Show Review: Exclusively

Exceeded expectations

The 2021 Exclusively Show exceeded the expectations of exhibitors and organisers alike with attendee numbers back to pre-pandemic levels. Will Jones, chief operating officer at BHETA and chair of the show shares some the feedback from the event.

Over the two days of the Exclusively Show, which ran on August 24 and 25, there were more people present than in 2019 creating a fabulous buzz. Exhibitors did bring more people than normal as they saw the event as an opportunity to get the industry back together after lockdown. While visitor numbers were slightly down on 2019, this was only to be expected with the decision having been taken not to invite either overseas buyers or overseas media as a Covid-19 precaution, combined with the show’s postponement to peak holiday season.

Exhibitors were overwhelmed by the quality of UK visitors which was evident across retailer and media visitors with many first time attendees. Marketing manager, Steve Richardson said, “I’m still on a high after all the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the exhibitors at the Exclusively Show, and the fabulous visitor support.”

Exclusively has a proven track record for enabling brands to get in front of buyers and the media, as well as an established record for predicting trends, and in what was the first face-to-face gathering for the housewares, small domestic electricals and gift sectors for almost eighteen months, and retailers from a wide range of industry sectors visited the show. There were many independent specialists, a good proportion of whom took up the bira voucher offer as they placed orders at the show. A fantastic turnout of multiples from all sectors included the major supermarkets, B&M, Matalan, B&Q, Wickes, Harrods, Fenwick, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Selfridges, Dunelm, ProCook, Next, Robert Dyas, Ryman, Blue Diamond garden centres and many others.

The Brand Showcase attracted both traditional consumer and trade media as well as an enthusiastic host of well-

About BHETA

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is the voice of authority on everything home improvement and home enhancement, including DIY, housewares, garden, small domestic appliances and home decor. It represents £5 billion at retail and 9,000 employees and brings together manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and opinion formers to drive growth at home and abroad. For more information about retailer and supplier co-operation, contact BHETA on 0121 237 1130, or email wj@bheta.co.uk, or visit the website at www.bheta.co.uk

Success is now all dependent on suppliers’ and retailers’ ability to respond to the market as it is now Steve Richardson

established consumer influencers. Media visitors included This Morning, Olive and BBC Good Food as well as many other mainstream consumer titles.

The Trends area proved popular where trend forecaster, Scarlet Opus both illustrated and talked about the key trends from now through Christmas 2021 and over the next two to three years, using exhibitor products as examples of the key themes which will influence both buyers and media. Scarlet Opus also took key buyers on trends tours of the show, tying in trends with specific ‘must-have’ product listings.

In the Trends area, several themes struck a particular chord with buyers with ‘Neo Luxe’ being particularly popular. The most talked about examples were the vibrantly coloured Swan products, including the Gatsby Range, with kettles in Rich Teal and Emerald Green.

Another highlight was a new product created by A365 - a concept saucepan for 2022 blending, stainless steel with brass handle. Its unique in that the touch points are made of brass and therefore maximises the antimicrobial properties of copper and its alloys.

Tabletop made a strong return to the show, with popular new exhibitors including Katie Alice, Pure Tableware and Lazzaro. Nina Tawill from Katie Alice said, “We‘ve had an amazing show and we’ve been really happy to see some familiar faces again, and to meet some new faces. We’re extremely happy with how the show has gone.”

Steve Richardson added, “Exclusively has always been must-see event in the home enhancement industry – and so the 2021 show proved. With numbers of exhibitors and visitors this high, we can honestly say that from a commercial point of view, it certainly felt that it was back to business as usual. With over 130 companies and 200 brand names exhibiting, as other features such as the Trend Tours and Talks with Scarlet Opus sold out, the housewares, SDA and gift sectors certainly rose to the occasion.”

More information about the Exclusively Show can be found via the website www.exclusivelyshows. co.uk. For details of how to book for 2022, contact Seema Grantham, BHETA’s sector manager for housewares and small domestic appliances on 07946 078566.

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