Welcome to the all-new GIMA Buyers Guide, where we bring together the latest news, innovations and other important updates from GIMA and our members.

Alongside our essential ‘new product guide’, you’ll find insight into enhanced business support services, improved customer journeys, and refreshed business values, all aimed at helping garden retail thrive not just this spring, but well into the future.

Innovation is the biggest driver of growth in our industry. Whether it’s tackling age old problems with fresh solutions, offering eco-friendly alternatives, or simply keeping pace with socio-economic shifts and trends, suppliers are investing in new product development to meet evolving consumer demands. By embracing this innovation, retailers can stay ahead of the curve, spark new dialogue, attract fresh faces to gardening, and deepen engagement with existing customers.

Despite the constant pressures impacting our industry, the suppliers featured in this guide have pulled out the stops to deliver exceptional new products in the quest for growth and continuous improvement. One major challenge is the tightening of consumer spend throughout the cost-of-living crisis. Suppliers are meeting this challenge with a focus on improved garden essentials, as consumers seek versatile solutions that offer both affordability and durability, enabling them to repurpose outdoor spaces without breaking the bank.

Rising living costs have also brought an end to ‘throw away’ culture, which presents an exciting new opportunity for our industry to champion the longevity of gardening as a pastime. Our responsibility as an industry extends far beyond offering products. We must be committed to empowering shoppers with the knowledge and confidence to make informed purchasing decisions, helping to educate consumers, foster loyalty and win repeat business. The contents of this guide are testament to the extensive work we have done on this as a sector.

I firmly believe that as an industry we are on the brink of further change. This might not be an almighty change, but it is certainly one that I believe we are ready and capable of responding to. And - with the gardening year very much upon us - there has never been a better time to make a start. But first, allow me to thank you all.

Thank you for being creative and thinking of new ideas, for advocating for the world of gardening and for making garden retail such a vibrant and thriving sector to be part of. Being your President has been a true honour and I thank you for making my time such an enjoyable and unforgettable experience.

Jenny Douthwaite

GIMA President 2023/24

GIMA Buyers Guide & New Product Digest Spring 2024.  

New Products for the UK Garden Trade for 2024 from GIMA Members: AMES Apta, AMES Home Delivery, AMES Tools, Auto Pot Global, Azpects, Bulldog Tools, CJS Display, Coir Products, Durstons, Edelman, elho, Evergreen Garden Care, Fargro, Forest Garden, Gardena, Handy Distribution, Glee, Hortiwool, Hozelock, Johnsons Lawn Seeds, Leon Boots, Museums & Galleries, PlantWorks, Primeur, Pot Mate, SharkNinja, The Solar Centre, Treadstone, UK Greetings, Vitavia, Westland Horticulture, Witt UK & Ireland, Woodmansterne, Zest Outdoor Living & GIMA Member Directory.

As spring takes hold, garden centres across the country are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new Apta Planting Bench, an exciting and highly versatile ‘merchandising bench of choice’. Designed for optimum use with a multitude of Apta product combinations - any size, any range, any shape -the planting bench is the ideal way to showcase existing Apta stock, run flash sales, showcase trends and offer seasonal products.

The success of this all-new planting bench lies in its adaptability, adaptability which helps retailers to share their expert knowledge with shoppers and promote special offers. Each bench has the option to combine Apta pots alongside Kelkay horticultural sands and grit, plus seasonal and promotional plants. Not only will plants get the best possible start, but the Apta Planting Bench will help to establish garden retailers as authoritative destinations in their local area.

What’s more, by cleverly presented three complementary product groups in one handy location the Apta Planting Bench can be used to increase the average basket spend with shoppers ‘buying the look’ as well as feeling more confident in their purchase through the power of add-on sales, simple how-to advice and inspirational visuals. Retailers can use existing Apta stock to create eye-catching displays that are hard to resist and ultimately increase the total at the tills.

One retailer that has already realised the potential of this latest merchandising concept is Yorkshire Garden Centres (YGC). In-store the team has already combined the new-for-2024 Apta Palm planter with a variety of plants and ferns, whilst an additional display features the multiple size options of composite pot, Olympia, with stunning greenery on the bench.

Phil Hemmings, Garden Sundries and Christmas Buyer at Yorkshire Garden Centres, commented: “We know attractive displays always engage and inspire customers. It’s been great to create these displays with the new Apta range and create impact in

store to kick-start the season.”

Secure your Apta Planting Bench

There’s still time to secure your own Apta Planting Bench. Get in touch via www.apta.co.uk or speak to your local Apta Sales Agent for more information.

AMES (Apta)

www.apta.co.uk

sales@apta.co.uk

01233 621090

The AMES Companies has expanded its home delivery service to feature even more of the market leading brands. In doing so, garden centres can benefit from increased sales, safe in the knowledge that the logistics are taken care of and that very little precious floorspace is required.

Previously only available for Kelkay aggregate products, home delivery is now available for 53 Kelkay paving lines, 47 Easy Fountain lines and all 16 products in the Woodshaw range. Retailers can reap the benefits, selling a wide range of products from a minimal footprint that can be relocated to suit seasonal demand, cross category ordering and customer flow.

Selling bulky items is easier than ever thanks to a simpler customer journey and delivery straight to the consumers’ homes. With the right point of sale in place, garden centres can offer an extended range of aggregates, paving, water features and wooden garden furniture, with no outlay required.

Retailers simply utilise a selection of helpful POS to show customers which products are available for purchase in store. Shoppers select their product and pay at the till as normal. From there, the retailer sends the order to the relevant AMES Companies brand, which will deliver the order within ten working days. This makes it easier than ever to fulfil large orders and increase basket spend, taking the transaction as normal but letting the AMES Companies handle logistics. Milestone Garden Centre in Melrose is one centre that has already taken advantage of this new service. By installing Woodshaw’s Tansley Storage Arbour, the busy garden centre has saved ample display space in store whilst still offering the entire range to its customers.

Home delivery from the AMES Companies is available now. To secure your home delivery solution, get in touch with the AMES Companies today by visiting

www.ames.uk.com

AMES (Kelkay)

www.ames-uk.com

01405 869333

Launched exclusively ahead of the 2024 season, AMES Tools has been brought to market to arm consumers with the right tool for every gardening job.

The top choice for garden centres 

Since its launch, AMES Tools has garnered a positive response from all corners of the garden retail sector, including praise for its unrivalled supporting educational content and helpful customer journey. This includes using a mix of online and offline media to reach gardeners and provide them with the best advice for their projects.

In-store sales support

In-store, informative product tags, sleek POS, QR codes and partnerships with expert gardeners are just some of the ways that AMES Tools helps garden retailers share helpful guidance on tools with their shoppers.

David Domoney – brand partner 

Adding even more weight to its messaging is the AMES Tools brand partnership with chartered horticulturalist and celebrity gardener, David Domoney. In the role as partner, David has helped to elevate the AMES Tools offering through the creation of informative blogs, YouTube videos and social media content. QR codes on all product tags take shoppers directly to David’s channels and, with his expert advice, enable them to make more confident purchasing decisions.

Dedicated merchandising team

For retailers, expert merchandising support includes access to the dedicated AMES Tools merchandising team who remain on hand throughout the season to set up product displays, updated POS and replenish stock.

The high degree of educational support, combined with exceptional merchandising service, has made AMES Tools a hit with garden centre retailers. One such retailer is Burston Garden Centre in St Albans, who now stocks all 50 products from across both the AMES Tools carbon steel and stainless-steel ranges.

Don’t miss out!

There’s still plenty of time to place your order and join over 150 garden centre retailers nationwide who stock AMES Tools. Contact your usual Sales Manager to place an order or get in touch via www.apta.co.uk

AMES Tools

www.ames-tools.co.uk 

https://ames-uk.com/

With AutoPot growers can put an end to dead plants and daily watering, and produce stunning fruit, veg, and flowers sustainably with minimal effort.

