Following a series of successful Meet the Buyer events hosted by BHETA and GIMA with The Wyevale Garden Centre Group (TWGC), the latest supplier development event took place last week and was a great success.
A mix of 42 gardening, homewares and DIY suppliers took part in 56 appointments with 12 buyers from the Wyevale indoor and outdoor teams. The event was held at the Holiday Inn, Brentford Lock, near to the Wyevale head office.

TWGC, the largest chain of garden centres in the UK, issued a brief focussed on potential new suppliers - including niche companies - with new products or innovations covering both in-store options and premium ranges which present the opportunity to extend the online offer. Buyers from all the main categories participated including Horticulture, Gardening, Home, Giftware, Pet, Leisure and Toys/Kids.

A maximum of two people from each supplier company attended a 20 minute appointment using a template presentation designed to cover off the essential points which would allow a buying decision to be made.

BHETA's Home Improvement and Garden sector director, Paul Grinsell said: "Yet again this was a very popular event presenting a fabulous mutual benefit for buyers and suppliers. It was great to be working with GIMA again to facilitate opportunities like these."
BHETA's Housewares sector director, Will Jones agreed: "As Wyevale has 153 garden centres across the UK, this was a fantastic chance for DIY, garden and housewares companies to pitch their ideas and explore trading opportunities."