EVENT REVIEW: SPRING FAIR 2024
SPRING FAIR LOOKS AHEAD TO 2025
F
rom Sunday to Wednesday,
the
UK’s longest serving retail show attracted thousands of buyers from
retailers including John Lewis, Asda, Fortnum & Mason, Tesco, Aldi UK, Elphicks, Cards Galore, Costcutter, TK Maxx, Mint Velvet, RAF association, NEXT, World Duty Free, Squirrels UK, Yarnton Home and Garden, Claire’s Accessories, Willows Activity Farm, Smiffy’s, Clintons, Macmillan, Wayfair, Harrods, National Trust, Blue Diamond, Fenwick, Laura Ashley, Merlin Entertainment, WHSmith, RSPCA, Warner Bros, TJX Europe, Creaseys, Hallmark, Card Factory, B&Q, Costco, Natural History Museum, and Dobbies Garden Centre, Denby Retail, McElhinneys, and many more, all sourcing for new products and looking for the competitive edge.
Jackson Szabo, Portfolio Director, Spring Fair said: “I have been blown away by the energy, passion and community at Spring Fair during the last four days. The feedback and stories from buyers, exhibitors, and partners have highlighted just how integral this show is to the retail calendar. As well as the day job of buying, it enables the retail industry to come alive with inspiration, innovation, knowledge and networking. All of our new experiences and activations across the show floor, and the awe- inspiring content on the three stages, have been very well received and I’ve also loved the sense of fun our exhibitors bring – I’ve seen people dressed as sheep, sharks, dogs, naughty elves, and of course Peppa Pig! “We’re now very excited to look
forward to 2025 as we celebrate 75 years as the home, gift and fashion industry’s most established and inventive buying show.”
24 DIY WEEK MARCH 2024
Celebrating milestones Many exhibitors were celebrating milestone anniversaries this year, and were all hand delivered a birthday cake from Spring Fair organisers Hyve. Lotus Imports celebrates 60 years, Verma Enterprises is 40, Enesco and Garden Trading are 30, Talking Tables celebrate 25 years, Laura Darrington Designs hit 20, Berni Parker Designs celebrates its 15th year, and Academie, Raspberry Blossom, Tache, Louise Tiler, Pickmotion, and Rush Design all reached double figures.
The licensing business delivered a big impact on the show floor with thousands of trend-led licensed products including gifts, collectables, toys, clothing, beauty and housewares featuring Disney characters, Harry Potter, Winnie the Pooh, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Marvel, Barbie, Paddington, Peter Rabbit, Frozen, Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Star Wars, as well as TV personalities such as Mary Berry, Olly Smith and interior household names including Terence Conran, Catherine Lansfield, Cath Kidston, Sara Miller, and William Morris. Some of the exhibitors who
brought their licensed products to life at the show included Widdop & Co, Captivate Brands, Pure Tabletop, Riva Home, TY UK, Whitehouse Leisure, Fizz Creations, Paladone, Sting in the Tale, Half Moon Bay, Lasgo, Star Images Enterprise, Blue Sky Studios, The English Ladies Co, Heroes Inc, Rock Off Retail, The Source Wholesale, The Carat Shop, Infinity Brands, Enesco, Pyramid International, Spike Leisurewear, Heathcote & Ivory and The English Soap Company.
Stephen Illingworth, Director,
Widdop & Co said: “Spring Fair 2024 has been great with such a refreshing buzz, and it has re-emphasised its role as the biggest, best and only show in the UK for exhibitors and visitors alike to source the greatest range of all products to kick start the year!”
www.diyweek.net
FOLLOWING A BUZZING SHOW Spring Fair, the UK’s largest and most inspirational retail marketplace for home, gift and fashion, closed on a high after four days of intensive buying, creativity and fun, and now looks ahead to its 75th anniversary in 2025.
Positive feedback Feedback throughout the show indicated high quality footfall, new customers, and a buzzing atmosphere, with many exhibitors reporting their best show ever. Ginny Major, eCommerce Home & Living Category Manager, TikTok Shop Global said: “Collaborating with Spring Fair has been essential in educating the industry about the value of TikTok Shop and the future of social commerce. We’ve made connections with so many
remarkable businesses and eagerly await returning for Autumn Fair.” Day three of the show delivered invaluable business and sustainability insights and welcomed some of retail’s biggest hitters, with TV Dragon and retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, and ESG pioneer Paul Wright from PDS who headlined the show’s sustainability content, taking to the Inspiring Retail Stage to packed audiences.
Lifting the lid on 2024’s opportunities and challenges for retail
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