Leading UK garden retail show Glee, which takes place at the NEC from 27-29 June, will be introducing a brand new Home, Gift & Clothing sector, with this year’s show the first time that such a strong focus has been placed on gifting, homeware, fashion accessories and apparel.
The show organisers highlight that this is a testament to the success of garden centres extending their instore offer, with the new sector also offering a significant opportunity for other retailers.
“Home, Gift & Clothing is an exciting new sector for Glee, and we’re thrilled that such an exceptional mix of companies will be joining us at this year’s show, many of them for the first time,” comments Glee director Matthew Mein. “As well as inspiring garden centres to further diversify into lucrative new categories, we also want to show traditional home and gift retailers how to integrate gardening into their lifestyle merchandise mix.”
Continues Matthew: “Millions of British consumers are out in their gardens digging, planting up containers on balconies, or cultivating houseplants. The upsurge of interest in nature and desire to be more sustainable is driving huge interest in certain sectors – pots and planters, gardening tools, outdoor clothing and seeds, for example – and we want to show gift and home retailers how they can benefit from these vital growth areas.
“Not only can buyers take steps to break new ground at Glee, but they can also stock up on the crucial staple products which will keep tills ringing in the run up to Christmas – whether it’s home fragrances or giftwrap, flower vases or gardening gloves, wall art or woolly socks, The show addresses all angles of the consumer lifestyle shifts that are shaping retail.”
Visitors will be able to source from leading suppliers offering products ranging from home accessories, home fragrancing and homewares to books, crafting kits, greetings cards, giftwrap and stationery – much of which has a sustainable angle or is made in the UK – while specialists in hats, scarves, gloves, boots and other winter woolies will help ready retailers for the festive season.
Exhibitors include: Ivyline, The Candle Brand, The Crafty Kit Company, The Wheat Bag Company, Jarapa, Kushboo Soaps, Tilnar Art, Victoria Eggs, Freckleface Designs, Rainbow Designs, Out of the Kiln (Pam Peters Designs), Alex Sharp Photography, Robert Frederick, New English Teas, Ivy & Twine Candles, Hippychick, Playmonster UK, Seedball, Art on Scarves, Playpress Toys, Naked Shells, Brass Bee and Soake.
Also exhibiting within the Home, Gift & Clothing sector will be major overseas manufacturers to include Pantherella International Group, Maison Bel, Bachmann Europe, Fountasia, Biohort, Hellmann-Versand and Burstenhaus Redecker.
Visit www.gleebirmingham.com.
