Craft Focus - Dec/Jan (Issue 70)

The February edition of Spring Fair is set to be the best yet, with more than 2,500 exhibitors showcasing one of the most diverse, relevant and exciting range of products to be found anywhere across the country. Around 56,000 retailers, buyers and industry professionals from across the UK and the rest of the world will be heading to Birmingham’s NEC to see the products that will drive the trends throughout 2019, including those for the key Easter and Christmas selling periods. As a platform for innovation and trendsetting, the show will give visitors a chance to look ahead to the likely bestsellers coming up for the rest of the year. MARKET FORCES The very nature of arts and crafts means that even retailers don’t always know what kind of creations their customers might be putting together with their purchases, and that’s why being ahead of the curve is so vital to this sector. As a trend-focused marketplace, Spring Fair will embrace everything that’s new for 2019, providing exhibitors with worthwhile opportunities for inspiration and the chance to unearth some of the season’s most innovative products. This year, interest has peaked in candle making, macramé and lino printing. Spring Fair will be looking ahead to provide insights into what will be selling fast throughout summer and autumn. Amidst the clamour and stress of our hectic, tech-dependent lives, consumers are increasingly craving inexpensive methods of detoxing. With increased awareness and the emergence of coping tactics such as mindfulness, 2019 should see a continued interest in products that are marketable in this way. Arts and crafts can be one such solution, with a 2018 survey by high street store Hobbycraft finding that 28 per cent of people use the creative process to help with their mental health. Exhibitors and buyers are advised to take note and stock accordingly. Spring Fair will also embrace the undeniable triumph and rise of Instagram crafting. With more and more budding enthusiasts wanting to impress their friends with Insta-friendly art projects, investing in the right raw materials for your shop is an absolute must. This year, the fair will be hosting a range of companies including Ashley Wilde Fabrics, helping visitors get their hands on first-to-market textiles. LEVERAGING 1-2-1 FACETIME Bulk purchasing is the key to many retailers’ business models, and securing the right price is vital for success and resilience. Far from faceless online shopping, Spring Fair allows decorative arts buyers to develop meaningful business relationships with suppliers, get a feel for the quality and heritage of products and, most importantly, negotiate pricing to drive the best deals for their business. Flicking through directories or shopping around online can be time consuming and for smaller retailers, can result in lost profits. At Spring Fair, buyers can get immediate answers on prices, product quality, shipping expectations and supply chain. All of this will become more important than in the months leading up to Brexit. Potential extension of the transition period notwithstanding, Britain will be leaving the European Union on 29 th March 2019. With uncertainty as to exactly how supply chains and prices will be affected, the fair can offer reassurance and guidance on how to respond. Visitors will be able to get a feel for how their suppliers are planning to cover the period and they can also quiz industry experts on the likely implications. springfair.com craft focus 93 show preview