It’s been a slower start to the season than most of us had hoped, but as we celebrate the Easter holidays the sun has started to shine and our wonderful nation of gardeners have come out of hibernation and started to enjoy their gardens and outdoor spaces in earnest once again.

Of course, the great British weather is a common concern for our industry, in fact, its unpredictability is the one constant. The turbulence of the past few years has caused us all to question ‘what does normal look like?’, but 2023 might be the closest we have been for a while. There is certainly an air of positivity shaping the mood, helped by supply chain issues stabilising and demand falling back into more expected patterns. The fact that consumer data is also showing that shoppers are still prioritising spend on their homes and gardens, despite the world being fully opened up to them again, is also heartening. Whilst the world has changed, the nation’s love of gardening has remained and it is this potential which we, as an industry, must harness. Whether targeting traditional gardeners, urban dwellers or ethical consumers, the opportunities really are endless.

In this spring edition of the GIMA Digest, you will see how suppliers have responded. Whether it’s support for retailers or new products to entice consumers and tackle common issues, the following pages are packed full of content that demonstrates our resilience and passion for garden retail. Look out for new brands that have brought new blood to our sector, and exciting innovation that demonstrates how we continue to think outside the box and offer fresh solutions to new and existing consumer queries. I’ve now doubt that much of what features in this edition of the GIMA Digest will offer significant potential for retailers, with many products set to scoop an award or two this awards season!

Whatever your needs – from sourcing new supply partners, expanding your category offering, looking for your next bestseller or simply wanting to understand the landscape better – this guide to the best that GIMA members have to offer will be a must-read all season long.

Thanks to all the GIMA members that have contributed to the Digest this spring, and to our wider membership and retailer network for creating such a vibrant and thriving industry. It’s an honour to be part of this industry, and I wish you all the very best for the season to come.

Jenny Douthwaite

GIMA President 2022/23

The 2022 issues of the GIMA Digest have been viewed on-line almost 19,000 times by readers in over 50 countries around the world with an average read time of almost 7 minutes. This combined with the 6,212 openings of the e-newsletter version means the GIMA New Product Digest helped almost 25,000 potential buying opportunities during 2022.