Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - Page number 21 - September/October 2021

21 NEWS & EVENTS CURATED MEETINGS TO DEBUT AT AUTUMN FAIR Already a huge success for over five years at its partner show in Las Vegas, USA – Autumn Fair is now bringing the Curated Meetings service to the UK; introducing pre-qualified and vetted premium buyers who are actively sourcing to relevant, quality suppliers. Over 500 meetings are planned across two days, bringing together buyers from a host of leading national and independent retailers keen to hand-pick next season’s bestsellers including John Lewis, JoJo Maman Bebe, Moonpig. com, Next, Oliver Bonas, Oxfam, 1517, Bloom & Wild, Superdrug, Booths supermarkets, Coopers of Stortford, Dinghams, Findon Garden Centre, Lark, Lowden Garden Centre, Mooch, Museum of Oxford, Robert Dyas, Sally Bee Lifestyle, Statement Home & Gifts, The Dispensary, Velvet Store, and many more. Designed to offer a highly curated, time-efficient and no hassle match-making service where buyers and suppliers only take meetings with partners they have selected and approved, Curated Meetings provides a unique opportunity for buyers and suppliers to meet and kickstart long-term relationships and creates a better, more productive way to buy. Using the Curated Meetings online platform, buyers can filter for products that truly suit their desired aesthetic, product type, price range and beyond. Whether that’s lifestyle and Scandi, classic and vintage, or maybe children’s toys through to ceramics or silver jewellery. Buyers can then browse relevant products from some incredible brands and request meetings with suppliers that catch their eye including Alex Clark Art, Allied Imports, Ashleigh & Burwood, Bispol Candles, Bubblegum Stuff, By Molly&Izzie, Country Creation, D & J and Glassware. Maleha Khan, Product Manager of Autumn Fair Curated Meetings says: “Curated Meetings is a game-changing proposition for the future of buying and sourcing in retail. Already celebrated as a lead-sourcing programme in the USA delivering 1000’s of meetings per event, the much-anticipated Curated Meetings’ UK debut beta trial will take place during Autumn Fair 2021 with a focus on gifts; the full-scale programme will launch across multiple sectors at Spring Fair 2022. Buyers have a limited amount of time to source new brands and product collections and Curated Meetings enables them to line up a series of time efficient and hassle-free appointments to discover and see brands quickly and easily when they are on- site. All meetings are double opt-in, so both buyers and vendors must accept, ensuring maximum relevance and engagement. Spaces are limited and in-demand though, so act fast to apply for yours.” Buyers and vendors must meet criteria and be approved to take part in Curated Meetings. Once meetings have been requested, onsite appointments are scheduled during allocated time slots on the Monday and Tuesday of the show to be held in a dedicated Curated Meetings space. Applications can be submitted at www.autumnfair.com/curated-meetings Hyve Group announce Retail Trust as charity partner for Spring and Autumn Fair Hyve Group has announced the Retail Trust as its Charity Partner for Spring and Autumn Fair, and its Wellbeing Partner across all its Retail Shows in the UK comprising Spring Fair, Autumn Fair, Pure, Glee and Scoop. The two-year partnership will see the Retail Trust provide dedicated support, awareness and fundraising for the retail sector. The partnership will incorporate offsite volunteer days, team challenges, and onsite activity kicking off at Autumn Fair on the 5 th -8 th September, 2021 at NEC Birmingham. The partnership also sees the exciting launch of the Female Founders scheme that will offer free stands to 10 inspirational female founders. The Retail Trust has been caring for, and protecting, the lives of people working in retail since 1832. Hyve Group plc’s UK Retail division has already supported the Retail Trust’s online wellbeing event ‘For the four’ in May, and in June employees volunteered to help get the Retail Trust’s new online eBay fundraising shop up and running: sorting donated clothes, taking pictures, writing descriptions, and getting images online. All the money the online sales make will go towards running the Retail Trust’s supported-living estates. The charity provides a much-needed safe haven and happy community where the over 55’s can thrive, maintain their health and retain their independence. During the two-year charity partnership, Hyve Group will take part in fundraising activities to raise awareness and funds for the Retail Trust. A dedicated Wellbeing section will launch on each of the event websites for Spring and Autumn Fair, Glee, Pure and Scoop. This will feature informative and supportive articles alongside videos that support the wellbeing of retailers and wholesalers alike. Alongside this, the Retail Trust will also be supporting the Spring Fair Female Founders initiative. Launching at Autumn Fair 2021, Female Founders initiative is an exciting program created to champion and celebrate inspiring female entrepreneurs. The initiative will support the growth of female founded retail businesses by offering six businesses a free stand at Spring Fair 2021, followed by 12 months of business mentoring with leading female entrepreneurs. The scheme will be announced and launched at Autumn Fair in September. Managing Director, Retail & Fashion at Hyve Group plc, Julie Driscoll says; “We are absolutely thrilled to announce the Retail Trust as our Charity & Wellbeing Partner. Over the next two years we look forward to raising much needed funds and awareness, especially after the incredibly challenging year the retail sector and especially the independents have experienced. Through our shows we are entrenched in the retail industry and fully understand the importance of listening to and understanding its needs, offering support and advice, health, and wellbeing initiatives, as well as celebrating entrepreneurship.” A host of onsite wellbeing initiatives at Autumn Fair will be announced before the show but look set to include a Wellbeing lounge to allow attendees to escape the busy show floor and focus on their wellbeing, meditation sessions, and wellbeing content sessions providing information on the wellbeing services and training the Retail Trust offers as a charity. Find out more at www.autumnfair.com/wellness-hub