Paper Tiger owner all set for Nessie’s Den at Scotland’s Trade Fair
Paper Tiger’s Michael Apter is gearing himself up to be a friendly monster as the indie retailer is one of the three retail experts about to tackle newbie businesses in Nessie’s Den.
The event is Scotland’s Trade Fair’s version of the Dragons’ Den with sessions at the upcoming spring edition, which runs over Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, 19-21 January, at the SEC in Glasgow, where all 41 Launch Gallery exhibitors get the chance to show their wares.
At Monday’s Nessie’s Den at 1pm Michael, who runs Paper Tiger’s four greeting card and gift stores in Edinburgh, will be alongside Gemma McQue from the National Trust For Scotland, and Therese Oertenblad from Small Business Collaborative, hosted by show director Mark Saunders, while Tuesday’s session is for food and drink exhibitors from the adjacent Speciality Food & Drink Show.
Among those hoping to catch the Nessies’ gaze is show newbie Brilliantly Brave where all profits from the card ranges go towards providing mental health care and classes.
Other Launch Gallery publishers include Art Larion, Charlotte Strawbridge Art, Craig McEwan Illustration, Ecosse Encaustics, Fleck Illustration, Ilana Ewing Designs & illustrations, Journey To Joy, KJ Illustration, Lunabuloona, Turadh Design Co, and Write Your Story.
Andrew Roberts from the National Trust said: “Scotland’s Trade Show is incredibly important to us, a key part of our strategy is to increase the number of local and Scottish makers that we work with, and what better way to see so many in one place. There are always some great companies at the show and we particularly enjoy looking at the Launch Gallery for new young suppliers.”
Among the other greeting card and wrap exhibitors are All That Glitters, Billiedoo, Colourific, Designed By Islay, Flossy Teacake & The Little Sweet Shop, Fox Under The Moon, Glenna/The Silver Studio, Hole In My Pocket & Eat Haggis, Lesser Spotted Images, Papersheep, Pigment, Pink Pig, Pop Up Designs, Puckator, Rebecca Pitcher, Sarah Leask Studio, Silver Birch Cards, and Wee Wishes.
And Cardgains is also exhibiting with the aim of showing Scottish retailers the advantages of becoming a member of the buying group for the greetings and gift industry with its strong roster of more than 100 suppliers – such as UK Greetings, Ling Design, Woodmansterne, Glick, Words ’N’ Wishes, IC&G, Noel Tatt, Abacus, Glick and Nigel Quiney – along with exclusive preferential trading terms, bonus schemes, and simple monthly payments.
In addition to the all-important exhibitors, Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring has a programme of talks and panel discussions including:
- Keynote discussion by the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Visit Scotland on What’s On Scotland’s 2025 Horizon.
- Trends insights hosted by Progressive Gifts & Home editor Sue Marks, with panellists including Helen Crawford from the Old School, Beauly; Giftware Association CEO Sarah Ward; Nancy Smillie from Nancy Smillie Glasgow; and Caroline Cook, influencer at Caroline Style Hacks.
- Panel discussion from Think Partnership On Sustainability – Shaping The Future Of Supply Chains.
- Understanding your customer by industry expert Andrew Busby, of Boxtec and Redline Retail founder.
- AI In Retail – the future of shopping by Louise Welsby, Buy-From MD and Giftware Association national committee chair.
- Practical retailing tips, including masterclasses on AI in retail, top 10 tips for successful social media and Designing With Canva from Business Gateway expert trainers.
There’s also the Giftware Association-sponsored Best Product Awards which has a new format this year with finalists being displayed in the cabinets at the centre of the show, and a high-profile ceremony at 5pm on the opening day to announce the winners in the Talking Shop Seminar Theatre.
All exhibitors are being encouraged to enter with the winners receiving free stand space for the 2026 show after the decisions made by the industry expert judges Carol Macrae from Eilean Donan Castle; Lynsey Abbott, of Buying And Beyond and ex home & gift buyer for Dobbies; Dawn Kane, Scottish Seabird Centre; Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home magazine; and The GA’s Sarah Ward.
Mark, of show organisers Springboard Events, added: “Our show is a one-stop platform for buying, learning and networking. The programme of talks and discussions is one of the most comprehensive to date so make sure you glean some retail gems from the experts.”
Visitors can register to attend Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring here, with the show opening at 9.30am each day, and closing at 5.30pm Sunday and Monday, and 4pm on Tuesday.
