Considered by many within the garden retail sector to be the only awards event that really matters, the annual GIMA Awards will be returning for its 39th year later this summer (4th July, Celtic Manor), with another glittering night of celebrations. Entry to this year’s awards is now open – with suppliers being urged to not miss out on their chance to win one of the industry’s highest accolades.

 

Recognising excellence and innovation the GIMA Awards have grown into the largest industry gathering, welcoming both retailers and suppliers from the UK garden retail sector. This year the event will be no different, with nine dedicated product awards, three awards celebrating the best marketing campaigns, plus the Special Achievement, Supplier of the Year, and Export Achievement awards. The overall product winner award – the Sword of Excellence – awarded to Neudorff in 2018, completes the awards roster.   

 

Previous winners have included Gardena, Fallen Fruits, Willow Wand, Primeur, Burgon & Ball, Deco-Pak, Smart Garden Products, Apta, Vitax and Evergreen Garden Care (previously The Scotts Miracle Gro Company) Each company has benefitted from the wealth of exposure that comes from being named a GIMA Award winner, including gaining access to a panel of influential industry judges, recognition in front of hundreds of industry peers, and coverage within both key trade and consumer media.

 

Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director said: “The GIMA Awards have gone from strength to strength in recent years. The calibre of entries continues to raise the bar, reflecting the innovation that is driving our industry forward season after season. I’ve no doubt that this year our judging panel – made up of top UK garden retailers and consumer and trade journalists, reflective of the omnichannel nature of our industry – will have their work cut out for them as the scale and quality of entries will continue to rise.

For 10 years the HTA National Plant Show, sponsored by Hortipak, has impressed with representatives of British suppliers from across the spectrum including seeds, bulbs and bedding plants through to houseplants, perennials and trees and everything in between. The 2019 show takes place on Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 June at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. 

 

New for this year, the former Nursery Supply Show will be co-located in Hall 1, so that everything the trade needs to sell plants will be accessible under one roof. 

 

The show also provides a great showcase for display and merchandising ideas with exhibitors demonstrating how their plants can be presented instore in fun and innovative ways. As well as on the stands themselves these ideas are also showcased in the Best Retail Concept award – which this year will feature in Hall 1. There will also a new product awards for non-plants which highlights the innovation coming through all areas of the industry.

 

The shortlist for the prestigious awards has been announced with winners due to be unveiled at Farm Shop & Deli Show Monday 8th April at the NEC, Birmingham

 

2019 Farm Shop & Deli Awards judges

1st March 2019 –  The 2019 judging panel of industry experts met up last November in London for a day of evaluation and deliberation. Secret visits and mystery shops followed over the next three months to finalise the shortlist, before the announcement on 1st March of the category contenders for the 2019 Farm Shop & Deli Awards, in partnership with The Grocer. Winners will be revealed live at the Farm Shop & Deli Show, 3.30pm on Monday 8th April 2019.

 

Chair of Judges Nigel Barden, Co Chair of Judges Elaine Lemm, Ashleigh O’Mahony, Food Trends Reporter at The Grocer and, joining the panel for 2019, Georgina Wald, Corporate Communications Manager for Fuller, Smith & Turner are just some of the 2019 Farm Shop & Deli Awards judges who faced the difficult task of whittling down the category finalists this year.