GIMA has announced the winners of the prestigious 2024 GIMA Awards which was held earlier tonight at the stunning Celtic Manor Resort in Newport. This evening’s ceremony recognised the finest innovations, outstanding performances, and remarkable contributions that have been made within the garden retail sector by a host of dedicated and passionate suppliers and manufacturers.

Honouring the brands, products, and initiatives that have made a significant impact across multiple categories saw 17 winners crowned, all carefully selected by this year’s judging panel. The panel was, this year, made up of Blue Diamond’s Alan Roper, Sharon McNair from Yorkshire Garden Centres, Josh Novell of Polhill Garden Centres, Haskin’s Andy Harriss, Scott Provan from Klondyke, plus Garden Trade News’ Trevor Pfeiffer, Michael Perry aka Mr Plant Geek, and Jade Galloway-Harrison from award sponsors, eBay.

With the judge’s work done, it fell to well-known comedian, presenter and Sunday Times bestselling author, Tom Allen to unveil this year’s winner’s rollcall. Captivating the audience from the off, Tom brought his unique sense of wit and observational comedy to proceedings, helping to make it a night to remember. 

GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said of the event: “We’ve had the most incredible night! The room was packed full, laughter was ringing out from all corners, and we have a list of winners that truly demonstrates how much our sector is dedicated to finding new solutions, showcasing innovation and helping our nation’s gardeners to fall in love with gardening season after season. 

“The biggest thank you to everyone that has made tonight possible. From our sponsors and judges to those that entered and, of course, our winners. You’ve all made this a truly magical evening!”

GIMA AWARDS 2024 – THE WINNERS

One of the most coveted accolades is the GIMA Sword of Excellence, and this year saw Sipcam Home & Garden scoop it for the second year in a row, thanks to the success of its Slug Stoppa. The judges said: “The choice was simple. True innovation, and a dual-purpose product.” Highly commended for the Sword of Excellence was given to Westland for its Kent & Stowe SureCut Cutting Range.

Elsewhere, the GCA Supplier of the Year Award, was given to Westland Horticulture, with a shortlist made up of the AMES Companies, Woodmansterne, Meadow View Stone and Woodlodge.  The GCA said of Westland: “There were plenty of strong contenders for the top spot this year, but with just one vote in it Westland just beat everyone else with their complete category and range propositions, backed with superb services levels.”

This year it was Doff Portland that walked away triumphant, having been awarded the Gardenex Export AchievementAward, just pipping VegTrug and David Austin Roses who were awarded finalist status. Talking about their selection Gardenex said: “Doff Portland Ltd is our winner of the Export Achievement Award due to its strategic expansion in the EU and strong investment in proprietary authorisations.  Coupled with exclusive partnerships and success in securing product registrations for biocides and slug control across multiple EU countries. Their impressive growth, achieving multi-million pound in EU turnover, and recognition for best in market in France contributing to their success along with a King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, makes Doff this year’s worthy winner.”

This year’s sustainability crown was given to the team at Primeur for its Tierra Verde coloured collection, which scooped the HTA sponsored Sustainability Award. The judges’ comments for selecting Primeur were: “Primeur continue to evolve a great eco range of products, this time creating further diversification within the multi-award-winning Tierra Verde range of planters.”

A ‘Sustainability Champion’ was also selected within each category (where relevant), celebrating the different ways sustainable solutions are being brought to market.

GIMA AWARDS 2024 - PRODUCT AWARDS

Garden Care - sponsored by Decco

Winner: Sipcam Home and Garden - Slug Stoppa

Finalists: Sipcam Home and Garden - Organic Superfood Concentrated Liquid Feeds, Vitax - Vitax Organic All-Purpose Feed, Pelsis Ltd. - Green Protect Box Tree Moth Trap, Westland Horticulture - Westland Lawn Care Collection

Category Sustainability Champion: Sipcam Home and Garden - Organic Superfood Concentrated Liquid Feeds

About the winner: It’s a spray that creates invisible barriers on plants, deterring slugs/snails from going near them. Unlike harmful slug products, Slug Stoppa is pesticide free and leaves slugs unharmed whilst also promoting healthier growth for plants. Slug Stoppa also has a unique spray pouch using 55% less plastic than a plastic rigid plastic bottle.

What the judges said: “We love that this product both feeds and protects plants at the same time.”

