Spoga Gafa 2027? Why you should book...

A viewpoint from Clive Daley from market specialist and strategic development agency, Daley Hub

These days every exhibition or trade event must prove its worth not only for exhibitors looking for return on show investment, but also for retail and decision maker influencers who travel to attend.  Cologne-based Spoga+Gafa, the world's biggest garden, DIY and BBQ trade fair, needs to demonstrate its value for money like any other.  According to Clive Daley of export / import consultancy, Daley Hub, Spoga+Gafa is still very much worth the investment and any aspiring export brand should be there.  Despite the impact of world events…

Clive explains:  Spoga+Gafa brings together companies from the garden lifestyle sector and trade visitors from all over the world.  Show director, Claudia Maurer describes the event in these terms, “where the outdoor living of tomorrow is shaped today. As the world’s leading trade fair for garden lifestyle and BBQ, Spoga+Gafa brings together the entire world of outdoor living…. a home for everyone who shapes, reimagines, and brings the outdoor lifestyle to life.”

In 2026, exhibitor numbers were down from 1,350 exhibitors – 2025: 1,600 – with many missing due to conflicts in the Middle East and Asia.  And yet, 2026 showed better buyer engagement thanks to the show organiser’s changes, a plan which remains live into 2027. The number of new companies coming on board remained reasonably steady with 380 new companies in 2025 and 304 in 2026 (including co-exhibitors and Asian group participants).

 But, says Clive don’t be put off, by a few numbers. The buyers represented included Action, Aldi, Amazon, BBQ Land, B&Q, Begros, British Garden Centres, Bunnings, Carrefour, Costco, Dehner Gartencenter, Dobbies Garden Centres, EUROBAUSTOFF Handelsgesellschaft, Europa Möbel Verbund, Fritz Berger, GIGA-Einkaufsverband, Globus Baumarkt, Grillfürst, home24, Hornbach, Intratuin, Jumbo, Kesko, Kingfisher, Lidl, Lowe’s, Makro/Metro Cash & Carry, Maxeda, SEGMÜLLER, Mr. Bricolage, OBI, REWE Group, Sainsbury’s/Argos, Sam’s Club, Schaffrath, Silvan, Tchibo, TJ Morris, toom, Walmart, Wayfair, Wickes, XXXLutz and ZEB Zentraleinkauf Baubedarf.  And you can’t argue with that!

At the 2026 show, there were 23,500 visitors across 112 countries and while the show felt smaller, unique suppliers were placed in more prominent positions and therefore more ‘findable’.  In fact, the redesigned layout increased buyer engagement, and while wayfinding and multilingual access still needed improvement, the plans for 2027 include better signage and more English content, including the trade talks.  The innovation focus will continue with the event encouraging flexible retail formats and adaptions to changing buyer behaviours, especially those which target younger customer needs.  Planned improvements include color-coded segments, floor stickers, and enhanced wayfinding to better guide visitors, including more multi-lingual prompts.  Plans are in discussion to incorporate more English-language content or bilingual panels to improve inclusivity.   The commitment includes transport to and from the show.

Layout

It was obvious that the 2026 event successfully enhanced buyer quality and attendee experience with strategic layout changes. One of the key reasons for better buyer engagement was show initiatives to direct buyers to targeted areas like the garden sourcing hub and brand-specific halls, creating crowded, active spaces. Exhibitors reported seeing the right buyers at their booths, improving business opportunities. Special zones such as the outdoor adventure island and city gardening areas received positive feedback, increasing show appeal.

Timing

The June date is being kept for 2027 in response to supplier needs. As one garden centre buyer said “I love Spoga to see what is new and what is right for my business, and keeping it early in the year allows me to clear product I will discontinue during the season, obviously the best time of year to sell it through.” The decision to keep the event in June supports buyer influence on peak season purchasing and counters short-term sales pressure.  June timing allows buyers to influence July and August purchasing decisions, extending the selling window.  As Clive Daley confirmed when talking to international retailers, many set up for the season as early as mid-January, making a September show too late to impact orders.

There are other reasons for the June timing.  Supply chain dependencies, especially Asian manufacturing and container shipping cycles, favour June timing. Ordering by September is too late for many products due to Chinese New Year and factory production schedules, with Spoga+Gafa prioritising global supply chain realities.

Innovation and Industry Inspiration

Clive Daley also advises that notwithstanding the disturbances in the international garden and DIY markets caused by conflict, tariffs, and cost of living uncertainties, Spoga+Gafa remains the prefect platform for evolving industry ideas and inspiring retailers to rethink their in-store experiences.  Concepts such as curated displays on urban gardening or outdoor adventure islands are proving powerful, encouraging adaptation of innovative retail concepts.  These examples mirror IKEA’s approach of inspiring customers through staged experiential environments that drive product interest, as well as targeting younger shopper generations with different expectations, aiming to future-proof retail strategies, including an acknowledgement of a new generation more year-round buying approach.

Spoga+Gafa aims to remain the essential, stable platform for the garden industry while evolving with market and buyer changes.  The event’s vision centres on being a stable, trusted platform that adapts to rapid market changes while supporting all industry players.

As Clive Daley says, the 2026 Spoga+Gafa was pivotal. The trade fair responded to the market needs and the challenging market situation by consistently evolving its concept, sending a strong signal as a central platform for the global garden industry. It’s 2027 plans are focussed on increasing relevance even more. Driven by very positive feedback and a willingness to accommodate today’s reality for domestic and export suppliers, and an absolute of supply and ordering cycles and the industry's desire for consistency, Spoga+Gafa is acknowledging market and economic framework conditions even as they change due to the ongoing global conflicts and international supply chain disruptions.

Spoga+Gafa will next take place in Cologne from 15 to 17 June 2027.

For further information, visit www.spogagafa.com/trade-fair/spoga-gafa/portfolio-worldwide.