023 show, while a new International Sourcing sector will help make Glee a destination for major wholesale buyers and procurement experts.
Outdoor Entertaining is also set to grow for next year’s event, as demand for outdoor entertainment products remains high. During his seminar at the show on opportunities for growth in the current economic climate, HTA (Horticultural Trade Association) head of research David Denny pointed out that “even before the pandemic, outdoor living was on an upwards trajectory, but over the last 12 to 18 months it has accelerated in growth, and few would disagree that garden retail has benefitted from this positive trend. The question now on the garden industry’s mind is: how does it continue to engage with this new consumer group, and can this continuous growth be maintained?”
Glee is here to help meet that challenge, with a host of exciting plans for the development of this vital sector at next year’s show, with the outdoor demonstration zone, Fire, Grill & Chill, playing an important part in this expansion.
Glee event director Matthew Mein said: “We are incredibly excited about the continuing evolution of Glee at such a pivotal time of growth and change for the gardening industry. Through the support of innovation and by driving newness in every market sector, inspiring buyers, and helping to inform their purchasing decisions in a rapidly changing environment, Glee has a vital role to play. We are more than ready to meet the challenges and help our customers make the most of opportunities, facilitated by our new June date, which opens up Glee to the most important buying cycle for trade.”
To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com. To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2023, call 0203 3545 9752.
