Gift Focus - Jul/Aug 2019 (Issue 114)

67 GLEE Growing strong We look at Glee, a September show covering the world of gardening, gifts, outdoor entertainment and more IN BRIEF Show Glee Organiser ITE Group When 10 th -12 th September, 2019 Where NEC Birmingham Website gleebirmingham.com Twitter @Glee_Birmingham A leading trade show for the garden and outdoor leisure sector, Glee will open on 10 th September at NEC Birmingham with bigger and more vibrant showcase than ever. Each year, the show delivers more than 7,000 UK and international visitors. At the 2018 event, more than 60 per cent of visitors had direct purchasing power, and more than 70 per cent placed orders either at the show or post-event. The level of purchasing power is expected to increase as garden retailers continue to find a point of difference for their product offerings ahead of 2020. Much of the show floor has already been reserved, with garden brands such as Westland, Evergreen Garden Care, Fiskars, Burgon & Ball, Apta, EP Barrus, Smart Garden Products, Kelkay, Tildenet, Woodlodge and Handy Distribution appearing in the central thoroughfare, creating a point of interest for visiting retailers from garden centres, DIY retailers and high street and department stores. Away from the main boulevard, Glee 2019 will focus on a wide range of brands and innovators, from home and gift suppliers to growers and business support services. More than 550 exhibitors will fill Halls 6-8 and 19-20. The Pets at Glee section will also be a focal point this year. With a selection of brands both big and small, Pets at Glee is a wonderful opportunity to source pet product suppliers. The pet industry is worth £7billion per annum, making it a promising avenue for retailers looking to expand their ranges. The Retail Lab at Glee continues to be a popular attraction. This year, the area is being curated by Glee’s Retail Lab trend forecaster and concept developer, Romeo Sommers. More than 78 per cent of visitors to the Retail Lab last year said the experience was useful, helping them to source new products, find merchandising ideas and learn about retail best practice. Half of the overall audience for the show rated “finding out more about future trends” as their primary reason for attending the show. With the support of the Horticultural Trade Association (HTA), the Retail Lab is set to grow in 2019, focusing on key trends shaping both the mid- and long-term future of the market. Building more content to help support the continuous growth of gardening in the UK will be another key theme of the 2019 event. Garden retailing is continuing to buck the trend, with growth for both garden retailers and suppliers continuing. More features and seminar sessions will be announced soon, with year-round information about trends, merchandising and practical advice on building a better business. A new series of workshops will also be introduced, helping visitors to benefit from some faster takeaway content that can be quickly implemented after the show. A new Glee app will also make working the show easier than before. Developed in response to industry demand, the new AI-powered matchmaking solution from Grip will offer benefits to exhibitors and retailers alike, allowing visitors to better measure their return on time spent on the show. The Glee app will also include an overview of all of the exhibition’s wider educational content and seminar programmes, helping retailers plan their trips around Glee from their phones. The Glee app is available from the Glee Birmingham website. Matthew Mein, Glee’s event director, said: “Glee 2019 has been designed to pack even more of a punch. From the biggest collection of big-name brands and niche suppliers to an unrivalled format for networking and growing businesses, there will be a reason for the whole garden retail team to visit Glee. We’re excited to share more of our development plans for the show with the industry over the coming months.” For more information, visit gleebirmingham.com