Top Drawer Autumn/Winter will be back at London’s Olympia (8-10 September) with a larger footprint, hundreds of new exhibitors and thousands of new product launches, along with brand new and returning events that will be taking place across the show’s three days.
This year’s edition is set to host 10% more brands than in 2023, with over 35% of exhibitors are making their show debut, offering a hand-picked edit of new design across the show.
Retail Revealed will be returning with an engaging three day programme featuring a series of keynote presentations, masterclasses and panel discussions, with insights to help visitors shape successful retail strategies.
Sessions cover a range of topics, include how to ace selling on social media, source on trend products, use
AI in retail and build customer loyalty, empowering visitors with a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
September’s speaker line-up includes Therese Oertenblad, founder of Small Business Collaborative; Catherine Erdly, founder of The Resilient Retail Club, Priscillia Pollara, founder of Top Trick, Ami Ranheru, founder of Retail Huddle and Sarah Ward, ceo of The Giftware Association.
In addition, the Start Scale Succeed podcast will be recording an exclusive live podcast episode, with Nicole Higgins, founder of The Buyer & Retail Coach, interviewing Martha Keith, founder of Martha Brook Stationery.
Also taking to the stage will be Top Drawer’s brand new Product Pitch in partnership with IND!E, where visitors will be able to watch four brands go head to head to win a one week pop-up with a major retailer. The judging panel includes Jason Billings-Cray of John Lewis, Marianne Carter of Morleys Stores Group,Sara Allbright of Retail100, and Matt Hopkins of IND!E. The event takes place on Monday 9th September at 11:30am.
This season will also see the return of the Business Hub, a valuable resource for business owners, offering free one-to-one 20 minute sessions with leading industry experts. Visitors and exhibitors can meet up with specialists to discuss their business or product and gain invaluable advice and actionable tips to take their business to the next level.
This season’s experts include: Therese Oertenblad, a wholesale expert and founder of Small Business
Collaborative; Larisa Barker, digital marketing expert and founder of The Brand Map; Laura Harrison, finance expert and founder, Laura Harrison LH Retail Development
Consultancy; Cara Bendon, branding expert and founder of Cara Bendon BrandConsultancy, and Isobel Perl, social media selling expert and founder of Perl Cosmetics. Whether a business owner is seeking guidance on branding, exploring new market entry, or refining their marketing approach, the Business Hub is the go-to resource for expert insights and practical advice. Booking will open soon via the Top Drawer website.
Meanwhile, back by popular demand, the Spotlight Awards will be returning to shine a light on stand out brands across the show by celebrating their creativity, innovation and excellence. The Awards are open to all exhibitors at Top Drawer A/W 24, with winners selected by an esteemed judging panel.
Judges include: Preena Patel, buyer for the Design Museum, Sarah Holmes, owner of Pencil Me In and Seasgair Store, Priya Aurora-Crowe, co-owner of multiple retailer Lark, Sarah Laker, owner of Stationery Supplies, and Hannah and Clare Bishop, owners of Cornucopia.
The awards focus on brands that truly stand out, whether through exceptional products, innovative approaches, or eye-catching stands.
The award categories include:
- Best New Product in Fashion
- Best New Product in Play
- Best New Product in Wellbeing
- Best New Product in Food
- Best New Product in Home
- Best New Product in Gift
- Best New Product in Launchpad
- Best New Product in Greetings & Stationery
- Innovation in Design
- Best Newcomer
- Best Stand
On the trends front, once again, The Better Trends Company will be presenting three key trends for the season ahead, highlighting Woodland Picnic, Festive Pop, and Purposeful Brands, with the area a good starting point for visitors.
Register to attend at topdrawer.co.uk
For more about Top Drawer, click through to page 11 and page 69 in the September issue of Progressive Gifts & Home.
To read the full issue of Progressive Gifts & Home September 2024 click here.
Top: RetailRevealed speakers include, from left to right: Therese Oertenblad, founder of Small Business Collaborative; Catherine Erdly, founder of The Resilient Retail Club and Priscillia Pollara, founder of Top Trick.
