25 SPRING FAIR PREVIEW Licensing Lab: 12:00PM - Demystifying the Price Point: How to Value and Sell Licensed Products Pricing can be one of the most misunderstood areas in licensing - how do you balance brand value, customer expectation, and retail margin while still delivering a product that sells? This session breaks down the factors that influence price and profitability, giving retailers and licensees a clearer view of how to build commercially successful licensed ranges. Pricing remains one of the trickiest areas in licensing. Drawing on decades of experience across global IPs and consumer products, Ian Downes of Start Licensing explores how to balance brand value, customer expectation, and retail margin to create products that truly perform - offering retailers and licensees practical insight into what drives commercial success. Widdop & Co. Village: 9:00AM – The Grand Opening: Widdop Village Live! A lively launch moment streamed via Instagram Live from the Widdop Stage with some surprise performances. 11:00AM – The Greatest Show: Christmas 2026 Reveal An exclusive preview of over 2,500 new festive products for the upcoming season. 1:00PM – Softies World Tour: Meet the Stars Join the Hampton Bear and Talia Rabbit Softies characters for a fun, interactive showcase of their personalisation experience. 3:00PM – Introducing Parisi: Homeware with Kelly & Jeremy A VIP Meet & Greet and product reveal 5:00PM - The Feel Good Hour: Cocktails & Celebration The Feel Good Club - at the end of a long first day, a happy hour of cocktails, nibbles and a party to launch new gift brand, The Feel Good Club. MONDAY 2ND FEBRUARY Digital Foundry: 2:00PM - Invisible Influence: How Social Commerce is Redefining Retail Discover how shoppable and AI-enhanced content are quietly transforming how consumers discover and purchase products online. Alison reveals the strategies and lessons behind social commerce success, helping retailers turn social platforms into seamless sales channels. Speaker: Alison Battisby, Founder, Avocado Social Merchants Corner: 11:00AM - The Faire Forecast 2026: What to Buy for Your Shop Next Returning to the Spring Fair stage, Charlotte Broadbent unveils The Faire Forecast 2026 — a fresh look at the stories, styles, and cultural shifts shaping retail. Using Faire’s data from millions of transactions between retailers and brands, she’ll spotlight the trends and new products to watch in the year ahead. Get the inspiration and insight you need to curate your buying with confidence, with a selection your customers will love! Speaker: Charlotte Broadbent, International Marketing and Partnerships Director, Faire The Hidden Forum: 13:00PM – POWER TALK with Theo Paphitis Licensing Lab: 12:00PM - Wallace & Gromit Cross Borders: How Aardman Adapts to Audiences Around the World Discover how Wallace & Gromit are reaching new generations worldwide as Aardman explores the rising nostalgia surrounding the brand and the characters’ surprising international momentum. This session highlights how timeless design, strong emotional identity and cultural adaptability allow these beloved characters to travel — and thrive — far beyond their original audience. Speaker: Susan Bolsover, Senior Licensing Manager, Aardman 2:00PM - Stand Out with Ease: How Working with Designers Drives Retail Success Why buyers should look beyond big brands and how working with designers can deliver freshness and loyalty. · Practical steps for retailers – from finding, briefing and codeveloping unique ranges, to where products can be made. · Case studies and real examples of design-led retail wins (Emma’s own experience). Speaker: Emma Lawrence, Founder, Illustrator and Designer at Emma Lawrence Designs Widdop & Co. Village: 10:00AM - WPL Meets WBL: The Future of Impulse Gifting WPL joins WBL- the brilliant impulse gift business has joined the Widdop and Co stable and we can’t wait to expand its reach
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