Glee 2026 expands food offering and welcomes another wave of exhibitors
As momentum behind Glee 2026 continues to build, the UK's leading garden retail trade exhibition has announced two significant developments ahead of this year's event. Alongside the launch of two dedicated food sectors, another wave of brands has confirmed its place on the show floor, adding even more innovation and commercial opportunity for visitors.
Taking place from 8–10 September 2026 at the NEC Birmingham, Glee is evolving to reflect the changing face of modern garden retail, where food, hospitality and lifestyle categories are playing an increasingly important role.
Food takes centre stage
Recognising the growing importance of food and hospitality within the sector, Glee 2026 will introduce two new dedicated destinations – Food Hall and Food & Beverage.
Food Hall will celebrate the rise of premium food retailing, bringing together suppliers across 11 specialist categories including chocolate and confectionery, hot drinks, snacks, artisanal foods, wines and spirits, fresh produce and preserves. Confirmed exhibitors include Beanworks Coffee Roasters, Datekins, Birchall Tea, Farmhouse Biscuits, Easy Joe Coffee Roasters, Blue Cap Coffee and Smoked Bishop.
Alongside this, the new Food & Beverage sector will focus on the operational side of hospitality, covering catering equipment, café and restaurant design, kitchen equipment, drinks solutions and catering services. The sector is designed to support owner-operators and hospitality teams investing in the next phase of growth.
The expansion comes as food and catering continue to drive garden centre performance, with HTA figures showing catering accounts for an average 17% of total turnover across the sector, while some leading operators report figures as high as 30%.
Fresh names join the show floor
Another strong week of exhibitor signings has added further momentum to Glee 2026, with brands joining multiple sectors across the exhibition.
Exclusive exhibitor AWS Trading will showcase marble furniture and composite decking products within Landscaping & Garden Decoration, while Creekwood will bring its range of stylish outdoor pots and planters.
Better Future and The Good Life Outdoors Co. (Treadstone Products) will strengthen the Garden Care halls with practical gardening products and accessories.
Celtic Leisure joins Outdoor Leisure with contemporary aluminium pergolas, while CHF Solutions will enhance the Retail Services sector with its shopfitting and retail equipment expertise.
JW Products will exhibit Traeger Grills and Blackstone barbecues, alongside a new robotic mower brand that will be revealed nearer the event. Robe Factory will add further inspiration to the Home, Gift & Clothing sector.
Europe’s biggest buying moment
Glee 2026 will once again co-locate with Autumn Fair on 8 and 9 September, creating what organisers describe as Europe's biggest buying opportunity for the second half of the retail calendar.
Bringing together buyers from garden retail, home, gift, lifestyle, food and hospitality sectors, the co-location offers exhibitors unrivalled access to complementary markets while allowing retailers to source across multiple categories in a single visit.
A show floor shaped by changing retail trends
Matthew Mein, Event Director for Glee and Autumn Fair, said:
"The way garden retailers approach food and hospitality has changed dramatically in recent years. What was once considered an added extra has become a major commercial driver for many businesses, influencing everything from footfall and dwell time through to customer loyalty and overall revenue.
"At the same time, it's been another fantastic period for exhibitor signings, with suppliers recognising the opportunity Glee provides to launch products, meet new customers and strengthen valuable relationships.
"The floorplan is filling fast and the breadth of products and services on offer is only getting stronger. Whether buyers are looking for innovation, inspiration or new commercial opportunities, Glee 2026 is an event not to be missed."
Register now
Visitor registration for Glee 2026 is now open. Buyers can secure their free tickets and begin planning their visit to what promises to be Europe's biggest buying moment for the second half of the retail year.
For more information or to book a stand, visit www.gleebirmingham.com.