Corban & Blair Lifestyle Blog

Another year, another set of creative graduates

It’s that time of year again where designs students are busily slaving away in front of their computers til day break, mounting images, slicing foam core on their oversized cutting mats and quickly completing those finishing touches on their projects for their grad exhibitions.

Come celebrate the creativity and imagination of a new generation of designers as they showcase their finest work yet. Check out the following exhibitions this week…

COFA Annual
Where? Roundhouse, UNSW, Kensington campus. November 26 – 30, 2011.
Opening night 6pm, November 25.

UTS Export
Where? 50 Kensington Street Chippendale. November 24 – 26, 2011.
Opening night 5:30pm, November 23.

UWS Made
Where? Dockside (The Balcony Level) Cockle Bay Wharf Darling Harbour. November 30, 2011.
Opening night 6pm, November 29.

Celebrate Faber Castell’s 250th birthday at the AGNSW

Looking for something creative to do with the kids this weekend? Why not check out Faber Castell’s 250th Birthday festivities at the AGNSW. Head on down on this Sunday (13 Nov) for a day of creativity, entertainment, artist demonstrations and of course colouring in! Click here for details.

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If you’re looking for something a little individual, perhaps you require a selection of meaningful corporate gifts or would simply like to know what is on offer as part of our custom design services, subscribe to our Corporate mailing list.

"Back to the future" writes Chris Tourgelis of Opus

Owner of Opus, Chris Tourgelis recently published an article in the Australian GIft Guide (April-June 11 Issue) that looks at the future of the retail industry, how it is changing and the impact technology has had and will have on the existing retail space - it's a great article and well worth the read!

Retail Trade Fairs and Business Development: Melbourne

This year the Melbourne Trade Fairs will feature over 2,000 suppliers covering three different destinations and organisations: 

Reed Gift Fair: 7 – 11 August

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre and Melbourne Showgrounds 

GHA: Home and Giving Fair: 7 – 11 August

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre and Melbourne Showgrounds 

Life Instyle Fair: 10 – 13 August

Flemington Race Course Melbourne

Corban & Blair have chosen not to exhibit at the August Trade Fairs, focusing on developing our on-line business opportunities for our retailers.  For all those retailers setting off to Melbourne on their annual buying trip we’d also like to draw to your attention the opportunity of learning and gaining insights into improving business through a seminar based Business Development Program. Since the GFC retail has experienced some tough times, so learning new things, getting ideas and simply being motivated is a great thing to do.  We'd recommend you set aside some time to participate in the Program.

Reed Gift Fairs, Business Development Program is running  throughout the Fair offering a comprehensive program of seminar style session covering the following topics:

·      The 100 minute MBA of Retail Trading

·      Grow, Diversify and Out-manoeuvre Your Competition

·      Control Your Buying

·      Visual merchandising for the small(er) retailer

·      Local Area marketing

·      The Power of 2 Purchase – How customer data gives wholesalers and manufacturers the power retail distribution.

·      Retain or acquire? Are your current customers feeding your business or do you need new ones?

·      Find Your Perfect Match

 

In this final seminar you will find Gillian Corban contributing as a supplier alongside Kate Moriarty from Stem a successful on-trend store in Balmain.  By clicking the [blue] link below you can Reserve Your Place!

 

Find Your Perfect Match

Presented by Michael Neaylon – Director, MCME

Monday 9 August 11.00am – 12.30pm

What makes the perfect retailer / wholesaler relationship? Does such a partnership exist? In this highly interactive seminar, we discover your partnership might not be perfect, but it can be a success. Packed with real stories from new and leading wholesalers and retailers, find out how you can make these vital relationships transparent, enjoyable… and profitable. Make it a date.

Reserve your Place
 

 

 

Product showing in Queensland

If you are a whole sale buyer for a retail outlet in Queensland or Northern NSW, you might like to look at the new range of Corban &Blair products.  Currently, our Agent Sara Yates of Platform Agencies, is holding showings in her show room at Potts Street East Brisbane.  

 

All of the new ranges are available for you to view and order for your store. If you would like to make an appointment contact Sara on: 0405 251 705 or sara@platformagencieis.com.  I'm sure she would be delighted to see you.

Would you like to know more about Corban & Blair products?  Contact us on info@corbanblair.com.au 

Corban & Blair releases NEW collection!

It's that time of the year again - when we have some fabulous new products to show, share and gloat over. With this new collection, ready for Christmas, comes a utility range called DUET. The products use two colours each and give a fabulous smartness through colour combinations and style. Brown/Blue is perhaps my favourite, the rich brown of leather provides a great base for a touch of blue, enhancing the design and really raising eye appeal!  

Other colour ways on offer are Red/Pink, Cream/Orange and Blue/Red.  Each colour way has a wide range of products including: A6 and A5 refillable Journals, zip Pencil Case, Address Book and Diary both with international standard ring binder, a Business Card or loyalty card Holder, Coin Purse, great Shoulder Bag, Book Mark, Key Ring, Luggage Tag and Travel Wallet.

 

The range offers great Chris Cringle gifts along with wonderful ideas for presents for loved ones and, yourself - of course!

Put your order in now – they are already available!

Visit the Corban &Blair web site to learn more at www.corbanblair.com.au

Online Retail

We would like to draw to the attention of all stores who stock Corban & Blair products of a timely conference and exhibition about on-line retailing. 

 http://www.onlineretailer.net/

 For some time Corban & Blair has been aware of the impact of the inter-net on retail consumer behaviour. Customers are more informed, check products and compare prices online before they even venture into a shopping centre or store!  We have moved to using on-line media where possible – You-tube videos, Web site, our two Blogs, Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. This latest trend has allowed us to build another channel!  Why not consider this for your business?

 We'd like to recommend to all our suppliers to look into how you might embrace the inter-net to grow your presence and your sales.  Maybe this conference is a great way to start, or to learn something new, or add to what you already know.

 Here are the details should you like to attend:

 

OnlineRetailer  Expo / Conference / networking

6-9 July 2010

Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre

Workshops, seminars and round tables. 

Speakers from all over the world.

 
 

“Online Retailer Expo & Conference is one of the world's largest e-commerce and digital marketing events for retailers. Providing hard-to-get content on all matters e-retailing, from understanding the competitive landscape and tapping e-commerce solutions to improving e-marketing programs and redesigning websites to improve sales, Online Retailer is a must-attend event for anyone interested or involved with online and multichannel retailing.” 

Corban & Blair SALE begins today, Thursday 17 June thru to Sunday 20 June

 

Up-coming Trade Fairs for Retailers

Two up-coming trade fairs for buyers are due in JULY:

REED GIFT FAIR

July 3 - 6

Venue: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Check it out: http://www.reedgiftfairs.com.au/en/brisbane-july/

GHA: HOME & GIVING

July 3 - 6

Venue: Sydney Show Ground

Check it out: http://www.homeandgiving.com/July10/Exhibiting/tabid/1107/language/en-US/Default.aspx