Glee (16th – 18th September, NEC Birmingham), is set to return for its 51st edition with a flavourful new addition – Food @ Glee. This brand-new sector is set to transform the show experience, offering garden centres and retail buyers the opportunity to explore the growing world of food and drink in garden retail.
Launching exclusively at this year’s show, Food @ Glee brings together a carefully curated selection of producers, suppliers and innovators from the world of speciality food and drink, catering solutions, and destination retail experiences. As garden centres continue to cement their position as lifestyle destinations, food is playing an increasingly important role in the customer journey. Recognising this shift, Glee’s organisers have crafted a new platform where quality, provenance and retail opportunity meet to create a must-visit zone for buyers looking to capitalise on the powerful connection between food and leisure.
The inaugural line-up for Food @ Glee speaks volumes about the calibre and ambition of this new offering. Among the confirmed exhibitors is Brakes – a Sysco Company – the UK’s leading wholesale food supplier, whose presence signals a major coup for the show. Joining them is Coffee King, bringing solutions for café culture in garden retail, and Appetite Me/First Franchise whose bespoke food development solutions have helped shape food halls and farm shops across the country.
Also exhibiting are The Full Range, a unique culinary, food procurement and purchasing business offering tailored services to foodservice operators across the UK, and KFF – a Sysco Company – that champions partnerships with local suppliers. Visitors will also discover the creative expertise of Arrange Spaces, specialists in restaurant design and build, with a proven track record in crafting standout farm shops and delis. Rounding off the line-up is Magrini, specialists in commercial catering equipment, whose product range from professional coffee machines to high-performance cooking appliances.
Alongside an impressive exhibitor line-up, Food @ Glee offers a rich mix of discovery and inspiration. Attendees can sample the indulgent creations of The Amazing Chocolate Workshop, explore the bold and fresh approach of iSqueeze, savour the heritage and flavour of Long Clawson Dairy, and uncover the distinctive character of Smoked Bishop. Retailers will have the opportunity to connect with Nisa Retail, offering independent and convenience food solutions, and gain valuable insight from the placemaking and foodservice expertise of Pleydell Smithyman.
The visitor experience goes beyond exhibition stands, with a programme of practical workshops providing hands-on guidance on essential topics including menu development, supplier selection, sustainability and cost management. Adding even more flavour, live demonstrations of pop-up cafés and mobile food units will highlight the versatility and commercial potential of modern food-led retail concepts, offering fresh ideas to shape your future business strategy.
This new chapter for Glee reflects the evolution of the garden retail sector and its customers’ expectations. Food is not just an add-on – it’s a key ingredient in creating thriving, multi-sensory retail environments. Whether it’s a grab-and-go offering, a full café menu, or a curated in-store food hall, Food @ Glee is where ideas will come to life, collaborations will be sparked, and future success stories will be born.
