Michelle Bicknell, owner, Hector’s Menswear, Petersfield, Hampshire
Michelle Bicknell, owner, Hector’s Menswear, Petersfield, Hampshire
Which trade shows do you plan to attend for the AW24 season?
For AW24 we shall be attending IMC and Index Menswear, and Pure [main image above] and Scoop for ladieswear. We do also like to pop along to Top Drawer to see if we can find any new gift ideas. The majority of our buying is actually done via private showroom meetings with suppliers whom we have built good relationships with.
What do you like about attending trade shows?
It is a great opportunity to discover new brands. We are always on the lookout for British made products as well as those which are making environmental progress and choices. It is also very good to spend time with likeminded people in the industry, we enjoy meeting owners of other small independents to gauge what they are doing and what is working well for them.
Is there anything you think trade shows could improve on?
There is definitely a lack of shows for the menswear side of the business. It would be great to see more British products, also we would like to see more of a focus on quality rather than lower prices.
What type of product would you be looking for?
We are always looking for high quality, English made, natural fibres, environmentally packaged with a brand and a story we can tell our customers and really get behind. We pride ourselves at Hector’s on quality rather than fast fashion.
Michaela Daniels, owner, Itsy Bitsy Boutique
Michaela Daniels, owner, Itsy Bitsy Boutique, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Peak District
Which trade shows do you plan to attend for the AW24 season?
I plan to attend the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair, Spring Fair and Moda, and the Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers Festival.
What do you enjoy about attending trade shows?
I love the idea of being able to go and touch and feel the products so I can select the right choice for our customer and our store. I enjoy looking at creative ideas on visual merchandising. I go with the intention of looking at new products from our current suppliers but I also get excited about any newness. My daughter comes with me as she manages the online side of business and we really enjoy the whole shopping experience. It keeps us motivated as buyers. Together we can make great choices and it helps to plan what we are doing for the year ahead.
Is there anything you would like to see improved at trade shows?
I have always found the trade events to be very well organised and thought out. My only improvement would be the cost to the trader as I feel over the years we miss out on meeting small wholesalers due to the high price of the stands. I personally love small family run businesses and feel the large trade events don’t always appeal due to the cost.
What sort of product would you be looking for?
I am always on the hunt for new exciting products, I love trying new businesses and having something different to offer in my store. We look closely for brands that are made in the UK and have an ethical and sustainable ethos. We sell a wide range of products from fashion, accessories, home and gifts, so nothing is off limits.
Debbie McDermott, owner, Velvet Exclusive Ladieswear and Velvet Menswear, Ramsbottom, Bury
Debbie McDermott, owner, pictured with husband Tony McDermott, retail operations manager, Velvet Exclusive Ladieswear and Velvet Menswear
Which trade shows do you plan to attend for the AW24 season?
Harrogate Fashion Week, Indx Menswear, Spring Fair and Autumn Fair.
What do you enjoy about attending trade shows?
We love attending the trade shows for inspiration on colours and styles planned for the season ahead from all the different brands .
It’s always interesting to see the similarities and also the differences dependant on their brand focus. The trade shows have a buzz about them and we do a lot of prep before we arrive, looking at the sell-through rate of previous seasons and also what was reduced and still in the Sale rail. Big buys like outerwear is definitely something we need to cut back on with global warming and seasons getting warmer and shorter.
Is there anything you would like to see improved at trade shows?
We really enjoy the shows for meeting up with suppliers and also like-minded retailers who we have become friendly with over the years. It’s great to know that you can share what’s been good, bad or ugly and also help each other with top tips and advice. We have made some great friendships since we began 14 years ago.
A big ask going forward is that trade shows are on at different dates so that we can attend more shows. We buy men’s and women’s and the dates at Indx cross over with other shows, so we cannot attend but would like to. We would also like to see more smaller and foreign brands attending to vary the usual brand mix.
What type of product would you be looking for?
We are always looking for something that is not stocked in lots of boutiques, and we usually go abroad to CIFF [in Copenhagen] for this. Unfortunately we aren’t attending this year.
Pamela Shiffer, owner, Pamela Shiffer womenswear, Primrose Hill, north-west London
Pamela Shiffer, owner, Pamela Shiffer womenswear, Primrose Hill, north-west London
Which trade shows do you plan to attend for the AW24 season?
Next season I’ll be visiting Scoop, Pure x JATC and for the first time I’ll be going to Harrogate Fashion Week.
What do you like about attending trade shows?
Visiting trade shows are the best way to gain an instant overview into the coming season and the lifeblood of our business. For me, attending is the best way to be able to view and decide if we are buying from existing and new collections in a matter of minutes.
They are also a great way to network and catch up with other buyers and agents. Trade shows are also a way to find new products and view items “side by side”.
Is there anything you think trade shows could improve on?
Like all businesses coming out of the pandemic, I believe if trade shows are to survive and thrive, changes will be a necessary growing pain. I understand many new and younger designers and brands simply can’t afford to exhibit at the large trade shows, therefore missing out on an experienced audience of buyers who are keen to find new and interesting collections. I’d like to think that the organisers could somehow reduce their charges for first time brands showing, giving us buyers the opportunity to discover new talent! After all, brand mix is key to the success or failure of many shows.
What sort of product would you be looking for?
I’m always open minded, but we’re looking for newness and to branch out into more gift ideas…as well as homing in on our established brands [which include Atelier Rêve, Même Road and Wild].
