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Scotland’s Trade Spring Fair saw returning confidence in the market with exhibitors and buyers in an upbeat, positive frame of mind at this key buying show for the gift market. After three days of orders being made, new contacts being established and networks being reconnected, the show was deemed a success by exhibitors and buyers alike.
Off the back of a successful retail season in 2022 in Scotland, buyers are feeling very positive about the year ahead, according to the show, and the leads and orders generated reflected this. Tourism is one of the key drivers of the gift market in Scotland and the early indicators for this year are very positive once again.
“This has been a fantastic few days for us, with many orders written, new [buyers] secured and new leads established,” said Richard Wallace from new exhibitor Glen Ogal. “It is a great start to the year.”
One highlight of the show was the Best Product Awards judged by retail experts Sarah Gordon from Luss General Store, Charmaine Fox from Caulders Garden Centres and Amy McCusker from Wee Box. They said they were impressed by the standard of the entrants as well as the price points, design and creativity, and that choosing the winners was difficult.
“From innovative design to stylish gifts, the entrants and winners of the awards alike should be proud,” McCusker said. “It is inspiring to see the industry pushing the envelope and emerging from two years of the pandemic with renewed determination.”
The winners are listed below.
Cards and stationery:
- Gold – The Wee Book Company – children’s book
- Silver – Pop Up Designs – light up birthday card
- Bronze – Pink Pig – cards
Home & Gift:
- Gold – Fiona Matheson Studio – Block in a Box
- Silver – Love Scottish Candles – natural wax candle
- Bronze – D&C Supplies – Highland cow hot water bottle
Textiles, Jewelry and Fashion Accessories:
- Gold – Amy Britton – Harris tweed and recycled plastic laptop case
- Silver – Glen Ogal – Bamboo sunglasses
- Bronze – Nixey -Sporran handbag
Launch Gallery:
- Gold – Lin Pin Crafts – needle felting starter kit
- Silver – The Ink Balm – nature’s butter for tattooed skin
- Bronze – Victoria Gordon Art – stag tea towel
Fiona Fabian from Papyrus said of the show: “This was a superb show. I came for a few hours on the Sunday and ended up coming back for all three days! With so much to see and people to talk to, this was the best Scottish Show I’ve ever attended.”
Show Director Mark Saunders added: “Whilst there are clearly big challenges still for all businesses, it will be considerably easier to navigate these as footfall in shops continues to build. The last three years have not been easy ones for exhibitions and in that time, new routes to market and subtle changes in buying patterns have emerged. However, over and over again, the overriding benefits of trade shows were evident. Face to face communication will not go away and the ability to see, feel, touch, taste and smell are a vitally important part of the buying process.”
Next up for Scotland is the Autumn Show running Aug. 20-21, 2023, followed by the 2024 show from Jan. 21-23, 2024.
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