BIRMINGHAM: “With 140 exhibitors – 65 of which are new – the Totally Shows event at the NEC on 6-8 February is offering products for merchants in the tools, security and general purpose market segments,” says sales director Paul Grinsell. And this year, a rolling series of seminars and demos will offer tips for merchants seeking to increase their sales.
This three-in-one event, which is co-located with the Spring Fair gives visitors a proven platform to meet their needs,” Mr Grinsell adds. “By moving the show to the Midlands, it puts the show within greater reach of many more merchants.”
Totally DIY, Tools and Secure is the showcase for re-sellers of hand and power tools, home improvement, decorative and security products which apply to merchants, dealers, wholesalers and stockists.
Timing is all-important, Mr Grinsell says. “The DIY and tools market kicks off around Easter when the days are getting longer and the weather warmer and it is the first real holiday break since the Christmas period.”
This year’s Retail Tool Box is the focal point of the Totally Shows. Enlisting the services of the National Skills Academy for Retail, which is working closely with Mary ‘Queen of Shops’ Portas and her current TV series on Channel 4.
“The idea is to give retailers tips on how to improve their retail practice and raise their game. The seminars are on a rolling programme over the three days of the show. They will be a mixture of presentations by individuals from the National Skills Academy, product demonstrations by exhibitors and video presentations.”
New products are the lifeblood of the show and are located in the central piazza area, alongside the seminars.
This year’s Show Stopper awards are being held on Sunday 6 February. Tools, decorative, security, garden and DIY are the five categories. The judging panel, which consists of an independent merchant, a retail multiple and a wholesaler will choose this year’s top products on the Sunday. Prizes for the best new products will be presented at the end of the day.
“This year we have exhibitors from Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, and the US. We are also 16% up on space compared with 2010 and 15% up on our number of exhibitors. That means there are more products for more visitors to see – and the reason why merchants go to shows in the first place,” Mr Grinsell adds.
The DIY market remains closely linked to the housing market and while the housing market remains flat, RMI and new products are the way ahead and the Totally Shows are a way to get ahead.
