Gift Focus - Jan/Feb 2019 (Issue 111)

88 giftfocus Spring Fair offers an unrivalled scale, variety and choice for retail buyers. The 2019 show will inject a fresh and vibrant flair into retailer offerings, giving buyers and industry professionals a first look at the hottest and most desirable new items on the market. With thousands of exhibitors and trade professionals expected through the doors, the event is set to see more deals done and more relationships formed than ever before. Exciting additions The show’s First initiative runs across a number of sectors, alongside Debut in the Greetings sector, and offers up-and-coming and pioneering exhibitors the chance to showcase their products. The initiative includes DesignFirst, making its Spring Fair Debut after a successful launch at Autumn Fair, which features exclusive manufacturers introducing buyers to the latest original products. February’s show will feature Dimpled Heart, Print Circus, Version 22, Lola+Blake and The Sugar Shed. TasteFirst will also see new-to-market, dedicated culinary innovators like NOVELTEA and Mountain Chocolate Company joining the likes of Willie’s Cacao, Popcorn Shed and Spice Kitchen. New showcases ToysFirst and NurseryFirst will feature visitor favourites such as Ravensburger, Keel Toys, Great Gizmos and Tobar, alongside Doudou et Compagnie, Orange Tree Toys, Wow Stuff and many more. New exhibitors in fashion accessories and luggage can be found in the FashionFirst showcase. Ethically sourced products, leopard print and other nature-themed designs are expected, with fashion trending towards sustainable choices. More spaces have been added to the showcase to meet high demand, and Spring Fair will welcome debut exhibitors, including The Bradford Sock Company and Joolzery. Also debuting in the fashion showcase will be Lily & Me – whose on-trend, print-led collections look sure to be a hit – and Lakeland Leather, a purveyor of heritage luxury leather goods and sheepskin garments and accessories. They join the likes of established Spring Fair favourites such as outdoor clothing designer Brakeburn and bespoke leather goods maker Ashwood. Gift and contemporary gift Among the newcomers in the gift showcase for 2019 will be one of Europe’s largest candle manufacturers, Gala Candles, which will exhibit alongside other well-established and long-standing home fragrance brands, including Yankee Candle, Bolsius, Price’s Candles and Wax Lyrical. Also new to the show will be Scheurich, one of Europe’s leading planter brands, which will be showcasing products from its retro, urban jungle, outdoor and indoor ranges. Across the giftware sector, Spring Fair will be welcoming back fair favourites Something Different Wholesale, which will be bringing its huge range of contemporary and traditional lines, including the latest trends from unicorn and mermaid ranges, to natural, incense, gothic, spiritual and crystal ranges, garden and outdoor products, wind chimes and ornaments. Joining these suppliers is the ever-popular Enesco, celebrating its 25 th anniversary at the show by launching more than 800 new products. New exhibitors We Love Seasons and Keats Chocolatier will be joining popular returning brands Puckator Ltd, Widdop & Co, Fallen Fruits and Joe Davies. In addition, the 2019 lineup in Contemporary Gifts will include first-timers Portico Designs and KMI Brands alongside Nordal, J-line by Jolipa, Nkuku, RJB Stone and many more, with 600 exhibitors displaying new ranges in the Gift halls. Greetings and gifts Now in its third year, the Debut Area in Greetings & Gift will offer visitors fresh, Everything you need to know about this gargantuan show in one place Giftware firsts IN BRIEF Show Spring Fair Organiser ITE Group Where NEC Birmingham When 2 nd -7 th February, 2019 Website springfair.com Twitter @SpringAutFair