Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - Page number 63 - November/December 2021

63 WALES SPRING FAIR Back with a bang Wales Spring Fair returns to an in-person format for the first time in 18 months, with buyers set to discover products ideal for the lucrative year ahead It is safe to say that, due to the pandemic, the last 18 months has definitely seen many changes in the world of trade shows. Therefore, the team at the Wales Spring Fair is very pleased to now be putting the final plans in place for January. Taking place in Venue Cymru, situated in the heart of North Wales, Llandudno is a beautiful Victorian town that plays host to the Wales Spring Fair every January. Celebrating the show’s 42 nd year, and after having to take a break in 2021, the Wales Spring Fair will finally take place from Sunday 23 rd to Tuesday 25 th January, 2022. The show continues to grow from strength to strength, having firmly cemented its position as Wales’ premier home and gift show, and is determined to come back even stronger after the pandemic. Wales Spring Fair Event Manager, Adrian La Trobe, explains, “According to the Bank of England, UK households are sitting on more than £250 billion in unspent funds meaning that 2022 has the potential to be a great year for retailers with new and innovative products on offer. “In 2020, buyers visiting the Wales Spring Fair could see and touch more than 15,000 different potential products and what better way is there to select new stock? We are really looking forward to the 2022 show.” Although it is evident that 2022 may have different buyer patterns, trade shows are still vital to the industry, providing that fact-to-face opportunity for exhibitors and buyers that, unfortunately, was unable to happen for the majority of 2020 and 2021. One of Wales Spring Fair new exhibitors, Nicola Griffiths of Coed Y Ddraig, said, “We are in our first year of trading and we can’t wait to meet customers face-to-face in 2022 as we haven’t had that opportunity yet.” Having established itself as Wales’ premier home and gift show, the show continues to develop year on year and, despite the uncertainty that has been present in the retail sector, the Wales Spring Fair is pleased to be welcoming back lots of loyal returning exhibitors including Pretty Beautiful, Cadwyn, Vanilla Jewellery and Art On Scarves. It is also wonderful to see the return of many exhibitors who began their trade show journey with a Starter Stand at the 2020 show, including Bethan Jarvis Jewellery, Coco Pzazz, Snowdonia BlueSlate Pottery and Tree Bee Apothecary. This is not forgetting all of the new additions to the 2022 show, which include Coed Y Ddraig, Betibabs Designs, Chilly Cow Ice Cream, Mwnci, Ffa Da Coffi and Liri Jewellery to name just a few. Libby Emlyn, Betibabs Designs, said, “I have heard that other small businesses have grown significantly because of the Wales Spring Fair which is why I am so excited to be attending in 2022.” The Wales Spring Fair prides itself on being a great opportunity for design-led makers to take their first steps into the world of trade, expanding their commercial business prospects. Ever since Venue Cymru took over the reins in 2012, the show strives to be bigger and better every year and is successful in attracting a wide variety of different exhibitors. There really is no better place for exhibitors to showcase all of their current ranges, whether already established names in Wales or if just beginning their journey into the much-desired Welsh market. Many of the exhibitors are now fully established names within the show itself and respected stockists to the local area. One of the show’s regular and loyal exhibitors, Ffred Ffransis from Cadwyn, said: “The Wales Spring Fair is the one show that the craft and gift shop owners of the North attend. “We’ve been exhibiting here for over 25 years and every single year has been a success in terms of introducing new items and gaining new customers.” Whatever your retail focus may be, you can guarantee to find a whole host of new and innovative products to please your customers. The Wales Spring Fair presents an unmissable opportunity for buyers to stock up on the latest must-have items. IN BRIEF: When: 23 rd -25 th January, 2022 Where: Venue Cymru Arena, Llandudno Who: www.walesspringfair.co.uk