NEWS_4-5-7-9-11-12-13_muk.qxp_5/7/8-9/13/15/16-17/19/20 10/12/2019 11:39 Page 4
News
Below: Plano tableware by Costa Nova.
TOP STORY
Mary Berry at Spring Fair Much loved food writer and TV presenter Mary Berry, affectionately known as the ‘Queen of Cakes’, will be at Spring Fair 2020, visiting the Captivate Brands stand (where her range of tableware will be on show) and as a keynote speaker on the Inspiring Retail Stage. Mary will be talking about her creative collaboration with Captivate Brands and how she takes inspiration from her garden. Making a return to the NEC will be ‘Queen of Shops’ Mary Portas, who was among the keynote speakers at Autumn Fair, with other keynote speakers at the February show including those from John Lewis, JML, Harrods, Selfridges and Oliver Bonas. “Our 2020 line-up is highly relevant for today’s Above: Mary Berry challenges,” states Spring Fair’s portfolio director Charlie Cracknell. “It with one of her will help shape thinking and we anticipate it to be our most exciting yet. products by Captivate Brands. We’re taking steps to embrace and indulge inspiring ideas from the industry’s most exciting innovators and disruptors. We want attendees to leave feeling invigorated, inspired, and with a new mindset for the year ahead and beyond.” * Spring Fair takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from February 2-6. Visit www.springfair.com
Tramontina’s big year With impressive business growth in the four years since Tramontina entered the UK retail market, the company will have an ‘unprecedented SS20 product launch’, to be unveiled at Spring Fair and Ambiente. “Not only will we be launching more new products than ever before in the UK, but the launch will cover a host of new categories, adding to the choice we can now offer customers,” states Tramontina UK general manager, Alexandre Frubel. The company has built up its reputation for product quality, Above: Trento Cast Iron Cookware innovation and customer service, backed up recently with the opening by Tramontina. of a large warehousing facility near Manchester. “Over the past few years, business has grown considerably and establishing stronger roots in the UK is very important to us, despite the political and economic uncertainties surrounding Brexit and the country in general” reports Alex. At present, Tramontina is known primarily in the UK for its cutlery and knives, including the Churrasco collection, featuring dishwasher safe real wood (certified) handles. However, recent additions to the UK portfolio include cookware, utensils, bakeware and tea/coffeeware. Further new categories will include food storageware, serveware and some fun tableware collections such as breakfast-ware and dessert sets, along with considerable additions to bakeware. Alex hints that there may be some “sneak previews” prior to the ‘big reveals’ at Spring Fair and Ambiente.
Potters’ celebrity 110th party Customers of Potters Cookshop, Hockley recently enjoyed a sumptuous cooking demonstration by Sean Wilson. Best known for playing Martin Platt in TV's Coronation Street for 21 years until 2005 (with a brief appearance last year), Sean is a passionate cook, professional cheese-maker, and presented Channel 5’s The Great Northern Cookbook. Sean’s demonstration was part of Potters’ 110th anniversary celebrations. In 1909 Inifer Potter established the original Potters of Hockley as a general store (selling housewares and hardware) and grocers. The multi-award winning Potters Cookshop opened in 2012 and expanded substantially in 2017. Customers were also treated to 110th anniversary home-baked cookies, decorated with an edible transfer showing the retailer’s original logo with Inifer Potter and his wife Elizabeth. Other celebratory events include demonstrations by Sage and Le Creuset. Right: Potters of Hockley.
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HOUSEWARES
Sustainable highlight Spring Fair 2020 will see My Gifts Trade (exclusive distributor of Costa Nova in the UK) presenting Plano recycled tableware by Portuguese manufacturer, Costa Nova. Plano is produced from the surplus materials of Costa Nova’s own factory in Portugal. “Evocative of traditional, hand-turned studio pottery, these beautifully unique pieces are manufactured to a very high standard and designed to enhance unforgettable moments at the table,” says Nikki Courtney, creative director of My Gifts Trade. She continues: “With sustainability running so high on the world’s agenda and high in consumers’ minds, the impeccable eco-friendly credentials of this beautiful new collection are sure to be an important selling point for stockists." The collection is manufactured from Eco-Gres, a registered trademark. Products under this label are guaranteed to be made of non-hazardous recycled materials, derived from ceramic surplus and other additives. They are guaranteed to be food-safe, complying with International Standards and in line with European directives 2006/12/CE and 2008/98/CE, which are oriented toward transforming the EU into a ‘recycling society’. Costa Nova is also dedicated to emission reductions in its manufacturing and is using recycled packaging. * My Gifts Trade and ECP Design will be exhibiting in Hall 8 at Spring Fair 2020, with brands including Sara Miller London, I Like Birds, Yvonne Ellen and Emily Brooks.