British gift manufacturers with exciting and unusual new gift ranges are being given a unique opportunity to supply John Lewis this Christmas, with sourcing experts at The Great British Exchange (GBE) tasked with finding the most innovative product ranges from small independent businesses and artisan producers.
“We want to hear from British brands that have something a bit different to offer the gifting market,” says GBE founder Matthew Hopkins. “From unusual, personalised gifts and small batch, locally made Christmas stockings, to homewares, artisan Christmas jumpers and everything in between, the search is now on for the very best of British gifting. We’re looking for ambitious small business owners that are ready to make a leap and reach bigger markets.”
Successful brands and products will be sold in selected John Lewis stores this Christmas, including the retailer’s flagship Oxford Street store.
GBE, known for its in-store experiences and meet the maker events, specialises in bringing newness and localism to the high street and is responsible for John Lewis’s successful, regionally sourced, pop-ups in stores up and down the country.
Lucy Steer at John Lewis said the latest initiative was “a proactive approach to attracting new British design talent onto the shelves for the festive season.”
Adds Matthew: “Over the past eight years we have helped thousands of unknown brands onto the high street thanks to our relationships with major retailers and we’ve helped transform many of them into household names.
Demand for British made products and unusual gifts has never been higher and this Christmas will offer an unprecedented opportunity for the makers of exceptional British products to boost their sales.
“Our role is to offer newness and variety that customers crave and make it as easy as possible for them to stock the hottest emerging British brands. We hope lots of independent makers and brands will get in touch with us so that we can help them onto the high street this Christmas.”
The Great British Exchange also has partnerships with The Giftware Association offering additional opportunities for creative British businesses to be seen this Christmas.
Call 01423 229988 or visit https://popup.thegbexchange.com/
Top: A recent Bloomfull pop up in John Lewis & Partners in Cardiff.
