FAQs

Spring Fair

What is Spring Fair?

Spring Fair is the season’s number one wholesale home and gift trade event, welcoming more than 35,000 visitors through the doors of Birmingham NEC to trade with 1,400 exhibitors over the course of 4 days.

What is a tradeshow?

What is a tradeshow? 

At a tradeshow exhibitors offer their products at wholesale cost to visitors. This means that products are sold in bulk and at a lower price than the RRP. Visitors (retailers) are then able to sell those products in their stores directly to the customer.  In the case of Spring Fair, exhibitors are often companies that manufacture their own gift and home products and visitors often own or work at independent retail stores, multiples, department stores or online stores. 

 

Why go to a tradeshow? 

A tradeshow offers exhibitors the opportunity to display their products to a large audience over a short period of time, to take wholesale orders at the show, and to build industry contacts and leads for future sales. A tradeshow offers visitors the opportunity to meet their existing suppliers, discover new exhibitors and products and to place orders at the show or at a later date. 

What can I expect to see at the show?

Wholesale trading 

At Spring Fair there will be 1,400 exhibitor stands located through the NEC’s halls, they will be grouped together in their appropriate destinations. Each business owns a stand and will use this to display their products as they choose. Our 35,000 visitors enter the arenas and walk around to trade and do business with exhibitors whose products they like.

 

Keynote speeches and seminars 

Visitors can attend seminars from successful names in the industry. All seminars are free of charge and based on a first come first serve basis.  The only exception may be if we are running specific workshops, as these spaces are limited.  Once those wishing to attend have registered for the exhibition they will also be required to book a slot for their workshop of choice via the show website. 

What is the Everyday destination?

The Everyday destination is a destination for volume and bulk wholesale gift and home products. There are many categories of products in the Everyday destination including day-to-day household items, outdoor activity products, and baby care. 

Visitors and registration

Who can attend?

Spring Fair is a trade fair; therefore, it is not open to members of the general public. The show is specific to traders. 

You are eligible to attend if you have buying and purchasing responsibilities or control spend. Independent retail stores, multiples, department stores, online businesses, mail order companies, supermarkets, distributors, importers, wholesalers, multi-channel retailers or those looking to start a retail business (in the next 12 months) are all suitable visitors to Spring Fair.  

I'm a student, am I able to attend the show?

Students of Undergraduate level and above (individuals and groups) on relevant courses of study are welcome to attend the show, but will not be permitted to trade. Students will be asked to show an NUS Identity card or equivalent student identity. Please register via the normal registration process, ensuring to select yourself as a student.  

Can I bring children?

We advise that children under 16 do not attend the event as this is a trade only, and there are no crèche facilities available. If you are attending with a child, and they are under the age of 16 years, they will require a Child's wristband – these can only be picked up on site, from the registration desks in the main entrances. Anyone over the age of 16 will be required to register for the event via the normal process. 

Is the show free to attend?

Entry is free to all trade visitors (or those looking to open a new business in the next 12 months).

Can I register on arrival at the show?

Yes, you may register on arrival to the show. However, for a better experience we recommend registering in advance. As a pre-registered visitor you could enjoy fast entry and other visitor perks. 

When will I receive my entry badge?

You can print a copy of your badge as it is attached to your badge email (this will be sent to you a week prior to the show). If you are unable to print your ticket, don’t worry – just show us your confirmation email at the registration desk on arrival to the show. 

Can I edit my registration details?

If you wish to edit or update your details, please use the registration form to complete a new registration form.

NB: You may change the details on your badge at the exhibition venue. Simply walk to the registration desks and request the change on your badge.

Is my show registration date specific?

Registration for the show is non-date specific. Once you have registered and have printed your ticket you are able to attend the show on any of the show open days and as many times as you wish. 

Where does my visitor ticket allow me access to?

Your ticket allows you access to the whole show unless stated otherwise. For example, if your badge states ‘Press’ you will also have access to the show Press Lounge.

What if I have forgotten my ticket when I arrive at the show?

Please go to the registration desks and they will print your ticket for you. Please have a form of ID with you as you may be asked for proof of company name as the show is only open to trade visitors. ID can be in the form of a business card.

Venue information, travel and accommodation

Where does the trade show take place?

