9 minute read
Exhibition News
Return of
Exclusively ‘Live’
The return of a live Exclusively Show – potentially the first opportunity for gift, housewares, tableware, small domestic electricals and destination garden centre buyers to get together with suppliers for many months – is an exciting prospect. So says Will Jones, Chair of Exclusively and Chief Operating Officer of BHETA
From a gift perspective, not only does a majority of product categorised as housewares have gift potential, but the 2021 show – scheduled for 24 and 25 August – has more exhibitors with consumable gifts alongside general merchandise than probably ever before.
Just taking the Launchpad – a new feature at the live show dedicated to smaller companies and startups – there are baking kits, designer fragrances, speciality teas, exotic spice blends, gorgeous cheeses designed for the gift market, homemade curing kits, foodie hampers and an array of handmade British food gifts. So, whether buying for a luxury emporium, a deli, a wedding list specialist or a small independent gift and card shop, Exclusively has everything from high end dining and glassware to designer cookware, to kitchen gadgets to electricals to decorative – and now foodstuffs as well.
Exclusively is also not just about product. It has a reputation for predicting commercial trends and a proven track record for enabling brands to get in front of buyers and the media. Popular features such as the Trend Talks and Tours with trend forecaster, Scarlet Opus and the Brand Showcase which provides media with a curated insight into the best new products have been expanded considerably compared to previous years.
Insightful trend predictions are a particular draw for savvy buyers and this year will be no exception. At the briefing meeting for exhibitors in early May, Phil Pond from Scarlet Opus gave a sneak preview of three trends which will start to come through from the autumn/winter – the idea being to help ensure that the products on display at the show are perfectly placed for buyers both short term and into Christmas, as well as long term.
Neo Luxe, all sophistication and dark romance from earlier centuries combines rich luxurious colours with high drama and an almost punk quality in its provocative glamour. Key for Christmas, the look will be around for three to five years.
Reset accepts sustainability not as a trend but as ‘the norm’. This is about the circular economy and designing out waste and will see blues and greens with muted patterns reminiscent of foliage, herb, fruit and vegetables.
The third trend to be previewed was Togetherness, which will manifest in spring/ summer 2022. Upbeat and positive, joyful, colourful and vintage, it is all about sharing, collaboration and putting people first, a multicultural outdoors theme with flavours of Africa and the Caribbean. There is no doubt that products which work with any of these will not only be prevalent in the exhibition in general, but also in the Brand Showcase – a media-friendly edit of the main show – where some 250 press, bloggers and influencers will soak up the on trend thinking and use it in all their coverage to come.
One of the great things about Exclusively is the level playing field it offers to all companies – large, small and new to the market – ensuring that buyers see the leading brands, the major launches and many items that they will not have seen anywhere else. With 130 exhibitors and 300 brands on show, Exclusively will be the perfect opportunity for buyers, journalists and influencers to find everything they need.
Given all that the world has endured over the last fifteen or so months, it goes without saying that the safety of all Exclusively visitors and exhibitors is paramount and Exclusively is working closely with its venue, The Business Design Centre in Islington to ensure that all necessary protocols for registration, hospitality, events, meetings and the total visitor / exhibitor experience are in place.
Will Jones added: ‘Everyone can be confident in being there and in enjoying a great show. The opportunities to see the latest product, talk to suppliers and gather all manner of excellent content and market intelligence is second to none. Exclusively is a real must for gift buyers.’
More information about visiting Exclusively can be obtained from the BHETA Member Services Team on 0121 237 1130 or via the website www.exclusivelyshows.co.uk.
First, last and everything…
Harrogate Christmas & Gift looks forward to being one of the very first trade shows of 2022 – taking place from 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
Christmas & Gift 2020 was one of the very last trade shows able to take place as normal prior to the Covid pandemic, and having had to cancel its 2021 show completely, the industry looks forward to returning to normality.
Simon Anslow, show organiser, explains: ‘Christmas and giftrelated 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 first-hand to appreciate them.’
Booking for the 2022 show has literally just re-opened and as always, previous exhibitors are given a window of opportunity to rebook their stands before space goes onto general sale.
Already confirmed from these are: FDL Festive Decoration & Lighting, Gisela Graham, Playwrite, Premier Decorations, Riffelmacher, Sage Décor, Sincere and Weiste (to name just a few). Simon adds: ‘We have also already received numerous enquiries from new exhibitors interested in joining the show for the first time and these will be allocated space as soon as our regular exhibitors have discussed and secured their positions. An up-to-date exhibitor list is available to view on the website.’
Those attending 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 baby gifts, 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.’
Visitor numbers for Harrogate Christmas & Gift have grown systematically increasing year on year for the last ten years and the event is renowned by everyone in the festive goods sector as ‘the most important trade show of the year.’ It 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.
Full details and online booking for both exhibitors and visitors is available on the website at: harrogatefair.com – or if you wish to discuss your stand requirements fi rst-hand, contact Simon Anslow – simon@harrogatefair.com or call 01902 882280.
London Stationery Show
returns bigger and better this October
The UK’s only trade show dedicated to writing and paper products is returning from 5-6 October 2021 in London’s Business Design Centre. As well as bringing together all the biggest brands in stationery and gifts this autumn, the team are thrilled at the prospect of uniting suppliers and buyers for the first time in over two years
‘We’re very much looking forward to bringing new and existing customers together to do business face-to-face,’ says Event Director, Alex Butler. ‘It’s been a challenging time for everyone, but as much as we’ve all adapted to a new digital world, the pandemic really has highlighted the importance of experiencing products in person before buying.
‘We know our audience has missed those chance findings - stumbling across an amazing product that you didn’t know you were looking for - that only happen at exhibitions. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the Business Design Centre this autumn.’
Some of stationery’s bestloved brands are returning, including Cross, Cre8 Tapes, Kaweco, Leuchtturm, Sheaffer, Silvine, Stabilo, Staedtler, uniball, Pentel, Zebra Pen, Pukka Pads, edding, Montegrappa, Exacompta, Royal Talens, Ultratape, Manuscript Pen, ClaireFontaine, Avery, Hahnemühle, and Snopake. There’s also an impressive line-up of new brands, including Bark & Rock, Goldbuch, Makers Cabinet, Pixie Crew, Artcadia, London Block By Block, Accent Manufacturing and Carioca, amongst many others.
London Stationery Show is taking place from 5 -6 October at the Business Design Centre. Registration is now open.
Stationery Show Essentials
When: Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 October 2021 Opening hours: 9.30am - 5pm on Tuesday, 9.30am - 4pm on Wednesday Where: Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London N1 0QH Register: stationeryshow.co.uk Entry is free for bona fide stationery buyers and retailers
Speciality & Fine Food Fair opens up to nonfood products The show has announced that for the first time it will be welcoming products outside of food and drink categories to be showcased at the event, which takes place on 6-7 September 2021 at Olympia London.
Non-food suppliers and products complementary to the Fair’s core audience of independent retailers,
wholesalers, farm shops, delis, garden centres and more will be showcased as part of a new ‘non-food’ trail. The new additions to the event will continue to expand on Speciality & Fine Food Fair’s role as a one-stop-shop for unique, artisan products, showcasing everything from local, independent producers to innovative international businesses looking to expand in the UK market. specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk
‘There are a number of sectors outside the world of food and drink that are directly relevant and valuable to our core visitor audience. We’ve made the decision to welcome some non-food suppliers and products to the show in order to fulfill more of our customer needs and provide businesses in compatible sectors a chance to meet with key buyers.’