Ideal for beginners and those with busy lives, our automatic plant watering systems also have the scope to satisfy seasoned gardeners who are keen to experiment with new varieties. Growers can relax or spend time honing their horticultural skills, safe in the knowledge that watering is always taken care of.

Because they’re powered by gravity, our systems require no electricity or mains water. This makes AutoPot an ecologically sound choice that can be left unattended for weeks, worry free. It also means AutoPot can be used practically anywhere.

Juicy tomatoes, fiery chillies, crisp cucumbers, enchanting flowers – AutoPot waters and feeds them all to perfection. Thanks to the AQUAvalve – our patented water control device, plants can always draw exactly the amount of water and fertiliser they need, when they need it.

4Pot - for scope and versatility

The 4Pot System has the scope and versatility to tackle any plant project with ease. This complete kit contains everything required to grow four beautiful plants. Each pot is served by its own AQUAvalve, meaning every plant can draw exactly what it needs to thrive.

easy2grow - for virtually any space

easy2grow is the complete watering system that fits virtually any space, whether in a greenhouse, on the patio, or a balcony. Set up in minutes, easy2grow is ready to provide responsive irrigation instantly.

easy2GO - for potted plants

easy2GO perfectly preserves potted plants for growers whilst they’re away. All they need do is gather their potted plants together on a garden tray. Place easy2GO onto the tray and connect it to a water supply. Switch on the supply and you’re away!

Tray2Grow - for five ways to grow

The GIMA award-winning Tray2Grow offers gardeners no less than five ways to water and feed their plants. This innovative system can satisfy the needs of everything from sprouting seeds to vast vines, heady herbs to balmy blooms, and voluminous veg.

Suitable for all growers and all plant varieties, AutoPot is the ideal introduction to the simple joys of modern gardening.

AutoPot Global

T: +44 (0)127 653 4900

E: mail@autopot.co.uk 

W: www.autopot.co.uk

Skillfully, crafted tools with the strength you can trust in your garden.

Strength, British heritage and reliability reflect the traditions upon which the Bulldog name has been built. Skill and craftsmanship have been key to the company’s success for over 240 years.

Our famous Premier solid forged spades and forks have heads made from a single piece of steel with no welds or weak points. We also produce an ‘award winning’ range of hand and cutting tools, including ‘professional grade’ children’s tools to suit every ability and age of gardener.

We use only the finest quality Ash timber from sustainable sources to make the shafts, then bury each shaft deep within the socket. Each tool exceeds British Standards and

is also backed by our ‘Lifetime Guarantee’.

We can merchandise to any specification and can create a range to suit your customer and business. 

Bulldog

sarah.cottle@rollins.co.uk

www.bulldogtools.co.uk

CJS Display Ltd (formerly C Jackson & Sons) have over 30 years’ experience of designing and supplying timber display products to garden centres, farm shops or store. Our products can help increase potential sales, improve visual merchandising of your products and enhance your customers retail experience.

Our standard range includes the outdoor range of plant display tables, square tables, hexagonal tables to an indoor range which includes trestle tables, houseplant display stands, plinths, A-frames and our very popular and highly versatile display crate range. Display crates can be personalised with your store logo.

We also benefit from having an in-house designer who can offer a bespoke service for example a plant table with an increased collar (to protect against extreme weather conditions), and unusual size table etc.

CJS Display Ltd

office@cjsdisplay.co.uk

www.cjsdisplay.co.uk

01482 844459 or 07884 440593

CoirProducts of Salike®, UK’s largest coir portfolio, continues to bring innovative product varieties to gardeners and growers across the country. Marking a ground-breaking first, the company announced that its signature 5kg Coir Potting Mix block now provides over 80L of coir.

Coir Potting Mix, also known as coir compost, coir pith, and coir mix, is a completely natural and peat-free product. Crafted from the dust and fibres of the husk of the coconut, the CoirProducts 5kg Coir Potting Mix is a compressed block that expands when water is added.

Previously, the CoirProducts Coir Potting Mix 5kg block provided just over 75L of coir. Yet, with a wealth of knowledge and experience behind them, the company’s stakeholders, who had been in the industry for more than two decades, embarked on an ambitious journey of bringing customers a product that gives them more value for money. The refined 80L block is driven by years of research, innovative product development, and dedication.

Significantly, with the holding  company Salike® attaining carbon neutrality, CoirProducts guarantees a product that is not only of high quality, but also produced, sourced, and transported in an environmentally sustainable manner. The company has verified its greenhouse gas emissions as per ISO standards, while offsetting its remaining carbon footprint as per UNFCCC process.

Holding membership of global bodies such as Sedex and the Organisation for Responsible Business, CoirProducts of Salike® continues to put purpose over profit, complying with essential social and environmental legislation.

As growers and gardeners become more eco-conscious, Salike® remains committed to upholding its core values of honesty, integrity, and transparency, in creating greater awareness of how their products are produced.

The Coir Potting Mix 80L block is easy to use and store. With its natural properties, coir potting mix has excellent water holding capacity and air porosity, as well as facilitating drainage, which are some of the essential elements for plants to grow stronger and healthier root systems. With the innovative 80L block, growers and gardeners, can use a greater variety of their favourite plants and crops.

COIR PRODUCTS

hello@coirproducts.co.uk

www.coirproducts.co.uk

Through extensive R&D, operational improvements and new technologies, Durstons are set to storm the market with their consistent and reliable peat-free product range.

Utilising a brand-new ingredient, Gro fibre, which supports moisture retention and doesn’t lock nutrients, we’ve created a range of products that outperforms peat-based media. We’ve added a unique nutrient package, which includes all the vital elements for strong healthy growth.

With 22 products available in the new collection, don’t just take our word for it, try the range for yourself or ask about our independent test results.

Durstons

www.durstongardenproducts.co.uk

01458 442688

Introducing EDELMAN: the industry’s leading supplier for all your decorative needs, featuring over 20.000 SKUs across indoor and outdoor.

Situated in Reeuwijk only 35 mins from Schipol Airport. Our 7.000sq meter showroom brings together all the current trends, to allow our partners to build bespoke collections during their visits. Take advantage of our latest ranges together with our bespoke tailor-made shop concepts and point-of-sale material.

With two different collections throughout the year, our showroom changes continuously, with exciting new products arriving constantly, keeping the collection fresh and exciting based- on the latest trends.

Every visit is an experience in itself, leaving you well informed, inspired, and full of new ideas for putting together your latest collection.

Mica Decorations

The Mica Decorations collection offers home deco to transform your house and garden into a wonderful place to enjoy with family and friends. Mica Decorations brings you versatile and innovative items made of surprising and appealing materials. Mix and match to your heart’s content, as the possibilities are endless.

Versatile, innovative, transformative, Mica Decorations makes a house into a home, no matter the style of the people who live there.

Rustic and robust, that’s the best way to describe Mica Decorations’ Tabo tableware. No white porcelain with dull perfect lines, but handmade ceramic products in neutral shades, each with its own authentic look that brings pure enjoyment. Perfect to combine with our Racco tableware which is also handmade and full of charm.

In The Mood

In The Mood collection is a successful textile brand with a wide range of colours, textures and materials. Using the highest quality materials, printing and processing techniques. The collection consists of home cushions, garden cushions, plaids and table linen. Everything you need to give your home and garden a comfortable outlook.

Our Paddy decorative cushions from In The Mood Collection not only add atmosphere but are also super comfortable. The decorative cushions for the garden come filled and are available in various on trend colours. Easily combine several cushions from the Paddy collection to create a cosy ambience.

Opening showroom – Spring Summer Garden 2025 – from the 3rd of June.

