2020 will no doubt go down in history for all the wrong reasons, but as an industry we can all be proud of our efforts to continue trading throughout the most challenging of conditions, and when demand for all of our products exceeded expectations. 

At GIMA, we were pleased to have been able to work across the industry with our fellow trade bodies, the HTA, GCA and LOFA in order to support our respective members through the difficult early stages of lockdown, and then once again when we emerged to unprecendented demand for gardening products. 

With an influx of around 3 million new gardeners, and the restrictions we are all being forced to come to terms with for the forseable future, it looks like interest in our homes and gardens will continue into 2021 and beyond. 

Despite the difficulties we all faced, our members have continued to invest in growth by developing new products, packaging and merchandising solutions for the garden retail channel. To that end we are pleased to present you with this unique digital publication, dedicated to featuring our members new products ready for the 2021 spring summer season.

 It’s a tremendous achievement that our members have delivered such innovation whilst overcoming the twin obstacles of COVID secure working, combined with unprecedented supply chain demand.

The absence of Glee at the NEC this year sadly means no GIMA innovators seed corn fund competition or winner this year, but we are committed to bringing this back next year to ensure we support exciting new entrants into our market.

It’s clearly going to be a few months before we can all meet up again, and we are hopeful that we will be able to  welcome you all on July 15th for the rescheduled 40th GIMA awards at the Celtic Manor.  But don’t forget we have a packed winter program of virtual events, including webinars, buyer connect sessions and panel discissions to look forward to in the meantime.

On behalf of GIMA and all its members may I thank you for your continued support in a very challenging year, and lets all focus on getting ready, together let’s make 2021 a gardening year to remember.

Simon McArdle

GIMA President 2020/2021