Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Top Drawer Spring 2016 organiser Clarion Events says the trade show, held last month at London Olympia, was ‘the best yet’.
The exhibition, which ran from January 17 to January19, presented a cross-section of products from more than 1,000 exhibitors across four sectors of Home, Gift, Fashion and Craft.
Event director Alejandra Camposs said: “Our edit of the best brands and compelling new content created a must-attend event.
“Over the three days, Top Drawer was buzzing with a variety of UK and international buyers, from fashion boutiques and gift shops to lifestyle stores and top multiple retailers. Feedback has been extremely positive and we’re already looking forward to delivering the next edition.”
Master potter Keith Brymer Jones (pictured), judge of BBC2’s ‘The Great Pottery Throw Down’ and Head of Design at MAKE International, drew huge crowds at the entrance to the Home section of the show, with daily live throwing on his potter’s wheel.
Keith spoke about his experience on the recent TV series and the programme’s effect on the pottery industry at Academy LIVE: a free seminar programme that ran throughout the event.
The Home zone presented a selection of products across Interior Accessories, Kitchen & Dining, Furniture & Lighting and Outdoor Living.
A wealth of young independent designers and brands, including Marta Bordes, winner of the 2016 ‘confession of a design geek’ bursary, sat alongside established brands such as Skandium, which presented the Spring/Summer 2016 Marimekko collection, and Joseph Joseph, which introduced stackable storage containers with dateable lids.
The Gift section presented products spanning Gifts, Stationery & Greetings, Wellbeing and Children’s. Wild & Wolf had a strong presence with many product launches including a new collection from Mini Moderns.
Show highlights included the new Food Emporium of speciality and fine foods from over 50 producers and brands, addressing the growing interest in artisan food amongst retailers. Products included drinks & confectionery, bread & baked goods, and oils & condiments.
Brands included Bonieri Chocolate, British Cassis, Devon Distillery, Green & Pleasant, The Hawkshead Relish Company, Jadu Tea, Makers & Merchants, Matt & Ben’s Fudge, Olives et Al and Pinkster Gin.
Retailer Debbie Hicks of Stag Gifts & Stationery in Bath commented: “We’ve sourced some great premium products in the Food Emporium which will enable us to sell something unique alongside our gifts and stationery.
“The Food Emporium not only gave us access to some well-priced gifts and seasonal products, but presented us with a good choice of suppliers local to us in the West Country.”
Another attraction was the design showcase, ‘Spotted’. Assemble, the winner of this year’s Turner Prize, joined the line-up of exhibitors in this ‘new talent’ hub. Other highlights included: Above & Beyond, Dana Finnigan, Giannina Capitani, Kreis Design, Magic Mirror, Studio Haran and Susi Bellamy.
The next Top Drawer will take place at Olympia London from September 11 to September 13.
Keith Brymer Jones
