​As longstanding members of GIMA, MorePeople are regular attendees at the GIMA Day Conference. This year was a first for me personally, and a great reminder of just how strong, collaborative and forward-thinking the garden industry really is.

Held at Stratford Manor Hotel, the conference focused on one of the most important topics facing the sector: The Future of the Supply Chain for Garden Products. Bringing together people from across the industry, the event created valuable space for honest conversation about where the market is heading and what businesses need to do next.

Throughout the day, a series of structured panel sessions gave attendees the opportunity to hear from a wide range of industry voices, each offering valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

It was also a moment of celebration – celebrating the incredible contributions of Vicky Nuttall as outgoing Director of GIMA and welcoming Martin Ward who will be taking over the baton of championing the industry and supporting members across the country for many years to come.

Key topics from the day included:

Digital Disruption: The Rise of the Marketplace

One of the standout themes was how digital platforms and online marketplaces continue to reshape customer expectations and buying behaviour. Convenience, speed and product accessibility are changing the competitive landscape, meaning brands and suppliers must think carefully about how they balance traditional retail partnerships with emerging online opportunities.

For businesses in the home and garden space, digital capability is no longer optional it is a key part of future growth.

Forecasting for Future Talent

A particularly relevant session for us at MorePeople focused on future talent needs (proudly featuring our very own Rae Goss).

As the sector evolves, the skills required to succeed are evolving with it. From supply chain expertise and data-driven decision making to commercial leadership and customer insight, attracting and retaining the right people will be critical.

The conversation reinforced something we see every day: businesses that plan talent needs early and invest in people will be best placed to succeed.

Route to Market: The Evolution of Distributors

Distribution models are changing, with increased pressure for speed, flexibility and value throughout the supply chain.

The discussion explored how distributors continue to play a vital role, while also needing to adapt their services to meet changing supplier and retailer expectations. Those able to combine efficiency with partnership-led support are likely to become even more valuable in the years ahead.

Glee 2026

There was also an exciting update on Glee 2026, with a look ahead to what remains one of the key events in the garden industry calendar.

Trade events continue to play an important role in bringing people together, launching innovation and strengthening relationships across the sector, something that should never be underestimated in an increasingly digital world.

Shaping the Supplier of Tomorrow

Another strong theme of the day was how suppliers must continue to evolve.

Tomorrow’s successful suppliers will need to be agile, data-aware, customer-focused and operationally resilient. They will also need strong leadership teams capable of responding quickly to market shifts and retailer demands.

Again, it all comes back to people.

Greenfingers Charity Update

It was also great to hear an update from Greenfingers Charity and the incredible work they continue to do creating gardens and outdoor spaces for children’s hospices across the UK.

Moments like this are an important reminder that the garden industry has a strong community spirit and a real desire to make a positive difference beyond commercial success.

A Retailer’s Perspective: Yorkshire Garden Centre Group

Hearing directly from Yorkshire Garden Centre Group offered valuable insight into the priorities and pressures retailers are facing and how they are diversifying and investing to meet the ever changing needs of consumers.

Customer expectations, product availability, value, service and experience all remain high on the agenda. For suppliers and partners, understanding the retailer perspective has never been more important.

I’ve been to my fair share of events throughout my career and this one served as another welcome reminder of the strength of support and collaboration that exists in this industry. Honest conversations and support to businesses to prepare for what comes next.

For us, it was a valuable day of insight, connection and perspective as well as a reminder that while supply chains, systems and routes to market will continue to evolve, great people remain at the heart of every successful business. We’re proud to support businesses across the home and garden sector in finding the talent they need to grow and adapt in an ever-changing market.

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