Australian retailers are set to gain access to a new industry focused buying event next year, which aims to take the trade event concept back to its roots.
The inaugural FrontLine Australian Apparel Buying Event (F.A.A.B.E), organised by independent retail group FrontLine, will be held on February 24 and 25, 2013, and is open to all registered Australian independent retail businesses.
The event will encompass approximately 180 exhibitor booths, across over 4,500 square metres of exhibition space within Victoria’s premier exhibition venue, the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention (MCEC) centre.
Created by FrontLine to “put the ‘trade’ back into trade events”, the show will see a raft of Australian suppliers across the apparel and home categories create create buying opportunities on key ranges of men's, ladies', children’s, youth/trend based and home and manchester labels.
F.A.A.B.E, which will be officially be opened by Australian Retailers Association (ARA) executive director Russell Zimmerman, will also benefit from a range of successfully acclaimed business and retail seminar programs which will be conducted by the ARA to supplement the event's proceedings.
Commenting on the event launch, FrontLine marketing manager Casandra Bodie said she is confident F.A.A.B.E will find success in the Australian market, with over 75 per cent of exhibition space already pre-sold to a range of Australian suppliers.
“With a challenging economy there is an increasing need for a value-focused trade event, that still enables suppliers and their independent retail customers to conduct critical business,” Bodie said.
“Under our model, independent retailers will still have the opportunity to view ranges, speak with suppliers and plan their buying, but at an investment level that will see suppliers more easily able to enjoy a return on their investment, and subsequently return value to their independent retail customers. We have always delivered this opportunity successfully to our retail membership base, however we feel there is a real need to extend this opportunity to the wider industry.”
Bodie also revealed that exhibitors at F.A.A.B.E will take up three bays in total at the MCEC, with all 180 display stands 3x3, and all exhibitors “individually selected on the basis of their significance to FrontLine's membership”.
“It’s not a new concept, but we are seeking to return the focus on practical buying and networking so all participants will see benefit from their time,” Bodie said.
“We are giving suppliers a realistic opportunity to make a return on investment for their trade fair participation. In return, they will have the chance to conduct appointments and range showings with their key independent retail customer base, in a convenient central location. Similarly independent retailers will have the opportunity to conduct their range previewing and indent buying, with the chance to touch, feel, compare and make valued decisions from speaking directly with suppliers. In return for their lower investment, we are asking suppliers to support retailers with show specials and additional value.
“We do remain a member organisation first, and event organiser second, so are asking every exhibiting supplier to present an even greater value offering to our preferred member base. Applications for membership will be available on the day for any retailers wishing to extend their opportunities.”