Brisbane is the place to be for gift and homewares retailers this July, with Gift HQ running a three-day extravaganza showcasing the latest innovative products and services.
As retailers are getting ready for their big buying season, the fair is a great resource for those looking to prepare for their product buy-in, says organiser Fair Events managing director, Gary Fitz-Roy.
“Gift HQ attracts an extensive calibre of wholesalers from around Australia and overseas, who are looking to form relationships with retailers,” he explains. “For wholesalers, it’s the perfect time to showcase the best of their range and launch new products in order to attain an honest and instant reaction from their target market.”
The customer demand for environmentally friendly and ethically responsible products has created a market shakeup.
“This year we’re seeing a lot of industry disrupters coming forward with innovative new specialty products. We’re now witnessing new products made of unconventional materials, such as bamboo and candle wax, inspired by this global movement,” he adds.
A must-visit for retailers is the Independent Retailer Conference, which focuses on a range of topics relevant to the gift and homewares industry.
“Given the rise of organisations effectively engaging with their audience online, there will be a strong focus on social media, SEO and online advertising. The area is an informal lounge, right on the fair floor, where attendees are encouraged to take a seat and listen to industry leaders as they provide their expert advice on all things retail,” Fitz-Roy says.
An added bonus is the Ultimate Gift Box Challenge, where one lucky retailer will take home a gift box full of products donated by exhibitors―every time a retailer places an order with a participating exhibitor in multiples of $500, they will get an entry into the draw.
By Marion Gerritsen
