Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
This year’s AIS spring show was the busiest ever, reports the company.
Held at AIS headquarters in Solihull this week, the three-day event attracted 171 buyers from 82 stores on the first day, 137 buyers from 71 stores on the second, and 48 buyers from 27 stores yesterday, the final day.
The show presented 96 AIS-approved suppliers, including brand and market leaders, and the company says that many products were given their UK launch during the event.
The Tuesday evening also saw the AIS members’ awards dinner, with accolades going to Horwoods in the cookware category, Mastrad for kitchenware, Pik a Pak in the small electrical category and Denby in the tabletop category.
Product of the Year 2007 was the Culinaire One Touch can opener from DKB Household, while Andy Asher, national sales manager with Pilot Housewares, won the Accolade award. The award is given to the person who has most gone out of their way to give outstanding service.
The evening also raised £1,000 for AIS’s three nominated charities: Macmillan’s Nurses, Acorns Children’s Hospice and National Osteoporosis Society.
The company chose the show to announce two promotions within AIS. Andrew Wilkins becomes selector of all housewares departments, as well as remaining general manager of the Homewares Retail Division. Matthew de Leysin has been promoted to assistant manager of the Homewares Retail Division, and after a transitional hand-over period will become full manager of this division.
