“Wasn’t it great to be out in the hustle and bustle of a show with actual products and suppliers! Zoom is just not the same!” acknowledges Liz Lawson, md of Lawsons in Devon after attending Exclusively last week (August 24-25, Islington Business Design Centre).
As Harry Downham of Falcon Products sums up: “A large part of the show was catching up with our customers and hearing how department stores and independent cookshops have adapted.” Falcon Products’ new products included pasta making accessories, such as Corzetti Stamps, and reusable burger liners, which are “ideal for freezing your homemade burgers or for vegan burgers which tend to stick,” says Falcon’s Gary Downham.
Meanwhile, meat lovers were also catered for with previewed products including Tramontina’s Black Collection of knives for meat – due to be launched next year. The collection includes filleting and carving knives, carving claws, cleaver, and slicer.
Providing a flexible solution for recycling with different colour options, the Morandi Touch Bin by EKO was among the innovations on display in the Brand Showcase. EKO also showcased its Automatic Hand Sanitiser and Liquid Soap Dispenser with a magnetic charger that makes it “100% waterproof for use by the sink,” points out EKO’s Brian Walmsley.
Showing some Judge highlights at Exclusively, Horwood’s Richard Sharp, marketing manager, and marketing executives Hannah Richards and Francesca Nester (pictured) were able to meet stockists to discuss how they are working on exciting brand transformations for 2022.
Paul Spencer, md of Original Products comments: “Thanks to the organisers of Exclusively, who anticipated a strong appetite for the show, even without the foreign buyers. There was some sadness with lost friends in the business, but a lot of optimism and encouraging signs from new and regular customers. It was actually a thrill to write new orders and to hear such positive comments.”
Concurring, David Holmes, md of The DRH Collection reflects: “The best thing about Exclusively was how positive everyone has been and how pleased retailers are to be back seeing products.”
At What More, Andy Riley, sales director reports: “The show was very well attended by both national accounts and independents. Wham products, which included many new ones and extensions to ranges, were very well received and the buzz our team got from actually meeting our customers face-to-face was electric.”
Top: The Cookware Company at Exclusively: Neil McKintoch, Jason Kirk, Nadia Bogdert, Andy Webb, Ashley Plunkett and Marcus Wallen.
