Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Buyers flocked to Harrogate last month for the 2016 Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival.
The event, held in the north Yorkshire town from July 17 to July 20, attracted a 5% increase in attendance from buyers from multiples and a 5% increase from department stores.
Big names who made an appearance included Debenhams, Fenwick, Laura Ashley, The National Trust, Tesco, Heal’s, Hallmark cards, Moonpig, Next, Selfridges, Sainsbury’s and WH Smith.
They viewed their wares of 850 exhibitors across the homeware, giftware, stationery and fashion accessories sectors, including over 250 new brands.
The Festival was organised by Clarion Events. Show director Cleere Scamell said: “This year we experienced the most vibrant show in living memory. We had numerous comments that The Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival is ‘back’.”
Claudia Roberts, head of home, gift, clothing & food of 18-strong garden centre chain Notcutts, commented: “The Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival is one of those shows that feels more independent that mass market, which is perfect for us. It’s a relaxed show and one that’s easy to navigate due to its great design, and gives us time to really interact with exhibitors and get to know what they offer.”
Highlights included the newly added Design Point Debut hall, where buyers had a chance to meet the new talents of design-led brands, and The Great Northern Retail Forum, which included keynote talks from David Green of Google; Katherine Owen Fowler of John Lewis; and celebrity chef Tom Kerridge who launched a new housewares range at the show.
The 2017 show will take place from July 16 to July 19. Cleere Scamell concluded: “We are already planning ways to ensure our visitors get even more great ideas from every part of this uniquely enjoyable show. If trends continue, Home & Gift 2017 is shaping up to be a fair you can’t afford to miss.”
