Spring Fair has announced details of its Inspiring Retail Stage content programme, which will deliver a schedule packed full of speakers, as well as inspiring and informative insights and awards, plus details on the gift and home trends for 2024.
Sunday February 5
The show takes place from February 5 to February 8 at NEC Birmingham, and the Inspiring Retail Stage’s programme will kick off on Sunday February 5 at 11am with a session entitled ‘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’ by Forbes.com contributor and small business retail expert Catherine Erdly.
At 12.10pm, you can hear about ‘A Disruptive New Model for Corporate Sustainability and ESG’ with former UNESCO special envoy and managing director of Element Four, Georgia Elliott- Smith, who proposes a model of disruptive sustainability that challenges the status quo and embraces activism.
At 1.20pm, John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain, will bring together a panel of speakers from leading British manufacturers including Dartington Crystal, Petra Palumbo and Little Soap Company, who will talk about the latest innovations in sustainability messaging, as businesses step up to the increased demand from buyers, retailers and consumers for information about the environmental impact of goods.
Day one closes with drinks at 5pm and a celebration of UK retail and the businesses that are making a difference. In partnership with Modern Retail, Spring Fair will host the Good Retail Awards for the fourth year, recognising good practices in UK retail and sharing successes in all areas of retail. From high streets who are supporting local businesses, and businesses that are transforming their operations to put sustainability at the core, to businesses that ooze creativity, the winners will be announced from 5pm.
Monday February 6
On Monday February 6 at 11am, the stage welcomes retail expert Jonathan de Mello who will discuss ‘Retail State of Play: Market Overview’. His presentation will cover key market insights into the current retail landscape, including the cost-of-living crisis and its impact on the retail sector now, and over the next few years; current winners and losers in retail and what we can learn from them; the travails of the online pure plays; and retail trends such as fashion rental, metaverse, and ESG.
At 12.10pm, TrendBible will deliver its ‘Trend Update: 2024 Home and Lifestyle Trends’. During this presentation, trend editor Wendy Lowe will uncover how householders’ behaviours and lifestyle choices are set to underpin product and design trends for the home over the next 12 months and beyond.
She will be followed on stage by Josh Pitman, managing director of Priory Direct-Planet Friendly Package, who will explore ‘How To Minimise the Environmental Impact of eCommerce, With the Ultimate Goal of Making A Fully Sustainable Industry’. And for visitors keen to learn ‘How to Sell on TikTok’, don’t miss the founder of Small Business Collaborative Therese Oertenblad and fashion & textiles brand consultant Elizabeth Stiles as they share their top tips for ‘selling on TikTok with soul’ in order to grow your community and sales. They will speak to an independent retail buyer about what’s working for them and share tips on how they can get more from the platforms.
Tuesday February 7
TrendBible opens the stage on Tuesday at 11am with another insightful ‘Trend Update: Celebration and Gifting Trends for 2024’. The message is that against a backdrop of global unrest and financial crisis, celebration offers the respite so desperately needed. An escapist desire dominates but is coupled with a search for authenticity. This drives a fresh and honest take on who we are, what we want to celebrate and how. TrendBible will provide insights into the key trends impacting consumers and the opportunities which will elevate celebration, occasion and gift ranges to new levels.
For budding podcasters, join Alex Ryan, marketing mentor and BIMM Institute lecturer for ‘Zero to Podcaster in 30 Days’, who will be followed by a panel discussion on ‘The Department for International Trade: Made in the UK, Sold to the World’. Hear about DIT’s campaign which champions the UK’s priority sectors through an innovative, localised marketing campaign that promotes the best of British goods and services in our towns and cities and highlights the support that DIT can offer to access overseas markets.
At 2.30pm The Sun’s business editor Ashley Armstrong will host an ‘In Conversation With Theo Paphitis’. In what is a challenging time for business and retail, the entrepreneur and TV dragon will delve into some of the challenges facing businesses across the UK, as well as the opportunities that can often arise out of tougher trading conditions.
At 3.45pm Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO at Products of Change, will lead a panel discussion on new packaging legislation, covering how it impacts the retail sector, and how to embrace the new wide-ranging packing requirement challenges.
Wednesday February 8
At midday on Wednesday, Steve Manser, head of marketing at DCUK, will host a session on ‘Child Mindset Marketing: Are you Kidding?’. This session will be all about the very best child-like traits, attitudes, and approaches that we should be encouraging in ourselves, and our colleagues. Steve will outline some of the ways in which we can learn to take great marketing, selling, and business tips from little ones.
The Inspiring Retail Stage programme can be viewed at Spring Fair 2023 – Spring Fair 2023.
Register at https://www.springfair.com/visitor-registration
