Gift Focus - Nov/Dec 2019 (Issue 116)

76 Platinum for Harrogate Harrogate Christmas & Gift boasts seven halls packed with goodies ideal for the Christmas period and all gifting opportunities IN BRIEF Show Harrogate Christmas & Gift Organiser Harrogate Christmas & Gift Where Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate When 12 th -15 th January, 2020 Website harrogatefair.com Open 9am-6pm Sun to Tues; 9am-4pm Wed The 2020 edition of Harrogate Christmas & Gift (formerly known as Harrogate International Toy Fair) marks 70 years as one of the most important UK festive and gift trade industry events. Interestingly, the gift on top of a 1949 child’s wish list – and possibly launched to the industry for the first time in Harrogate – was The Game of Cootie. This dice rolling game created by William Schaper in 1948 had the objective to create bug-like objects from a variety of body parts. Still going strong today, Cootie was named in the Toy Industry Association’s 2003 ‘Century of Toys’ list. The big question for Harrogate Christmas & Gift’s 70 th show is what the hottest gift ideas for will be 2020? In recent years, visitors have been given a heads up on new trends heading their way and have had plenty of time to fill their shelves with unicorns, llamas, elves and glitter sequins before their customers even realise that they will be ‘the next thing’. Next year will be no exception and we wait with bated breath to see what will be ringing the changes over the next 18 months. Those who haven’t already made an acquaintance with Harrogate Christmas & Gift would be forgiven for thinking that this is a trade show just for festive products – and if that’s your area of business, then this is absolutely the event for you. However, there are seven halls of the Harrogate Convention Centre packed with goodies not only for Christmas but for absolutely every gifting occasion imaginable, from Hanukkah and EID, Mother’s and Father’s Day, baby showers and christenings, Easter, Halloween, and birthdays. If you’re a retailer trying to capture your customers’ imagination with something special and different to loosen their purse strings, then you can’t afford to miss this event. Shopping in the UK has evolved in the last decade and because of the changing consumer landscape, bricks and mortar stores have had to adapt. It’s all too easy for consumers to purchase much of what they need online, so those heading out to the shops are looking for much more than to simply purchase products – they want an experience too. Garden centres have beautiful themed displays with products and gifts for every occasion including books and toys, food and drink, puzzles and candles, pet products and, apparently, the new thing this year is the ‘pet Santa grotto’ so the family pooch can enjoy its day out as much as the kids. Visitor attractions such as theme parks, heritage centres and even cathedrals that open their doors to the public are also making much more of their gift shops, offering a range of exciting items to tempt their audiences rather than the odd keyring or pencil as was previously the tradition. Simon Anslow, show organiser, advises that exhibitor space at Harrogate Christmas & Gift is almost sold out with just a few prime spots left. He says, “The diversity of products on display at the show has grown dramatically in recent years and I’m always pleasantly surprised to see so many new and unexpected ranges. Last year, visitors could purchase anything from garden furniture and ornaments to house wares, toys, food and gift ranges, cards and candles – in fact, as soon as you walk into the Harrogate Convention Centre you will be enveloped in delicious smells from perfumed products such as diffusers, pot pourri and fragranced cones and, of course, the ‘must have’ gift of fragranced candles.” For more information and to register to attend visit harrogatefair.com