Direct from Market: Hong Kong Gifts and Premiums Fair
By Cinda Baxter -- Gifts and Dec, 5/5/2009 11:00:00 AM
When walking the show floor in say, Atlanta or New York, you might come upon a booth offering a dozen business card holder styles … maybe 18 or 20, if you’re really lucky. But in Hong Kong, you walk through the door of Hall 1 of the Hong Kong Gifts and Premiums Fair and are face-to-face with Masterwin’s booth and a display showing a couple of hundred from which to choose.
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Masterwin |
Granted, the Hong Kong Gifts and Premiums Fair, which ran April 27–30, isn’t geared toward most retailers; this one’s tailor made for multi-store chains, vendors and distributors. Still, it’s a great place to see what’s likely to show up in the U.S. pipeline down the road.
This show is a real test of the world economy, given its broad scope. Billed as “the largest gift show in the world,” the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center and attached Convention Hall housed 3,974 exhibitors from countries far and wide, including a few from the U.S. In Hall 2, buyers are met with various international exhibitor pavilions representing nations as diverse as Germany and Italy, Singapore and Thailand. This year, Turkey entered the show with a strong, multi-booth showing.
New to this year’s market is an enormous section called “World of Inspiration,” featuring creative new concepts and innovative ideas from more than 350 exhibitors. Another addition to the show was the creation of special “zones” to hone in on niche markets — Party & Festive Items, Men’s World and Tech Gifts (admittedly, the latter of the three surprised me, given how tech-rich the show is to begin with).
Given the ever-changing economic situation around the world, everyone is eyeing the show to see how this barometer of commerce will read. Companies who attended the Canton show just before Hong Kong reported fewer buyers, but more orders, proving that those who invest the time and expense to show up are there for a reason — similar to what the U.S. shows experienced earlier this year.
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FlowerPower |
One exhibitor, Sharon Lesk, owner of FlowerPower (based in Los Angeles) is thrilled with the turnout. “This is our first show anywhere, and we couldn’t be happier,” she says. “Being here opens up several new markets,” including new accounts in Bahrain, Australia, the Philippines, Abu Dabi, South Africa ... and New York, of all places. Even though she’s also planning to exhibit in one of the major U.S. shows, she sees Hong Kong as a great investment. Her primary product, an LED rose blossom that lights in six different colors, has taken off with great success. By tapping the center petals, the user changes the glow from one color to the next to fit the mood or setting. Sold in a small pot with four handmade silk roses surrounding it, the gift is both unique and practical. An additional release of lollipop blossoms round out the line.
As for what else is in the aisles, well ... there's a little of everything. From the high drama of High Design in Hall 1 to the hustle and bustle of the other six halls and two mezzanine levels, there’s plenty to get caught up in:
My award for Marketing Concept of the Year would have to go to a quirky little company called Homade, whose booth, catalog, and business cards echo the feel of a carnival popcorn stand. One of their signature products, the Mini iStereo Dock, mimics a small recognizable building block that’s actually a tiny speaker system for most iPod models. While
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Homade's Mini iStereo Dock |
not a replacement for high quality sound systems, the gem is a great fit for someone on the road who wants to hear their content without having to don headphones (think: listening to a recent Podcast while brushing your teeth). The line is currently available in the U.S. from Sarut and Lush Life.
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Chocolator calculator from Fiftytwoways |
Fiftytwowaysways is another up and coming manufacturer making a name for itself, selling under the product name Bitten. The combined efforts of three owners who have each lived in more countries than most folks can name in a single sitting — thus the name fiftytwoways — result in funky, tongue-in-check designs that appeal to a hip trend-driven crowd. From the Choculator calculator that looks like a giant chocolate bar to the Smash and Grab ceramic bank (complete with requisite hammer), and Sweet Tooth chocolate mold (think: the shape of a huge molar), there’s a smile in every bite.
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Sweet Tooth chocolate molds |
The company that gets my nod for “Never Would Have Thought of That” is Debreau Limited, distributed in the U.S. by Virgo III. They provide a range of USB powered aromatherapy devices — some with memory, some not — to bring a subtle waft of fragrance to your personal computer space. Scentdrivers can be ordered with up to 4 Gb of capacity, available in a myriad of scents. A new line of scented, USB powered enclosure cards called will debut in the States later this year.
For the slightly more reserved, there’s no shortage of interesting products. MNS Inc. is celebrating twenty years in the gift industry, quoting the line “Time goes by when you’re having fun.” Through multiple economic changes, market shifts, trends, consumer whims, and technology growth, they’ve enjoyed every moment. The line includes a plethora of fashionable,
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MNS card cases |
sleek travel and business accessories, including a translucent business card holder that slides up with the nudge of the thumb to pop up enclosed cards. Available in five colors, they’re a great fit for anyone wanting a little cool with their cards.
Without question, this spring’s Hong Kong Gifts and Premiums Fair will go down as a rousing success in the eyes of all involved. Given the amount of attention and determination the HKTDC (Hong Kong Trade Development Council) pours into the show, I doubt anyone would find that surprising.
Cinda Baxter is a retail coach (Always Upward) and the founder of both The 3/50 Project and RetailSpeaks.com, an online community of independent retailers. She can be reached at get_info@alwaysupward.com .
We would love your feedback!
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