August date means Scotland’s Trade Fair is now season’s first show
The autumn buying season is kicking off in Glasgow at the weekend where Scotland’s Trade Fair takes up an August date line for the first time.
Having repositioned itself as the first show of autumn, the event runs Sunday and Monday, 20-21 August, at the SEC with organiser Springboard Events aiming to give retailers better timing for Christmas buying, allowing them to top up for the season and also grab an early snapshot of the 2024 ranges.
Over a third of the exhibitors at Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn are new, and it supports fresh young companies with its Launch Gallery which is fully booked with greetings stands including Casablanca Studios, Colourific, Designed By Islay, Edoniworks, Lin-Pin Crafts, Little Giorgo’s Designs, and Victoria Gordon Art which won a Best Product Award at January’s spring show.
Other greetings exhibitors over the weekend include All That Glitters, Claire Barclay Draws, Clare Baird Designs, Cotton & Grey, F&B Cards, Hole In My Pocket, Jackton Art, Joy Nevada, Lancaster & Gibbings, Little Paper Soul, Lomond Books Scotland, Marc Peters Glass Artist, Periodic Society, Snappy Crocodile, The Grey Earl, The Silver Studio, The Wee Book Company, Wee Wishes, and Pink Pig – also a Best Product winner in January.
Show director Mark Saunders said tourism had “enjoyed a strong start in 2023” with Scotland’s attractions experiencing good footfall which is flowing into the gift and greeting shops thanks to the lower pound giving overseas visitors good value for money.
He added: “This date change came after serious consultation with exhibitors and retailers and now fits in better with the buying season.
“Offering retailers an earlier chance to get their hands on new products and Christmas stock is both beneficial to them and their customers. In addition, it aligns the two Scottish shows better with almost a six-month gap between them. This move has brought us many new exciting exhibitors and we hope new buyers will also attend.”
The show has four sectors, Home & Gift, Autumn Craft, Christmas, and Fashion, Accessories & Textiles, and retailer Nancy Smillie from Glagow’s Nancy Smillie shops, commented: “Scotland’s Trade Fair Autumn is important for us as we like to have local designers and that is the one place we always pick them up.”
