This year’s edition of Glee - the International Festival for Garden, Leisure and Pet (27th-29th June 2023, NEC Birmingham) – will see a whole new pavilion devoted to Home, Gift & Clothing, where retailers from garden centres and department stores to independent gift shops, leisure and tourist destinations, will find a wealth of inspiration for seasons to come. Here are just a few of the exhibitors you can look forward to seeing in this sector of the show:
Little Karma Co.: Stand 8F52
Little Karma Co hand crafts 100% natural pure essential oil candles with zero nasties and donates 5% of all profits to the Trussell Trust. Their mission is to rid the world of nasty, toxic, environmentally-unfriendly candles, one handcrafted, refillable, clean burning candle at a time. They also want to give back to their community, which is why Little Karma Co has chosen to donate to the Trussell Trust to help others during the cost-of-living crisis. The collection includes Refillable Candles, Initial Candles, Christmas collection, Candle Refills and the new Slogan Candle Range. Little Karma Co. can offer retailers a fully customisable white label service with low minimum order values.
Pam Peters Designs: Stand 7G45
From modest beginnings, in 2014, in her ‘Wendy House’, Pam created individual fused glass pieces inspired by the nature of North Wales. With the help of her daughter, Beth, they quickly began to outgrow all the facilities at their home and eventually moved from the home to a commercial premises in Mochdre, just outside Colwyn Bay. Growing yet again, they moved to their current premises in Abergele, to accommodate yet more kilns (currently sitting at six!) and a gift shop. Pam Peters Designs currently stocks over 100 retailers in the UK as well as others across the globe.
Woodmansterne Publications: Stand 20E20-F21
Woodmansterne is a third-generation family business supplying premium greeting cards to leading independent retailers, all designed and manufactured in the UK. They work with the very best of British talent including National Trust, Quentin Blake, RSPB, and Emma Bridgewater. Their W-Select programme offers you a one-stop solution for the planning and management of your greeting card assortment, helping you to create a unique and visually appealing card department with a diverse, exciting range of products.
Abysse Corp - GB Eye: Stand 7A53
Founded in 2003, the Abysse Corp Group is the European leader in licensed pop culture merchandise, offering a wide and varied range of high quality products. Retailers will discover thousands of references from the biggest licenses in Manga, TV Series, Movies, Comics, Video Games and Music, with a complete universe of tie-in products, ranging from specialised to mass appeal.
Amica Accessories: Stand 8G75
Specialists in felt since 2004, Amica Accessories is all about beautiful, handmade and Fairtrade products, ranging from toys, gifts, Christmas, Easter and Halloween decorations. Everything is designed in their Bristol studio, then made with great skill and to the highest quality by a fantastic team of Fairtrade craftspeople in Nepal. All products are made from 100% sheep's wool, plastic free and kind to the environment making them the obvious choice for anyone wanting to introduce environmentally friendly products.
Leon (Ultralight) Boots Co: Stand 7G57
2018 saw the introduction of Leon Boots Co to the UK market. With their record breaking, award winning footwear style, they now have over 800 stockists locations across the UK, from Builders Merchants to Garden Centres. Leon Boots is taking part in a revolution in the world of Wellingtons, which uses the same Ultralight, Durable, Comfortable material that is already being used in many leading award winning styles, including Adidas, Nike and Sketchers. EVA is a far better material than PVC or PU. Not only is it lighter & more durable, but EVA consists of far less harmful chemicals so is more sustainable, environmentally friendly and vegan friendly.
Hippychick: Stand: 7A51
Toy maker, Hippychick, has announced an exclusive partnership for the UK with American puzzle, playball and creative art brand Crocodile Creek. The partnership has resulted in Hippychick’s first ever puzzle collection, a range of expertly crafted, beautifully illustrated puzzles with pieces sized to suit all age groups and themes designed to encourage young minds to take an active interest in the world around them. Collection highlights include The Day at the Museum puzzle collection; My First Puzzle Case and a range of NASA themed puzzles presented in giftable tins. Hippychick will also be introducing Crocodile Creek’s popular collection of Play Balls at the show.
