Last night the garden retail industry came together to celebrate the annual GIMA Awards. A much anticipated event in the industry calendar, this year’s awards – held at the prestigious Celtic Manor Resort – saw winners being crowned across 15 closely fought categories.
GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall, comments on tonight’s event. “I would like to be the first to extend my congratulations to all of the winners. As always the calibre of entries were of the highest standard, and the judges all said that in many cases it was hard to choose just one winner. I do believe however that those walking away with trophies tonight really are deserving of the accolade given to them. They have all demonstrated exceptional qualities, from cutting edge design to inspirational retail support.
“My thanks also go to the panel of dedicated judges who gave up their time to take part in this year’s judging process. Their expertise and knowledge has been invaluable, and we are grateful for their assistance. Thanks must also be given to all of those companies that entered the awards, without them this event would not take place, so we are extremely grateful for their ongoing support.”
GIMA AWARDS 2014 – THE WINNERS
GIMA Sword of Excellence
Winner: Burgon & Ball – RHS Gardeners Gift Collection
What the judges said: A firm favourite amongst all the judges, the RHS Gardeners Gift Collection is awarded the 2014 GIMA Sword of Excellence because it effortlessly combines functionality with stunning design. A superb product range that the judges felt offered retailers an ongoing bestseller, thanks to its gift purchase potential.
Gardenex Export Achievement Award
Winner: Smart Solar
Finalists: Pet Revolution; STV International
What the judges said: In the last 12 months Smart Solar has been blazing a trail within the international market, and it was this dedication that appealed to the judges. From achieving a major presence within the French garden market, to a new sales team including invaluable multi-lingual members, an ongoing presence at international trade shows and unrivalled commitment to Glee, Smart Solar has gone over and above with the results to prove its passion.
GCA Supplier of the Year
Winner: Taylors Bulbs
Finalists: Sutton Seeds; Briers
What the judges said: Judges were impressed by how Taylors Bulbs offered a complete service to customers. Key highlights that helped them to stand out include small carriage paid orders, well packaged goods at competitive retails, and good bespoke promotions. The win can be easily summarised by this comment provided by a Taylors Bulb customer to the panel “consistent year after year, always deliver the goods, and are a true pleasure to do business with”.
Garden Care
Winner: Popadome – All-In-One Fruit & Vegetable Protection System
Finalists: Holiday Plant Saver – Holiday Plant Saver; Doff Portland Ltd – Doff Crack & Crevice Ant Powder
What the judges said: Judges were impressed by the ease of assembly, high quality materials and potential long life span of the product, as well as the ‘green’ approach to a common problem.
Growing and Planting Equipment and Sundries
Winner: Hozelock – Pico Reel
Finalists: Elho Ltd – Brussels Herbs Station; Forest Garden – Tall Wall Greenhouse
What the judges said: One judge summarised perfectly why the Pico Reel won by saying ‘It’s the plug-in watering can of the future’!
Garden Tools, Machinery and Implements
Winner: Burgon & Ball – Japanese Razor Hoe – Left Handed and Long Handled
Finalists: Fiskars – SmartFit Hedge Shear & SmartFit Lopper; Burgon & Ball – RHS Stainless Steel Long Handled Bulb Planter
What the judges said: Alys Fowler, gardening columnist for the Guardian recently said about the Japanese Razor Hoe: “It’s so strong you can use it to do things it was never invented for, I am deeply in love with this tool”. Her sentiments were echoed by the judges who were equally impressed by its ease of use, and quality of build.
Outdoor Leisure, Garden Structures and Features
Winner: Johnsons Lawn Seed – Grass Graffiti
Finalists: Grange Fencing – Universal Work Potting Bench; Zest 4 Leisure – Worcester Arbour with Storage Box seat; Smart Solar – Metal Silhouette Globe Stake Lights
What the judges said: Praised for its uniqueness, the judged loved the ease of use and endless possibilities that Grass Graffiti provides – from entertaining the kids during the summer holidays to marking out new flower bed borders.
Plants, Seeds and Bulbs
Winner: Westland Horticulture – Nature’s Haven – Easy Wildflowers
Finalists: Sutton Seeds – Suttons James Wong Indigo Rose Plant; Thompson & Morgan – Start-a-Garden Seed Range
What the judges said: Judges were impressed by the simplicity of Easy Wildflower. Combining an all in one mix of wildflower seeds and granular compost, the fact that the product has also captured the attention of the national press helped it to stand out and take this year’s award.
Garden Landscaping
Winner: Kelkay – Build Mate
Finalists:The Solar Centre – Edinburgh Solar Deck Lights; Kelkay – Chunkies
What the judges said: Featuring 16 specialist products for garden and at-home construction projects, the judges were impressed by the simplicity of the concept, and also the efforts that have been put in place to strengthen the overall retail offering.
Garden Retail Related Products
Winner: Burgon & Ball – RHS Gardeners Gift Collection
Finalists: Briers – Jersey Triple Packs; Hozelock – AquaDéco Watering Globes; Burgon & Ball – Sophie Conran Gardeners Accessories
What the judges said: The judges remarked upon the stunning floral designs selected from the RHS Lindley Library. Additionally, they also noted the strong gift and impulse buy potential that this range offers by combining functionality with style and beautiful design and packaging.
Pet Care, Aquatics and Wild Bird Care Products
Winner: Elho – Corsica Bird Garden
Finalists: Gardman – Heavy Duty Ground Feeding Haven; Wildlife World – Igloo Hedgehog Home
What the judges said: Combining bird houses with plants, the Corsica Bird Garden takes the award this year thanks to its ‘self-selling, touchable packaging’. The judges also felt that it represents an exciting ‘up and coming’ trend within the wild bird care market.
Best Point of Sale Material
Winner: Forest Garden – Take Me To The Till
Finalists: Town & Country – Ditsy Gloves Clip Strip Promotion; Sutton Seeds – Suttons Chilli Fiesta POS
What the judges said: Summarised as ‘silent sales aid for garden centres’, Forest Garden topped this category as the judges were impressed by the impactful stand, and simple three step process for purchasing products.
Best Consumer Product Packaging
Winner: Hozelock – Pico Reel
Finalists: Vitax – new bottle packaging; Kelkay – Build Mate packaging
What the judges said: The Pico Reel beat off stiff competition to win this category, and did so because the packaging has been specifically designed to allow consumers to hold and examine the product, whilst creating minimal card wastage. Key benefits are clearly illustrated on the reverse of the packaging, whilst the inclusion of hose reel attachments are also clearly stated.
Best Marketing Communication Award
Winner: The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company – Miracle-Gro’wers Learning Journey
Finalists: Westland Horticulture – Gro-Sure Planting Magic marketing campaign; Hozelock –Wonderweeder marketing campaign
What the judges said: The judges were impressed by the campaigns fantastic commitment to engaging children and parents, and felt it was a brilliant start to developing a whole gardening curriculum.
