7 minute read
London Stationery Show Preview
A long time coming
London Stationery Show is returning to the Business Design Centre after nearly two and a half years. We talk to Alex Butler about plans for the long-awaited event and what visitors can expect.
London Stationery Show is making its long-awaited return soon, how are the plans coming along?
It’s been two and a half years since our industry last came together, and the consensus is that it’s been far too long! Following what can only be described as the most challenging of times, buyers will once again experience the fresh thinking and timeless appeal of our ever resilient, design-led industry. The importance of stationery, from everyday essentials, through to carefully chosen gifts, has never been so evident, and the variety of products on display really reflects the widespread consumer appeal of our industry.
Can visitors expect anything different at this year’s event?
London Stationery Show will be packed with all the latest industry news and
trends designed to entertain, inspire, and educate. In addition to The Trends Hub, Boutique Collection and Retailer Matters live talks programme, there are several new features at the show. For an overview of the hottest products right now, head to the Buyers’ Choice Awards where a curated selection of the exhibition’s stand-out stationery finds will be on display. Retailers can also try before they buy in the Creative Matters workshops, and Catherine Erdly, founder of Resilient Retail Club, will be on hand with tailored 1-2-1 advice in The Resilient Retail Clinic.
What covid-precautions are you expecting to take, given current government guidelines?
We are continually monitoring government and industry guidelines relating to covid secure events. Further details on what
The LaunchPad competition is back again, can you tell us about the winners?
Our judges reviewed entries from Australia, America, Russia and the UK, and after much discussion and product testing, whittled them down to six lucky LanchPad winners. O What A Feeling, Port West Stationers, My Happy Journal, Wrag Wrap, Pencil Me In and Love Writing Co are all looking to break into our industry by exhibiting at this year’s London Stationery Show. Whether you’re looking for greeting cards and gift wrap, or personalised pencils and notebooks, there’s something for everyone.
measures will be in place at the show will be available via stationeryshow.co.uk. Rest assured we will be working to ensure everyone’s safety is the number one priority at all times.
Typically, London Stationery Show was held in spring, has moving it to the autumn had any significant impact?
Exhibitions are typically held in either the spring or autumn, so we knew that October would be a core buying time for retailers. We also held a number of focus groups to ensure that the new dateline would work for those in attendance, and the result has been incredibly positive. The increase in exhibitor and visitor numbers in comparison to the same number of weeks out in 2020 all point to London Stationery Show 2021 being a fantastic reunion for our muchloved industry.
How are exhibitors feeling about the return of live events and trade shows?
The overall feeling is that everyone is keen for normal life to resume. London Stationery Show has been such an important part of the buying calendar for 11 years, and it’s been really missed by exhibitors and visitors alike. We’re coming back with a bang with the most diverse exhibitor line-ups we’ve ever seen. 40% of brands are exhibiting for the first time, so there will be so many new products to discover at the show.
Who are some of the brands scheduled to attend?
London Stationery Show offers buyers a depth of product choice from well-known brands to independent start-ups, so I think it’s important to reference both. Some of stationery’s best loved brands are returning, including Avery, CC Global, Cre8 Tapes, Cross, edding, Esterbrook, Exacompta, Frisk, Hahnemühle, Kaweco, Leuchtturm, Makers Cabinet, Manuscript Pen, Montegrappa, Parafernalia, Pentel, Pukka Pads, Royal Talens, Semikolon, Shaeffer, Silvine, Snopake, Stabilo, Staedtler, Ultratape, uni-ball and Zebra Pen, but there’s also an impressive line-up of new brands, including Accent Manufacturing, Artcadia, Bark & Rock, Carioca, Goldbuch, London Block By Block, Modena by Railex, Pixie Crew, Robert Fredrick, Storigraphic, Retro 51, Starpak and Yop & Tom among many others.
What are visitor numbers looking like at the moment?
We’re currently tracking 30% ahead of our last show in 2019, so we’re feeling very positive! Buyers have clearly missed those chance discoveries that only come from walking the aisles at an exhibition, and everyone seems eager to close their laptops and do business face-to-face once again. Show Details
What trends are you predicting to come through?
This year’s Trends Hub is curated by material and trend consultant, Sally Angharad. Sally researches the latest innovations and reliably predicts future global design trends and buying behaviours, as well as the impact they’ll have on the UK stationery market. Four key concepts will be unveiled at the show, using exhibitor products to bring the trends to life and help buyers “We’re coming back with a bang with plan their ranges. These concepts will be examined in further detail in our live talks, the most diverse Retail Matters, and Sally will be on hand to exhibitor line-ups answer all questions in a live Q&A. we’ve ever seen. Who is scheduled to speak at the show? 40% of brands are Retail Matters, our live talks programme, exhibiting for the will help with all aspects of running a successful business through talks with first time, so there leading industry professionals and peers. The list of speakers includes: marketing will be so many guru, Alex Ryan; online retailer and social media expert, Martha Keith from Martha new products to Brook London; small business expert, discover at the Catherine Erdly from Resilient Retail Club; trend forecaster, Sally Angharad Booth; show” and the Giftware Association.
Anything else to add?
Register for your free ticket to London Stationery Show via the website. It promises to be our best event yet!
When: Tuesday October 5 – 9.30am to 5pm and Wednesday October 6 – 9.30am to 4pm Where: Business Design Centre, Islington, London, N1 0QH Register at: www.stationeryshowlondon.co.uk
VENT for Change
Booth No. M631
VENT for Change will be back at the London Stationery Show once again this year with plenty to shout about.
“As the leading trade exhibition dedicated to stationery it’s lovely to be able to bring our new SUCSEED collection and showcase the items we’ve launched throughout the pandemic,” said Evan Lewis Founder of VENT for Change.
VENT will be showcasing their new accessories to the Make a Mark recycled leather notebook range. Launched earlier in the year as shops were re-opening this includes their pens made from recycled plastic drinks bottles and hand-made recycled leather pen/pencil pouches. Created to sit alongside their brightly coloured notebooks and journals the pens and pouches have already seen strong sales throughout the summer and add another intriguing element to the VENT range.
Also on show will be their brand new SUCSEED range of notebooks made using reclaimed coffee beans, lavender, cherry and kiwi husk, plus 100% recycled paper. Supplied as standard with a page marker made from reclaimed corn pulp. Aimed that those who want to make their notes, lists and scribbles in one book the SUCSEED range comes with lined, plain and numbered notes pages throughout.
“We are loving the use of these new reclaimed and recycled materials to deliver a stunning tactile finish that reflects their origins,” said Lewis.
Aimed at a slightly different market from VENT’s brightly coloured or more minimalist ranges the SUCSEED collection is another example of VENT’s sustainable style and ethical philosophy. www.ventforchange.co.uk
Collins
Jumble & Co is a brand new range of stationery products launching at the London Stationery Show from Collins!
Everybody knows that life is anything but linear, with a blur of highs and lows, wins and losses, cheers and cries. And while some days can be remarkable, others can be pretty forgettable, and that is perfectly OK.
Jumble celebrates all of those emotions with a colourful range of stationery products for everyday life, from diaries and notepads to be organised, to bottles to stay hydrated, to scented candles to help you relax. Life is a Jumble and Collins are so here for that! trade.uk.collinsdebden.com
