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Homewares

Sydney Gift Fair: your first & best sourcing event for 2018

Sponsored by Sydney Gift Fair

Sydney Gift Fair is less than four weeks away and it’s proving trade fairs are still very much relevant in the industry with more than 80 new exhibitors, including 40 first-timers! Whether you’re sourcing for gifts or homewares, you’ll find plenty in the interiors space, including a few of our favourites. And they’ll all be showcasing their latest exciting products so it’s a great place for designers and retailers to spot trends too.

Joan Pereira from homewares brand Madras Link, says: “AGHA provides a wonderful environment to connect with retailers across Australia. They provide an engaging experience for even the busiest of buyers who are looking for new and exciting products. It is also an opportunity to see the ranges in full and meet with designers who are behind the story of the products and to feel inspired by the stunning trends, colours and designs of the season ahead.”

Madras Link

Amongst their locally designed cushions, napery, decor accessories, furniture and rugs, Madras Link will be showing bright prints to see you through the remainder of summer, beautiful rust and green tones for autumn and then a luxe, moody palette for winter with tactile textures.

Madras Link

Hannah Gordon from beautiful ceramics brand Robert Gordon, says: “The fair’s an exciting opportunity to showcase all our new product. In this world of ever changing technology there is something very special about stepping onto a stand and experiencing the feel of the product first hand.”

Robert Gordon Australia

She adds: “We are excited to introduce several new ranges, both Australian made and imported. We feel there is something for everybody in this new offering, from the simple clean lines in our new hospitality dinnerware to beautiful hug me mugs with butterfly decals originally hand painted by Robert’s sister Annie.”

The Sydney Gift Fair is Australia’s largest industry-led gift and homewares trade exhibition and it takes place at Sydney Olympic Park from 24 to 27 February. There’ll be hundreds of well-known and brand new exhibitors showcasing a huge range of new products and innovations to tens of thousands of retailers from across the country. This free trade exhibition is the most important sourcing opportunity for retailers seeking new seasons ranges and products to sell.

Wayne Castle, CEO of the Australian Gift and Homewares Association (AGHA) and organisers of the event, said: “For more than 40 years, the Sydney Gift Fair has been the essential vehicle connecting both wholesalers and retailers in the industry. In light of the ever-changing retail environment, never before has this marketplace been more important to the industry. An encouraging indication as to the buoyancy of the market, the Sydney Gift Fair is welcoming more than 80 new exhibitors, including more than 40 first time exhibitors, which will give retailers the opportunity to expand their ranges in upcoming retail campaigns.”

Fab Habitat, known for their amazing indoor/outdoor rugs, have been exhibiting at Sydney Gift Fair since 2010. Ruchin Gupta says: “Independent retailers as well as emerging online retailers continue to visit trade fairs, since they provide the only real opportunity to meet the largest cross section of vendors as well as to feel and experience new products first hand. Every fair we try to bring new styles in existing categories as well as adding completely new categories.” This year, they’re adding furniture, baskets and cushions.

Fab Habitat

Sydney Olympic Park, the home of the Sydney Gift Fair since 1998, is located conveniently between the Sydney CBD and Greater Western Sydney retail centres and serviced by extensive transport and parking options. Held on a single level and under one roof, this event provides visitors with the ideal sourcing experience.

Returning again this year is the highly anticipated “Design Life Sydney” feature which presents the best aspirational and premium products that the industry offers. This premier display section will attract traditional and online retailers seeking top-shelf products to sell next season.

The Launch Pad will also return with an array of emerging entrepreneurs showcasing original and innovative products, offering retail buyers an opportunity to source cutting edge designs that are normally hard to find, all in one location.

For further information on AGHA Sydney Gift Fair including free registration, free parking options and transport services provided by the AGHA, visit sydneygift.com.au or call 1300 441 384.

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Interiors Addict

AGHA calls for entries in its new design award

The Australian Gift & Homewares Association (AGHA) is launching The Pulse, a new product design award which will take place during the Home & Giving Fair (15-18 February 2014) in Sydney.

The idea is to support new designers with small budgets but big ideas, by providing a platform where they can display their designs and be discovered. AGHA wants to give a foot up to those who want to make their mark within the gift and homewares industry. The Pulse gives them the opportunity to showcase their product prototypes, network with successful wholesalers/manufacturers and talk with industry buyers.

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Interiors Addict

Should stores embrace customers taking and sharing photos with their phones?

Sponsored by the Australian Gift & Homewares Association (AGHA)

Consumers spend 250% more time on social media than they did just 2 years ago. There are 250 million photos uploaded each day to Facebook, with 34% of bloggers posting opinions about products and brands. 90% of consumers trust peer recommendations and only 14% trust advertisements (www.socialnomics.net).

Crowley & Grouch

Photo-taking for sharing on social media increasingly occurs in retail stores, an environment traditionally off limits to photography. Many retailers have been wary of the practice, and have only grown more so as they believe the perpetrators are using their stores as free showrooms prior to making the actual purchase at a different retailer, online.

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Interiors Addict

New buyer orientation program to launch at Home & Giving this month

The Australian Gift & Homewares Association (AGHA) will launch a Buyer Orientation Program at this month’s Home & Giving Fair to help buyers maximise business opportunities.

As a ‘cottage industry’, the gift and homewares sector is made up of a majority of small and medium business owners with a passion for their products who are looking to increase their business proficiency. A new initiative of the AGHA, the Buyer Orientation Program offers to educate buyers, both new and existing, on how to get the most out of their time at the Fair.
 AGHA marketing manager, George Lancaster, says Home & Giving is a crucial opportunity for buyers and wholesalers to extend their business networks, which is particularly vital in the current economic climate.
 

“We want our buyers to be able to go into the Fair with the confidence to know what they are looking for, be sure they are asking the right questions and to be able to follow up with wholesalers after the Fair. The orientation program will educate our buyers and encourage a healthier relationship with wholesalers, with a focus on real business outcomes.”
 

Leading the program is Greg Dodge, who opened his retail store, Dandylyon, in 2010. He will share the lessons he has learnt about the importance of the Fair since joining AGHA.
The Buyer Orientation Program will be held on Saturday 25 February from 8-9am at the Mezzanine Level of The Dome. To register your interest email [email protected] or phone 1300 441 384.
 

The AGHA’s Home & Giving Fair will give retailers a chance to stock up on new products inspired by innovations and trends across toys, kitchenware, home décor, giftware, jewellery and accessories.