CHAMPIONING NEWNESS AND TRENDS & DRIVING THE DEMAND FOR PERSONAL, IN STORE EXPERIENCES

 Day three of Spring Fair, the UK’s largest retail trade show for Home, Gift & Fashion at the NEC Birmingham, highlighted forward trends, new brands, personal connections and persistence as the foundation for a buoyant retail industry, rejuvenating the British high street and the symbiotic relationship between physical stores and online retailing.

From brand stylist Fiona Humberstone discussing the credibility generated from visual storytelling and social media sensation Olivia Bowen on authenticity, to retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis’s keynote on how small businesses can thrive in a world of retail giants, buyers were furnished with supportive, honest advice and insights from retail’s most influential leaders.

In front of a packed audience, Paphitis championed small businesses and called on the Government to close loopholes that allow large offshore businesses to avoid taxes to enable a level playing field for retailers. He added that persistence and confidence are key attributes for business owners. “I have always been a supporter of small businesses because that’s where I started out. I’d say one thing you need to have as a small business, or any sized business really is confidence in your USP. Ask yourself why does my business exist? Persistence is a great thing in business.”

With 180 more exhibitors than last year and over 400 new brands for this year’s show, buyers also enjoyed access to over 1 million new products across eight pavilions dedicated to start-up and small businesses including 4 New Business Pavilions in Halls 2,3,5,6, the GCA Debut Pavilion, #SBS Village, the Gift Of The Year Showcase & Pavilion, and the Cardgains Village.

 

Retailers in attendance on day 3 included Sainsbury, Lidl, Tesco, Fenwick, John Lewis, Morrisons, WHSmith, Blue Diamond, TJX, Next, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research, Costco, Barker and Stonehouse, Dock and Bay, Currys, World Pay, Dreams, Lush, H&M Furniture, Wella, L'Oreal, DPD, The Walt Disney Company, Robert Dyas, Costco, and Iceland.

Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director, Spring Fair says, “The growth we’ve seen at this year’s Spring Fair is testament to the show’s community, its reach and its ability to transform businesses and deliver an inclusive environment that facilitates the formation of new partnerships and opportunities. We strive to offer buyers an environment that enables them to discover new products, new trends, and new connections. The show floor has been buzzing since the show opened and feedback is incredibly positive. I’ve loved visiting the New Business Pavilions and all our partner Pavilions – featuring the brands of the future, they are the new entrepreneurs who are keen to change the world with their products.”

#SBS Village

In collaboration with ex-TV Dragon and retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, the Small Business Sunday Village offers a space for emerging businesses. This year, 12 deserving winners received a free stand to showcase their innovative designs. Brands included Chomp, Rise n Design, Chapel House Fragrances, Liz Corley Art, Apparel by Unleashed, Olee Cosmetics, The Mewstone Candle Company, Popsy and Plum, Peckish Goose, Dale’s Handmade, Charley's Wild World, and The Eden Collection.

Theo Paphitis said during his talk, “Some of my Small Business Sunday winners are here at Spring Fair for free, all of them they’ve never really exhibited at a show before…but this is a great opportunity to get them here to show their product, and they’ve got a lot of new contacts, but I’ve actually got some orders as well.”

 

Melissa McQuade from Charley’s Wild World said, “It has been such an incredible opportunity for a small business like mine who would absolutely never have had the opportunity to be seen by so many brands. My ideal customers would be zoo's, garden centres and small independents, because everything I produce has been handmade in the UK and is made to order so we can do a bespoke collection. I have actually met with 6 different zoos here - and I have been emailing those people for about the last 2 years - so to get the opportunity to see them in person, for them to feel my fabrics and see my products has been amazing. This opportunity to meet them would never have happened if it wasn’t for me being part of the SBS crew.”

Edith Peterhegyi from The Eden Collection added, “I feel really grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to be here at Spring Fair. I won the opportunity from Small Business Sunday and I feel really lucky. I have been really enjoying myself here and I met some small business owners and have some amazing leads and orders. My bestsellers are always my secret bath bombs, the organic bath salts and the botanical salts and they have been really popular here too. I am really happy because two representatives from 5* hotel chains visited my stand and they were really interested in my soaps. They said that this is exactly the quality and the look for what they are aiming for to be in 5* hotels. If I wasn’t here, I would never have had the chance to access these hotels or it would have been much more difficult.”

At the Spring Fair 75 Years of Excellence Awards on Sunday, Liz Corley Art, Dale’s Handmade and Chomp were shortlisted for awards, with Liz Corley Art scooping the Best New Product in Home, Living & Décor Award, and Chomp awarded Best New Product in Everyday.

