and giftwrap – “designs which forge vivid
“With retailers
colours, funky icons and eclectic images
into unexpected treasures”.
generally ordering
On view will be Bo Griffi n’s exclusive
more frequently,
Christmas cards and fi ve new ranges of
we anticipate an
greeting cards – Pic n Mix, Celebration,
Cars n Dolls, Mateesh and Silhouette.
increase in the
Award-winning exhibitor Glebe
number of buyers
Cottage continues to grow and reports
the best ever fi rst quarter in its 15-year
looking for Christmas history.
products and new
It claims to be the only Carbon
Neutral greeting card publisher, holding
lines for next year.”
its own FSC chain of custody and
making a series of ‘eco-commitments’
which apply to all of its products to
ensure they are a really ‘green’ choice.
harder – but that’s great. It means we are the show, says: “Last year’s Autumn Fair who are looking for crossover buying
For example, the new Wildfowl and
doing a better job and being much more exceeded expectations and despite the opportunities.
Wetlands Trust 2010 calendar from
thoughtful about what we are offering the downturn we believe that optimism is Says David Corner, managing director
the company is printed on 50 per cent
consumer.” rising in the industry. We expect tens of of Portfolio: “Autumn Fair is always a
recycled paper with vegetable based inks
Julie Goucher, director of buying for thousands of buyers will again fl ock to great show for both our companies,
at a UK printer powered by Green Energy
au naturale, which has 46 big home the NEC to stock up for Christmas and Portfolio and Heaven Jewellery. The
As well as this calendar and new
and gift stores around the country, spring. excellent layout and contemporary feel
ranges and products for 2009, Glebe
comments: “Anyone who doesn’t attend “Retailers and suppliers tell us that of hall 4 enables businesses like ours,
Cottage has also published bespoke
Autumn Fair must be crackers! Where the Autumn Fair dateline is exactly right. selling design-led cards and jewellery,
items for organisations including The
else can you go at that time of year and The show comes at a time when shops to see buyers from across a broad
Forestry Commission and The Lost
see so much product under one roof? have assessed their summer sales and spectrum of retailing as they tend to walk
Gardens of Heligan.
“The timing of the show is also require stock for their busiest trading every aisle.”
Jobsworthcards.co.uk, which has
good. I will be looking for things we are period of the year. Generally, they now Handmade, hand crafted cards are
increased the size of its stand for a third
going to place in the early part of 2010 require product more often and the early high-profi le this year, as are eco-friendly
successive year, will unveil its humorous
– Valentine’s, Mother’s Day and Easter September show enables them to order cards. And those featuring photographic new photographic range, Monkey
products.” and re-order for pre-Christmas delivery.” humour and animal humour are helping Business.
Product trails at the show highlight the The fair is edited to ensure a seamless to lift the economic gloom. Colours are The supplier has grown dramatically
path of the buyer when planning their visit buying experience across all its halls. The bold and strong. Greetings cards for civil in the last 12 months and has product
and around the fair. Each trail identifi es a dedicated sectors fall into Giving and ceremonies and the gay community in in John Lewis and WH Smith, as well as
key selling-point for retailers investing in Living, aiding navigability and allowing general continue to sell well. exporting all over the world.
these companies and the product logos easy identifi cation of products. There is a trend in stationery towards Partner Marc Holland says its
enable instant recognition. Signing up for McGuinness points out that a number eco-friendly products from companies contemporary, humorous photographic
relevant trails is free for all exhibitors. of exhibitors have, however, diversifi ed such as Paper High, which specialises in range has proved very popular and is
The New Product trail highlights and this year their offering will be more natural journals and photo albums that regularly being pressed for new designs
suppliers who are launching new eclectic: “Although we have specifi c Gift are hand made by small family producers by major customers.
products exclusively at Autumn Fair, while and Home halls, it is important to stress in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
While continually adding to its core
those looking for eco-friendly and fair that buyers will be able to discover gifts Autumn Fair sees the launch of Bo
range, Outside the Box, it has also
trade markets should follow the Ethical within Home and Kitchen & Dining, while Griffi n, publisher of vibrant greeting cards
recently launched a new black and white
Product trail. Home products will also be found within
Autumn Fair celebrates home-grown Gifts.” The Heart of The Garden
talent with the season’s biggest collection Britain is the creative hub of the
of British-designed product, which can greetings card industry – worth £1.3
be found on the Designed in Britain trail. billion annually – and Autumn Fair is its
New for 2009 is the Licensed Product seasonal highlight for buyers of cards,
trail for retailers looking to source original stationery, giftwrap and posters.
artwork, surface design and images. While 53 million fewer Christmas
International and British suppliers who cards were sent last year – with e-cards
want to do business with retailers from becoming increasingly popular – the
around the world will be identifi ed on the demise of previously big players
Exporter – New trail. has created new opportunities for
The Gift of the Year House – featuring independent retailers
all this year’s winning and highly And changing buying patterns are
commended products – will once again benefi ting Autumn Fair exhibitors, with
be a feature of the show in hall 4. independent retailers and some multiple
Trade bodies will be strongly stores delaying their purchasing decisions
represented. The Giftware Association, on card ranges such as Valentine’s and
British Home Enhancement Trade Easter. The fair’s dateline is also ideal for
Association (BHTA), British Hardware companies targeting buyers of Christmas
Federation (BHF), Fine Art Trade Guild, cards.
Anti Copying in Design (ACID) and the The Greetings & Stationery hall
Birmingham Assay Offi ce will all have works well for suppliers and buyers.
stands at the fair. Many retailers make it their fi rst port of
Free seminars for retailers are still call, but exhibitors also attract visitors
being fi nalised. from neighbouring Design-led Gifts
Roz McGuinness, sales director of and Jewellery & Fashion Accessories
www.greetingstoday.co.uk 39
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