Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
The inaugural Pavilion run by trade associations BHETA (British Home Enhancement Trade Association) and Bira (British Independent Retailers Association) at the Spring Fair proved a hit, according to BHETA.
Spring Fair took place from February 2 to February 6 at the NEC in Birmingham. The Pavilion, sited between Halls 8 and 10, featured a range of Bira Direct suppliers, BHETA members and new suppliers to the industry, representing cookshop, housewares and tabletop.
Innovative smaller brands and start-ups in the housewares sector took exhibition space in the area and a steady stream of members used the hospitality area, BHETA said, while a retailer voucher scheme which offered Bira Direct users money back when buying from suppliers in the Pavilion while at the show was also popular with show attendees.
The trade body added that the location of the Pavilion delivered great footfall for the exhibitors who were able to take advantage of shell scheme space and exhibit at the event at very special rates.
BHETA chief operating officer Will Jones commented: “We wanted to make space available to suppliers who were ‘doing something different’ but would ordinarily not have been able to be at the show. In so doing, we wanted to help showcase opportunities for independent buyers to differentiate the retail offer on the high street. It was good to work with Bira on the project and benefit both our memberships.
“Spring Fair remains a key destination for a significant number of buying professionals representing a wide variety of retail sectors and it was pleasing to note that the majority of housewares suppliers reported a busy few days.
“The BHETA and Bira hospitality area was a great central location for meetings and a lot of business was done. Both associations also fielded a number of industry experts to advise on the key topics facing retail and supply.”
For more information about BHETA support for potential exhibitors in both the home and export markets, or about BHETA membership in general, contact the BHETA member services team on 0121 237 1130 or visit www.bheta.co.uk.
BHETA chief operating officer Will Jones
