Craft Focus - Aug/Sep (Issue 68)

golden opportunities will enable manufacturers to display bespoke goods across a range of disciplines including jewellery, fine ceramics, exotic textiles and unusual lighting, reflecting a growing interest in handmade goods within the home and gift market. There will also be live craft demonstrations and a programme of seminars showing retailers how to take advantage of this burgeoning trend. “Consumers have made it clear they want to connect with the products they buy and understand how they were created,” adds Louise. “Handicraft is a growing revenue stream across the industry, from independent gift shops to multi-store high street retailers.” THE YOUNG ONES Show organiser, Ascential, will also be extending Autumn Fair’s children’s gifts, toys and gadgets showcase to include fashion, following the recent closure of Bubble London, the childrenswear trade show. “Childrenswear suppliers and retailers have faced challenging trading conditions of late, but the market is still forecast to grow significantly in coming years,” continues Louise. “Those companies that react to changing consumer expectations and deliver products that are on-trend will succeed in growing their market share. Whether it be for children or for teenagers, gifting children’s clothing and accessories is a key area of sell- through for retailers. Our view is that those that attend Autumn Fair will be in a much more favourable position to harness this amazing opportunity.” Theo Paphitis brings #SBS to Autumn Fair Business guru Theo Paphitis will be hosting the #SBS Pavilion, a showcase dedicated to highlighting new products from ambitious start-ups and small businesses. The initiative will see companies that are part of Theo’s #SBS community compete to win one of 12 free exhibition spots at the fair. The #SBS initiative was created in 2010. Each week small businesses are invited to tweet Theo and secure his endorsement. Every Monday, six companies are chosen to become part of the 2,300-strong community, gaining extra publicity and the chance to attend a yearly conference. “I am thrilled to be bringing #SBS to Autumn Fair,” explains Theo. “It was born out of the sheer number of business owners on Twitter who wanted to tell me about their new products and services. It exists so that these passionate entrepreneurs have a dedicated space to share their ideas and ‘pitch’ for endorsement. It’s therefore a natural match to bring our initiative to Autumn Fair, an event that is similarly dedicated to championing retailers, their energy and entrepreneurial spirit.” 32 craft focus