Buyers from major retailers including B&M, Hamleys, Associated Independent Stores, Baldwins, British Garden Centres, Frasers Group, Deichmann UK, Dobbies Garden Centres, Hoopers, Costco, Currys, Morrisons, HMV, B&Q, Sainsbury’s, Argos, Habitat, Fenwick, English Heritage, F Hinds, WHSmith, Aldi, Jarrolds, De Gruchy, Kew Gardens, Meaghers Pharmacy, TJX Europe, Anthropologie, Blue Diamond, Hillier, Card Factory, DFS, Tesco, Waterstones, Peacocks, Next, Hobbycraft, Scribbler, Robert Dyas, TK Maxx, The National Trust, World Duty Free, and Haskins Garden Centres attended, alongside thousands of independent retailers, interior designers, architects, garden centres, and buying groups from across Europe.
Jackson Szabo, portfolio director of Spring Fair, said: “The buzz at Spring Fair was incredible. Welcoming 40,000 visitors from 124 countries, the feedback on the refreshed look and feel, new destinations, and immersive experiences has been overwhelmingly positive. With 86% of visitors holding purchasing power and 81% of buyers placing or planning to place orders, it’s clear that Spring Fair is where retail comes to do business, spark creativity, and shape what’s next.”
For Samantha Gibbs, director of Leicestershire-based gift retailer Nest, Spring Fair was as much about community as commerce. She took part in the mentoring programme alongside Stephen Spencer + Associates. “The response was incredible. We were fully booked, with people leaving inspired, energised, and ready to take action,” she said.
Buying remains central to her visit. “Buying at Spring Fair is fundamental to how I plan and grow my business,” she explained. “You never see everything, even after years of attending, but the value is in spending the time, looking closely, talking to people, and uncovering the stories behind the products.”
Michael Apter, managing director of Edinburgh-based gift and stationery retailer Paper Tiger, described Spring Fair as the most important buying event in his calendar. “Spring Fair is probably our biggest show of the year in terms of buying,” he said. Michael spent four days at the show, alongside a dedicated buyer for three of them, focusing on sourcing and relationship-building. “It’s a significant amount of time, money, and effort for a small business, but we feel it’s worth it because we see so many of the people we work with. It sets the agenda for the rest of the year.”
Looking ahead, Fay Tranter, event director of Spring Fair, said the show’s evolution will continue. “The energy across the halls, the quality of buyers and brands, and the feedback from the industry have all reinforced that Spring Fair is not just a trade show – it’s an experience. We’ve seen real momentum in how people want to engage, connect, and discover, and that transformation is something we’re fully committed to building on. For 2027, our strategy is focused on deepening that experience even further, with more immersive content, stronger communities, and even more opportunities for meaningful connections that genuinely support retail growth.”
Spring Fair 2027 will take place from February 7 to February 10 at NEC Birmingham. Autumn Fair returns to the venue from September 6 to September 9 and will co-locate with Glee, which runs from September 8 to September 10.
Gifts Today’s March issue will have our own review of Spring Fair.
