Spring Fair, the UK’s number one sourcing destination for home and gift retail, is set to launch a new international Sourcing sector as part of its commitment to help buying teams unearth the most inspired products for 2020 and beyond.
The new sector, which had a successful first outing at Autumn Fair 2019 following investment from organisers Hyve Group, will give buyers the opportunity to explore markets outside of the UK and make connections with the best manufacturers from key sourcing regions around the world. All without the need to spend excessive amounts on travelling to those destinations.
With the global retail sourcing and procurement market expected to grow by nearly 12% in the period up to 2024[1], retailers can ill-afford to miss out on opportunities international sourcing can offer.
The showcase will welcome manufacturers of gifting, cookware, home furnishings, textiles, toys, private label goods and white label products from a number of key markets, including China, India, Egypt, South Korea and Ghana. They will have the opportunity to exhibit the best of their portfolio of products to buyers from across the UK’s £378bn retail market.
Exhibitors showcasing their merchandise in Spring Fair’s Sourcing sector will offer only the best and most on-trend products from around the globe. Exhibitors include; authentic supplier of Egyptian handicrafts Yadawee, Korean leather goods importer Yeunwoo, manufacturer of African musical instruments manufacturer Delata Ghana and the Indian Export Promotion Council of Handicrafts.
Sourcing, based in Hall 18, will also look to inspire visitors with an exciting roster of experts lined-up to speak at the hall’s dedicated Design and Sourcing Stage. Speakers will give insight-led talks on how visitors can get one-step ahead of market rivals in 2020 and beyond. Amongst them will be Colour Hive, Spring & Autumn Fair’s official colour and trend partner who will lend audiences their expertise on the in-trend colours, textures and products for the 24 months ahead.
Charlie Cracknell, Portfolio Director at Spring & Autumn Fair said: “Building on the success of our Sourcing offering at Autumn Fair, Spring Fair 2019 is on course to deliver even more opportunities for UK retailers to embrace international buying opportunities. Offering consumers good quality products at the right price is the basis for success in retail and with this new sourcing offering we’re hoping to help retailers explore new ways of delivering on this principle. It’s also an easier, cheaper and more effective sourcing platform for visitors by cutting out the hassle of travelling overseas, and a way to meet the UK and European retail market for manufacturers and suppliers.
“The UK retail sector is growing. The average annual growth in online retail sales is up to 17%. In order to manage and maintain this growth, retailers need to be able to look further afield to make the best deals and build the strongest sourcing relationships. For those retailers who are still to embrace the opportunities that sourcing has to offer – whether it be on price or range and quality of products – we want to make it as easy as possible for them to engage with by bringing the world to their doorstep.”
Spring Fair runs from the 2 – 6 February at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre. Register to attend for free here
