BHETA's latest initiative with homewares and garden retailer, Robert Dyas is already fully booked with almost a month left to go before the event takes place.
Forty BHETA members have signed up to take part in the Meet the Buyer Day, where DIY and housewares suppliers are given the chance to book appointments with the retailer's buyers and pitch their ranges. A total of 160 appointments have been made for the latest event, following on from the success of the debut Meet the Buyer event with Homebase.

The latest Meet the Buyer Day will take place on March 29 adjacent to the Robert Dyas head office in Leatherhead.

Commenting on preparations for the day, BHETA's housewares director Will Jones said: "Robert Dyas has laid down some strict criteria which BHETA attendees must meet, including a stipulation that any product presented must be new. This is all to the good, however, as it demonstrates this well recognised high street retailer's serious intent and eliminates any possibility of time-wasting, either by Robert Dyas buyers or prospective Robert Dyas suppliers. The event looks set to be progressive and exciting, with plenty of very real potential for BHETA members attending."

Robert Dyas trades online and operates 98 stores throughout the UK. Full details of the day will be sent to attending BHETA members shortly and will also be available on the BHETA website.

BHETA DIY director Peter Stone added: "We knew that invites to this event would be sought after, so this great response is not altogether a surprise. The original Homebase event also proved a 'sell out' attraction and a number of BHETA members remain in dialogue with Homebase regarding listings and launches initiated on the day. The Robert Dyas event is similarly dedicated to finding mutually beneficial trading opportunities which might not otherwise be recognised so quickly through conventional channels."