Harrogate show pics

from Christmas in February 2022

Taking triple the excitement to Spring Fair

Proving that British-made Christmas products can sell really well are Artcuts. A family business thriving in the Christmas business. Caroline Cox shows me their wooden collection of 3D stags, beautifully crafted and very appealing. Delighted with buyers’ reactions to their whole range that includes bespoke opportunities.

Hamac had increased their stand space at Harrogate along with their sales. Here sales director Philip Nichol and Tracy Cook have enjoyed listening to their two piece Nordic Reindeers singing along together a selection of over 80 Christmas songs via a clever little s.d. card. I’m sure that by the end of the week, they both knew all the words to their Christmas favourites.

Jeremy Whittle with Ursula Heyland show off their Hope and Glory range. “We have had a good start to the year with lots of new business with particular focus on the Independents” stated Ursula.

This was Christmas Inspirations third Harrogate show with the Kurt Adler Disney Collection. Our pic shows Tim Schrama, Amber Bouman and Michel Gozeling. Disney is the number One licensing brand in the world and that world is encapsulated within their Disney Collection. Michel Gozeling believed that it was most important that the Harrogate show went ahead. “We have been happy with the response and taken plenty of orders.

Busy throughout the show, we caught up with Giftware Trading’s Paul Frater, just as he was completing an order for the Beckworth Emporium from Meers Ashby, near Northampton. All smiles are Paul with left Yvonne Noble, Heike Bron and Cathy White

Harrogate Gallery

With Malcolm Naish

Both prior to the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair opening it’s doors plus opinions voiced by exhibitors I spoke with, quite a number of both exhibitors and visitors were not 100% sure that the show would open on the 16th January. They need not have worried.

The many exhibitors that we spoke to all confirmed that not only had the show attracted plenty of buyers, both small and large, but that the exhibition had been brilliant for written orders and enquiries. We had been along with exhibitors telling visitors that they must place their orders early if they wanted to guarantee deliveries into their stores, garden centres and on-line warehouses.

Konstsmide

Quality lasts longer – more environmentally friendly

KONSTSMIDE (UK) Ltd Hardwick View Road, Holmewood Industrial Estate Holmewood, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S42 5SA, United Kingdom Tel. +44 (0)1246-852140 Fax +44 (0)1246-854297 E-mail: sales@konstsmide.co.uk www.konstsmide.co.uk

Noma’s Frank Kapinski told me that a number of major buyers had appointments with him on the last day, that afforded them more time as the sales team had been so busy on the first three days of the show. He continued “Business has been very, very good. Customers have been really understanding regarding the situation last year, realising that it was out of our hands.” Noma’s grey weave outdoor collection with the Duo bulb had been really well received. I recognise that face anywhere! None other than Adrian Yapp of Puleo. Adrian told me that they were not sure at the beginning of January just how the show would go, but delighted once the show opened with not only regular customers placing orders, but also plenty of new accounts. Sunday and Monday were particularly good.

Richard Keel (left) was not sure before Harrogate opened as what to expect and whether customers would turn up. He continued: “Actually, it has been very good and is our best Harrogate for many years. As our first show of the year, we are now really confident for Toy Fair and Spring Fair and I believe that 2022 will be fantastic.” Also in our pic are Keel’s sales manager Jonathan Ingham and CIJ’s Marian McNamarra With an impressive new stand, Konstsmide’s M.D. Oscar Johansson (pictured with Dawn Shore) told me they had been busy with far less window shoppers, orders being placed from day one with a great response to their new products. In particular the Cable Reel with detachable light side wheel. Oscar believes that this will revolutionise Christmas lighting.

With a much larger stand in Hall C, Shatchi were all smiles. John McVey their sales director told me that customers were placing orders, but that very few made it across from Ireland, mainly due to cancelled flights by the airlines. No doubt Spring Fair will benefit from this. Also in the pic are M.D. Hiren Patel with Asmita Patel and Chakshu Shah Simon Lightbown of Sincere was having an excellent show. Pictured here with Nick Roberts and Kerry Brassil from Listowel Garden Centre, County Kerry, Ireland Showing for the first time in Hall M were Woodlodge with their Snowlodge collection. Sales Manager Retail Richard Newton (left) told us that he was more than happy with the response. They will be back next year, looking for a bigger stand for their Snowlodge range. Also in the pic are Oliver Thornhill (centre) and Neil Blakey

20 christmas in february