Craft Focus - April/May 2024 (Issue 102)

PUTTING PEN to paper Browse a cornucopia of products at London Stationery Show London Stationery Show 2024 has a lot to write home about. Taking place on 14th to 15th May at the Business Design Centre in Islington, the UK’s only dedicated exhibition covering gift stationery, writing instruments, arts & crafts and office supplies has an alluring exhibitor line-up, added features and new enthusiastic owners. While we may be living in a digital world, the stationery sector is proving its mighty endurance, with product innovation continuing to perpetuate the consumer’s interest and desire, be it in accessible writing instruments, wonderfully designed journals, the latest desk accessories, not to mention arts & crafts developments. BRINGING THE OLD AND THE NEW London Stationery Show 2024’s strong roster of exhibitors is a feast of many leading brands as well as new designer names, including Crayola, Leuchtturm1917, Blueprint Stationery, Stone Marketing, ExaClair, Daler Rowney, Royal Talens, Manuscript Brands, Jakar International, Studio Pens, Pentel, Snopake, Staedtler, IG Design Group, Sinclairs, Stabilo, Pukka Pads, Edding, Hahnemüehle, Ultratape, The Pilot Pen Co, Zebra Pen, Nu:notebooks, Tallon International and many more. This will be the show’s first outing since being acquired from Ocean Media Group by Max Publishing at the end of last year. Chantelle White continues with LSS as its event manager while Chris Leonard-Morgan, who founded the show back in 2012 is back in the fray, with the news that he has joined the team as a special advisor having been very warmly received by the stationery community. BOUTIQUE COLLECTION Global consumer and design trends are quickly reflected by the stationery industry and at the boutique collection you can find beautiful original designs, great stationery gifts and more. The boutique collection allows retailers the chance to discover something original for their shop. This carefully curated section of the show is centred around innovation, as quirky, independent suppliers present their product offerings. If looking for something new to wow customers with, the boutique collection is designed with retailers in mind. DISCOVERY HUB Located on the mezzanine level, the discovery hub is a place for education and creativity. Visitors will be able to hear from industry-leading experts or get hands-on with the latest products from our exhibiting brands. BE INSPIRED The Creative Matters workshops are an opportunity to get hands on with the latest products and master the techniques straight from the people who made them. The Indie Matters business advice clinics and the Retail Matters live talks are another fantastic opportunity to meet the inspiring business minds behind the brands to discuss creative content, sales techniques, exhibition advice and more. REGISTRATION Registration for buyers, wholesalers, overseas distributors and licensors has now gone live with the agenda of workshops and talks to be revealed shortly. LSS will also include a display of Stationery Awards finalists, with the winners being announced at the end of the first day of the show at a free to attend event held in the Jack’s Café area at the BDC. IN BRIEF: Who: London Stationery Show Where: Business Design Centre, London When: 14-15 May, 2024 Web: www.stationeryshowlondon.co.uk 39 LONDON STATIONERY SHOW PREVIEW

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