Supplier demand surges for Tillington Buyer Connect
Strong supplier demand has made GIMA’s upcoming Buyer Connect event with The Tillington Group one of the organisation’s biggest buyer engagement initiatives ahead of 2026.
Hosted by GIMA on 24 June at Squires Garden Centres in Badshot Lea, the event will give selected suppliers dedicated one-to-one meetings with The Tillington Group’s four-strong buying team.
The format is designed to create commercially focused discussions around future ranging opportunities, new product development, supply capabilities and routes to market across the independent garden centre sector.
Following what GIMA described as an overwhelming response from suppliers, the Tillington buying team is now reviewing submissions before confirming final meeting schedules.
Martin Ward, Director of GIMA, said the scale of interest reinforced the growing value of Buyer Connect events in helping suppliers secure direct access to key retail decision-makers.
The Tillington Group remains one of the UK’s largest independent garden centre networks, comprising nine companies and 45 centres nationwide with combined turnover exceeding £300 million.
While much of the June event will focus on 2027 ranging discussions, suppliers will also have the opportunity to explore shorter-term opportunities through dropship arrangements within the current trading period.
GIMA said the Buyer Connect programme continues to build momentum following previous events involving retailers including Dobbies Garden Centres and B&Q, alongside international retail partnerships.
Attention will now also turn towards future member engagement opportunities, including a forthcoming collaboration with the Debenhams Marketplace team focused on ecommerce opportunities for garden suppliers.
The organisation is additionally preparing for the return of the GIMA Business Village at Glee 2026, following record participation during the 2025 exhibition.
According to GIMA, more than 180 buyer meetings were facilitated during Glee 2025, with members citing direct buyer access and commercially focused discussions among the programme’s strongest benefits.
Find out more
For further information and to register your interest, please visit https://gima.org.uk/calendar-of-events/ or email the GIMA team directly via info@gima.org.uk