With so much on offer at this year’s show (June 27th-29th) there are more reasons than we can count that retail buyers need to add the date to their diaries and start planning their visit now.
However, for just a little taste of what you can expect at Glee 2023, here are just five reasons you can’t afford to miss the show in June:
1. Unrivalled access to new product and new opportunities
No other show in the industry brings more suppliers and innovative product together under one roof. At Glee 2023, you will have access to hundreds of suppliers and manufacturers spanning 10 categories, including Garden Care, Landscape & Garden Decoration, Outdoor Entertaining, Plants, Food & Catering, and Pet & Animal Wellbeing (PAW). This year, Glee has significantly expanded its Home, Gift & Clothing sector, and also introduced, for the first time ever, a DIY sector, helping buyers to further diversify their offer and capitalise on emerging trends and opportunities. The broad mix of both leading brands and pioneering start-ups exhibiting in the halls means you have direct access to suppliers and products you might otherwise miss in the market. And, with the new June timing better matched to buying cycles, it is the perfect time to conduct a range review and asses your offer.
2. Get hands-on
Not every brand has a host of reps on the road these days, so unless you have time to spare making countless showroom visits around the country, the chances are you aren’t able to get up close and personal with many products until the stock you’ve ordered arrives in store. At Glee, with so many suppliers in one place for three whole days, you have an unmatched opportunity to browse new and existing ranges on stand at your leisure, and to get truly hands-on with products, see merchandising options and packaging in the flesh. Glee also means you get the time for suppliers to talk you through benefits and answer any burning questions you may have. You can also enjoy detailed pitches on those products shortlisted for the coveted New Product Awards, gaining greater insight into exciting new launches that are set to make waves in the market. The products themselves – as well as being available to view on individual exhibitor stands – are also brought together in the New Product Showcase for you to touch and feel.
3. Inspiration and ideas to take back to your business
If you’re in need of some fresh thinking when it comes to merchandising, pay a visit to the Talent Store; a brand-new addition to the 2023 show. Not only will the finished showcase provide merchandising inspiration for visitors, with true insight on how to interpret houseplant and outdoor plant trends in store, but the process itself is designed to nurture new talent in the horticultural industry, offering unique training and mentoring for participants. It will be a real crash course in merchandising, branding and retail, with the chance to learn from experts. Glee wants to encourage and develop the next generation of retailers through this project and foster effective merchandising in garden centres across the country. It’s not too late to take part, so if you have a colleague you’d like to put forward, nominate them now. Alternatively, enjoy the fruits of their labour and take notes when you visit in June to see the pop-up shop in all its glory within the Glee Green Heart.
4. Networking, networking, and more networking
With Glee earmarked as a key event in the garden industry calendar, you can guarantee there will be a long list of people attending that you’ll want to get some valuable facetime with; from influential buyers and game-changing suppliers, to trade association heads and industry peers. As always, Glee 2023 promises to provide a wealth of networking opportunities, helping you to forge new friendships, strengthen relationships with existing contacts, and work with one another to drive the garden retailing sector forward.
5. Exclusive seminar content
Find time to attend any of the seminars or presentations at the show’s educational hub, The Stage, this year and you won’t be disappointed. With exclusive content tailored to help retailers grow their business, maximise sales potential, and stay ahead of the curve by capitalising on trends and opportunities as they emerge in the market, The Stage is a fixture not to be missed at Glee 2023. Yes, we know it might take you off the show floor for 30-45 mins but, when you consider the value these presentations bring to your business – whether uncovering key trends, helping you to develop a strategy for omni channel, or advising on areas like branding or how to put a sustainability plan in place – it is well worth it.
Visitors will also be in for a treat, as all plant-based content will be lead by Glee ambassador, Mr Plant Geek, Matthew Perry, who has developed several exciting new concepts for 2023.
Make sure that when you’re onsite that you check out the seminar timetable to find the most relevant talks for you and we guarantee you will come away fired up about ways to enhance your business.
Find out more
Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focusing on building year-round profits for buyers and suppliers within the core gardening and outdoor leisure product categories. To keep up to date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com. To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2023, which will take place June 27th-29th, call+44 (0)203 3545 9752.
