Visitor numbers at Exclusively, both domestic and international, were up this year after exhibition space sold out sooner than ever.
Will Jones, Exclusively Show chair and chief operating officer of show owner, BHETA said: “This was the most successful Exclusively for some time in terms of commercial and media engagement.”
Exclusively 2024 saw a 5% growth in visitor numbers on top of the 10% jump in 2023. This year included record numbers of international buyers. Media engagement was also up by 41% with the new Wednesday press event proving a massive hit, and visits to Trend Showcase, Trend Talks and Trend Tours were also significantly up.
Will added: “This is an excellent achievement in today’s challenging retail environment, where numbers of retailers have shrunk over the last decade.
“The team has put a lot of effort into ensuring that the traditionally quieter second day had multiple levels of new appeal to ensure it performed better for all parties. Over both days, there was more NPD, more brand interaction and more expert forecasting than ever – and the show as a whole really saw the benefits. Bookings for 2025 are already very strong.”
Buyers from the likes of Amazon, AO, Argos, Blue Diamond, Boots, B&Q, Currys, Dobbies, Dunelm, Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, Homebase, John Lewis, Lakeland, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Next, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Selfridges, Tesco, Robert Dyas and Wickes mingled with a plethora of UK independents and specialist cookshops, hardware and electrical shops, department stores, and shopping channels, as well as retailers such as Freemans, Trago Mills and TJX. Overseas buyers from as far away as South Africa were joined by retailers from Germany, France, Spain, Eire, Sweden and the Channel Islands.
James Gray, founder of Barista & Co, who exhibited, said: “Wow, what an amazing show at Exclusively Housewares this year. The best show we’ve had for years. It is tough out there but positivity does exist…”
Exclusively regularly has over 140 companies and 300 brands participating and attracts all the leading UK buyers in the categories it represents. It also targets international buyers, journalists, bloggers, and influencers, so the opportunities for exhibitors are extensive.
