In case you missed it, kitchenware is big business. According to IBISWorld, the sector is growing at a rate of 1.5 per cent thanks to the popularity of TV cooking shows and the growing desire among consumers to cook and eat healthy food.
For gift and homewares retailers, ranging kitchenware can include everything from incredibly on-trend reusable coffee cups to speciality knives that are perfect for gifting, to colourful tableware that will add a pop to any party.
You’ll find all this and more at the AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair this August, including these five must-see kitchenware exhibitors.
Andrew Wilson, Ladelle general manager sales/marketing (stand A1 and B2)
Describe your business in three words?
Vibrant, fashionable and functional.
What makes your kitchenware products different?
Ladelle is all about creating products to help you cook, dine and decorate in style. Collating the latest trends from around the world and making them into fun and functional products that are easy to add to your home.
What new products should retailers look for at the Melbourne Gift Fair?
Our newest range, Fiesta, includes both textiles and ceramics inspired by the vibrant and floral streets of Spain.
Taking inspiration from the Mexican way of life, our Mi Casa range is all about creating a shared eating experience and welcoming guests with the motto ‘mi casa es su casa’, which translates as ‘my house is your house’. Bold and bright colours mix and match together for a fun and open food experience.
What do you hope to get out of exhibiting?
We love to meet our customers face-to-face, get real feedback on our fantastic ranges and find out what their most important needs and wants are to make us successful together.
Irene Sale, BODUM country manager (stand X4)
Describe your business in three words?
Iconic, affordable, functional.
What makes your kitchenware products different?
All BODUM products are designed and produced to not only be practical but also very functional. As an environmentally conscious company, BODUM ensures all products make taste, not waste. You won’t find any capsules, paper filters or wasteful accessories with BODUM products.
What new products should retailers look for at the Melbourne Gift Fair?
As we are seeing more and more consumers returning to the ritualistic methods of slow brew coffee, what you will find this year are many of BODUM’s classic designs offered in a fresh assortment of colours inspired by interior trends, including our extended cork range.
Also, through the theatrical brewing technique of vacuum coffee preparation, we will be attracting stand visitors by demonstrating our newly modernised electric version of our PEBO vacuum coffee maker.
What do you hope to get out of exhibiting?
AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair will be a very exciting time for me, as it’s my first industry trade fair since taking over the role as country manager earlier this year. This is BODUM Australia’s largest event of the year and will be an excellent opportunity to meet, listen, and learn from our Australian customers face-to- face.
We are exhibiting in the new Design Life buying destination in AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair and I’m looking forward to experiencing this new facility and welcoming and rewarding our regular and new visitors with exciting demonstrations, coffee tastings, and a small gift as a token of our appreciation. At our stand all visitors can expect to see our current and new range and, as with every fair, we hope to increase our customer database by building new relationships and opening new customer accounts.
Kylie Sargeant, Kitchen Homewares Australia managing director (stand C28)
Describe your business in three words?
Premium homewares distributor.
What makes your kitchenware products different?
We pride ourselves on our service and selling a premium range of kitchen tools and gadgets. We are dedicated to providing Australian consumers with products that make everyday living easier.
Our full range of brands and products are all designed to satisfy a consumer’s need, and we stand behind our products with a full warranty on all items.
What new products should retailers look for at the Melbourne Gift Fair?
The Stojo collapsible coffee cup. This is a portable and convenient reusable cup that is about resisting disposable culture. There are two sizes for tea, coffee and juices, and the biggie comes with a silicone straw.
What do you hope to get out of exhibiting?
We want to showcase our premium kitchenware and candle brands to retailers. We’ll show off our new brand, Stojo, and provide retailers with our mission of premium service and products.
Robert Bekhazi, Classica general manager (stand F4)
Describe your business in three words?
Independent, relevant, affordable.
What makes your kitchenware products different?
We source from places like Italy and the Czech Republic. We aim to provide premium quality product without the premium price tag.
What new products should retailers look for at the Melbourne Gift Fair?
We will be launching a new brand, Coffee Culture, which will be an extensive range of coffee making and coffee drinking related products.
What do you hope to get out of exhibiting?
Mostly we want to see our existing customers and say hi, and maybe meet some new ones.
Joe Buccini, owner of Concept Samsera (stand Z21)
What makes your kitchenware products different?
Concept Samsera has been a specialist wholesaler for the past four years. We are the Australian distributor for Deejo—the ultimate lightweight, tattooed pocket knife, which has a huge following worldwide—and the stylish range of Deejo table knives.
Function, form, design, quality and being first to market are the differences we aspire to, which are also the hallmarks of Deejo.
What new products should retailers look for at the Melbourne Gift Fair?
Look for the first ever ‘tattoo your own knife kit’. This is a Deejo with a choice of three handles and a fine engraving pen, allowing you to engrave your own design directly onto the pocket knife blade. It all comes in a great gift box.
What do you hope to get out of exhibiting?
The best part of the AGHA Gift Fairs for us is the ability to reach out to thousands of potential customers.
The AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair will run from 4 to 8 August at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Visit melbournegift.com.au to register to attend or for more information.
