Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - Page number 63 - July/August 2021

63 EXCLUSIVELY PREVIEW Exclusively open The Exclusively Show is throwing open its doors once more, and presents a perfect buying opportunity for the gift and homewares market The return of a live Exclusively Show – potentially the first opportunity for gift, housewares, tableware, small domestic electricals and destination garden centre buyers to get together with suppliers for many months – is an exciting prospect. So says Will Jones, chair of Exclusively and chief operating officer of BHETA the show. From a gift perspective, not only does the vast majority of product categorised as housewares have gift potential, but the 2021 show – scheduled for 24 th and 25 th August – has more exhibitors with consumable gifts alongside general merchandise than probably ever before. The Launchpad – a new feature at the live show dedicated to smaller companies and start- ups – offers products such as baking kits, designer fragrances, speciality teas, exotic spice blends, gorgeous cheeses designed for the gift market, homemade curing kits, foodie hampers and an array of handmade British food gifts. So, whether buying for a luxury emporium, a deli, a wedding list specialist or a small independent gift and card shop, Exclusively has everything from high end dining and glassware to designer cookware, to kitchen gadgets to electricals to decorative – and now foodstuffs as well. Exclusively is also not just about product. It has a reputation for predicting commercial trends and a proven track record for enabling brands to get in front of buyers and the media. Popular features such as the Trend Talks and Tours with trend forecaster, Scarlet Opus and the Brand Showcase, which provides media with a curated insight into the best new products, have been expanded considerably compared to previous years. Insightful trend predictions are a particular draw for savvy buyers and this year will be no exception. At the briefing meeting for exhibitors in early May, Phil Pond from Scarlet Opus gave a sneak preview of three trends that will start to come through from the Autumn/Winter – the idea being to help ensure that the products on display at the show are perfectly placed for buyers both short term and into Christmas, as well as long term. Neo Luxe – all sophistication and dark romance from earlier centuries combines rich luxurious colours with high drama and an almost punk quality in its provocative glamour – will be key for Christmas and the look will be around for three to five years. Reset – accepts sustainability not as a trend but as ‘the norm’ – this is about the circular economy and designing out waste and will see blues and greens with muted patterns reminiscent of foliage, herb, fruit and vegetables. The third trend to be previewed was Togetherness, which will manifest in Spring/Summer 2022. Upbeat and positive, joyful, colourful and vintage, it is all about sharing, collaboration and putting people first, a multicultural outdoors theme with flavours of Africa and the Caribbean. There is no doubt that products that work with any of these themes will not only be prevalent in the exhibition in general, but also in the Brand Showcase – a media-friendly edit of the main show – where some 250 press, bloggers and influencers will soak up the on-trend thinking and use it in all their coverage to come. One of the great things about Exclusively is the level playing field it offers to all companies – large, small and new to the market – ensuring that buyers see the leading brands, the major launches and many items that they will not have seen anywhere else. With 130 exhibitors and 300 brands on show, Exclusively will be the perfect opportunity for buyers, journalists and influencers to find everything they need. Given all that the world has endured over the last fifteen or so months, it goes without saying that the safety of all Exclusively visitors and exhibitors is paramount, and Exclusively is working closely with its venue, The Business Design Centre in Islington, to ensure that all necessary protocols for registration, hospitality, events, meetings and the total visitor/exhibitor experience are in place. Will added, “Everyone can be confident in being there and in enjoying a great show. The opportunities to see the latest product, talk to suppliers and gather all manner of excellent content and market intelligence is second to none. Exclusively is a real must for gift buyers.” More information about visiting Exclusively can be obtained from the BHETA Member Services Team on +44 (0)121 237 1130 or via the website www.exclusivelyshows.co.uk IN BRIEF: When: 24-25 August, 2021 Where: Business Design Centre, London www.exclusivelyshows.co.uk