As the doors close on the 75th edition of Spring Fair, the UK’s largest retail trade show for Home, Gift & Fashion, the NEC Birmingham has been buzzing with energy, innovation, and meaningful connections. Over four days, more than 38,000 retail buyers and industry professionals gathered to discover the latest trends, meet suppliers, and be part of the ever-evolving retail landscape.
The 75-year-old show is expanding and transforming. As the retail sector continues to adapt, Spring Fair is at the forefront, fuelling growth by creating an unparalleled retail experience that connects buyers, brands, and industry experts. The show welcomed thousands of retailers including Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, The Very Group, Fenwick, Robert Dyas, Next, Moonpig, Matalan, B&Q, Tesco, Wayfair, ALDI, The Designer Rooms, TJ Hughes, QVC, The Walt Disney Company, TJX, Barkers, V&A Enterprises, Mackenzie’s, Hoopers, Currys, Blue Diamond, Ryman, TK Maxx, Cardzone, Budgens, Waterstones, Peacocks, Pets at Home, Mackays, Elphicks, Voisins, Hush, The National Trust, Warner Bros, Freemans, Barnardo’s, Paper Tiger, Dobbies Garden Centres, British Garden Centres, Blenheim Palace, Blue Cross, Anne Furbank, Jarrold Department Store, British Museum, N Brown, F Hinds, Specsavers, nkuku, London Transport Museum, The Perfume Shop, Science Museum, Hamleys, National Portrait Gallery, The Crown Estate, Westfield, Ulster Stores representing the breadth and diversity of the show’s appeal.
A Mission for Growth
With a mission to enable growth in the retail industry, Spring Fair has taken bold and creative steps to enhance its show, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of retailers and the industry. This commitment is reflected in its rapid expansion – Spring Fair is now the fastest-growing retail show in the UK, drawing in more exhibitors, buyers, and decision-makers, and it aims to create the UK’s largest retail experience to service the industry for the next 75 years.
The 2025 show has experienced:
- 14% increase in exhibitors at Spring Fair – 180 more exhibitors this year than last year
- 18% more New exhibitors at Spring Fair – that’s 400 NEW exhibitors
- Reports indicate buyers in attendance had higher spend thresholds and bigger budgets
Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director of Spring Fair said, “The show’s evolution is not just about size; it’s about impact. It’s not just the volume of buyers; it’s the quality and it’s the opportunities that this show delivers. By listening to the industry, responding to market demands, and embracing innovation, Spring Fair is delivering more than just a trade show, it is building the ultimate retail experience. We are dedicated to helping and supporting the UK retail sector to thrive by providing the environment for retailers to discover innovative products, gain valuable insights, and forge meaningful connections. Our success is measured by the growth and achievements of the businesses it serves and over the last four days we’ve heard so many success stories and new opportunities that highlight the tangible impact of Spring Fair.”
Nurturing Emerging Brands & Entrepreneurs
Spring Fair 2025 placed a strong emphasis on fostering new talent through initiatives like the #SBS Village, in partnership with Theo Paphitis, and the New Business Pavilions. For many first-time exhibitors, the show was a game-changer. Melissa McQuade from Charley’s Wild World shared, “I have actually met with six different zoos here – contacts I’ve been trying to reach for two years! Being at Spring Fair has made all the difference.”
Georgia and Tom Calvert from Avorium, part of the New Business Pavilion, echoed the sentiment: “It’s been a learning curve as it’s our first show, but we’ve had lots of good leads and met plenty of people that we’ll follow up with after the event. People are excited to see something new.”
Spring Fair is transforming the traditional trade show model into an interactive, immersive retail experience. By integrating activations, trend-led content, and experiential showcases, the event is creating more opportunities for engagement and learning. New enhancements introduced to elevate the retail experience include:
- New Business Pavilions – offered a dedicated space showcasing cutting-edge products and emerging brands poised to shape the future of retail.
