GIMA brings international buyers to Glee with Gardenex Hosted Meetings
GIMA is helping Glee exhibitors unlock new international opportunities this September with the return of
Last issue I suggested that, with the changes afoot concerning major retailers, we could expect the gardening sector to look quite different by the end of this year.
I stand by that belief because – apart from the fact that nothing ever stands still – I see the seismic ripple effect Homebase’s demise is having on others in the sector. The resulting job losses and the financial implications for suppliers who had significant contracts with Homebase are going to be felt for a while and I don’t want to play down the impact of this at all but I do also think these events will play into a reset for the industry as a whole. And, from this reset, I hope we can start to grow again.
As with Homease’s closure, the resizing of the Dobbies portfolio is also effecting change, and whilst it is never great to hear about closures, the possibility of some branches being snapped up by other garden centres businesses is a positive. If these centres are ready and trading by the spring, it’s great news for our sector. It may even bring some stability to the retail landscape for the time being.
Despite the events I’ve mentioned, the overall mood amongst retailers I’ve spoken to is still a positive one. CDS have quickly incorporated the Homebase brand into their portfolio ready to take advantage of the Spring demand. Having spent time talking to garden centres at gatherings, including the GCA conference, Harrogate Gift Fair, Spring Fair and through other interactions in my role with GIMA, the picture painted has been upbeat. Retailers had a good Christmas period, with food and catering particularly strong. Even more encouraging is the fact that some of the bigger stores are reporting their lowest stock levels of core gardening ranges since before Covid.
This is the reset I was talking about, with these centres now ready to start buying. Obviously, that’s a win for our members, who are busy getting stock into centres, ensuring retailers are primed for demand during the peak season.
This appetite for new products and dialogue with suppliers is reflected in the number of Buyer Connect events we have in the pipeline, with no less than seven lined up so far for the year ahead. Some of these will, of course, be looking ahead to 2026 but will also have retailers looking for in-season offers. Meanwhile, the Robert Dyas Buyer Connect event we have in the calendar will specifically focus on drop shipping, so we have a real variety on offer. In fact, GIMA is seeing signs of growth firsthand, having taken on 40 new members since September 2024.
Dare I tempt fate by saying that the UK weather even seems to be playing ball so far? Apart from a few exceptions, there does appear to be some seasonal normality so far, with bulbs already making an appearance. Or are we in a false spring? I guess there’s still some time to go before we can be sure. Yes, there is still some uncertainty around, compounded by increasing National Insurance contributions and, on the global stage, the threat of looming trade wars and their potential impact. We can never quite know what the year ahead will hold but the signs for our industry going into 2025 are seemingly positive and, if the weather behaves and stimulates buying behaviour, we could be celebrating a good, strong season.
In the meantime, our members are striving to keep the innovation coming and will make sure stock is on the ground so that retailers are well placed to take advantage of the spikes we all hope are coming.
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GIMA is a membership organisation of around 170 companies representing the majority share of suppliers and manufacturers operating within the UK gardening industry, together with an estimated £4billion in annual trade.