EDELMAN

To make an appointment, please contact:

David Brett – Wales, North West and South West England – +(44) 759 744 1964, david.brett@edelman.eu

Ron Allison – North East and South East England – +(44) 750 089 6254, ron.allison@edelman.eu

elho has been producing stylish, sustainable pots and planters for over 60 years, and this spring the B-corp business has expanded its popular green basics collection to offer retailers even more ways to get their customers growing.

For 2024, it has introduced several new innovations, including a green basics strawberry pot, grow garden, grow house and seed trays, providing individuals with accessible, affordable, and environmentally friendly solutions so that they can produce homegrown goodness.

Already proving to be a must-have among consumers, the green basics strawberry pot is the secret to a successful strawberry harvest. Its raised feet provide multiple benefits, allowing strawberries to dangle freely, as they prefer, while protecting them from pests and reducing the risk of rot. Its large water reservoir ensures the plant always has just the right amount of water, and the large opening at the front of the pot makes refilling the reservoir easy without wasting a drop.

The green basics grow grden is the ideal space-saving solution. Its compact but surprisingly spacious size of 60cm by 80cm means that even those customers with small gardens or balconies can start their grow-your-own adventure. It features adjustable compartments, ideal for dividing crops while protecting the roots and giving them room to breathe. The dividers are easily adjustable and can be moved to create two, three, four or six compartments.

To complement the grow garden, elho has also launched a transparent detachable lid that fits snuggly on top to create a mini greenhouse environment.

An essential for any grow-your-own beginner or enthusiast, elho’s green basic seed tray features six cells perfect for pre-sowing, and will last season after season.

As with all elho products, each product is made from 100 percent recycled materials using renewable energy.

For more information about elho’s new innovations or the wider green basics collection, contact David Nicholson on david.nicholson@elho.nl and reference GIMA Spring 2024.

elho

Website: https://www.elho.com/en/

Contact: david.nicholson@elho.nl

COMPLETE LAWN CARE

Our new herbicide free, Miracle-Gro® Complete Lawn Food range has been formulated with the highest quality feed and enhanced with nutrients to create the optimal environment to confront moss and weeds, achieving excellent greening in 7 days and cultivating a denser, stronger lawn in just 6 weeks. Providing the perfect alternative for consumers who prefer to avoid traditional weed and moss killer products. Available as a granular feed in 70m2, 135m2, and 240m2 pack sizes and a 1L liquid concentrate that will feed a 66m2 lawn.

BANISH WEEDS IN JUST 3 HOURS*

Roundup® is expanding with the launch of a new glyphosate free weedkiller range that has recently been accredited ‘Indy Best Buy’. Roundup® Weedkiller Total Optima is an all-purpose weedkiller ideal for use throughout the garden to kill the likes of clover, chickweed, common groundsel, black medick and annual meadow grass. Delivering fast and effective weedkilling with visible results in just 3 hours – using an active ingredient that breaks down in the soil naturally, leaving it ready for replanting just 3 days after application. The range is available as both ready-to-use and concentrated liquid in a variety of sizes.

EFFECTIVE, NATURAL PROTECTION

As the UK’s No. 1 plant protection brand, Clear™ is excited to introduce the Plant Shield collection:

• BugClear™ Plant Shield Spray
• RoseClear® Plant Shield Spray
• FungusClear® Plant Shield Spray

Pesticide-free, bee-friendly, made from 98% natural ingredients and delivered in 100% recycled plastic packaging. This patent-pending formula addresses the growing consumer demand for effective, organic and natural plant protection.

Evergreen Garden Care

info@evergreengarden.com

Tel: 01276 401300

Say no to waste with Fargro’s new Eco Metallic Flexi-Tub range available now.

• Made from 100% recycled raw material
• Flexible, shock, and temperature resistant
• Reinforced handles
• Available in round and square shapes
• Available in mixed colour packs

These buckets aren’t just for gardening, they can be used for a multitude of jobs.

• Tackling household chores
• Enjoying outdoor adventures
• Landscaping

Fargro

www.fargro.co.uk

01903 726100

ask@fargro.co.uk

As the trend for alfresco living grows, pergolas and arbours are becoming garden must-haves, offering stylish shelter and a cool retreat from the summer sun.

Forest Garden has taken the cue and continues to expand its collection with an array of versatile pergolas, ensuring there’s a perfect fit for every outdoor space.

Pergolas offer privacy, structure throughout the seasons and a natural canvas for climbing plants to thrive upon. Style them with creative lanterns or twinkling solar lights and you have an intimate retreat perfect for unwinding or entertaining.

New for 2024, the latest addition to their collection of pergolas is a show-stopping Premium Radial Pergola. With a modern design and strong lines, this impressive piece of garden architecture promises to be more than a garden centrepiece. Perfect for corners or more open areas, the elegant new pergola features horizontal rafters radiating outwards from one of the 4sturdy uprights.

One single premium radial pergola will transform a garden corner into an eye-catching shady space for relaxing and enjoying some al fresco dining. For clever design configurations, the unique90-degree design also means you could create a semi-circle, a ¾ circle or even a full 360-degree circle with additional pergolas!

Also new to the collection are two premium versions of their ever-popular Ultima Pergola. Now in robust heavy timber, these premium pergolas available in two sizes to create a commanding garden statement.

Gardeners can also choose from a modular pergola with customisable slatted sides, a stylish dining pergola with laddered sides and roof panels for training climbing plants and as latted corner pergola for snug garden nooks. Pergolas literally transform an average patio space into a sought-after outdoor living room that invites entertaining and relaxation.

Ready for a garden makeover? Find your new pergola at forestgarden.co.uk

Forest Garden

T: 0333 321 3142

W: forestgarden.co.uk

E: info@forestgarden.co.uk

From secateurs to hedge clippers, loppers and more there’s a GARDENA tool for every kind of cutting task.

A good-quality pair of garden secateurs are a gardeners go-to tool. Whether you’re pruning roses or tidying up bushes they really are a staple product for every passionate gardener.

GARDENA’s range of secateurs are made with precision ground, high-quality stainless steel blades, that ensure a clean, healthy cut every time. The ergonomically designed handles make the secateurs comfortable and easy to use. For keeping hedges and bushes neat and tidy, GARDENA’s range of hedge clippers are perfect. Made again, with high-quality, specially designed blades, you can cut hedges and small branches with ease without tearing or damaging the stems.

Ideal for every trimming task, from shaping topiary with the GARDENA precision cut clippers, or tackling high branches with the GARDENA TeleCut hedge clipper, let GARDENA do the hard work for you. The integrated, soft plastic shock absorbers on the hedge clippers help to protect your wrists and arms during even the most demanding cutting tasks. GARDENA is the leading, trusted gardening brand for millions of passionate gardeners across the globe, with over 40 years of experience in creating quality, reliable cutting tools .With an outstanding 25 year warranty on all cutting tools, you can rest assured your GARDENA cutting tools will be by your side season after season.

GARDENA

For more information about GARDENA; head to www.gardena.com/uk.

Interested in becoming a GARDENA stockest? Contact Channel Sales Manager, Edward Cantle Edward.cantle@husqvarnagroup.com.

British garden manufacturer Handy has announced the arrival of its new Product Range and Pricing Catalogue and Monthly Dealer Promotions Calendar, both designed to provide retailers with valuable increased margins on a wide range of gardening and DIY products and ensure they have everything needed for the season ahead.

The new Dealer Promotions Calendar demonstrates Handy’s ongoing commitment to providing retailers with competitively priced products. Offering fully funded monthly promotions with improved margins and discounts, retailers can benefit from cost savings across a wide selection of gardening and DIY products from Webb, The Handy and Greenworks.

To further support retailers, the new 2024 catalogue from Handy highlights the top brands and prices for the season, such as its latest range of Webb Rear Roller lawnmowers. Adding a touch of elegance to lawns with an attractive striped pattern, the incorporation of the classic rear roller also helps to enhance stability and control during the mowing process, offering users an all-round more comfortable mowing experience.

