There were wonders big and small at the 34th Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair. Gathering over 4,360 exhibitors from some 30 countries and regions, the massive fair formed the largest marketplace for the gifts sector in the world.
The Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 27 to 30 and organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organized by The Hong Kong Exporters’ Association (HKEA), hosted a variety of product zones for exhibitors in all types, from toys to tech, and multiple seminars dissecting the different trends in the retail sector and discussing how technology is changing retail all over the world.
Charlie Poon, analyst from Coresight Research, shared eye-opening insights about how tech giants like Alibaba and Amazon are integrating technology with brick-and-mortar stores, making them more efficient, seamless, and frictionless. In a world that is increasingly dominated by technology, he said that smaller companies must use the opportunities technology provides to ensure that they do not get left behind.
“There’s still some space [for smaller players] because we can see partnerships between retailers and the startups. Of course there is some dominance with Alibaba and so on, but there are some innovations that can bring retailers to further develop. Especially now with trends in the cloud, with tremendous data available, there must be somewhere for them,” he told BusinessWorld in an interview.
Innovation, indeed, was the key to many of the exhibitors at the Gifts and Premium Fair. Startups were given their own time to shine in a special zone that featured innovative and unique gifts ideas from over 30 start-ups coming from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan and the Netherlands.
Muherz, a start-up from Taiwan, displayed the world’s first portable and mobile app-controlled laser engraver
Cubiio, which aims to resolve the problems of traditional heavy and expensive laser machine. Participants were also given “Startup . Smart Launch” sessions during the fair period to introduce their products and business ideas to industry players.
In response to the growing need for more sustainable and environmentally-conscious companies, Floreia by the Philippine-based Natures Legacy Eximport, Inc. seeks to redefine fashion with jewelry and fashion products made with patented eco-friendly materials. They are also expanding their sustainable practices by producing souvenir items made from recycled waste.
Team Green, meanwhile, under the Starlite Holdings Limited, one of the best-known printing companies in Hong Kong, seeks to produce and distribute environmentally friendly practices to introduce popular gifts and puzzles that incorporate fine design.
Group pavilions representing Mainland China, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, India and the United Kingdom were established to present similar gift ideas across the globe. The HKEA organized a special pavilion that showcased the originality and competitive edge of Hong Kong’s homegrown enterprises at three major zones: Isle of Originality, Brand Oasis and Smart Design HK. The association also presented winning designs of Hong Kong Smart Design Awards in the pavilion.
Other product zones include World of Gift Ideas, World of Camping & Outdoor Goods, Fashion Accessories, Figurines & Decorations, Toys & Baby Products, Advertising Gifts & Premium, Tech Gifts and Party & Festive Items and the newly-introduced World of Beauty, Fitness & Well-being.
