A fresh take on SS24 with Just Around the Corner

Just Around the Corner

Launched in 2018 as an appointment-only trade event by industry veteran Juls Dawson, Just Around the Corner (JATC) is making some changes for its forthcoming spring/summer 2024 exhibition.

New dates shift the event to align with the other trade shows taking place across the UK capital at the same time – Pure London and Scoop – while a new east London venue will also bring a sense of freshness to the three-day show.

However, the core of JATC remains the same, with its various zones covering menswear, womenswear, footwear and accessories, unisex collections, sustainable products, beauty and lifestyle.

Drapers meets JATC founder Juls Dawson to find out what you need to know about the upcoming London show.

Just Around the Corner founder Juls Dawson

Why attend?

What makes JATC different to other trade shows?

We are the only multi-category fashion, lifestyle and beauty event reflecting the ever-changing contemporary retail environment.

JATC is known for its accessible pricing structure, its pared-back aesthetic featuring bespoke display furniture set within industrial backdrops and its provision of complimentary refreshments from artisan baristas and guest street vendors offering world cuisine – all at no additional cost. This offers both exhibitors and visitors a relaxed, refreshing environment to do business.

Having attended trade shows for two decades as agents, when we started our own event, we decided to leave out the worst bits and only retain the best elements, which is why we say JATC is “for the industry, by the industry”.

JATC is on the move

This season’s dates are slightly different to previous years and now align with other London trade shows Pure and Scoop. Why the change?

It is always a challenge to get dates perfect, with so many product categories working to differing selling windows. After much deliberation, we decided that mid-July kept in line with the maximum number of brands.

Following feedback from our wholesale partners and visitors, we felt that it was also important to give buyers one date for all London trade shows, reducing the amount of times they have to visit the capital in a buying season.

Just Around the Corner's new location Tobacco Dock

The London show has also moved venue. Tell us about Tobacco Dock.

We felt our partners and buyers needed a change of setting to keep our proposition fresh, and Tobacco Dock is just around the corner from our previous locations, so it retains the East End charm for which we are known.

The historic building has a reputation as one of the coolest events spaces in the capital and is perfect for our SS24 show. It is centrally located within zone 2 and less than a mile from Brick Lane. It addition to the indoor areas, it has a great mix of outside spaces, which will be great in July with the warmer weather.

Curated edit include beauty and lifestyle

You introduced a beauty and lifestyle section to the London show last season. How did this go?

It was a great first season with the relevant buyers from all the right departments visiting. We have a 90% re-sign rate and we expect a considerable increase in number for SS24. The product spans beauty, wellness, skincare, grooming, home fragrance, homeware, tech, watches, jewellery, wearable accessories and seasonal gifting.

What is new this season?

Our Together Zone, which includes women’s and men’s collections, and labels that offer unisex or genderless ranges, continues to grow.

It is early in the season but a few brand highlights are Crep Protect, Costamani, Pura Vida, Saint Tropez, Ichi, Ed Hardy, Fila, Remus Uomo, Komodo, Pretty Vacant, Lily & Me, Eb & Ive, Sugarhill Brighton, Outerknown, Harper & Lewis and many more. Keep your eye on our website for updates, as there are new additions every day.

Just Around the Corner

Calling international brands

Tell us about JATC’s partnerships with trade bodies.

We are now set up with several international trade bodies, which means there is funding available to international brands towards the costs of showing at JATC, ranging from 40% to 75% of the total cost. So far, we have been approved by Spain and Denmark, and others are under review. There are also potentially some grants becoming available from the Department for International Trade for UK-based brands.

Why should international brands exhibit at JATC?

The UK is still the second largest clothing market in Europe and, although it can be challenging to trade here, it is possible with the right partner. We have some of the best retailers in the world and, as Napoleon said of the British, we are a nation of shopkeepers. We have about 2,000 buyers visiting JATC each season, ranging from department stores to the best of the boutiques. I would estimate that more than 60% of our brands are international and, with 90% re-sign rates season on season, we must be doing something right.

Need to know

Dates: 16-18 July 2023 (Pure London and Scoop are on the same dates)

Location: Tobacco Dock, Wapping Lane, Tobacco Quay, London E1W 2SF

Opening times: 9.30am-6pm

Number of brands: Around 200 fashion, beauty, lifestyle and more