Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn provides launchpad for new suppliers Crammed with new suppliers wanting to take a stand, Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn is a Show that caters well for companies eager to explore opportunities in the Scottish market. The Launch Gallery has already been extended with some exciting first timers. Taking place at the SEC, Glasgow from 21-22 Sept 2025, this boutique show offers exhibitors more time and space to meet and network with buyers. Solid relationships are forged here ahead of the busy Spring buying period in January. For those retailers searching a dynamic mix of creativity and innovation head to the Launch Gallery with its rich mix of suppliers. These include Art by Annie, Curiously Charmed, Heatons, Laconic, Little White Candle, Lunabuloona, Middleshade Perfumes, Sara Willa Landscapes and The Modern Crafter. Beyond the Launch Gallery, the Show will feature a wide range of businesses ready to make their mark in Scotland. Newcomers such as 3D Studio Gifts, Alba Wholesale, The Cottonist, All The Colour, Blade & Rose, Fantasy Candles, Hamilton & Morris Candlemakers, Heritage Playing Cards, Ink and Snail, Lismore Luminations, Mindful Art, Rogers Ink, Silver Birch Cards, Slime Party UK, Strings and Dreams and Yoojoo, will all be showcasing their latest ranges. Registration has just opened for the Show so be sure to register now to get any key Show news - Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn 2025. Show Director Mark Saunders says: “We’re delighted with the surge in interest from new companies this year. The Autumn Show’s more intimate setting appeals to independent, creative brands who relish getting orders and making contact with Scottish buyers. With a strong summer tourist season and good weather on our side, we anticipate retailers will be keen to stock up ahead of the festive period.” Craig Hunt from The Wee Engraving Company who exhibited for the first time last year added: “Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn was an incredible Show for us and allowed us to showcase our products to many key Scottish buyers for the first time.” Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring will take place from 18-20 January 2026 - another date for the diary. www.scotlandstradefairs.com GLEE 2025: where insight grows and innovation blooms When Glee returns to the NEC Birmingham from Tuesday 16th – Thursday 18th September 2025, it will bring with it a dynamic and future-focused seminar programme, designed to spark insight, drive profitability, and energise the garden retail sector. This year’s content will be delivered across two specialist stages. The Hive will serve as the hub for all things garden retail, from leadership and sustainability to business strategy and future trends. Meanwhile, the Feed Your Business Stage, located in the newly launched Food @ Glee area, will take a deep dive into the commercial opportunities within catering, hospitality, foodservice and food retail as well as design. Profit, purpose and the ‘Garden Centre of the Future’ From high-level strategy to hands-on innovation, Glee 2025 addresses the real challenges and opportunities facing today’s garden retailers. Central to the programme is the need to balance profit and purpose, and lead businesses into a new era defined by smarter operations, sustainable growth, and unforgettable customer experiences. In one of the most unique and interactive sessions of the show, Michael Perry – better known as Mr Plant Geek – returns with his ever-popular ‘Future Plants’ insights. This year, he’ll take things a step further by hosting an exclusive walking tour of the show, giving participants the chance to meet the pioneering growers behind the next generation of plants set to transform UK garden centres. In a flagship keynote, Pleydell Smithyman’s Paul Pleydell will unveil their visionary take on the “Garden Centre of the Future”, combining architectural creativity with realworld data to show how design can power everything from dwell time to footfall and spend. In one of the most anticipated sessions of the show, Alan Roper, Managing Director of Blue Diamond Garden Centres, will offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at leadership in action. “An Industry Conversation” will explore his approach to retail transformation, culture, and staying ahead in a competitive and increasingly digital landscape. Alan is inviting the industry to submit their questions ahead of the session in a unique opportunity to engage directly with one of the most influential voices in garden retail. Whether you’re curious about leadership strategies, business transformation, or the future of the sector, Alan wants to hear from you. British Garden Centres will also take centre stage with “Buzzing with Innovation: Next Gen Leaders”, where Amy and Libby Stubbs present how the next generation is not just preserving a legacy but actively rewriting what success looks like in the modern retail era. The HTA will also bring its invaluable market intelligence to The Hive stage, helping retailers decode the latest research, performance metrics and consumer trends in their session “Pollinating Insights”. With a clear focus on data-led decision making, this is a must-attend for anyone looking to build resilience and plan for the long term. Other sessions explore technology, supply chain strategy, and sustainability as competitive levers, showcasing stories of garden centres that are not just surviving but thriving by placing environmental and ethical practices at the heart of their operations. Feeding growth On the Feed Your Business Stage, content is all about delivering ROI through food and catering. From expert-led sessions on menu engineering and kitchen design, to talks on food truck partnerships, the power of farm shops, technology-driven cooking methods, and the evolution of the high-street coffee model, attendees will walk away with actionable ideas to increase dwell time, margin, and customer loyalty. To find out more about Glee’s thriving seminar programme, be sure to visit www.gleebirmingham.com/seminars. 13 NEWS & EVENTS
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