9 minute read
Retailers’ Panel Six independent gift retailers share their Home & Gift expectations, and tips for a successful visit
We ask a selection of independent retailers about their Home & Gift show hopes and expectations, and tips for a successful visit
Becky Abbiss
Owner/Buyer With Love Gift Shop, Oakwood, Leeds
What’s your favourite thing about this show?
Its location in the beautiful town of Harrogate, its proximity to our shop, and the upbeat ambience at the show. Plus, being able to get some fresh air, clear your head and walk outside between the marquees. The Pimm’s tent and the live music make it extra special. Lots of our suppliers attend this show, so it makes buying easier.
Will you be looking for any categories/products in particular?
New gift ideas for Christmas buying.
Is there any stand you especially want to see?
I love seeing all the Jellycats in person! And Gisela Graham for its fabulous displays, and SC Brands for its Christmas robins.
Any tips for retailers visiting the show for the first time?
Wear very comfy shoes and cool clothes, as the marquees are always warm. Plus, have an idea of what you would like to see before arriving there. I pre-register and get a programme/supplier list in advance, so I know who and what I’m looking for. I always make a list of who I want to see and pre-book some appointments on stands.
Maggie Thornton
Owner Alligator Pear Tadworth, Surrey
What’s your favourite thing about this show?
The fun, relaxed vibe, usually in the sunshine. It makes a change from the NEC and Olympia where it’s stuffy - and Harrogate certainly feels less tiring.
It kickstarts our Christmas thinking as it’s our first show after Spring Fair. And it makes us look forward to planning Christmas and finding new lines, in what feels more like a holiday atmosphere.
Also, it’s the first time some of the suppliers are showing Autumn/Winter ranges, particularly fashion accessories, and it’s important to get orders in early.
Will you be looking for any categories/products in particular?
I will be looking primarily for new lines and new suppliers. We buy across the board, but fashion accessories are really important in the second half, so new suppliers there would be good.
Is there any stand you especially want to see?
Joe Davies is always important to us for the Equilibrium jewellery.
Will you be looking for sustainable/ eco-friendly products?
We don’t find that enough of our customers are interested in choosing sustainable products.
What’s your earliest Home & Gift memory?
My earliest memory is about 35 years ago. I think exhibitors were using the theatre for showing as well, as I remember lots of red curtains and a stage! After that, I remember the card suppliers housed in the basement… it was really hot down there!
Any tips for retailers visiting the show for the first time?
If you are short of time and have a design-led store, then the marquees are the go-to place to start. The exhibition halls include more established suppliers, but sometimes little gems are found there. And it’s the first showing of Christmas ranges for some of the fashion accessory exhibitors, so don’t forget them: get in early!
Owner Cilla & Camilla Five lifestyle businesses in Dorset at Beaminster, Bridport, and Sherborne
What’s your favourite thing about this show?
Sitting on the lawn, in the sun, with a cold drink, believing myself to be at work!
Will you be looking for any categories in particular?
No, not particularly. We will be looking for new products which will be for Autumn/Christmas to freshen and extend existing ranges.
Is there any stand you especially want to see?
The one I wasn’t expecting to see but which turns out to have that new product which is just right for our customers.
Will you be looking for sustainable/eco-friendly products?
Yes, but as a secondary consideration. First the product has to be ‘right’. If that product also happens to be eco-friendly, so much the better.
Any tips for retailers visiting the show for the first time?
Don’t just go for the show. Turn it into a UK mini-break and enjoy what Yorkshire has to offer.
Caroline Ranwell
Owner Hugs & Kisses Tettenhall Wolverhampton
What’s your favourite thing about this show?
Harrogate is my favourite show for gift buying: so many fabulous companies exhibit in an amazing location, and it’s at the perfect time of year too.
Home & Gift is a very social show too. I catch up with friends in the industry, suppliers and fellow retailers. It’s always great to chat with other retailers about new companies, new lines and so on.
Will you be looking for any categories in particular?
I will be looking for new gifts in general and also jewellery, scarves and accessories.
Is there any stand you especially want to see?
I will definitely be visiting MSH and POM to see their new collections, as I much prefer to see and feel the product rather than order from a photo online.
What’s your earliest Home & Gift memory?
My earliest memory is from 1989 when I was working as a sales rep for the legend Andrew Brownsword. (I was one of the first sales reps for Andrew Brownsword Gifts, which was the sister company to the Andrew Brownsword Collection. I worked for him for almost 10 years and absolutely loved every minute of it.) I had literally been in the job for three weeks, and we drove up to Harrogate to work on the stand. I was amazed at how busy it was and just how friendly this industry is. Oh, and wow, it was so hot that year!
Any tips for retailers visiting the show for the first time?
My advice to any first-timers would be book your hotel well in advance and also your restaurant for your evening meal. Prepare a list of must-visit suppliers, and take at least two pairs of very comfy shoes!
Gifts Today RETAILERS’ PANEL
Dawn Hookway
Owner The Manor Gift Shop Barton Cambridge
What’s your favourite thing about this show?
That it’s not overwhelmingly huge. The layout is perfect, with the different marquees and rooms (and not too many suppliers in each room). Plus, there is outdoor space - perfect for a hot July. You can sit outside and eat your lunch or have an ice cream on the lawn.
Will you be looking for any categories/ products in particular?
Gift ideas for Christmas and new suppliers: it’s always great to support companies that are just launching.
Is there any stand you especially want to see?
None in particular; I just enjoy wandering round them all.
Will you be looking for sustainable/ eco-friendly products?
Yes, we are starting to look at products in these areas.
What’s your favourite Home & Gift memory?
Drinking Pimm’s on Parlane’s wonderful stand, and enjoying an ice cream in the sun with my Mum while we worked out what orders we wanted to place.
Also, the time we got stuck en route at York train station and had to share a taxi to the show - we ended up meeting lots of lovely other shop owners and buyers.
Any tips for retailers visiting the show for the first time?
Plan your route around the show so you don’t miss anything - and wear comfy shoes.
Sally Matson
Owner Red Card Petworth Petworth West Sussex
What’s your favourite thing about this show?
Red Card’s shop manager Karen West and I always go to Harrogate together and we usually have quite a bit of fun at the show! We love Home & Gift because it feels like a summer mini-break. It’s not frantic like some of the other shows can be, and we tend to be more relaxed while wandering around, with time to really look at everything on offer.
Will you be looking for any categories in particular?
We mainly look for Christmas gift items, but also usually find some late summer/ early autumn top-ups.
Is there any stand you especially want to see?
We are looking forward to seeing so many companies at the show. The following are all top sellers for us during the festive season, so we will be placing some big orders: Lua, Lime Tree Design, Repeat Repeat, Powder UK, Heathcote & Ivory, Hot Tomato, and MSH.
Will you be looking for sustainable/ eco-friendly products?
We are always on the lookout for sustainable and eco-friendly products and also anything made in the UK.
What’s your favourite Home & Gift memory?
We have many: our Peaky Blinders moment was fun (an exhibitor was selling flat caps in the year that the TV series was very popular), as was Karen trying to climb on a horse displayed by a company that was exhibiting large leather animals! And we also always manage to fit in a visit to Bettys Café Tea Rooms, for afternoon tea and Harrogate souvenirs.
Any tips for retailers visiting the show for the first time?
Make sure you’re there for Sunday night drinks - it’s such a fabulous way to start the show and meet friends and colleagues from the Home & Gift family. And, if you’re at the show for more than one day, make sure you book dinner reservations as the local restaurants book up quickly. Take your time and enjoy the show!
