There’s plenty happening behind the scenes as this year’s edition of the UK’s leading garden retail exhibition – Glee – draws ever closer. Here, the show organisers share insight into the phenomenal growth and exciting developments shaping the 2025 event.
Growth & momentum
- 91% of the floorplan is sold! The fact only 9% remains demonstrates strong exhibitor demand
- Exhibitor retention remains high – a continued vote of confidence
- 360 exhibitors confirmed so far, up from 298 at this time last year – with over 400 brand expected to fill the show come September
- 200+ new companies set to debut at Glee 2025, with this number already exceeding the final total at the 2024 event
- New business enquiries up year-on-year – clear evidence of Glee’s market relevance
- Visitor registration up year-on-year
A must-attend event
- Glee remains the UK’s only show to offer such breadth and depth for the garden retail industry
- A magnet for brands looking to increase presence in front of garden centres and retail buyers
- New layout across Halls 8–12, introducing:
- New Buyers Zone (link between Halls 8 & 9) plus home to the GCA
- New Food @ Glee stage and exhibitor area dedicated to all things food & beverage
- New Product Showcase (Hall 12)
- The Hive all-new content hub, which is set to feature speakers from:
- Blue Diamond (Alan Roper)
- British Garden Centres (Charles, Phillippa & Amy Stubbs)
- Dobbies (David Robinson)
- Hilliers team
Product & sector highlights
- Key growth in:
- Core gardening
- Garden care
- Landscaping & garden decoration – resurgence linked to post-COVID large-scale projects now coming back into focus for consumers
- Over 350 products expected in the Glee New Product Showcase
- Nine thriving sector zones across the show
- Fire, Grill & Chill returns
- Food @ Glee offering three days of content for catering and food retail buyers
Media, features & content
- The Underground Podcast returns as official podcast partner
- Two content stages delivering market insights and business growth ideas
- Glee Firsts returns – showcasing grassroots innovation and start-up brands
Glee Green Heart
- Green Heart thriving, with confirmed brands including:
- Darby Nurseries, Grafton, Hardy, Pond Plants UK, Lovania, Golden Grove, HSK, Farplants, New Leaf Plants, Craigmarloch Nurseries and Gardeners Kitchen
- Anglo Aquatic Plant Company – returning to defend their 2024 Best Stand title
- Green Heart Café returns – a social space for buyers surrounded by plants
Who’s returning, growing, or joining for the first time
- Returning after an almost decade-long break: Gardeco, Hygeia, Quirky Barn, VegTrug, Strata Garden Products, Garland, EP Barrus, Sincere, Outrade, Firmans
- Notable brand expansions:
- GrowMore – stand size doubled
- Apac, Altico, Flow Chem/Bonningtons – significantly larger stands
- New exhibitors & debuts:
- BBQube, MYD, Kids Land (Spoga favourites)
- Trampoline (new), Kiplin (Spring Fair crossover)
- Rabensteiner GmbH – Dutch glasshouse specialists
- GIMA Business Village – biggest ever, with over 50 exhibitors confirmed
- Bird care category strong – key brands including Marriages
- Ascalon & Barebone – both back for their second year
- Leisure Grow – confirmed to return
- Rowlinson – back for 2025
