A look at the very best Trade Shows: Top Drawer, Maison&Object, Spring Fair and RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
The United Kingdom is home to a wide range of highly anticipated trade shows, attracting visitors, the most successful retailers, contract buyers, press, industry professionals and exhibitors from all over the world. In this blog, we will be taking a closer look at four of the most popular trade shows in and near the UK: Top Drawer, Maison&Object, Spring Fair and RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Top Drawer
Top Drawer is a highly anticipated design-led event that takes place twice a year in London. It brings together a curated selection of innovative, high-quality brands and products from the worlds of home, gift, fashion, and craft. The brand are selected for their design, originality and commercial appeal. The show attracts 21,000+ visitors, including the most successful retailers, contract buyers, press, and industry professionals from all over the world. Unique retailers include Harrods, The Conran Shop, Harvey Nichols, Galeries Lafayette, Anthropologie, Oliver Bonas, Selfridges, Wolf & Badger and Liberty London, to name a few. The 500+ exhibitors showcase their latest collections within the iconic Olympia London building, connecting with potential customers, and staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends. The show is divided into 9 different sections, including Home, Gift, Fashion, Craft, and Spotted, which showcases emerging design talent. There are also a 'Retailfest' area which is a series of talks aimed to give advice and help you think big about challenges to make your business special. Leading voices across retail, such as Holly Tucker, founder of Not On The High Street, share their experiences and wisdom to help you stay ahead of the game and in the know.
With it's 82,000 social media following, the Top Drawer trade show is a must-attend event for anyone in the design and retail industries looking to gain exposure for their brand or to source high-quality products for their business this season. The next Top Drawer trade show is scheduled to take place on September 11th-12th 2023 at Olympia London in the UK. For more information, please visit Top Drawer Website.
Spring Fair
Spring Fair is the UK's largest gift and home trade event, attracting thousands of exhibitors from the UK and around the world. The event takes place annually in Birmingham and is a one-stop-shop for retailers looking to source new products and keep up with the latest developments in the gift industry. Spring Fair features a wide range of products, including home decor, gifts, fashion, jewellery, and toys. It is an excellent platform for exhibitors to showcase their new products and generate leads. Spring Fair is an essential event for anyone interested in the retail and gifting industries, and the next show will take place next year between February 4th-7th at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. For more information, please visit Spring Fair's website.
Maison&Objet
Maison&Objet is a premium design and lifestyle trade show that takes place twice a year in Paris, France. It is the decoration and lifestyle industry's most publicised event. The event attracts a mixture of interior designers, architects, and retailers, featuring a wide range of exhibitors showcasing the latest trends in home decor, furniture, lighting, textiles, and more. Maison&Objet is known for its high-end, design-focused exhibitors and attracts over 60,000 buyers from all over the world, 90% of whom want to meet new suppliers. This event is one of the largest in the world, with over 2,300 exhibitors and 1,000 journalists. No other event gives this level of customer reach, sparking business opportunities you wouldn't find elsewhere. According to Maison-object website, 81% of buyers place an order within the first 6 months. The show is divided into different sectors, including Maison and Objet (home décor and design), Luxe (high-end lifestyle products), Éditeurs (publishers and galleries), and Scènes d'intérieur (creative installations and interior design displays). It is an excellent platform for exhibitors to showcase their new products, connect with potential buyers, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the design and lifestyle industries. The next Maison&Objet exhibition will take place later this year at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Parc des Expositions in Paris on September 7th-11th. For more information, please visit Maison&Object website.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a world-famous event that takes place annually in London. It showcases the very best in garden design and horticulture, with a focus on innovation and creativity. It attracts visitors from all over the world, including gardeners, horticulturists, and landscape designers, and the show features a range of stunning gardens, floral displays, and exhibits. The event is an excellent platform for exhibitors to showcase their work and products, and to connect with other gardening enthusiasts.
Some of the world’s finest growers and nurseries exhibit impressive displays and offer expert advice when you visit. Nothing compares to being surrounded by the colour and fragrance in the Pavilion - a truly unique experience at the world's most famous flower show. The next Flower Show will be held between May 22nd and May 27th later this year on the beautiful grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London. For more information, please visit RHS Chelsea Flower Show Website.
If you are wondering why it is important to exhibit your collection at trade shows, here are a few reasons;
1. It allows you to meet and connect with prospective customers in person. Discussing and showing your products face to face is a great way to connect with a potential buyer, as they get to know and recognise you, which is difficult to do via a telephone call or email. It is also a great way to show the quality of your products if they can physically see and hold it.
2. In a competitive industry, trade shows give you valuable knowledge about new developments in your industry. It is a place to announce your latest innovations and developments which is a great insight for you to know what to improve on.
3. Meet new companies that can help your business grow - not only will you meet prospective customers, but also prospective vendors. You may meet a manufacturer that can create better quality products for you, at a lower cost or a distributor that can help expand your supply chain. Trade shows are a two-sided opportunity for your business.
4. Strengthen your brand image. Trade shows allow you to be just as exposed to potential buyers, as your larger competitors. It is a valuable opportunity to strengthen your brand and establish a leader position in your dedicated industry. It is really important to spend time, plan and invest in an aesthetically pleasing stand, which resonates with your branding (colour, theme, fonts etc), as the goal is to showcase your products and brand in the best possible way. By visiting a trade show prior to entering, this will give you a great insight into what stands work the best in a very busy hall!
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog about the very best trade shows in the UK/Europe. I hope to exhibit my collection in one of these fantastic shows next year, so keep an eye out!