Giftex 2019- Redefining New Age Gifting Products

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The success of Giftex 2019, the 32 nd year of India’s largest gifting exhibition, proves its worth as an exposition of value, innovation and thoughtfulness

With a successful 32^nd edition, Giftex has set an another benchmark as an effective, innovative and thoughtful trade show, roping in exhibitors showcasing a variety of trending and in-demand corporate gifting items in various categories including handicrafts, electronics and IT gifts, eco-friendly items, food hampers, stationery, hospitality products, home decor, trophies and mementos.

With a clear focus on the Indian market, Giftex 2019 brought together exhibitors that offer innovation along with value and products that not only give value for money but also cater to clientele of every range.

 

Giftex 2019 – Highlights

A major highlight of Giftex 2019 was in the level of ‘user-friendly’ assistance provided to the exhibitors and how Team Giftex worked hand in hand with exhibitors to ensure that everyone makes the most of the exhibition and every visitor achieves their objective.

From a massive hoarding campaign across the city, print and newspaper ads, personalised invites, pick-up services to VIP visitors and sending reminder messages on WhatsApp and Messenger, Team Giftex also focused on running an impactful digital campaign on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

To leave no stone unturned and stay at the forefront of the tech-savvy market, Team Giftex launched a ‘Giftex App’ that provided all the useful information about the exhibition at a click. In addition, Giftex also launched an e-magazine called ‘Gifts and Stationery News’ to provide industry insights about the world of gifts and stationery, every month.

Embracing its mark year after year, Giftex 2019 firmly established its lead of being India’s No. 1 trade show on corporate gifting, effectively connecting its exhibitors with Indian distributors, corporate buyers, retailers, importers, wholesalers, trade buyers and institutional buyers across all gifting categories.

 

Domestic and International Participation

At the participation level, the platform of Giftex has substantially attracted exhibitors domestically and internationally.

Participants from 11 states – Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Team West Bengal, Karnataka and the Union Territory of New Delhi, along with an international company based in the UAE, participated in the exhibition, showcasing the best of their products and brands.

 

State government participation- Government of West Bengal

The West Bengal State Export Promotion Society, Calcutta, a state government body promoting Indian Handicrafts, primarily from eastern India participated in the exhibition with variety of products.

Artisans with their skill of wooden articles, terracotta, horn products, jute lifestyle products, metal crafts, etc., showcased their products at the exhibition.

 

 

Leading brands and innovators – One platform, Different goals!

Leading manufacturers, brands and aggregators from across India, including repeat and first-time exhibitors, tried to make the best use of the platform.

Apart from the common goal of getting more business and making new clients, many exhibitors also made the best of the platform by launching new products for market validation, some focused on innovation, while some focused on giving range specific products, while few brands focused on expanding domestically or consolidating their existing market position.

 

Selling not just products, but stories

Exhibitors and visitors were contented and happy with the opportunity to meet their potential collaborators and partners with whom to develop their business.

This year at Giftex, exhibitors made extra effort to be at the forefront and remain relevant to the current demand. They were not interested only in selling products, but also stories that added value to the product. Their unique range of products reflected their understanding of delivering value in exchange of the product.

Some products were directly rooted in the cause like the Farmerstory, which aimed to spread awareness of organic, natural and eco-friendly products and also empower rural farmers and low-wage workers, tribal self-help groups situated across different villages who were involved in the product making process.

While some cared for animals! The Black Box Company introduced pure vegan leather products in the form of the purse, handbags, wallets, and a variety of customized options as an alternative to pure leather products.

While Stallion Barware impressed visitors with the idea of ‘unbreakable products’ and caught visitors’ eyeballs with their catchy tag line- “do not handle with care” giving an alternative to plastic products through recyclable polycarbonate products offerings.

Famous brands like Shemaroo Entertainment re-introduced their years old audio DVD brand in a new way through the designated Shemaroo Audio Player.

Zebronics made its mark in the category of electronic gifting products with a variety of options from portable speakers, power banks, fitness bands, headphones, games accessories, etc.

Fab5 by Essel World too came up with merchandised gifting solutions.  

The exhibition saw some spiritual offerings as well. N Ranga Rao & Sons offered dhoop, agarbathis, prayer products, and home fragrances. Chitshakti trust offered exquisite gift boxes that included natural aroma spray, charcoal pack, etc.

Pan Aromas was also very impressive with their innovative and variety of fragrance solutions.

Products like chocolate saw some intriguing innovations too. Right from the price range to the methodology, packaging and flavour, exhibitors tried to sell every idea that could catch the buyer’s attention.

Some introduced chocolate in its natural fruit form, explaining its every stage of evolution, while some marketed the taste of ‘handmade’ and ‘homemade’ chocolates like the Browns and More, providing customization as per the customers’ needs. Ruchoks, also marked its presence through its variety of offerings.  On the other side, there were exhibitors who marketed their chocolates as ‘made without a hand touch!’, ‘truly automated’ and sophisticated chocolates! While, brands like Bailt Al Tamur offered range of quality dry fruit products imported from UAE and Middle East.

While some gave impressive gift packaging solutions aswell like the Zalani Pack World.

Giftex also saw some young entrepreneurs who also impressed visitors not just with their well-thought products, but also with their spirit and enthusiasm!

