Direct from Market: Hong Kong
Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts and Dec, 5/9/2011 8:27:33 PM
 Hong Kong Gift & Premium Fair |
 Aurora's YooHoo making friends |
 Akon Development (HK) Ltd. |
 Fadtronics |
 Click Car Mouse |
 XinDao |
 Miligold |
 ecos ecos RPET Bags |
 Innosphere |
 OMG Design |
 Crystocraft |
 Top Choice |
 Urban Prefer |
The Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, produced by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, had its annual spring run April 27-30 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The show, which presents more than 4,000 exhibitors from around the world, has grown by 17 percent and attracts large international buying audience. This is a show not for the small American gift and home retailer but for their suppliers; this is an important trade fair for the importers, distributors and manufacturers sourcing new products, designers and other resources for their product lines. And for those who choose to exhibit here, it is a way to expand their reach to new markets.
The world makes its way to China to shop. We noted buyers from Australia and New Zealand, Austria, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, India, South Africa, Germany and France. The exhibitors are equally diverse. There were large pavilions from India, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand and Mainland China, and a smaller, yet significant presence from the U.K., Italy. The Philippines, Indonesia and a few others.
In the German pavilion, exhibitor Paper + Design noted, "We are here to meet customers who may not go to Frankfurt (Messe Frankfurt's Paperworld, Ambiente or Tendence), and also to reach new customers who make Asian sourcing a priority. We currently have customers in 85 countries."
British exhibitor Gift Republic, known for its Personalized Classics and other novel personalized gifts —- Name a Rose and Adopt a Giraffe — also had a presence to expand its reach into new markets. Sales manager D'mitry Zaprzala hoped to establish relationships with distributors and corporate gift suppliers across the world.
Gifts & Decorative Accessories even met up with a few American exhibitors. Aurora's Yoohoo & Friends plush line was there making new friends. Tucson, AZ-based Tattoo Manufacturing was there to promote its services manufacturing custom temporary tattoos for promotional purposes and was pleased with the contacts being made. And California-based Sourcing International, known for its original Grow-a-Head novelties and Wrist Art bracelets was also looking to expand its reach. The Wrist Art line is ideal for promotional customization. But the company is also expanding its regular gift line reach into new markets.
Technology Reigns
Walking throughout the show, there is no doubt about the part that technology plays in our lives these days and that many exhibiting companies are focusing on creating fun and fashionable items to accessorize our gizmos and gadgets. Some of the more interesting ideas were displayed in the Hall of Fine Designs and in the Aisle of Originality, a product zone of the Hong Kong Exporters Association.
USB memory devices of all sorts abounded and are not only desirable as promotional giveaways, but also in their more design forward, very giftable looks. Powise Technology offered a selection of both, while Akon Development (HK) Ltd. had a very playful collection of USB figures perfect for storing teens' homework papers.
Fadronics Innovation Ltd. presented several unique and innovative ideas — from animal-, ball- and rose-shaped accessories to support iPhones for hands-free video viewing to a heart-shaped earphone jack audio splitter for sharing listening.
InnoSphere Product Development offered some very novel solutions to the headphone cable control. Its Wisdommaze is a colorful phone case with a maze embedded in it to wind the cable through and spots to hold the earbuds. It also has a number of different novelty cable winders in the shape of a donut, a bolt and other fun shapes sure to appeal to the tween and teen set of consumers.
Mini speakers for iPods, iPhones and MP3 players were showcased in a multiplicity of shapes and styles and wireless mice ranged from the cute to the contemporary. But when it comes to mouse devices and making the perfect tech gadget for the car aficionado are the Click Car Mouse from the German company Sunnytrade Distribution. These mouse devices, some wireless and others wired, come in a variety of elite models including Mercedes, BMW, Aston Martin and Bentley, as well as more common models such as Mini Cooper and Volkswagon Beetle. Some are also available as flash drives.
Xoopar Design Ltd. showcased some of its newer design forward offerings, including a multiple device recharging hub and a USB hub/card reader device in the Product Launch Demonstration Area.
For companies looking for a novel, yet useful promotional item, the Brand Charger might do the trick. The Brand Charger is a mobile phone charging device that plugs into the cigarette lighter of a car ; a company logo or message can be printed on it, and thus, your message/logo will be in front of them regularly as they charge their mobiles..
Also focusing on being a promotional item and attracting a lot of attention was the Boogie Board, an LCD writing tablet from U.S.-based company Improv Electronics. The Boogie Board is an electronic memo pad for paperless writing. It erases at the touch of a button. It brought back memories of the magic wax tablet we had as a kid where we could draw or write with the stylus on the acetate overlay and when we lifted up the overlay, we erased the drawing.
