While I was unable to attend Melbourne gift fair this year, I am grateful to colleagues, supplier contacts and friends who shared their insights. Here is a small selection of key insights shared:
- Optimism among retailers. Moderate to good. Retailers say fellow retailers talked of tough conditions but were overly optimistic about Christmas and beyond. Suppliers I heard from say they did good business.
- Optimism among suppliers. Retailers and suppliers both said some suppliers were less optimistic. A couple of suppliers have mentioned they will not do the fair next year and instead invest in a different route to market.
- Range of products. People seemed happy with what was on offer.
- Range of retailers. Several commented they saw a broader range of retail businesses represented.
- The fair itself. As has been said for plenty of years – one day too long, maybe two.
Looking at my software company’s involvement, I am happy with the results. This is Melbourne fair twelve or so for us. Plenty of retailers from a variety of channels connected with us and booked time to meet in store, which is the main reason for us participating.
Look at the involvement of buyers for shops I own, they are happy with what they ordered and the opportunities available.
This post is an opportunity for others who would like to share their feedback to do so.
My wife spent 6 days in Melbourne. Generally speaking she was pleased with what she bought, she found more choice. Positivity levels were up on the last couple of fairs.
Life In style and Reed were both good, AGHA she thought had a confusing layout, the exhibitors were good but the organisers could improve.
As always, refreshments seem to unnecessarily overpriced.
It was a good fair.