Spring Fair, the UK’s largest gift and home trade event, is set to feature the UK’s largest number of Gift suppliers under one roof, with more than 2,500 exhibitors to appear at Birmingham’s NEC from 5-9 February 2017.
Gifting has become an increasingly dominant part of our spending pattern in recent years, with Britons hailed as the most generous people in Europe. According to One4All Gift Card, the amount we spend on gifting rose 7% last year and is still rising.
The figures, from the latest Gifting Index, show that consumers spent an average of £370.67 on gifting occasions in 2014, rising to £397.37 in 2015. These figures are exclusive of birthday and Christmas spending, with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and housewarmings claiming the lion’s share of the market.
Spring Fair’s dedicated Gift section, which continues to grow year-on-year, is the ideal location for sourcing on-trend products for consumers’ everyday gifting occasions.
One of the major focuses this year will be home fragrance – arguably the largest single segment in the gifting market right now – with the UK representing the largest nation buying into this trend. Over 50 major home fragrance brands will be showing their ranges at Spring Fair including, Wax Lyrical, Ashleigh & Burwood, Flame & Fragrance, Price’s Candles, Aromatize, Shearer Candles and Root Candles.
Yankee Candle is one exhibitor that will showcase its high quality fragranced candles at Spring Fair next year. Made with cotton wicks and expertly blended by master perfumers to create best-loved home fragrances.
Independent retailers and buyers will also find a diverse range of products in the Gift sector, including food and confectionery, heritage and souvenirs, licensed and personalised gifts.
Opportunities within garden gifting will also be in the spotlight. The sub sector has come to the fore as garden centres expand their remit into non-traditional sectors Carol Paris, CEO of the Horticultural Trade Association, said: “Giftware, home wares and seasonal products are an increasingly important part of many garden retailers’ product ranges and offer an opportunity for businesses to differentiate from the high street. Spring Fair is the ideal show to source new suppliers, new products and meet with existing suppliers.”
There is even a Garden Giftware Café housed within the Gift sector, proving what a major part of the event it has become.
Lesser & Pavey, the company specialising in quality gift-related products from fashion accessories and bags to home accessories and occasion gifts, will also be present. It will showcase its bespoke customised gifts, in tune with another runaway trend in the gifting market.
Catering specifically for the independent retailers is Joe Davies. The company’s own exclusively branded Shudehill Collection is hugely popular, with top-selling brands including snoozies!, Equilibrium, Rose & Co and Poo-Pourri.
Widdop & Co will showcase new product categories and licences as it looks to impress visitors at Spring Fair. Widdop is the home of sentiment giftware, with every occasion covered across its portfolio of brands and exclusive licensed giftware. Leading supplier of gifts and interior accessories to retailers of all sizes Sifcon International PLC and traditional and collectible giftware company Enesco will also be there.
Lindsey Adam, Owner of Bonkers, said: “Spring Fair is the most important trade show for us – if I could only visit one show a year, it would be this one. It offers an opportunity to see new and fresh ideas from existing suppliers and suppliers new to us.
“Spring Fair always colours our buying for the rest of year – we see trends that we stick with for our buying throughout summer and into autumn. We have a large number of suppliers and, by the end of Spring Fair, we gain a good idea of what trends and themes are going to be big for the rest of the year.”
Another key destination at Spring Fair is the Summerhouse. This offers visitors the latest in on-trend designs, with a hand-picked selection of the most original UK and international gift, interior, lighting and lifestyle brands. The section exhibits trend-setting favourites such as Parlane and Giesla Graham and exclusive new exhibitors, including Ib Laursen, Muubs and Shepherd of Sweden.
Nick Davison, Portfolio Director at Spring Fair, commented: “Spring Fair represents one of the largest presentations of gift products in Europe. Gifting now covers an increasing number of consumer categories so whether a retailer is looking for gifts for gardeners, food lovers or girls and teenagers, it will all be at Spring Fair. Furthermore, retailers can rest assured we have a range suitable for all from the young bearded hipster to the great grandad – across all price points.”
Gift is one of 14 sectors at Spring Fair, alongside Home, DIY & Home Improvement, Fashion & Accessories, Toys, Kitchen and Dining, Party and Retail Solutions.
Spring Fair will return to Birmingham NEC from 5-9 February 2017 (Volume halls and DIY open on4 February). For more information and to register for your free ticket, please visit: www.springfair.com
