Source Home & Gift came to a successful conclusion after four days of innovation, networking, and collaboration. The global showcase provided a hub for manufacturers, designers, buyers, and distributors to engage in meaningful conversations, explore emerging trends, establish invaluable business connections, and foster global trade relationships.
From the 3rd – 6th September, the second edition of Source Home & Gift which has tripled in size since its inaugural show in February, brought together key buyers and sourcing directors from brands and retailers including Oh Deer, Sainsburys, Dunelm, Haskins Garden Centre, Indico, Blue Diamond, Funky Pigeon, M&M, Matalan, Disney, Morrisons, M&S, Next, Costcutter, AIS, Alzheimers Society, Amazon, B&Q, Card Factory, Ridleys Games, and many more all actively looking to establish new relationships and purchase from new suppliers in a responsible way.
Hundreds of accredited manufacturers, producers, and artisans from 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) told their stories and showcased their products and manufacturing capabilities across product categories including homewares, furniture, gifts, stationery and greetings, toys, textiles, household and pet supplies, and packaging.
Suzanne Ellingham, Director of Sourcing, Source Home & Gift says, “Source Home & Gift is all about bringing together buyers and procurement leaders with responsible manufacturers and makers. Our second show has delivered a hugely exciting portfolio of producers, manufacturers and artisans and offered visitors a convenient and much-needed platform in the UK for responsible sourcing.
“The Responsible Sourcing Stage has hosted some fascinating and insightful presentations putting the key industry topics and trends at the forefront. Our dedication to presenting compelling content underscores our role as a driving force in promoting a more sustainable and responsible global economy. In a world facing unprecedented challenges, Source Home & Gift stands as a symbol of resilience, innovation, and international cooperation. The show has closed celebrating new connections, innovative products, fresh perspectives, and an ongoing commitment to driving responsible global economic growth. I’ve loved seeing the variety of products on show and have picked my favourites.”
Suzanne’s Product Picks
- Cat bed: Hangzhou Tianyuan Pet Products Co – “Pet Gifting is one of the fastest growing categories in retail. Petstar are an amazing manufacturer, whilst they had some wonderful, recycled paper dog beds that looked like leather, I have four cats, and they would look unbelievably cute in this cat bed!”
- Toys and mouse Christmas decoration: Zhejiang Goodluck Creative Industries – “Another ethical manufacturer who doubles down on children’s gifts, the monster range I can see as being super commercial, and these ever popular felt decorations. For those thinking about Christmas buying this company was an amazing find.”
- Bag: Wenzhou Miles Packaging – “What I loved about all bags on this stand was that they were all made out of recycled materials, the save our ocean bag was recycled from reclaimed ocean plastics. I really loved getting to know this company. Durable, and with a message that matters, what’s not to love?”
- Vase: Tor Glass UK – “I loved this Glass manufacturer, their ranging and glass work is exceptional. I loved the colours of these hand-blown glass vases.”
- Pot: Homede – “This was a standout for the show, beautifully crafted products, that included everything from ceramic vases, and succulent pots, to faux floral, made in Vietnam and China, this is a company I loved seeing on our show floor.”
- Teapot: Hebei Cookwin Kitchen Products Co – “These traditional textured teapots make a great gift!”
- Drinks bottle: Everich Commerce Group Ltd – “There were a number of drinkware companies at the show, but I liked the quality and the graduated colours on their ranges. This was a great quality product.”
- Ceramic mugs: Huunan Xianfeng ceramic Industry – “Trend led, well made and I expect to see these instore next year. Homewares and tableware buyers that don’t know this manufacturer should seek them out.”
- Throws: Design 2100 International – “Designed and made in India, so soft! This company has fair trade practices and honestly, when I see something, I want in my house, I know others will too.”
- Straws: Unigreen – “One of the stands that was constantly busy, and I am not surprised, the sustainability and ethical approach they take to packaging and consumable products was outstanding. If you’re looking for packaging solutions from bamboo and sugar cane with 0 plastics with fair prices, you have to see them.”
- Cork notebooks: Wenzhou Liushan Crafts and Gifts – “I love these notebooks. This company takes its FSC accreditation seriously and has such a great range of products to suit any stationary buyer.”
- Glass bottles: Weifang Jinzita Metal Works – “Perfect for anyone looking for white labelling of candles and fragrances. The vessels were on trend and wouldn’t look out of place in any high-end boutique – this manufacturer was a bit of a gem and I was a hard pressed with which range to pull out!”
Feedback from the show floor was very positive. Exhibitor Tor Glass, glassware specialists from the UK commented, ‘’We are enjoying the show very much, we love the atmosphere. We’ve had lots of different types of visitors – people who have little shops, people who have garden centres and wholesalers. A buyer from TX Maxx visited our stand earlier which was brilliant too. We’re definitely looking to come back in February.’’
Buyers from Dunelm said, “It’s been a really good show, we’ve been looking for wall art and pictures and for us responsible and sustainable sourcing is so important. We will be back in February!”
Kieron Ayres, Assistant Sourcing Manager from Sainsbury’s plc commented, “We came not knowing what to expect from Source Home & Gift, we have had some great conversations and it makes sense for us to meet our suppliers here in the UK. It makes so much sense to come to a UK based show.”
Mike Dickens, Senior Program Manager, Amazon said, “Source Home & Gift is a great chance to meet lots of potential domestic and international suppliers in one place. Early face-to-face interactions with suppliers give you a good opportunity to build trust and rapport before getting into business together.”
Claire Bagnall-Hunt, Senior Commercial Trading Executive, Alzheimers Society added, ‘’We’re looking for ethical and responsible suppliers that are based in the UK, particularly those with on-trend products, and so we were very interested in attending Source Home & Gift. We’ll definitely be coming again for February’s edition to find even more UK based suppliers.’’
Tuesday’s opening seminar panel on the Responsible Retail Stage, ‘What does the UK’s new unilateral preferences trade agreement mean for global sourcing?’ with Karen Johnson and Rupert Casson from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Department for Business and Trade (DBT) offered invaluable insight into the UK’s new legislation, the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). It removes or reduces import duties from 65 developing countries, leading to £770million per year of reduced import costs and up to £2billion in trade benefit by 2030. The scheme offers duty-free, quota-free trade on thousands of products, leading to diversification of sourcing in the UK and £770 million per year of reduced import costs, whilst supporting sustainable growth in developing countries and strengthening ties between the UK and developing economies. The educational seminar gave attendees the opportunity to educate themselves on how to expand their reach and increase export opportunities.
“These changes will make it easier for developing countries to export to the UK but will also make it easier and more economically viable for UK buyers to source from developing countries,” said Rupert Casson.
Linda Zeilina-Cross, Founder and CEO of International Sustainable Finance Centre also took stage for ‘Creating a competitive advantage through circularity and sustainable practices’, emphasising that sustainable practices are not only ethical but increasingly necessary for long-term economic growth. From recycled materials to fair labour practices, the presentation highlighted the positive impact that businesses can have on the environment and society, ultimately creating value to deliver strong financial returns for stakeholders and investors.
Visit www.source-homeandgift.com for more information. The next show takes place on the 4th – 7th February 2024.
