Following hot on the heels of the recent Tillington Group of Garden Centres Meet The Buyers event – the first to go ‘on the road – a second event was recently held in Birmingham attended by buyers from TK Maxx who were looking for non-perishable food gifts. Showcased were products that included chocolate, homemade oils and small batch alcohol.
Suppliers showcasing their wares included Champion and Reeves, The Great British Exchange and Hobson Brewery.
Two days later, a second Meet The Buyers event was held, with an august panel of buyers featuring Fenwick’s gift and Christmas buyer Louisa Brenton, John Lewis’ gift and candle shop buyer Sara Allbright, Oldrids buying manager Lauren Wilson, and Rachel Mewies from Stratford Garden Centre.
“There were lots of happy buyers and suppliers,” commented Simone Rose, the GA’s business development manager. “With the added element of being able to ask questions, the suppliers got to learn something about the inside of a buyer’s mind and the processes they go through. They also had the unique opportunity to have one to one time with these very high profile buyers.”
Top: Fenwick’s gift and Christmas buyer Louisa Brenton, (right), a member of the GA panel, is shown at The Greats Awards last month where Fenwick Bracknell won the Best Department Store Retailer of Gifts category. Louisa is shown with assistant buyer Hannah Williams (centre) and Amanda Bell, head of home at Fenwick Kingston.
