GIMA’s latest Buyer Connect event, held at Dobbies Garden Centre, Milton Keynes, has been hailed a resounding success, bringing together more than 40 suppliers for a packed schedule of one-to-one meetings with the Dobbies’ commercial buying team.

Designed to facilitate meaningful, commercially focused conversations, the event provided GIMA members with a valuable platform to present new ideas, showcase innovation, and explore future ranging opportunities as the retailer continues to build on its growth strategy.

Across the day, suppliers engaged directly with key decision-makers, including Andy Hannan, Commercial Director; Chris O’Boyle, Head of Trading; Liz Brennan, Head of Gardening; Graeme Shaw, Gardening Buyer; and Kirsty Stoton, Junior Buyer. Discussions spanned new product development, category expansion and emerging trends, with a clear appetite from Dobbies for fresh thinking and retail-ready innovation.

The event also provided an opportunity for Dobbies to share its perspective on supplier collaboration and future ranging priorities.  Andy Hannan, Commercial Director for Dobbies, said: “GIMA Buyer Connect is a valuable opportunity for us to spend time with our suppliers and build on those important relationships. Bringing everyone together like this creates the space for open, honest conversations, sharing ideas, exploring trends and thinking about what our customers will love next.

“That collaboration is what helps us keep our ranges fresh, relevant and inspiring. It’s been great to make new connections as well as strengthen existing ones. We’re really looking forward to building on the momentum from the positive progress we’ve made over the past year, planning for 2027 and beyond.”

The event marks a strong continuation of GIMA’s Buyer Connect programme, which has rapidly become a cornerstone membership benefit, offering unrivalled access to leading retailers and creating tangible routes to market for suppliers.

Martin Ward, Director at GIMA, said: “This event has been a great opportunity for our members to connect with the Dobbies’ commercial buying team. GIMA Buyer Connect events support one of our core values of connecting buyers with our members and providing new opportunities for development.

“The feedback from both our members and the Dobbies’ team has been very positive, which is testament to the meticulous planning and organisation that goes into making the event a success for all involved. As my first Buyer Connect event since joining GIMA, it’s been brilliant to see first-hand the value these sessions deliver for our members and to hear feedback about the wider benefits of GIMA membership.”

The day underlined the value of face-to-face engagement, with suppliers able to build stronger relationships with the Dobbies’ team while gaining clearer insight into future ranging priorities.

GIMA members who attended the event were equally positive about the experience. Rebecca Cox, Head of Retail & Online Trading, Azpects, said: “It was an incredibly well-organised event that created a valuable space for meaningful conversations and genuine connections. The opportunity to engage directly with the Dobbies’ team, gain insight into their approach, and showcase our products was both productive and inspiring. Events like this really highlight the strength of the industry and the importance of collaboration. Thank you to GIMA for bringing everyone together so effectively!”

Bella Richardson from SealStop and GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund winners 2025 added: “The event was extremely well-organised. Face-to-face meetings are so much more personal and friendly, and I am grateful to GIMA for offering these opportunities.”

With more Buyer Connect events already in the pipeline for 2026, GIMA members are encouraged to keep an eye on upcoming announcements as the programme continues to expand.

Find out more

For more information about upcoming events, visit: https://gima.org.uk/calendar-of-events/

or email the GIMA team directly via info@gima.org.uk