23 SHOWS & EVENTS 50 years of CHSI Stitches CHSI Stitches, the UK trade show for the creative craft industry, will be back at the NEC in Birmingham on the 23rd and 24th February 2025. With a 50-year history leading the industry, the event will mark its 50th anniversary by uniting buyers and small craft business owners with top manufacturers and suppliers. Attendees can explore the latest products and innovations in the market and benefit from a valuable educational programme featuring top-notch advice from retail, sales, and marketing experts to propel your business to success. To register and for further information, visit the website: www.chsi.co.uk Local Retail: Creating the Future - at h+h Cologne h+h cologne will present innovations from the sections knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery and crafting as well as a wideranging event programme. The trade fair is focusing on the local retail trade in line with its new key theme ‘Local Retail: Creating the Future’ and is making the right network and the appropriate learning contents available to the retail trade - for the sustainability of the handicraft industry. h+h cologne 2025 offers retailers an extended event and further education programme comprising of workshops, masterclasses and lectures on best practice. Here, the emphasis lies on the themes Digitalisation and Sustainability - the mega trends of the creative industry. At the trade fair the visitors will learn how they can modernise their businesses and make them competitive using digital tools and sustainable strategies. Whether it’s about implementing e-commerce solutions, optimising digital inventory and customer data or sustainable business practices, h+h cologne 2025 offers concrete approaches to get the stationery trade geared up for the future. “After the acclaimed key theme ‘Creative Empowerment’ last year, we’re now extending our focus further with ‘Local Retail: Creating the Future’ in the strive to further strengthen the local trade in the digital era,” stated Katrin Schön, Director of h+h cologne. Challenges as an opportunity Changing market conditions and consumer needs make it necessary for the trade to further develop. Because according to the current consumer survey of GfK, 50 per cent of the DIY customers already purchase their handicraft materials such as fabric, wool or accessories on the web (2021: 45 per cent). At the same time, the specialised stores are losing in significance, their market share dropped from 34 per cent in the year 2021 down to 32 per cent in the year 2023. “However, these figures show that the stationary trade still plays an important role,” explained Hedwig Ehlen, CEO of Initiative Handarbeit e.V. “It’s going to be decisive for the future to reposition ourself as a place of encounter and of haptic experiences.” According to the 2023 Retail Report of the future institute, the future of the trade is digital, but also physical. Furthermore, the trade is showing increased presence in both sections and cleverly combines them. Companies that want to be successful need to offer the customers special shopping experiences - coupled with service and sustainability. Being open to technology, courage and innovation are the decisive steps on the way to the future. Shaping the future together 2025 is characterised by growth: h+h cologne is inviting visitors to dive into a world full of insights, inspiration and innovations. It considers itself to be the meeting point of a strong industry community that enjoys a creative exchange and learning together - for the sustainability of the handicraft industry. Further information on h+h cologne 2025 can be found at: www.hh-cologne.com
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