Monster retailers set to quiz newbies as strong roster of publishers head north
A strong roster of 60 new and established publishers are all set to welcome visitors to Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring which opens its doors at Glasgow’s SEC over Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, 27-29 March.
The postponed show has a flurry of new exhibitors, including Holy Mackerel, Audrey & Jeff, Catherine Kleeli, Do Something David, Edinburgh Illustrations and Wishstrings, while names such as Emma Ball Ltd, Pigment, Cardology, and Pink Pig are making their way to Scotland’s second city again.
And there’s plenty to see with over 500 companies across all categories, exhibiting thousands of products, with the Launch Gallery right in the middle showcasing the talents of around 40 newbies, while the Craft Gallery has handmade, small batch production and digital technology in a partnership between Craft Scotland and show organiser Springboard Events.
And if you get a little peckish, co-located within Scotland’s Trade Fair is Scotland’s Speciality Food Show with over 200 food and drink companies featuring products such as confectionery, biscuits, drinks, dairy, condiments, meat and vegan foods.
“We are hugely encouraged by the many new companies exhibiting and the fresh, exciting ranges from all our suppliers,” said show director Mark Saunders. “There is a buoyant mood among retailers and suppliers alike, who are longing to come together to order, network and return to a normal summer season with tourists and staycationers visiting Scotland in their droves.”
In addition, the Talking Shop area will feature an impressive line-up of speakers including The Giftware Association’s chief executive Sarah Ward, with two chances to hear her hour-long session entitled What Your Industry Body Can do For You In a Post-Pandemic, Post-Brexit Retail World – at 2.30pm on the Sunday and again on the Tuesday. Other sessions include How To Make Your Business Sustainable, Instagram For Retailers, How To Work With Influencers 2022, and a PR Masterclass – How To Do Your Own PR.
And there’s also Nessie’s Den, Scotland’s monster version of Dragon’s Den, where the Home & Gift session sees a selection of Launch Gallery exhibitors pitch their products to the panel of retail experts: Caroline Reid, head of retail and merchandise, National Trust Scotland; David Robertson, owner of JP Pozzi and Bijou; and Wendy Ross, owner of Ruby Red and Driftwood.
Plus the Best Product Awards, sponsored by The Giftware Association, will be judged and awarded on the Sunday, judged by retail experts Linda Birkbeck from House Of Bruar; Glasgow Museums’ Catherine McGurk, and Taisir Gibreel of Restoration Yard. The winning products will then be displayed in the centre of the show.
Soni Ahmed, of Maia Gifts, Glasgow, is looking forward to the show: “It’s a must for us – great range of companies, lots of new products and a really positive atmosphere. It’s really important to us to support local independent companies, and Scotland’s Trade Fair is the best way to do this.”
“The virtual trade shows have been very useful,” said Sheila Lambie from The Hairy Coo, Newtonmore, “but nothing can quite replace the live events where you can physically handle products and meet the people behind them face to face. Walking around trade shows can be exhausting but it’s certainly preferable to sitting in front of a screen scrolling for new ideas and products.”
