EXHIBITION Harrogate
A Seasonal Smash at Harrogate! After a tough two years and uncertainty in the months leading up to the show, the 2022 edition of Christmas & Gift proved to be festively fabulous for all…
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he Harrogate Convention Centre played host to a truly magical Christmas & Gift show in January, with a wealth of new inspiring festive and gift product on show. Doors opened to eager visitors on 16th January, with the event running to the 19th, with feedback from manufacturers, suppliers, designers, buyers and merchandisers alike universally glowing. “We are absolutely delighted with how successful this year’s show has been,” says Christmas & Gift organiser, Simon Anslow. “I’d like to thank everyone who participated for giving us their confidence, voting with their feet and turning up in hoards. “Visitor numbers were marginally lower than the 2020 show, but exhibitors have reported full order books and brisk business for the entire four days. In fact, some stated that this was not only their best Harrogate Christmas & Gift show, but their best of all trade shows ever.” High praise indeed, as echoed by Andrew Mellowes, General Manager of Woodlodge – one of a dozen new exhibitors in 2022. “The show couldn’t have gone any better for us,” Andrew enthused. “Our Snowlodge brand is
16 christmas in february
our first foray into the festive category and was well received by buyers at the show. The quality of visitors was excellent, and in addition to securing first-time Christmas orders with existing customers we also onboarded well over 100 new customers.” Christmas in February’s own Malcolm Naish – also a show director at Harrogate – added: “The many exhibitors that we spoke to all confirmed that not only had the show attracted plenty of buyers, both small and large, but that the exhibition had been brilliant for written orders and enquiries. “We had been telling visitors – along with exhibitors – that they must place their orders early this year if they wanted to guarantee deliveries into their stores, garden centres and online warehouses.” *Harrogate Christmas & Gift 2023 takes place from 15 to 18 January next year, with priority bookings opening in March. Visit www.harrogatefair.com for more information.