Going Green
Eco/green products is a new and growing focus for the fair. Although a number of exhibitors were grouped together in a green products area, other green products were sprinkled around the fair.
Harnessing the power of the sun to solve the problem of recharging our tech gadgets in a more eco-friendly fashion was the focus of a few exhibitors. One of the more unusual items noted is the Solar Tree mobile phone charger from XinDao (XD Design). Miligold Intl. Ltd. presented its Solar Charging Bags a collection, a group of phone and laptop cases, messenger bags and backpacks that have built in solar cells to plug devices into for recharging.
In the Hall of Fine Designs was ecos ecos line of recycled RPET plastic fashion totes and other personal and stationery accessories were chic standouts. The notebook covers, totes, wallets and other items are made from recycled plastic water bottles. The line is a part of the diverse offerings from Ben's Creations which offers a diverse selection of desk and personal accessories.
From India, National Handmade Industries offered a broad selection of journals and desk accessories that looked as if they were made of leather but are really made of recycled cotton, making them the perfect vegan gift.
Taking a different tack at being green is the EcoMemo, part of the Siliconcept line from InnoSphere. The small memo notes in classic square and balloon shapes can be written on with an erasable marker or pen and used over and over again. There are also versions for use and reuse in agendas and datebooks.
Fashion and Wedding Style
For personal eco-fashion statements, recycled wool felt bag, totes and accessory cases offered a change from leather and plastic materials. One standout collection was that of Sunflower Holding Ltd., which offered cut-out and layered designs.
A number of exhibitors also featured stylish protective cases for our more popular portable gadgets such as iPads, laptops, digital cameras and e-readers. OMG Design Factory debuted it newest line Chocolate, which takes its design inspiration from chocolate bars. The pieces have a lightweight molded hard outer shell and a padded interior. The collection comes in three colors: chocolate, strawberry and vanilla and includes laptop and digital camera cases.
For the younger crowd, Australian exhibitor Budons presented a collection of appealing brightly colored backpacks, pencil cases and notebook covers that can be individualized with collectible, tradable character tokens that hook into a display area on the covers.
One featured vendor, Ludmilla focused on brightening up the wedding day ensemble with its collection of upscale elegant wedding jewelry made with Swarovski crystals.
Also featuring Swarovski elements and targeting the wedding market is Crystocraft with its line of wedding and anniversary figurines and decorative accessories that make the perfect special day commemorative gift. The candleholder set for the Unity candle lighting is a wedding gift that will be enjoyed and used long after the wedding day. And its toasting flutes will help bring back memories of a couple's special day every anniversary.
Novelty Smiles
This show is a good resource for fun novelty items, many of which have a practical purpose, while others just make you smile. My Choice Limited, presented a whole range of clever novelty items from a banana-shaped umbrella to toilet tissue holders resembling a tube of glue to mouseshole shaped door stops.
One of the offerings from TopChoice is the i-Pig, a ceramic pig that is a low-tech iPod speaker and money bank. The iPod sits in the ceramic pig and the sound is amplified through the pig's snout like an old-fashioned gramophone.
For dressing accessorizing the home office with a little humor, there's the Moo pencil sharpener from Urban Prefer and the Memo Fish from Chan & Yan Company. The Memo Fish is a pen holder, memo board and squeezable stress reliever all-in-one; it has a small white board surface to write short reminders.
Plush manufacturer 50 Fifty (HK) Ltd. stopped traffic and crowded the aisle with its shivering, shaking, burping and noise-making characters, giggle buddies and annoying monsters.
Learning Opportunities
Like many trade shows, the organizers also present educational programs to give buyers and exhibitors an opportunity to learn more about business opportunities and trends. Two programs presented a look the business opportunities, especially for corporate gifting and premiums in two emerging markets: India and Russia. The look at the Indian market was presented by Rakesh Desai, head of the Indian gift trade publication, Gifts & Accessories, and Vera Mirko, chief editor of the Russian publication Time to Present, offered a look at the emerging Russian market. Both speakers presented a comprehensive overview of the business climate in their respective countries and developing gifting culture.
All of this just scratches the surface of the resources that the Hong Kong Gift & Premium Fair has to offer. Looking for watches? There are plenty. How about toys? They are there too. Fashion accessories. Indeed. Pens... they are plentiful. Holiday décor? That too. The wide range of product potential makes this show a good resource for wholesale buyers seeking products and suppliers.
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