show news
Monday February 4 2019 THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM, BIRMINGHAM
What to see… at Exclusively
Exclusively has been a staple in the housewares industry for 16 years. On June 12 and 13, the exhibition returns again to the Business Design Centre in London. Think this is just another trade show? Exclusively operations director Simon Boyddisagrees. He tells us what makes the event special –and a bit about himself – in this interview with Housewares Magazine.
platform for the industry. The aim was to create a show which
E
facilitated the relationship between the supplier and retailer in a professional, cost effective and enjoyable environment - hence the two-day duration, and unique hospitality package we incorporated into the concept. Exclusively Electrical followed in 2015 in
response to the growth in the small electrical appliance sector. This year, Exclusively Housewares will have a
total of 127 exhibitors and Exclusively Electrical will have 23 exhibitors. The total number of brands represented will exceed 250. New for 2019 will be our joint initiative with
bira (British Independent Retailers Association) to support the independent retailer. Bira will have a stand for the first time and each Bira member will have a £100 voucher to spend with a bira direct supplier. Also, the electrical buying group Sirius will be holding their UK convention on the first day of the show and BHETA (British Home Enhancement Trade Association) will be hosting an informative series of seminars on the second day covering market updates, consumer trends, online marketing and issues facing the independent retailer. Our popular trend displays and tours, hosted
by trend forecaster Scarlet Opus, have been extended - and Christmas buying for 2018 will be featured throughout the show.
4 |
housewareslive.net
xclusively Housewares was launched in 2002 in response to calls for a dedicated commercial
What’s your background? I’ve been involved with running exhibitions since 1979, initially with the public sector in the Health & Safety Executive and then the British Overseas Trade Board, looking after British exhibitors abroad. I joined the organising arm of Earls Court Olympia (now known as Clarion Events) in 1984, and in 1993 I formed my own management company. I’ve been involved with a variety of sectors including clothing, textiles, musical instruments, energy and DIY. I currently organise an annual greeting cards exhibition and I’ve been responsible for Exclusively since the launch in 2002.
What’s your working week like? At this time of year, very hectic! As the show approaches, the calls and emails ramp up with queries from exhibitors and contractors putting the final touches to their stand planning. There is also much to organise with our own contractors. So a typical week involves a mixture of planning, organising and responding to questions.
What’s keeping you busy? Today is all about catering, signage, registration, marketing, furniture etc. Tomorrow I will work my way further down the list!
What’s on your agenda? Delivering an enjoyable and successful exhibition for our exhibitors and visitors. 2019 is also already on the agenda. We need to start planning for next year before the current show has closed.
Most rewarding aspect of your job? I love creating the show. Over a period of 12 months, the team implements sales and marketing plans and the time arrives when the show must take shape. When I go on site for the build-up the venue
is empty and when I leave, it is empty again. In that hectic five days, a show is built, opened, closed and dismantled. I still get a huge thrill from that process.
•
HousewaresLive.net
Most challenging aspect of your job? Ensuring that the show continues to deliver commercial value for our exhibitors and visitors. Times change, and if you take your eye off the ball and fail to respond to business trends, you will not retain the support of the industry.
What do you do to relax? Golf has always been my default setting but as I get older and my ability fades, it can cause more stress! I live in the beautiful Hampshire countryside and my cocker spaniel is very keen to exercise. I have also taken up clay pigeon shooting and sometimes I give the clays names before I shoot them. Very satisfying.
What are the biggest opportunities facing housewares suppliers? Design and innovation has to be the priority. The consumer is very trend savvy today, led by the many new media channels. Suppliers that follow and respond to these trends will flourish.
What are the biggest opportunities facing housewares retailers? I’m far from qualified to comment on retail as I’ve never stood on that side of the counter. I do know that today’s consumers are looking for inspiration, innovation and, of course, a price advantage. Competition to secure a sale comes from so many different sources these days. Being a retailer must be very challenging.
What is the biggest change you’ve seen in the housewares industry since Exclusively launched? The staggering growth in the influence of the internet and social media, particularly in the last decade. Where will it take us in the future? If I could predict that, I would be a very wealthy man!
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the housewares industry? Don’t miss the UK’s premier showcase of housewares, tabletop and small domestic appliances every June.
•
twitter.com/Housewaresnews June 2018
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