- New Licensing Lab stage – where industry experts shared the latest licensing insights and retail strategies, ensuring visitors stay ahead of market shifts.
- Buyers Lounge featuring an immersive High Street experience – allowing buyers to experience products in real-life settings, making purchasing decisions more informed and impactful.
- New Gift Of The Year Showcase & Pavilion providing a launchpad for giftware brands.
Chris Workman from The Giftware Association said, “Spring Fair has been fantastic for the Gift of the Year Showcase, Pavilion, and Judging Area and it has been a busy successful week. It’s been great to welcome over 70 judges to the Gift of the Year area to judge the shortlist and non-judges to discover new brands and products with a constant flow of traffic being sent to different corners of the show. There is a positivity out there too with inspiration being sought from the awards and speaking to members it’s grand to hear they have had good shows.”
Meaningful Connections That Drive Retail Forward
Throughout the event, retailers from across the UK and beyond – from John Lewis and M&S to independent boutiques and heritage sites – engaged in meaningful conversations with suppliers and industry leaders. Buyer Tracey Sysum from Marina Homeware summed up the experience, saying, “We have found everything we are looking for. It’s been great meeting suppliers, and the Buyer Lounge is a real treat.”
The Buyer Lounge, featuring an immersive High Street experience, proved to be a highlight, allowing visitors to engage their senses with fragrances, tastings, and interactive brand showcases. This year’s introduction of Heritage 75 fragranced candles and diffusers provided a nostalgic and celebratory touch to the show’s milestone anniversary.
Laurie Morgan from Quintessence Fragrances said, “We are delighted to have participated in Spring Fair’s 75th year, from creating the show’s Heritage 75 signature scent to engaging in immersive panel discussions and showcasing our apothecary in the Buyers Lounge. This remarkable opportunity enabled us to connect with both existing and potential new customers, significantly expanding our outreach and influence. We extend our gratitude to the event organisers for their seamless execution, resulting in an incredible experience.”
Seb Schyberg, Sales Director from Sebnini added, “We are thrilled to have partnered with Quintessence and Spring Fair to bring their signature heritage fragrance to life. Seeing the product showcased throughout the event and the incredible reception it received was truly fantastic. We hope that when buyers light their candles in the future, they’ll be reminded of the amazing experience they had at Spring Fair.”
Gordon Morrison, CEO of the Association for Cultural Enterprises, commented after the successful Cultural Enterprise Day on Tuesday, “It was a genuine thrill for the Association for Cultural Enterprises to partner with Spring Fair for a day of curated cultural content. This stellar event, and the great team at Spring Fair, provided us with a unique opportunity to showcase cultural commerce and build networks. I look forward to developing the partnership further in the months and years ahead.”
With 1:1 appointments offering advice on boosting productivity, enhancing return on investment, and maximising revenues, the Ambiance Clinics were a resounding success. Stephen Spencer said, “Stephen Spencer + Associates are delighted to partner with Spring Fair to create a relaxing and inspiring Buyers Lounge and add value to the show experience for buyers and exhibitors through our Ambience advice clinics. On a personal note, having been involved with Spring Fair for nearly half its existence, in this 75th year it’s more important than ever that we work as a community to reimagine and futureproof our precious Retail sector and the show. We have had a brilliant response to all the efforts that are being made, and we hope to continue to build on these into the future.”
Katie Elmer, Buyer for Stationery, Vases and Flowers/Plants at John Lewis said, “Connecting with a lot of existing brands under one roof is great. We went to Top Drawer last week to see some brands, but Spring Fair offers lots more. Seeing a brand’s full range together is nice to see, especially how they merchandise and present it. I’m looking forward to the talks and Gift Of The Year, we like to hear from industry professionals and the advice they give.”
A Show Filled with Special Moments
The show kicked off with a grand opening by renowned designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, who set the tone with his signature flair and passion for independent retail. “There’s a huge amount of energy here,” he remarked during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This is where the world will change for retailers and brands in the next two decades!”
