Retail Advice
Deckled Edge
WITH HENRI DAVIS
Have you missed
trade fairs? J
une 8th 2021 was a big milestone for me , I went to my first trade fair since February 2020!! It was Source a 2-day show in Exeter. I had a conversation a few weeks ago adamant that I wouldn’t go to a trade fair even though I was keen to find new products. I didn’t want to travel by train, stay in a hotel and I was really uncertain about being indoors with so many people. So why did I go? The location meant I could drive and do the trip in a day. I’m new in the food sector and desperate to find good new local suppliers and the focus of this event was very relevant. What did I find? It was wonderful to talk to suppliers and to see and touch their products. Did I feel compromised by the indoor environment? Not really, the stands were well spaced and the event wasn’t overcrowded. The worst thing was wearing a face mask for such a long
James Ellis
Trade fairs are finally being allowed to operate once more. Henri Davis looks at how important they are to small businesses. new buyers can view my offering and period in a warm environment. It was a really positive experience for me, it felt like see and feel my products. For me it’s also important to meet fellow a real step forward and the “Many publishers, industry suppliers and products I found will be a see emerging trends. The cost of real bonus this summer. businesses exhibiting is high and is a risk but Sue Morrish from The used I believe I need to take such risks Eco Friendly Card Company lockdown to grow my business.” was exhibiting, I caught Many businesses used up with her after the show, to innovate lockdown to innovate and where she said, “I was really and trade trade shows will be the ideal excited to be back at a trade shows will opportunity to showcase what show, I’ve missed having be the ideal they have been doing. For face-to-face conversations with customers and wanted opportunity example, James Ellis now offer our south-west stockists to showcase 100% recyclable plastic-free stationery having developed a to have a chance to see what they simple plastic-free method of our new ranges in person. have been packaging their notecards. I didn’t expect the show to With Home & Gift and PG Live generate lots of revenue we doing” confirmed as going ahead in went because we wanted July those wanting trade fairs to open their to send a message that we are open for business. Surprisingly we more than covered doors will be feeling very excited. our costs with orders taken at the show Eco Friendly Card and got some really valuable leads. I’m Company very pleased.” A publisher keen to get back to shows is Janna of Deckled Edge, “We do need trade shows. I feel it is still so important for me to expose my business and collections to a real live face-to-face audience so
Henri Davis is an independent retail advisor to businesses in the cards, gifts, stationery and heritage industries with more than 35 years of retail experience. She has worked for Habitat, Next, WHSmith and the National Trust and now advises retailers, visitor attractions, manufacturers and suppliers. A past Chairman of the Giftware Association, during lockdown she has taken over a village store and moved to Cornwall. For more information visit www.henridavis.co.uk.
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