John Lewis greetings buyer joins brand-new Product Pitch at A/W edition
As Top Drawer returns for its three-day autumn/winter edition from 8-10 September, a brand-new Product Pitch element has been unveiled involving John Lewis greeting card buyer Jason Billings-Cray.
The event is in partnership with Ind!e, which helps small businesses host pop-up shops in major retailers, and sees Jason joined by Marianne Carter, of Morleys Stores Group; Sara Allbright, of Retail100; and Ind!e’s Matt Hopkins, to pick the best of four lucky brands.
On Monday, 9 September at 11.30am at London’s Kensington Olympia venue, the quartet will go head-to-head to prove to the panel that which of the innovative new products is worthy of the prize of a one-week pop-up with a major retailer.
Top Drawer has a comprehensive content offering alongside the increased show footprint, giving visitors the chance to pick up the latest industry insights and business advice from thought leaders and industry experts all in one place.
Details can be found in the just-released digital preview, including the full programme for the RetailRevealed stage, featuring a series of presentations and panel discussions led by retail experts, covering a range of topics including how to ace selling on social media, source on-trend products, use AI in retail, and build customer loyalty.
Show organiser Clarion Events said the speaker line-up includes wholesale expert and Small Business Collaborative founder Therese Oertenblad; Catherine Erdly, founder of The Resilient Retail Club; Top Trick communications consultancy founder Priscillia Pollara; Ami Ranheru, founder of retail consultancy Retail Huddle; and Giftware Association CEO Sarah Ward.
And the Start Scale Succeed podcast will be recording an exclusive live podcast episode in which Nicole Higgins, founder of The Buyer & Retail Coach, interviews Martha Keith, founder of Martha Brook Stationery.
This season also sees the return of the Business Hub, offering free one-to-one 20-minute sessions – booking is available here – the where both visitors and exhibitors can meet with industry experts to discuss their business or product and gain invaluable advice and actionable tips to take it business to the next level.
Experts at the show include Therese Oertenblad, Larisa Barker, digital marketing expert and The Brand Map founder; finance expert Laura Harrison, of LH Retail Development Consultancy; branding expert and consultant Cara Bendon; and Perl Cosmetics founder and social media selling expert Isobel Perl.
Back by popular demand, the Spotlight Awards returns to shine a light on standout brands across the show. All exhibitors can enter the eight best new product categories covering Greetings & Stationery, Gift, Launchpad, Fashion, Food, Wellbeing, Home and Play, and there are also prizes for innovation In Design, Best Newcomer and Best Stand.
The winners will be selected by retail judges including Design Museum buyer Preena Patel; Sarah Holmes, owner of Pencil Me In and Seasgair Store; Lark London co-owner Priya Aurora-Crowe; Sarah Laker, owner of Stationery Supplies; and Cornucopia co-owners Hannah and Clare Bishop.
And show partners The Better Trends Company will again be presenting three key trends for the season ahead, this season highlighting Woodland Picnic, Festive Pop, and Purposeful Brands to help ensure retailers source products that are bang on-trend.
For greetings and stationery retailers there’s a broad selection of exhibitors including Cath Tate Cards, Dean Morris Cards, Earlybird Designs, English Graphics, Homeless Made, Museums & Galleries, Ohh Deer, Once Upon A Tuesday, Penquin Ink, Poet And Painter, Roger La Borde, Stormy Knight, Studio Boketto, Type And Story, U Studio, and You’ve Got Pen On Your Face.
And in the 27-strong Launchpad section for newbies, there’s Fluffmallow, Freya Niamh Design, Holly Bright Art, Illustrated Bu Weezy, Moody Studio, Sarah Leask Studios, Shaven Raven Designs, and Tillie Rose Studio.
Top Drawer takes place on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, 8-10 September, at London’s Kensington Olympia. For more information and to register to attend click here.
