SHOWPREVIEW
Gearing
up for
Autumn
sales
A
utumn Fair at the NEC, Birmingham heralds the run-up to the Christmas
and New Year trading periods. Retailers looking for must-stock items or
something new to add to their offer should start with our comprehensive
preview of the show.
xhibitors and buyers led, comments: “We are denying that the holidaying in Britain or taking day trips
E
are gearing up for a credit crunch exists and are planning to – appears to have boosted sales, while
recession-busting introduce 12 new products at Autumn the weakness of the pound has attracted
Autumn Fair International Fair. overseas visitors.
at Birmingham’s NEC “It is our major opportunity to Autumn Fair reaches a dedicated
(September 6-9). showcase new ranges pre-Christmas. audience of independents, department
The show will see the launch of Our fi rm belief is that now, more than stores, multiples, online and mail order
thousands of new products that have ever, companies need to stand out by retailers. It is a buying show – 81%
been designed to kick-start the home launching new designs to keep interest of all visitors hold direct purchasing
and gift industry in the run-up to the vital in their brands at a high among retailers responsibility, with 25% of buyers
Christmas trading period and spring and the public. attending over two or more days.
2010. “Suck UK has already moved to Henri Davis, buyer of greetings cards
Feedback from suppliers participating add more affordable gift items to the for The National Trust, says: “So far, we
at the fair indicates that many are collection and will continue this trend for are having a good year. People who live
cautiously optimistic about the future and the forthcoming season.” in the UK are staying at home and there
are tailoring their ranges to counter the “With retailers Widdop Bingham typifi es the are lots of visitors.
impact of the economic downturn and
generally ordering
approach of go-ahead companies of “At Autumn Fair we will be looking for
help retailers boost profi ts. all sizes. It will be “ramping things up” the gaps that we haven’t already fi lled for
Says Louise Young, managing more frequently, for Autumn Fair and is designing its next spring and beginning to plan ahead
director of Emap Connect Home & Gift:
we anticipate
own products to ensure exclusivity in for trends to make sure that we are not
“Autumn Fair is an essential trading the marketplace and suitability for UK getting left behind.”
platform for buyers and exhibitors. It
an increase in
independents and their customers. She is also a consultant in the
remains, by far, the season’s largest Lesser & Pavey managing director independent retail sector and adds: “I am
buying event for home and gift.
the number of
Julian Hunt comments: “We will be looking for new opportunities as markets
“With retailers generally ordering more
buyers looking for
showing lots of new, value-for-money, change. Pricing of product is crucial,
.co.uk
frequently, we anticipate an increase well-packaged products. People are but it’s about offering good value – so it
in the number of buyers looking for Christmas products buying little and often and are telling doesn’t have to be cheap. What it has to
Christmas products and new lines for
and new lines for
us they want price points below represent is fantastic value for money and
next year. £20. We have diversifi ed and, like all functionality, coupled with good price.
“They will not be disappointed. next year.” good businesses, adapted to market “Innovation is important because
Suppliers at the fair have met the credit
Louise Young,
conditions. We are very upbeat. people want something that’s new and
eetingstoday
crunch head-on and will be introducing “Our feedback is that since different. When they are being a bit
exciting, innovative products with keen
managing director
Christmas, trade has been better than more cautious with their spend they
.
gr
price points to tempt buyers.” of Emap Connect expected for many retailers. Some on the want to feel they are buying absolutely
Jude Biddulph, designer for award-
Home & Gift
coast have done particularly well.” the right things. They are being more
www
winning Suck UK, an exhibitor in Design- The ‘staycation’ trend – with people discerning, which makes us work a lot
38
www.greetingstoday.co.uk
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