NEWS
Connect @ Autumn Fair aims to transform the future of trade shows
Autumn Fair, taking place from the 3 – 6 September 2023, sees the launch of Connect @ Autumn Fair. Endorsed by leading UK retailers such as John Lewis, WHSmith and Choice, Connect @ Autumn Fair is a transformational new
approach to buying,
designed to revolutionise the traditional trade show model by connecting retailers and brands on a scale never achieved before.
As the definitive ‘shop for
shops’, Autumn Fair organised by Hyve Group plc, has supported the retail industry for over 30 years. The home, gift and fashion markets are worth billions of pounds and Autumn Fair is where retail’s bestsellers are found, relationships are forged, products are launched, new ideas and the latest trends for bricks and mortar and e-commerce stores
are
discovered. From this September, Connect @ Autumn Fair will
lead the way for the retail community and transform the buying experience by fuelling thousands of pre-arranged buying meetings before the show even opens. Billed as ‘the dawn of a new era’ for retailers, Connect @ Autumn Fair will connect thousands of the UK’s leading buyers and retailers with all 600+ Autumn Fair exhibitors before the show. Buyers will be able to discover the brands and products their businesses need, by selecting
Sustainability innovator helps founder bag Dragons’ Den investment
A gardening startup that uses the latest in compostable packaging innovation has become the latest winner in this season’s Dragons’ Den. The key component of Grow Sow Simple’s judge-wooing seed kits, which won an £80,000 investment from Dragon, Sara Davies, are clever biodegradable pods. They’re made of bespoke moulded fibre, a wonder material, by Cullen Eco Packaging. The pod is just one example of the sustainable, compostable material shaped into an
PEOPLE PEOPLE NEWS
DACHSER UK FOCUSES ON THE NEEDS OF THE DIY INDUSTRY
The experienced Dachser UK marketeer,
Peter
Vickers has been appointed Business D e v e l o p m e n t Manager with responsibility for DIY
logistics solutions in a move designed to bring the industry solution into even greater focus for the specialist in European distribu-tion and logistics. To help suppliers and retailers in the DIY sector respond to the challenges associated with the spike in market growth, the special requirements, and the appreciable swing towards e-commerce, Dachser UK now also offers the industry solution service from Dachser DIY Logistics.
6 DIY WEEK FEBRUARY 2023
MANAGERIAL ROLES AVAILABLE AS DOBBIES EXTENDS NEW ANTRIM TEAM
Retail, hospitality and
horticultural
managers are being invited to apply for three senior vacancies at the new Dobbies Garden Centre
in Antrim,
which is due to open later this year. The company has already been
recruiting for a general manager for the store and is now looking for an operations manager, horticulture manager and restaurant manager. The flagship store, which will be one of Dobbies’ biggest to-date, is located at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park. For the full job descriptions and to apply visit: Dobbies Careers | Work for Dobbies
DRAPER TOOLS ANNOUNCES NEW CEO
Draper Tools announced
has Matt
Sheen as its new CEO. Sheen will oversee the continuing growth and expansion of the 104-year-old tool firm.
The new appointment is the beginning of a new chapter for the business as it builds for the future. Sheen is well placed to take up the role, having originally begun his career in the tool industry at Draper in the sales team more than 28 years ago. Since then, he has built up a wealth of industry experience, including most recently at Metabo and Hikoki, where he was Managing Director. Sheen commented: “It’s a great honour to be with Draper Tools, and as the new CEO.”
LOFA has announced the addition of two experienced professionals - Steve Millington and Chris Newman - as Vice Chairman and Council Member, respectively. Millington (Sales Director at Tom Chambers) has been in the industry for 30 years. Similarly, 4 Seasons Outdoor UK Ltd Managing Director Chris Newman, looks forward with enthusiasm to contributing his expertise towards helping and supporting members.
www.diyweek.net
LOFA APPOINTS NEW VICE CHAIRMAN AND COUNCIL MEMBER
increasing array of designs to replace plastic packaging. Entrepreneur Dan Robson, the man behind Grow So Simple, won backing on the BBC show which aired on 19 January 2023. The flagship product, a biodegradable pod with multiple seeds inside (e.g. allotment garden mix of cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage), sells in over
150 stores in the UK. Cullen Eco Packaging’s zero waste innovations are rapidly replacing plastic packs for everything from gardening products like Grow So Simple’s kits to moulded fibre bottles, a paper bottle replacement for dry goods such as vitamins and spices. David MacDonald, Cullen ECO-Friendly Packaging’s Owner, said: “Congratulations to Dan and his team on winning the Dragons’ Den investment. Dan is
as passionate about innovation and sustainability as we are. Our moulded fibre packaging is a game changer not just for Grow So Simple but also anyone using plastic containers.”
Dan Robson, added: “The idea for my company was born out of my passions for sustainability and making gardening accessible. I am delighted that Sara, whose phenomenal brand was also created off the back of her own obsession for crafting, saw potential in our company.” Dragons’ Den panellist and
investor, Sara Davies, said: “I liked Dan the moment I met him and I really resonated with his commitment to giving all people, from all walks of life, the chance to grow their own vegetables. This level of passion, along with a strong concept, is critical for business success so I’m looking forward to seeing him develop and grow his fantastic brand.”
from hundreds of data points important to them. Exhibitors can create leads, orders, and opportunities with the buyers
they want to meet most - all in an incredibly efficient and effective way - turning chance meetings into guaranteed connections. Connect @ Autumn
Fair
is powered by the leading meetings technology company Personatech, that developed and operates the largest meetings programmes for retail events including ShopTalk and GroceryShop. For buyers to join Connect @ Autumn Fair, the first step is to register for a free ticket to Autumn Fair. Registration opens in April 2023. Or book in a call with Autumn Fair’s community development team on Tel: +44 20 3545 9735 to find out more.
Screwfix drives forward apprenticeship agenda
Whether it’s customers
culture, or
colleagues, people are at the heart of Screwfix’s
and the omnichannel retailer champions progression of its colleagues through its Trade Up programmes. The Trade Up
programmes are retail apprenticeship strategies aimed at developing and progressing talent to meet business growth. As an employer provider Screwfix has utilised its retail and learning expertise to deliver a programme covering all aspects of retail that is fully supported by expert internal Learning Coaches. The programme develops a robust pipeline of Managers that can truly make a difference to colleagues and customers. Screwfix currently has more than 700 colleagues on apprenticeship
programmes across areas such as retail management, customer service and HR management. Over 80% of apprentices who complete programmes are promoted into role. In 2022, the business teamed up with TrAC, the Flexi-job
Apprenticeship Agency, to launch a brand-new scheme which funds the training of construction trade apprentices, in a bid to help tackle the skills shortage and encourage more people into the trade.
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