Buyers flock to the NEC for UK 's biggest retail fair
Hundreds of businesses are set to showcase homeware, gift and fashion trends to Spring Fair retailers at the NEC this month as the UK 's largest retail event returns
Buyers from online, large retail chains and multi-store independents will flock to the NEC Birmingham for a trade bonanza 6-9 February, as the Spring Fair trade show for the retail sector returns after a two-year hiatus.
With over 300 buyer meetings scheduled and an average £330,000 spend potential per buyer, 73 per cent of deals are expected to close on the spot or within three weeks.
Ian Taylor, managing director of Conventions & Exhibitions said: “As UK PLC looks to recover from the pandemic environment, the NEC Birmingham is a major trading platform for business.
“We know the trade shows we host provide businesses of all sizes with the market profile, trading opportunities and face to face deals they need to grow, either back to their former economic profile, or to capitalise on pandemic gains.
“Here in the West Midlands we are at the heart of a packed trading schedule in 2022. Spring Fair, a hugely influential and significant trade show for the UK, is the first of the year in terms of driving economic growth for the retail sector. ”
Julie Driscoll, divisional managing director for Retail, Engineering and Manufacturing at Hyve Group plc. said: “Spring Fair is delighted to be getting back to normal and open for business, helping to refuel retail and get the British high street thriving again.
“We have a huge responsibility to the many thousands of businesses that rely on us as a key part of their buying and selling calendar and there is unprecedented demand from the industry to return to normal buying and networking. ”
Exhibitors also believe the ability to promote their products at the show in person to customers makes the difference to their sales.
Nathan Davis, marketing manager at Portfolio Home said: “As a leading UK supplier of home textiles, Spring Fair marks a seminal date within our commercial calendar. Spring Fair delivers such a high-quality platform for us to network, showcase products and increase business with new and existing buyers alike.
“We love the fact that there are great opportunities to engage with visitors, learn at seminars and showcase our wide variety of products. We 're very much looking forwards to exhibiting once again as part of the retail community and for us, Spring Fair certainly is the only place to be for buyers that want to discover the newest, trendiest products and suppliers. ”