Gift Focus - Mar/Apr 2019 (Issue 112)

ICHF Events, organisers of CHSI Stitches, is urging British craft businesses to remain confident in their business relationships with European suppliers and customers in the run-up to Brexit. Simon Burns (pictured), managing director of ICHF Events, said: “The uncertainty surrounding Brexit is worrying for business, but the EU and UK remain strong markets for the craft industry. Our advice to UK businesses selling into the EU would be to maintain their relationships and to keep a sharp eye on the domestic UK market – there are great opportunities for growth in all sectors and regions.” CHSI Stitches is one of the UK’s biggest trade shows for the creative craft sector and has been at the heart of the craft industry for more than 40 years. More than 200 companies from across the world exhibited at the 2019 show at the NEC in February. Simon Burns continued: “Our mission is to grow the UK craft industry to have a crafter in every household. That means increasing the current 14.6 million crafters, worth £4.8billion, to 27 million crafters and creating an industry that all businesses, no matter where they are based, will want to be part of. We are continuing to invest in CHSI Stitches, updating the look and feel of the show, launching a new meeting planner tool and commissioning our own independent survey, The Craft Report.” CHSI Stitches took place from the 17 th -19 th of February. For more information, visit chsi.co.uk Buzz of confidence at Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring heralded a confident start to the new season. 2018 witnessed another busy tourist season, which kept footfall moving in many of Scotland’s independent shops, in particular those catering to overseas visitors. There is great confidence that this will continue into 2019 despite concerns over the global economic outlook and domestic political uncertainty. With the largest number of exhibitors for both the trade show and for Scotland’s Speciality Food Show in a decade, there was plenty of variety to entice buyers into placing orders at the show, with a massive range of gifts, homewares, jewellery, textiles, craft products on offer. Helen Crawford from The Old School Beauly, said: “We always think of the Scottish Show as an opportunity to cement already existing supplier relationships, meet the new kids on the block and touch base with our fellow retailers. This year, we doubled our order with some key suppliers, placing our confidence 100 per cent in Scottish-made product. If you want the best of commercial Scottish products, this trade show is an unmissable date in the buying calendar.” The show also increased its additional content including the introduction of Nessie’s Den. Six new exhibitors pitched their products to three key buyers in an entertaining session. Ivan McKee MSP (minister for trade, innovation and investment) visited the show and presented a Best Product Award. The awards emphasised some talented exhibitors and a superb range of high-quality Scottish products took top awards. Seminars and workshops on a wide range of topics, from social media to secrets for success, were well attended, and many commented on how useful these extra events are for retailers. Show director Mark Saunders said: “There was a real air of optimism at the show from exhibitors and buyers. Foreign buyers were also plentiful, and were searching for high-quality Scottish-made products, which are renowned for their excellence and commercial appeal. We are hoping that the 2019 season will be a profitable one for Scotland.” Trade show updates from home and abroad on with the show 10 giftfocus CHSI STITCHES SHOW ORGANISERS URGE BUSINESSES TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH EU CLIENTS British Craft Trade Fair When: 7 th -9 th April, 2019 Where: Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate Website: bctf.co.uk Farm Shop & Deli Show When: 8 th -10 th April, 2019 Where: NEC Birmingham Website: farmshopanddelishow.co.uk Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair When: 27 th -30 th April, 2019 Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Website: event.hktdc.com The Independent Toy & Gift Show When: 29 th -30 th April, 2019 Where: Cranmore Park Conference & Event Centre, Solihull Website: independenttoyandgift.co.uk The London Stationery Show When: 30 th -1 st April-May, 2019 Where: Business Design Centre, London Website: stationeryshowlondon.co.uk Diary dates (All dates are subject to change. Contact the organisers for more information before making arrangements).