Bumper show issue - Gift Focus magazine

Top Drawer looks set to tick all theboxes for top products, top trendsand top results.Organiser Clarion Events reportsa 40 per cent increase in newexhibitors set to showcase cuttingedge products at the design-led showthis autumn.Taking place in the heart of London atcentrally based Olympia it is billed as a “mustvisit”event for retailers wanting to gain thatall-important competitive edge.The show promises to deliver a platform forleaders in design-led products to launch hotnew products for the crucial Christmas buyingseason, offering retailers the opportunityto source form the best in British andinternational talent. Clarion reports that 75 percent of exhibitors will not be showing at anyother UK trade show this September.With around 700 companies due to takepart, product ranges will span five main buyingzones – Home, Gift, Fashion, Children’s andGreetings.There will also be free seminars andsurgeries offering comprehensive advice,geared to help drive business and turn productinto profit.SpottedLaunching at this year’s autumn edition,Spotted is a handpicked showcase of tendesign-based businesses, not seen at anyother UK trade fair. Selected for the originalityof their products, Top Drawer offers uniquenew companies the chance to launch theirinspirational ideas to the gift market. Thediverse collection includes graphic stationery,hand thrown ceramics and belts made fromrecycled bicycle tyres.Retail guruA leading light in retail, Peter Cross has beennamed as a headline speaker.He runs one of London’s top retail andshopper marketing consultancies, Yellowdoorwith business partner and TV personalityMary Portas. Clients range from Louis Vuitton,Westfield London, Clarks Shoes and Swarovski.Having consulted and contributed to the BBC’sMary Queen of Shops programmes, Peteris well versed in transforming big ideas intoeffective actions for independent retailers.He will be presenting a lively and informativeseminar at Top Drawer at 12 noon on Monday,13 th September. The presentation will coverhow independent retailers can learn from thebig boys by engaging effectively with a postrecession consumer.Peter will also introduce four new pillarsof marketing, provide examples of innovativeideas, both big and small, from around theworld and deliver understanding of how to putthe ideas into practice.Product GB: Designed and Made inGreat BritainThis year the Product GB label has beenexpanded at Clarion’s London shows to fullyrecognise the creative talents of its exhibitorsas well as their use of UK-based producers andmanufacturers.For the purposes of Product GB, the term‘Made in Britain’ indicates that all of theproducts on an exhibitor’s stand are madein Britain from predominantly UK-sourcedmaterials. If any significant elements of theproducts have been imported, they musthave been substantially altered in the UKbasedproduction process. This recognisesthe importance of value added by Britishworkmanship and manufacturing. For example,imported textiles that have been dyed orprinted in Britain can be said to have beensignificantly altered in this country and aretherefore ‘Made in Britain’.Eco TrailRenowned TV presenter and environmentalchampion Oliver Heath returns to lend hissupport to the show’s accredited Eco Trail.Oliver’s stamp identifies products that are:• Produced ethically• Under fair trade schemes• Ideally made of sustainable materials• Biodegradable or reusable in some wayThe exhibitors’ products which are selectedwill be clearly marked with the ‘Eco Trailcertified by Oliver Heath’ sticker, making itreally easy for visitors to be ‘green’ about theirchoice of product.For further information visit the websitewww.topdrawer.co.uk30 giftfocus