8 minute read
Exhibition News
Exhibition
Top Drawer returns
Bringing its unique curation of design-led interior, lifestyle and gifting products back to a live format, Top Drawer A/W will return to Olympia London from 12-14 September 2021
A show that is known for being as much about the exchange of ideas, inspiration and experiences as it is about buying and selling, Top Drawer A/W promises to reconnect the industry and provide a much-needed buying opportunity for the new season and all-important Christmas period.
Clarion Retail Show Director, Russell Rule, said: ‘We’re counting down the moments until the much-anticipated return of a live Top Drawer and are so thrilled to be providing our retail community with this important opportunity to buy, sell, learn, be inspired and connect.
‘Passion for design is at the core of our DNA and shared by everyone who is part of the Top Drawer community— from retailers, exhibitors and designers to our curators, speakers and organising team. Nothing beats walking the aisles of the show and seeing the creativity and talent that abounds in this industry; we know how important touch, feel and in‘We’re counting down the moments until the muchanticipated return of a live Top Drawer and are so thrilled to be providing our retail community with this important opportunity to buy, sell, learn, be inspired and connect’
Show Director, Russell Rule person connection is for our network and we look forward to creating an inspiring setting for our network to do great business together.
‘The team that presents you Top Drawer is the same team that brought sister show, Home & Gift, to life in July – the very first retail exhibition to take place following the pandemic. The event was run safely and successfully, exceeding everyone’s expectations – and we can’t wait to bring the same opportunities back to London.’
Showcasing new designs from over 400 brands across interiors, gift, fashion, children’s, craft, food & drink, and greetings and stationery – confirmed exhibitors include both established brands and exciting new names such as: 1973, Aery, Also Home, ARTHOUSE Unlimited, Beyond Living, By Eloise, Caroline Gardner, CHALK, Clockwork Soldier, CRWST, Designed in Colour, East End Prints, Forma House, Herboo, House of Disaster, House of Flavours, Hyggen Agency, Kikkerland, Lisa Angel, Lethally Her, Lorna Syson, Mother, My Doris, Ohh Deer, Plantophile, Pluto Produkter, Roka London, S-C Brands, SEVIN London, Spice Kitchen, Stock Stationery, Swole Panda, T2, Teddo Play, The Bottled Baking Co., The Candle Brand, The Creative Ox, The Workbench and many more.
The past two years have left more retail professionals, business owners and designers wearing more hats than ever before, Top Drawer A/W also promises one of its most stellar content line-ups to date; giving visitors access to the expertise and insight from some of the industry’s leading names including Liberty’s Bryony Sheridan, Holly & Co’s Holly Tucker, and Net-A-Porter’s Evie Collins to name but a few. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore trends presented by Clarion Retail’s brand new marketplace, REVEAL. Registration for Top Drawer A/W is now open. topdrawer.co.uk
Exhibition
Home & Gift Buyers’
Festival 2021 was a hit
The show, that ran 18-21 July across the Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC) and grounds of the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate, has been hailed a huge success
Organisers Clarion Events thanked the Harrogate Convention Centre for its support, as the show, colocated with Manchester Furniture Show, was the first major event to run at the venue.
Visitor numbers were strong and the quality of buyer was outstanding, tracking in line with previous editions. The visitor sentiment at the event was really positive with retailers really enjoying meeting suppliers and doing face-to-face business. ‘The event is a real treat to attend during the year,’ said Neil Hunt, owner of Nordicana Homewares. ‘A buzzing atmosphere, wonderful setting and amazing companies brought together to make a really inspiring showcase.’
Alice Brooke, Buyer from National Gallery Company commented: ‘Brilliant trade show with new suppliers I’d never seen before. A fabulous atmosphere.’
The event was selected to be part of a limited number of pilot events in the third phase of the Government Events Research Programme with the support of the both the venue, local authorities, and the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and public health bodies. There were no restrictions on visitor numbers, or social distancing requirements, meaning that the gift industry’s favourite summer show was able to go ahead as normal after 18 months.
The show continues to attract key UK buyers from independent, group and online retail stores, as well as contract and interior design buyers. Exhibitors have reported positive reactions and business, with buyers keen to stock up on new products and ranges. James Mace, Marketing Director from the Art File said: ‘It’s been a fantastic show; it’s been a record-breaking show. We’ve done Home & Gift for 18 years now and it was our best ever show. I literally can’t think of any negatives.’
Show Director Russell Rule said: ‘With the backing of the government and local authorities, we knew that we would be able to run the show and it is only with the support of our stakeholders that we were able to do so, safely and successfully.
‘Home & Gift 2021 has been a resounding success. We would like to thank all our visitors and exhibitors for their support in helping us run this fantastic show. Plans are already in motion for next year’s edition of Home & Gift and we can’t wait to see you all again next year.’
Home & Gift 2022....
...will take place 17-20 July, across the Harrogate Convention Centre and grounds of the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate. More information about the show can be found at: homeandgift.co.uk.
News Exhibition Exhibition
First diary date for 2022
Harrogate Christmas & Gift looks forward to being one of the very first trade shows of 2022 – taking place 16-19 January at the Harrogate Convention Centre - providing retailers and suppliers of festive and gift-related products the opportunity to get next year’s business off to a bumper start
Simon Anslow, show organiser, explains: ‘Christmas and gift-related products are quite different from other areas of retail in that you really need to see, feel and (quite often smell) products to know whether they are right for your own retail offering. Also, there are so many new and innovative ranges being introduced every year – particularly by some of the larger exhibitors at the show which source products from all over the world and
have collections equating to literally thousands – you really need to see everything firsthand to appreciate them.’
Booking for the 2022 show has re-opened and already confirmed are: Festive Decorations, Puleo Asia, Gisela Graham, Snowtime, Playwrite, Premier Decorations, Riffelmacher, Sage Décor, Sincere and Weiste (to name just a few). Simon adds: ‘We have also received numerous enquiries from new exhibitors interested in joining the show for the first time and we are excited to an array of exciting new products and gift ranges to visitors attending.’
Those visiting Harrogate Christmas & Gift for the first time, and not familiar with the show, will be pleasantly surprised by the large and diverse range of products on offer. Whilst it has historically been focussed on Christmas and festive products, in recent years, the ranges include gift items for every occasion including floral and decorative products for weddings, christenings, Halloween items, food and drink and items for the home and garden.
Simon continues: ‘Christmas celebrations have grown exponentially in the UK over the last few decades and the type of buyer seeking festive products has expanded to many new and unexpected areas. Our visitors come from not only department stores and independent retail outlets; but also from church and cathedral shops; tourist attractions and theme parks; party and wedding venues; hotels and hospitality and our largest growing area – garden centres.
‘These are now pretty much one-stop-shops and family destinations selling everything from home and garden-ware, toys, gifts, books, cards, food and drink – in fact you name it, and most garden centres sell it. Therefore, the exhibitors attending have expanded to offer products for every imaginable occasion.’
The show has always been held in January, straight after Christmas while fashions and trends are still fresh in the mind, and new ideas and opportunities are very apparent. The 2022 show will provide fresh ideas and inspiration for Christmas 2022 – and of course many exciting new developments to keep their retail offerings exciting and tempting for customers throughout the year.
Call: 01902 882280 Email: simon@harrogatefair.com Visit: harrogatefair.com
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