Retailers are always on the lookout for the next big thing and in this series the buying teams of three high street giants are prepared to take an enormous gamble by asking members of the public to supply them with the next bestselling product. This is a chance of a lifetime for unknown designers and producers to pitch directly to the retail industry's power-brokers and have the opportunity to get their product stocked in prestigious shops. Over six months, retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis will be following both buyers and suppliers as they experience the highs and guaranteed lows of bringing a product to market, from initial pitch to shop shelf. Whilst many won't make the grade, for a lucky few it will be a life-changing experience.
This time it is the turn of a home retail giant to host its open day. Watching from the sidelines is Theo Paphitis, who knows first hand how important these pitches are to both buyers and wannabe suppliers. Home retail is a crowded market, so the store's head of range and creative director will be ruthless in their decision making. From new graduates such as Laura Wellington who lights up the room with her hula lamp and Catherine Gray with her bold vases to garden-shed inventors like Russell Leith who has been working on his self-supporting stand 'the Ledge' for 15 years and single mum Debbie Evershed and her innovative 'frog bracket', the stakes are high and only a handful will be taken on by the high street giant.
Meanwhile at a leading pharmacy chain, Wingman the man-size wipe and its creator Stuart are invited back to talk about marketing the product, whilst Birgitte, who is still waiting for a call from the retailer, takes delivery of 1,500 baby 'sun-snoozers', much to Theo's dismay who gives her a tough talking-to. He also meets other hopefuls Robin and Stephen, who need help with getting their 1,200 pound lamp into an internationally known design emporium.
