BHETA holds meet the buyer day with TK Maxx and Homesense

BHETA’s latest Meet The Buyer retail networking day took place on January 30 with clothing and Homewares retailers TK Maxx and Homesense. The event was described as “a great success” by Seema Grantham, BHETA’s Housewares Sector Manager, as the event saw a total of 47 appointments fulfilled by the buyers.TK Maxx buyers from the kitchenware, dining & tabletop, cookshop, utility, laundry & cleaning and bathroom accessories categories all attended, with a view to finding ‘great deals to start the year’. Product ideas were presented from across the buying categories, including picnic, BBQ and barware, reusable and recyclable and small electrical products, as well as food preparation, cooking and serving, laundry, cleaning, storage and bathroom. 25 suppliers participated, each allocated a 20-minute appointment with the relevant buyer or buyers.TK Maxx is a subsidiary of the American clothing and home goods company TJX Companies. Founded in 1976, its first UK store opened in Bristol in 1994. Created as a budget retail concept, but featuring well-known brands, it has latterly moved into a large department store format with a wider product range. It launched its ecommerce site in 2009. Homesense, which is part of the TK Maxx Group has opened 70 stores across the UK and Ireland, with more expected. It was launched in 2008.Commenting on the event, BHETA’s Chief Operating Officer, Will Jones said, “It was great to be able to provide members with an opportunity to meet the TK Maxx and Homesense buying team. These two retail brands have a significant share of the housewares sector, and a reputation for being good business partners.”More details of BHETA’s events programme, which includes a number of other Meet The Buyer events and networking forums with leading retailers can also be found on the BHETA website