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At Spring & Autumn Fair we understand how crucial it is for independent retailers to source high-quality brands and products all year round. And our partnership with Faire, the world's largest global wholesale marketplace, only echoes that further. Faire empowers retailers to discover exciting new brands, manage orders effortlessly, and access products anytime, anywhere. Together, we're helping independent retailers trade smarter, combining the convenience of online wholesale with the inspiration of in-person experiences.
And for indie boutiques like Lazy Lobster, a charming Norwich-based gift and homeware shop, trade shows have become an essential part of their buying calendar. But as their team discovered, it's not just about filling trolleys and placing orders on the day, it's about creating a strategic approach that blends face-to-face discovery with year-round flexibility.
Watch their day below, and for a full rundown of their experience, read on!
Making Every Minute Count
When Lazy Lobster first attended Autumn Fair, the experience was exhilarating but somewhat overwhelming. "We weren't quite sure what we were doing," the team recalls. This time around, armed with a game plan and better understanding of how to navigate the show, they approached things differently.
The key learning? Prioritise your time and make the most of every aisle. "We learnt that it's worth walking the aisles twice so you don't miss any hidden gems," explains the Lazy Lobster team. It's a simple tip, but one that transformed their show experience from scattered browsing into purposeful sourcing.
Beyond the initial product hunt, the team made time to reconnect with existing suppliers, a crucial part of maintaining strong relationships in the independent retail space. These conversations revealed valuable insights, from storage solutions (always a challenge for smaller shops with limited space) to upcoming product launches and exclusive lines.
The Power of Connection
What truly resonated with the Lazy Lobster team was the opportunity to speak directly with the people behind the brands. "Being able to pick things up, seeing the quality and chat with the people behind the brands is essential to our buying," they note. And that’s true, there's something irreplaceable about that human connection, understanding a brand's ethos, asking questions about production, and building genuine relationships with suppliers at trade shows.
Autumn Fair recognised this need too. The dedicated Buyers Retreat provided a peaceful space where retailers could regroup, enjoy a coffee, and review their purchases and budgets in a quieter environment. After the buzz of the show floor, this sanctuary proved invaluable for making considered decisions rather than impulsive ones.
Blending In-Person and Online: The Future of Indie Sourcing
Here's where the strategy gets really smart. Whilst Lazy Lobster did place a couple of orders during Autumn Fair, they recognised the real power of the experience: the ability to see products in person, assess quality, and meet suppliers and then take that knowledge home.
"It was nice knowing we could go home, think about it properly and then reorder on Faire really easily," the team explains. This approach removes the pressure to commit immediately and allows retailers to make informed decisions based on budget, space, and strategic planning.
The integration between Spring Fair and Faire means that brands discovered on the show floor can be easily reordered throughout the year. Need to top up stock in February? Facing a sudden gap in your spring range? Faire makes it effortless, without waiting for the next trade show season. For independent retailers juggling tight budgets and limited storage, this flexibility is transformative.
More Than Product Sourcing
Trade shows offer far more than product discovery. They're learning opportunities. They're spaces to network with industry professionals and pick their brains about real challenges, whether that's maximising tiny storage spaces or streamlining your buying process.
They're also confidence builders. When Lazy Lobster returned to Autumn Fair with a better game plan, they felt more in control, more strategic, and more excited about the possibilities.
The Indie Advantage
For independent retailers, the combination of in-person trade shows and year-round online wholesale access through Faire represents a genuine competitive advantage. It allows smaller businesses to discover emerging brands and exclusive products, build relationships with suppliers, and maintain consistent stock throughout the year, all without the overhead costs of larger retail operations.
Lazy Lobster's approach, attending trade shows to discover, connect, and learn, then leveraging Faire to maintain those relationships and manage orders seamlessly offers a blueprint for indie retailers everywhere.
As the team concluded after their Autumn Fair experience: the trade show itself? Top notch. The learnings? Even better. And knowing they can continue that journey on Faire? That's what makes trading smarter genuinely achievable for independent shops.
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