With less than seven weeks to go until Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring opens in Glasgow on 21 Jan, it’s time to register and start planning your trip.
Here are 10 reasons to attend:
- More than 400 suppliers are confirmed to exhibit, which is a 10% increase on the number of exhibitors on the 2023 Spring Show.
- A quarter of suppliers are new or returning to the Show, representing a mix of Scottish suppliers and well-known British brands. Ones to look out for include Nordic Socks, Silver Story, Ocean Plastic Pots, Kabloom, Holly and Willow, MUKA Jewellery, Scarlet Knitwear, Shrieking Violet and Tipperleyhill stationery and cards. Larger gift suppliers such as Fountasia, Langs and Enesco will also provide plenty of choice with larger ranges of volume gifts.
- Scottish Fine Soaps make a welcome return to the show with wellbeing a dominant theme at the Show. Others joining them include: The Highland Soap Company, Sunart Soap, Siabann, Lomond Soap, Mella, Och Vegan Cosmetics, Purple Sage Soap Company, Shetland Soap Co, Soap & Mhor and the Moffat Perfume Company.
- Highland wear is a strong sector, catering for the growing tourist market and international buyers, with suppliers including House of Edgar, Tartan by Strathmore, Daiglen of Scotland, TJ Matthews, Brook Taverner, Lochcarron of Scotland, and Marton Mills.
- Since our love of pets, especially dogs, has rocketed since 2020, pet accessories have become big business. Look out for exhibitors such as Edinburgh Bowzos, Tartan Terrors, Heather Glen Hounds and Created by Ridleys.
- Discover the next generation of suppliers in the Launch Gallery where new companies launch their businesses. Take a look at Adopt a Haggis, Candles from the Croft, Castle Apothecary, Concrete & Cacti, Designed by Islay, LilyBee, Just Hammered, MUKA Jewellery, Peedie Craft Co, Thistle & Twigs and Zoe Slater Ceramics.
- Listen to inspiring speakers and gain fresh business insight at the Talking Shop Seminar Theatre featuring a busy schedule of talks, panel discussions and masterclasses. Details here.
- Meet the winners of the Best Product Awards, which will be judged on the opening morning of the Show by Scottish retail experts: Michael Apter of Paper Tiger, Andrew Roberts of The National Trust for Scotland and Marion McKinlay of Inveraray Jail.
- Handmade products with a story can be found in the Craft Gallery, with its prominent lineup of high-end makers such as Wiktor Jewellery, Taisir Gibreel, Nine Angels, Lolla Mac, Helen Chatterton Textiles, Cured concrete goods and Caitlin Hegney Jewellery.
- This Show is a one-stop buying platform: it’s co-located with the Speciality Food & Drink Show where about 120 top fine food and drink producers will be on display.
Show director Mark Saunders said: “While the domestic market is still tough, tourism has been flying in Scotland this year, with record sales being achieved in many areas. This is good news for the Show as retailers will have confidence and money to invest in new products for 2024.”
Register now here.
