As another season comes to an end and we look ahead to a new year of opportunity, I find myself reflecting on how far our industry has come and how proud I am to be part of it. This edition of the GIMA Buyers Guide & New Product Digest not only showcases the very best in garden retail innovation for 2026, but also captures the remarkable spirit that defines our community.

Over the past few years, we’ve all had to adapt to a world that feels anything but predictable. Whether it’s shifting consumer behaviours, supply chain challenges, or the ongoing effects of climate change, “business as usual” has become a thing of the past.

Yet, time and again, our industry has risen to the challenge, resilient, creative, and full of optimism. Garden retail doesn’t just survive change; it thrives on it.

This year’s Guide is a testament to that resilience. Within these pages you’ll find inspiring new products, trusted favourites, and fresh ideas that reflect a sector full of innovation and energy. You’ll see how brands continue to evolve, embracing sustainability, digital engagement, and design thinking to meet the needs of modern consumers. It’s proof that our industry never stands still.

For me personally, this edition is a special one. As I’m now in my final year as GIMA President, I feel immense gratitude for the people who make this industry so vibrant; our members, our partners, and the dedicated teams behind every product, display, and idea featured here. It’s your passion and collaboration that drive GIMA forward and keep our industry at the forefront of retail innovation.

I’m also continually inspired by the positive impact gardening has on wellbeing. It connects us to nature, to our communities, and to ourselves. In a world that often feels uncertain, gardening offers something deeply grounding and restorative. That connection is at the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Award, we’re nurturing the next generation of talent and ideas that will carry us confidently into the future.

So, as you turn these pages, I hope you feel as inspired as I do. This Guide is more than a showcase, it’s a celebration of progress, creativity, and community.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your President. It’s been an honour to represent such an extraordinary industry, and I look forward to sharing an exciting and successful final year with you all.

Here’s to a bright, innovative, and prosperous 2026!

Kate Ebbens

GIMA President 2025-26