Spring Fair will welcome Jeff Banks, Theo Paphitis, Andrew Xeni, and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen to the Inspiring Retail Stage to give their unique industry insights at its 75th anniversary show taking place from 2-5 February at the NEC Birmingham.
Veteran fashion designer Banks, retail entrepreneur and owner of lingerie retailer Boux Avenue, homewares specialist Robert Dyas and stationery chain Ryman, Paphitis, and flamboyant interior designer Llewelyn-Bowen, all already have a long history of attending Spring Fair, the UK-based retail trade show for home, gift and fashion, and collaborating with exhibitors.
First up for the Inspiring Retail Stage on Sunday 2 February will be Llewelyn-Bowen, whose design company is creating the new Licensing Lab networking lounge area with bespoke wallpaper and furnishing. He will give a talk on licensing, art and design.
Then, on Monday 3 February at 10:30, tech visionary, retail entrepreneur and owner of eco-conscious brand Nobody’s Child, Andrew Xeni, will take to the Inspiring Retail Stage to deliver key insights and give buyers the opportunity to pose questions on everything from scaling sustainability, licensing success and diversification to the future of digital product passports.
Additionally, Xeni will host a lunch and learning session at 12:00 at the Licensing Lab, followed at 14:00 by a keynote and Q&A session.
Jeff Banks also heads to the Inspiring Retail Stage on Monday at 12:15 for a Q&A session on his 60-plus years of history in licensing.
Banks said: “Spring Fair is still one of the biggest trade exhibitions in Great Britain and I have spent many a productive and inspiring day at the show over the years – it has been integral to the success of my designer collaborations with brands exhibiting there.”
Last but not least, Theo Paphitis, best known for his appearances on BBC’s Dragons’ Den and as former chairman of Millwall Football Club, will command the Inspiring Retail Stage on Tuesday 4 February at 14:15 for a talk on ‘Small Businesses, Big Impact: How Independent Retailers Compete with Giants’.
Paphitis has previously joined forces with Spring and Autumn Fair to support start-up businesses, and together they have worked with over 60 SMEs, playing a “vital” role in their future success.
Paphitis said: “This partnership goes from strength to strength. Over 60 SMEs and Small Business Sunday winners will have been able to showcase their businesses and find new routes for business growth through this gem of an opportunity, including in 2025.”