NEC Birmingham 
Birmingham 
B40 1NT 

www.thenec.co.uk 

What date/time does the show open?

2-5 February 2025  

The NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT 

Sun 2 Feb - 9:00 - 18:00 
Mon 3 Feb - 9:00 - 18:00 
Tues 4 Feb - 9:00 - 18:00 
Wed 5 Feb - 9:00 - 16:00 

How do I get there?

To find out more about how to get to the Spring Fair, please see our dedicated  travel page here.

Will the train strikes affect my journey? 

There are national train strikes expected from January 30th until February 5th which may affect certain routes. Take a look at the NEC's latest updates to see which routes are affected, alternatively you can explore other easy ways to travel to the NEC Birmingham. 

Where do I park?

Parking is available in the NEC car parks, with regular shuttle buses to take you from these car parks to the halls. Standard parking is not pre-bookable, but will be free of charge for all visitors to Spring Fair, you will just need to follow the signs when you arrive.

Where can I stay?

To find out more about where to stay during your visit to Spring Fair, please see our dedicated  accommodation page here.

Is there Wi-Fi at the venue?

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the NEC. To connect, select ‘NEC Free Wifi’, and fill in the information form on your browser page.

Where can I eat / drink?

Cafés, bars and restaurants serving light snacks, meals and refreshments can be found within the halls. There are also a number of outlets outside of the halls, offering anything from a quick drink to a more substantial meal. For more information, click here.

Is there a cloakroom?

Cloakrooms are situated by the hall entrances.  

Opening hours 

  • 08:30 - 18:00

  • Except Wednesday 5th February, when they will close at 16:00hrs.

There will be a charge of £2 per coat or umbrella and £3 per bag or luggage item. Payment is by card and items are left at your own risk.

Is there an ATM?

ATMs are located within the Piazza and Atrium however you will incur a usage fee. There are free ATMs located at the Birmingham International train station and within Resorts World

Are there accessible facilities at the venue?

Yes. To find out more details about the NEC’s accessible facilities click here.

At the event

How do I find my way around the show once I have arrived?

On arrival to the show, show guides with floor plans will be available to collect at the entrance. There will also be large floor plans at hall entrances. We will aim to have a destination floor plan available via the show website, near to the time of show open.

How many exhibitors can I expect to see?

The number of exhibitors you can see in a day depends entirely on your show objectives. For example, you may see only 4 exhibitors in a day and spend at least an hour on each stand speaking with the business owners and placing an order for your retail store. On the other hand, if you are attending to browse product and be inspired you may spend less time at each stand and cover dozens of exhibitors in a day.

Are seminars free to attend?

Yes, seminars are free to attend.

NB: Please note that as well as seminars, there will be workshops running. Some workshops will require additional registration/booking due to limited spaces being available. These workshops will be advertised as requiring additional registration on the show website. 

Are seminars ticketed?

No, our seminars are run on a first come, first served basis. All we advise is that visitors arrive at the seminars in plenty of time to avoid any disappointment.

International information

I require an invitation letter to assist with my visa application. How do I apply?

Unfortunately, we cannot issue personal/individual letters of invitation for visa purposes. Once you have registered via the show website you will receive a confirmation email which may be sufficient for visa application.

Pure London Transition to Spring Fair

Why has the Pure London event been discontinued?

Pure London has been a fantastic platform for the fashion industry, but we're always looking for ways to better serve our exhibitors, visitors, and partners. After careful consideration, we made the strategic decision to consolidate Pure London with Spring Fair to create a more comprehensive, high-value event experience for the entire retail industry that caters to the UK and not just the London market. Unfortunately, a broad and commercial Fashion show isn’t viable in the London but we believe that by moving Pure to Spring Fair, we can deliver a stronger, more compelling Fashion show at the price points that Pure exhibitors expect.

What is the Spring Fair, and how does it differ from Pure London?

Spring Fair is the UK’s most vibrant and diverse retail trade show in the UK that will be celebrating its 75 years in February. It showcases the widest range of products in the UK across multiple sectors, including fashion, accessories, home, and lifestyle. By moving the Pure London experience to Spring Fair, we aim to create a broader, more impactful show that allows retailers and boutiques to discover a greater variety of products and categories in one place. We know that boutiques and retailers alike are diversifying their offerings and so by aligning Pure to other sectors like Beauty & Wellbeing, Greetings and Gift, we are creating a more comprehensive show that matches the needs of the buyers.

