Events: Glee 2025

Garden centres across the UK are thriving, continuously evolving to meet the changing needs of their customers. Central to this transformation is the growing importance of food and drink. More than just places to shop for plants and gardening essentials, garden centres are increasingly becoming destinations in their own right, offering visitors a complete experience of shopping, relaxation and quality dining.

With this in mind, exciting new developments, such as a dedicated space at Glee in 2025, are set to shine a spotlight on the expanding role of food and drink in driving footfall and boosting sales. The event will return to NEC Birmingham from 16^th to 18^th September.

New and returning brands
Following the exceptional success of Glee 2024, the UK’s leading garden and outdoor living trade show is gearing up for its biggest and boldest edition yet. With anticipation already building for Glee 2025, the show is set to welcome an unprecedented influx of new and returning brands, cementing its status as the ultimate destination for garden retail innovation.

Glee’s continued growth and momentum is a clear signal of its impact. Widely recognised as the place where the garden industry comes to connect, discover and do business, the event continues to evolve in step with the sector’s needs, offering a platform where buyers can find products that truly stand out in an increasingly competitive market.

Matthew Mein, event director for Glee, commented: “One of the show’s greatest strengths has always been its ability to showcase newness. Garden retailers are looking for ways to differentiate themselves and surprise their customers – Glee is where that journey begins. Every new brand represents an opportunity for discovery, inspiration and growth.

“It’s also fantastic to welcome back so many respected names. There’s a real shift in industry sentiment, and Glee’s value as a business-critical event is growing with each edition. For many, the fear of missing out has become too big to ignore.”

A wave of fresh talent
An exciting number of new-to-market brands have already confirmed their debut at Glee 2025, with many never having exhibited at a trade event before. This injection of creativity, innovation and fresh thinking will offer buyers more opportunities than ever to discover emerging trends and exclusive product lines.

Among the names making their first appearance at Glee are
A Little Bird Company, Biolan Oy, Buzz Into Beekeeping, Coffee King Ltd, Fento Knee Protection, Hoppy Pets Ltd, Kefi Textiles Ltd, Sowvital, Smoked Bishop, The Amazing Chocolate Workshop, Visions Innovation Co and many more.

Alongside the newcomers, Glee 2025 will welcome back a wide range of established names, many returning after several years away. This return speaks volumes about the show’s expanding influence and the positive experiences of past exhibitors.

The returning brands include Andermatt, EP Barrus Ltd, Kings Seeds, Leisure Grow, Monty Miracle, SBM Life Science Ltd, Thompson and Morgan, and The Helping Hand Company, covering everything from garden care and seeds to outdoor leisure, gifting and retail tech.

Food @ Glee
Adding even more energy to the halls in 2025 is the exciting debut of Food @ Glee. It will provide a dedicated space for food and drink brands looking to tap into the garden retail sector’s expanding appetite for artisan products, gourmet gifting and on-the-go treats.

With garden centres, farm shops and independent retailers continuing to grow their food and drink offerings, Food @ Glee provides the perfect platform for producers to connect with influential buyers, showcase their ranges and be part of a vibrant new chapter in garden retail. This is especially important as the food and drink sector becomes an integral part of the garden centre experience, with many customers now expecting high-quality food offerings as part of their visit.

Recent statistics from the Horticultural Trades Association indicate the growing importance of catering in the garden centre market. Overall sales, including catering, were up by 22% by value in April 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This surge in demand reflects the increasing appetite of consumers for quality food experiences within garden centres, particularly in cafés and food halls. As footfall increases, the catering sector continues to be a major revenue driver.

Transaction numbers in garden centre cafés also saw a rise of 3% in April 2025 compared to April 2024, with the average transaction value rising by 3% to £12.18. While the rise in café transactions was lower than previous months, it’s clear that garden centre catering remains a key area for growth and customer engagement. As the food and drink offer becomes a more prominent feature in garden centres, having access to the latest suppliers and trends at events like Glee will be essential for operators looking to stay ahead.

Glee 2025 is set to deliver everything today’s garden centre needs to success, from cutting-edge product innovation to the growing influence of food, drink and lifestyle ranges. For operators looking to offer more than just plants and pots, the show presents a unique opportunity to explore high-impact additions that enhance the customer experience and drive repeat visits.

Essential info
What? Glee 2025
Where? 16^th to 18^th September 2025
When? NEC Birmingham
More info: gleebirmingham.com

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