The Greenfur brand from West Bengal introduced organic bags, purse, yoga mats made out of jute.

Norquest brand from Gujarat too offered range of organic bags, eco-friendly packaging customized as per the product.

Tea products had unimaginable innovations at the exhibition. Multiple exhibitors displayed a variety of flavored combination which most of us must not even have heard of! TCW Tea, Exalte Tea from Maharashtra, Udyan Tea from West Bengal,  A Tosh & Sons from Tamil Nadu, offered variety ranging between the types of tea, flavours, season, and most popular category, making the process of choosing the right tea a bit difficult as well as exciting!

Similarly, Freshtrop Fruits Limited from Nasik came up with the idea of concentrated fruit juice that possesses more value ingredients compared to preserved fruit juices.

While Indian Vibes from New Delhi caught visitors’ attention as they introduced 3D Led Lamps, with each lamp having a customized design of user’s choice.

Venus Industries also made a mark in the exhibition through their wide range of offerings in luxury dining including cutlery, barware, office combos, dinner sets, etc.

Rehnas Crafts from Muradabad, Uttar Pradesh brought the old essence of traditional handcrafted items each designed by local artisans of the famous city.

Through various different ideas, innovation and thoughtful products, Giftex witnessed exhibitors trying not just to sell products, but build a connect with the buyers through value, thoughfulness and causes that were relatable and mattered to all of us!

 

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The buyers’ ‘want’ factor : Trends 2019- 20

Team Giftex did a survey with the exhibitors post the exhibition to know what kind of products buyers were looking for.

Most of the exhibitors responded that the buyers had an eye for innovative, visually appealing and well ideated products. They focused more on the value and quality side, while the prize range remained the second most important factor.

Another major observation among buyers was about the slow but sharp transition towards buying products that were organic, animal-friendly and environment friendly in nature.

 

Experiences of the exhibitors

While each exhibitor had different set of experiences, Team Giftex tried to analyze their key takeaways from the exhibition.

1. “Serious buyers, targeted audience and the quality of crowd helped us generate lots of leads and we are working towards closing them. Overall good experience and a successful brand building exercise,” Riddhi Gala, Co-Founder, SWA Foods (Maharashtra)

 

2. “The validation and appreciation of our product by the visitors has been our key takeaway. Besides that, we are very happy with the number of visitors and are thankful to Giftex for bringing right people for the right product,” Nidhi Vyas & Paridhi Upadhyay, Founder, Hand Touched Chocolates (Maharashtra)

 

3. “We launched a new product and decided to validate it at Giftex. We are amazed with the kind of response We have been receiving with so many genuine inquires and appreciation for our product,” Vivek Kumar, Director, Indian Vibes (New Delhi)

 

4. “Excellent! No words can match the wonderful experience. The organizers tried more than us for inviting visitors. The presence of organizing team was throughout the exhibition and they provided the support for just everything,”

 Vipul Mehta, Chief Operating officer, Saraswati Trading Company (Gujarat)

 

5. “Even though alarming messages from Weather Forecasting Dept., there were few genuine visitors at expo. Even though alarming messages from Weather Forecasting Dept., there were few genuine visitors at expo.Even after the alerting messages from weather forecasting Department, there was genuine footfall of the buyers. Also, with many new exhibitors at the exposition, we had a very satisfying experience,” Krunal Soni, Director, Labon (Maharashtra)

 

6. “Excellent exposure, got to connect with new vendors,” Vinod Kumar, Head-New Business, Harrisons Malayalam.Ltd (Kerala)

 

7. “At Giftex this year, we launched UV Flatbed Printer. Visitors responded very well and we are working towards closing some deals. It was an excellent exposition,” Rahul Tariwala, GM – Sales & Marketing, Sovikaa / Mimaki (Maharashtra)

 

8. “Giftex helped us to get new clientele and we had a very good experience at the exposition,” Priyesh M, CEO, Ribbonize (Maharashtra)

 

9. “The difference between the clientele through Giftex compared to other platforms is that, the clients we got from Giftex exhibition has stayed, bonded and have been with us for over the years,” Sunil Shetty, Founder, R.S. Enterprises (Maharashtra)

 

10. “Giftex has helped me with new clients. Over the years, with my consistent participation, now I don’t even change the location of my stall. I make sure to participate every year,” SK Agarwal, Founder/ Director, Garg Enterprise (Maharashtra)

 

11. “Since last more than 4 years we have been a part of Giftex exhibition consistently. It gives the brand a good exposure,” Ataulla Khan, Store Manager, FoodHall (Maharashtra)

 

 

12. “The best part about the Giftex exhibition was, Even though alarming messages from Weather Forecasting Dept., there were few genuine visitors at expo.we found buyers who were open to work with young companies,” Yash Choudhary, Managing Partner, Greenfur (West Bengal)

 

Demographics – Visitors category

Even after the alarming messages from the weather forecasting Department, Giftex 2019 saw a credible footfall of visitors.

Among the visitor’s category, 35% of visitors were corporate buyers, 25% visitors were wholesalers, distributors, importers, and exporters, 20% were small & medium enterprises, 15% were event planners & organizers, while 5% visitors were among retailers and merchandisers.