Source Home & Gift is firmly set to becoming a catalyst for positive change in the retail industry, according to the show’s organiser.
Key visitors on the event’s second day – it continues on Wednesday alongside Autumn Fair at the NEC – included ALDI; B&Q; Lucy & Yak; Ocado; Sue Ryder; House of Marbles; Widdop & Co; Cardology; RSPCA; National Trust; Amazon; Blue Diamond; Tik Tok and Card Factory.
‘We know that customers want to be more conscious and more responsible in their purchasing, and they also expect the businesses they use to lead by example, and so we want to help those businesses. Source Home & Gift really brings together the suppliers and retailers, and helps everyone understand what that journey is. I’ve wandered around the halls and I’m so impressed : the creativity, the wonderful craftsmanship. I would say to any retailer looking to find something to differentiate themselves from the competition – a trip to Source Home & Gift is absolutely crucial. I’ve had some brilliant discussions and met bags of ethical producers who are brilliant at what they do. I know that I’ll leave here and think I could have learned more, could have done more. So that’s why I will come back next year,’ says Andrew Goodacre, BIRA ceo.
‘The definition of Source is ‘where things originate’, and we believe that creating beautiful, well made, products begin in partnership with the people you source from. We champion ethical and sustainable manufacturing, elevating exhibitors who embody these principles and share their unique stories. This is a place where doing good business goes hand in hand with creating exceptional quality products,’ says Suzanne Ellingham, Source Home & Gift event director.
‘Our mission is to connect the global sourcing community, bringing together innovative makers and artisans, with extraordinary uniqueness and craftsmanship, and manufacturers who care about how products are made, under one roof. And connecting them to brands and retailers looking to buy and source better products and want to work with businesses whose values align with their own. Source Home & Gift is where responsibility meets style, connections turn into collaborations, and where your imagination and ideas can be brought to life.’
‘We sell new goods in our charity shops to raise funds for the RSPCA. Coming to Source Home & Gift is so important to us as we’re always looking to find new and exciting products and meet new suppliers to meet the demand of our customers. It’s really important that we’re trying to be environmentally friendly and that we’re sourcing things that aren’t going to harm the planet. As a charity we’re really part of the green and circular economy – that’s an important part of who we are and our ethos. So to be able to find new suppliers who align with that here is really great,’ says Lesley Kennedy, RSPCA retail development manager.
Bioneurodesign debuted at Source Home & Gift with creations that embody Portugal’s rich heritage and craftsmanship. ‘We decided to come to Source Home & Gift as we wanted to showcase our new range of products to the UK market, and we knew this provided an excellent opportunity to do that. We’ve established some great leads already and still have more of the exhibition to go,’ says Julio Felix, CEO at Bioneurodesign ceo.
