5 minute read

Quick Q&A with Isalbi

“By keeping up with the latest international trends, IsAlbi is always on the hunt for fresh and exciting ranges”

Trebonn marries experience and enthusiasm to offer a unique kitchenware collection.

Trebonn marries experience and enthusiasm to offer a unique kitchenware collection.

What makes IsAlbi unique?

IsAlbi’s diverse products and ranges are bursting with originality and newness. Our fresh collections are a point of difference in the Australian and New Zealand market, offering endless choices for the modern home. This season, we’re introducing many exciting new brands, such as DeliVita, LOQI, Pebbly, Galison and more. We’ve also evolved our homewares collection to a new level of style and sophistication. This paired with excellent customer service, IsAlbi is second-to-none when it comes to homewares, kitchenware, everlasting greenery and gifting.

Keep an eye out for our stunning new range of Rogue succulents this season.

Keep an eye out for our stunning new range of Rogue succulents this season.

What are your bestsellers/most popular products with customers?

With a bright and lovable range available, our Jellycat plush toys are always a hit with customers. André Verdier, a third generation business of French Laguiole cutlery, offers a stylish collection of classical forged knives, flatware and more. The Amalfi Samara Porcelain Lamp Set is another popular seller, with four assorted designs. Our top gifting products are the Stretchy Sausage Dog and Cloud Weather Station, both from IsGift. Not to mention our Euroscrubby sponges that easily lift grime off any household surface.

Pebbly designs functional and sustainable kitchenware with style and comfort in mind.

Pebbly designs functional and sustainable kitchenware with style and comfort in mind.

Why should retailers stock products from IsAlbi?

With so many new brands at IsAlbi, there’s a variety of fresh and exciting products available. Perfect for yearly entertaining, the portable DeliVita wood-fired oven features a traditional clay and stone interior, offering versatile cooking while giving authentic flavours to any dish, especially pizzas. Pebbly is a French company that offers innovative kitchen tools in the tableware sector. IsAlbi is excited to welcome both established brands, furthering our unbeatable range.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

By keeping up with the latest international trends, IsAlbi is always on the hunt for fresh and exciting ranges. Our team travels the world looking for inspiration, meeting with artists, stylists, global manufacturers and more. We also work closely with esteemed consultants who report on forecasted trends.

Why is it important for retailers and buyers to attend the Sydney Gift Fair and future AGHA Gift Fairs?

Trade fairs are in our blood! We love attending both the Sydney Gift Fair and Melbourne AGHA Trade Fair, as it’s a valued time to catch up with peers and share experiences. We love the familiar locations – it brings everyone together under one roof to celebrate the highs and talk through the lows. After the continuous lockdowns and restrictions, we recommend visiting the trade fairs to have a look at our collections in-person and chat with our friendly team!

Any exciting new product or collection launches for the Sydney Gift Fair?

As previously mentioned, we’re launching so many new brands this year! One in particular we’re really excited about is LOQI. LOQI collaborates with artists from around the world to create original and colourful bags. Their designs are smart, dependable, high quality, eco-friendly, affordable and look great. At IsAlbi, eco-friendly products are really important to us as we want to do our bit for the environment. That’s why we’re thrilled to be stocking LOQI!

LOQI collaborates with artists from around the world to create original and colourful bags.

LOQI collaborates with artists from around the world to create original and colourful bags.

What was your biggest challenge as a wholesaler and how did you overcome it?

Unfortunately, we’ve had some challenges with Rogue over the past year due to unforeseen changes in the team. Unbeknownst to us, our Head of Rogue left the company and went in a different direction, taking valued contacts. Luckily, we found Vanessa Wong who has given the brand a much needed refresh. With a wealth of knowledge, Vanessa is leading Rogue into an exciting new direction where innovation and creativity are paramount.

Another challenge we face as a company are the global rising costs. The cost of energy prices in Europe have skyrocketed which in turn, affects our prices. It’s our ongoing goal to maintain an acceptable retail price while still reaching profit margins.

Amalfi's beauty centres on diversity - there are unique trends to suit every taste.

Amalfi's beauty centres on diversity - there are unique trends to suit every taste.

How have the AGHA Gift Fairs helped your business?

We’ve been a valued member of the AGHA Gift Fairs for over 30 years now and haven’t looked back! It’s great to be part of an association that gives unmatched exposure to a huge number of customers. We recently reverted back to exhibiting with AGHA at the Melbourne Trade Fair and loved it! We’re looking forward to continuing our close relationship with AGHA over the coming years.

“We’ve been a valued member of the AGHA gift fairs for over 30 years – it’s great to be part of an association that gives unmatched exposure.”

Visit Isalbi at stands 1G17 / 1J17 & 1D23 / 1D24 FROM 18-21 FEBRUARY 2023

REGISTER FREE NOW at sydneygift.com.au