Off Price to launch in Poland

Discount exhibition The Off Price Show will launch an event in Poland next September to tap into Europe's emerging markets.

The Polish edition of the show, where exhibitors sell mainly end-of-line and clearance stock, will take place in Warsaw in September 2009. It will feature 50 exhibitors, with 30 from the UK and the rest from the domestic market.

Event director Buzz Carter said: "We're targeting the emerging markets, and Russia, the Baltic States and Czech Republic are all neighbours to Poland which we expect to see at the show.

"The UK climate is very challenging at the moment, but GDP is up 7% in Poland."

He added that around 20 exhibitors have already signed up for the Polish show.

Footfall figures for the London show, which took place at Olympia last Sunday and Monday were not available as Drapers went to press, but the  general consensus from exhibitors was that business was subdued.

Paul Bajaj, director of S&P Casuals said: "Sunday was OK and Monday was very quiet but the market is quiet. There were a lot fewer UK people."

However around 50 exhibitors have already been signed for the next London show at Olympia on March 15-16.