Interview Exclusively
Welcome return Exclusively returns to its ‘live’ format in August, in a move welcomed by the market. Will Jones, chair of Exclusively and chief operating officer of BHETA discusses plans for the event. How are plans going for The Exclusively Show?
Is the industry ready for trade shows to restart? What do you think is the general mood?
The return of a live Exclusively Show – potentially the first opportunity for housewares, tableware and small domestic electricals buyers to get together with suppliers for many months – is an exciting prospect – and plans are going well. The hall is not far off fully booked with exhibitors – which is a fabulous show of support - and in our visitor surveys and calls the buyers have been very supportive.
A briefing webinar for exhibitors attracted a record turnout eager to hear about the many marketing options, networking events, the Brand Showcase, the consumer trends manifesting in autumn 2021 and beyond, and of course the operational and safety procedures. UK buyers, UK media and influencers are already registering in numbers, as the show set for August 24 and 25 – begins to create opportunities for an industry starved of the chance to meet face-to-face.
What safety measures are in place?
Will there be any new or different features at the event this year?
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. Exclusively is working closely with its venue, The Business Design Centre (BDC) in Islington to ensure that all necessary protocols for registration, hospitality, events, meetings and the total visitor/exhibitor experience are in place. The BDC adheres to the Government’s strict “All Secure” protocol for exhibitions and will comply with all requirements.
The 2021 Exclusively Show is to feature a live ‘Launchpad’ initiative showcasing products from suppliers in the housewares, small electricals and gift industries, including startups. The concept was trialled at Exclusively Digital in 2020; but has never run as a live element. Exclusively has a proven track record for enabling established brands to get in front of buyers and the media and the idea of the Launchpad is to do the same for companies who have not previously had such an opportunity. The layout of the hall will be a little different with an enlarged ‘creative hub’ to include the Launchpad, Brand Showcase, seminar space and Trends exhibition on the first floor much closer to the rest of the exhibitors. For reasons of visitor confidence, the 2021 show is focussing primarily on UK exhibitors, buyers and media and will include networking events such as drinks receptions which have the potential to be socially
distanced instead of the Exclusively party which featured in previous years. What are the benefits for buyers looking to attend? 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
Insightful trend predictions are a particular draw for savvy buyers and this year will be no exception. At the briefing meeting, 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.
Exclusively will be one of the first trade shows to happen for some long while – and that in itself is extremely exciting items that they will not have seen anywhere else. Among the 130 exhibitors and 300 brands on show, there will be the biggest and most established names in the industry – companies like Rayware, Denby and DRH. With equal space, presence and opportunity are new exhibitors like Katie Alice, Pure Tableware and Lazarro. It is the perfect opportunity for buyers to find everything they need including ideas that are that little bit different, and unlikely to have been seen elsewhere. Exclusively 2021 will feature a wider range of product than ever before. Just taking the Launchpad, there are a whole host of consumables on show alongside general merchandise, making Exclusively a perfect opportunity to explore the potential of baking kits, speciality teas, exotic spice blends, gorgeous cheeses, home curing kits and foodie hampers alongside the related housewares items. Exclusively is also not just about product. It has a reputation for predicting commercial trends. Popular features such as the Trend Talks and Tours with trend forecaster, Scarlet Opus and the Brand Showcase have been expanded considerably compared to previous years. Are there any particular trends you are expecting to be big at the show this year?
Neo Luxe, is all about sophistication and dark romance from earlier centuries. It combines rich luxurious colours with high drama and an almost punk quality in its provocative glamour. 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, positive, joyful, colourful and vintage, it’s all about sharing, collaboration and putting people first, a multicultural outdoors theme with flavours of Africa and the Caribbean. What are you looking forward to most? Seeing the whole industry together again. Exclusively will be one of the first trade shows to happen for some long while – and that in itself is extremely exciting. 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.
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