BGColor: #ededed
Logo:
Font: Lato
Prime Color: #222222
Second Color: #ea0e0e
Third Color: #790fe2


Looking ahead to Glee 2018

Glee 2018 is set to return to the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, September 10-12. Photo: Glee.

A bigger content programme with more high-profile speakers, the return of the Retail Lab, and an increased footprint at NEC can all be expected at Glee 2018.

Print

PrintPrint
Retail

Read More:

20 December 2017

The Retail Lab at Glee – celebrating its inaugural year in 2017 – proved to be a popular attraction, which is why the area has been confirmed to make its return in 2018.

Over 80% of those that visited the Retail Lab found the area to be useful, helping them to source new products, merchandising ideas, and retailing best practice.

Over half of Glee’s overall audience stated that finding out more about future trends was a primary reason for attending the show. With the support of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), the Retail Lab is set to be bigger in 2018, whilst over the coming months Glee will be working with the market to present ‘The Retail Lab in Practice’ – showcasing the different ways retailers have taken Retail Lab concepts and ideas, and implemented them in their own retail environments.

The exhibition itself will also be benefiting from a complete relocation into NEC halls 6,7,8, 19, and 20, providing the show with a much bigger footprint, and an even larger exhibition.

Exhibitors will be able to relocate, whilst visitors will be walking an updated floorplan; discovering new products and companies at every turn. The overall effect will be a refreshed, revitalised event, as Matthew Mein, Glee Event Director explains: “Glee has been growing at a significant rate – for example we had over 200 new brands join us at the 2017 event – and that means we’ve outgrown our current home. Glee has successfully relocated before, and we believe that this next move will be received with the same level of industry support. Not only will the exhibition be able to better accommodate more exhibitors and visitors, but its refreshed layout will breathe new life into the show.

“This move is inspired by the way that retailers keep their store interesting for customers by constantly revising the layout. This way customers discover more, and ultimately spend more – something we know our exhibitors and visitors want to replicate during their time at Glee.”

Building more content to help support the continuous growth of gardening in the UK will be a key theme of the 2018 event. Garden retailing is continuing to buck the trend, with growth for both garden retailers and suppliers continuing to grab the headlines.

At Glee 2018 look out for more features, seminar sessions, and year-round information relating to trends, merchandising, and practical advice on ways to build better business, whilst also tackling the most burning issues set to affect the industry in the years ahead.

With over three quarters of Glee’s audience coming to source new products, with many stating the importance of being able to touch and feel a product previously only seen in a catalogue, Glee 2018 will see even more focus on new products, including the New Product Showcase – created in partnership with Garden Trade News – relocating to the main floor space.

Pet products and suppliers will be benefiting from enhancements in 2018. This dedicated area of Glee will benefit from its own entrance that will drive retailers right into the heart of the pet area, to a special pet care seminar stage, the new look ‘Pets @ Glee’ will be a hub of information, new products and business advice that will enable garden retailers to tap into this thriving sector.

PetQuip has also confirmed that it will be continuing its support, bringing with it a pet focused Buyers Connect networking event. These special 10-minute speed networking sessions will place pet suppliers directly in front of buyers from key garden retailers. These retailers are actively looking for new and innovative pet product suppliers, and for many Buyers Connect will be the place where long-term and profitable relationships are forged.

Glee’s added value content, such as the Seminar Theatre, will also be getting an upgrade in 2018, including a relocation in hall 8. With an increase in visitors to the theatre of 30% year-on-year, Glee will be working to bring even more high-profile speakers to the stage in 2018.

Matthew Mein, added: “We’re excited about what Glee 2018 can achieve. We’re coming off the back of an incredibly positive 2017 event, however we’re not resting on our laurels. Retailing is a constantly evolving business, with garden retailing setting the standard.

As the annual exhibition that represents this market, we have a responsibility to keep Glee fresh. By making changes, adding more content and focusing on areas of significant growth, we can create a show that continues to deliver.

Our post-show research has been incredibly useful, and we thank our visitors and exhibitors for their continued support and honest feedback. We are confident that with this feedback, Glee 2018 is set to be the best show yet.”

Further details about Glee 2018 will be unveiled shortly.

Read More:



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to Top ↑