Embracing the future of gardening with products designed to meet the evolving needs of eco-conscious customers, the new product and showcase catalogue also includes the new Webb Eco range of garden machinery, which has been designed to offer gardeners an environmentally friendly and versatile gardening experience.

With Handy’s commitment not just focused on new products but also to its strengthened partnerships with renowned brands, the new catalogue also showcases its durable range of AVA pressure washer products that tie in seamlessly with the Handy commitment to delivering products that stand the test of time.

Stocking leading brands from:

• Webb
• The Handy
• Greenworks
• Q Garden
• AVA
• Bosch
• Karcher
• Flymo
• Solo
• Handy Parts

Handy Distribution

01793 333220

sales@handys.co.uk

www.handys.co.uk

Are you ready to transform your spring gardening experience into a blooming success story?

Hortiwool 100% Pure British Wool Garden Pads are the secret weapon sustainable gardeners are adding to their arsenal, to enhance plant growth indoors, in the garden or on the allotment.

Why wool? It’s a renewable material which is available in abundance, 100% biodegradable, and what’s more, it even adds valuable nutrients back into the soil as it composts! Discover the benefits of Hortiwool for your garden:

Germinate Seedlings

Wool makes a fantastic growing medium, as it retains moisture, and provides nutrients and warmth. It can be easily transplanted into soil where it feeds plants as they mature!

Pest Control

Wool naturally deters slugs and snails, without using harsh chemicals or pesticides which are harmful to pets, and soil health.

Hanging Basket Liners

Hortiwool makes the perfect hanging basket liner – it contains no plastic, boosts hydration, growth, and creates aesthetically pleasing baskets!

Soil Enhancement

Help to regulate fluctuations in soil temperature and moisture using wools super absorbent qualities, or use it to add nutrients to your compost.

Protect Plants

Use Hortiwool Garden Pads as mulch to keep weeds at bay, protect young plants, and for frost protection.

Embrace the gardening revolution with Hortiwool and unlock the full potential of your spring garden, with Hortiwool 100% pure wool garden pads which are multi-use all year-round. From successful seed germination to resilient plant growth, these pads are your ticket to a garden that not only survives but thrives!

Hortiwool

https://hortiwool.com/

+44(0)1785 262031

The demands of modern gardening have evolved as people search for more convenient and efficient methods for an array of tasks, from planting and pruning to garden

watering.

In 2024, Hozelock will be expanding its extensive hose storage offering with the launch of the brand-new Auto Reel Mobile 35m, which builds on the legacy of the popular Auto Reel and is the first of its kind on the market.

While offering many of the same features and benefits found in the traditional Auto Reel, the new Auto Reel Mobile boasts the additional advantage of portability, eliminating the necessity for wall-mounting and allowing the user to effortlessly cover a wider area. This is an optimal solution for those who don’t wish to mount to the wall for aesthetic or practical purposes, as well as catering to those who rent their home.

With the inclusion of an ergonomically designed handle and large wheels, the Auto Reel Mobile is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and suitable for most terrains, including grass, gravel and concrete, making it extremely versatile.

The integrated auto-rewind system ensures a smooth, controlled rewind of the premium hose, with no kinks or tangles, and the multi-functional 3-in-1 Nozzle means the Auto Reel Mobile can be used for a variety of tasks.

For added stability and ease of use, the Auto Reel Mobile boasts a front kickstand, that effortlessly folds away for compact storage. Its adjustable handle caters for various heights with ease, offering user comfort.

Enhancing convenience, the rear basket provides a handy storage solution for small accessories and garden tools, to keep everything needed within reach.

The Auto Reel Mobile, which is now available, has an RRP starting from £219.99

Hozelock

Contact - watering@hozelock.com

Following one of the wettest winters on record, lawns across the country are bearing the brunt, with excessive waterlogging, exposed patches, moss and even algae. Thankfully, help is at hand!

Johnsons Lawn Seed has pioneered the development of formulations specifically engineered to withstand the challenges posed by waterlogged ground and prolonged wet weather. Adverse conditions such as saturated soil or low temperatures do not hinder the seed’s ability to germinate.

Meticulously selected and rigorously tested, Johnsons Lawn Seed can be sown in temperatures as low as 3°C. This capability extends the window for lawn care, whilst also prolonging the sales season well into early spring and late

autumn. 

The 2024 product portfolio includes:

• Any Time: Quick to establish at lower temperatures – as low as 3°C – Any Time is the perfect all-round lawn seed.
• Tuffgrass with Dog Patch Resistance: A unique blend of fine-leaved dwarf perennial ryegrass, able to withstand heavy usage and will remain green even after exposure to dog urine.
• After Moss: Coated in a special calcium carbonate-based shell, this seed gently elevates soil pH levels, preventing moss return after application.
• Lawn Thickener Lawn Seed with SeedBooster®: With its innovative seed technology, this seed energises tired lawns, addresses patches, and is ideal for new lawns.
• General Purpose: Using modern Dwarf type Perennial Ryegrasses and Creeping Red Fescue, General Purpose produces a lawn of superior appearance whilst being very hardwearing. Suitable for new lawns, overseeding and patching.
• Quick Lawn with Accelerator™: For rapid germination and swift establishment, requiring only one-third of the typical water amount for new lawns.
• Quick Fix: For lawns that need some TLC, Quick Fix combines Amenity Dwarf Perennial Ryegrass with a fertiliser for fast results. Suitable for lawns with heavy use.

Johnsons

www.johnsonslawnseed.com

info@johnsonslawnseed.co.uk

01386 791113

With a commitment to quality, comfort, and style, LBC Boots has been gaining traction in the footwear category, and for all the right reasons, becoming a trusted brand in the market. In the last year, their presence has surged by over 60% within garden centres, country stores, and outdoor shops nationwide.

Crafted from eco-friendly materials, they offer a sustainable alternative to traditional PVC footwear that go beyond the typical Welly, offering styles for everyday use.

Their presence in stores knows no limits, with shops now featuring LBC Boots in not only Autumn but also Spring themed displays, showcasing LBC Boots’ versatility across all seasons. Their Men’s and Women’s Ankle boots, with removable socks in warmer weather, are becoming the popular choice this Spring.

LBC Boots have also been receiving rave reviews from satisfied customers. Take, for example, this recent 5-star review from Belle F: “I LOVE these wellies. They are light weight, warm, super comfy and easy to clean. Perfect for dog walks, I’ve worn these on 10 mile + walks and had lovely toasty comfy feet all day. I get so many compliments on the colour!!”

Speaking of colours, LBC Boots’ NEW burgundy shade has been flying off the shelves, quickly becoming one of their most popular colours in their Ankle Boot range, alongside the NEW Men’s Green boot.

They also launched their new website in December, offering a seamless shopping experience, and making it easier than ever for customers to explore their wide range of lightweight men’s, women’s and kids boots. Complete with a new and improved ‘find a stockist’ section for customers wanting a more hands on experience.

With their commitment to quality, comfort, and affordability, LBC Boots is set to continue making strides in the industry – one step at a time.

Ultralight Men Ankle Boots as approved by Trevor Pfeiffer.

LBC (Ultralight) Boots UK

57 Buckingham Rd, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 9BG

charlie@leonbootsco.com

01934 315386

https://lbcboots.com

In a major move, Museums & Galleries Ltd launches a comprehensive kitchen textiles collection this spring. The collection comprises oven gloves, adjustable aprons, tea towel sets, and cotton napkins, all in organic cotton and certified for kitchen use. Aimed at being both beautiful and useful, they will make fantastic gifts or wonderful self indulgences.

The products are accompanied by a small collection of cushions and join existing paper napkin packs, insulated bottles and mugs, PLA travel mugs, and tote bags and pouches in M&G’s new Home and Giftware portfolio within its catalogue.

