Lots more plants

What direction is Spoga+Gafa going in? In view of the substantial expansion of the fair concept taking place this year and in 2015, many people in the sector are asking just this question.
One change has already been made that should give this year’s edition added impetus. The German horticultural marketing organisation Landgard is moving its plant ordering days to Spoga+ Gafa, presenting a range of 4 500 products on an area of 12 000 m² in hall 7. The majority of these are from tree nurseries, but pot plants for the home and garden, seasonal products for Halloween and other calendar events, convenience products and a floristry range all form part of the offering. The input of Landgard has met with a favourable response from the intended target groups in the garden supplies trade. John Herbert, general secretary of the European DIY Retail Association Edra, spoke of the considerable advantage that Landgard’s involvement offered to fair visitors from the international DIY store segment also. Many DIY store operators from Europe and beyond would be brought to Cologne with their buyers because of the hugely expanded plant offering. “It’s a win-win situation for Spoga+Gafa and for our members,” commented Herbert. Small and medium-sized garden centres have also welcomed the plan. “We are very pleased that this option has been included. Plants were absent from the green show in Cologne,” said Peter Botz, director of the Association of German Garden Centres (VDG). “No plant buyer can overlook it.”

Nearly 90 per cent of the exhibition space for the Spoga+Gafa garden trade fair from 31 August to 2 September 2014 was booked up by May. Around 2 000 exhibitors will present their products and services in Cologne on an area of 241 000 m² in halls 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10. More than 80 per cent of the exhibitors are from abroad. As in previous years, the show will be divided into the five zones garden living, garden care, garden creation, garden unique and garden basic. Further ideas that are to be implemented in 2015 are the subject of frequent discussion in the sector. A “Day of the Garden” is to be introduced, which is targeted at consumers and is to be staged on the Saturday before Spoga+Gafa and on the Sunday of the fair. Hall 8 of the Cologne fair…