Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) has organised an export mission to Slovenia for October.
The aim of the visit to the capital of Ljubljana on October 8 and October 9 is to help open up the Baltic States market to members of the trade body.
According to BHETA, Slovenia is increasingly seen as the gateway to the burgeoning opportunities that exist in the Baltic States region, which has a 20 million strong population. The area is serviced by home improvement retailers including Merkur, Topdom, OBI and Bauhaus.
The trip will include a networking conference run by the British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce on October 8. BHETA home improvement sector director Paul Grinsell explained: “The conference will bring together relevant industry speakers, plus buyers and representatives of all the major home improvement, utility housewares and gardening retailers in the area.”
Individual meetings with the retailers and distributors can be arranged on request as part of the BHETA mission. A full list of the retailers and distributors can be obtained from the BHETA Member Services team.”
Commenting on the initiative, BHETA housewares sector director Will Jones, who is also a member of the BHETA export committee, said: “The [UK] market is very tough at the moment and given the fall in the pound’s value, export is an important form of response.
“The Slovenia mission is a really exciting opportunity and we’re delighted we can offer it to members with so much added value, and at such an achievable price.”
BHETA members who would like to join the mission are entitled to an early bird discount price of £550 + VAT for all bookings made before August 7.
The package includes: two nights’ standard accommodation from October 8/9 (single room) at the 4* Lev Hotel including breakfast; transfers from Ljubljana airport; tickets for the World Cup Qualifiers Scotland v Slovenia game on October 8; beer tasting tour/dinner; attendance at the conference including lunch/refreshments; and three to five individual meetings with Slovenian retailers.
BHETA members are responsible for arranging their own flights and any additional accommodation/subsistence requirements outside of the standard package.
Subject to the level of interest, there is also the option of an exclusive retail store tour on October 10, which would require an extra night’s hotel accommodation.
BHETA members who wish to register for the event should go to http://www.bscc.si/program/ and must confirm their registration to Nicola Adams Brown at BHETA nab@bheta.co.uk.
The Slovenia mission follows on from the recent creation of the BHETA export committee. This was set up to drive initiatives in support of the export opportunities, and support members who wish to start exporting or build their existing export business.
BHETA is working with the DIT (Department for International Trade) and the international Chambers of Commerce to explore opportunities for further overseas missions, along with international shows, and grant availability.
For more information about the BHETA Slovenia mission, BHETA membership and the BHETA export committee, contact the Member Services Team on 0121 237 1130.
