Show News: Industry news from Craft Focus magazine

Success for h+h cologne 2025

h+h cologne 2025 proved once again from 7th to 9th March why it is the central trade fair highlight of the textile handicraft industry. After three successful trade fair days around 300 exhibitors from 39 countries are looking back on an impressive event full of innovations, exchange and inspiration, but also successful business deals. Sustainability was a central theme this year: Fabrics made from algae or mushrooms and modern production techniques that were exhibited in the Green Zone underlined the industry's creative power.

Posted: 11 March 2025

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NY NOW 2025 winter market a success

The NY NOW 2025 Winter Market, held from February 2 – 4, 2025 at the Jacob Javits Centre, concluded with remarkable success and showcased a modern blend of programming, activations, and panels. Bringing together iconic brands, emerging designers, and influential buyers from around the globe, the event solidified its longstanding reputation as the premier wholesale trade show for gift, home, and accessories. This year's Winter Market introduced a reimagined three-day format that included an extraordinary lineup of exhibitors as well as dynamic discussions and engaging activations. From immersive tours to insightful fireside chats and panels, attendees participated in empowering educational sessions and hands-on opportunities to network, connect, and learn.

Posted: 6 March 2025

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How h+h cologne 2025 is turning the future into a theme

The local retail trade has come to a turning point: Whereas online giants dominate the market, small and medium-sized businesses are battling for visibility, viability and relevance. However the challenges also present an opportunity – and that is precisely what h+h cologne 2025 is picking up on. From 7 to 9 March 2025, Cologne will become the hub of the textile handicraft industry, where everything revolves around innovation, inspiration and new perspectives.

Posted: 25 February 2025

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Hyve Group announces Autumn Fair and Glee to co-locate from 2026

Hyve Group, a global leader in events and exhibitions, has announced the exciting co-location of Autumn Fair and Glee at the NEC Birmingham. Autumn Fair will take place 6th – 9th September 2026 and Glee will take place 8th – 10th September 2026.

This strategic move by two industry-leading trade exhibitions unlocks multiple benefits for their respective sectors, creating a stronger, future-proofed platform that supports the long-term retail growth and successes of the industries they represent.

Sitting alongside Autumn Fair, the UK's leading home, gift, and fashion exhibition with a four-day content programme, Glee, the premier event for the garden retail sector, will continue as a dedicated three-day showcase for the garden, leisure, and pet industries.

Posted: 18 February 2025

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Christmas & Gift 2025 highlights

The year 2025 certainly began on a high note for the UK's only festive trade show – Harrogate Christmas & Gift – as exhibitors and visitors turned up in large numbers to not only see the latest products the industry had to offer; but to celebrate a few important milestones too. Next year, Harrogate Christmas & Gift will take place at the Harrogate Convention Centre from Sunday 11th to Wednesday 14th January 2026.

Posted: 13 February 2025

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Spring Fair ends on a high

As the doors close on the 75th edition of Spring Fair, the UK's largest retail trade show for Home, Gift & Fashion, the NEC Birmingham has been buzzing with energy, innovation, and meaningful connections. Over four days, more than 38,000 retail buyers and industry professionals gathered to discover the latest trends, meet suppliers, and be part of the ever-evolving retail landscape.

Posted: 10 February 2025

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A Celebration of Crafting Excellence at Westpoint

For two decades, the Stitching 4 All & Craft4Crafters Show has been the beating heart of textile artistry and creative expression in the South West. This March, it returns to Westpoint with more grandeur than ever before, promising a spectacular showcase of crafts, textiles, and big-name talents in the crafting world. Whether you're a seasoned stitcher or a curious newcomer, this event is your chance to immerse yourself in the best that the global crafting community has to offer.

Posted: 4 February 2025

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75th SPRING FAIR OPENS ON SUNDAY

Spring Fair, the UK's largest retail trade show for Home , Gift & Fashion at the NEC in Birmingham, opens on Sunday 2nd February celebrating 75 years heritage as well as double digit growth in exhibitor numbers for this year's show, delivering unmatched newness, diversity and inspiration. The Show will open with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9am with Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen

Posted: 30 January 2025

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WOVEN Festival returns to Kirklees for 2025

WOVEN, the biennial festival celebrating textile heritage and innovation in Kirklees, will take place from 1 to 30 June 2025. WOVEN takes place across Kirklees every other year. Established in 2019, the festival has helped communities across Kirklees celebrate the region's textile heritage and find out more about the future of textiles in the region and further afield. The month-long event will showcase the rich textile history of the area as well as explore cutting-edge developments in the industry.

Posted: 28 January 2025

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Positive start to the year at a busy Toy Fair 2025

The toy industry reunited at Olympia London for Toy Fair 2025, a dynamic three-day event that showcased the latest trends and innovations shaping the world of play. With more than 250 exhibiting companies unveiling thousands of new products, including trending categories such as collectibles, pocket money toys and licensed toys, the event was a true celebration of the creativity and ingenuity of the toy industry and a positive start to the year. It was an incredibly busy three days connecting exhibitors with high-calibre visitors including buyers, licensors, inventors, media and the wider industry, all under one roof, establishing new connections as well as building on existing relationships.

Posted: 24 January 2025

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