SPRING FAIR REVIEW
manager Paul Balfe said, “We did used to exhibit at Spring Fair a long time ago, and then we exhibited at Totally for a good two or three year stretch. We were only there, though, because there wasn’t a platform for us here.”
Baroness Karren Brady of The Apprentice fame delivered her top tips for business success as part of Spring Fair’s star- studded programme of keynote speakers
interested in coming back if the price is right and if this year’s show ultimately proves itself to have been worthwhile.”
Long days With the DIY hall opening a day earlier than all other sector halls, bar volume, for many exhibitors the six-day run of Spring Fair proved a long one. Stax operational director Nigel Wright said that, while the show had been largely positive for the supplier, he would question whether they really needed to be there a day early. “It just makes for a very long show,” he explained. “We were one of just two halls open and it was very, very quiet. It does make it a long time away from the business, as well. Overall, though, I’m pleased with how the show has gone. We’ve never done Spring Fair and I think, because of the breadth of range here, there are a lot of great buyers as well as suppliers. “We no longer exhibit at Totally
DIY after supporting the show for years. It’s just not big enough anymore, unfortunately. This year we wanted a change, so we have made our stand a bit more conceptual about what we do. It’s early to call, but I’d say we’ll probably be interested in coming back next year.”
The show wasn’t a completely new experience for all exhibitors, however.
Amtech area sales
He continued: “The show has been going well for us, in terms of people coming to the stand, I’d say there’s a 50/50 divide between new and existing customers we’re seeing. Everyone knows us, they all know what we do. This sort of show is probably more important for the newer guys.”
Scoping out potential
While the big names might have been there – Akzo Nobel, Black & Decker and Home Hardware, to name a few – the exhibitor numbers for DIY remained modest, with several industry members choosing not to take up the chance to exhibit in favour of seeing how the land lay. Henkel was one such supplier, with customer marketing manager Paul Bagnall explaining: “We did think about exhibiting but, for us, it’s still just a bit too quiet. I find the length of the show a bit off-putting. If it’s rammed everyday then it’s fine, but from what I’ve seen here, it’s just not. “We cover sectors other than
DIY with our product range and we always attend a well- known education show for our Pritt range. There, it is always completely rammed – but that’s not something we’ve seen at a DIY show for a long time. “If the show’s DIY presence grew; if it became an opportunity that would guarantee lots of customers and returns, then yes, we might exhibit. But, at this stage, I don’t know if it’s worth the money you put into a good stand – and when we do an exhibition, we do it properly with a really decent stand – I don’t know if this will become that. I don’t know if Totally can reclaim that. Maybe it’s simply the times; maybe the era of DIY trade shows is coming to an end.”
TOP SPEAKERS GIVE FOOD FOR THOUGHT ON RETAIL SUCCESS
Retail expert and ‘Queen of Shops’ Mary Portas took to the floor on Monday afternoon, delivering a fascinating keynote on the challenges facing independent retailers. She discussed changing consumer behaviours, the rigours of the economy and the rise of the digital revolution, and gave independents her best tips on how to tackle these head on. This was followed by a hugely-popular Q&A session on the main catwalk of the Jewellery and Watch Hall. Mulberry founder Roger Saul also delivered a keynote speech, followed by an interactive Q&A on the Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, it was standing-room only in the Fashion and Accessories Theatre on February 7, as crowds converged to hear renowned businesswoman and star of The Apprentice, Baroness Karren Brady tell the story of her own inspirational journey to business success, as well as her best tips for retailers. Starting off by giving the audience a run-down of her own background, she pointed out that, as a young woman launching a career with a football club, of all things, she had to “be twice as good as a man to appear to be even half as good.” She also pointed out that, “the ability to take risks and push harder than ever before is how to succeed in the business world.”
Pointing out the importance of motivating and inspiring staff, she said: “Your staff must be passionate about what they do and have a true entrepreneurial spirit – but never confuse management with leadership. Leadership is about vision, so it’s important to ensure the workplace is somewhere where politics don’t exist. “It’s important to get your staff to do everything in their skill-set to make your business work. I think it’s particularly important for all different departments to understand one another, so there is an appreciation and respect throughout the personnel of your business.” Acknowledging the changing environment of retail, Baroness Brady pointed out the importance of moving forward with the times, without losing sight of “proven old ways.” She added: “Changing a business’ culture is difficult – businesses are hard to establish and, once established, hard to change.” Pointing out that a career lasts a lifetime, Baroness Brady reiterated the importance of passion and belief in a business’s core. “It won’t work as a career unless you wouldn’t rather be doing anything else. Remember, it’s never too late to choose something else and no one will champion your own career but you.”
Rounding up, Baroness Brady shared her six tips for business success:
1. Leadership “A real leader faces the music even when they don’t like the tune.”
2. Ambition
“Drive your business forward, but don’t be ruthless. There’s a huge difference between ambition and ruthlessness. Never say: ‘I wish I had...’”
3. Determination “This is the key to your own success.”
4. Attitude “If you don’t like it, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
5. Direction “The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going.” 6. Positivity “For true success, just hang on in there.”
10 DIY WEEK 24 FEBRUARY 2017
www.diyweek.net
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