UK Greetings: Stand 7D60-E61
As one of the UK’s largest direct to retail greeting card publishers, UKG is proud to create innovative, award winning greeting cards, gift dressings and social expression products for birthdays, life events, special occasions and those “saw this and thought of you” moments. Whether you are looking for a small curated selection of designs from our beautiful licenses, such as RHS or Peter Rabbit, or a bespoke display with supported category management, UKG has the perfect solution for your greeting card needs.
Annie with Alex: Stand 8G70
Annie with Alex is a mother and daughter collaboration, designing and creating contemporary bags that fit into your and your family’s lifestyle. Handmade in Hertfordshire, the bags are designed with multiple uses in mind, so that they can be used for not just one occasion. Many designs are reversible. The portfolio of bags is made of Luxury Cotton Canvas, French Provincial Linen and Luxury British made Wool they are all washable so that you can keep them nice and sparkly like the day you bought them.
Playpress Toys: Stand 8G51
Playpress Toys is a sustainable company that makes all its products here in the UK from Playboard, a sturdy material that is strong enough to stand up to everyday adventures but is completely FSC certified as sustainable, recyclable and biodegradable. Their lovely inventive sets can be pressed out, built up, and played with time and time again. At Glee they will launch two new bird related products in conjunction with their latest partner, the RSPB.
Museums and Galleries: Stand 7A60-B61
Museums & Galleries Ltd is one of the UK’s leading producers of quality art cards and design-led gift stationery, with a collection that is home to some of the most highly regarded heritage and arts brands in Britain and beyond. MGL also works with contemporary independent artists and emerging creative talent to source beautiful imagery for ranges.
Rainbow Designs: Stand 8G30
The wonderful Peter Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh, Paddington Bear and Guess How Much I Love You, are just some of the much-loved nursery collections of soft toys and nursery essentials you can see at Glee. For over 50 years, Rainbow Designs has been creating high quality, forever toys, inspired by the much-loved characters from children’s literature, for babies and children of all ages to provide comfort, fun and sensory learning as well as beautiful décor for any nursery. Also available will be Elmer, Spot the Dog, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and The Snowman and The Snowdog ranges. Give them all a cuddle at Glee!
Playmonster UK: Stand 7A43
PlayMonster UK specialise in developing and marketing innovative toys and games. It is a product-lead company with a passion for creating high quality, enduring kits at affordable prices, with brands that include My Fairy Garden®, WWF Wild Scenes, Peppa Pig, FabLab®, Fuzzikins®, My Living World® and Charm Jewellery, all designed and developed in-house. Playmonster has ecently added some hugely popular brands including 5 Second Rule®, Spirograph, Pop-A-Tops® and Ann Williams. With inspiring growing activities, great games and beautiful craft kits, there's something for everyone.
HJ Hall: Stand 6H50-J51
HJ Hall, the UK’s largest branded sock manufacturer, is set to release its new range of thermals and underwear at Glee. Extending its expertise to thermals and underwear is the natural next step for HJ Hall, offering premium standard basics for everyday comfort. Joint MD, Andrew Townsin says: “As part of the overall strategy to accelerate growth for our brands, I am delighted to announce that the HJ Hall brand will be launching two new and complementary categories, namely underwear and thermals. HJ Hall has been making socks since 1882 and, in that time, has built long standing relationships with its valued customers, and knows that they too will share in the excitement.”
Hothands: Stand 8G58
HotHands are air activated heat packs that provide easy warmth to protect you from a chill in everyday situations (including working outdoors, walking/hiking and commuting). HotHands are available in the UK in three main variants; Hand Warmer, Foot Warmer and Adhesive Body Warmer to provide warmth to the whole body. Single sachets retail at £1 making them the ideal impulse selling opportunity for any retailer in the autumn and winter seasons!