The collection comprises 12 hero designs repeated across all the formats, allowing consumers matching options and retailers to build ‘get the look’ stories in store. M&G’s exclusive collection of Home & Giftware brands includes the V&A, TATE, The British Museum, Catherine Rowe, Wild Press and more, as well as iconic designs from the wider M&G collection.

The new kitchen textiles range in SRP from £18.99 for oven gloves to £22.99 for adjustable aprons. Museums and Galleries Ltd is offering retailers the chance to harness the power of their stunning new and expanded home and giftware products with a free bespoke stand providing 360º of display. With an eco-friendly look and materials, the stand allows for mix-and-match display or complete sets of M&G’s new organic cotton, insulated bottles and mugs, and PLA travel mug gift products. The stand is 160cm high, 100cm long by 36cm deep.

The stand can come fully merchandised, or alternatively customers can create their own product mix by selecting from M&G’s range. Initial minimum order totals apply.

The stand joins M&G’s extensive collection of attractive and useful point of sale options, from a selection of card card spinners, gift wrap displays, and the popular and proven stationery and journal spinner. Full details are in M&G’s 2024 catalogue.

Museums & Galleries Ltd

www.museumsgalleries.co.uk

01373 462165

sales@mgml.co.uk

Launching in Spring 2024, Compost Improver is the latest innovation from Empathy by PlantWorks, designed to enhance plant nutrition and vitality like never before. With two variants tailored for grow bags and all compost types, this potent blend of beneficial soil bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi is poised to supercharge the gardening experience.

Compost Improver comes in a convenient 300g packet, retailing at £5.25. Each pack can treat 150L of compost or 3 grow bags, making it an affordable and effective solution for gardeners of all levels. Simply mix the product into the compost as you plant to introduce a community of living microbes and balanced nutrient that will activate the compost.

While peat-free composts offer essential nutrients and structure, they often lack the biological components necessary for long-term plant health. Compost Improver addresses this issue head-on, establishing an immediate bond with plant roots to ensure superior germination, healthier growth, and abundant flowering and fruiting.

Key features of Compost Improver include:

• Two variants: one for grow bags and one for all compost types.
• Convenient 300g packet, treating 150L of compost or 3 grow bags.
• Potent blend of beneficial soil bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi.
• Easy-to-use formula, simply mix in as you plant.
• Superior germination, healthier plants, and abundant flowering and fruiting.

Empathy Compost improver is a result of research into the benefits of adding beneficial soil microbes into peat free composts resulting in better growth and improved fruiting and flowering through the improved Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) offered by the introduction of refined beneficial soil fungi and bacteria.

PlantWorks Ltd

Simon Taylor

simon.taylor@plantworksuk.co.uk

01795411527

Primeur’s new lines are a must-have for retailers this season as the British company enhances its market-leading range of doormats with the introduction of its first ever licensed collection, and adds stylish new colours to its sustainable, self-watering Tierra Verde planter assortment.

Primeur’s Mighty Mats brand features a host of brand-new designs for 2024, including a show-stopping new licensed collection in collaboration with one of the UK’s best-selling wildlife artists, Bree Merryn.

The Mighty Mats range include barrier matting, unique spring, autumn, and festive coir designs, durable rubber and coir mats, an extensive washable collection including a variety of qualities, some with matching runners.

Backed by their expertise with recycled materials, the Mighty Mats range also includes an eco collection featuring a variety of qualities and designs, in assorted sizes to suit every need. This entire range is especially versatile and great for cleaning off muddy boots and paws.

The doormats featuring artist Bree Merryn’s much-loved artwork had a hugely positive response from retailers, garnering a lot of attention at Spring Fair. The stunning designs, adorned by Bree’s unique wildlife artwork, take doormats to a new level

Primeur has also extended its stylish Tierra Verde collection of eco planters with brand-new, trend-led colourways. Now able to add a variety of colours to the sustainable and durable recycled rubber used to make these striking pots, Primeur is delighted to offer its best-selling Octavia and Sonata planters in Blossom, Cappuccino, and Oak, to complement the existing shades of Slate and Steel Grey.

Designed for use both inside and outside, Tierra Verde eco planters enhance any space, are suitable for all-weather use, and help plants stay properly hydrated thanks to their built in water reservoir. Eco planters won’t crack, split, or fade and offer fantastic insulation properties that help protect delicate plant roots from the frost or searing sun.

Upon special request, these new colours can be ordered in alternative silhouettes, as well as bold new colours Heather, Lime and Terracotta.

Primeur

To find out more Primeur, get in touch with the team at 01274 518800 or visit www.primeur.co.uk

From a British gardeners inventive spark comes a game-changing solution for container gardening. Our innovation stylishly tackles common garden issues, promising simplicity and effectiveness. We have blended functionality with elegance to bring container gardeners Pot-Mate® – your pots new best friend.

Say goodbye to patio stains and waterlogged pots. Pot-Mate® lifts pots off the ground allowing for free drainage leaving your patio and decking stain free.

Pot-Mate® is made from 100% recycled polymer here in the UK at a family run business. We pride ourselves on the core values of sustainability and British manufacturing.

Join the plant stand revolution and don’t worry about fiddling with three separate pot feet! Pot-Mate™ is available in three sizes to suit containers with base diameters up to 36cm and is supported by recycled material waterproof labelling and video instructions available via a QR code.

To join the plant stand revolution please contact us for more information.

POT-MATE

phil@pot-mate.co.uk

07541301683

Take the kitchen outdoors with the Ninja Woodfire range of Electric BBQ Grills and Outdoor Ovens. Powered by electricity and flavoured by real wood pellets, add authentic smoky flavours to anything you make with Woodfire Technology and enjoy all the flavour, without the fuss.

Discover the NEW Ninja Woodfire Pro Connect XL Electric BBQ Grill & Smoker, the connected BBQ grill that smokes, air fries and more. Control and monitor cooking progress from your phone with the Pro Connect app. The built-in probe ensures perfectly cooked results, just as you like them – so you can kick back and enjoy the BBQ, stress-free.

Find out more at www.ninjakitchen.co.uk

Harriet Coppock

Sales Manager UK&I – Ninja Outdoor

hcoppock@sharkninja.com

Discover the perfect blend of innovative product design and sustainability in our latest garden lighting range. We’re excited to present three standout products designed to elevate outdoor spaces while minimising environmental impact.

Meet the Jour USB Solar Table Lamp – a minimalist masterpiece that seamlessly transitions from indoor to outdoor use. The Jour comes in a range of five enchanting colours and features adjustable brightness, offering versatility like no other.

A brand new product to the range and swiftly becoming a customer favourite, the Lavenham Solar Garden Lights are a set of four solar-powered lights that combine elegance with functionality. These wireless, fully automatic lights feature filament-style LED bulbs, emitting a warm white glow to enhance the ambiance of any outdoor space. With solar panels included, the Lavenham lights harness the power of the sun, eliminating the need for extra cables and reducing energy consumption.

Last but not least, we have our best-selling unique decorative solar lights, the Forest Solar Mushroom Lights. This charming set of 12 solar lights stand at 20cm high and can be easily placed in any soft soil, creating an enchanting garden feature. With a warm white glow and easy installation, the Mushrooms offer a delightful way for customers to effortlessly illuminate pathways, or flower beds—all without relying on traditional energy sources.

In line with our dedication to pioneering eco-friendly solutions, we are thrilled to introduce our latest initiative: 100% biodegradable packaging. This marks a significant milestone in our journey towards environmental responsibility.

But that’s not all—our dedication to innovation extends beyond our products. We are excited to announce an upcoming rebrand that showcases our values of excellence in both design and sustainability. Stay tuned as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, setting new standards for lighting design and environmental commitment.

Solar Centre

solarcentre.co.uk

trade@thesolarcentre.co.uk

Since the launch of ClipGlove in 2019, the brand has been regularly recognised for its innovative range of gardening gloves, picking up GIMA and Glee awards, as well as ‘Best-Buy’ accolades in gardening magazine titles. With another round of Best Buy recommendations by BBC Gardeners World Magazine in February 2024, ClipGlove is grabbing the attention of UK gardeners including for the new ClipGlove Warm ‘n’ Waterproof gloves.

