The Great Brand Exchange’s (GBE) collaborations with Harvey Nichols, John Lewis, Boots, Waitrose and Ocado will create opportunities for hundreds of small independent businesses to feature on the shelves this season.
“This Christmas marks a step change for The Great Brand Exchange, with key retailers actively seeking out the kind of originality we can offer them,” confirmed GBE founder Matthew Hopkins. “Creating opportunity for SMEs has always been our focus and we are keen to hear from ambitious, growing brands who would benefit from our support as we prepare to announce a raft of new retail partnerships for 2023.”
The latest collaborations will feature constantly changing displays in the run up to Christmas, to give as many brands as possible an opportunity to feature.
“I launched The Great Brand Exchange because I’m passionate about creating opportunities for cool new brands that deserve wider exposure, and am eternally grateful to the retail partners we work with who share that vision and make it possible,” continued Matthew.
“Featuring as part of a seasonal display in a big city centre store is a game changer for innovative brands and can seriously catapult their growth plans. It puts them on a level playing field with household names and allows retailers to offer their customers an exciting alternative to mainstream mass-produced products.”
In Harvey Nichols Manchester, over 7,000 sq ft of prime retail space has been dedicated to emerging local brands during the peak shopping period of November and December. The partnerships are the latest in a long line of deals with well-known retail names.
“Our Edinburgh store endeavours to champion Scottish talent, and the Christmas pop-up does that by offering local businesses a platform to showcase their gifting ranges this festive season,” comments Richard Morris, general manager of Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh. “New brands and businesses will change frequently at the Winter Emporium pop-up, and we encourage our customers to visit the store and browse these amazing local brands.”
Great Brand Exchange has been connecting small brands and major retailers for eight years and represents over 12,000 small businesses across the UK. Since 2014 it has created 7,000 pop up shops on the UK high street and generated £50m of retail sales for the small businesses it represents.
Visit www.thegbexchange.com
Top: With Christmas shopping in mind, the Great Brands Exchange is actively looking to give SMEs an opportunity to get into major retailers this Christmas.