Growing Media

Winner: Southern Trident Ltd - Harmony Gardens Multipurpose Compost with added John Innes

Finalists: Westland Horticulture - Westland Houseplant Potting Mix, RocketGro - Multi-Purpose Compost 50L, Westland Horticulture - Boost All Purpose Compost

Sustainability Champion: Southern Trident Ltd - Harmony Gardens Multipurpose Compost with added John Innes

About the winner: It stands out as the first carbon-neutral, PAS 2060 accredited peat-free compost, distinguished by its extensive quality testing and customer satisfaction. Its innovative packaging, made from 60% recycled content and fully recyclable, positions it as a leader in sustainable gardening products, setting new industry standards for eco-friendly practices.

What the judges said: “A good mix of ingredients, with added loam and John Innes - and the first claiming to be carbon neutral too.”

Garden Tools, Machinery & Implements

Winner: Westland Horticulture - Kent & Stowe SureCut Cutting Range

Finalists: The AMES Companies UK Ltd - Ames Tools Carbon Steel Digging Spade, GARDENA UK - GARDENA SuperCut All Purpose Loppers, GARDENA UK - GARDENA 18V MultiCleaner AquaBrush

Sustainability Champion: Westland Horticulture - Kent & Stowe SureCut Cutting Range

About the winner: The new SureCut range comprises of loppers, shears and secateurs that have been thoughtfully engineered with the Reflex Energy System, designed to enhance performance and ease of use. This unique innovation results in maximum comfort with minimum effort when cutting, as each tool features rubber bumpers that are designed to absorb shock and promote a gentle rebound. This significantly reduces the jarring sensation for a comfortable and ergonomic experience that also ensures enhanced durability of each tool.

What the judges said: “Great technical innovation, presented fantastically and positioned commercially so it sells really well.”

Growing Planting Equipment & Sundries

Winner: Smart Garden Products - GroZone Perfect Propagator

Finalists: Westland Horticulture - Flopro Metal Multi Spray Gun, Deco-Pak - Chelsea Horticultural Seashells, Elho - Green Basics Strawberry Pot

Sustainability Champion: Deco-Pak - Chelsea Horticultural Seashells

About the winner: Its innovative features streamline the propagation process, offering a user-friendly solution that empowers gardeners to achieve successful plant growth with minimal effort, marking a significant advancement in the gardening industry.

What the judges said: “Perfect value on a small scale and simple to use - a very smart product.”

Outdoor Leisure – sponsored by LOFA

Winner: Zest Outdoor Living - Terraza Outdoor Kitchen Range Set

Finalists: Maze - Roma Rope Weave Corner Dining Set with Rising Table - Clay Stone Grey, Zest Outdoor Living - Stirling Arbour, Woodlodge Products - W Garden Living - Panama

Woodlodge Products - W Garden Living - Soft Furnishings

Sustainability Champion: Woodlodge Products - W Garden Living - Soft Furnishings

About the winner: This outdoor kitchen is designed to give a choice of configurations and not be simply linear. The range includes additional units that can be purchased separately allowing for flexibility. The attention to design ensured it reached an attractive RRP making it attainable to a wider demographic across different income levels – aspirational but affordable.

What the judges said: “Fantastic value for money, looks great and has sold well.”

Garden Landscaping

Winner: Altico Garden Products - Natural Slate feature piece

Finalists: Altico Garden Products - Pure & Natural Pebbles & Cobbles, Zest Outdoor Living – Tall Botanical Greenhouse, Deco-Pak – Eco-Stone Glass Chippings

Category Sustainability Champion: Deco-Pak – Eco-Stone Glass Chippings

About the winner: A multipurpose, decorative and natural landscape piece that can be used to create a variety of beautiful garden features. Edge beds and borders, make intricate pathways, zone outdoor spaces or use to create dramatic architectural effects.

What the judges said: “Genuinely different and makes a great look accessible to the consumer.”

Garden Clothing & Gifts

Winner: Phoenox Textiles Ltd - Hug Rug Bee 3

Finalists: Treadstone Products - Warm 'n' Waterproof Garden Glove, Treadstone Products - ClipGlove Activity Boots, Mr Fothergill's Seeds Ltd - Pudsey Wildlife Attracting Flower Mix

Category Sustainability Champion: Phoenox Textiles Ltd - Hug Rug Bee 3

About the winner: A new design, drawn and created specifically for The Bumblebee Conservation Trust to raise funds and awareness for their charity, launched at Hampton Court Garden Festival.

What the judges said: “A great design, great value and to top it all, British made.  What's not to like?”

