The GIMA Buyer Connect event has become one of the most highly-anticipated parts of the annual Glee exhibition’s programme of content. This year the event brought together even more suppliers and retailers, helping to facilitate in excess of 250 unrivalled networking opportunities.
Taking place on all three days of Glee, within the GIMA Business Lounge, the 2017 Buyer Connect event helped suppliers from across the industry meet with key garden retailers including Wyevale, Wilko, Hillview, Bunnings & Homebase, Great Western Partnerships and Mole Valley Farmers, plus independents including Long Acres, Perrywood and Halls Garden Centre.
Each supplier had a 10-minute speed networking session with a key buyer. Each session provided enough time for the manufacturer to explain the many USPs of its product, with the aim of opening ongoing communications with the retailer, and securing orders for the season ahead.
GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “This year’s Buyer Connect was a great success, and I’d like to extend my thanks to all of those that got involved. As always the event was a key part of our Glee agenda, and I’ve seen a lot of exciting new partnerships be forged. I look forward to seeing how these relationships flourish post-Glee.
“On a wider note, Buyer Connect is a perfect example of the kind of activities that we can support our members with. One of our roles as trade associations is to connect retailers and suppliers, so events such as Buyer Connect have become an even more essential part of our offering in the face of a fast-changing marketplace. We are here to respond to, and support, our members’ needs so we urge any retailer that is interested in our ‘meet the buyer’ events to get in touch.”
The next GIMA Buyer Connect will be taking place at Home Hardware (Oct 17th, Barnstaple – applications now closed) and interest from a number of big name retailers for events in 2018 has already been confirmed. Visit www.gima.org.uk to keep up to date on the latest Buyer Connect developments.
