Craft Focus - Apr/May (Issue 72)

23 SHOWS AND EVENTS Shows, news & events Our roundup of this season’s most unmissable events  DIARY DATES Stationery Show London 30 th April – 1 st May Business Design Centre, London stationeryshow.co.uk Autumn Fair 1 st -4 th September NEC, Birmingham autumnfair.com Top Drawer A/W 8 th -10 th September Olympia London topdrawer.co.uk VITAL DATA REVEALED AT CHSI STITCHES Useful data from The Craft Report 2019 was revealed at CHSI Stitches, which took place in February at the NEC, Birmingham. The latest results were taken from a sample of more than 3,000 crafters, with research conducted by independent specialists Linda Jones & Partners. “Visitors to the show were given exclusive access to some vital industry data through The Craft Report research, presented to benefit their businesses and deepen their understanding of customers and the retail landscape,” says Dominic Fleming, show director. “This kind of insight makes the show a must for everyone in the creative craft industry.” Completed in January 2019, The Craft Report: The Rise of Consumer Power aims to provide valuable information to help retailers understand changing consumer habits and attitudes. The study covers a breakdown of the UK audience and the popularity of specific crafts. It also looks at consumer spending, the importance of workshops, online and offline shopping habits and social media influencers. In addition, there’s a close-up look at specific sectors including papercraft. For a full report on this year’s CHSI Stitches and an exclusive interview with Linda Jones, turn to page 29. Go to chsi.co.uk for more show news. Exhibitors celebrate at Christmasworld More than 1,000 exhibitors from 45 countries flocked to Germany for the 2019 edition of Christmasworld in January. The show’s organiser, Messe Frankfurt, debuted a fresh layout that included the opening of the recently finished Hall 12, with the changes allowing visitors to circulate more easily, providing specialist buyers with plenty of inspiration and opportunities to establish new business contacts. “At a time of structural change in the retail landscape, the new Christmasworld has been a huge success and above all, scores highly because of the outstanding quality of visitors to the show,” says Stephan Kurzawski, senior vice president at Messe Frankfurt. “With all this and a continued increase in the number of exhibitors, Christmasworld has once again confirmed its role as the leading trading fair for seasonal and festive decorations.” This year’s trends were identified as sustainability, naturalness, reductionist aesthetic and exclusivity. The colour green was popular, with Scandinavian and Japanese influences seen throughout the show. Christmas products were found to be increasingly handcrafted, while cheerful designs were also on the rise. Find out more at christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com Get set for Stationery Show London Taking place on 30 th April and 1 st May at the Business Design Centre, Stationery Show London promises to attract influential buyers and brands from across the stationery, gift and fashion sectors. The show’s regular LaunchPad competition will reveal 12 new hopefuls that have already garnered approval from this year’s five judges. There will also be more than 50 first- time exhibitors and 100 show regulars. Turn to page 51 for our full preview, or visit the event website at stationeryshowlondon.co.uk