Event News

Glee is the show for the industry, say buyers

Buyers and suppliers from across the garden, leisure and pet care sectors have praised Glee for delivering the most high quality, value-driven and friendly show for several years.

The 34th Glee exhibition buzzed. The aisles were more crowded then ever before. Visitors who went thinking it was a necessary chore came away happy and impressed by the wide range of informative, added-value features introduced by organisers Emap Connect across the show.  Exhibitors were equally enthusiastic about the welcoming atmosphere of the event, as well as the quality and quantity of visitors who attended.

Glee show director Daniel Thurlow confirmed:  “The feedback has been excellent; indeed the smaller footprint of the show has had a positive impact – the aisles were packed and buzzing with people doing business.  In fact, many exhibitors have told us that they wrote more business at Glee than at any other trade show in the last three years.  Visitors commented that they felt less rushed, allowing them to spend quality time on stands. Visitor numbers were a little lower than last year, but maybe no surprise as it was a smaller show, there’s been consolidation in the market and the trading climate has been tough.  Glee is clearly still the most important show for the garden, leisure and pet industries and continues to attract the most senior buying teams.  Over 14,600* people visited the show, including all of the major garden retailers, buying groups, High Street retailers, DIY multiples and builders merchants – as well as the huge number of independent garden centres that are so important to the market.”

Barry Page, chief executive, Town & Country, said: “We’ve had the best show we’ve ever had.  We’ve taken orders right across the range and are way ahead on last year.  We’ve seen every major buyer and in particular have achieved a lot of organic customer growth.  It’s Tuesday at 3pm and we’re still selling now.   We’re enthusiastic and we’re confident. It’s been a revelation!”

The focus is now firmly building on this success for Glee 2010 and beyond, Daniel added:  “This year has confirmed there is still an overwhelming want and need for Glee.  We’ve heard from many exhibitors and visitors that having a single, all encompassing, September show is without doubt the preferred option for the industry.”

Daniel’s comments are echoed by Boyd Douglas-Davies, managing director of Webbs Garden Centre.  He said: “I’m a firm advocate of one show, one industry.  September is the time and Glee is the show.  It doesn’t make sense for suppliers or buyers to make the time and effort to go to multiple shows”

Simon Goodwin, La Hacienda added: “We’ve had a cracking show!  In fact we have taken more orders than ever before.  We downsized our stand for 2009 but in reality we needed an even bigger one!  Glee is essential for us as it brings to us all the key buyers for our business, and provides us with an unrivalled platform to showcase our newest ranges.  In my opinion, Glee is the key show for the industry.”

Looking ahead to Glee 2010, Daniel is confident that Glee will become even stronger.  He said:  “We are committed to ensuring that Glee delivers the one, multi-sector event that clearly works best for the whole industry.  For 2010 we will be building on the positive environment created this year, we’ll look to welcome back absent brands and showcasing the newest products and suppliers - both of which have become a vital part of Glee for our visitors.  We’ll also refresh the visitor features that proved so popular this year.”

A runaway success for Glee 2009 was the new Innovators Zone; designed to showcase grass-roots design ideas and bring to market brand new garden and pet care products.  Fifty break-through exhibitors took part.  Daniel confirmed: “It was a new idea and the response was beyond our expectations.  We’re delighted with the reaction and will certainly be developing this idea for Glee 2010.  We want to optimise this and other opportunities to benefit buyers and suppliers alike.”

Caroline Owen, managing director at Scotsdale Garden Centre was one advocate of the new feature.  She said:  “I think the show is great.  I love the Innovators Zone, and Glee New Products is even better this year.  It’s excellent for networking too.”

During the show, plans were also revealed for Glee 2010.  Next year the show will run Monday 20th to Wednesday 22 September.  A raft of benefits and support for new and loyal exhibitors was also announced, including a value-driven pricing structure, turnkey stand packages and increased marketing support.

Key multiple retailers who attended Glee 2009 included Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Debenhams, Heals, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, TK Maxx, Focus DIY, Home Retail Group, Lakeland, Wickes, Wilkinsons, Argos, BHS, Makro, B&Q, Decco, Homebase and Countrywide Stores.  Major garden centres and groups who visited included Notcutts, Dobbies, Wyevale, Webbs of Wychbold, Bents, Hillier, Squires, Haskins, Frosts, Scotsdale, Garden & Leisure, Klondyke/Strikes and Blue Diamond Group.  On-line retailers included Amazon.co.uk, Crocus and The Online Gardener.  In the builders merchant sector attendees included Jewson, Travis Perkins, Wolseley, Buildbase, Stax and Ridgeons. Major pet retail visitors to Glee Petindex included Pampurred Pets, Pets at Home, Acorn Pet Centres, Pets Corner, Maidenhead Aquatics and World of Water.

Daniel Thurlow concluded:  “Glee 2009 was a real success, but the real praise and thanks must go to the visitors and exhibitors themselves.  Their attendance is what enables Glee to serve the industry uniquely well from both the buying and the selling perspective.  We look forward to seeing them again at Glee 2010.”

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