As the third annual ‘Glee at Spring Fair’ gets ever closer, the show’s Event Director, Matthew Mein, provides an update on what the industry can expect, and why garden retailers should make the event a ‘must attend’ part of their spring 2020 plans.

 

Why Glee at Spring Fair – how does it differ to the September show?

Glee at Spring Fair was introduced in 2018 for one simple reason - Spring Fair is the UK’s number one Home and Gift Fair, with a 58,000 strong audience which is already engaged and ready and willing to do business. The exhibition already welcomes a strong garden centre contingent, with owners /operators, gift buyers and those with a primary and secondary interest in garden products, DIY and seasonal ranges out in force. 

 

Glee at Spring Fair (2nd – 6th February, NEC Birmingham) will give retailers the opportunity to see new and best-selling ranges ahead of the spring season. This ‘second edition’ of Glee, taking place in the early pre-spring season, will give retailers an additional destination to refresh and make impulse buying decisions ahead of key retail spikes. It will also provide garden buyers with valuable insight into the latest concepts and trends for 2020, helping them to better direct their buying. 

A Bradford Garden Centre has donated a Christmas tree to a Leeds school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. 

 

The team at Tong Garden Centre donated a 3 metre tree that pupils and visitors to Springwell Academy will use to share their Christmas wishes.

 

Speaking of Tong's generous donation, Sophie Lee, administration assistant at the Seacroft school said: "We're delighted that Tong Garden Centre have been able to donate a Christmas tree with lights. We are now able to provide the opportunity to create a Springwell family wish tree where our children and visitors can add their wishes."

Opticaid launches its first licensed range of reading glasses and credit card blockers

 

Optical solutions specialist, Opticaid, has launched its first licensed collection of reading glasses and credit card blocker wallets in collaboration with iconic British brand, i like birds.

 

The venture coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Leeds-based family business, which serves a mixed client base around the UK and is a well-known fixture at trade exhibitions such as Spring Fair, INDX and Harrogate.

 

Opticaid director, Gillian Marchbank said: “We create our own range of Remaldi reading glasses twice a year and these have become design-led and fashion-oriented over the past decade. We mirror the current optical trends with certain colours and styles so licensing was the next logical step and we were keen to see if it would work in our market”.