REVIEW | SPRING FAIR Balloons in every size, shape, colour and style for any occasion you can imagine at the Qualatex stand.
Highworth Emporium’s Aga Gabrysiak was feeling the love on Day 3 at Spring Fair as she celebrated her anniversary with Richard. “We met 13 years ago today, and our anniversary happens to be a buying trip ever since.”
Retailers Jo Williams from Joco Gifts, Sarah Laker from Stationery Supplies, Liz Hanley from Magpies Nest and Charlotte Khan from Moo Like A Monkey held a panel discussion with Former Cabinet Member, Graham Galpin to discuss how independent retailers can benefit from embedding themselves in the community. Charlotte’s top advice to other retailers
“Football doesn’t come to you; you have to go and get it.” What do you do when you have a blank wall next to your stand? Enveco invited other exhibitors to come and scribble, draw or simply leave an autograph to create a very colourful and artistic display.
What The Retailers Said Liz Hanley, Magpies Nest “I haven't been to Spring Fair for about three years as it means taking time out of the business and that has a cost. In previous years I found it to be full of the same faces, with nothing new or inspiring. This year I found the change in layout good - it made you walk through the different sections. I found some new suppliers and enjoyed the show as a whole. I did three days this year, which I found to be really good as I could take my time looking at products and thinking things through before committing.”
Having some fun on the Earlybird Designs stand were Sarah Laker, Stationery Supplies, Marple and Jane Rockett, Axminster Printing, Axminster. Jane was getting ideas for her first greeting card order.
Mary Singleton-Jones, Panda Cards “My husband and I drove up on the Saturday and stayed overnight. We went over to the show on Sunday morning armed with a list of all my suppliers that were attending and set about finding them. I placed a few orders and made a few appointments for the coming weeks. Most of my lovely people said that they had had an unusually busy morning on the first day.” Jane Rockett, Axminster Printing “I didn’t do too much planning before this Spring fair and probably spent too much time chatting rather than seeking too many new suppliers. That said, I went with the sole intention of placing a greetings card order, in particular my first one with Dandelion Stationery, which I did – and which has now safely arrived. Nothing really replaces the need to look at the quality of cards in person rather than in a catalogue or online. I saw several ranges I liked the look of and had the pleasure of also making contact with Earlybird and intend to place an order soon.” Eleni Kaliakmani, Head Buyer Paperbox Greece “I’m looking for greeting cards and gifts. I won’t be ordering at the show but will make contact afterwards. I really like Rosanna Rossi. I need publishers to be able to send samples and a catalogue so I can see the quality and workmanship before placing orders.”
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