Pet Care, Aquatics & Wild Bird Care

Winner: Satchville Gift Company - Earthy Sustainable Bird Feeder Collection

Finalists: Wildlife World - Frogilo, Smart Garden Products - Yak Popcorn, Wildlife World - "Woolie" the Sheep"

Category Sustainability Champion: Satchville Gift Company - Earthy Sustainable Bird Feeder Collection

About the winner: Uses sustainable material to make it more innovative.  Products look good and blends in with nature when used in the gardens.  Trials have shown that the birds love them and use them continually.

What the judges said: “A really well-presented, complete range of products with a great eco-message.”

Garden Lighting, Water Features & Ornamentation

Winner: Smart Garden Products - Rainbow Flaming Balloon

Finalists: The Solar Centre - Seattle Ash USB Solar Table Light, Altico Garden Products Ltd - Jada Self Contained Water Feature, Smart Garden Products - Magic Mushroom, Smart Garden Products - Maris Solar Lantern.

Category Sustainability Champion: Maze - Athena Solar Light

About the winner: A pioneering feature that offers a mesmerizing flame-like appearance, making it a standout decorative piece. 

What the judges said: “An amazing pick-up line that has ‘lit-up’ sales.”

Decorative Pots & Planters

Winner: Primeur Ltd - Tierra Verde Coloured Collection

Finalists: Elho - The Coffee Collection, Elho - Jazz Round, Capi Europe BV - Metallic Copper Groove Planter, Woodlodge Products - EcoMade Hemp Indoor Planter

Category Sustainability Champion: Primeur Ltd - Tierra Verde Coloured Collection

About the winner: New colours give customers a wider range to choose from when creating their displays.  Options for different colours, shapes and sizes allow for endless different styling options. A quick and easy way to upgrade the exterior of a home.

What the judges said: “Stylish with a good strong eco-message that's easy to understand.”

GIMA AWARDS 2024 – MARKETING AWARDS

Best Point of Sale Material

Winner: Keter UK Ltd - Stewart Balcony Range Stand by Keter

Finalists: Satchville Gift Company - Earthy Sustainable Tree Display, Meadow View Stone - Project Themed, Point of Sale Displays, GARDENA UK - GARDENA Multi-Function Stand and POS, Altico Garden Products Ltd - Pure & Natural Pebbles and Cobbles, Treadstone Products - ClipGlove Activity Boot Display Stand

Category Sustainability Champion: Satchville Gift Company - Earthy Sustainable Tree Display

About the winner: The majority of stands within this product category are metal, designed for a specific selection of products and have little by way of visual graphics to attract the eye. This stand, however, is bright, bold, flexible in content and immediately tells the story of the products it holds.

What the judges said: “This stand highlights the products features and benefits to great effect, helping to generate more sales.”

Best Multi-Channel Campaign – sponsored by Garden Centre Retail

Winner: Westland Horticulture - Peckish 'Colour in Your Garden' campaign

Finalists: Westland Horticulture - The Westland Garden newspaper, Evergreen Garden Care - Miracle-Gro “Have yourself a Gro-ment” campaign, GARDENA UK - Grow With GARDENA

About the winner: Peckish launched its biggest ever media campaign on TV on Christmas Day 2023. ‘Colour in Your Garden’ was a multiplatform campaign with a £1.5m investment that reached over 25 million consumers. In the new creative, viewers are treated to a spectacular show of the vibrant colours of wild birds enjoying being fed with Peckish. The captivating scenes encapsulate the essence of Peckish, revealing how the brand truly does bring everyone closer to nature in a sustainable way, and highlights the joy of wild bird feeding.

What the judges said: “A beautifully crafted and engaging multi-channel campaign seen by 25 million consumers.”

Best Social Media Campaign

Winner: Westland Horticulture - Westland Beneath the Leaf campaign

Finalists: Elho - The Coffee Collection social media package, Westland Horticulture - Peckish For Nature: Year-Round Communications Campaign, GARDENA UK - Flymo – First Cut Sunday

About the winner: In recent years, houseplant sales have surged, with the HTA reporting a 12% year-over-year increase in December 2023, and nearly half of Britons purchased a houseplant in 2022. Recognising this growing market, Westland launched a comprehensive campaign to raise awareness of its houseplant product collection and educate consumers on maintaining a thriving indoor jungle.

What the judges said: “This campaign taps into what has been a growth market in recent years. It's perfectly aimed at keeping consumers engaged with some great content ultimately driving sales.”