Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
The new ‘Curated Meetings’ feature – short, pre-scheduled 1:1 meetings between vetted buyers and relevant brands, based on mutual interest to drive new business opportunities together – will launch at Spring Fair on February 7-8 at the NEC Birmingham, with interested parties invited to sign up before 7 December.
Following on from a successful beta trial at Autumn Fair in September, there will be more space, more meetings, and more sectors.
“Mutual matching sets Curated Meetings apart – it’s not networking, it’s not speed-dating. Meetings only happen when buyers and brands mutually express interest to explore new business together,” explained product manager, Curated Meetings, Monica Todd.
“Our bespoke platform is made for turning product interest into meaningful face-to-face new business conversations. The buyers are high quality, decision makers vetted for purchase responsibility and budget spend – averaging £330k in buying power – across a range of retail types including online, multi-store independents and large retail chains. The brands offer a wide range of product types, aesthetics, and materials.”
Monica continued: “We know from Autumn Fair how well it works and what the tangible benefits are to both buyers and brands. Extensive research from the Autumn Fair trial proved that new business can be done in 15 minutes. It’s an exciting, innovative way of doing new business which very much complements the rest of the Spring Fair.”
For Spring Fair, the Curated Meetings team has doubled, with the programme including brands across all sectors including home, gift, lifestyle, fashion, accessories and jewellery. They include JJ Textile, By Molly & Izzie, F & J Collection, Sass & Belle, Bachmann Europe, Fawn & Thistle, Blue Stem Group, ECOYA, Bamboo Tree Ltd, Field Luxury Watches, Tallon International, Silver Jewellery Cavern, Wellness by Manuel, Grabo International, Corincraft Ltd., Dainty London, Arc de Noa, Soake, Giffi Creations, AK Frames, McAlister Textiles, Global Vision Direct – Artisan Furniture, FYG, Letterbox Love, Ballard & Hill, and more.
Averaging £330k in buying power, leading retailers confirmed for Spring Fair include John Lewis, Bloom & Wild, Geek Retreat, Denby Retail, Houstons, Frankly, Forest Holidays, Nest, Hampshire Cultural Trust, Fy!, Hw2, Midcounties Coop Food, Nature’s Kids, Everything Outdoor, Lovey Dovey, Burton Blake, Clinton Cards, Applegreens, La Di Da – Interiors, The Rusty Fox, Museum Selection, Yorkshire Willow, Jackson’s Boutique Garden Centre, Bagstage, and White Chimnies Venue.
Meetings will take place in the private Curated Meetings lounge, with buyers enjoying a £250 travel expense subsidy.
In a bid to open up new avenues of business and offer flexible buying opportunities, brands are not required to exhibit at Spring Fair in order to take part and can arrange a minimum of 10 focused 15 minute conversations with active buyers.
