New for Glee 2015, 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. 

The awards will be divided into five categories, and votes are 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/BPL, with July 3 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 on July 13.  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 2015. Taking place on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 15, 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.

Glee’s event director, Matthew Mein said: “So often the buyers and buying teams are overlooked, so we wanted to introduce something that will reward the hard work and dedication that they demonstrate every day.

"These teams or individuals not only help to bring to market thousands of products every year, but they help to shape the retail environment, which has seen garden centres develop into destination centres recognised for their innovation, product selection and aspirational lifestyle on offer.

"I’ve no doubt that the Buyers Power List will be a popular part of Glee’s ongoing offering, and I look forward to seeing who scoops the awards at this year’s inaugural ceremony at Glee 2015.”

To keep up-to-date on all the latest Glee news log onto www.gleebirmingham.com.  For details on exhibiting at Glee, call 0203 033 2160.