Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
The Spring edition of Home, Top Drawer and CRAFT, which kick-started the 2015 buying calendar from January 11-13, was exceptionally well received, according to organiser Clarion Events.
Buyers reportedly enthusiastically embraced the new venue and layout, which saw Home, Top Drawer and CRAFT increase in size to span four halls and two levels at London Olympia.
Brand director Ian Rudge said: “Buyers were highly complimentary about the new format, and with Home, Top Drawer and CRAFT utilising the entire venue on two levels, it was obvious that the show had grown significantly. With a whole floor dedicated to Top Drawer and a new space for CRAFT, which doubled in size, this was – without question – the most successful event we have run to date.”
The event saw an international attendance increase of over 10% along with influential UK buyers including Anthropologie, John Lewis, Liberty, Paul Smith, Marks & Spencer, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Urban Outfitters and Ralph Lauren.
Home, which consisted of two key elements, Modern Home Cook & Dine and Decorative Home, recruited a line-up of design-led exhibitors including Bliss Home, Grand Illusions, LSA International, Alessi, and Forma House. The show also saw a strong intake of new Home exhibitors, with Joseph Joseph, Apollo Housewares, Deadgood, George East, ICTC, Grunwerg and Skagerak joining established Home converts such as Gilberts, Stelton, iittala, Universal Expert, Robert Welch, Marimekko, Mini Moderns and Crown Trent.
Top Drawer brands included Cubic, Rice, Culinary Concepts, and Nkuku within gift, and Caroline Gardner, Pleased to Meet, Five Dollar Shake and Ohh Dear in the greetings card category.
The second edition of CRAFT grew by more than 50%, attracting groups from as far afield as Thailand and drawing the support of a growing number of bodies including the British Council.
A new area was New Talent, which featured new designers from both Home and Top Drawer, gathered together in this dedicated area, allowing buyers to easily locate the hottest new talent, selected by leading journalists and design experts.
Another additional feature was a programme of Retail Masterclasses with guest speakers including Heal’s chairman Will Hobhouse and design guru Sebastian Conran which, Ian Rudge said, “drew in an appreciative full-house”.
The successful transition to the new venue means the shows have now found a location in West London. Home and Top Drawer will return to London Olympia this Autumn between September 13-15.
·Sebastian Conran will be speaking at The Housewares Conference 2015. Organised by Housewares Magazine and www.HousewaresLive.net, the event will be held on April 22 at Wokefield Park in Berkshire. More details are available online at www.housewaresconference.co.uk.
