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Category: Trade Organisations

Created on Monday, 20 February 2012 14:45

Written by Louise Hoffman

The Houlden Group held its Annual Management & Buying Event from 13 to 15 February in central London, attended by representatives from most of its members, as well as invited guests from the wider industry.

Opening the event, chief executive Stuart Laing said: "These meetings are not just about networking and catching up with each other; they're about delivering inspirational and innovative ways to drive business forward – whether through digital social networking campaigns, building brand awareness, [or] knowing who the latest rising designer is."

After a range of thought-provoking presentations, members came away with a tranche of inspiring thoughts – that there were 62.8 million retail online visits on Christmas Day 2011; that 'trying on' a virtual diamond pendant via a webcam is quite the norm and an everyday experience; that a company's 'values' and mission statement are more important than ever before; and that new trends from the latest up-and-coming designers could be the new classic.