Spring Fair/Moda got off to a busy, positive start yesterday (Sunday 5 February) with Spring & Autumn Fair portfolio director Nicola Meadows enthusing: “It was fantastic to see such long queues outside the halls on Sunday morning, with the show remaining very busy all day.”
Widdop & Co’s Catherine Paul, head of marketing, eCommerce and contents, commented: “We were blown away by the footfall and had a phenomenal first day. New launches included our Now or Never Studio engraving programme to help independents get more bespoke product into their shops with the feedback hugely encouraging.”
On the Boxer Gifts stand, managing director Thomas O’Brien said the first day had been very busy. “We relocated to Hall 4 to reflect our more contemporary product ranges and had a great start to the show. We’ve launched over 60 lines, and have had some very positive meetings with buyers, with retailers here to do business. It’s been great to receive feedback from customers, and we’ve already written lots of orders.”
At Rex London, the company’s Rachel McCarty said that Sunday had been very busy, up on the equivalent Sunday last year, with retailers gravitating towards the company’s The Joyful Home featuring homewares, a sector that Rex is continuing to expand.
Elsewhere, PMC’s marketing director, Keren Dicken, reported a steady day. “I felt that there were definitely more people around this year, and definitely feel that it’s going to be a really good show.”
Added Allison Smethurst, sales director at Midhaven Jewellery: “The first day of the show exceeded expectations, with buyers making a beeline for our men’s Tribal Steel gothic designs, which include skulls and dragons.”
On the retailer front, Judy Evans, owner of Williams of Audlem in Audlem, said:“It really felt like Spring at last as we walked into the NEC on Sunday morning, not only due to the ambient weather, but also in terms of a real feeling that a retail renaissance was emerging following the doom and gloom mongering in the press over the past few months.
“The place was truly buzzing and it was great to see so many people in numbers that seemed to equate to pre-Covid levels, and same for the number of exhibitors. We had great fun speaking to many new suppliers (a shout out to Nicole Elders and The Sugar Shed) as well as several existing ones (Moorland Pottery, Half Moon Bay, Sarah Kelleher, Deva Designs etc). With so much to take in, the time seemed to go very quickly. We can’t wait to get back to the halls today!”
A highlight for Judy was winning Spring Fair’s Modern Retail Good Retail Award ‘In Store Creativity’ category’, for the store’s mural to celebrate William of Audlem’s 160th anniversary in 2022. “We were so pleased to be shortlisted as finalists – and totally shocked to have actually won!” Judy told GiftsandHome.net. “Speaking to the organisers afterwards, they loved what we had done to embrace our heritage by retro-refitting our store as well as the mural.”
Carol and Doug Bairstow, owners of Pure Inspiration in the Isle of Man, found a new clothing supplier as soon as they arrived at the show. “We also placed orders with existing suppliers, and received several show discounts too,” confirmed Carol. “It felt fantastic to be at the show to see, touch and, where relevant, smell the products.”
Added Jo Williams, owner of Joco Interiors in Nuneaton: “It’s been wonderful to see so many new products to help us to broaden our offer and to be inspired.”
Spring Fair/Moda will be taking place at the NEC until 4pm on Wednesday 8 February. Visit www.springfair.com
Top: Visitors browsing the aisles at Spring Fair yesterday (Sunday 5 February).
