Historically, the focus of sourcing transactions has largely come down to cost, as brands and retailers often put small margin improvements ahead of considerations about how goods are produced. However, ethics are increasingly important to the end consumer (especially younger generations) and should be factored into procurement decisions.
As Jack Stratten, head of trends at Insider Trends, explained during a presentation at responsible trade show Source Home & Gift this month, low prices don’t align with younger generations’ shopping behavior. For instance, 60 percent of Gen Z outspend Baby Boomers and Gen X on luxury goods. “Cheap isn’t a story. We know that lots of young customers are buying fast fashion, but we also know that they are the drivers behind sustainability,” he said.
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Source Home & Gift, which recently held its third and largest edition to date from Feb. 4-7 at NEC Birmingham, was established by Hyve Group to help companies navigate this new sourcing paradigm by providing a platform to manufacturers who are environmentally and socially responsible. Each exhibitor must show proof of a recent audit from a major firm such as Sedex, giving buyers peace of mind to venture into new partnerships.
“We want to create a show with beautiful, well-made products that don’t cost the Earth, quite literally, and allow their makers to live well from their work,” said Suzanne Ellingham, director of sourcing at Source Home & Gift. “I’m thrilled that the work we do in building a responsible sourcing platform in the UK and Europe is being so well received by our UK buying community who love these products as much as I do. And then they hear the amazing stories behind those products, and it becomes a company or maker community they want to support. That is the reason we do what we do.”
Throughout the four-day event, buyers from retailers including Fenwick, John Lewis, Laura Ashley, Next, Tesco and more were able to connect with more than 200 manufacturers of homewares, toys, packaging, stationery, gifts, furniture, textiles and more. The exhibitors came from multiple sourcing regions across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. The focus on responsibility and the vetted array of suppliers have been a draw for attendees. “I hope [Source Home & Gift] continues to grow as there is an important message for sustainability here,” said Sarah Horsnell, head of innovation at retailer Appetite Me. “What sets this show apart is the fact that Source Home & Gift is a dedicated space for responsible businesses who are sourcing.’’
An example of these stories is Very Nile Shop, which upcycles plastic bags and bottle caps from the Nile River into products like tableware. In addition to the environmental impact of collecting plastic pollution, Very Nile Shop supports local artisans.
For the first time, the show curated a New Product Showcase, which highlighted an edit of exhibitors who were hand-picked by the event organizers for their quality and brand stories. Featured manufacturers included Jaipur Bloc House, an Indian-based producer of premium chemical-free handmade textiles and apparel; Kendaka, which upcycles plastic and glass waste into artisan goods; and UniGreen, a U.K. maker of bamboo-based alternatives to single-use plastics. “The New Product Showcase space has given us the ability to story tell on the show floor in a truly authentic way, highlighting some of the companies that are good businesses with beautiful products,” said Ellingham.
Establishing a better business was also a common theme of the Responsible Retail Stage seminar agenda, which gathered experts to discuss topics ranging from advancing circularity to communicating about sustainability. Salvation Army Trading Company and Fibresort spoke about their partnership to keep goods in use. In a series of panels, Retail 100 provided tips for sourcing from new regions, managing product development and supporting buyer talent. The Future Collective’s co-founders presented retail trends, including a return to craftsmanship, the impact of artificial intelligence and circularity.
“Circular business models have the potential to grow to 23 percent of the global fashion market by 2030, driven by rising consumer-sustainability awareness, and inflationary pressure squeezing spending power,” said Matt Parry of The Future Collective.
In a panel about building a B Corp, Sarah Jordan, founder of Y.O.U Underwear, explained how the certification has impacted her company. “B Corp has given business a framework for smaller brands to grow sustainably,” she said. “It’s written into the governance—so as Y.O.U Underwear grows, it will always need to follow rules for more sustainable practices that are embedded legally into the organization.”
Source Home & Gift’s next show will be held Sept. 1-4 at NEC Birmingham. As Ellingham explained, the event will continue its emphasis on sustainable growth, ensuring it expands at a steady and manageable pace. The organizer’s boots-on-the-ground approach of visiting factories and its collaboration with trade associations continue to spread the geographic diversity of the exhibitors, presenting buyers with even more choices. “Our team is working hard with governments and agencies from across the world to bring best-in-class manufacturers and artisan producers to the U.K. to share their capabilities with the U.K. market,” she said.
Click here to learn more about Source Home & Gift.
