Face To Face With... Spring Fair’s event director Simon Lau

With thousands of brands showing at Spring Fair, and tens of thousands of visitors expected, the show, taking place at the NEC in Birmingham from 6-9 February is an industry ‘must visit’, with retailers looking forward to, once again, browsing the aisles.

Event director Simon Lau tells PG&H what he’s most looking forward to.

It’s hard to believe that the last Spring Fair was held pre pandemic in February 2020, with event director Simon Lau naturally excited to be welcoming everyone back to the NEC. “I can’t wait to see business being done on the show floor, to feel the buzz and excitement of our exhibitors and visitors reconnecting again,” he states.

“The Spring Fair team has worked tirelessly over the last 12 months researching the market, talking to our customers, understanding and overcoming some of the challenges and changes that the pandemic has created, and we are therefore confident that Spring Fair will deliver the most exciting, diverse and comprehensive marketplace for gift and home retailers. There will be a treasure trove of new products and a stellar line-up of brands, as well as bucket loads of inspirations and trends, highly relevant and topical insights on the Inspiring Retail Stage. In addition, the official launch of Curated Meetings is set to deliver over 400 prearranged face to face meetings between vetted brands and buyers.”

In fact, Simon recommends that anyone that hasn’t signed up to be part of Curated Meetings should take a walk past on Monday February 7 and Tuesday February 8 to see in person this “supercharged way of doing business.”

As for the show’s highlights, he points to the Inspiring Retail Stage which will once again be packed full of fascinating talks from industry leaders. “I’m particularly looking forward to listening to Jo Fairley, founder of Green & Black’s, who will be talking about staying true to her values when running her business, and we also have a couple of exciting keynote speakers!” he reveals.

With fashion and footwear show Moda making its debut at Spring Fair, Simon says that diversification is key to retail as consumer buying habits change. “The reaction to the co-location of Moda at Autumn Fair was unbelievably positive - so many long-standing Moda exhibitors had their best show ever, opening a host of new accounts with lifestyle, gift and home retailers as well as garden centres and heritage sites. I therefore believe that it is a very positive and much needed new direction for retailers.” www.springfair.com" www.springfair.com

Simon’s top tip for visitors is to download the handy official Spring Fair app. “It’s really brilliant!” he enthuses. “It delivers intelligent AI product recommendations based on a person’s profile and interests, along with smart tools to help them to navigate the show. If visitors download it before their visit, it will help them to plan beforehand, and while they’re at the show, they can use it as their personal show guide and navigator, as well as utilising its GPS to help them find their way to brands and suppliers.”

Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased at the NEC Spring Fair 6-9 February 2022

New Florens Range As Spring is approaching and the new flowers begin to poke their budding heads through the earth with promises of new beginnings, Puckator are providing customers with the perfect new range that encapsules this phenomenon. Named Florens this design focuses on natural forms and soft floral motifs. The highlighted flowers are Hesperantha, Rhododendron, Lily and Jasmine mixed with foliage and set against a muted mature background. This range is perfect for spring and summer. Puckator T: 0800 011 6969 E: customerservices@puckator.co.uk W:www.puckator.co.uk Visit:Hall 4 Stand B10-C11 Bright Pastel Gonks Following the success of their Bee Gonks, Joe Davies will be introducing their brand new Bright Pastel Gonk collection at Spring Fair. Pretty gonks in soft pastel tones of pink, blue and lilac with fun, multi-coloured beards; these colourful chaps make perfect gifts and are sure to create an eye-catching display in store. Joe Davies T: 0161 975 6300 E: sales@joedavies.co.uk W:www.joedavies.co.uk Visit:Hall 4 Stand C10/D11

Diffuser Decor Jardinopia were recently shortlisted for Gift Of The Year 2022 for their innovative new brand - Diffuser Decor. The handmade and hand-painted decorations are sold in 100% recycled gift boxed sets of 5 - add a bit of glamour to your diffusers by sitting on top of your reeds. Designed to fit most reed sizes, the initial range of 12 products offer something for everybody at an affordable price. Launch date February 2022. Spring Fair Stand 4B29 and Top Drawer Stand B21. Jardinopia T: 01935 826622 E: info@jardinopia.com W:www.jardinopia.com Visit:Hall 4 Stand B29 and Top Drawer Stand B21

