Craft Focus - Dec 2017/Jan 2018 (Issue 64)

We report back from the new Manchester Stationery Show state-of-the-art stationery The new stationery trade show, which ran at the end of October in Old Trafford, Manchester, kicked off in style as exhibitors and visitors were introduced to a new venue, which was variously described as ‘intimate’, ‘quirky’, ‘edgy’ and ‘boutique’. Show organisers Ocean Media Group, who also run the London Stationery Show, were delighted that everyone involved embraced the industrial style of the Victoria Warehouse, with its concrete floors, huge red brick walls and exposed beams and pipes. WHO WAS THERE? With 40 exhibitors representing 70 leading stationery brands, the new show attracted buyers from as far afield as Penny Black from Glasgow, Klondyke Garden Centre from Falkirk, Pencil Me In from Elgin and Scottish Trade Stationers from Alloa to local leading craft retailer Fred Aldous and The Co-operative Group. Other regionally based visitors included Marple Stationery Supplies, Utility Retail, Austin & Co, Ryman, OPen Office Solutions, Castlegate Stationery, Art & Toys, B&M Retail, Celebrations of Stourbridge, Budget Greeting Cards, Hunkydory Crafts, Poundland, The Crow Emporium, The Little Stationery Shop and Write Here. In addition, buyers from TJX Europe, Accessorize, Paperchase, notonthehighstreet and Sainsbury’s visited the show. ExaClair, the UK supplier of Rhodia, J Herbin, G Lalo, Brause, Exacompta and Clairefontaine, declared the show ‘a roaring success’, saying it had delivered higher than expected visitor numbers for them, and positive interest in its premium notebook and calligraphy brands. Clement Rouillard, Marketing Manager at ExaClair, said, “The venue choice was good in terms of space, layout and feel, meaning we were able to showcase our products to great effect. It was well attended by key customers in the boutique stationery market and so a positive experience for us.” craft focus 97 show review