Having not taken place last year, the anticipation is double fold for Spring Fair (February 6-9 at Birmingham’s NEC), which will see a whole host of greeting card publishers sharing their fabulous new ranges with retailers.
“What 2021 highlighted is the importance of reliability and retailers being able to see and touch what they are buying; one thing is clear they cannot afford another year of virtual buying. Spring Fair has been a vital cog in the retail supply chain for sourcing products and reinforcing those face-to-face relationships for many years and in 2022 it is vitally important for our industry that Spring Fair opens its doors to allow retailers to restock and buy for the year ahead,” said Julie Driscoll, divisional managing director for retail, engineering and manufacturing at Hyve Group plc, which owns and organises the Spring and Autumn Fair.
This year’s show (which will run for four days, a day shorter than previously) will be housed in Halls 1-8, with Hall 3 being home to the majority of the greeting card publisher exhibitors.
While The Art File, Ling Design, Wrendale, Paper Salad, Rachel Ellen, Louise Tiler and Eurowrap will greet visitors with their stands right at the front of the hall, many other leading names as well as emerging card companies are all primed to show off their new products. The Cardgains Village is also right at the front of Hall 3, with various companies having their own pods on the expansive stand.
Sharing her hopes and dreams for the show, Alison Graham, key account director of Spring Fair, with special responsibility for the greeting card hall said: “I am most looking forward to bringing the retail market together – buyers and exhibitors and alike – seeing conversations and trading happening throughout the show through face to face meetings and products being seen in the flesh. And, of course lots of orders being placed!” Alison added that she can’t wait to hear and feel “the buzz and energy around the halls.”
With a theme of Empowering Change, The Inspiring Retail Stage at Spring Fair (February 6-9, NEC Birmingham) is set to deliver a packed schedule covering consumer and interior trends, sustainability and fascinating insights into retail initiatives.
Yarnton Home & Garden’s head of buying and marketing Byrony Fletcher and head of visual merchandising Celia Leeson Cox will talk about ‘Transforming retail with the community in mind,’ sharing the story of their new home and garden concept, which includes two greeting card ‘departments’.
Having helped Fenwick, Harrods and Selfridges to grow their physical store sales, Alan O’Neill, md of Kara Change Management will provide practical ideas, encouraging shops to “Dare to change’. Alan states: “Physical retail is not dying, bad retailing is”.
Anna Berry, founder of Retail100 consulting and former head of gift, cook and dine at John Lewis, will share what she learnt building high performing teams at John Lewis, and Charley Crocker from The Pop-Up Agent will explain ‘The Power of Pop-Ups.’ The Inspiring Retail Stage highlights also include Simon Moriarty, head of trends at Mintel who will reveal ‘The trends that will shape consumer behaviour in 2022,’ while Kate Usher, senior trend consultant, at Trend Bible will provide insights into 2023 Home & Lifestyle.
Television personality and interior designer Paul Moneypenny will present a workshop session on ‘How to use bold design in your store to make impact’, including tips for window displays. Other speakers include founder of Green & Black’s Jo Fairley, and TV reality show star Billie Faiers.
A new element of the show this year is Curated Meetings, which will involve 250 buyers who are being hosted them to meet companies for one-to-one pre-arranged meetings in a designated area.
Ensuring the health and safety of exhibitors and visitors, anyone entering the NEC for Spring Fair (including those during build-up and breakdown) will need to show their valid Covid-19 Pass, or a negative result to a Lateral Flow Test taken within 48 hours.
Top: There is a strong line up of speakers for the Inspiring Retail stage to wow visitors.
