From the Sector

The PREMIUM GROUP and its partner, JOOR, the largest B2B wholesale platform in the world, have together developed a digital marketplace showcasing a curated portfolio of brands compiled in partnership with the relevant retailers. The first digital trade show in the world launches on 14 July 2020: PREMIUM+SEEK Passport.

The JOOR Passport platform is geared towards the current market conditions, where only limited travel is permitted, as well as towards the time after the pandemic when physical events will be able to take place again.

The trade show experience is condensed into a one-stop shop for users: one website, one app to search for and find suppliers, and one place to upload and access data and content – in short, one comprehensive digital experience.

The digitalisation of business interactions represents a year-round marketplace where retailers can discover new styles and designers, and brands can generate new contacts.

On the summer trade show dates the seasonal brand lookbooks curated by PREMIUM and SEEK can be uploaded to individual profiles and key looks can be presented in virtual showrooms. The PREMIUM GROUP translates the recipe for success – Commerce, Content and Community – for the digital sphere. Buyers can find out the latest on style and trend stories on the PREMIUM+SEEK Passport homepage, which also highlights key themes such as sustainability. This enables retailers to continue to gain inspiration from brand worlds, to keep abreast of developments and discover new things.

• The PREMIUM GROUP in Berlin is cancelling its PREMIUM and SEEK trade shows for this summer season, as well as the FASHIONTECH conference – in collaboration with the leading global digital B2B marketplace, JOOR, there is still a guaranteed trading option.

Due to the coronavirus crisis, in April the dates of the PREMIUM GROUP’s events were provisionally moved from the original schedule of 31 June-2 July 2020 to 28 -30 July. Now, the Federal and State governments have decided to cancel large-scale events with over 1,000 visitors until 31 August 2020.
     
A statement from Anita Tillmann, Managing Partner of the PREMIUM GROUP: 

“We greatly regret the decision of course, especially after the success of our January events. The ban on large-scale events has been around for some time and has been publicly discussed. It hurts us to do it, but we are also conscious of our responsibility. If cancelling our trade shows, conferences and parties contributes to the safety of our customers and visitors, then we have to take this step.
 
We are in close contact with all our brands and partners and have spent the last four weeks discussing possible approaches, concepts and new focal topics for the summer. The bottom line is that digitalisation is clearly the focus. It’s all about using the time over the next few months sensibly. The timing for brands and retailers is now right – all market participants are aware of the necessity of this.

We have been working closely with JOOR, the leading B2B marketplace globally, for around a year, after successfully integrating our own digital platform, Veee.com. JOOR has digitalised the entire procurement process and ensures a seamless, functioning wholesale process on an international scale – both for brands and retailers.
 
We shall shortly be offering webinars on this and can offer our customers an optimal, digital ordering solution so as to use this time of the pandemic efficiently. We are very happy with this option and our year-long investment in the topic of digitalisation. This has come good for us now.
 
Our trade show formats have been about more than just ordering for a long time now. They are about encounters, emotion, inspiration, communication and, finally, the fashion community getting together. Although lots can take place digitally nowadays, it doesn't replace physically meeting up in person. We have seen this more than ever in the present situation.
 
We are going to work on new concepts for 2021, and we will liaise with the key stakeholders in Berlin and with all others too to ensure we hit the ground running again. We’re taking on the challenge and will come back to the industry when we have news.”

PREMIUM GROUP announces a strategic partnership with JOOR – the world’s largest wholesale platform based in the US.

The organiser of the PREMIUM and SEEK trade shows as well as the #FASHIONTECH BERLIN conference had been looking for a strong digital platform and a partner to facilitate the step into the US market for its exhibitors for quite some time.

“With JOOR we have now found the perfect match and digital complement to support our network in entering the US market and growing sales,” explains Jörg Arntz, Managing Director of the PREMIUM GROUP. “Both our companies share the philosophy of being more impactful in joining forces and thinking beyond the boundaries. Strong networks, both online and offline, have never been as crucial as in these times of serious market transformation.”

Anita Tillmann on the new season, new topics and a new generation.

