Gift Focus - Sep/Oct 2018 (Issue 109)

72 giftfocus country. Within the marketplace, a number of intriguing manufacturers and their bespoke ranges of jewellery, fine ceramics, exotic textiles and quirky lighting will be available to peruse. Autumn Fair will give retailers the opportunity to be the first to stock the rare products. Innovation at heart with DesignFirst As an entirely new platform for only the most unique and quirky manufacturers, DesignFirst will offer up to 30 innovative brands a chance to showcase their products at prime sector-specific locations in the event space for optimal visibility and footfall. The new DesignFirst sections in Contemporary Gift and Living; Body, Bath & Home Fragrance; Fashion, Jewellery and Accessories; and Home are already proving popular. Among the new exhibitors already confirmed for 2018 are Kushboo Soaps, The Sugar Shed, Flower & Fable and East End Press. The showcases will run for the length of Autumn Fair. Who can attendees look forward to meeting? Main Stage: The Main Stage is set to be a hub for buyers and retailers of all kinds, with only the highest-profile speakers addressing attendees with inspirational messages and with advice on how to make an impact online and how networks can help drive sales. Holly Tucker MBE, co-founder of internet retail sensation notonthehighstreet.com and UK ambassador for Creative Small Business, will be speaking on Monday, 3rd September at 2pm. Topping the bill will be entrepreneur and small business champion Theo Paphitis, who will be on hand to tackle the retail issues that matter the most to you and your business on Tuesday at 2pm. Master Online Retail Theatre : Being introduced for online retailers is a Master Online Retail Theatre. All content will have the online indie retailer in mind while looking at the objectives of buyers from larger online retailers. Topics such as “What do buyers from multiples look for online?” and “How to maximise your profit this Christmas 2018” will be explored. Speakers will include experts from Ecommerce Masterplan, findmeagift. com and findyourinfluencer.co.uk . Master the High Street Theatre: From last- minute tips for a successful final quarter of the year to bigger themes such as “What does your shopper want from you?” to unseen trend-led video content aimed to help retailers buy smarter, this high street-focused stage is a must-visit for indies who wants to master the high street and see their bricks and mortar or online shops come out on top among the competition. It will welcome Pinterest and Google Digital Garage, who will both talk about how high street retailers can make themselves more visible online. Fashion Talks: There will also be an in-depth look at the trends and retail insights through a series of quirky fireside-style chats and discussions. Within this intimate setting, attendees will get a chance to delve deep into everything retailers need to know as buyer in the fashion and accessories market. Among the speakers will be Beaulagh Brooks of the Birmingham School of Jewellery and Amy Hobson, social media and digital marketing expert/trainer at SocialB. g