Jan 25, 2023

Spring Fair introduces Inspiring Retail Stage speakers

Spring Fair, a UK-based marketplace for wholesale home, gift and fashion at the NEC Birmingham NEC Feb. 5-8, introduced its Inspiring Retail Stage line-up.

The line-up features 40 speakers sharing market intelligence, insights and valuable industry information designed to provide buyers with the opportunity to increase their knowledge, understand critical market trends and themes, and connect with leaders in the field.

The program takes place in Hall 6 and will feature trend updates, e-commerce advice, sustainability guidance and business tips across the four days.

Future-focused

With sustainability front of mind, the Inspiring Retail Stage aims to inform and educate on eco-conscious developments.

Sara Simmonds, CEO and chief mentor at The Conscious Innovator will share her toadmap for business owners to reimagine their products in her session, “How to Sell More and Waste Less: New Era of Conscious Consumerism and Sustainability.”

Highlighting the scale of the e-commerce delivery network and looking at how to minimize the impact of supply chains, Josh Pitman, managing director of Priory Direct – Planet Friendly Package, will offer his advice in “Delivering Sustainably – How E-commerce Supply Chains Can Make the Difference.”

Georgia Elliott-Smith, managing director of Element Four will present “A Disruptive New Model for Corporate Sustainability and ESG,” exploring how to adopt a new approach that has a meaningful impact.

During “Delivering The Sustainability Message: Reaching Buyers, Retailers, And Consumers,” John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain, brings together a panel of speakers from British manufacturers including Dartington Crystal, Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co. and Little Soap Company to examine the latest innovations in sustainability messaging.

Highlights

Retail entrepreneur and TV dragon Theo Paphitis will be in conversation with The Sun’s business editor, Ashley Armstrong, about the current challenges facing businesses across the UK today and the opportunities that arise out of tougher trading conditions.

Kubi Springer, director of brand marketing at Avantgarde Dubai will explore the impact of personal branding. Kubi is a business media personality who has provided brand commentary in several media outlets — including Forbes, Sunday Times, The Guardian and Red Magazine — and she has a bi-monthly column in Harper’s Bazaar. Since 2007, she has hosted a number of radio and TV shows. She is also a BBC Radio 5 contributor, and she hosts her own TV Show broadcast in the U.S. to 1.2 million homes.

The Style Sisters will share their knowledge and expertise on the hybrid home: where we work, play and rest. The retail market has an opportunity to capitalize on growing demand for highly functional, yet fabulously designed products for the home, as consumers adapt to a new way of living.

The stage will also host trend updates with TrendBible. “Trend Update: 2024 Home and Lifestyle Trends” will uncover how householder behaviors and lifestyle choices are set to underpin product and design trends for the home over the next 12 months and beyond.

Meanwhile, “Trend Update: Celebration and Gifting Trends for 2024” will provide vital insight into the key trends impacting consumers and the opportunities which will elevate celebration, occasion, and gift ranges to new levels.

Tech talk

The metaverse was one of 2022’s hot topics, and interest looks set to grow in 2023.

Tom Puukko, award-winning founder of Superdwell, the architecture & interior design community for the metaverse, will delve into the myths, truths and opportunities of this new space during his talk, “How to Win in the Metaverse.” The presentation will cover understanding what the metaverse, virtual reality and alternate reality are and how they all connect, the latest trends and growth data, with case studies and easy steps to take to win in the metaverse.

Moderator Charley Crocker, founder of The Pop Up Shop Agents will lead a retailer panel discussion, “Growing The Next Generation of High Street Retailers — How Savvy Brands Are Making the Most of Hybrid Shopping,” which looks at how the new generation of tech-savvy entrepreneurs are combining bricks-and-mortar shops alongside online.

The Inspiring Retail Stage will also feature Therese Oertenblad, founder of Small Business Collaborative, and Elizabeth Stiles, fashion and textiles brand consultant, as they discuss “How to sell on TikTok,” looking at the best ways to use this free tool to sell and connect with customers.

“Zero to Podcaster in 30 Days” is the session for you. Alex Ryan, marketing mentor and owner of Marketing 101 Agency, will be demonstrating the effectiveness of podcasts as part of a marketing strategy and how easy it is to start.

Successful mindsets

Award-winning business coach Roo Davies will lead “How a Positive Mindset Can Help You to Grow Your Business With Confidence,” looking at how to feel confident when navigating challenges.

Steve Manser, head of marketing at DCUK, will explore how adopting childlike approaches and attitudes can improve marketing, selling and business tips with his session, “Child Mindset Marketing: Are you Kidding?”

Also focusing on business improvement will be Catherine Erdly, founder of The Resilient Retail Club, in “Do you know which key numbers will help you grow your business? Five Crucial Figures You Need to Know to Boost Your Business In 2023,” which will cover the five key numbers to track this year.