Features

RHS and licensees out in force at major UK garden and outdoor living trade event   This year’s GLEE — the UK’s most valuable garden and outdoor living trade show for the retail industry, taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 11-13 September — will see a major RHS undertaking to raise awareness of its home and gifting offering to the gardening products retail trade.   The RHS stand (17p01) will be featuring licensed merchandise from no fewer than 15 RHS licensees and endorsed partners in the home and gifting sectors as well as the gardening category. Buyer and retailer visitors to the…

The growth of the Garden Lighting category shows no sign of abating. This continued increase is, in part, due to the enduring trend to invest in outside spaces, treating them as an extension of the home. More recently however, it has been fuelled by the dynamic expansion of lighting options made available to consumers, in particular solar lighting where there are no cables or connectivity issues.   Smart Solar – the market leading brand from Smart Garden Products - has a rich heritage in the design and manufacture of high quality solar powered lighting, and at Glee 2017 will be introducing…

Joining Glee’s keynote roster in 2017 will be well-known naturalist, film maker, author and co-designer of several award-winning garden wildlife products, Simon King OBE.   Simon will be presenting a special off-one session on Tuesday 12th September (2:10 – 2:30pm within Glee’s seminar theatre, Retail Lab) entitled ‘The Secrets to a Successful Wildlife Garden’.    Never before has there been such a wide choice of products to help attract and support wildlife in your garden. Whether you have a square metre in the heart of the city or a rambling spread in suburbia, there are a host of…

This year Glee will be home to its strongest pet contingent for many years. From the PetQuip Business Village that has doubled in size, to the wealth of UK and international exhibitors and the newly introduced Buyer Connect event, pet buyers and garden retailers will be spoilt for choice.     With a recent report suggesting that 70% of UK garden centres now feature a dedicated pet care section, it is clear that the UK’s love for their pets shows no sign of slowing.  In fact, total spending on pet care in the UK reached a record high of around £5.08bn last year as the role of the ‘pet’…

One of the most innovative features at the annual Glee exhibition, the Retail Lab @ Glee – new for 2017 - has secured backing from a wide range of leading suppliers, who have come on board as ‘Preferred Supplier Partner’ and ‘Selected Supplier Partner’ of the Retail Lab’s four trend-lead areas.  Here, ‘Preferred Supplier Partner’ Elho’s Sales Manager UK & Ireland, David Nicholson tells us more about Elho’s plans for the Retail Lab @ Glee.   Can you tell us more about what products you will displaying? We’ll be displaying a selection of Elho’s new and best-selling pots. What we’ve found…

On Monday 11th September, Glee will be welcoming award-winning gardening journalist and TV presenter, Nick Bailey, to the stage as this year’s keynote speaker.   Leading not one, but three sessions as part of Glee’s ever-popular seminar programme, Nick’s keynote speech will focus on the latest emerging trends in gardens, how garden centres can utilise garden shows as a way of promotion, and the diverse ways that the younger generations can engage with horticulture.   With 25 years’ experience under his belt, Nick has carved out a career within both the publishing and broadcasting worlds. …

THE TEAM at Wyevale Nurseries are gearing up this month (August, 2017) ready for Glee from September 11 until 13 at the NEC in Birmingham.   The Hereford-based nurseries will be at the garden and outdoor living trade show to promote its new catalogue and to give attendees the chance to see its new plants for the coming year.   Adam Dunnett, Sales & Marketing Director at Wyevale Nurseries, said: “We are exhibiting at GLEE again this year armed with our Promotions Catalogue for 2018 and samples of the new promotions we have launched within it.  “Featured on the stand (NB21 – NB24)…

Alex Marsh, Managing Director at Close Brothers Retail Finance, reveals the latest trends in garden purchasing and highlights the value of being able to spread the cost of big ticket items for the garden through retail finance. Looking at the latest ONS retail sales figures, it seems that retailers are managing to hold their own in an extremely challenging economic environment. As we progress through the summer it is clear to see that retailers are under constant attack from the repercussions of inflation outstripping wage growth. However, retail sales have shown unexpected resilience…

