Taking place on Thursday 23rd April 2026 at the Dobbies Garden Centre in Milton Keynes, the event will bring selected GIMA members face-to-face with the retailer’s buying team through a series of structured one-to-one meetings designed to identify innovation, explore future ranging opportunities and build stronger supplier–retailer relationships.
The announcement follows a packed Buyer Connect agenda in 2025, which saw members connect with major retail names including Blue Diamond, Hilliers, Wickes, Walmart, B&Q and Robert Dyas. As the programme continues to gather pace, Buyer Connect has become an increasingly important route for suppliers seeking direct engagement with decision-makers and meaningful commercial conversations.
With roots dating back to 1865, Dobbies remains one of the UK’s most recognisable garden centre brands, combining plant expertise with an expanding year-round garden living offer. Recent investment across its estate, including store refurbishments and refreshed category development, reflects a retailer focused on evolution and future growth.
With significant scale and opportunity across the whole of the UK, the Dobbies team is now actively seeking innovation for 2027, with a particular focus on: garden décor, landscaping, garden storage & sheds, outdoor lighting and dropship – all garden categories.
The team is especially interested in new-to-market products, genuine innovation and new technology, as well as opportunities for hot spots and promotional activity. Both stocked and dropship product ranges will be considered, making this an invaluable opportunity for members looking to establish or grow their presence within Dobbies’ UK-wide store network.
The upcoming Buyer Connect sessions will directly support this direction, enabling the buying team to explore commercially relevant propositions as forward planning for 2027 accelerates.
Tony Kersey, GIMA Membership Ambassador, said: “The continued expansion of the Buyer Connect programme demonstrates the appetite from both retailers and suppliers for more direct, productive conversations. Following a strong series of successful sessions last year, welcoming Dobbies represents another significant opportunity for our members to showcase innovation and explore how their products could fit within a forward-thinking retail strategy.”
How to be involved
Participation is open to both GIMA members and non-members, with successful applicants receiving a dedicated 25-minute meeting with the Dobbies buying team. Suppliers operating across multiple categories may be offered additional sessions, while attendance is limited to two representatives per company.
The event is free of charge for members, while non-members will be charged £180 + VAT, with applications required by Friday 13th March 2026. Interested companies should submit their application forms to info@gima.org.uk. All meetings are subject to buyer approval, with confirmed appointment times shared closer to the event.
