EVENT PREVIEW Spring Fair: It’s happening again We preview Spring Fair and take a look at some of the products on offer
MOST OF YOU know what Spring Fair has to offer by now. Although it caters to 13 different markets, spanning a huge 17 halls at the NEC, the show can claim to have one of the largest presentations of children’s wares in the UK. This year, in Hall 3, the
‘Children’s Gifts, Toys and Gadgets’ area, the event will be showcasing products from over 250 exhibitors – a six per cent rise on 2012. 45 of those are newcomers while twenty of them are arriving from overseas. More than 25 per cent of Spring Fair 2012’s visitors cited Children’s Gifts, Toys & Gadgets as being of either primary or secondary interest to their buying trip, making this one of the most popular sectors of Spring Fair. It offers a huge potential visitor pool for companies seeking to cast
their net beyond UK specialist toy retailers. That’s not to mention
The Party Show next door, which includes suppliers of dress-up and other potentially relevant party goods. And that’s before you get started on the other 15 halls. Event director Greg Saint
says: “Traditional toy retailers might be seeking to put together a gift offering, or branching into areas such as party products or stationery and giftwrap, which you wouldn’t see at a regular toy show.” Spring Fair is also offering
retailers the chance to have their say about rising business rates in The Big Retail Debate. Research by event
organiser i2i has found that retailers look set to face an additional £175 million on the industry’s rates bill
STAR CUTOUTS HALL 3, STAND 3R15 0161 344 5839
Star Cutouts, the original life-size character cutout and celebrity face mask manufacturer, is growing and expanding at light speed pace with the help from their licences with Disney, Star Wars and Dr Who, to name a few. Disney Characters include Mickey Mouse and friends, Aladdin, Pixar Cars, Toy Story, Disney Princess, Winnie The Pooh and The Muppets. Star Wars and Clone Wars life size cutouts include characters from the new series and films along with classic characters like Luke, Han Solo and Darth Vader. All are ideal and much loved by all age groups.
KIDDIWINKLES HALL 3 A10 01625 449030
Kiddiwinkles is excited to announce the launch of its new 2-in-1 dual themed playhouse designs, which it believes will inspire even more creative and imaginative role play in young children. This clever idea means that each
playhouse has two themes encouraging even more imaginative
and interactive role play. You can turn them around for variety and, with two doors, there is easy access for children to run in and out without any pushing or shoving. Each design features beautiful embroidery and hand appliqué detailing on all four sides of the playhouse offering exceptional value for money. A
Kiddiewinkles playhouse will be a treasured gift for years, says the brand, which also has a Wigwam and Fire Engine playhouse in the range that will appeal to boys and girls alike. For stockist and retail enquiries please contact Debbie Hulme on 01625 449030.
February 75 New licences include Peppa Pig, The
Avengers, Judge Dredd, Justin Bieber, The Chippendales. Star Cutouts will launch more in ‘13 with licences from some of the biggest names in graphic novels and movie history.
next year as the Retail Prices Index measure of inflation was 2.6 per cent in September. A survey conducted at the same time also shows that 72 per cent of retailers believe that rising business rates are the most serious issue affecting the health and future survival of many of our town centres. What’s more, the LIMA- sponsored Licensing Lounge will return to Hall 3. Spring Fair organiser i2i says the marquee provides a ‘lively focal point for brand owners, licensing agents, suppliers seeking new licences and retailers keen to learn about the hottest licensed properties and characters to suit their store’.
FACTFILE: 1. Takes place between February 3rd and 7th 2. 3,100 exhibitors (up eight per cent on 2012) 3. 250 children’s toys gifts gadgets exhibitors 4. 300,000 new products on show 5. Up to 75,000 visitors
CLOOCI HALL 6, STAND 6N27 0844 991 2464
Clooci Studios sources and creates unique products from the arts and crafts, gifts and toys, fashion and design sectors. It is launching six exciting new products at Spring Fair. Okiiyo is a USB card reader with clipping arms that comes with a detachable head that can be used to play iPad games, and Okiiyo Online
gives access to exclusive content. OfficeChums is a 'Mother Hub' - available in: PigChum, CatChum, and DogChum. Each comes complete with three matching USB TF Card readers. The new Happiplayground range includes iPad/mini iPad cases, iPhone cases, and camera pouches – all in a fantastic array of patterns, colours and unique designs. Kids will love keeping their gadgets protected. Clooci will also be showcasing:
Juicy Electronics, the scrumptiously scented earphones; Headphonies, the tiny speakers with powerful sound quality; and Mimobot, the latest USB flash drives in character format.