From individual garden centre buyers to multiple retailer buying teams, the Glee Buyers Power List was launched to recognise and celebrate the many garden retail buyers who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to make a difference within the industry in the past 12 months.

Speaking at the Glee Buyers Power List awards ceremony, which was held on the second day of the industry-leading show, Glee’s Event Director Matthew Mein confirmed: “The Glee Buyers Power List was set up to recognise a key group of decision makers in the gardening industry who have often been overlooked: garden retail buyers. Through this new initiative, we are pleased to be able to celebrate and reward their hard work and dedication. Our huge congratulations to all of the winners, the finalists and the many excellent shortlisted nominees.”

Glee, organised by i2i Events, launched its inaugural Glee Buyers Power List initiative to the market in May. The response from the industry was immediate, with a long list of nominations submitted for each of the five award categories; from which shortlists were created. These shortlists were then opened up to everyone in the gardening industry, enabling them to cast their votes online for their top three buyers or teams in each category.

The winners and finalists were announced as follows:

• Best Independent Garden Retail Buying Team:

Finalists:

• Ayletts Nurseries
• Burford Garden Centre
• Haskins
• Polhill Garden Centre
• Scotsdale

Winner:

• Haskins

• Best Online Garden Retail Buying Team:

Finalists:

• Achica
• Crocus
• Greenfingers.com
• gardensite.co.uk
• Primrose

Winner:

• gardensite.co.uk

• Best Multiple Garden Centre Buying Team:

Finalists:

• Blue Diamond
• Dobbies
• Notcutts
• Wyevale

Winner:

• Blue Diamond

• Best DIY / Builder Merchant Buying Team:

Finalists:

• B&Q
• Homebase
• Wickes

Winner:

• Homebase

• Best ‘Other’ Garden Retailer Buyer Team:

Finalists:

• John Lewis
• M&S
• Next
• Waitrose

Winner:

• John Lewis