“We’re feeling a special vibe in Berlin at the moment. The new generation is cool, fresh, engaged. Despite the fact that we, in our 40s, 50s and up, wear the same sneakers and almost the same look as our children, it's a long time since we topped the cool list. We need the young crowd, these stars of tomorrow, their style, their ideas and their unconventional and open ways of thinking. Everyone should come to Berlin to meet them, listen to them, or at least watch them. If you only look to the past you won't create a good future.”

CRAFTING STORIES.
“Berlin feels reckless, flexible, sometimes wonderfully aimless, unconstrained and unpredictable, which gives my creativity a huge boost. I am fascinated by always meeting people from all over the world who have chosen to make Berlin their base so that they can be free and creative, because Berlin offers the space to do that – whether in a studio, or at WeWork or Berghain.”

CHANGING STORIES.
“Only 9 per cent of the 9.1 billion tonnes of waste plastic that accumulates around the world was recycled and 12 per cent was incinerated. We give talks daily on the theme of avoiding plastic and we are working with the City of Berlin on concepts for a plastic-free Fashion Week. Only together can we shake things up.”

TELLING STORIES.
“Emotionalisation begins at the trade show stand rather than in-store. If the sparks don't fly at the trade show it will be tricky to tell the brand story or implement the presentation of the brands across the sales areas. Firstly, the aim is to use key looks and storytelling to capture buyers’ attention and make statements. We are working together with the brands on showcasing differentiating factors and genuinely presenting something new. Secondly, we recommend bringing young sales staff along to Berlin as well, to internalise this dynamic as well as the brand stories; and to then make these stories come alive for end consumers across the sales areas.”

Die PREMIUM GROUP ist Veranstalter der internationalen Modemessen PREMIUM, SHOW&ORDER, SEEK, BRIGHT und PREMIUM ORDER MUNICH sowie der Innovationskonferenz FASHIONTECH. Mit diesen Events positioniert sich die PREMIUM GROUP als führender Veranstalter und als Innovationsspitze innerhalb der europäischen Messelandschaft.

­„Das war ein guter Saisonstart für uns. Alle Messeformate und Events sind sehr gut besprochen und besucht worden. Die Zusammenlegung von PREMIUM und SHOW&ORDER war richtig und wichtig. Der Fokus auf die Experiences, die auf allen Plattformen umgesetzt wurden, kam sehr gut an. Viele Brands haben richtigerweise in den Standbau und in das Storytelling investiert, um ihre Marken und Kollektionen zu emotionalisieren, und davon vor Ort profitiert. Die SEEK wurde unterm Strich als die coolste Plattform bewertet, die den Zeitgeist am treffendsten abbildet. Die Stimmung war aufgeladen, der Style der Community progressiv und jung, Berlin-like. Auffallend jung ist auch die neue Generation der Besucher in der Arena. Was uns freut, ist der Erfolg des European Skateboard Awards mit der BRIGHT, moderiert von der amerikanischen YouTube-Ikone Gary Rogers (Skateline). Das Publikum kam aus der ganzen Welt und den Brandaward hat dieses Mal Palace gewonnen – mit Abstand eine der gefragtesten Marken im Bereich Urban- und Streetwear. Wir blicken auf drei Tage erfolgreiches Messebusiness zurück und sind zufrieden mit der Frequenz und vor allem mit der Qualität der Besucher. Die Anzahl der Besucher lag etwas höher als in der Sommersaison und entspricht ungefähr der Anzahl der vergangenen Wintersaison. Auf allen Events liegt der Fokus nach wie vor auf Business, Community, Kommunikation, Emotion und Inspiration. 

Das geballte Angebot lieferte den Retailern ideale Voraussetzungen, die Trends, die wir in den verschiedenen Hallen definieren, zu sichten und für ihre Sortimente zu ordern. 
Mit dem Umzug ins Kraftwerk und der Partnerschaft mit der Messe Frankfurt wurde das erfolgreiche Konzept der FASHIONTECH mit der FASHIONSUSTAIN um einen weiteren Tag ergänzt. An beiden Tagen war die Konferenz ganztägig voll besetzt. Damit hat sich das Kraftwerk als Innovation & Future Hub während der Fashion Week etabliert.“