SPOGA GAFA PROVES ITSELF WITH REAL INNOVATION
- Daley Hub Team
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
A view from Clive Daley of UK agency, Daley Hub, the specialist advisor for global brands entering the UK DIY and garden market.
In these economically challenging times, 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, now brought forward to June from its historic September slot needs to prove value for money like any other, and having been there for the duration, I’m relieved to report that it did. In what way? Real evidence of innovation, not something that every trade show can honestly claim these days.
Spoga Gafa brings together companies from the garden lifestyle sector and trade visitors from all over the world, promising ‘Come and Grow’, the strapline for the event. In a world that struggles to deliver truly new innovation, as most things have already been thought of in their concept form, there were several interesting ‘story’ products, that were worth the trip.
To name a few, Batavia dominated the entrance of Hall 6 with a movable scaffold made easy to transport through a world first set of telescopic ladders supporting each side. Upyard’s DIY build of a raised bed, as modular in design so as long, wide, high as you like with the added benefit that you can change it as your garden grows was also inspiring.
A new business from Poland, Saltrino, showed us how to create a kitchen in the garden instantly having it delivered in a box. There was also a three-minute assembly sauna… Imagine taking that round to your friends for a chilled afternoon! And not all interesting stories must be big. Chefstemp has developed a clever meat electronic temperature device.
Nothing new in that, except that this one is pen-like in design, in a range of bright colours, rechargeable and magnetic! A great pick-up line and add on sale for every BBQ.
Unsurprisingly Hall 6 was the busiest, as it usually is. In addition to the above, it showed off the latest in robot mower innovation, and swimming pool underwater cleaners. Must mention Mammotion for a superb execution in the form of a large tank on its stand. As American Youtube content creator Andrew Rog said from the Chefstemp stand, “This event is crazy……drawing together so many retailers and suppliers from the industry in one place…”
Speaking to exhibitors in general, the verdict was that while numbers might have been down, the quality was great. It seems that those who were there wanted to buy, with the second day being the busiest. Visitors and journalists also seemed happy with what they had seen, all saying they will be there next year.
With garden buying decisions now made throughout the year, the new Spoga Gafa June date seems ideal thanks to the increased speed created by marketplace retail and retailers’ online business. As far as a networking this event also delivers, around every corner was the well-known face, John Herbert, creator of the Global DIY summit and industry icon, and a plethora of retailers from around the world. It was also great to catch up with Claudia Maurer, Spoga Gafa’s Director to understand how this event continues to evolve. While exhibitor numbers were down slightly this year on last year, expectation and planning for 2026 was positive and exciting.
What we are likely to see from next year is a reduction in halls for the event, however increased intensity which we believe will deliver a more exciting fair, busier halls and of course easier on the feet! Claudia passionately described a move to a more experiential fair that will deliver an emotional connection for all that will attend.
Spoga Gafa is changing, but it continues to deliver in spades.
Daley Hub is a UK agency guiding global suppliers through the strategic, operational, and commercial challenges of entering the UK market. For more information visit https://www.daleyhub.com/contact-us
