Retail members give their verdicts on STAG’s Ireland Winter Buying Show
Taking place at a new venue, STAG’s Ireland Winter Buying Show at The Heritage Golf & Spa Resort, County Laois was described as the “Best we’ve been to” by one retail attendee.
While compact, the show proved to be an ideal meeting place for the 27 exhibitors and 60 STAG members in attendance at The Heritage Golf & Spa Resort, County Laois on January 17-18.
First class
“This STAG Ireland show was the best we’ve been to,” was the verdict of Paul McCartan of McCartan Sports. He told Sports Insight: “We touched base with other retailers, picked each other’s brains and made some good contacts. We took advantage of some good trade deals that had great show discounts and the accommodation was first class.”
Roy McCarthy of McCarthy’s Sportsworld said that while he would have liked to have seen more suppliers at the show, making the trip to the event was time well spent.
“I took advantage of the complimentary accommodation and stayed on the Saturday night, which was of huge benefit in terms of speaking to fellow members and suppliers in the evening,” he explains.
“It was good to be able to talk about what’s working and what isn’t, as well as discuss new ideas to improve my business. Plus plenty of suppliers were offering good deals.”
For new members Stanley and Larissa Fyffe, owners of Andrew Fyffe & Sons, it was their first visit to a STAG show.
New accounts
“We made some useful contacts and opened some new accounts that I would not have had I not attended,” Stanley says. “And it was great having so many brands in one space.
“It was a really well run event in a great location, with great offers. Our company will definitely be making the time to attend all future shows in Ireland.”
STAG will be confirming the date of its next Ireland show in March. Judging by the retail response to the buying group’s first show of 2015, it looks set to be even more eagerly anticipated by the trade.
