Despite the Arctic conditions yesterday, (Sunday 12 January), buyers were out in force at Top Drawer at London’s Olympia, with exhibitors reporting a successful first day.
“It was a really busy, and we were delighted to hear that so many retailers had had a good Christmas and were at the show to restock their shelves,” ByEloise’s sales director, Charlotte Drew, told PG&H. “Being shortlisted in the 2025 Gift of the Year competition this year really helped to encourage buyers to visit our stand.”
On the Talking Tables stand, retail brand development manager, Tim Hollis, was delighted with the response to the company’s new Bon Appettit range. “It certainly attracted a lot of new customers to the stand,” he highlighted.
For Rex London, it was the company’s first time back at Top Drawer since 2019.“We decided to add a London show this year and, so far, Top Drawer has been an order writing show for us,” confirmed head of operations and sales, Scott Clarke.
On the Cotton & Grey stand, co-owner Claire Sowden concurred: “With so many external factors, to include the cost-of living crisis, we weren’t sure what to expect, but I’m delighted to say that it’s been a very busy show, with lots of re-orders and interest from new companies. So far so good.”
The Trends area was among the focal points at the show. “Trends this year are about human connection with fewer digital designs,” The Better Trends Company’s director, Louise Healy, told PG&H. “It’s much more about craft – heritage – and art – painterly, collage and 2D prints.”
Three product displays at the show focused on Art School: analogue experimentation and DIY expression, featuring brilliant prints and bold designs and colours; Spring Soiree: celebrating colour, creativity and connection, with clashing, colourful glassware a key feature, and tablescaping very much in mind; and Grandma’s Attic: highlighting products that are steeped in heritage, evoking a sense of nostalgia and warmth.
Seminars included a presentation by PR & visibility strategist Amanda FitzGerald, with talks today (January 13) including presentations from Louise Healy and Natalie Alexander, directors of The Better Trends Company, and Theresa Oertenblad, founder of Small Business Collaborative.
Visit topdrawer.co.uk. The show ends tomorrow (January 14).
Top: Three top trends for 2025, from left to right: Art School, Spring Soiree and Grandma’s Attic.
