The winners of the GIMA awards 2018 were announced at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, in South Wales last week. The pinnacle of the garden retail industry’s calendar, the event brought together manufacturers, retailers, members of the press and industry figures, to celebrate the 17 highly-deserving winners.
This year Neudorff with its VineWeevilFree - Nematodes is the proud winner of the GIMA Sword of Excellence, whilst Woodlodge won the GCA Supplier of the Year for the first time. The Gardenex Export Achievement Award has this year been awarded to Crest Garden, as a result of the company’s expansion of its Kent & Stowe range into 40 countries. Gardena, Fallen Fruits, Willow Wand, Primeur, Burgon & Ball, Deco-Pak, Smart Garden Products, Apta, Vitax andEvergreen Garden Care (previously The Scotts Miracle Gro Company) complete the winners roster in 2018.
GIMA director, Vicky Nuttall, commented on the evening's event: “I would like to be the first to extend my congratulations to all of the winners. This year we have seen some emerging brands cement their place in the market, as well as established brands showcasing exactly what makes them market leaders. It’s great to see so much variety, and I’m sure you will agree when I say that the calibre of winners has far exceeded expectations, with each highly deserving of their award.”
This year, the GIMA judging panel was made up of Mike Cook (Choice Marketing), Colin Dale (Notcutts Garden Centres), Mairi Devlin (Wyevale Garden Centres), Mike Lind (Monkton Elm Garden Centre & GCA Chair), Caroline Linger (Crocus), Caroline Owen (Scotsdales Garden Centres) and Neil Pope (Garden Trade News).
Ms Nuttall added: “A huge thank you to all our judges for volunteering their time. Their input, keen eye and industry knowledge has helped us to create a final roster of winners that best demonstrates the endless enthusiasm, innovation and inspirational content that helps make the garden retail industry such an exciting industry to be part of.
“Finally, I extend my thanks to all those that have entered the awards in 2018, as well as our sponsors, without whom we would not be able to put on an event of this scale.”
GIMA AWARDS 2018 – THE WINNERS
GIMA Sword of Excellence
Winner: Neudorff - VineWeevilFree - Nematodes
What the judges said: “A product that says great things about ecological gardening and really opens up the market for consumers.”
GCA Supplier of the Year
Winner: Woodlodge Products
Finalists: Burgon & Ball, Vitax, Kelkay
What the judges said: “Woodlodge continue to deliver a great service and GCA members often remark that they go beyond what they would expect from one of their suppliers. The team at Woodlodge always work really hard for customers and genuinely help drive their businesses. The company also offers great stock, a reliable and efficient service, all managed by a great team, made up of knowledgeable people.”
Gardenex Export Achievement Award
Winner: Crest Garden
Finalists: Smart Garden Products, Trimetals
About the winner: Crest Garden has expanded distribution to over 40 countries worldwide with the Kent & Stowe garden tool brand. British designed quality has appealed to customers worldwide, with resulting sales growing hugely within existing accounts. During the last 12 months, Crest has targeted Canada and the USA, where they were able to secure distribution within key distributors, multiples stores and core garden centre groups. Additional listings were secured with Mitre 10 in New Zealand, and Mountfields in the Czech Republic. Sales in Sweden via two distributors have also grown by 200% YTD against last year.
GIMA AWARDS 2018 - PRODUCT AWARDS
Garden Care
Winner: Neudorff - VineWeevilFree - Nematodes
Finalists: Agralan – Permafelt, West Country Soil Improvement – Bloomin’ Amazing
About the winner: VineWeevilFree has been created for the effective treatment of Vine Weevil larvae in pots, beds and borders, and is also effective against Fungus gnats, Cucumber beetle, Bagworm, Gall midge and many more. The product requires no refrigeration so can be sold straight from the shelf, with a six-month shelf life eliminating the need to use immediately after purchase.
What the judges said: “This product is unique in that it is the first ambient product with a shelf life that really helps both the retailer and the customer.”
Growing, Planting Equipment and Sundries
Winner: Crest Garden - Flopro
Finalists: Smart Garden Products – Double Tomato GroZone, Burgon & Ball - Garden Supplies Growing & Planting Essentials
About the winner: These innovative controllers harness the power of the sun while easily harvesting rain water from a water butt or any other non-pressurised water source. The systems will ensure your plants are saved from either under or over watering, while giving you the peace of mind when you are on holiday.
What the judges said: “The eco credentials of this product make it a standout winner.”
Garden Tools, Machinery and Implements
Winner: Gardena - Combisystem Gutter Cleaner
Finalists: Burgon & Ball - Wonder Weed Puller, STIHL - Stihl HSA 25 Cordless Shrub Shears / Pruner
About the winner: This clever gutter cleaning tool provides double cleaning action, with scrapers to remove hard dirt followed by stiff bristles and water with the connection to the original Gardena system. Can be used with or without a Combisystem handle up to a height of five metres.
What the judges said: “A great solution to an everyday problem, with a good price point.”
Outdoor Leisure & Entertaining
Winner: Fallen Fruits – Green Picnic
Finalists: La Hacienda - Moho Oxidised Cast Iron Firepit with Steel Stand, Burton McCall - Thermacell Halo Mini Repeller
About the winner: The biodegradable Green Picnic range is made from the leaves of the Areca palm tree which fall off several times a year, allowing new ones to grow, making these leaves a sustainable and eco-friendly resource. The range features disposable cups and paper straws – a great solution to the traditional plastic straw that has been proven to pollute the environment and particularly waterways. Products feature an attractive bamboo print, made with edible soya ink. To complete the range, there are wooden knives, forks and spoons, paper napkins, placemats and a matching tablecloth.
