SPRING FAIR ANNOUNCES INSPIRING RETAIL STAGE PROGRAMME

Spring Fair, the UK's most popular, diverse, and trend led marketplace for home, gift, fashion and everyday, and retail’s definitive wholesale shopping destination, has announced an inspirational series of sessions and Awards on its popular Inspiring Retail Stage including keynote speakers Theo Paphitis and ESG pioneer Paul Wright from PDS.

Where fashion meets insight, the Inspiring Retail Stage will welcome industry icons and experts to share their experiences, stories, and advocacy across four days from 4th – 7th February at NEC Birmingham. Inspiring Retail Stage will be a hub for thought-provoking keynotes and vibrant Moda catwalks showcasing the latest fashion trends. It's the perfect place to refresh your retail rails and stay ahead of the curve.

Sunday 4th February

Opening the stage at 11am, join Spring Fair’s Portfolio Director of Retail at Hyve Group Jackson Szabo, for the Spring Fair 2024 grand opening Springing into Success. This welcome address provides a pertinent overview of the current state of UK retail, its challenges and resilience and why Spring Fair has been indispensable at connecting creators and curators for over seven decades.

The first Moda Catwalk ramps up the volume at 11.30am with the latest style trends and this season's newest collections brought to life. These vibrant fashion shows will inspire you to refresh your retail rails and stay ahead of the curve.

The Moda Catwalk runs at 11.30am, 1.30pm, and 3.30pm each day.

At 2.30pm, join us in celebrating promising talent at De Montfort University Footwear Showcase Awards Ceremony. Putting the spotlight on the innovative designs of final-year Footwear Design students from De Montfort University (DMU), join the awards ceremony to see the winning shoe, crafted from an adventurous brief, announced live on stage.

Sip & Shop: Spring Fair's Happy Hour takes place at the Inspiring Retail Stage from 4.30 – 5.30pm. Relax, chat with peers and celebrate the dynamic spirit of our industry. Complimentary drinks await you at all stages throughout the event offering it's the perfect opportunity to unwind and toast to a successful year ahead.

Sip & Shop takes place at 4.30-5.30pm on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Monday 5th February

Kris Hamer, Director of Insight at the British Retail Consortium will deliver a talk on Retail Landscape 2024: Insights from the British Retail Consortium at 12.30pm. This comprehensive overview of the UK retail market will offer buyers valuable insights into economic health, growth indicators, emerging opportunities and evolving consumer spending habits. Stay ahead of the dynamic retail landscape in 2024 with this exclusive session.

Get into the festive spirit at the GTN Greatest Christmas Awards from 5pm. The GTN Greatest Christmas Awards brings the industry together to showcase the amazing work of garden centres over the festive period.

Tuesday 6th FebruaryExplore the forefront of sustainable retail with ESG pioneer, Paul Wright of PDS Ltd as he unveils the industry's latest and most groundbreaking resources and eco-creativity in Retail Futures - Eco-Innovations from Source to Sale…. and Back Again at 12.30pm.

Working with brands such as ASDA, Chanel and Ralph Lauren, discover the revolutionary eco-materials, supply chain strategies, upcycling and recovery initiatives shaping retail's future. Discover breakthroughs that aren’t just green but that also boost your bottom line. An essential session for professionals and businesses looking to embrace and navigate a more sustainable future.

At 2.30pm, join Theo Paphitis for his Perspective on Business and Retail in 2024. TV dragon, retail entrepreneur and small business champion, Theo Paphitis, lifts the lid on 2024's opportunities and challenges for businesses. Theo will share his insights, successes and key learnings from his 40-year retail career while looking ahead to the latest twists and turns of the industry.

Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director, Spring Fair says, “As part of our vision for our Spring Fair community, we have created a new content programme to help guide and inspire our audience. We can’t wait to open the stage and enjoy the buzz of the catwalk and the insights of our speakers. With more announcements to come on our extensive Masterclass Studios and Trend Talks programmes, I feel confident that Spring Fair will deliver its best content ever.”

Inspiring retail’s creators and curators, Spring Fair has brought the industry together for over 70 years so retail's people can discover the latest products and trends. The next show, taking place from 4th – 7th February 2024 at NEC Birmingham, will be an inspirational experience dedicated to the magic of discovery. Buyers will see, touch and experience thousands of the latest products across four key destinations - Home, Gift, Moda, and Everyday - and 13 definitive sectors. An efficient show layout designed around buyer’s needs will mean less time spent finding suppliers and products and more time experiencing them and everything else the show has to offer.

For more information please visit www.springfair.com.