Gift Focus - Sep/Oct 2019 (Issue 115)

16 Tendence 2019: a r oundup Clearly structured by trading forms, lifestyles and target groups, Tendence 2019 focused even more closely on the needs of customers. For three days, 603 exhibitors presented their fashionable lifestyle and trend products. The trade fair’s new, modified concept, numerous events and live presentations contributed to the positive mood among exhibitors and visitors. Tendence 2019 was notable not only for its wealth of inspiring ideas but also its brand-new three-day concept and focus on the challenges that face the consumer goods market. Last September, because of the transformational changes taking place in the consumer goods industry, Messe Frankfurt decided to develop a new concept for Tendence and shorten its duration to three days. “These modifications and the decision to adapt Tendence’s focus to retailers’ specific structures and needs gained widespread acceptance among retailers during the event,” says Stephan Kurzawski, board of management of Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. “The launch of two new online platforms – Nextrade and Conzoom Solutions – also underlines how Messe Frankfurt plans to support retailers in the future as digitisation continues to play an ever-greater role in the industry.” Temperatures outside the halls were tropical, as 15,000 buyers from 80 countries once again used Tendence to network, experience and order. Visitor satisfaction scores remained high. The proportion of international buyers was stable compared to last year. After Germany, the top nations visiting the fair were Switzerland, Italy, Austria, France, the People’s Republic of China, the Netherlands, Japan, Poland, Belgium, Vietnam and the UK. Visitor growth from Ireland and South East Europe was particularly strong. The next Tendence will take place from 4 th –6 th July, 2020. For further information, please visit tendence.com Exciting changes ahead for the Wales Spring Fair in its 41 st year Having celebrated the show’s 40 th year in 2019 and firmly cementing its place as Wales’ premier home and gift show, the Wales Spring Fair continues to grow from strength to strength. Exciting changes are ahead for 2020, when, for the first time, the duration will change. Taking on board the considerations of exhibitors, who are constantly finding it harder to find time to be out of the office for long periods, the 2020 Fair will now be a three-day show. Taking place from 19 th January to 2 1st January, 2020, there’s no better place for exhibitors to showcase their latest product ranges, whether they’re already established in Wales or just starting the journey to break into the Welsh market. With time such a precious asset to us all, the new three-day show will help to ensure that more companies are able to exhibit, taking advantage of displaying their newest must-have products while also being given the opportunity for face-to-face interactions. 2020 sees the return of many regular exhibitors, including Richard Lang & Son Ltd, Pretty Beautiful, TY UK Ltd, Pageant Wood Crafts and Cadwyn. Not forgetting welcoming back An Unexpected Artist, Max Rocks and Gwynedd Confectioners, to name just a few. The latest additions to the show include Welsh Connection, Little Bit Different, Made With a Smile and Coco Pzazz. For more information on the Wales Spring Fair, visit walesspringfair.co.uk or contact walesspringfair@venuecymru.co.uk or call +44 (0)1492 879 771 PURIFY LIVING FAIR TO LAUNCH IN LONDON THIS OCTOBER Purify Living Fair will open its doors to trade for the first time on 21 st October, 2019, at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. Supported by The GA, and with Turkey as its international trading partner, this inspirational new event will bring together an exciting array of contemporary lifestyle and homeware companies, many of which have never exhibited in the UK before. Product categories presented at the show are to include furniture, lighting, home décor and accessories, home textiles, kitchen and dining, kids living and outdoor living. Show founder Suna Solak said: “We’re very excited about the launch of Purify Living Fair and are proud to introduce our lovingly curated showcase of selected manufacturers in design-led home furnishings and décor. The show will incorporate some of the boldest and most talented designers from the UK and overseas, offering beautiful products that, in many cases, are crafted from sustainable materials using ecologically sound manufacturing processes. The show will offer retail buyers, interior designers, architects, property developers and the HoReCa trade an inspirational environment in which to discover some of the most innovative homeware manufacturers in the world today.” The headline partner of the Fair, Turkel Fuarcilik A.S, which creates new markets for local and international businesses across a broad variety of manufacturing industries, will not only create a magnificent showcase of furniture and home accessories in the Business Design Centre but will also bring a delegation of top Turkish retailers to the show as part of the overseas trade and export initiative. The show is free to the trade; register to visit at @purelivingfair on facebook, twitter or instagram or call +44 (0)20 3488 0809 for further information. For further in-depth show previews and reports, turn to: 61 Top Drawer preview 73 Brand Licensing Europe preview 75 Speciality & Fine Food Fair 77 STYLE FAIR Asia preview 81 Autumn Fair preview An Unexpected Artist