Warm ‘n’ Waterproof, this seasons’ must have

Warm ‘n’ Waterproof gloves were launched at Glee 2023 and awarded the best new product in the ‘Growing Accessories’ category at the show’s New Product Showcase Awards. Liked for the dual functionality, they are the ultimate winter glove with a double dipped latex waterproof barrier and acrylic lining, ideal for protection when working in cold damp conditions. A popular feature is the substantial thumb crotch, which offers extra grip and durability. 

As per all ClipGlove products, the Warm ‘n’ Waterproof gloves come supplied with the handy carabiner clip so users can keep gloves securely in sight during jobs.

Warm ‘n’ Waterproof are not only robust in build, but they feature two vibrant colourways both with an RRP of £12.99. With a ‘Best Buy’ award for best winter use gloves by BBC Gardeners World Magazine, they are this seasons’ must

stock glove!

As part of the ClipGlove expanding seasonal glove offering, Warm ‘n’ Waterproof and the new Cool Rigger and Premium Rigger have joined the popular ClipGlove favourites already in the range that have also received ‘Best Buy’ status. This includes Bamboo Fibre (awarded best gloves for light-duty work), General Purpose (awarded best gloves for everyday use) and Shock Absorber (awarded best gloves for heavy duty work).

New Activity Boots

Joining the glove range in 2024 are Activity Boots. ClipGlove Activity Boots are considered a natural progression range for a brand that offers quality products born out of style, safety, and practicality. These innovative boots are full of features that give hours of comfort – whether being used for a morning of gardening or a long walk with the dog. With promo retails starting from £29.99,

Activity Boots offer fantastic value for money for a unique take on wellington boots! 

With stock available now, speak to Treadstone today about becoming a stockist for the ClipGlove range. Whether it is for the award-winning gloves or the best new wellington boot range around.

Treadstone

sales@treadstoneproducts.com

https://www.treadstoneproducts.com/

At UK Greetings we create award winning greeting cards, gift dressings and social expressions products, featuring many well-known licences, for birthdays, life’s events, special occasions, and those “saw this an thought of you” moments.

Our team of skilled designers and writers understand the importance of conveying the right message for any occasion.

We have a talented team of experts curating displays to suit your consumer needs whether that’s with specific designs, bestselling licenses, or something bespoke, we can offer the solution for your greeting card needs.

We are passionate about supplying the best product in the market and we have won many prestigious, industry awards including the renowned Henries industry award for ‘Best Service to the Independent Retailer’ consecutively, for more than a decade, testament to our commitment to offering our customers exemplary customer service.

We are committed to sustainability with a line of gift bags and roll wrap that are fully recyclable in addition to many of our cards. We have introduced sustainable processes with our business and partnered with organisations such as the World Land Trust and Carbon Balanced Paper on Cards.

UK Greetings

Get in touch to find out more, email salesandservice@ukgreetings.co.uk

www.ukgreetings.co.uk

From our warehouses in Suffolk, we provide home and trade deliveries throughout the UK. We are proud to supply quality hobby greenhouses, widely regarded as being the best value for money, backed up by exceptional customer service.

We are also the UK distributor for Janssens greenhouses and garden rooms from Belgium. Janssens market middle and high-end products developed in-house for customers who attach paramount importance to quality and style. Over the years they have earned a reputation for high quality design and innovation.

Janssens are the perfect complement to the already well established Vitavia range.

Would your Garden Centre benefit from selling greenhouses?

We appreciate this is the question that floats across lots of your minds when you’re thinking of filling a space within your Garden Centre.

We hear that voice inside your head, saying ‘we’re so busy, can we really deal with greenhouses on top of everything else? The answer is, you don’t have to if your greenhouse supplier is a good one!

Here is how we do things at Vitavia

• Firstly, we will visit your Garden Centre to see the space available and advise on the display models we think would fit.
• Once the display models are confirmed, we will send specialised installers to put up the greenhouses as agreed.
• We supply a POS to be displayed in each greenhouse in case a customer wants to know specifics.

A customer purchase

• Once the customer decides on the greenhouse model they come to you to make payment.
• Once the payment is received, you send the order over to us and you can then forget all about it!
• Our operations team then contact the customer directly to arrange delivery.
• An allocated Vitavia driver will deliver the greenhouse to the chosen location on a preferred date.

After sales queries

• Again, this is not your concern!
• If the customer has any greenhouse queries or concerns, they can contact us directly.

So, if like us you think that adding a greenhouse range to your Garden Centre is an excellent idea, please email us to discuss this further.

Vitavia

sales@vitavia.co.uk

01473 218100

Five years ago, Peckish embarked on its ‘Field to Beak’ strategy, a journey of discovery, and a plan of action that aims to always place sustainability first. The brand looked at supply chain, packaging, and distribution and took steps to make improvements.

The latest innovation from Peckish is the introduction of the Coco-Not®, which won last year’s GLEE award for Wild Bird Care and Wildlife Product. Many consumers are familiar with the suet filled coconut shell as a simple way to keep garden birds fed, yet Peckish wanted to go one step further, and develop a shell that could be produced ocally in order to reduce travel miles. The Coco-Not® is manufactured using UK harvest waste – it biodegrades at the same rate as a banana peel, so it isn’t there after just 12 weeks. Customers can either compost them at home or pop them in their food waste recycling bin to be collected at the kerbside.

Peckish is also now on a journey to transition to paper packaging starting with its most popular collections; Peckish Complete, Peckish No Grow, and Peckish Natural Balance. So far, this transition has led to 75 fewer tonnes of non-recyclable plastic bags heading to landfill, and research and testing is on-going to discover additional solutions to further reduce plastic use.

This year, the brand has been inspiring the nation to enjoy the vivid colours that wild birds bring to gardens through its £1.5m media campaign ‘Colour In Your Garden’. The campaign is the brand’s biggest investment, and showcases a brand-new creative that celebrates people’s love of nature. The media campaign aims to encourage everyone to keep wild birds fed and will drive consumers in store to pick up Peckish Complete Seed Mix. 

Speak to your account manager or visit trade.westland.com, to ensure you’re stocked up to maximise sales.

WESTLAND HORTICULTURE

trade.westland.com

marketing@westland.com

Westland Horticulture is tackling the challenges consumers face using peat free composts in containers and baskets with the launch of the brand-new Boost All Purpose Compost, specifically crafted to be the perfect partner to its Boost All Purpose Liquid Plant Feed.

Gardeners can say goodbye to the hassle of constant watering – an inconvenience faced by many consumers that use peat free compost.

Boost All Purpose Compost features patented West+2 Moisture Lock Technology™. This proprietary technology helps to retain and lock in moisture. The new compost also includes water-storing granules and a water management system that makes it easier for gardeners to rewet if it has been left to dry out. These guarantee optimal plant health, whilst combatting the inconvenience consumers face when attempting to keep their containers moist throughout the summer.

Innovation it at the heart of Westland, and following the success of Boost All Purpose Liquid Plant Food, which has been the fastest growing* plant food in the market, Westland is once again revolutionising the market with the new compost.

Understanding the importance of educating consumers to feed their plants when using peat free composts, Westland has crafted an eye-catching packaging and point-of-sale solution that encourages shoppers to consider purchasing feed at the same time as compost. The Boost All Purpose compost helps to keep plants hydrated. Boost All Purpose Liquid Feed has been proven to give gardeners 4x more blooms**. Together, these will help plants reach their full potential.

Speak to your Westland account manager or visit Westland Live to order new Boost All Purpose Compost.

*Boost All Purpose Liquid Plant Food is the fastest growing all-purpose plant food. Source: GfK Management Report 2022/23, Fertilisers, Plant Food, Non Straights Liquid.

