Taking the place of September’s physical show, Top Drawer On Demand opened its virtual doors this week, and will run for the whole month. The interactive event enables housewares buyers to book virtual meetings, see new launches and view product videos. New housewares products from Forma House (including Bamboo Cutlery by BAM BAM) are among those in the spotlight next week.
The month long event is also hosting a wide range of insightful discussions and seminars covering design and retail trends. This week’s highlights include the panel discussion ‘Redefining Retail Trends – Five Ways To Adapt To The Changing Retail Landscape’. Housewares and lifestyle stockist Oliver Bonas’ head of home and gift design Molly Park joined Elena Todary (founder of The Collaborative Store), and Louise Daniel (founder of online platform, And so to Shop) to discuss their experiences of the changing retail climate.
“Covid-19 has accelerated forecasted lifestyle trends and patterns by two to three years,” stated Molly. “Two years ago I predicted that your home would be your office, your gym, your bar and your spa.” She added: “As a business you’ve got to be flexible… in terms of product mix and content online. It has to be reflective of what people are feeling and going through. You have to create a community.”
Molly enthused: “Our local shops have been doing incredibly well and I’m so happy to see the rise of local shops again.” She also highlighted the importance of being omnichannel: “What I’ve noticed is people go to local stores, have a browse and then go online to e-com websites. It shows the true meaning of having a showroom through e-com.”
Next week’s highlighted suppliers include Kikkerland, launching fun and functional cleaning tools such as the Hedgehog Dish Scrubber and OOO Design, with its stylish kitchen roll holder and new ceramics. Food Emporium’s Gin Etc will also be in the spotlight. Top Drawer visitors can hear partner Nigel Ferrier talk about his highly gift-table range of gin making kits, which include The Love Potion.
Top Drawer’s show director Alejandra Campos commented: “It’s been very exciting to welcome everyone to Top Drawer On Demand this week; to see our community come together to discover and connect has been a wonderful reminder of just how incredible and passionate our retail industry is. As the new season approaches and customer confidence grows, our priority is to support our brands and buyers in the most meaningful ways, and with so much more to come over the month of September, this is just the beginning.”
She added: “We will of course miss the buzz of the physical show, but we hope that Top Drawer On Demand continues to inspire and drive businesses forwards, towards a successful, profitable future and lasting legacy, until we can meet in person again.”
To experience Top Drawer On Demand (and its 300 virtual showrooms covering sectors including Home, Gifts, Food Emporium and Craft) go to www.topdrawer.co.uk.
Top: Products from Top Drawer On Demand include: LIGA’s Grey Coffee and Teapot, Lamborghini by 24 Bottles from Clarity Brands and Tumblers from Designed in Colour.
