Exclusively – insights from exhibitors

Housewares editor Bryony Andrews spoke to a number of exhibitors ahead of the upcoming Exclusively show to get the lowdown on their predictions for standout new kitchen products and ranges at Exclusively.

Lee Savill, brand director at RKW, said: “We’re anticipating Natural Life cleaning and storage products to see some significant attention at the Tower stand (EH402). We’ve used carefully considered materials for the products such as fully biodegradable beech wood cleaning brushes and recyclable FSC-certified Brown Kraft card packaging.

“Launching the brand has been nothing short of a passion project for the product development team. The strong sustainability message is backed by months of dedicated research, intelligent material sourcing and the support of WeForest. For every sale of Natural Life, a percentage of the profit goes toward the organisation’s reforestation projects to combat climate change.

Lee believes the buzz and excitement built up around Exclusively is second to none. “Returning to the regular show schedule has been an excellent morale boost for the whole team – everyone back to face-to-face meetings in great company, doing what they love and what they do best. Our team is incredibly passionate about the new products and brands we’ll be showing off this year at the Tower and RKW stands.”

 

Howard Bradley, Dexam’s sales director, told Housewares about its new children’s collection. “We partnered with RHS last year on our first children’s collection and are pleased to bring to market new items that we will be displaying at Exclusively,” he revealed. “This includes the I Bug You children’s range, two adult textile ranges (Benary Vegetable and Sunflower) and an extensive Mistletoe Christmas collection featuring textiles and tabletop ceramics. All have been beautifully made with prints sourced directly from the Royal Horticultural Society Lindley Collections. It houses the world’s finest collection of books and printed materials on gardening and outstanding collections of archives, photography and botanical art.

Howard continued: “We are most excited about seeing buyers, other suppliers and industry friends again. Dexam is all about relationships and excellent service, and Exclusively enables us to excel at these things. We look forward to introducing everyone to all the new product development first hand!

Joe and Sadie Sillett, co founders of Funky Appliance Co, “have a stand at Exclusively and are really looking forward to it”.

“Last year it was one of the very first events post-COVID lockdown and the first day in particular was absolutely excellent. We think this year’s Exclusively will be even bigger. Our retailer base has grown enormously over the last 12 months so this year we are looking forward to having face to face discussions with as many Funky retailers as possible. Retailers are at the coalface, they hear and read the feedback every day from customers. We like to hear that too so we are really looking forward to the show. There aren’t many major retailers who don’t stock our products now, but we will certainly be targeting those who haven’t joined us yet and will be telling them just why they should.”

Jenny Handley, head of marketing at T&G Woodware, told us that the T&G team was most excited to meet with existing and new customers face to face, and hear about what’s going on and what their needs are.

She expects T&G’s range of sustainable products to be their standout product at the show. “We have held FSC certification since 1999 and have over 80 products including preparation and serving wood boards, natural wood salt and pepper mills, wooden utensils and cork mats, coasters and pot stands,” she explained. “The FSC® logo gives an independent guarantee that the forest is managed according to agreed social, environmental and economic standards for our increasingly environmentally concerned customers. Good value, sustainable, quality products for the kitchen and home.”

 

Sally Wilkinson-Kennedy, sixth generation of the Wilkinson family of kitchenware manufacturers/designers, will be based at the ESG Stand. She said: “The pandemic confirmed the importance of meeting the people we care about in person. For me at work, these are the buyers or retailer product developers themselves. They are typically clear about what they want, even if that still needs a degree of interpretation from ourselves. ‘Joy with a clean conscience’ seems to be a strong theme and that has fed into our 3D Bake patented celebration cake pans; our lifetime sustainable Naked ranges and a beautiful Italian-made, natural non-stick range. Greater functionality and convenience are always of interest, so we also have some stylish pre-market, patented ‘stack and store’ cookware and bakeware sets, that clearly rival current leading brands.”

Intriguingly, the new products will not be fully out on display. Sally says she aims to excite and engage retailers with several new products and coating technologies that are not yet on the UK market, plus one that is poised perfectly for a timely relaunch, given the pressure on household budgets in the coming year. All within a 15-minute focussed presentation, suited to busy retailers.

 

Helen Parr, head of sales at The Rayware Group, meanwhile, said: “We are delighted to be back at Exclusively this year to showcase our new ranges from all of our brands. Items that will be displayed at the show include additions to the stunning Mason Cash In the Forest collection, new Wide Mouth Jars from iconic brand, Kilner and a space-saving, 9-piece Knife Block Set with sharpener from Viners. Typhoon has developed the World Foods Fruit Range, a stunning array of serveware in various bold fruit designs, which is sure to be an eye-catcher. For Price & Kensington, you can expect to see the beautiful Amalfi range that has been inspired by the zesty lemons on the Amalfi Coast. Ravenhead’s new Entertain Gift Sets include a Martini Cocktail Set and Gin Cocktail Set.

“Overall, we just can’t wait to catch up with existing customers, welcome new customers, share a drink and discuss everything going on in our industry.”

 

A sentiment thoroughly shared by the team at Housewares! Alex and I look forward to catching up with you all at the show – see you in London!