Attendance numbers for the London edition of Just Around The Corner (JATC) broke previous records set by the fashion and lifestyle event, hitting nearly 1,200 buyers by the close of the final day.
The trade show, held at Truman Brewery in Shoreditch on February 8 and February 9, attracted visitors from a range of keys accounts such as New Look, Morleys Stores, Anthropologie, Very, QVC, Frasers Group, JLP, Next, Sainsbury’s, Space NK, Slaters, Fenwick, Hoopers, Debenhams, Urban Outfitters and ASOS.
A plethora of independent retailers also attended including The Dulwich Trader (Dulwich), Fox and Feather (Bristol), Choice (Multiple), De Gruchy (Jersey), Denny of Southwold, Doodie Stark (Horsham), Kit Lifestyle (Broadstairs), Burrows and Hare (Oxford), D Solos (Crystal Palace), Stuarts (Shepherds Bush), Mainline Menswear (online), Energy (Stamford), G23/Porters (Harrogate), Fifty 5a (Totnes), Museum of London, Jarrolds (Norwich), Javelin (Bury St Edmunds), Cockney Rebel (Worksop), Shmooz, (Orkney), HS2 (Guernsey), MA Grigg, (St Austell) and Itochu (Japan).
The event spanned the entire first floor of the Truman Brewery, tripling its previous footprint, and each stand was provided with 50% more floor space giving the show an airy yet considered feel.
Praise was given for the logical layout of several zones through interconnecting rooms around the perimeter of the building, encircling a central hall where the lounge area was located and complimentary food/coffees were provided.
JATC founder Juls Dawson explained: “Our new Lifestyle and Beauty zone debuted at the show, with brands showcasing jewellery, skincare, men’s grooming, gifting, and home fragrance. The area created a lot of attention and is one which we definitely see growth for in upcoming seasons, as we had specialist buyers here over the two days for these categories. There is so much relevance to our existing fashion buyers’ remits as retail environments now cross over from fashion into these product groups and vice versa.
“Several brands also had the support of the Danish Embassy, Spanish Footwear Federation and French Consulate and were grouped together in Pavilions, which really created a focus for the brands from our European neighbours. We also launched our Together Zone, which housed brands that were genderless or dual gender, reflecting the change in consumer buying patterns.
“The mood of the show, from exhibitors and buyers alike, was upbeat overall, despite several reporting a tough January tradewise. There was also an underlying feeling of buyers ‘playing it safe’ and looking for sharper price points given the cost-of-living crisis – and with our brand mix, we are a show that’s perfectly positioned to satisfy this trend.”
Dates for the next Just Around The Corner will be announced shortly.
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