20-21_David Robertson.qxp_Grid 06/03/2025 15:17 Page 1
OVER THE
COUNTER
BY DAVID ROBERTSON OF JP POZZI, ELGIN AND BUCKIE.
Ignoring the Covid period, this would have been our 37th Spring Fair and our visit confirmed that I still really enjoy a trade show. With Spring Fair celebrating its 75th birthday, chatter naturally drifted back to previous shows, and how some things have changed. However, it also made me realise how nostalgia is such as strong driver, something which bodes well for independent retailers.
Back To The Future Spring Fair has come and gone and we all got our steps in, albeit in much smaller halls. However at least the condensed show means the experience is manageable as it was not that long ago that we were trying to navigate 20 odd halls. Packed stands, busy aisles, crazy car parking, late nights, terrible food, lots of people looking and having a day out. Those are among my early memories of Spring Fairs of yore. Admittedly some things have changed. The footfall is now lower, but the buyers that did attend are good retailers and most of my agent pals reported a strong show this year. In those early years I would have gone wearing a suit or at least a blazer. I would have had my business cards and briefcase and looked the ‘professional’ part! Nowadays, in keeping with the rest of the show, I am a lot more relaxed in both my dress sense and approach. We are very happy with our suppliers and while open to more I now need to be blown away to add to what is a comprehensive and competitive mix. Above: Hudson Robertson proudly clutching some of his birthday cards. Right: David at Spring Fair on the Joe Davies’ stand.
20 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE
My focus at the Spring Fair this year was on gifts, largely in Hall 4. Nostalgia is the place to be at the moment, with this being a trend reflected in toys, games, fashion and even in greeting cards. The Covid-induced massive increase in puzzles and games has spurred a further increase in nostalgia-driven toys Driven by the initial push of jigsaws, premium collectables such as LEGO, stress relief toys and craft kits have also seen a massive rise in popularity. Throw in games that encourage social interaction, such as board games and those with popular icons such as Marvel, Star Wars and of course the current all conquering Jellycat.
Above: David senses a Back to the Future nostalgic pull.
These brands have built specific sub groups for adults. Literally thousands of YouTube content creators are creating videos of LEGO, Masters of the Universe and everything in between! I have been sucked into this world with the added excuse of my two and bit year old son. I have found myself buying LEGO sets because they will be retired by the time he is old enough for them and I have bought GI Joe action figures because they bring back happy memories of times with my dad. Adults buy toys for all kinds of reasons including enjoyment, socialisation, collecting and that warm fuzzy feeling that is a bit like eating your favourite comfort food. These products and emotions take you back to simpler times, back to when your parents/friends were there and your life quite possibly didn’t have the pressures and stresses of running a small business. While accepting that increased costs are on the horizon, I have spoken to a lot of stores and everyone seems to have had a decent trading time. So why is that? Well for me the two Js have helped enormously - Joma and especially Jellycat. Jellycat has driven a whole new footfall into indie card and gift