New Business Pavilion

New Business Pavilions presented innovative products totally new to the marketplace with dedicated stands in Home, Living & Décor, Gift including Kids, Toys & Play, Beauty & Wellbeing, and Greetings Party & Celebration, and Moda Clothing & Footwear.

 

Georgia & Tom Calvert from Avorium said, “It's been a learning curve as it’s the first show we've ever done so learning what customers are after is really useful, we’ve had lots of good leads and met plenty of people that we’ll communicate with after the show. The New Business Pavilion is such a good idea because people are interested in seeing new things, so people have been really excited to see us.”

 

Chadwick Or from Get Freshcia added, “It’s definitely refreshing to have so much new business here, we really enjoy talking to our neighbours and sharing the experience of being a start-up. We’ve had quite a bit of new interest and leads to follow up and we’ve had our first orders come in!”

 

Kristy Butcher from Soy Wax Village first showcased at Autumn Fair. “Spring Fair has been busy for us. We have brought a new range of white-label brands which have been far better received. We have had some independents and multiples stores come to us, which has been brilliant.”

 

Cultural Enterprise Day

In partnership with the Association of Cultural Enterprises, Spring Fair hosted a Cultural Enterprises Day to highlight the crucial role of retail within museums, galleries, and heritage sites. Over 40 cultural enterprise organisations attended, including Ashmolean Museum, Cadw, Leeds Castle, National Archives, and The National Trust for Scotland. Their Retail Product Manager Alex Miller said, “It’s been excellent today. Covered existing suppliers in giftware and toys. I’ve also seen new suppliers and seen inspiration for future ranges and products.”

 

Future Trends & Retail Experiences

The Inspiring Retail Stage opened with a trend presentation on SS26 Homeware and Outdoor Living Trends. Terrie Isaac, head of creative at Trendhub by BDA London presented the new SS26 trends in Homeware and Outdoor Living to a packed audience. Although identifying five different trends for SS26, these were linked by a fusion of traditional and contemporary pieces as well as  a focus on sustainability across a wide variety of materials. Unexpected elements of texture and colour add individuality to each theme while the emphasis on one-off pieces remains key.

 

Cheer is a lived-in look with playful pieces with expressive colours and layering to create an almost child-like wonder to rooms. Products using manipulated textiles like pleats create a luxurious but fun and unique home. Whatever makes you happy, go with it!

 

Utilise enforces an equilibrium between form and function. Pieces should be practical but beautifully designed; natural materials and muted colours are emphasised to ensure materials are considered as much for their environmental credentials as for their aesthetic.

 

Balance encourages the use of organic textures to highlight primitive designs that celebrate imperfections and irregular form. Simpler natural colours combine with woven materials, molten glass, and liquid metal pieces for a beautifully balanced feel.

 

Transform is all about contrasts; rich dark interiors to create intimate spaces while also using lighting to create ambience. Materials such as brushed chrome, satin, aged brass and velvet invite touch and create depth, while adding a modern edge to traditional pieces though simplified forms and unexpected elements like pleats and frills create an elegantly eclectic feel.

 

Augmented strives to enhance reality in a tangible way, using colour and texture to do so. Thh colour palette includes synthetic bright tones, while pieces use reimagined traditional techniques like distorted metal, warped wood to design an enhanced reality. 

 

With its expanded presence at Spring Fair and a year-round partnership, leading online marketplace Faire provided visitors with a space to connect with their team. At midday, Charlotte Broadbent, UK Country Manager at Faire took to the Inspiring Retail Stage for The Faire Forecast: What To Buy For Your Shop This Year. Sharing Faire’s global data and the latest trends from independent retailers, this discussion led visitors through insights to drive growth and stay ahead in the ever-evolving retail landscape. Broadbent stated, “Faire has helped make over 10 million new buyer and retailer connections, we have 10,000 brands and 50,000 retailers now using Faire across the UK. This data has formed our Faire Forecast; four global trends generated through external sources and millions of Faire transactions—to identify emerging trends and guide smarter buying decisions. What we found is that in a fast-changing world with relentless tough news cycles, consumers are seeking joy in the everyday more than ever. Joy Rediscovered. Let’s explore how this comes to life across four themes, what we are seeing in our search data, and how these are being embraced by UK retailers and lots of the exhibitors at Spring Fair who are available to buy on Faire.

