Not only did exhibition space at the housewares, gifts and small electricals show Exclusively (held on June 11 and June 12 at the Business Design Centre in London) sell out sooner than ever before this year, but visitor numbers were up, as well as media and influencer engagement.
Exclusively 2024 saw a 5% growth in visitor numbers – on top of the 10% jump in 2023 – including record numbers of international buyers. Media engagement was also up by a phenomenal 41% with a press event on June 12 proving a massive hit. Visits to the show’s Trend Showcase, Trend Talks and Trend Tours were significantly up too.
“This was the most successful Exclusively for some time in terms of commercial and media engagement. This is an excellent achievement in today’s challenging retail environment”
Exclusively Chair Will Jones, who is also chief operating officer of the show’s owner BHETA (British Home Enhancement Trade Association) said: “This was the most successful Exclusively for some time in terms of commercial and media engagement. This is an excellent achievement in today’s challenging retail environment. The team put a lot of effort into ensuring that the traditionally quieter second day had multiple levels of new appeal to ensure it performed better for all parties. Over both days, there was more NPD, more brand interaction, and more expert forecasting than ever – and the show as a whole really saw the benefits. Bookings for 2025 are already very strong.”
Buyers from Amazon, AO, Argos, Blue Diamond, Boots, B&Q, Currys, Dobbies, Dunelm, Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, Homebase, John Lewis, Lakeland, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Next, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Selfridges, Tesco, Robert Dyas, Freemans, Trago Mills, TJX and Wickes mingled with a plethora of UK independents, department stores, and shopping channels.
Overseas buyers from as far afield as South Africa were joined by retailers from Germany, France, Spain, Eire, Sweden and the Channel Islands.
Exclusively regularly has over 140 companies and 300 brands participating, and attracts leading UK buyers in the categories it represents. It also targets international buyers, journalists, bloggers, and influencers, so the opportunities for exhibitors are extensive.
For more information, call BHETA’s sector manager-housewares & small electricals Seema Grantham on 07946 078566 or email sg@bheta.co.uk, or call BHETA’s member services team on 0121 2371130.