Brambles Pet and Wildlife Limited have launched a brand new wildlife range under the ‘Brambles’ brand name, exclusive to the pet & garden trade. At Brambles Pet and Wildlife we are passionate about wildlife. Our vast experience enables us to produce a range of quality foods that keep wild animals in tip top condition in today’s challenging times. The company is keen to promote feeding the right food for wildlife as there are so many people feeding inappropriate foods that can be very harmful.   All Brambles foods are made in Great Britain, have no artificial flavours, colours or added…

Britain’s largest grower of fruit and ornamental trees for garden centres, Frank P. Matthews Limited of Worcestershire, is set to take a very special collection of apples on a mini tour of the county this autumn. Starting at the 2017 Malvern Autumn Show, the company will be displaying more than 300 different varieties, together with crab apples and the pears that this area is also famous for.   Included in the collection will be the newly bred ‘Apple Paradise Gold™’, as chosen by the London Paralympic Legacy for planting in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park; to recognise the importance of…

Pet food company Soopa are celebrating the recent successful launch of their healthy dental stick range in the UK and Ireland. The new range of dental sticks which sold out in their first 2 months are stocked in Pet’s Corner, Scampers, Chessington Garden Centre and in independents pet stores across the UK. Having spoken with their customers Soopa found many were feeding healthy food and treats but still feeding junk-filled dental sticks. “We saw a huge need for a natural healthier dental stick for dog owners” Founder Barbara Hanly says “our version provides a healthy alternative with no…

Win a Retail Starter Kit worth £170 with Soopa Pets. Simply answer the following question: How many products in total are in the Soopa Dog Treat Range? Find the answer by visiting www.soopapets.com and enter by simply emailing your answer and name to sales@soopapets.com @soopapets   ABOUT SOOPA PETS I love my dog Lily and want her to be healthy and happy that’s why I created this range of super healthy dog treats. I believe by making small changes in your dog’s diet you can make a huge difference in the overall health of your dog. Soopa products are 100% natural, made from superfood…

At White Stores, we understand how important it is to feel at home in your garden during those short and sweet summer months. But choosing the right garden furniture can be a tricky business, so we have come up the perfect “how to” guide for choosing the perfect patio furniture.  Know your furniture There are several different types of garden furniture to choose from including (but not limited to): • Rattan • Pine • Teak • Cast Aluminium • Iron • Oak • Fabric We suggest familiarising yourself with all available options before making a decision and especially knowing the difference…

New Century Glasshouses Ltd is a family run business specialising in the supply and erection of second hand refurbished Venlo glasshouses and associated products. The Managing Director, Ken Sharpe has over 50 years experience in the horticultural supply business and he leads a small team of dedicated staff to ensure the services provided are of the highest quality.   The position of Company Secretary is held by one of Ken’s daughters and the administration of the office is carried out by Ken’s sister Carole.  The Company employs its own Site Team of specialised and experienced erectors, led…

Garland / Worth Gardening will be making a major statement with the launch of over 70 new products on its Stand Hall 18H10-K11 at Glee in 2017.  It brings the number of new product introductions by the company to over 250 in the past three years.  The latest items serve both the garden and DIY markets, and includegrow pot towers, hanging basket liners and a lawn rake, as well as paint brushes and pest control products.   New products to be launched at Glee 2017 show include: The new self-watering grow pot tower• A self-watering grow pot tower that has an 11ltr planting capacity.  It stands…

There’s nothing more pleasant than spending those precious moments outdoors in your very own outdoor space. But if you really would like to make the most of these days, you’ll need some quality garden furniture. Housing Units, Manchester’s largest home furnishings store, have provided the ultimate buyers guide to help you choose the best furniture for your space. What to ask yourself before you buy: What are you using the furniture for? Are you using it to relax after a tough week, or just for entertaining during the summer? Consider just how you want to use this garden furniture, how…