Spotlight On... Spring Fair

Returning to the NEC, Birmingham, after two years, Spring Fair 2022 is on course to be bigger and better than ever.

Four exhibitors tell PG&H about their showstoppers and their stands at February’s Spring Fair.

Approach: “Enesco is in a brand new location right in the centre of Hall 4 (stands C40/D41 and C60/C61), with our artists celebrating several milestones in 2022. The overall stand will have a brand new layout to include a stunning welcome area, where we will be serving hot and cold drinks.”

Celebrating anniversaries: “We have the 120th anniversary of Peter Rabbit, and having been a licensee for over 30 years this is of huge importance to us. There will be a striking feature display as the highlight of our stand, and we will also be hosting a celebratory event. However, we are waiting to hear the Covid guidelines before we can confirm the details. Our relationship with Jim Shore also celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2022. Although Jim will, unfortunately, not be joining us at the show, we will have a huge display of his collections and collaborations and hope to welcome him to the UK and Europe later in the year for some collectors’ events. We will be launching both Looney Tunes and Peanuts by Jim Shore at the show and the much anticipated new additions to Disney Traditions.

“2022 is also the 20th anniversary of the launch of Lolita’s luxury hand painted glass collection. Covid allowing, we are hoping to welcome Lolita to the show. The 2022 collection features newly designed milestone birthday glasses as well as a collection of everyday designs for home entertaining or enjoying a drink at home.”

Showstoppers: “Highlights are the Demdaco Portfolio Collection, our brand new Kalidou plush collection, Looney Tunes by not only Jim Shore but also Romero Britto, and Disney Baby, a collection of gifts for new babies and parents. We also have two brand new global licensed collections, Abby Diamond and Painted Peace, both of which are home gift and accessories.”

“Enjoy! Meet the people, view the product and enjoy being back to some level of normality.”

Approach: “At Spring Fair 2022 we have doubled the size of our stand and relocated to the front of hall 7. As always, we are determined to put on the best show possible and need extra space to accommodate our significantly increased product ranges. Our catalogue now offers around 6,000 lines, and we want to be able to showcase a wide selection of these, especially our new SS22 collection. As always, visitors are invited to enjoy our legendary hospitality and can also claim a reusable water bottle filled with chilled water.”

Showstoppers: “Our SS22 collection offers over 1,300 new lines, featuring accessories, including gifts, kitchen, tableware and bathroom products, textiles, outdoor, wall décor and furniture, with a huge selection featured at the show. We will be launching six exciting new trends: Shape of Colour; Inspired Luxe; Pastel Paradise; Refined Neutral; New Traditional and Design Project.”

Top tip for visitors: “Plan your route around your favourite and new suppliers to ensure that you have plenty of quality time to make considered buying decisions.”

Bringing Nature Into The Home

Approach: “The layout for our stand (Hall 4; stand B10-C11 is really inspiring this year as we’ve been very keen on the idea of zones. Initially, as visitors step onto the stand they will be immediately immersed in the licensing zone, where they will find our new products with our well known licensor partners as well as a few new faces. There will also be exciting photo ops with our jumbo Pusheen and our Original Storm Trooper.”

Showstoppers: “We’re particularly enthusiastic about Simon’s Cat’s new vibrant updated style. The bold pattern is eye-catching and really enthuses each product with the cat’s personality. There will also be a vivacious back-to-school section featuring new lunch sets and an extensive rucksack collection. We also have some new bright and attentiongrabbing designs for kids, including our Dinosauria Jr and Little Tractors range. They feature bold, colourful icons and feature on lots of essential school items. There will also be a more mature, natural floral section with a variety of products ranging from picnic sets to homeware to beauty gifts. The main focus will be dainty floral patterns in a wide range of colours and styles with something to appeal to all garden lovers. We will also be announcing our new partnership with British artisan designer Julie Dodsworth, with whom we have created a line of elegant giftware with soothing colours and English countryside motifs. Visitors will also find pet, home fragrance, fantasy and souvenir.”

Top tips for visitors: “A practical idea for visitors is to arrive at the show with a small wheeled shopping trolley to lighten the load as they walk up and down the aisles. Plus, in terms of planning which companies to go and see, it always pays to sign up for Spring Fair’s little Black Book.”

Approach: “Our stand will have a slightly larger entrance and exit, with a more focused product range on display. To compensate, there will also be a revised, condensed lightweight catalogue for people to take away. Our website has proved to work well, and we will be asking for products not to be touched during the show, with the normal hand cleansing available. In terms of shortened show days, I feel little or no impact will be felt by this. It’s a good decision, and we are prepared to accommodate visiting customers as well those that prefer to have after show contact via calls, sales representatives and our website.”

Showstoppers: “We will be continuing to extend our product theme of ‘bringing nature into the home’ with new hand decorated collections launched at the show, to include Lemon Grove, Strawberry Fields and Cerise Elysian. These items follow on from our Bees & Blooms collections. We have also added to our ever growing fragrance diffuser range.”

Top tips for visitors: “Pre-plan who you want to see and allocate good time to explore new suppliers. Take a single product phone image of each supplier you’re interested in, with your business card next to it. This will help with post show follow up recall. (However, don’t forget to ask if it’s OK to take an image. For us, it’s absolutely not a problem). Provide the supplier with your full company details in the form of a card, sticky labels - which are excellent and inexpensive - or headed paper, together with trade references etc. We really appreciate it. Plus, a great time to see a supplier can be early morning or last thing.”

Moda, incorporating footwear and the Jewellery & Watch Edit, will be making its debut at Spring Fair 2022.