Launched at Glee 2017, the Retail Lab was a key focal point for the annual garden retail exhibition. Unlike anything before seen at Glee, it was a place to experience the beating heart of the industry, with a view to what the future holds. Combining interactive content, with inspirational product displays and tangible business advice, The Retail Lab cemented itself as a thriving hub of inspiration and knowledge at Glee.
Here we catch up with Scott Thomas, Managing Director of Ivyline, creators of inspired collections of lifestyle products for the home and garden and one of the 2017 Retail Lab sponsors, to find out more about their experience and why the company has confirmed its place within the 2018 Retail Lab feature.
What made you decide to become a sponsor of the Retail Lab at Glee in 2017?
We are passionate about driving innovation in product and retail standards, so the trend lab was a great concept to be involved in. It was also an opportunity to showcase product in another area of Glee and work with the creative team. Houseplants and wellbeing was a major theme of the lab which is a key retail growth area.
What products of yours were displayed?
In 2017, we included some of our hugely successful Happiness Teacups which donate £0.25 for every set sold to Greenfingers Charity, our bold printed Monza planters, hanging indoor planters and selected outdoor planters.
How did being part of the Retail Lab benefit your business?
It gave us extra exposure, new merchandising ideas, extra industry contacts and it was just great to support this initiative.
What advice would you give any other brands thinking of getting involved in 2018?
Get plenty of samples in early, try to tie the creative team down to what they are looking for and just get involved.
Have you implemented any of the Retail Lab ideas within your own business? Has it inspired the way you work with retail customers?
We have used it to inspire customers to build innovative displays in store, show them how visual merchandising really delivers added sales and how to work on hotspots of products.
What can people expect to see from you at Glee 2018?
We are hugely excited about Glee. In 2018, we are experiencing our best ever year in 41 years of trading. For Glee we have doubled the size of our stand and will be launching over 250 new products. Houseplant pots are our biggest focus where we will launch a number of inspirational trend driven collections, there will be new outdoor planter concepts and an amazing range of design led outdoor fire bowls. Prepare to be inspired!
Find out more
Glee is the UK’s leading garden retail show, focussing on building year-round profits for buyers and suppliers within the core gardening and outdoor leisure product categories. To keep up-to-date on the latest Glee news visit www.gleebirmingham.com. To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2018 call 020 3033 2160, or email daniel.mcalpin@gleebirmingham.com to find out more about sponsorship opportunities within the 2018 Retail Lab at Glee.
Ends
For more information, interviews or images please contact:
Kimberley Hornby, Glee PR Team, Hornby Whitefoot PR
Tel: 07851 610573 Email: kimberley@hornbywhitefootpr.co.uk
Notes to editors:
You can follow Glee on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Glee_Birmingham
Watch us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/GleeGardeningBirmingham
Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Glee.Event
Glee is an Ascential event. www.gleebirmingham.com
About Ascential plc
Ascential plc is a global business-to-business information company that informs and connects the business world in 150 countries through market-leading Exhibitions & Festivals and Information Services.
Ascential powers the prestigious Cannes Lions festival for the branded communications industry, the world’s premier payments and financial services congress Money20/20, Spring Fair/Autumn Fair, the global trend forecasting service WGSN, environmental risk data business Groundsure, e-commerce analytics provider One Click Retail and advisory and business services firm, MediaLink.
Ascential’s premium products enable focus, growth and value. The company provides customers with world class content and connections empowering their businesses to be the best informed and best connected. www.ascential.com