Fashion legend Jeff Banks talks retail with guests to celebrate show’s 75th anniversary
Spring Fair is kicking off its 75th anniversary celebratory show with the launch of a brand-new podcast series led by legendary designer and TV personality Jeff Banks.
Leading up to the event at Birmingham’s NEC, which will take place Sunday to Wednesday, 2-5 February, the Retail Insights free podcast series features interviews with 15 industry figureheads including retailers, suppliers, and the GCA’s Adriana Lovesy, and start from Sunday, 20 October – the teaser reel can be seen below.
Running for 14 weeks, the idea is to give a voice back to the retail community who have been a part of Spring Fair, to celebrate the trade show’s rich heritage, and spotlight the people and brands who make up everything the event is.
“We’re incredibly excited to launch this anniversary podcast series – which as available free to all of retail to help inspire,” explained Spring Fair event director Soraya Gadelrab. “As a business leader or owner in retail this podcast is for you. For anyone looking to start a retail business this podcast is for you. And for the retail community this podcast is for you.
“There are also a few tips and tricks on how these businesses have either successfully shopped trade shows or successfully sold their products at trade shows. These are money-can’t-buy insights on how to be successful for businesses looking to sell products B2B. The series really has the feel-good factor and makes for very interesting listening.”
The Spring Fair team brought together all 15 guests for a special 75th anniversary media day which was hosted by Jeff, resulting in candid conversations reflect on the past, present and future of retail – the stories that come out of building a retail business or being part of a retail business, stories that will inspire and resonate with many in the industry.
Each 10 to 20-minute episode is available to listen to or watch as a video, streamed via Apple, Spotify, YouTube, all popular podcasting platforms, and here from each Sunday from 20 October. Sign up here to receive the podcast.
Listeners will be able to enjoy Jeff in conversation with independent card and gift retailers including Nest, Alligator Pear, and Coopers of Stortford, brands such as Talking Tables and Candlelight, buying group EK Retail, the GCA, and The Giftware Association, as they discuss an array of topics including reinventing your brand, growing a bricks and mortar store, catering for all customer demographics, catalogue and mail orders business development, growing a small business, being a designer/maker and business owner, the power of licensed products, how to sell your products to a global buying group, and how retail associations can help your business be more successful.
The interviews also reflect on what it means to be part of the retail community, how to keep your company relevant for over 30 years, the power of storytelling, and how to stay true to environmental strategies and make a profit.
Jeff commented: “Spring Fair is still one of the biggest trade exhibitions in Great Britain and I have spent many a productive and inspiring day at the show over the years – it’s been integral to the success of my designer collaborations with brands exhibiting there.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the team to create this thoughtful and stimulating podcast series to celebrate the show’s incredible 75 years and help champion the people and businesses that make up the Spring Fair community.”
The full list of podcasts is:
20 October – Nick Ronald, managing partner of lifestyle brand and The Summerhouse exhibitor Casa Verde.
27 October – Maggie Thornton, owner of award-winning gift shop Alligator Pear in Burgh Heath.
3 November – Kay Hutcheson, head of product marketing and product operations at home, garden and lifestyle store Coopers Of Stortford in Bishop Stortford.
10 November – Tim Hollis, retail brand development manager from Talking Tables, a BCorp business offering sustainable and design-led partyware products and wrap.
17 November – Samantha Gibbs, director of Nest’s trio of card and gift shops in Stoneygate, Broughton Astley and Thurlaston.
24 November – Aylish Ellwood, trade marketing manager at licensed gift supplier Enesco.
1 December – Daniel Kullmann, head of corporate communications for European multi-sector group EK Retail.
8 December – Stephen Spencer, ambience director for Stephen Spencer + Associates, and chairman of Spring Fair’s Advisory Board.
15 December – double episode with GCA membership & marketing manager Adriana Lovesy and Sarah Ward, CEO of the Giftware Association,
22 December – Craig Winsley, co-founder and managing director of DCUK, the original wooden duck company.
29 December – Evan Lewis, founder of stationery company Vent For Change, one of a growing number of conscientious brands that combine design, eco credentials and an ethical purchasing alternative.
5 January – Ray Qudos, consultant at consumer branding and product business Keplin Group.
12 January – Amanda Peffer, director of children’s fashion brand Blade & Rose.
19 January – Mike Winch, founder of Candlelight, designer, importer, and wholesale supplier of giftware and home accessories.
