Top Drawer AW 2024 RetailRevealed

Selling on social media is a must for brands looking to connect with customers in 2024. This session gets into the nitty gritty of what it takes to do it well; the ultimate masterclass in live selling. 

Live selling has become the norm on platforms like TikTok and with Shopify expanding has made it more appealing than ever to sell through social media. Selling on social media comes in many shapes and forms these days, and could be the difference between connecting with customers, driving repeat purchases and increasing revenue. This session would not just detail the importance of social selling from a commerce perspective, but also delve into the nitty gritty of everything it takes to get it right such as presenting techniques, camera setups, product listing and logistics. 

Get ready to boost your sales this Autumn/Winter season, “How to Sell to Retailers this AW Season.” In this session, Therese Oertenblad from Small Business Collaborative will break down the must-know strategies to get your products on retail shelves. Whether you’re new to wholesale or looking to refine your approach, Therese will cover how to find the right retailers, what they want from suppliers, and how to pitch your products in a way that grabs their attention. Plus, she will share tips on what to include in your email pitch, and how to follow-up to seal the deal. We’ll wrap things up with a Q&A so you can get the answers you need to start selling smarter this season.

Sarah, The Giftware Association's CEO, will be interviewing Mark Jones, the Commercial Director for Gisela Graham, on his career at the helm of a market-leading brand as well as the ever-changing retail landscape.

Whether they’re subscription or one-off purchases, implementing a surprise purchasing model can be beneficial to both a business’s bottom line and marketing reach. Once reserved for the childhood whimsy of a Kinder Surprise or advent calendar, adults are opting to spend their hard-earned money on the unknown more than ever before. From sneakers to stationery, beauty to home fragrance, almost every industry is embracing the mystery box to great results. This session will explore the 5 greatest reasons a retailer or brand would want to implement this selling strategy: Element of surprise Driving Re-purchases Additional word of mouth Clearing stock Encouraging in-home or in-situ use

From tradeshows to TikTok, everyone is telling retailers, designers and brands what the trends are, but how can they best use this information to make a difference to their bottom line? It’s all well and good to be told what trends customers will be wanting to by next season, but how does a brand, retailer or designer actually use that information to make a meaningful difference?

This session would break down at least 5 practical, affordable ways trend forecasts and reports could be used to leverage sales and make marketing more effective:

Product Design

Product Descriptions

Press Photography and in-store presentation

Sourcing

Watch 4 brands take to the stage to pitch to a line-up of retailers and industry experts. Created in collaboration with IND!E, Top Drawer's Product Pitch will see 4 brands go head to head to win a 1 week pop-up with a key retailer. Make sure you return to the stage this afternoon to find out the winner at 4pm.

In a crowded retail market, more isn't always better - especially during the all important Golden Quarter! This session explores how a focused approach can drive bigger results. By simplifying key elements of your customer, product and promotional strategy, you can unlock trading opportunities, boost sales, drive engagement, and elevate your brand during the busiest time of year for retail! Join Ami Rabheru to learn the power 'less', and why it's the secret to winning in a competitive retail landscape.

The retail industry in the UK is experiencing a significant transformation, driven by the rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence (AI). This technology is reshaping how businesses operate and how consumers interact with brands, offering unprecedented opportunities for enhancing customer experiences, optimising operations, and driving innovation. Louise Welsby will explore the impact of AI on retail, focusing on its role in personalising shopping experiences, improving inventory and supply chain management, enhancing customer service, and addressing ethical considerations.

How do you stand out in a crowded market, Connect with your customers and drive sales, Join us at the RetailRevealed stage for a live podcast recording of Start Scale Succeed with host Nicole Higgins as she interviews Martha Keith founder of Martha Brook Stationery and the Business secrets club to talk about connecting with your customers and growing your business on Instagram Highlights include:

Using social Media to connect with your community and increase sales

Understanding what content pillars are and how to use them in your business

What’s working on Socials and how you can implement that in your business in a simplified way

Building a personal brand so that you stand out from the crowd

This session will be recorded live for Nicole's successful podcast - Start Scale Succeed

Join us to hear the winner of this morning's Product Pitch!

Join small business retail expert and founder of The Resilient Retail Club, Catherine Erdly, at this practical no-fluff talk on the key numbers you need to know to keep your business future-fit. In this engaging talk, you'll discover the vital metrics that gauge your business's health, learn how to leverage this data for smarter decision-making, and see how these numbers lay the foundation for a business equipped to ride the waves of change. You'll also receive a copy of Catherine's book "Tame Your Tiger" - how to stop your product business eating you alive" - a practical how-to guide to managing the numbers in your retail business.

No one in business likes to feel ignored. Especially not when toil and talents go unnoticed in an overwhelming market full of competition and fight. And yet - so many do. At this point, they turn to PR to sprinkle some magic dust.

But what kind is right for you and your business? Digital? Old fashioned press? Magazine, newspaper, broadcast - or shall I just throw my lot in with personal branding and be done with it?

Join journalist and communications expert Priscilla Pollara, founder of reputation and comms consultancy Top Trick, as she helps steer you in the direction of the most appropriate form of PR for YOU, while also reminding you how to communicate, pitch and boast better. When you seek recognition, sales and success, this is really key.

In today's competitive market, having great products is not enough - it's brand loyalty that drives long-term success. While consumers may appreciate your products, they are loyal to the brands that resonate with them. This talk will provide Consider this: 43% of consumers spend more at businesses they’re loyal to, highlighting the direct financial benefits of cultivating a loyal customer base (Source: Fundera). But loyalty goes beyond just repeat purchases. Loyal customers are five times more likely to buy again and four times more likely to refer your brand to a friend (Source: Forbes). These behaviours amplify your brand's reach and reduce the cost of acquiring new customers.

Moreover, in a world where consumer values are increasingly in focus, 87% of consumers say they are more inclined to stay loyal to brands that share their values (Source: Yotpo). Whether it's a commitment to sustainability - considered by 72% of consumers in their purchasing decisions (Source: First Insight) - or other shared beliefs, aligning with your customers' values is crucial.

Join us for this insightful talk, where we will delve into actionable strategies to build and sustain brand loyalty, ensuring that your customers not only return but become ambassadors for your brand. Learn how to create meaningful connections with your audience, align your brand with their values, and ultimately drive long-term growth and profitability for your business.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting to discover your potential, this event provides a platform for women in the Retail industry to connect, learn, and grow while learning to use your voice to impact change. With an empowering panel discussion and unmissable networking opportunities, you can expect to hear from our expert panel as they offer inspiring stories and guidance on how they used their voice to lead change in the industry.

Plus, enjoy a insightful workshop about Personal Branding as Cheryl explores what perosnal branding is, how you can enhance your personal brand and more! 

Drinks and canapés included!