Hall H Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair 2024
Upon entering the previously familiar setting it was immediately apparent that everything had changed. The old showroom completely gutted, ripped down, torn apart and binned. Whilst the previous look and feel of Premier showrooms was working for them over many many years, for 2024 there is a major upgrade and what comes across to visitors such as myself as an exciting fresh new start.
Not only has the way products are being presented to customers been overhauled, but the product range itself has again increased significantly including (in typical Premier fashion) whole new ranges never seen before in the UK market.
Having been able to visit the far east in 2023 for the first time in a number of years will certainly have helped and trade buyers across our industry should be testament to this as much as the Premier southern showroom is.
The situation in China since the decline of the global pandemic has settled down according to Premier’s Managing Director John Athwal. The country itself is still very much concerned regarding production being affected by any further policies that may be implemented in the future but a lot of the restrictions we saw in previous years, with regard to the movement of labour forces for example, no longer exist. People are able to move freely and lockdowns are seemingly a tool of the past. The supply of raw materials into the factories has also improved as well as the ability to ship goods at a reasonable cost. All of this has led to price reductions across the board for Premier and certainly there are some deals to be done.
When entering the building in Ruislip I was firstly hit with amazing graphics depicting a beautiful winter night sky complete with Santa and his sleigh with even the hint of snow falling and gathering on the floor. Together with the smell of hot coffee and Scentscicles in the air “It’s Christmas…” were my thoughts and I was in the mood for it. Customers should be delighted with the work put in to make their buying experience not only simpler but also more enjoyable with well executed tweaks like the colour blocking of all decorations for example.
Last year Premier’s lighting offer wowed with their Dream lights collection which I am now hearing has been selling out at retail level. Already ahead of the game in 2023 with their own bespoke designs for this range there is now much more on offer covering not only large display products but also smaller shapes and sizes designed for use inside in the home. I was further blown away this year with a brand new collection of wall hanging motifs made using Premier’s Flexibright product. This collection is simply stunning and has to be seen to be fully appreciated. Again, it is full of bespoke designs that have been created from the ground up with excellent pricing to boot. It is sure to do well in 2024 alongside other new lighting collections including dual colour switching multi action rattan Reindeers, an impressive collection of infinity mirror characters, brand new LED blossom trees which include new types of floristry based product as well as new style trees full of nothing but LEDs. Then there is an exciting collection of lit fabric banners which are seemingly a brilliant move on from the old style lit canvases that did well in previous years. Premier’s own Rainbow colourway, first bought to market in 2018, shores up their lighting offer and has seemingly swept the globe with it now being seen in pretty much every lighting product range on offer.
“Pricing across Premier’s entire range of trees and floristry is also down a huge amount owing to increased buying power and lower freight rates. All of this culminates into more choice and better value for the customer”
Decoration collections have also been expanded with an abundance of new items offering exceptional value. As mentioned previously, Premier are now presenting in colour groups which leads to a much easier method of selection for 2024 where customers are able to readily incorporate Premier’s colourways into their own chosen themes. Premier’s new collections incorporate timeless classic seasonal shades alongside an array of fashion colourways which follow growing seasonal trends. Whimsical iridescent pastels are featured in the Dreamscape category, Natural Lux includes deep shades of plum, emerald green and rich gold. Then there is Christmas Allure, a cheerful sophisticated bright colour palette, whereas Winter Glow showcases all shades of blue with glistening snow white alongside warm gold accents encompassing natural elements.
With the EU recently implementing restrictions that affect the importation of products containing glitter, Premier have addressed this concern and are now offering many more microplastic free products across a number of categories. Do not miss their perennial family favourite collections, Candy Cane, Gingerbread and Elves plus not forgetting our beloved furry friends – a brand new pets collection for 2024.
Christmas Tree sales continue to be extremely buoyant with the market increasing year on year. Premier have always offered a great wide range of product covering all key price points and now, with the inclusion of National Tree branded items within their catalogue, it seems that Premier have possibly the most comprehensive range of Christmas trees available within the UK market. Pricing across Premier’s entire range of trees and floristry is also down a huge amount owing to increased buying power and lower freight rates. All of this culminates into more choice and better value for the customer.
Please ensure that you book your showroom appointment as soon as possible with your Premier sales account manager so you do not miss out on what is sure to be an incredible new year. If you are unable to travel into either their Ruislip based or Wrexham based showrooms then please be sure to visit Hall H at the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Fair 2024.
