Spring Fair has announced the finalists for Pitch Live 2026, its high-energy pitching platform championing innovation, creativity and emerging retail talent, in partnership with co.lective. Taking place live on the Merchant’s Corner stage at Spring Fair, NEC Birmingham (1–4 February 2026), Pitch Live gives buyers and industry experts a front-row seat to discover the next generation of standout products before they hit the shelves.
Across three live sessions, finalists will pitch their concepts, products and commercial potential to a panel of expert industry judges including Claire Smith, Buyer at Voisins Department Store; Estella Arroyo, Head of Design, George at Asda; Judy Bendall, Head of Retail at Blenheim Palace; Rosie Troman, Senior Buyer at Nobody’s Child; Tom Grinnall, Head of Home, Blue Diamond Garden Centres; Joanne Barker, Owner at Hettie & Sid; and Deborah Jakobsen, Founder and Managing Director, Roo & Little Boo, and a live retail audience.
Offering invaluable exposure and feedback at the UK’s most influential retail trade show, winners also receive a business boosting prize pack worth £8,000 including a 3-day pop-up with co.lective at Westfield London, White City or another premium co.lective location launching in 2026; two 1-hour PR and brand strategy consultations with Sharon Good, CEO of Good Results PR; a 3m² contribution toward their Spring Fair 2027 stand; and free entry into the Gift of the Year Awards.
Gift Product Pitch – Sunday 1 February | 15:00
The Gift Product Pitch will showcase brands redefining design-led gifting with originality and purpose. The Finalists are:
- March Muses – inclusive Christmas decorations and festive ranges. Motivated by their daughters’ inability to see themselves reflected in festive ornaments, March Muses launched a range featuring Black and brown angels and Santa baubles. Each piece is meticulously made, with careful attention to skin tone, hair design, and body shape and are available in dark brown and light brown skin tones. March Muses’ mission is to celebrate diversity by diversifying celebrations, ensuring everyone feels represented during the festive season and beyond.
- Wander Rings– Wander Rings is a UK travel gift brand making collectible “memory” keyrings. The vegan leather keyring holds laser engraved stainless steel rings, each ring a destination, city or landmark, so shoppers build a personal record of where they’ve been. It’s an under £20 impulse hero with a built-in repeat purchase engine as customers return to add rings after every trip.
- Potr– creating smartly engineered plant pots and vases for modern homes, designed to make growing easier and more sustainable, turning everyday plant care into something simple, beautiful, and intuitive. The Self-watering POTR Pot is a flat-pack, self-watering plant pot that folds into shape in a matter of minutes. Designed to be posted through a letterbox, it reduces packaging, shipping volume, and waste, while delivering an innovative, giftable product.
Fashion Product Pitch – Monday 2 February | 15:00
Focused on emerging fashion and accessories brands with strong retail potential, finalists include:
- Dainty LondonAÉRÅ™️ collection – Dainty London Jewellery is a British brand creating sustainable, handmade jewellery inspired by Cornwall’s coast and metropolitan luxury. Founded by former NHS nurse Jade, the brand blends recycled silver, fair-trade gold, and ethical gemstones into over 100 unique designs. The latest AÉRÅ™️ collection comprises timeless rings and necklaces featuring lab-grown diamonds and recycled gold, marrying Celtic inspiration with modern design.
- Wherk– co-founded by a family barrister who was struggling to find suits for work, Wherk’s goal is to reinvent workwear for women, designing stylish, timeless and affordable suits. With the bow suit, from one purchase you can get at least 4 looks, and definitely many more! It’s perfect for work but many other occasions too.
- Encase– Encase is an exclusive product that allows you to encapsulate a memory, much like a modern time capsule, preserving and reigniting moments that are precious and meaningful. No two pieces are ever the same – each Encase represents an individual journey, influenced by personal experiences and stories.
Kids Product Pitch – Tuesday 3 February | 15:00
The Kids Product Pitch highlights brands combining play, education and purpose. The Finalists are:
- Plewsy– an award-winning creative brand, founded in 2015 by Fiona. The children’s apron is designed in Yorkshire and proudly made in Britain. With eco-credentials, these 100% cotton fun little aprons make lovely thoughtful yet practical gifts, made to last. The designs are packed full of personality featuring over 20 unique illustrations.
- Wild Tribe Heroes– a bestselling children’s book series turning real animal rescue stories into beautiful, hopeful picture books for ages 2 to 11. Each title tackles a global environmental issue in a gentle, empowering way, inspiring children to take positive action without fear or anxiety. The hero book-and-teddy range are premium picture books with optional recycled matching teddies – designed as meaningful gifts combining storytelling, education and purpose.
- Grubby BubWee Wellies – premium, sustainable outdoor playwear for babies and toddlers. Wee Wellies aren’t just smaller wellington boots, they’re re-engineered from the ground up with early childhood development at the centre of the design process. Creating the missing first step into all-weather play so babies and early walkers can enjoy the outdoors sooner, longer, and with confidence, building independence, resilience and a natural love of being outside from the very beginning.
Pitch Live has become a must-see feature at Spring Fair, reflecting the show’s ongoing commitment to supporting independent brands, nurturing innovation and connecting buyers with fresh, commercially viable ideas. For retailers, it offers a fast-paced, highly curated way to discover new products with strong storytelling and standout shelf appeal.
Spring Fair 2026 takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 1–4 February, bringing together over 1,200 exhibitors, 1 million products and the widest cross-section of home, gift, fashion and lifestyle brands in the UK.
