The positivity felt by exhibitors across the Harrogate Home & Gift show floor has translated directly into bookings for the 2024 edition, confirms show organiser Clarion, with a record 66% of next year’s floor plan accounted for at the end of last week’s show.
According to Clarion, exhibitors saw significantly increased footfall compared to 2022, with an overall growth of 14%, and a 9% increase in the individual companies that attended.
The show also benefited from a 15% increase in buyers from garden centres, a 48% increase in museum and gallery buyers, and a 63% increase in buyers from department stores. Clarion predict the numbers indicate a strong Q3 and Q4 for the retail industry, and increased positivity for customer spending ahead of 2024.
Among the visitors to the show was gift retailer Janet Hartree, owner of Ewe and Me and Ewe Too in Grantown-on-Spey. “ It’s important for us to see products in the flesh, so Home & Gift was a good opportunity to meet up with our suppliers and see their new stock as well as to discover new companies too,” she told GiftsandHome.net.
“To see such a large increase in footfall – with all the subsequent connections made and orders taken – speaks volumes about the high regard in which this show is held within the industry,” stated show manager David Westbrooke. “The record-breaking re-book was the icing on the cake. Roll on 2024!”
Next year’s Harrogate Home & Gift will be taking place a week later on 21-24 July 2024.