Lighting Legends: Stand 6B05
UK lighting specialists, Lighting Legends, have been helping homeowners to transform their indoor and outdoor areas with an array of high-quality lighting since 2020. Now the Derbyshire-based specialists are excited to be launching an innovative new line to its growing range at Glee, the Super Festoon "Warm White" Plug-in Outdoor LED String Lights. This brand-new product line is available in a range of sizes ensuring that there is always a solution, no matter the space that needs covering. The new Super Festoon "Warm White" Plug-in Outdoor LED String Lights are designed to create a warm and cosy space that is perfect for sitting back and relaxing in.
Art on Scarves: Stand 8F56
Art on Scarves was founded by North Wales based artist Lucy Hay, who was inspired by the amazing beauty of the countryside and the diversity of the wildlife. She started with prints, cards, mugs and coasters and one day 'accidentally' printed on a scarf! Art on Scarves was born! The Company continues to grow and is delighted to add designs from a number of different, extremely talented, British artists. These stunning designs, along with Lucy's paintings, make up a collection that is both unique and eye catching. All the scarves are handprinted in North Wales on a variety of super soft and luxurious fabrics.
Brass Bee: Stand 8F48
Established in 2019, Brass Bee is a family- owned company which is a market leader in brass hardware products such as door knockers, cabinet knobs, door numbers, homeware and giftable products. Their copyrighted designs are unique to Brass Bee, designed from their home base in Morpeth and supplied to garden centres, department stores, boutiques, gift shops, homeware stores and distributors all over the world. The toilet roll holder and stand, towel ring, towel rail and toothbrush holder will bring a buzz of elegance to any bathroom!
The Crafty Kit Company: Stand 8G45
The Crafty Kit Company stand is, where you'll discover fabulous and fun kits to create a range of DIY crafts. Giving back is at the heart of everything the company does as it strives to impact lives through inspiration, creativity, and fun, supplying a unique range of quality crafting kits - Needle felting, Cross-stitch, Embroidery and Felt Flower kits.
Robbie’s Toys: Stand 8G46
Established in 1997, Robbie Toys Ltd is a family run business which prides itself on its extensive range of products, excellent working relationships with its manufacturers, suppliers, and customers, also providing a comprehensive aftersales and backup service with a helpline facility. Robbie Toys Ltd is the official importer and UK distributor for Rolly, Ferbedo, Razor, Buki, Winfun, Lionel, Nikko, Toimsa, Totum, Pilsan, Paradiso and more recently Goki, Les Deglingos and SmarTrike with new manufacturers joining their portfolio all the time. Robbies Toys also has the exclusive license for Gabby’s Dollhouse on arts and crafts for the UK.
Freckleface Home Fragrance: Stand 7E40-F41
Freckleface offers handmade, ethically sourced, vegan products for the home, with Pick & Mix soya wax melts are individually hand poured and topped with dried botanicals. Freckleface is a family business established in 2017 by Mum & Son team, Tara & Noah, when Noah was 14. Everything is handcrafted in the Lincolnshire workshop and products are now stocked in over 750 stockists and five Freckleface high street stores, this brand is making its mark in the Home Fragrance & Bath and Body market.
Jarapa: Stand 8G32
Established for over 18 years, Jarapa sources and manufactures recycled homewares including 100% recycled glassware, cotton rugs and glass lamp bases. Paints used to colour the glass are mostly plant based, some are organic, and the main glass supplier complies with all Kyoto protocol aspects and International treaties that commit to reducing greenhouse gases. Products are sourced from the UK or EU to keep product miles low and the lamps and lampshades are manufactured here in the UK using high quality fittings and local craftsmanship.
Entry to Glee is free of charge to all pre-registered visitors. Simply register via the Glee website at: www.gleebirmingham.com/register
For more details on planning your visit go to https://www.gleebirmingham.com/plan-your-visit
Find out more
Glee connects the garden industry to inspire change, drive growth and launch innovation.
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 at the NEC, please call +44 (0)203 3545 9752
