At the forefront of innovation

Britain is known as the home of gardening and attracts huge numbers of international gardening enthusiasts each year to showcases such as Chelsea Flower Show, Hampton Court Flower Show, the Eden Project and the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society at Wisley. International buyers of garden products regularly visit Glee, the UK's trade showcase for the garden sector, which this year will take place from 14-16 September.International retailers take the opportunity to visit the UK's leading destination garden centres to check out the latest trends and merchandising ideas. The garden retail sector in the UK is generally reckoned to be worth around GBP five bn per annum.Founded in 1961, Gardenex is the UK's export trade association which comprises the leading suppliers and exporters in the sector. Gardenex members are manufacturers and exporters of a vast variety of products including all those items you would expect to find at a destination garden centre; tools, garden clothing, watering, wildlife and pond products, garden buildings, landscaping products, decoration, seeds, garden furniture, barbecues and lifestyle products, gift related products, pots, containers and statuary, biochemical products and plant protection products are just some of the product areas covered.

UK companies have often been at the forefront of innovation in the garden sector including the recent 'Grow your own' trend, which has spread across the globe, along with environmental and wildlife-friendly products, solar powered lighting and accessories, water-saving products and vertical growing systems.Leading British companies will be taking part in the groups organised by Gardenex at key international events such as the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas, Spoga+Gafa in Cologne and the Gardex/ Ifex show in Tokyo. The Federation will also attend the 3rd Global DIY summit organised by EDRA and Fediyma which will take place in London this year.A number of international DIY retailers and multiples have also taken part in the Buyer/Supplier meetings held by the Federation in the UK three times a year, including buyers from markets such as Benelux, Sweden, Germany, Portugal and Estonia. These events provide the opportunity to meet with around ten to twelve potential UK suppliers. The…