BHETA is to hold an online networking forum with the John Lewis Partnership at 10.30 am on Wednesday 1^st May, immediately followed on Thursday 2^nd May by a Meet The Buyer event also with JLP.

Speaking at the forum is Lucy Steer, Head of Category Gifts, Dine, Cook and Seasonal, who will talk for approximately 20-30 minutes and then answer questions from the audience.  To register follow the link www.bheta.co.uk or contact Sally in Member Services on sjg@bheta.co.uk.  The networking forum is free for BHETA members, and also for non-members if they are happy to treat the event as a ‘taster session,’ and have a membership chat with the relevant sector manager.

The Meet the Buyer event with John Lewis on Thursday 2nd May is live and takes place at the Hilton Watford, Elton Way, Watford, London WD25 8HA.  JLP’s objective is to meet new suppliers, see innovative brands, and be shown sustainable materials and eco stories.  Buyers want to meet Cookshop and Utility suppliers in the following categories:

• Home storage
• Bath accessories
• Towels
• Cook & bakeware
• Picnic
• Food prep & gadgets
• Kitchen textiles
• Barware including wine racks  
• Food on the go including back to school
• Food storage including freezer and fridge storage

Buyers representing the product categories listed above will be in attendance and John Lewis will give preference to suppliers who come prepared with a range of products rather than one or two skus.

Suppliers should note that JLP operates a one in one out process for all new suppliers, meaning that any new supplier would need to generate enough turnover to warrant delisting another.  All new suppliers large or small will also be required to sign up to a contractual agreement consisting of a turnover rebate, payment terms, marketing rebate as a percentage of turnover.

Each supplier can bring two people and will be allocated a 20-minute appointment with their relevant buyer. Suppliers can book additional appointments if they have products relevant for more than one category buyer.

The cost of attendance at the Meet The Buyer event is £89.00+VAT for BHETA members, £199.00+VAT for non-members at their first BHETA Meet the Buyer event and £249.00+VAT for non-members who have attended a prior BHETA Meet the Buyer event.  Any queries should be addressed to Sam, sa@bheta.co.uk, from the BHETA Member Services team.

John Lewis & Partners began trading over 150 years ago in 1864 on London’s Oxford Street and is a leading omni-channel retailer in the UK with 34 John Lewis shops and a growing online business – johnlewis.com.

BHETA’s Housewares Sector Manager, Seema Grantham commented, “The chance to hear directly from John Lewis and then pitch directly is obviously a great opportunity and we are expecting an excellent turn-out on both occasions, so do book early.”

For more information contact the BHETA Member Services team on 0121 237 1130 or follow the link on www.bheta.co.uk.  More details of BHETA events which include webinars, Meet The Buyer events and networking forums with leading retailers can also be found on the BHETA website.