Just Around The Corner attracts buyers from across the UK to new venue
Just Around The Corner (JATC) received a positive response to its new venue at Tobacco Dock, in London's Docklands, when it opened its doors for its SS24 edition yesterday.
With datelines coinciding with trade shows Pure and Scoop, taking place at the opposite site of London in Kensington Olympia, buyers appeared happy to make the 40-minute journey between the two locations to see existing suppliers and scout new brands.
Just Around The Corner (previously housed at the Truman Brewery in the heart of the East End) welcomed some 40 new brands this season, including Mitchell and Ness, Beaumont Organic, Face Junkie, Margaret Dabbs, Great Plains London, Miss Sixty, P448, Mou, Nine West, Scholl, Sloggi, Free People.
Its newly launched lifestyle and beauty zone also grew this season with 90% of the exhibitors new to JATC, showcasing a mix of brands covering beauty, jewellery, skincare and wearable accessories.
In addition the show held its first "Pow Wow" sessions with by industry stalwarts Kathy O’Driscoll and Simon Platts, formerly of ASOS, delivering a session on responsible sourcing.
Organisers reported footfall in line with last season with independent retailers travelling the length and breadth of the country to visit including representatives from Bournemouth), Hard Edge (Maidenhead), Jago (Tenby & Narbeth), Nood Boutique (Chorlton), Rosy Penguin (Edinburgh), Seasons (Clitheroe), The Danish Wardrobe Company (Leamington Spa & Cirencester), The Melrose Company (Jersey), Thirty-Three Boutique (Bournemouth) and Verandah (Kensal Rise). Leading department stores Fenwick, Hoopers and Jarrolds were also in attendance.
The show's founder Juls Dawson said: “We are so pleased with the reaction to our new venue, both from an aesthetic and fit for purpose perspective but also how accessible it is, particularly on how it is only a simple 40-minute journey on TFL from Kensington. Yesterday was simply a super first day and it is so pleasing as a team when it all fits into place and goes so well for everyone. We thrive off positive feedback from buyers and brands and it makes it all worthwhile."
David from independent department store Bobby's in Bournemouth said: “JATC offered up the opportunity to meet potential future brand offerings whilst also showcasing NPD in those brands which we already stock. Looking forward to the next!"
Meanwhile exhibitors praised the venue's location and abundance of natural light. “The Tobacco Dock is a beautiful venue, full of light and character. JATC is super well organised with a lot of attention to detail and clearly thinking through the experience for both the buyer and the exhibitors. It’s been great to spend the day talking to colleagues and customers old and new,” commented Hannah Beaumont-Laurencia of Beaumont Organic.
JATC continues to run until tomorrow (18 July) at Tobacco Dock, while Pure and Scoop will also run until tomorrow at Kensington Olympia.
