Housewares and home décor retailers from around Europe are among those already signed up for Curated Meetings at Autumn Fair (September 5-6 2022, NEC Birmingham). Following the success of its beta trial and UK launch at Spring and Autumn Fair, Curated Meetings has now opened up to buyers and brands from across Europe and the rest of the world.
“Curated Meetings is a game changing programme for the global retail community; for international decision-making buyers it offers the opportunity to discover amazing products in an efficient, focused, personal and highly productive way,” stated Elizabeth Miller, international buyer community manager, Curated Meetings. The programme facilitates 15-minute pre-scheduled, one-to-one meetings between qualified buyers and relevant suppliers based on a mutual interest to drive new business opportunities together.
Elizabeth elaborated: “Two highly successful Curated Meetings events have taken place at Spring and Autumn Fair in the last year, and it has without question proven its value. As part of the next phase of our strategy, we are very excited to be extending our reach to become a truly international proposition.”
Working closely with Department of International Trade representatives, Curated Meetings is specifically focused on attracting buyers and brands from Central and Eastern Europe, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Nordics, France, USA, Mexico, and India. Housewares and home good stockists already confirmed include: Four Sisters, The Snug, Hedgerows and Henry Vokes Adare from Ireland, Manor from Switzerland and Pro-92 from Slovenia.
Explaining the benefits for suppliers outside the UK, Elizabeth said: “For international brands, Curated Meetings enables a fast-track route into the UK market – plus brands don’t have to exhibit at Spring and Autumn Fair to take part in Curated Meetings.”
International buyers attending Curated Meetings will be able to accept meeting invitations with suppliers in advance of Autumn Fair. Retailers can plan up to nine 15-minute meetings to see and hold products, taking to suppliers in the exclusive Curated Meetings lounge. Approved buyers will also receive up to £350 in travel expense subsidies.
Drew Stevenson, source specialist from ASDA is among those keen to return to Curated Meetings to meet potential new suppliers and will advise his trading team to sign up too. After Spring Fair, he reported: “Through Curated Meetings, we did supplier groundwork in advance to identify the right meeting opportunities, and it worked really well.”
Placing orders directly after Curated Meetings, Carolyn Johnston, retail operations director from Houstons department stores (with cookshops in seven stores across Northern Ireland and Ireland) reflected: “I’ve been matched with companies that are useful to my business and it has made my life a lot easier.”
Top: Suppliers and buyers were enthusiastic about Curated Meetings at Spring Fair 2022.