What the judges said: “This product's environmental credentials really appeal to current market trends.”
Plants, Seeds and Bulbs
Winner: Willow Wand – Willow Wand
Finalists: Project Maya - Seedball Natural History Museum Range, Johnsons Lawn Seed - Johnsons Lawn Thickener
About the winner: Each Willow Wand is sold as a hardwood stick cutting, making it truly innovative. The product is also displayed with a tiny sales footprint making exceptional sales per square metre possible. Extremely easy to grow, it has huge "Grow Your Own" appeal. It is a direct replacement for and has none of the problems associated with imported Mediterranean standards.
What the judges said: “An innovative, affordable and decorative product that will really appeal to younger gardeners.”
Garden Landscaping
Winner: Primeur – Eco-friendly Recycled Rubber Garden Borders
Finalists: Kelkay - Porcelain Paving, Kelkay - RHS Endorsed Stepping Stones
About the winner: Innovative, sustainable and practical for the consumer, these borders are designed to replicate the look of traditional borders without the disadvantages. Requiring no maintenance, they are attractive whilst being family friendly. Their flexibility enables a curved edging without the need for strenuous manual labour or professional tools. Various colours/designs available.
What the judges said: “Nothing like anything on the market. Eco-friendly, affordable and does the job.”
Garden Clothing & Gifts
Winner: Burgon & Ball - Garden Supplies Collection
Finalists: Briers - Aidan's Gloves, Briers - Julie Dodsworth Lavender Garden Range
About the winner: Garden Supplies incorporates designer style, tactile curves, high quality materials, premium packaging, and touches of on-trend natural materials like leather and FSC beech to create a stunning gift collection. The combination of practical gardening accessories with exceptional design creates a selection of gifts any gardener would be delighted to receive!
What the judges said: “A beautifully crafted collection and perfect gifts for gardeners, young and old.”
Pet Care, Aquatics and Wild Bird Care Products
Winner: Deco-Pak - Quintessentially British Collection
Finalists: Smart Garden Products – Apple & Pear glass bird feeders, Wildlife World - Shenstone Theatre Bird Bath and Drinker
About the winners: A fun and functional favourite guaranteed to fly off the shelf. Daring designs include The Garden Shed, The London Underground, The Wine Rack and 10 Downing Street. A complete gift package that appeals to a wide range of consumers and retailers. Eye-catching POS teamed with an unrivalled profit margin makes this range a retailer's dream.
What the judges said: “Whimsical and charming - a fantastic take on the traditional bird house.”
Garden Lighting, Water Features & Ornamentation
Winner: Smart Garden Products Limited – Eureka! Firefly lantern
Finalist: The Solar Centre - TrueFlame Solar Torch Light, Smart Garden Products - Genoa Cascade
About the winner: A perfect fusion of the Eureka lightbulb pioneered by Smart Solar and a metal caged lantern design, the Firefly Lantern can be hung or simply used as a table top or floor lantern making it an extremely versatile addition to the garden.
What the judges said: “A very commercial product sure to drive huge sales.”
Decorative Garden Pots & Planters
Winner: Apta - Laura Ashley Pelham Planters
Finalist: Ivyline - Bamboo Planter Range - White and Grey, Zest 4 Leisure - Stepped Herb Planter
About the winner: This is the first product to feature a Laura Ashley pattern combined with official colours such as Duck Egg Blue. In addition, the planters feature a two-tone effect that combine another Laura Ashley colour on the rim. All these elements combine to create a unique product.
What the judges said: “A great design and the perfect style statement.”
GIMA AWARDS 2018 – MARKETING AWARDS
Best Point of Sale Material
Winner: Crest Garden - Kent & Stowe Love Your Lawn Display Stand
Finalists: Kelkay – Get Creative, Burgon & Ball – ‘All You Need' Merchandising Kit
About the winner: This stand is truly the first of its kind to bring a vast range of lawn care tools off of the back wall and place onto a free-standing unit, in doing so Crest Garden are bringing all the tools a consumer needs to prepare, improve and maintain their lawns all year around.
What the judges said: “A well thought through display with good clear messaging. They clearly had the customer in mind!”
Best Consumer Product Packaging
Winner: Vitax - Fertiliser Range in Weatherproof Packaging
Finalists: Westland Horticulture - Westland Indoor Potting Mixes, Feeds and Watering Range, Kelkay - Premium Pot Toppers
About the winner: The Vitax range of specialist feeds help consumers easily find a fertiliser with the right balance of nutrients. Previously these were only available in cardboard packaging, resulting in them being merchandised indoors. Now the weather-proof pouches mean they can be co-located outdoors, alongside the plants they are designed to feed.
What the judges said: “Good clear packaging. Excellent that it is designed to go outside and increase sales next to plants.”
Best Marketing Communication Award
Winner: Evergreen Garden Care Company (previously The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company) - Miracle-Gro All Purpose Range - "Water is not enough" multi-media campaign
Finalists: Westland Horticulture – Resolva Pro, STIHL - STIHL Garden Magic (TV campaign)
About the winner: By communicating to a wider audience in a playful way Evergreen Garden Care has attracted new consumers into the category, without isolating existing. The concept is more emotional, relating to human behaviour, "you wouldn't give your kids just water" so why give your plants just water! Healthy, beautiful plants need food too!
What the judges said: “Great message, well executed. Really clear and effective.”