Buyers Power List returns to Glee 2016

Celebrating the most outstanding buyers from the garden retail industry, the Buyers Power List will be returning to Glee 2016 - 12th to 14th September, NEC Birmingham.

First launched to the market at Glee 2015 – and receiving a wholly positive response from the garden retail industry - the Buyers Power List is designed to provide suppliers and retailers with a platform to recognise the individual buyers and buying teams who have gone above and beyond to make a difference, and whose decisions are helping the garden retail industry to thrive.

Maintaining the successful format of the 2015 awards, there will be five individual categories, with votes invited from across the industry, with everyone from heads of purchasing to suppliers eligible to vote. Nominations can be submitted via the dedicated Buyers Power List pages at www.gleebirmingham.com/content/Glee-BUYERS-POWER-LIST-2016, with 26th June marking the cut-off point to nominate your favourite buyer or buying team.

The Buyers Power List categories have been confirmed as:

• Garden Centre Buyer or Buying Team (fewer than 5 stores)

• Garden Centre Buyer or Buying Team (more than 5 stores)

• DIY store or Builders Merchant Buyer or Buying Team

• Other Retailer Buyer or Buying Team (including supermarkets, department stores and high street)

• Online Retailer Buyer or Buying Team

Once all nominations have been received a shortlist will be drawn up, with the top 10 names from each category being announced in mid-July. This list of the top 50 buyers and buying teams will then be subject to peer nominations, where those shortlisted have the opportunity to cast one final vote, to decide on an overall winner in each of the five categories.

The Buyers Power List ‘winner of winners’ will then be announced during a special ceremony at Glee 2016. Taking place on the afternoon of Tuesday 13th September, the ceremony will see representatives from both the retail and supply side of the garden industry come together to celebrate another impressive 12 months of trading.

Talking about the Buyers Power List, Glee’s event director, Matthew Mein said: “I am incredibly pleased to confirm that the Buyers Power List will be returning to Glee 2016. Last year’s event was extremely well received and drew hundreds of entries from a wide range of retailers, suppliers and members of the press. The true value of these awards lie in the fact that it is peer voted, making any nomination or win a truly meaningful event for those lucky enough to make the cut. I look forward to seeing who the industry chooses to award this year.”

Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits within core product categories including garden care, outdoor living, landscaping, garden design, pet, speciality food and catering, home, gift and clothing, and plants. Each year the show attracts thousands of buyers from top retailers, such as leading UK garden centres, builders’ merchants, multiple retailers, and DIY stores. To keep up-to-date on all the latest news log onto www.gleebirmingham.com or call 020 3033 2160 to find out about exhibiting.

2015 Glee Buyers Power List finalists & winners

Best Independent Garden Retail Buying Team:

Finalists:

Ayletts Nurseries

Burford Garden Centre

Haskins

Polhill Garden Centre

Scotsdale

Winner:

Haskins

Best Online Garden Retail Buying Team:

Finalists: