Entries to the GIMA Awards for products and marketing which closed at the end of last week are up on 2012 levels.
It has been a tough 12 months for suppliers with trading levels under severe pressure as retailers struggle to get customers to part with their cash. However, the ever resourceful suppliers continue to invest in innovation to bring new and exciting products to market. As a result GIMA Award entries are up on last year by over 9% as suppliers seek to gain additional recognition of their efforts.
GIMA Awards Director Neil Gow said: “We are seeing increased entry levels in every category which is great. I am particularly pleased to see the number of plant nurseries recognising the value of our Awards and we have more plant entries than ever before. Another category where we are seeing a good increase in entry numbers is in the pet and aquatic products category”
Staging Day for the judging is Monday 1st July with the expert panel of indpenedent judges working their way through the entries on Tuesday 2nd July:
Andy Smith - Waitrose
Tristan Sissons - The Garden Centre Group
Simon Moore - Wilkinsons
Conna Powles - Haskins Garden Centres
Mike Wyatt - Garden Trade News
Tim Rumbold - Amateur Gardening
Peter Burks - GCA
Jo Wood - QVC
Gareth Edwards - Burston Garden Centre
Phillippa Nickson - Brigg Garden Centre
There are still places available at the Awards Dinner and Presentation Evening which takes place on the 18th July at The Queens Hotel, Leeds.