 

Faire Trends

Intentional Detours. This trend celebrates nostalgia and the urge to disconnect from digital saturation - unplug, embrace simple joys, and reconnect. It’s about the journey, not the destination. Think film, Polaroids, traditions, old-school games, and real connections. Rediscover and reconnect - with ourselves, with nature, and with each other. It’s about creating spaces and moments where technology doesn't get in the way. Faire’s data shows searches for things like ‘playing cards’ are up 247% yoy, and ‘tent’ up 129% since Nov’23. Spring Fair and Faire brands like Roomytown’s ‘Fungi Playing Cards’, and Urban Farm-It’s ‘Mushroom Log Growing Kit’ are bringing these trends to life.

 

Victorian Noir. Victorian Noir is not just a trend, it’s a movement rejecting the minimalist mantra of “less is more” in favour of rich, bold statements that lets personalities shine through. It’s a flair for the dramatic - a rejection of Scandi, back to maximalism. In UK shops, Victorian Noir is where antique meets avant-garde. Think about merchandising with plush velvet cushions, ornate mirrors as statement art, and jewel-toned scarves in rich satins. Searched for ‘velvet’ increased 71%, and ‘mirrors’ 131% yoy from Oct ’23. See more at the show from brands like McGowan & Rutherford Ltd, and Originals International Ltd.

Neutral Good is by the earth, for the earth. Centred around handmade, eco products that embody a commitment to both the environment and artisanal quality. Searches for ‘wicker’, ‘rattan’ and ‘woven’ are grew nearly 100% from Q2-3 in 2024. Consumers want to see and understand how products are made, who makes them, and where they come from; turning away from synthetics and moving towards Natural fibres. See exhibitors like Wild and Stone’s ‘Baby Bamboo Toothbrush’, and So Cosy’s ‘Waffle Weave Pure Wool Blanket’.

 

Everyday Hopecore celebrates our inner child, infusing daily life with vibrancy, playfulness, and nostalgia that sparks joy and a sense of optimism. Fill your space with a touch of whimsy infused with a grown-up twist - think brightly coloured stationery, playful tech with vintage flair, and accessories that make your space feel magical. Searches for ‘neon’ up 68% and ‘claw clips’ up 61% yoy since Nov’23. See more from the likes of cai & jo’s ‘Sun Enamel Keychain’ and Last True Angels’ ‘Angelfish Claw Clip’.

 

Charlotte said, “Understanding these trends is key but so is integrating them into your business. Which of these trends speak to your customer most? Each are distinct in their own right; not all will align with your business. Considerations include, how do you want your customer to feel, what are they looking for? Seasonality - does one trend suit a time of the year more than another, but most importantly, keep an eye on your average order value. Make sure trends feel accessible at the price point your customers expect. You don’t want to make customers feel uncomfortable, but you also don’t want to undersell yourself. Most importantly, don’t jump on trends just because others are. The best merchandising plans balance stable staples and bestsellers with newness, keeping your range fresh, while staying true to who you are and without taking unnecessary risks.”

 

Charlotte finished Faire’s invaluable insights with trends shaping the High-Street in 2025, from ‘Clicks to Bricks’, and the retail shift back to physical stores. “Dame Sharon White, former chairman of John Lewis, shared at a conference that their online sales have been steadily declining since the pandemic in favour of in-person shopping. This is something we’re also hearing from retailers using Faire. Customers are returning to stores, and shop owners are working even harder to get them through the doors. While e-commerce is constantly shaping the way we shop, it’s also driving demand for personal, meaningful experiences that we can’t get online. Independent retailers in particular are in a prime position to deliver on this thanks to their close ties with local communities and strong customer relationships. To Community Led Retail. Independent retailers are tapping into the power of their communities to drive awareness and customer loyalty.”

 

The final talk on the Inspiring Retail Stage saw social media sensation, style icon, and charismatic mom Olivia Bowen in conversation with Ray Mehra, Co-Founder & CEO of Keplin Group, to discuss the journey from e-commerce to retail success.

 

Ray shared his experience of launching and scaling a business, highlighting the importance of understanding customers, optimising product offerings, and leveraging data to predict the next big trend. Keplin Group, which first launched at Spring Fair 2024, has since expanded its retail presence, now selling on Amazon, Asda, and Morrisons.

 

Meanwhile, Olivia Bowen, who is working with Keplin Group, spoke about keeping her social media followers engaged. She emphasised that authenticity is key: “My followers love content that makes life easier and more fun. While my early content was all about aspiration, today, people want to see the real, authentic you.” Together, Olivia and Ray explored how brands can identify bestsellers, build loyal customer bases, and successfully transition from e-commerce to retail - helping retailers grow along the way.