Kieran McBride, Fenwick’s director of buying for furniture, home and food is the headline speaker at the next retailer forum hosted by BHETA (Federation House, Vyse Street, Birmingham on Thursday October 31). Having undergone many changes with a restructure to central buying over the past year, Kieran will bring BHETA members up to speed on new projects and developments. He will also discuss how suppliers can support future developments and further establish trading relationships.
The Fenwick Group comprises eight department stores across the UK. It was founded in 1882 by John James Fenwick in Newcastle upon Tyne, where the company’s head office is still located.
The BHETA forum’s agenda also includes Dan Black, co-founder and lead designer at black + blum. Dan will be talking about sustainable product design and the challenges faced by designers. black + blum is renowned for designing its products with re-use and sustainability in mind, ensuring that they have a long life, using eco-friendly materials where possible.
Meanwhile Phil Pond of trend forecaster, Scarlet Opus, the company advising many suppliers and retailers in the housewares industry, will be providing insights into the issue of sustainability and eco-friendly goods and how advances in technology have led to innovation in manufacturing processes, material recovery possibilities and product design; 3D printing being perhaps the most well-known. Phil will consider how traditional methods of manufacturing and use of materials are being challenged by ‘creative disruptors’, and consumers’ support for this.
BHETA’s chief operating officer Will Jones commented, “Retailing continues to move fast, driven by the evolution of different shopping habits, attitudes and beliefs at macro level and ever more advanced technology. This forum will provide BHETA members with a unique insight into the opportunities for trading with a particularly established and well-loved department store. It will also disseminate invaluable foreknowledge of the styling, trend and consumer thinking-led opportunities to look out for, applicable to any party looking to develop this route to market.”
Refreshments will be provided on the day, including a networking lunch and the event. BHETA members wishing to attend should contact BHETA’s member services manager, Nicola Adams Brown on nab@bheta.co.uk.
Top: View of Fenwick Brent Cross.
