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Designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Will Officially Open Spring Fair This Sunday

This Sunday, 2nd February, will see designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen perform Spring Fair’s 75th anniversary official ribbon cutting ceremony at 9am at the Hall 3a entrance.

Laurence will also be the keynote speaker on Sunday at 10.30am where he will be delivering a seminar on Unleashing Creativity: Licensing, Art, and Designing for Retail Success. Additionally, on Monday 3 February, he will also be speaking in the Licensing Lab giving key insights into design and the garden of pattern.

Other high profile keynote speakers at the show include entrepreneur Theo Paphitis and legendary fashion designer Jeff Banks, with daily talks on the Inspiring Retail Stage, Masterclass Studio and Licensing Lab packed with actionable advice. There will also be daily catwalk shows at the Moda x Pure Catwalk, as well as trend talks. 

Above: Theo Paphitis is among this year’s keynote speakers.
Above: Theo Paphitis is among this year’s keynote speakers.

With double digit growth, and year on year growth in new brands, this year’s Spring Fair 2025 – which is co-located with international sourcing platform Source Home & Gift – boasts more brands, more newness, more speakers and content, more inspiration, and many more networking opportunities and experiences, with over 38,000 visitors expected to attend during the four day show.

Sectors include Home, Living & Décor, The Summer House Edit: Home, Gift & Lifestyle Edit, Housewares, Gift, Beauty & Wellbeing, Christmas, Festive & Floral, Greetings, Party & Celebration, Kids, Toys & Play, Moda x Pure Clothing & Footwear, Moda x Pure Fashion Accessories, Moda x Pure Jewellery & Watch and Everyday.

Above: Soraya Gadelrab, Spring Fair’s event director.
Above: Soraya Gadelrab, Spring Fair’s event director.

“For over seven decades, we have proudly stood as the UK’s largest retail trade show, bringing together a diverse community of home, gift and fashion brands and buyers from across the retail industry,” states Spring Fair’s event director Soraya Gadelrab. “As we reflect on our history, we’re dedicating this year’s celebration to the people, brands and businesses who have shaped Spring Fair into the trusted event it is today. Our aim is to put buyers at the forefront of retail and to help set them up for buying success.”

Adds Soraya: “Everyone, from the Spring Fair team to partners and exhibitors, has put a huge effort into making the Spring Fair experience one to remember. There are revamped entrances, a gorgeous anniversary fragrance, an interactive timeline celebrating the history of the show, special collaborations with partners, a celebration of the five senses in the Buyers Lounge, and lots more too. We have joined forces with Pure London to create Moda x Pure offering the best of both shows under one roof, reimagined The Summerhouse into the pinnacle of design as The Summer House Edit, expanded the growing gift sector into Hall 5, and much more besides.

We therefore can’t wait to open the doors on Sunday and welcome buyers to be a part of Spring Fair’s 75th and the future of retail.”

Spring Fair will also play host to New Business Pavilions, the #SBS Village, the Cardgains Village, Greeting Card Association Debut Pavilion; Greeting Card Association Lounge; Gift Of The Year Showcase and Pavilion, the show’s 75 Years of Excellence Awards Showcase, and the ongoing collaboration with online marketplace Faire.

Faire has an expanded presence at Spring Fair, with a dedicated stand for brands and retailers to browse products, connect with the Faire team, and learn how to maximise the benefits of the hybrid wholesale model. Additionally, Faire will be presenting at 2pm, Sunday 2nd February in the Masterclass Studio, and 12:15pm, Tuesday 4th February on the Inspiring Retail Stage. The company will also be offering access to its new 2025 Forecast, revealing four major consumer and product trends, and can also be heard on Sunday February 2nd’s Retail Insights podcast, discussing how independent retailers can thrive in a changing market – How Independent Retailers Can Thrive in a Changing Market – Retail Insights | Podcast on Spotify

Plus, retailers attending the show will also have access to Faire’s exclusive discounts and benefits, including 50% off first orders (up to £100) for new Faire users and free shipping with promo code ‘SPRINGFAIR’ at checkout – addressing the top pain point for retailers buying at trade events.

Above: The Faire stand at Autumn Fair.
Above: The Faire stand at Autumn Fair.

Elsewhere at the show, on Tuesday 4th February, Spring Fair will be hosting a Cultural Enterprise Day in partnership with the Association of Cultural Enterprises (ACE), highlighing the crucial role of retail within museums, galleries, and heritage sites while celebrating the buyers and merchandisers who select unique, story-driven products for these institutions. There will be guided tours, sector-focused educational sessions and exclusive goody bags.

In addition, a pop-up mini–high street has been created by N Smith comprising five different shops including The Art of Sampling, with sampling sessions from exhibitors. They include Quintessence Fragrances, the team behind Spring Fair’s signature scent Heritage 75, and the Ambience Clinic shop with Stephen Spencer + Associates which will provide 1:1 appointments with experts to explore ways to maximise revenue from the visitor experience.

Buyers can also take advantage of daily buyers’ tours from the Buyer’s Lounge.

Above: Busy aisles at last year’s Spring Fair.
Above: Busy aisles at last year’s Spring Fair.

Other 75th anniversary events include Spring Fair Happy Hours, taking place from 4:30 – 5:30 on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, and Spring Fair’s 75 Years of Excellence Awards, which will be held on Sunday at 5pm. Visitors will also be able to discover the history of the show, the people that shaped this iconic retail event and the products that have passed through the halls. They will also be able to watch the 75th Anniversary Retail Insights podcasts, with interviews hosted by Jeff Banks. A new Spring & Autumn Fair mascot will also be unveiled, with a Name the Mascot competition running onsite.

Plus, visitors and exhibitors are also invited to Spring Fair Night on Tuesday 4th February, taking place from 18:00 – 20:00. The show will be taking over Temple Street in Birmingham city centre with discounts and bar tabs at selected restaurants along the street.

In addition, across all four days of the show, visitors are invited to look out for giant cards where they can write a message in the Piazza, and in the Greeting Card Association Lounge in the Greetings, Party & Celebration destination. The initiative is supported by The Art File and the GCA.

To register, click here

Top: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen will open Spring Fair on Sunday as well as being the keynote speaker that day.

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