EVENT REVIEW: SPRING FAIR
“Overall, the event delivered
strong value through meaningful connections and positive response to our latest offerings.”
David Byk, Ling Design, commented: “Spring Fair has been absolutely amazing for us. Sunday was a record-breaking day and we exceeded our targets, finishing 11% up on last year. Footfall has been strong, customers are engaged and happy, and we couldn’t be more pleased with how the show is
performing. We rebooked before we got here for next year, but even if we hadn’t, the strength of the show would have made it an easy decision.”
Claudia Bovingdon, Director of Coach House, said: “Spring Fair has been incredibly busy for us – at points we’ve barely been able to move on the stand, which is a great position to be in. We’re very pro-fair and pro-exhibition, and Spring Fair
is something we work towards all year. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see so many customers in one place, reconnect with people we may only see once a year, and strengthen existing partnerships while forming new ones. With some customers unable to travel to our Northwest showroom, Spring Fair is a vital chance to catch up and talk through pre-orders face to face.” Stephen Illingworth, Widdop & Co, said: “The show has been excellent, there’s a real buzz and a much more positive feeling about where the market is heading compared to last year. We’ve met the majority of the people we wanted to see. The new Widdop Village concept has made a huge difference for us; it’s shifted the perception of what Widdop & Co is about, which is exactly what I wanted to achieve. It’s felt really buoyant and I’m genuinely excited for the year ahead.” Charlotte Broadbent, International Marketing and Partnerships Director, Faire, reported: “Spring Fair 2026 has been a standout experience for Faire, and we are so proud to be growing our partnership with Hyve bigger than ever for our customers. This year, we connected with more customers face to face than ever before, and as a digital business those in-person conversations are incredibly meaningful. “The energy at the show has been
really positive about the year ahead in retail, and we have learned a huge amount by listening closely to customers. We are here to answer questions, share our latest Faire forecast and trend insights, and help buyers discover new products, whether they have been ordering on Faire for years or are discovering us for the very first time.” Emma Lawrence, Director, Emma
Lawrence Designs, said: “I’m usually here as a visitor, seeing my
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different licensee that exhibit at the show, but when they came up the idea to have a licensing area, I thought it’s a chance to showcase all my designs.
“The show has been fantastic for me, I’m completely overwhelmed by the response that I’ve had, not just in the licensing, but in the retail side of things has been really beneficial. There has been a lot of discussions about working together or doing things collaboratively, which is important and Spring Fair has given me those opportunities.”
Looking to the future
For those attending, the experience speaks for itself. But for anyone who chose not to come the message from the show floor is clear: Spring Fair has rediscovered its buzz, and this year’s event has delivered an experience that many say they wouldn’t want to miss. Fay Tranter, Event Director of Spring Fair looks ahead to 2027: “Spring Fair 2026 has been an incredible milestone for us. The energy across the halls, the quality of buyers and brands, and the feedback from the industry have all reinforced that Spring Fair is not just a trade show, it’s an experience. We’ve seen real momentum in how people want to engage, connect and discover, and that transformation is something we’re fully committed to building on. Looking ahead to 2027, our strategy is focused on deepening that experience even further, with more immersive content, stronger communities, and even more opportunities for meaningful connections that genuinely support retail growth.”
Spring Fair 2027 takes place on 7 –
10 February at the NEC Birmingham. Autumn Fair returns from 6 – 9 September 2026 at the NEC, Birmingham and will co-locate with Glee, which runs from 8 – 10 September 2026.
MARCH 2026 DIY WEEK 31
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