**Bedding plants fed with Boost liquid plant food plants fed with Boost liquid plant food versus unfed.

WESTLAND HORTICULTURE

trade.westland.com

marketing@westland.com

Witt’s Pizza oven range has been wowing reviewers and customers with ultra-fast heating and rotating technology since its launch, gaining 5-star reviews in publications such as Ideal Home, Modern Gardens, T3 and The Independent. Awarded accreditations such as BBC Good Food Star Buy 2023, The Independent’s Best Buy and the T3 Platinum Award, the Witt ETNA Rotante is available in a choice of four easy-to-clean matt texture colours (graphite, stone, black, and orange) and comes complete with UK-specific patio gas regulator and hose.

While many pizza ovens use straight or L-shaped burners, Witt’s U-shaped burner surrounds the pizza’s natural round shape and combines with the rotating stone for the best cooked pizza results on the market. The oven comes with a booster burner beneath the rotating pizza stone, ensuring continuous cooking for perfect crispy base and leopard-spotted crusts.

Weighing in at a substantial 38.5kg, the Scandinavian designed Witt ETNA Rotante is built to withstand the most extreme weather conditions. Its four foldable aluminium legs with rubber feet offer unrivalled stability and safety compared to models using only three legs, and the premium battery-powered burner ignition system has been designed to stand the test of time and extensive use.

Witt is a Danish brand with a 30-year history of developing and marketing some of the finest household products.

Combining sleek Scandinavian design with authentic Italian cooking, this premium pizza oven offers exceptional build quality and class-leading features throughout. The design boasts the market’s fastest heat-up (15 mins), true 500-degree cooking, and a robust, weatherproof design.

The Witt ETNA Rotante is the ultimate addition to any outside living space, offering retailers a top-reviewed and rated product to capitalise on the UK’s home pizza-making boom.

Witt UK & Ireland Ltd

gjo@witt.dk

www.wittpizza.com

Woodmansterne is the leading supplier of premium greeting cards to independent retailers, and we have recently launched our first Gift Packaging collection. We strive to design products that feed the soul, lift the spirit and reflect British culture, whether this is through the magic of Quentin Blake’s illustrations, the distinctive patterns of Emma Bridgewater, or the sophistication of Sanderson’s heritage designs.

Woodmansterne is committed to using sustainable materials and practices wherever possible. As a third-generation family business, we understand the importance of protecting our environment and safeguarding it for the future.

• We only use environmentally accredited materials, and continually look for ways to innovate and improve.
• We have eliminated all plastic packaging from our product for both retail and shipment of goods to store.
• We pride ourselves on manufacturing the majority of our products through UK manufacturing and supply – working only with European and Far East suppliers who adhere to both environmental and ethical standards.

Get in touch, we would love to explore how we can help your business grow!

Woodmansterne

01923 200600

hello@woodmansterne.co.uk

Zest’s innovative range for the 2024 season is a collection designed around wellbeing, outdoor living and relaxation.

Zest understands the importance of outdoor space and the happiness and fulfilment that it can provide.

Zest’s quality timber products have the strength and durability to give enjoyment for many years. Zest is a fifth-generation British company, designing timber products including furniture, GYO and decorative garden structures.

Zest sells to garden centres, major retailing groups, and online retailers and has a dedicated national sales team of professionals, providing a range of retail support. Its products are made from sustainable slow-grown softwood timber sourced from PEFC certified (PEFC/16- 37-1490) forests.

Zest’s 2024 range

New and on trend for outdoor entertaining, the Terraza Outdoor Kitchen Set provides a sustainable route to alfresco cooking. The set comprises two double units, with stainless steel counter tops, and a display corner unit. An optional side table is available.

New to Zest’s Grow Your Own range is the space-saving Tall Botanical Greenhouse combining stunning looks with all the functionality of a greenhouse. Fully glazed with Perspex to allow light through both roof and sides and boasts two fully adjustable roof panels for optimal temperature control.

The new Eco Hive Composter has a dual opening lid which folds back on itself for ease of removal in order to churn the compost. Compost can be easily harvested from the lower hatch. Narrow gaps in the side ‘cant cut’ boards allows air to circulate whilst keeping the rain out.

Zest Outdoor Living

01352 873 555

www.zestoutdoorliving.co.uk

Calling all golfers, the annual GIMA Charity Golf Day is set to return to Belton Woods Hotel & Golf Course in Grantham on Thursday June 6th 2024.

Open to all golfers, this annual event is the perfect opportunity to bring together colleagues and customers for a day of team building and fundraising in aid of the Greenfingers Charity who are once again this year’s beneficiary charity.

This year, the day will return to the four-ball format, with teams of four vying for the win with a four-ball, better ball and overall score cards all taken into consideration. Adding an extra element of competition to the day, golfers will be able to win a selection of prizes with the usual spot games and ‘Beat the Pro’. Golfers can enter individually or as a team of four, together testing their mettle on the 6,686-yard course that carries a par 73 handicap, with highlights including the par 5 7th with a 482-yard range and downhill putt, plus the 18th hole that sees players finish with an audience at the ‘19th hole’, aka, the bar! No pressure!

Following time spent on the course, golfers will get to enjoy a barbeque on the hotel’s terrace, whilst also joining in the day’s prize giving ceremony and charity auction. All money raised will be donated to Greenfingers, enabling them to create even more therapeutic gardens in children’s hospices across the country. 

As always, the GIMA Golf Day will also offer a number of key sponsorship opportunities for brands wanting to support the event. Golf sponsorship packages include ‘nearest the pin’, ‘longest drive’, ‘straightest drive’ and ‘hole-in-one’. Interested parties can also sponsor the winner’s champagne, as well as the evening’s barbeque and the breakfast butties available to all golfers upon arrival.

GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “Year after year the GIMA Charity Golf Day gets bigger and better, and we’re sure that this year’s event will be no different. Belton Woods is a superb course and will once again put players through their paces as they compete to snatch the winners crown from current champions, Zest. No doubt the day will also raise lots of money for the Greenfingers Charity, an organisation that remains so much to us all at GIMA.”

Find out more

To join the GIMA Golf Day please visit www.gima.org.uk/gima-charity-golf-day  Prices to play and enjoy the post-round barbeque range from £105 (£225.00 including accommodation) for an individual player, to £370.00 (£850.00 including accommodation) for a four-ball team.

The GIMA Awards is a must in the garden industry events calendar, renowned for recognising excellence in new product development, marketing initiatives, and export achievements over the past 12 months.  

The results will be announced at the Gala Dinner taking place on 7th November at the five-star Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales.  The event is an excellent way to close the 2024 season, with a fabulous evening of dinner, drinks and networking.

If you've introduced a ground-breaking gardening product or executed a standout marketing campaign between June 2023 and May 2024, your time has come to shine!

There are 17 categories to choose from, each offering an unrivalled opportunity to get your brand in front of an influential panel of judges, composed of top UK garden retailers and esteemed journalists. This year’s confirmed judges to date include key stakeholders from Haskins, Blue Diamond, Yorkshire Garden Centres, Polhill and Stratford Garden Centres plus top gardening influencer, Mr Plant Geek, and representatives from Garden Trade News publisher, Potting Shed Press.

2023 winners – to name just a few - have included Sipcam Home & Garden (pictured above), Smart Garden Products, Burgon & Ball, Zest Outdoor Living, Westland, Treadstone Products and CJ Wildlife. All the winners reaped major brand advantages in the form of increased exposure amongst buyers and coverage in trade and consumer gardening press.