With a record-breaking 1,500 exhibitors, including 400 brand-new participants, Spring Fair 2025 proved to be a hub of innovation and opportunity. Exhibitors and buyers alike experienced a show designed to foster business growth, creativity, and collaboration.
Tony Collins from Mindy Brownes Interiors said, “The new business opportunities and growth we have experienced during the event have been extremely promising for Mindy Brownes Interiors. The quality of stores that visited our stand has been exceptional. We have had the pleasure of meeting many enthusiastic and creative buyers, as well as shop owners who are optimistic about the future of retail in the UK and beyond. Additionally, we connected with numerous project managers working across the hospitality, online, and commercial sectors both in the UK and internationally – another significant advantage of exhibiting at Spring Fair 2025.”
Successful Debut of Moda x Pure
Moda x Pure’s successful debut at Spring Fair highlighted the show’s continued growth as a must-attend retail destination. By bringing together a mix of new and returning brands across Womenswear, Clothing & Footwear, Fashion Accessories and Jewellery & Watch collections, the show closed its doors proving to be a powerful platform for retailers seeking fresh inspiration and buying opportunities. Buyers appreciated the convenience of having everything under one roof, while exhibitors valued the opportunity to connect with a diverse mix of retailers in one location. With an impressive lineup of buyers from major department stores, boutiques, and independent retailers, exhibitors at Moda x Pure were delighted.
Anastasiia Kyshmar from Jessica Graaf said, “We’ve had such a great time at the event! Our stand has been buzzing with excitement as we’ve met lots of new customers who were really impressed with our selections. There’s been plenty of laughter, great conversations, and a really positive vibe all around. We’ve truly enjoyed being part of the show and connecting with so many people.”
Tiago Silva, Head of E-commerce & Marketing at Yumi said, “The show is going really well, it has a great footfall here at Moda x Pure. We’ve seen a lot of repeat customers already, focusing on trends but also homing in on their customer preferences. We do find that our customers tend to come to just one show, so it’s preferable to have everything under one umbrella in one place, we absolutely prefer it this way.”
The Moda x Pure Catwalk presented an unforgettable showcase of contemporary fashion, blending bold statements with timeless elegance. From vibrant prints to flowing silhouettes, the collections captured the essence of A Modern Love Story. The show closed with striking pieces from Graduate Fashion Week designers, leaving the audience inspired and eager for the season’s upcoming trends.
Championing Independent Retail and Future Trends
From insightful keynote speeches to dynamic panel discussions, Spring Fair’s live content inspired visitors to embrace change and innovation. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s talk on licensing and creativity drew a packed audience, reinforcing the importance of authenticity and collaboration in the retail sector. Meanwhile, retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis delivered a powerful message about the resilience of small businesses, urging them to stay confident in their unique offerings.
Trend forecasting sessions, including insights from Faire’s UK Country Manager Charlotte Broadbent, provided invaluable knowledge on how independent retailers can stay ahead by balancing bestsellers with fresh, trend-driven products. With sustainability, individuality, and experiential retail taking centre stage, buyers left equipped with actionable strategies for the year ahead.
Looking Ahead to the Future of Retail
As the show wrapped up, Event Director Soraya Gadelrab reflected on the incredible energy and engagement throughout the event. “For 75 years, Spring Fair has been at the heart of the retail community, and this year we’ve taken it to new heights. The feedback from exhibitors and buyers has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing that Spring Fair remains the go-to event for discovering new products, forging meaningful connections, and driving the future of retail.”
With another successful year in the books, Spring Fair continues to be the ultimate destination for retail innovation, inspiration, and opportunity. The excitement now turns to the next edition, as the industry eagerly anticipates what’s to come in 2026. Until then, the connections made, and the ideas sparked at Spring Fair 2025 will continue to shape the future of retail.
Visit www.springfair.com for more information.
