Stationery Show Manchester 2018, scheduled to take place on October 9-10, will not be staged this year confirmed organisers Ocean Media.
“We feel the level of uncertainty in the market is too high to expect our exhibitors to risk supporting a new show,” said event manager Hazel Fieldwick. “We appreciate the trust and support of those companies who had committed to supporting our Manchester show, and we will ensure all of them are recognised accordingly.”
A tough retail market, cautious buyers and uncertain suppliers has led to the decision not to run what would have been the second edition, aimed at attracting buyers from the Midlands and the North of England.
The organising team, which also runs the well-established stationery show that takes place each April in London, has decided to focus its efforts on Stationery Show London 2019.
Entries into LaunchPad Manchester, the search to find individuals and companies wanting to break into the stationery market, will be carried forward to next year’s London event.
In addition, a new dedicated hosted buyer programme for northern and midlands-based retailers will be introduced for London 2019.
“It is frustrating to walk away from an event that the whole team was working hard on and looking forward to, but we cannot ignore the economic realities stationery industry suppliers are currently facing,” concluded Hazel.
A rebranded ‘Stationery Show London 2019’ will take place at the Business Design Centre, London on 30 April and 1 May 2019, marking the show’s ninth year.
Top: Portico Designs were among the exhibitor’s at last year’s Manchester Stationery Show. This year’s show has now been cancelled.