New for 2024

New for this GIMA Awards in 2024 are some exciting changes to the crucial marketing categories.  We invite creative businesses and marketing professionals to enter their latest campaigns into the following:

• Best Point of Sale
• Best Online or Social Campaign
• Best Multi-Channel Marketing Campaign

Mark your calendars with the following key dates:

• Products and Marketing Awards Deadline: Friday, 31st May 2024
• Supplier of the Year and Export Achievement Award Deadline: Friday, 16th August 2024

Entry fees for GIMA members are £60 + VAT per entry, while non-members can enter at £120 plus VAT per entry. The judging venue for this year's awards will once again be the centrally located Warwick Racecourse, situated with the setup and judging processes are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 9th July, and Wednesday, 10th July.

Early Bird Discount!

If you book and pay for your tickets for the GIMA Awards Gala Dinner by 31st May 2024, you’ll be eligible for a 5% discount on bookings. This is an exclusive offer so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment.

To enter the awards, book your tickets and find out more information, visit: www.gima.org.uk

Retail and economic challenges, sustainability, and adaptation to changing market dynamics were just some of the key topics that were explored at the annual GIMA Day Conference, which took place at Horticulture House, Chilton on 14th March.

The event saw the day split into key themes that brought together industry leaders, experts, and GIMA members to explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the garden industry.

Market & Retail Outlook

The conference kicked off with David Denny, Director of Research and Insights at HTA, who delved into market predictions and trends in the horticulture sector. Dave highlighted the increase in rental properties and how it will change the style of gardening for the younger generation. He also spoke about the emergence of a new breed of influencers among older consumers on TikTok, the importance of integrating health and wellbeing into garden centre marketing, and the significance of embracing inter-generational opportunities, with new gardeners now sourcing information from parents and family.

Mark Whiteley from GIMA Associate member Xenia Broking and Fiona O'Brien from Tokio Marine HCC provided members with essential insights into credit insurance and a retail sector update. Fiona revealed that retail sales have continued to decline over the past 10 years, with sales volumes at their lowest since pre-pandemic in 2018. January saw a sales recovery from December and was up by 3.4% but consumers continue to be pessimistic with their spending. Among the key takeaways were the continued dominance of online spending, declining inflation amidst challenging retail conditions, and market suppression challenges.

Jack Cooper, Commercial Director at RT7 Digital, shed light on the evolving landscape of e-commerce, emphasising the increasing importance of platforms like Amazon for product research and the transition from one to multi-channel vendor strategies. With 59% more searches now made on Amazon than Google, Jack revealed that the garden and outdoors category is worth on average a staggering £99.63 million a month and gave key considerations when setting up an Amazon channel.

Sustainability and the Journey to Net Zero

The mid-morning sessions delved into sustainability initiatives within the industry, with Mike Burks from The Gardens Group sharing his strategies for minimising environmental impact in his three garden centres. He highlighted the importance of selling ranges, including Christmas in an environmentally sound way and how his buying team prioritises natural products, made from recycled material that are locally made before anything else. This buying process saw the Garden Group see a 16% increase in sales compared to a 5% industry increase in 2023, and Mike urged how businesses must adopt sustainable buying policies.

Ben Duckworth from Greenarc, also an associate member of GIMA, provided insights into reducing carbon impact and cultivating change within businesses, touching upon net zero objectives that must be achieved by 2050, green technologies and the significance of having an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policy. He went through the Net Zero scopes, 1,2 and 3 which involve direct emissions, indirect emissions from purchased energy with the hardest being the emissions across the business chain.

The conference concluded with a dynamic member GIMA panel debate, offering shared insights and addressing current challenges faced by manufacturers in the garden industry. Guy Jenkins from Johnsons Lawn Seed, Jenny Douthwaite from Primeur, David Halsey from Maze and Matt Jones at Sipcam covered topics such as credit risk management, sustainability initiatives within the business, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and supply chain issues.

Vicky Nuttall, Director of GIMA said: “In a landscape currently marked by economic shifts and evolving consumer behaviours, the annual GIMA Day Conference highlighted the challenges, and resilience in the garden industry. From navigating retail challenges to embracing sustainability, the industry continues to transform. I would like to thank the speakers, associate members and delegates for their time and hope the insights gained will guide and support GIMA members in their quest for future growth.”

Find out more

Any businesses interested in joining GIMA can contact the GIMA team at (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk. Full details regarding GIMA’s multiple member benefits can be found at www.gima.org.uk

Here, we shine a spotlight on some of the incredible women who are driving change and growth at GIMA.

As Director of GIMA for the past decade, Vicky Nuttall (pictured above), has an unrivalled woman’s eye overview of our industry. She and her colleagues give some insight into their roles and share their thoughts on why it is important to recognise and celebrate women at this time. “I’ve been the GIMA Director for 10 years now,“ she says, “and my favourite part of the job is meeting the members, and hearing all about their exciting plans.  It’s especially rewarding if we know that through our help, they’ve managed to succeed and achieve their objectives.

“Despite women being well represented in our trade bodies, I believe it’s important to draw attention to the fact that we are still underrepresented within the entrepreneurial or senior management roles within the industry.  By showcasing women who have successfully navigated their careers into senior leadership roles we can inspire the next generation to believe it’s possible for them too.”

GIMA President, Jenny Douthwaite, picks up the baton, saying: “I have immensely enjoyed my Presidential role over the past two years. It has many responsibilities (including wearing the Presidential chain at formal occasions!) but my principal objective whilst in term has been to help support Vicky in her ENORMOUS remit and work behind the scenes at making the member experience as fulfilled as possible.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work for a business that recognises and celebrates the contribution and achievements of all employees, regardless of their gender, but my positive experience has not been shared by all women. International Women’s Day brings to the forefront the disappointing reality that gender bias does still exist in the world and that there is a long way to go in promoting gender equality and empowering women. The garden industry, has, in my opinion, fostered a more inclusive approach than others and is well representing women at all levels. Is there room for improvement? Always.

“GIMA events are always my favourite part of the job. I’ve been able to get involved in many over the last few years with my all-time favourite being the iconic GIMA Awards. Not only does the evening bring together our industry colleagues for a valuable networking opportunity but I love that it recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions in the industry. Witnessing others being recognised for their achievements has motivated and inspired me to strive for the same excellence.”

Incoming President, Kate Ebbens, who is about to take over as Jenny’s two-year tenure comes to a close, says her favourite bit about being in GIMA is: “Supporting our director Vicky (she is truly inspirational) and being part of an association that can engage, develop and be face to face with like-minded people. Working with a women-led association is daily proof that women can do it!  There is a sense of unspoken understanding amongst us and that helps productivity and encouragement to do the best for our members.  Just know to trust in your knowledge and abilities.

“Recognising the achievements of women in all facets of life makes a huge impact on the development of self-respect, often leading to new opportunities. ‘There needs to be more emphasis on developing and supporting women in our industry in my opinion.”

Fulfilling another crucial role at GIMA is Membership & Marketing Co-Ordinator, Angie Lloyd, who says that favourite part of her job is: “The day-to-day variety and supporting our members through the association initiatives. Then there are the events! The GIMA Awards are a highlight of our calendar each year.

“It’s important to recognise and celebrate International Women’s Day because of adversity faced by women, but also to inspire and empower the next generation. I think we are quite lucky as an industry. Women are represented in leadership roles across the industry network and that has always been really inspiring to me. I think there’s still improvement needed in some areas, like more opportunities for women and support in general, but I think gender wise the garden industry is on the right track."

This brings us onto the question of why garden retail is a good career option for women. Vicky’s response to this is very positive: “I would say that our industry is a good career option for anyone, from any background”, she tells us.  “The people are what makes or industry, whoever you are, the sky’s the limit.”

Jenny is equally positive, saying that: “Garden retail offers a diverse and wide range of roles for women to get involved in and provide a fulfilling career. Whether the opportunities are in manufacturing or retail, one thing for sure is that this industry never stands still, and this dynamic nature means there are always plenty of opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.”

Kate adds: “In 2021 a study by GoCompare revealed gardening is the fourth most popular trade job for women 10.23%.  Gardening is a growing industry, with a demand for skilled people and we need to ensure women are part of that growth”.