The Garden Centre Association’s annual conference in January will start with a bespoke Retail Safari in London led by a well-known Retail Futurist whose clients have included Marks & Spencer.
The Safari represents the launch event for the 2025 Conference, which takes place at De Vere Wokefield Estate, Reading, from January 26 until 29.
GCA Chairman Elect, Ben Harrison, from Haskins Garden Centres, who has helped organise the day, says: “We’re kicking off our 2025 event on the Sunday, January 26, with a brilliant Retail Safari in the capital led by renowned retail expert, Matthew Brown.
“Matthew is the founder and director of a retail trend agency called Echochamber and has spent the past 25 years travelling the world seeking out examples of great retail, emerging trends and innovative ideas. He runs retail safaris in the world’s best shopping cities to inform and inspire and is a regular keynote speaker at retail conferences worldwide. Matthew will help our members who attend, navigate the buzzing districts of London to give them a clear picture of what the best retail looks like.
“He has run Retail Safaris around the world for more than 20 years and they’re a great way to get your team together for a physical trip to see and be inspired by all the innovation that’s happening on the ground.
“After a trends’ presentation in central London, he will take us on a fascinating tour of various retail venues. We will then meet back at Battersea Power Station for drinks and nibbles.
“We will have a coach taking delegates from the hotel in the morning, , leaving the hotel at 8.45am, that will be available for those meeting in London to deposit their luggage on at the start of the day. At approximately 7.30pm guests will be taken back to the De Vere Wokefield Estate via a 50-seater luxury coach.”
Booking is now open for GCA members via www.gca.digitickets.co.uk/tickets. Any non-members are welcome to join the organisation and sign up for the event, please contact Peter via Peter@gca.org.uk to find out more about joining.
