Yesterday seven buyers/buying teams from across the garden retail sector were given reason to celebrate having been awarded one of the 2022 Buyers Power List awards. This awards ceremony, taking place on day one of Glee (28th June, NEC Birmingham), has become synonymous with market best practices and has quickly become one award that buyers and buying teams hope to scoop following another busy and successful year of trading.
Voting has been open since early summer, with this year’s event attracting more nominations than ever as suppliers and the wider market look to recognise the extraordinary efforts made by these retail professionals.
Speaking at the Glee Buyers Power List awards ceremony, Glee’s Event Director Matthew Mein said: “A massive congratulations to all our winners, all of whom are wholly deserving of this accolade. It’s been another busy year of trading so to hear of so many buyers and teams going above and beyond to secure the best possible offering is a true testament to our industry and to the growth of garden retailing. We love hosting these awards and it’s thanks to those that nominate and vote, and those buying teams who are setting the standard, that we are able to continue to add them to the Glee offering so a huge thank you must go to everyone who got involved this year.”
The full list of winners is as follows:
Landscape Buyer/Buying Team of the Year
Winner: Andy Wrightson at Webbs
Second place: Andy Harris at Haskins, Dan Kirby at British Garden Centres, Keith Wilbin at Downtown Garden Centre
Third place: David Danning at Blue Diamond
SHORTLIST:
- Andy Harris at Haskins
- Andy Wrightson at Webbs
- Dan Kirby at British Garden Centres
- David Danning at Blue Diamond
- John Birch at Baytree Garden Centre
- Paul Smith at Chessington Garden Centre
Plant Buyer/Buying Team of the Year
Winner: The Bourne family at Perrywood
Second place: Choice Marketing team
Third place: Plants Team at Hillmount
SHORTLIST:
- Choice Marketing Team
- Glen Sheldrake at Burford Garden Company
- Matt Shorter at Longacres
- Nick Chutter at Summerhill Nurseries
- Plants Team at Hillmount
- Taylor Baines at Blue Diamond
- The Bourne family at Perrywood
Garden Care Buyer/Buying Team of the Year
Winner: Matt Shorter at Longacres
Second place: Bryn Saysell at Blue Diamond, and Amy Green at British Garden Centres
Third place: Jackie Cook at Notcutts
SHORTLIST:
- Aaron Saunders and Matthew Ball at Stax Trade Centres
- Adam Szabo at Charlies Stores
- Amy Green at British Garden Centres
- Bryn Saysell at Blue Diamond
- Jackie Cook at Notcutts
- Kevin Beckett at Yarnton Home & Garden
- Liz Brennan at Dobbies
- Matt Shorter at Longacres
- Mike Cook at Choice Marketing
- Robin Mercer at Hillmount
- Terry Head at Stewarts Garden Centres
Outdoor Leisure Buyer/Buying Team of the Year
Winner: Nigel Gates at Gates Garden Centre
Second place: Jay Bunker at Alton Garden Centre, Keith Wiblin at Downtown Garden Centre, Nick Haydon at Fakenham Garden Centre
Third place: Gemma Mercer at Hillmount Cheshire
SHORTLIST:
- David Hibbert at Stax Trade Centres
- Gemma Mercer at Hillmount Cheshire
- Jay Bunker at Alton Garden Centre
- Keith Wiblin at Downtown Garden Centre
- Kevin Beckett at Yarnton Home & Garden
- Nick Haydon at Fakenham Garden Centre
- Nigel Gates at Gates Garden Centre
Home & Gift Buyer/Buying Team of the Year
Winner: Kati Taylor at Fron Goch
Second place: Gates Garden Centre
Third place: Rosebourne Garden Centres
SHORTLIST:
- Edith Mercer at Hillmount
- Gates Garden Centre
- Glen Sheldrake at Burford Garden Company
- Kati Taylor at Fron Goch
- RHS Wisley
- Rosebourne Garden Centres
Pet Buyer/Buying Team of the Year
Winner: The Old Railway Line
Second place: Paul Williams at British Garden Centres
Third place: Polhill Garden Centre
SHORTLIST:
- Dan Reep at Squires
- Emma Bostock at Pets at Home
- Knights Godstone
- Paul Williams at British Garden Centres
- Planters Tamworth
- Polhill Garden Centre
- Sue Shaw at B&M
- The Old Railway Line
Retail Food & Drinks Buyer/Buying Team of the Year
Winners: St Peters Worcester
Second place: Garsons Esher
Third place: Bents Home & Garden
SHORTLIST:
- Barton Grange
- Bents Home & Garden
- Garsons Esher
- Gates Garden Centre
- Hannah Warr at Laylocks Garden Centre
- Pughs Garden Centres
- St Peters Worcester
STILL SO MUCH TO SEE AT GLEE 2022
Day one of Glee 2022 might be over but there are still two days of the show to go and there is so much to see! With an exhibition footprint exceeding pre-pandemic numbers, over 180 brands never before seen at Glee and one of the largest international contingents seen at the show for several years, this year’s Glee offers unrivalled insight into the ongoing growth and diversification of the garden retail sector.
Whether you are looking to source new and exciting supply partners, want the inside scoop on how sustainability is leading the charge within new product development to make gardening greener than ever, or simply want to network with your peers or gain vital insight into those issues that are shaping our sector then a trip to Glee will most certainly not fail to deliver. Join us tomorrow and Thursday to find out more.
To register for your free ticket simply visit www.gleebirmingham.com/visitor-registration.
To enquire about exhibiting at Glee 2023 which will take place June 27th – 29th, please call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.
