Talking Party
Party Party spoke to Nick Davison, Spring
Fair's event director for toys, festive and
gift, to fi nd out what's on offer for party
retailers at this year's show.
How are the preparations for
has actually managed to come through for them to find new revenue streams,
Hall 5 coming along?
relatively untouched, and things are diversify and grow their customer base.
looking very good going forward. We’ve
Very well, actually. We have had to expand
still got a pretty full hall, and as such the
How would you suggest a party
the toys and party section this year,
effects have been negligible. We have 50
retailer approach Spring Fair?
while festive – Christmas decorations
new companies exhibiting in the hall, so
and lighting – has a similar number of
there will be a lot of new and innovative
The most important thing to do – and
exhibitors to last year. It’s all shaping up
products. It’s great that we have these
I can’t stress this enough – is to plan
very well though, so I’m really pleased with
new exhibitors and product for buyers to
effectively. Use www.springfair.com and
how it’s coming together.
source.
use the listings to see which companies
are exhibiting and where. Sector listings
Many party retailers have
What was the thought process
will allow you to see what’s in Hall 5,
become accustomed to
behind moving all party product
but product listings will allow you to see
ordering over the internet or
into Hall 5? which exhibitors outside of Hall 5 are
via catalogue. Why should they
carrying party product, whether that’s
We were really answering a call from the banners, decorations or other product. It’s
come to Spring Fair?
industry, who have been asking to move invaluable if you want to ensure your time
to Hall 5 for a while now. This year we is spent wisely.
While it’s true that retailers use a number
have finally been able to facilitate it, so we One day at Spring Fair is never enough,
of different ways to order their stock in
spoke to the exhibitors and the consensus purely because of the huge ranges and
these days, I really don’t think anything
of opinion was that they wanted to move. diverse nature of the products on show.
can compare with the sensory experience
It allows exhibitors and visitors alike to Even if you have very few core suppliers,
of attending a show. Of course, there’s
take advantage of the natural synergies there is still a great deal of complimentary
the argument that you will meet new
between their product (partyware, balloons product to take in, and you really need at
exhibitors, but even long-standing
etc) and the other product available in Hall least a couple of days if you are to make
business relationships will benefit from
5 – the dress-up and festive products in the most of the show and really do it
a bit of face-to-face contact. It allows
particular. It is going to look great, and justice.
the exhibitor to properly showcase its
we’ve made sure that visitors are aware of
latest products and services, while the
the changes that have taken place.
retailer benefits from the exhibitors
What are you personally looking
experience and can take away new ideas
forward to at this year’s show?
and concepts which can really maximise
What benefits will the move
profits. Ordering on the internet simply
bring to exhibitors and retailers? I firmly believe we have met the needs of
doesn’t compare to spending time with
this market sector this year, and I’m really
those who have a real passion for their
It will be much easier for retailers to work looking forward to seeing the results.
business.
the show as they can concentrate most There is a fantastic mix of large and small
of their efforts, whether they are looking exhibitors and retailers, and I love seeing
How have business conditions
for dress-up, balloons or partyware. It’s the two mix. Whether it’s a large retailer
a positive change for exhibitors as well, seeking out a niché exhibitor, or a small
over the past 18 months affected
as they are all together in a much larger shop owner speaking with the CEO of
Hall 5?
group, which means that they are more one of the major suppliers, it’s a great
likely to attract new buyers and meet opportunity for them all. I think Hall 5 is
The economy has naturally had an
retailers that have not traditionally stocked going to be great fun this year!
affect on Spring Fair overall, but Hall 5
their products. It’s a great opportunity
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