Organisers of the revamped Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn report good orders as buyers sourced products as the exhibition moved from its traditional late September date to 20-21 August.
With 115 exhibitors from gifts and homeware, to crafts and cards and jewellery to textiles, the new early date allowed retailers to source stock and place orders in advance of the English trade gift shows. Many retailers are running low in stock following a very busy summer tourist season with North American, Far Eastern and cruise ship visitors returning to Scotland in their droves.
The new Craft Gallery proved a hit with a host of creative suppliers of jewellery, crafts and textiles, which is particularly popular with galleries, high end retailers and those looking for something a little different.
The Launch Gallery for new young companies was full with some 17 exhibitors such as Muka Jewellery, The Ink Balm, LilyBee, Purple Sage Soap Company and Victoria Gordon Art, to mention just a few.
Simon Henderson from Earth Squared said: “This Show has been good on many accounts with good orders processed. The date change has made the show more relevant in the buying calendar for shops as it is now ahead of Autumn Fair so shops can place orders here first without the rush at Autumn Fair.”
Christmas orders were flowing as well, giving the suppliers decent lead times to fulfil them.
Kirsty Gibson from ENESCO said: “This is our first time at Scotland’s Trade Fair and we have seen many new customers, especially ones that we have wanted to supply for years, so this allowed us to meet them face to face. The new timing is useful as we can show our Christmas stock and get ahead on sales for next year pre the January shows.”
Mark Saunders said: “The show saw an increase in exhibitors of 10% and a huge increase of new exhibitors to the show. Products were of a very high quality.
Judith Gray, from National Museums of Scotland added: “It is very important to have a show at this time of year as you can spend more time seeing suppliers, searching for new ones and seeing the products in person. Nothing beats sourcing at a Trade Fair.”