When and where will Spring Fair take place?

Spring Fair is held at the NEC Birmingham from 2-5 February. This venue offers the scale and facilities required to create an expansive and engaging environment, making it easier for retailers and brands to connect and do business.

What fashion-focused offerings can I expect at Spring Fair?

Spring Fair already homes Moda – a dedicated fashion sector, featuring curated selections of apparel, accessories, and footwear from leading brands and designers. Our goal is to ensure that the spirit and essence of Pure London are well-represented within the Spring Fair fashion section alongside Moda.

Will the Pure London brand still be present in any way at Spring Fair?

Yes, we are committed to maintaining the essence of Pure London within Spring Fair. By bringing together Pure and Moda at Spring Fair, we will reflect the high standards and unique identity that Pure London exhibitors and attendees have come to expect alongside the scale of brands and visitors that Moda offers.

What benefits does this transition offer to exhibitors and attendees?

By combining the shows, exhibitors gain access to a larger audience spanning various retail sectors. We will be bringing together the two audiences with an overall strong proposition. Attendees can explore a wider range of products across categories, discover new business opportunities, and experience a one-stop-shop for retail trends, insights, and networking. Spring Fair will home a dedicated Cat-Walk across the 4 days as well as a Fashion dedicated Café, workshops, masterclasses, networking receptions and trails. Pure has long been known for its unrivalled curation of international brands with over 60% of exhibitors coming from oversees. This transition ensures that Spring Fair is able to showcase and grow the international participation of Fashion brands.

Can I get a refund if I don’t want to participate in Spring Fair?

If you do not wish to transition your Pure London participation to Spring Fair, we understand and are here to support you. We can discuss your options, including potential refunds or alternative arrangements.

Can I move my participation to the Scoop event instead?

We can offer you the opportunity to apply to Scoop, if you feel that the Scoop event aligns better with your brand’s objectives, we’d be happy to explore this option with you. Scoop offers a unique, boutique-style environment that might be a good fit, especially for premium fashion brands. Scoop’s price points are different so if you were successful with your application, we would re-issue you a contract aligned to Scoop’s pricing model.

Why has this decision been made now?

The decision was made after evaluating how best to serve our exhibitors and attendees in an evolving market landscape. By integrating Pure London with Spring Fair, we can provide a more comprehensive, industry-leading event that caters to the broader retail ecosystem. Timing the change for this season allows us to set up for a smoother transition and give our community sufficient time to adjust and plan.

What type of buyers does Spring Fair attract?

Spring Fair attracts a diverse audience of buyers across the retail spectrum. This includes independent boutiques, department stores, e-commerce retailers, and more, spanning sectors such as fashion, accessories, home, lifestyle, and giftware. Attendees come from various retail backgrounds, offering exhibitors a wider range of networking and business opportunities with potential buyers who are actively looking to expand their product offerings. Spring Fair caters to the entire country, and as it is less than 90 mins by train from the capital, it attracts over 5,000 retailers from London.

What if I am already exhibiting at Spring Fair?

If you're already exhibiting at Spring Fair, this integration with Pure London is an added advantage for you! You’ll benefit from increased traffic, as we expect many fashion-focused retailers and buyers from Pure London’s community to attend. This expanded audience means more opportunities to network, engage with new buyers, and showcase your products to a broader and more diverse market. We can discuss any adjustments or enhancements to your participation to make the most of this transition including added space at Spring Fair or a refund for your Pure participation.

Why is this a good thing for Spring Fair exhibitors?

This integration is a significant advantage for Spring Fair exhibitors. By bringing in Pure London’s fashion-focused community, Spring Fair will attract more buyers specifically interested in fashion and accessories, boosting footfall in these areas. The expanded visitor base provides exhibitors with access to more retail sectors under one roof, increasing the chances of connecting with buyers across multiple industries. Additionally, the combination of both events fosters a more dynamic, high-energy environment that enhances networking, partnerships, and business opportunities for all exhibitors.

Register for the 2025 show today!

If you haven't already done so, get involved in Spring Fair this year by registering as a visitor or by applying to exhibit.

Register For Free BOOK YOUR STAND

OUR PARTNERS