Gift Focus - Jul/Aug 2019 (Issue 114)

129 STATIONERY SHOW LONDON Getting it write This year’s Stationery Show concluded with positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike The 2019 Stationery Show ran in London’s Business Design Centre from April 30 th -1 st May, with event manager Hazel Fieldwick describing the show as a “stimulating and positive two days,” with brands, retailers and suppliers meeting to enjoy two stationery-focused days in the middle of National Stationery Week. The Stationery Trends Hub, newly located to the centre of the show floor, was a huge hit with visitors and exhibitors. Trend forecaster Scarlet Opus’ research formed the basis of this area, with a vibrant display and Trend Tours and trend presentations run on both days. The Scarlet Opus team was kept busy, sharing information about consumer design trends emerging for Christmas 2019 and looking ahead into spring and summer 2020. It’s reported that trend information is increasingly being used by suppliers to aid and inspire new product development and by retailers to develop product portfolios and merchandise stories that attract new customers and maintain the interest of existing customers. This year’s visitors included Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Tesco, Paperchase, The White Company, Asos, Cass Art, Ryman, Waterstones, Scribbler, TJX Europe, Hochanda, Anthropologie, John Lewis, Foyles, The British Library, B&M Retail, WHSmith, Office Club, Clintons, Accessorize, Fortnum & Mason, Jojo Maman Bebe, National Gallery, Spicers and Colemans. In addition to these big names, a large number of independent gift shops and specialist stationers were in attendance, including Retailer Stationery award-winning Scriptum Fine Stationery, Mantons Cards, Morgan’s Stationery, Pen to Paper, Pencil Me In and Marple Stationery Supplies, which led this year’s #StationeryShopSaturday campaign during National Stationery Week. Henri Davis, chair of the Supplier Stationery Awards judging panel, independent retail consultant and deputy chair of The Giftware Association, said: “The show had a fantastic vibe, and there were so many new and innovative products on show, which confirms the industry is still in good shape.” This was the first year that the Stationery Awards were given their own website and opened to the industry as a whole. This was made possible by the support of AT Cross, which sponsored the Retailer categories, and GO Stationery, which sponsored the new Designer category. The Stationery Award winners took centre stage in the show’s New Product Showcase, which greeted visitors as they entered the show. “It’s important the Stationery Awards are representative of what’s new in the market and help to set benchmarks in performance and good practice that others can aspire to and aim to beat,” said awards coordinator Vanessa Fortnam. “Being able to display the Awards entries at the stationery sector’s annual show is a big plus for the entrants and buyers.” The show’s live talks, retailer workshops and Creative Stationery Workshops were also well-attended, with most places booked ahead of the show. Visitor vetting was introduced for the first time this year in response to exhibitor requests to ensure that those attending the show were authentic stationery buyers, licensors or valuable influencers. Event manager Hazel Fieldwick said: “It certainly helped to focus our minds on the types of companies, influencers and buyers we encourage to visit the show, so despite slightly lower visitor numbers this year (1,849 compared to 2,007 in 2018), it was great to see a fantastic mix of retailers attending the show and getting involved in the workshops and talks. It proves that the stationery category continues to offer good sales across all types of retail.” The show’s 10 th anniversary will be celebrated in 2020, when the show will run on 21 st and 22 nd April 2020 at the Business Design Centre in London. For more information, visit stationeryshowlondon.co.uk NEXT TIME Show Stationery Show London Venue Business Design Centre, London Dates 21 st -22 nd April, 2020 Website stationeryshowlondon.co.uk