)
Overwhelmed by the idea of a trade show? Here's the truth about Spring Fair, and why it's easier than you think.
Let's be honest: Spring Fair is big. Really big. With 1,500+suppliers, when you first walk in, you might feel a bit lost. The noise. The crowds. The endless stands. Your brain might go into panic mode: "What am I doing here? Where do I even start?
But here's what nobody tells you: it's normal to feel overwhelmed because there's so much opportunity. And that overwhelm disappears the moment you have a plan.
This guide is your plan. Read it before you go. You'll walk in confident, knowing exactly what to expect and what to do. By the end, you'll understand that Spring Fair isn't chaos, it's just retail shopping, but with better prices and real relationships.
Before You Go: The 30-Minute Prep That Changes Everything
Set a Clear Goal
Don't go to Spring Fair to "look around." That's how you end up with four hours of wandering and nothing to show for it. Instead, set specific goals that are tailored to you:
- "I will find 3 new gift suppliers in sustainable/eco products"
- "I will place orders with 2 fashion designers for spring collection"
- "I will meet 5 garden and home exhibitors and narrow down to 2 new suppliers"
Write this down. Put it on your phone. Say it out loud. When you're exhausted at 3 PM and tempted to just wander, this goal brings you back to focus.
Set a Real Budget
Before you go, know your number. "I have £X to spend on first orders this season." Be honest. Is it £2,000? £5,000? £10,000? Know it, write it down, stick to it.
At the show, exhibitors will ask "What's your budget?" Don't be vague. Saying "£3,000" immediately tells them whether they can work with you. It also prevents you from making emotional impulse purchases you'll regret.
Pre-Register (Seriously, Do This)
It takes 3 minutes online. It saves you 30 minutes queueing on arrival day.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
This isn't a suggestion. You will walk 10,000+ steps. Seriously. I've known retailers who wore heels on day one and spent days two and three hobbling around in pain. Don't be that person. Bring trainers. Your feet will thank you, and you'll actually enjoy the experience instead of just surviving it.
Bring a Notebook (Or Use Your Phone)
You will forget everything if you don't write it down. Every exhibitor you meet blends together. Every product looks the same after the fifth stand. I recommend:
- A small notebook + pen (feels professional, makes notes tactile)
- OR the notes app on your phone + a voice recorder (faster for some people)
For each exhibitor you're serious about, note:
- Company name + stand number
- What they make
- Key products you're interested in
- MOQ (minimum order)
- Price (roughly)
- Contact information
- Your gut feeling ("Love this" or "Maybe not")
Later, you'll review these notes and make decisions. Right now, just capture information.
Plan Your Route (The Secret Weapon)
This is the real game-changer.
Before you go, download the floor map and check the exhibitors list. Use the filters to narrow down exactly what you’re looking for (product type, sector, brand, sustainability).
Then spend 20 minutes at home doing the following:
- Shortlist 10–15 priority exhibitors
- Filter the exhibitors list and then note their stand numbers.
- Plan a logical route
- Map out the order you’ll visit them so you’re not criss-crossing the entire show floor.
- Schedule breaks
- Mark cafés, lunch spots, and quiet moments to recharge.
- Lock in workshops or talks
- Add timings so you’re not choosing between sessions on the fly.
While You're There: How to Actually Work the Show
Time Per Stand: The Golden Rule
- 10 minutes: You're saying hello, getting a feel, taking notes. Light browse.
- 20–30 minutes: You're serious. You're asking questions. You're considering an order.
- 45+ minutes: You're placing an order or you've found a real partner. You're negotiating. You're looking at samples.
Don't feel obligated to spend 45 minutes everywhere. Some stands you'll visit for 5 minutes ("Not for me"). Others you'll camp out at for an hour ("This is the one"). Both are correct.
What to Actually Ask Suppliers
When you arrive at a stand you're interested in, smile and say: "Hi, I'm [name], independent [gift/fashion/garden] retailer from [town]. I love your work."
That's it. Let them talk. But then, ask these questions:
- "What's new for spring?" (They'll show you their most exciting products.)
- "What's your minimum order for a new account?" (The key question. Write this down.)
- "When do you need reorders by?" (Can you reorder mid-season if something sells out?)
- "What's your delivery time?" (Do you get stock quickly?)
- "Do you offer payment terms, or is it upfront?" (Crucial for cash flow.)
- "Do you provide any marketing support?" (Hang tags, POS, social content, helps you sell their products.)
You don't have to ask all six. But these are the important ones. Write their answers down.
How to Take Notes Without Being Weird
Just... take notes. Seriously. Every professional buyer at Spring Fair is taking notes. Write on your notebook. Take photos of products with your phone (many exhibitors expect this). Grab their business card. Jot notes on the back. This is 100% normal.
When you leave, you'll have:
- Business card + your notes on the back
- Photos of products on your phone
- Product name in your notebook
This is how you remember them. This is how you make decisions later.
The Networking Bit: Why Other Indie Retailers Matter
The Café Isn't Just for Coffee
Spring Fair has café areas. These are intentionally designed for networking. You'll see other indie retailers there, people just like you, from other towns, facing the same challenges.
Strike up a conversation. "What are you stocking this spring?" "Have you been to that stand?" "What am I missing?" These conversations are goldmines. You'll learn what other successful indies are buying. You'll get recommendations. You'll feel less alone.
Expert Hub Panels: Free Wisdom
Throughout the show, expert talks take place across 5 main stages. These are free. Go to one. You'll get insider tips + hear from other retailers asking the same questions you have.
- Independent and Irreplaceable: Building Shops People Want to Support
- The Critical 90 Seconds: First Impressions That Convert
- The Growth Map: Scaling from One Shop to Seven
Common Worries, Answered
“What if I don’t know what to say to exhibitors?”
You don’t need a perfect pitch. A simple “Can you tell me more about this product?” or “Who is this best suited for?” is more than enough. Exhibitors are there to talk, it's literally their job.
"What if I can't find what I need?"
There are 1,500 suppliers across all categories. The chances Spring Fair doesn’t have what you need are low, but actually finding the stall may be a bit trickier. Our expert staff are everywhere, happy to guide you in the right direction.
"Can I bring my colleague?"
Yes. Absolutely. Bring a friend, your assistant, your business partner. Two minds are better than one. One person can talk to the supplier while the other takes notes. One person can ask negotiation questions while the other watches for red flags. Plus, you'll have someone to process all this with.
The Bottom Line
Spring Fair isn't scary once you know what to expect. You're not out of place. You're not too small. You're not unprepared . You're just a retailer buying stock for your shop, same as thousands of others.
Walk in confident. Follow your plan. Talk to suppliers. Take notes. Have a coffee. Chat with peers. Attend a workshop. Book an expert session. Leave with orders and relationships.
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
.jpg.png/fit-in/500x500/filters:no_upscale()){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
)
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
)
)
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}
){kind=logo}