Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - November/December 2020

16 On with the show TOP DRAWER GOES DIGITAL FOR THE SS21 SEASON In light of ongoing restrictions put in place by the UK Government, Clarion Events has announced that the S/S21 edition of Top Drawer will be held virtually. Further to the UK Government’s announcement and reintroduction of further COVID-19 restrictions, it now seems unlikely that live events will be permitted before April 2021. On this basis, Clarion Events has announced that the next edition of Top Drawer cannot take place as intended in January. Show Director, Alejandra Campos, said: “Whilst we had hoped we could deliver a safe and successful event for the community, we have also been busy planning for such an eventuality and can confirm that the S/S21 edition will now take place as a virtual event. “Once more, our digital platform – Top Drawer On Demand – will allow the retail community to come together and access new opportunities to connect and trade. The digital programme will provide UK and overseas buyers with easy access to new products, expert advice and trends forecasting, as well as live product launch sessions and enhanced networking tools. “As ever, we are incredibly thankful for the support and feedback we have had from our exhibiting brands and our audience of buyers and designers. We look forward to welcoming them back to On Demand at the start of next year, where they can continue to discover new products and brands, connect with both new and prospective suppliers, and access invaluable industry insight.” More information on Top Drawer On Demand S/S21 will be announced in the coming weeks. Trade show updates from home and abroad Exclusively Digital proves successful Figures from The British Home Enhancement Association (BHETA), parent company of the Exclusively Show, reveal that this year’s Exclusively Digital, running throughout July, has been a huge success in terms of visitor numbers and visitor profile. In just the first two weeks, Exclusively Digital attracted 10% more individual visitors than the two- day live show, and twice as many overall visits. While the comparison is not like for like in the sense that each visitor to a website spends a smaller proportion of time ‘at the show’ as opposed to an in-person visit to the live event, drill-down into the detail on digital attendees still proves how popular the online event has been. Buyers from national retailers like B&M, Lakeland, Robert Dyas and John Lewis all visited the digital event as well as buyers from garden centres like Bents and Garden & Home and from supermarkets like Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. There were also international buyers on the website such as Vanderweens in Holland. There were over 200 housewares and gift brands showing new and on trend products at the digital event, as well as show features like the Launchpad for start-up suppliers and the well-respected Trend Hub. The latter saw over 300 online views of trend forecaster, Scarlet Opus’ predictions for key design and lifestyle trends for 2020, 2021 and beyond. Managing Director of Grunwerg, David Grunwerg said, “Given the tough challenges in this unprecedented economic landscape, Exclusively Digital has been a unique opportunity for suppliers and retailers to re-connect. It provided a great platform to showcase new products and trends that would have otherwise been missed. We are confident that it will help give the housewares industry a much-needed boost.” BHETA’s Chief Operating Officer and Chair of Exclusively, Will Jones said, “For obvious reasons the online event was created as an alternative to the live show, but it has proved to be massively valuable and relevant to the industry in its own right. I know the whole housewares, small electricals and gift sector will be delighted to know that the live show will return in 2021 as nothing quite equals the networking buzz that that provides, but Exclusively will be retaining the many features and benefits of its digital self as we move forward into the coming year.” Further information about Exclusively, BHETA’s wider events programme and BHETA member services can be found on the BHETA website www.bheta.co.uk or by contacting the BHETA Member Services Team on Team on +44 (0)7946 078 566 , or email na@bheta.co.uk. London Stationery Show announces show founder Chris Leonard-Morgan as Special Advisor Ocean Media Group has announced it is working with London Stationery Show’s founder Chris Leonard-Morgan, who will work with event director Alex Butler as Special Advisor on the future development and direction of London Stationery Show. Chris is an acknowledged stationery champion, well known in the industry and a Liveryman and guide at the historic Stationers’ Company in the City of London. Alex said, “The team and I are so pleased to be working with Chris. We’re very much looking forward to what the future holds for London Stationery Show and know that Chris’ experience and knowledge of the market will prove invaluable in driving the show forward.” For more information on London Stationery Show or to find out how you can get involved visit www.stationeryshow.co.uk or contact the team at stationeryshow@oceanmedia.co.uk