BHETA’s next retailer networking forum takes place on Thursday, October 31 and will feature Kieran McBride, Fenwick’s Director of Buying for furniture, home and food. After a year of much change at the independent department store chain, Kieran will be bringing BHETA members up to speed on the status of new projects and how suppliers can support future developments and further establish trading relationships. Fenwick was founded in 1882 by John James Fenwick in Newcastle upon Tyne, where the company’s head office is still located.  Today it consists of eight stores across the country.

Dan Black, co-founder and Lead Designer at Black & Blum will be talking about sustainable product design and the challenges faced by designers. Black & Blum is renowned for designing its products with re-use and sustainability in mind, ensuring that they have a long life, using eco-friendly materials where possible.

Phil Pond of trend forecaster, Scarlet Opus, the company advising many suppliers and retailers in the housewares industry, will be providing insights into the issue of sustainability and eco-friendly goods and how advances in technology have led to innovation in manufacturing processes, material recovery possibilities and product design; 3D printing being perhaps the most well-known. Around the world, where traditional methods of manufacturing and material use are being challenged by 'creative disruptors', the consumer is highly supportive. 

BHETA’s Chief Operating Officer, Will Jones commented, “Retailing continues to move fast, driven by the evolution of different shopping habits, attitudes and beliefs at macro level and ever more advanced technology. This forum will provide BHETA members with a unique insight into the opportunities for

trading with a particularly established and well-loved department store.  It will also disseminate invaluable foreknowledge of the styling, trend and consumer thinking-led opportunities to look out for, applicable to any party looking to develop this route to market.”

Refreshments will be provided on the day, including a networking lunch and the event, which is being held at Federation House, Vyse Street, Birmingham will commence with registration at 9.30am. In the first instance, please register interest with BHETA’s member services manager, Nicola Adams Brown on nab@bheta.co.uk.