A group of 30 GCA delegates got their their conference 2025 experience off to a stimulating start today, Sunday, with a Retail Safari in central London.

Led by Matthew Brown from Echo Chamber, the Safari started with a trends’ presentation in Bermondsy central London. Followed by a fascinating tour of various retail venues, including Spitalfields and ending up in Control Room 3 at Battersea Power Station for dinner before returning to the Conference venue, De Vere Wokefield Estate, Reading.

"With conference so close to London, this was an opportunity not to be missed," explained organiser and GCA Vice Chair Ben Harrison of haskins Garden Centres.  "The day has been particularly inspiring and stiulating.  It was good to see many great examples of retailing not in garden centres for once.  Sharing opinions with others in the group was particularly interesting."

See a selection of photos taken on the Retail Safari by the delegates below.

The GCA Conference starts on Monday morning with the AGM and closes on Tuesday night with the GCA Annual Dinner and Awards.

Watch this space for news and pictures from conference...