Retail Futures 2021: Design + Retail

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Selling To Stores (But Were Afraid To Ask). Learn from industry insiders about buying and selling. As part of Local Heroes's Retail Futures programme for 2021 which included the exhibition The Future of Home, they invited both emerging and established designers to join them for an online event exploring Design & Retail on Wednesday the 24th of November. 

Local Heroes' insightful and practical discussion with industry experts will help you to better understand the process of working with retailers including how to catch the eye of buyers and be better prepared to pitch your designs and products. Hear from industry insiders who approach this theme from multiple viewpoints with experiences that range from buying, selling, supplying, merchandising and commissioning. The discussion was chaired by Stacey Hunter and followed by a hosted Q&A.

TAKE AWAYS

• Hear about what retailers look for in products and suppliers
• Gain practical knowledge about how wholesale and/or sale or return mechanisms operate
• Do's and Don'ts for approaching retailers
• Have a better understanding of mutually beneficial trading practices
• Find out how to catch the eye of retail buyers

PANEL

Ebi and Emmanuel Sinteh are the Founders & Creative Directors of Our Lovely Goods a successful design-led skincare and candle brand that has grown to include homewares and baskets made in Nigeria, combining traditional craft with new designs. The Aberdeen based brand was recently a Great British Entrepreneur Awards Finalist; has been featured in magazines like Elle Decoration and FT; and is stocked in shops like Anthropologie.

Alan Birch headed up V&A Dundee's successful retail presence at Scotland's first design museum, and commissioned exciting product ranges from contemporary designers based in Scotland that responded to key exhibitions. He introduced a popular series of designer marketplaces and collaborated with Local Heroes this year to present Daytrippers! a series of collectible, limited edition souvenirs.

Susan Doherty is the owner of Lifestory, Edinburgh's best loved concept and lifestyle store where Scandinavian brands like Ferm Living and Hay sit side-by-side with contemporary design products by local makers like Jude Gove and Studio Brae. Independently-owned and constantly evolving, Lifestory's product range is curated by Susan with shelves displaying everything from ceramics and cushions to jewellery and design magazines.

This event was supported by Creative Scotland with funding from the National Lottery.