Heavenly Gifts The Personalised Memento Company (PMC) have been busy sourcing lots of new products and creating lots of new designs for this years upcoming occasions; including these beautiful ceramic angel wings! Make sure you visit them at spring fair Hall 4 stand J4 02 to see the fantastic selection of brand new products and designs they have for 2022! PMC E: sales@personalisedmemento.co.uk W:www.personalisedmemento.co.uk Visit:Hall 4 Stand J4 02 Forever Flowers Gallery Direct have just launched their SS22 collection. The SS22 range includes a wonderful selection of dried flowers, grasses and wreaths which offer beautiful tones and textures, ideal for creating a unique display. Each dried bundle is hand tied in brown paper and finished with string giving them an unusual, country look. Mix and match the collection to create a charming rustic display. Gallery Direct T: 01795 439159 E: sales@gallerydirect.co.uk W:www.gallerydirect.co.uk Visit:Hall 7 Stand A30-B31

Progressive Gifts & Home highlights some of the latest gift products to be showcased at the NEC Spring Fair 6-9 February 2022

Blooming Lovely Bead&Button Blooms, the brand new for 2022 gift and home décor collection is the brainchild of accessories brand One Button founder Amanda. Inspired by her lifelong love of flora and fauna and utilising her skills as a jewellery designer, Amanda has created these gallery-esque pieces celebrating British nature with forms akin to Agapanthus, Poppy Heads, Lilies, Roses & Tulips. Each piece stands in a solid Oak block and comes packaged in a branded box with hand drawn printed gift wrap. Bead & Button Blooms T: 0116 2793715 E: info@bead&buttonblooms.co.uk W:www.beadandbuttonblooms.co.uk Visit:Hall 4 Stand F89 Beach Huts and Sandcastles Lesser and Pavey are delighted to launch a brand new ‘Sandy Bay’ collection at Spring Fair. The range has been developed in collaboration with The Macneil Studio. Many a British coastal seafront features the colourful beach huts where families can enjoy a day out at the seaside. This range helps to bring those memories to the table every day with a quality range of many items including fine mugs, jug, butter dish, salt and pepper, egg cups, coasters, placemats, trays, spoon rest, tea bag tidy, laptray and glass cutting board. Lesser & Pavey T: 01322 279225 E: sales@leonardo.co.uk W:www.leonardo.co.uk Visit:Hall 5 stand D10-E11 and D20-E21

Cheeky Cats New at Rex London is this collection of coir (natural coconut fibres) doormats, which come with a non-slip rubber backing. Let cheeky cats welcome guests into the home with the Nine Lives print (pictured), or keep floors clean and dry with any of the other nine prints available in the range. Rex London T: +44 (0)20 8746 1700 E: info@rexlondon.com W:www.rexlondontrade.com Visit:Hall 4 Stand G60-H61

Exquisite Handcrafted Floral Creations Bead&Button Blooms is the latest gift and home décor collection from the established accessories brand One Button. Launching in 2022 at Spring Fair, each of these exquisite handcrafted floral creations is unique and the brainchild of founder Amanda’s magpie eye for anything sparkly, iridescent, and beautiful. Encompassing all occasions each Bead&Button Bloom is individually and resplendently wrapped with hand drawn printed gift wrap and packed in a sturdy letterbox friendly box, why send flowers when you can send Blooms. Bead & Button Blooms T: 0116 2793715 E: info@bead&buttonblooms.co.uk W:www.beadandbuttonblooms.co.uk Visit:Hall 4 Stand F89

Perfect For The Weekend Getaway The perfect sizes for short trips away, Rex London has just released their ever-popular weekend bag, washbag and makeup bag, made from waterproof oilcloth, in three newer prints - Cheetah (pictured), Wild Flowers and Nine Lives. These new additions sit nicely alongside those in the Best in Show, Love Birds and Astrid Flower designs. Rex London T: +44 (0)20 8746 1700 E: info@rexlondon.com W:www.rexlondontrade.com Visit:Hall 4 Stand G60-H61