Gift Focus - Mar/Apr 2020 (Issue 118)

15 NEWS & EVENTS Not just the sun shone on Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring, attendance figures were up by 4 per cent with exhibitors reporting healthy orders, visitors commenting on the high quality of products on offer and everyone buoyed up by the positive vibes throughout the Show. It’s particularly noticeable that over the past 10 years, the quality of the products and the producers has risen dramatically, meaning the show is now attracting all types of shops, galleries, tourist destinations, online outlets and overseas buyers to the only trade gift show in Scotland. With Scotland the ‘brand’, signifying quality and originality, there was a big increase in overseas buyers, particularly North America, Japan and France, who wanted to source innovative and well produced products. A new trend noticed particularly this year is how retailers, and consumers, are far more concerned about sustainability and packaging, reflected by producers in the way they present their goods, what type of products are on offer and the provenance. Scotland’s Trade Fair is much more than just a buying platform – all the talks and workshops in the Talking Shop theatre were well attended, networking was a key feature of the show and the added extras, such as the Best Product Awards, attracted lots of attention. BEST PRODUCT AWARDS 2020 WINNERS Textiles and Jewellery 1. Olive Pearson Designs - Scarf 2. Alison Hadden Jewellery - Silver Enamel Robin Necklace 3. Green Grove Weavers - Mohair Throw Cards and Stationery 1. Truly Scotland - Greetings card with badge 2. Faye Stevens - Pop-up card 3. All That Glitters - Card with wooden brooch Home and Giftware 1. Darach - Upcycled bench 2. Highland Stoneware - Cup and Saucer 3. Siabann - Shampoo bar Launch Gallery 1. Greater Good Wood - Cheese Board 2. Ebb and Flow Jewellery - Twig Bar Necklace 3. Marc Peters Glass - Decorations Confidence at Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring Positive vibes in Harr ogate The festive period was extended for the north Yorkshire town of Harrogate, which enjoyed an influx of 5,000 visitors to the area in January; as people flocked to participate in the trade show for the Christmas industry – Harrogate Christmas & Gift. The show, which celebrated its 70 th anniversary, is hugely popular with department stores, independent retailers, gift shops, garden centres, tourist attractions and event organisers all looking to maximise opportunities with the very latest offerings in decorations, lights, gift ranges and products for the home and garden the entire year round. The 2020 show was a huge success for both the companies exhibiting products and the visitors attending in search of new lines to tempt their customers or make their venues stand out from the crowd. This positivity was echoed by many exhibitors with Jonny Greves of Lesser & Pavey adding: “We had a great show. We saw lots of customers who had traded very well over the Christmas period and wanted to order their brand-new ranges for Christmas 2020. We also met lots of new customers and prospects who placed orders. As always, the show organisation was exceptional and we will 100 per cent be exhibiting again next year.” Alan Pimm of Sifcon International also reported a successful show saying: “Our product ranges were very well received and we had an increase in footfall compared to previous years and orders were up 26 per cent with quotes still to come back. We’re very happy and will certainly be returning next year.” Simon Anslow, show organiser commented: “Overall, it appears that both exhibitors and buyers enjoyed another great show. However, this year was tinged with sadness as our show chairman, Paul Cassidy of Casdon Toys, sadly passed away just before the show. Paul was a show director and very much part of the scene from the very beginning 70 years ago. He’ll be sadly missed by everyone in the industry.” Booking forms for Harrogate Christmas & Gift 2021 – which will once again be at the Harrogate Convention Centre from 10 th to 13 th January – will be available in March. More information is available on the website harrogatefair.com 