Savvy business-focussed retail buyers will be observing the latest consumer trends, looking at future forecasts and planning a strategy for their visit to the most important festive trade show of the year – Harrogate Christmas & Gift, which starts at the Harrogate International Centre on Sunday and continues until Wednesday.
Christmas & Gift has evolved considerably in recent years, attracting more garden centre buyers than ever before. In turn this is attracting significantly more exhibitors with product ranges particularly suited to the garden centre environment – which as we know has grown to encompass much more than flower pots and plants!
Among the festive displays of Christmas trees, tinsels and baubles filling seven halls of the Harrogate International Centre you will find an array of exciting products from furniture, decorative wall plaques, dried flowers and ornaments to barbecues, garden furniture and lighting. In fact the show pretty much has the year’s entire buying requirements all wrapped up, with gifts for every occasion.
Simon Anslow, show organiser, comments: “It’s fantastic that Harrogate Christmas & Gift has revitalised in the last few years and has regained its vibrant atmosphere. It has always been a popular show for gift retailers, particularly department store buyers and visitor attractions such as theme parks, stately homes and cathedrals, but the influx of garden centre buyers has created a new dynamic which in turn has attracted new exhibitors with product ranges for the entire year.”
Gardman, which is renowned for its garden ranges from plants and garden accessories and wild bird care, will be attending Harrogate for the first time, showcasing its extensive range of new festive products including LED lighting, flameless candles, doormats, LED canvases and Christmas lights.
Sifcon International is another exciting new exhibitor bringing a wealth of fabulous products to the 2015 show. Leading importers and distributors of design-led gifts, home decor and arts and crafts, buyers will be spoilt for choice with beautiful products such as cushions, throws and textiles; wall art; ornaments and collectibles; home fragrance; and decorative lighting.
Another big new name for the show is Widdop Bingham & Co, an award winning company and leading supplier of giftware to the trade. From photo frames to figurines, clocks to crystal and a huge catalogue of Christmas gifts and decorations, the company’s range is extremely comprehensive.
Of course, Harrogate Christmas & Gift also welcomes the return of all of the best known names in the industry, including Premier Decorations, Festive Productions, which now incorporates Widmanns, Gisela Graham and Heaven Sends.
Kaemingk once again returns to Hall M with its catalogue of over 17,000 products, including decorative items for Christmas and spring. There are gifts for Easter and Valentines, pottery and baskets, plus Christmas lighting, glass baubles, gorgeous lit villages and ribbons and florestry.
SnowTime also takes its position in Hall D with one of the largest ranges of artificial trees, indoor and outdoor lights, LED fibre optic trees, garlands, wreaths, decorations and home decor that the show has to offer. The company’s brands include Snowman & Snowdog, plus its fabulous range of Thomas Kinkade Tapestries.
Sagedecor and Konstmide (UK) Ltd also take pride of place once again in Hall M and both companies have plenty of exciting new products to offer. Sagedecor has been a supplier of high quality artificial plants, flowers and trees for over 40 years and presents a wide range of Christmas floral and tree decorations. Swedish company Konstmide caters to the market for home and environment and offers lighting fittings such as Christmas, decorative and garden lighting.
With so much to see at Harrogate Christmas & Gift this January and of course, the legendary hospitality surrounding the event, including the Greatest Christmas Awards and Party night on Sunday 11th and free drinks reception on Monday 12th, visitors will no doubt want to stay in Harrogate for a few days. The organiser has teamed up with Mice Concierge which offers extremely competitive hotel and restaurant rates ensuring visitors and exhibitors get the best value out of the show.
For more information and a full list of exhibitors visit www.harrogatefair.com
