Following months of research and insights from key partners, the Spring Fair team have created a myriad of features for buyers visiting the show, which runs from 4-7 February at the NEC.
These include free tea and coffee in Buyer Lounges, which all buyers have access to, subsidised cloakrooms, seating areas to relax and recharge, buyer concierge information points around the show, and discounts at Resort World.Spring Fair is also continuing to pay for parking at the NEC so that all visitors and exhibitors can park for free for the duration of the show.
“This year’s show is all about creating a seamless buying experience that ensures successful sourcing and brings maximum delight and efficiency,” states Spring Fair’s event director Soraya Gadelrab. “Over the past year we’ve spoken with our community about how to enhance the Spring Fair buying experience, and we’ve listened.”
Continues Soraya: “To offer a smoother and more enjoyable purchasing experience we’ve introduced new initiatives and improvements including a one-step registration for buyers ensuring a more personalised experience pre-show, and new onsite information points offer quick resolutions to buyer’s queries during the show. The Little Black has returned, alongside the show guide and the Spring Fair app, giving buyers the tools they need to plan their visit. In addition, we’ve paid for parking so all Spring Fair visitors can park at the NEC completely free of charge. We also hope the new Sip & Shop Happy Hour will be a very welcome distraction to close a successful day’s sourcing, and we are also proud to introduce three new feature stages that will elevate the show experience – The Inspiring Retail Stage, Trend Talks and Masterclass Studio.”
Buyer concierge information points will be located throughout the show, and to help buyers identify key products, there will be Trend Trails for Sustainability, Licensing, Made in Britain, as well as for those looking for a distributor. Additionally, the New Product Showcase will be returning, presenting a curated edit championing new products launching at the show, which is located alongside the new Trend Talks stage in Home, Living & Décor in Hall 6.
As well as hosting the live judging for Gift Of The Year, buyers will also be able to immerse themselves in an art gallery style display in Hall 5, showcasing the shortlisted products. Meanwhile, an education and information space includes a historic photo timeline of Spring Fair’s partnership with the Giftware Association and Gift Of The Year.
Other feature areas include the BIRA/BHETA Pavilion, the Cardgains Village, the #SBS Village, the GCA Debut Pavilion and the Footwear Showcase, plus the debut ‘First’ areas for new exhibitor launches in Gift, Home Beauty, Kids and Moda.
Keynote speakers on the Inspiring Retail Stage will include Theo Paphitis, Dame Zandra Rhodes, Kris Hamer of the British Retail Consortium and ESG pioneer Paul Wright, while Trend Talks, in partnership with The Future Collective, will be the go-to stage for discovering the latest retail trends and product innovations from future forecasters and creators. Trend Talks also hosts the new Pitch Live Dragon’s Den-style feature, with exhibitors from the Gift and Fashion destinations taking to the stage with their most innovative products, pitching to a panel of industry judges looking for fresh, innovative products.
Also debuting this at the show is the new Masterclass Studio located in Hall 3, which has been created to share the tools to help retailers grow their business.
For buyers keen to enhance their visit with sustainable insights and actions, content sessions include eco-creative solutions for conscious consumers from Helena Mansell-Stopher, ceo of Products of Change, as well as navigating the path to B Corp certification, the opportunities and benefits of local credentials, and an overview on sustainable trends.
Show cafes in Home, Gift, and Moda include festive fun with reindeer at the Christmas themed Deck the Halls Café located in Christmas, Floral & Seasonal in Hall 5. A Starbucks pop-up will be serving a Christmas offering with Christmas cups and a Christmas special drink, an eggnog Latte. In Hall 2 visitors will find the MODA Café which incorporates the Shoe Gallery, and the Keplin Café, and The Summerhouse Café in Hall 7.
Plus, there will be a Peppa’s Playground in the Kids, Toys & Play sector in Hall 5 by Hasbro, to celebrate Peppa Pig’s 20th Anniversary. There will be a Peppa’s Party on Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th February at 4:30pm with pink drinks and cupcakes.
Buyers are also invited to attend Spring Fair’s new Sip & Shop Happy Hours. There will also be four locations across the Gift, Home, Moda & Everyday sectors including the Summerhouse Café and Trend Talks stage, which will offer bubbles, music, and networking from 4.30 – 5.30pm on Sunday to Tuesday.
There will also be water stations, lanyard and badge recycle collection boxes, as well as ‘tap to donate’ Retail Trust machines at the show guide stations.
With 13 product sectors across Home, Gift, Fashion and Everyday destinations, the show features 1200 + exhibitors, over 100,000 new products, with more than 100 brand new exhibitors.
Visit www.springfair.com
Top: Spring Fair will be welcoming visitors from 4-7 February at the NEC.
