We arrived at Glee 2023 amidst ongoing celebrations for 20 years of Smart, which marks more than two decades of great customer service, top quality products and market-leading innovation. It goes without saying that we have no intention of slowing down!
For this year’s exhibition over 250 new Smart products were launched, with our team working incredibly hard to put together an amazing stand and provide a warm welcome for all our customers. The feedback received both at the show and on social media proved to be overwhelmingly positive and we simply can’t wait to share some of our findings with you…
So, what did we learn whilst at the show?
1.) A new approach to hanging garden displays was long overdue
Our Hanging Garden merchandising solutions have been completely reinvented following a successful consultation and trial period, ensuring ease of use for both in-store customers and staff – all without compromising on space efficiency and presentation while also offering complete flexibility in terms of product mix on display.
Brand new metal multi-purpose cages for displaying liners, baskets and cones are ideal for garden centre aisles. It is also easy to add a hanging stand to create a colourful display and the change from S hooks to Z hooks on hanging products means no more tangled chains!
Another simple yet effective change is the use of deeper shelves for more comprehensive basket displays, which are now solid rather than an open wire design.
Garden sundry displays will go from shabby to chic with our new slat wall design, while cardboard FSDUs have been replaced with powder-coated baskets as part of a weatherproof display that will guarantee essentials such as Sphagnum Moss and Smart Liners always look appealing wherever they are sited in-store.
2.) There’s still high demand for stylish GYO products for indoor use
Following on from the GYO boom of recent years, we have continued to look for smart ways to expand our GroZone range which has been gaining momentum year on year since its launch in 2016.
By combining a compact, clever and modern product design with eye-catching, easy-to-merchandise packaging and at a budget-friendly price, the Perfect Propagator arrives ready-made for windowsill growers.
The unit comes complete with a self-watering wick system to keep soil moist for up to 7 days unattended and a vented humidity dome to create optimum growing conditions – the perfect herb and micro-greens cultivation machine!
We witnessed an incredible response to the Perfect Propagator during our time at Glee, as well as over social media, and are confident that it will be a winner when it hits shelves in-store!
3.) Decorative balloon lights are still on trend and unboxed displays captivate customers
After the astonishing success of the Fiesta Flaming Balloon last year, we have added a new exuberant sister product for 2024 – the Rainbow Flaming Balloon!
Featuring colourful stained glass effect panels and our Smart flickering flame effect, this hanging lantern is a beautiful statement piece, both by day and night.
The eagle-eyed amongst you will also notice balloons have floated into other parts of our range – look out for the new Balloon Solar String Lights and vivid SkyRunner wind spinner. We expect these fun, whimsical designs to fly off the shelves…
4.) Energy-saving lighting really hits the mark during an uncertain economic backdrop
We were very excited to launch a new range of Low Voltage string lights, a Eureka sub-category, consisting of a whopping 22 new products.
There is a comprehensive selection of colours and styles to suit every possible requirement, whether for outside or inside use. The packaging really stands out thanks to stunning imagery and key selling points are clearly set out on the front face of each box. Factor in the newly created point of sale for this range, and there is no way you’ll miss them in-store!
All string lights are connectable, enabling a run of up to 60 bulbs to be created, and conveniently you can mix bulb types across the range. Consumers can scan the QR code on the back of the box to access a helpful how-to video that will guide them through every step of usage and installation.
Introducing these reduced cost, energy efficient lights feels very relevant right now while people are worrying about their outgoings, as they are cheap to run and deliver stunning lighting displays, whether for one-off occasions or for year-round use.
5.) Solar products still have the power to surprise
Over time Smart has built up a fantastic reputation for developing new solar lighting concepts, consistently bringing the most innovative and interesting products to market and delivering high volume sales in the process. This year is no exception, with our new lines capturing the imaginations of visitors to Glee.
The new faux rattan lanterns, Maris and Terra, have been a big hit! The wrap-around rattan style design is fresh and contemporary, creating stunning lighting patterns at night. With a promotional retail price of £9.99, they are set to be sure-fire winners next year.
Our PIR Solar Floodlight & Decoy Camera is a novel concept, combining two different functions in one light. This kicks out a whopping 280 lumen when the PIR detects movement while a flashing red LED also mimics a security camera, serving as both a super bright welcome light as well as helping with home security.
Another set of winners amongst visitors to our stand were the Fairy Mushroom stakes, available as a 4-pack in one string and a larger individual design. Easy to display and even easier to install, these quirky pieces put the fun in fungus and look fantastic in any garden!
And that sums up our main takeaways from Glee 2023…! Once again, we would like to thank all the visitors who took the time to visit us as well as all of our wonderful Smart Team who helped with the preparation and build as well as managing the stand during the show. We look forward to a successful 2024.