Recently, Fidelity Fulfilment hosted a vibrant event together with the Giftware Association, Talking Tables, and Qalara — a day filled with great conversations, fresh ideas, and plenty of inspiration. From the latest in product design, sourcing, and fulfilment to exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, there was something for everyone. We wrapped things up in style with a laid-back BBQ and drinks, the perfect setting to unwind and connect with fellow industry professionals.
All visitors enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes warehouse tour, personally led by Fidelity’s founders, Simon Vincent and Stephen Williams. They gave a closer look at the scale and setup of the facility, while explaining the key differences between B2B and B2C fulfilment.
The tour then transitioned to a live demonstration by Josh Dean, who has been involved since the inception of Unify — Fidelity’s proprietary software that powers every aspect of their fulfilment operations, ensuring seamless and tailored fulfilment services to brands worldwide.
At the event, Qalara’s product showcase was a true highlight. As a pioneer in sustainable and transparent sourcing from India, Qalara presented an impressive collection of handcrafted home and lifestyle products, crafted using traditional techniques and a wide variety of natural materials.
This showcase not only highlighted exceptional craftsmanship and design but also demonstrated the impact of ethical production processes connecting over 60 countries with authentic, responsible products.
One of the standout moments of the event was a lively and insightful panel discussion featuring Ashley Stein, US Commercial Director at Fidelity Fulfilment, Mark McCormack, Co-CEO of Talking Tables, and Aditi Pany, Founder and CEO of Qalara. Moderated in collaboration with The Giftware Association, the panel delved into the theme of “Exploring New Territories”, offering honest reflections, strategic advice, and firsthand stories about entering and thriving in new international markets.
Ashley Stein (Fidelity Fulfilment) emphasized that a solid strategy is essential when entering the U.S.:
“Just assuming it was going to take off on its own, magically and obviously, you know, that that doesn't work.”
“Making sure you understand if your products translate to the U.S. market properly and if it doesn't… making those adjustments.”
Ashley also spoke about the evolving role of fulfilment providers, and how Fidelity adapts to clients' real needs:
“At Fidelity, we truly tailor our solution around what our client needs… they have more cash flow, they have the ability to invest back into their business.”
She contrasted this with rigid systems she’s experienced in the past:
“It was very much all of our clients had to fit into this box. They had to take everything as we presented it… without any modifications whatsoever. That was very challenging.”
Mark from Talking Tables shared how their structure supports international expansion:
“We've got three distinct business groups… volume retail like Tesco and Sainsbury’s, then gift retailers large and small… and finally, a marketplace channel—Amazon and Walmart.”
He highlighted that each market requires a different approach, from warehousing to language:
“The selling model is completely different… lots of terminology to learn.”
Aditi from Qalara spoke about shifting global sourcing strategies:
“We've seen a lot of interest from American companies… previously sourcing from China, now looking at what can actually be done in India.”
She also highlighted the flexibility required when dealing with complex global logistics:
“We have customers in more than 60 countries… we might be billing to Dubai but shipping to Australia.”
Mark addressed how changing tariffs impacted Talking Tables’ sourcing:
“We probably sourced 85% of all product from China… we’ve gone down to about 50%... but it’s still important for flexibility.”
Ashley added that despite the challenges, interest in the U.S. market is growing:
“I would not say a decline. In fact, I would say the opposite… now we’re seeing that rapidly move up.”
She concluded with advice for brands thinking long-term:
“Give at least a minimum of six months… for planning, cost evaluation, sales strategy, and having the right circle of support.”
The day wrapped up with a relaxed BBQ and drinks — a great chance for informal networking and continued conversations. A fitting end to a day focused on connection, collaboration, and exploring new opportunities across the home and gift industry.