The only international sourcing platform of its kind in the UK, Source Home & Gift will open its doors this Sunday uniting a compelling line-up of over 300 audited, quality global manufacturers who pride themselves on responsible manufacturing and sustainable production, with key retailers, brands and contractors.
Taking place from the 3rd-6th September at NEC Birmingham and running parallel to Autumn Fair, Source Home & Gift has tripled in size from the first edition in February. The event will showcase homewares, furniture, gifts, toys, textiles, packaging, and stationery and greetings producers and manufacturers from over 300 exhibitors from over 14 countries including Bangladesh, China, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Uganda, UK, Uzbekistan, and the first dedicated Egyptian Pavilion organised by Egypt Expo & Convention Authority (EECA) which will showcase seven manufacturers.
Suzanne Ellingham, Director of Sourcing, Source Home & Gift says, “Our mission at Source Home & Gift is to make it easier for brands and retailers to access responsible manufacturers and be one step closer to true transparency in their supply chain. Our exhibitor list is extensive, with September’s show hosting over 300 global artisan makers, to large scale manufacturers from 14 different countries, and across 9 key sectors including tableware, homewares, gifts, textiles, toys, pet gifting and much more.
“We work with global authorities and industry bodies to locate the best manufacturers from around the word to bring them to the show. We require all of those that exhibit to have had an audit in the last 12 months from a recognisable institution, for example a SMETA or BSCI audit at a minimum. This ensures every manufacturer has good working practices and aligns with our business values. We are bringing together a wide variety of exhibitors with different capabilities and offerings, from around the world to Birmingham and I truly believe we can help companies work with makers and manufacturers where their orders support good business practices and support the communities around the world.”
Exhibitors in the Egyptian Pavilion span a range of categories and include, Breathe, one of the most recognisable brands in Egypt, producing revolutionary comfortable, breathable and practical basic wear for modest women using natural bamboo fabrics. Duma toys celebrate artisanal Egyptian craftmanship creating soft toys from sustainable materials. Inspired by middle eastern heritage and reviving traditional arts NAIA design house create high-end handcrafted home accessories. Shafiaa El Wakil design silver jewellery inspired by the spirit of Egypt and blending heritage and innovation.
Visitors will also discover Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society (Palestine),a World Fair Trade Organisation that supports small-scale producers of artisanal crafts from Bethlehem and surrounding villages, to bring their goods to market through fair and ethical sourcing practices. Look out for beautiful products made from the pruned branches of olive trees.
A must see on the show floor is the Dehua Ceramics pavilion. Dehua is birthplace of Blanc de Chine, and is known for its excellence in porcelain, which includes some of the best tableware manufacturers in the world. Luzerne (Singapore) will be showcasing their capabilities as a leader in design led tableware, but they are also an example of a manufacturer with true green credentials. Within this pavilion visitors will find a wide range of ceramic products from tableware to decorative and Christmas items.
Smart Zone Ace (UK) are UK manufacturers that sell high-quality toys that stand strong during playtime and last for years of imaginative play! Their brands, including Mighty Wheels and Mighty MAN™, are sold all over the globe and are loved by children everywhere. Homede (Hong Kong) have been designing and manufacturing home products for living spaces for over 20 years. They believe that your home is an extension of who you are and aim to create products designed for your living. They create inspiring, sophisticated and trendy products, that are innovative and minimise our environmental impact, including striking ceramic vases and artificial flowers.
With leading retailers and brands including Disney, Sainsburys, M&S, John Lewis, Jojo Maman Bebe, Ohh Deer, Amazon, Dobbies, Dunelm, Next, WWF and many more pre-registered to attend, Source Home & Gift also welcomes a host of manufacturing and retailing experts and changemakers to the Responsible Sourcing Stage, in Hall 18, to deliver expertise on sustainability in retail, the latest trends, and regulatory sessions on working with different countries. Highlights include, futurist and trend forecaster Jack Stratten, Head of Trends at Insider Trends who kicks off the programme on Sunday, exploring global best practice in sustainable sourcing and technology.
On Monday, Cassandra Stavrou MBE, Founder of Proper Snacks, discusses sustainability and responsible manufacturing, and also about how weaving story telling into marketing can build communities and connect with consumers.
Tuesday sees the The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office within the Department for Business and Trade, running a session on the DCTS (Developing Countries Trading Scheme) which is removing important export duties from 65 countries, with further exemptions on another 20 countries. Visitors are invited to join this 30-minute session as well as an informal drop-in session in the afternoon.
Source Home & Gift is co-located with Autumn Fair, bringing the entire retail supply chain under one roof and creating the “must-attend” event for the UK buying community.
Visitors and exhibitors are invited to the Responsible Retail Party on Monday 4th from 5 – 6.30pm for drinks, nibbles and entertainment.
Visit www.source-homeandgift.com for more information.
