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Best Trade Show for Retail

  • 15-09-2015 3:27pm
    #1
    woodenwonder
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 ✭


    I am a small (very small) distributor at the moment I sell a few paper bags to a few shops, nothing major. I'm thinking of either getting a sales job again or expanding operations. Will probably do both.

    I'm looking for a few products to distribute. I'm open to any industry really. Think I might visit a few trade shows and see what's trending at them?

    Which ones would you recommend. I know there's loads in Birmingham in the NEC is there an equivalent in France, Germany, Scandinavia? With the sterling I think the UK might not be an option.

    I'm a one man operation so might just build it into a few weekends away.


Comments

  • #2
    westgolf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 833 ✭✭✭westgolf


    woodenwonder wrote: »
    I am a small (very small) distributor at the moment I sell a few paper bags to a few shops, nothing major. I'm thinking of either getting a sales job again or expanding operations. Will probably do both.

    I'm looking for a few products to distribute. I'm open to any industry really. Think I might visit a few trade shows and see what's trending at them?

    Which ones would you recommend. I know there's loads in Birmingham in the NEC is there an equivalent in France, Germany, Scandinavia? With the sterling I think the UK might not be an option.

    I'm a one man operation so might just build it into a few weekends away.

    Before you book flights you need to identify the product range you wish to get into. Then research the exhibition options for same. The only exception would be if you were very specialised, range wise, for example meat counter consumables. Then you go after particular suppliers and find out where they are showing.


  • #3
    power101
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 300 ✭✭power101


    I've been to the NEC many times as a purchaser. It is absolutely massive. Every retailer in the UK and Ireland(And many from the continent) of any decent size( €1 million plus in sales) would go there. I would absolutely recommend.

    I also directly know people who have had stands there so my one warning would to be aware that its not cheap.

    Make sure your stand is inviting as you will be up against lots of competition. Have business cards for people to pick up and a box for people to pop cards into in case you're busy with other people. Have samples for people to take. Get your pricing right with it down on paper for people to see and take away. Quantity discounts for increasing order purchases etc.

    Regarding your comment on sterling rates. It is a fantastic time to sell to the UK. It means you can undercut UK suppliers of the same product as sterling strengthens thereby giving you an edge. Make sure though to give yourself leeway to be able to absorb changing rates. You don't want to be changing the price every month up and down. You could also talk to your bank about hedging exchange rates should you receive some big sterling orders so as to protect yourself from these exchange rate changes.

    Best of luck! Hope it goes well


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