Can garden centres embrace automation without losing the personal touch that customers value?
Recorded live at Glee 2026, Phil Wright is joined by Paul Pleydell (Pleydell Smithyman), Johnny Critchley-Salmonson (Scotsdales), Helen Lloyd (Stratford Garden Centre) and Justin Williams (Fron Goch Garden Centre) to explore how technology is changing garden centre catering.
From QR-code ordering and self-service kiosks to kitchen screens and restaurant robots, the panel shares practical experiences of introducing new technology, including increased average spend, improved efficiency and the occasional moment when everything goes wrong.
But does greater automation mean less human interaction? Or can removing repetitive tasks actually give staff more opportunities to deliver the personal service that customers appreciate?
It's a lively discussion about managing change, balancing customer expectations with commercial pressures and creating what Paul describes as a more 'frictionless business', without forgetting the importance of smiles per square metre.

After 43 years in business, Alan Roper believes the trading environment has fundamentally changed. The tailwinds that once helped retailers grow have disappeared, and he doesn't expect them to return any time soon.

But Blue Diamond Garden Centres isn't standing still.

Recorded live at Glee, Alan begins with a frank assessment of the challenges facing garden centre businesses before joining Phil Wright to explain how Blue Diamond has increased profits by 44%, despite mounting employment costs.

They explore how benchmarking across the group has helped improve efficiency without sacrificing customer service, and how Alan is embracing AI to uncover missed sales opportunities, analyse performance and make better business decisions.

Alan also discusses the impact AI is already having on jobs, plans to introduce a virtual gardening adviser, and how £60 million of backing from Caledonia Investments will support Blue Diamond's continued expansion.

It's a candid and practical conversation about people, productivity, profitability and why Alan remains optimistic about the future of garden centre retail.

Peat-free compost has come a long way, so why is the industry still struggling to move forward?
Recorded live at Glee, Phil and Kate are joined by Dan Durston and Simon Blackhurst from Durstons to explore the commercial pressures, quality challenges and consumer perceptions shaping the future of growing media.
With retailers still pushing for low-price compost, are manufacturers being forced to compromise on performance? And could poor-quality products be undermining consumer confidence in peat-free?
The conversation explores plans for a minimum performance standard, the importance of helping gardeners choose the right products, and whether the industry should take the lead rather than wait for government legislation.
With quality improving and the technology already available, what's really holding peat-free back?