GIMA has announced the winners of the prestigious 2024 GIMA Awards which was held on the evening of 7th November at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport. This evening’s ceremony recognised the finest innovations, outstanding performances, and remarkable contributions that have been made within the garden retail sector by a host of dedicated and passionate suppliers and manufacturers.
Honouring the brands, products, and initiatives that have made a significant impact across multiple categories saw 17 winners crowned, all carefully selected by this year’s judging panel. The panel was, this year, made up of Blue Diamond’s Alan Roper, Sharon McNair from Yorkshire Garden Centres, Josh Novell of Polhill Garden Centres, Haskin’s Andy Harriss, Scott Provan from Klondyke, plus Garden Trade News’ Trevor Pfeiffer, Michael Perry aka Mr Plant Geek, and Jade Galloway-Harrison from award sponsors, eBay.
With the judge’s work done, it fell to well-known comedian, presenter and Sunday Times bestselling author, Tom Allen to unveil this year’s winner’s rollcall. Captivating the audience from the off, Tom brought his unique sense of wit and observational comedy to proceedings, helping to make it a night to remember.
GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said of the event: “We’ve had the most incredible night! The room was packed full, laughter was ringing out from all corners, and we have a list of winners that truly demonstrates how much our sector is dedicated to finding new solutions, showcasing innovation and helping our nation’s gardeners to fall in love with gardening season after season. The biggest thank you to everyone that has made tonight possible. From our sponsors and judges to those that entered and, of course, our winners. You’ve all made this a truly magical evening!”
One of the most coveted accolades is the GIMA Sword of Excellence, and this year saw Sipcam Home & Garden scoop it for the second year in a row, thanks to the success of its Slug Stoppa. The judges said: “The choice was simple. True innovation, and a dual-purpose product.” Highly commended for the Sword of Excellence was given to Westland for its Kent & Stowe SureCut Cutting Range.
Elsewhere, the GCA Supplier of the Year Award, was given to Westland Horticulture, with a shortlist made up of the AMES Companies, Woodmansterne, Meadow View Stone and Woodlodge. The GCA said of Westland: “There were plenty of strong contenders for the top spot this year, but with just one vote in it Westland just beat everyone else with their complete category and range propositions, backed with superb services levels.”
This year it was Doff Portland that walked away triumphant, having been awarded the Gardenex Export Achievement Award, just pipping VegTrug and David Austin Roses who were awarded finalist status. Talking about their selection Gardenex said: “Doff Portland Ltd is our winner of the Export Achievement Award due to its strategic expansion in the EU and strong investment in proprietary authorisations. Coupled with exclusive partnerships and success in securing product registrations for biocides and slug control across multiple EU countries. Their impressive growth, achieving multi-million pound in EU turnover, and recognition for best in market in France contributing to their success along with a King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, makes Doff this year’s worthy winner.”
This year’s sustainability crown was given to the team at Primeur for its Tierra Verde coloured collection, which scooped the HTA sponsored Sustainability Award. The judges’ comments for selecting Primeur were: “Primeur continue to evolve a great eco range of products, this time creating further diversification within the multi-award-winning Tierra Verde range of planters.”
A ‘Sustainability Champion’ was also selected within each category (where relevant), celebrating the different ways sustainable solutions are being brought to market. Pictured below – Sustainability winners, Primeur and Deco-Pak with Home & Giftware Editor, Charlotte Cowell.
GIMA AWARDS 2024 – PRODUCT AWARDS
Garden Care – sponsored by Decco
Winner: Sipcam Home and Garden – Slug Stoppa
Category Sustainability Champion: Sipcam Home and Garden – Organic Superfood Concentrated Liquid Feeds
What the judges said: “We love that this product both feeds and protects plants at the same time.”
Growing Media
Winner: Southern Trident Ltd – Harmony Gardens Multipurpose Compost with added John Innes
Sustainability Champion: Southern Trident Ltd – Harmony Gardens Multipurpose Compost with added John Innes
What the judges said: “A good mix of ingredients, with added loam and John Innes – and the first claiming to be carbon neutral too.”
Garden Tools, Machinery & Implements
Winner: Westland Horticulture – Kent & Stowe SureCut Cutting Range
Sustainability Champion: Westland Horticulture – Kent & Stowe SureCut Cutting Range
What the judges said: “Great technical innovation, presented fantastically and positioned commercially so it sells really well.”
Growing Planting Equipment & Sundries
Winner: Smart Garden Products – GroZone Perfect Propagator
Sustainability Champion: Deco-Pak – Chelsea Horticultural Seashells
What the judges said: “Perfect value on a small scale and simple to use – a very smart product.”
Outdoor Leisure – sponsored by LOFA
Winner: Zest Outdoor Living – Terraza Outdoor Kitchen Range Set
Sustainability Champion: Woodlodge Products – W Garden Living – Soft Furnishings
What the judges said: “Fantastic value for money, looks great and has sold well.”
Garden Landscaping
Winner: Altico Garden Products – Natural Slate feature piece
Category Sustainability Champion: Deco-Pak – Eco-Stone Glass Chippings
What the judges said: “Genuinely different and makes a great look accessible to the consumer.”
Garden Clothing & Gifts
Winner: Phoenox Textiles Ltd – Hug Rug Bee 3
Category Sustainability Champion: Phoenox Textiles Ltd – Hug Rug Bee 3
What the judges said: “A great design, great value and to top it all, British made. What’s not to like?”
Pet Care, Aquatics & Wild Bird Care
Winner: Satchville Gift Company – Earthy Sustainable Bird Feeder Collection
Category Sustainability Champion: Satchville Gift Company – Earthy Sustainable Bird Feeder Collection
What the judges said: “A really well-presented, complete range of products with a great eco-message.”
Garden Lighting, Water Features & Ornamentation
Winner: Smart Garden Products – Rainbow Flaming Balloon
Category Sustainability Champion: Maze – Athena Solar Light
What the judges said: “An amazing pick-up line that has ‘lit-up’ sales.”
Decorative Pots & Planters
Winner: Primeur Ltd – Tierra Verde Coloured Collection
Category Sustainability Champion: Primeur Ltd – Tierra Verde Coloured Collection
What the judges said: “Stylish with a good strong eco-message that’s easy to understand.”
GIMA AWARDS 2024 – MARKETING AWARDS
Best Point of Sale Material
Winner: Keter UK Ltd – Stewart Balcony Range Stand by Keter
Category Sustainability Champion: Satchville Gift Company – Earthy Sustainable Tree Display
What the judges said: “This stand highlights the products features and benefits to great effect, helping to generate more sales.”
Best Multi-Channel Campaign – sponsored by Garden Centre Retail
Winner: Westland Horticulture – Peckish ‘Colour in Your Garden’ campaign
What the judges said: “A beautifully crafted and engaging multi-channel campaign seen by 25 million consumers.”
Best Social Media Campaign
Winner: Westland Horticulture – Westland Beneath the Leaf campaign
What the judges said: “This campaign taps into what has been a growth market in recent years. It’s perfectly aimed at keeping consumers engaged with some great content ultimately driving sales.”
Below: Sword of Excellence winner, Sipcam, take to the stage.
