British brands and makers with exciting and unusual new gift ranges are being given a unique opportunity to supply the most iconic high street retailer this Christmas, as sourcing experts at The Great British Exchange are tasked with finding the most innovative product ranges from small independent businesses and artisan producers for John Lewis.
“We want to hear from British brands that have something a bit different to offer the gifting market,” said GBE founder Matthew Hopkins.
The GBE specialises in bringing newness and localism to the high street and is responsible for John Lewis’s hugely successful, regionally sourced, pop-ups in stores up and down the country. The company is known for its in-store experiences and meet the maker events.
“From unusual, personalised gifts to small batch locally made Christmas stockings to artisan festive jumpers, homewares – and everything in between – the search is now on for the very best of British gifting,” Matthew said.
Successful brands and products will be sold in selected John Lewis stores this Christmas, including its flagship Oxford Street store. The GBE has a longstanding partnership with John Lewis, helping the retailer with sourcing and selecting new products through Pop-Up shops or listings in the main range.
Lucy Steer at John Lewis said this latest initiative was a proactive approach to attracting new British design talent onto the shelves for the festive season. She said: “We work closely with The Great British Exchange looking for exciting new British Made products.”
The GBE also has partnerships with the Giftware Association creating even more opportunities for creative British businesses to be seen this Christmas.
Matthew explained: “We want to hear from ambitious small business owners that are ready to make a leap and reach bigger markets. Over the past 8 years we have helped thousands of unknown brands onto the high street thanks to our relationships with major retailers and we’ve helped transform many of them into household names. Demand for British made products and unusual gifts has never been higher and this Christmas will offer an unprecedented opportunity for the makers of exceptional British products to boost their sales.”
The GBE introduces dozens of handpicked British brands to the UK supply chain every month.
Matthew added: “Our role is to offer newness and variety their customers crave and make it as easy as possible for them to stock the hottest emerging British brands. We hope lots of independent makers and brands will get in touch with us so that we can help them onto the high street this Christmas.”
If you have a product that you think deserves to be featured on the high street this Christmas call 01423 229988
