Spring Fair 2026 continued to set the agenda for modern retail on day two, delivering powerful insight, lived experience and future-facing thinking through the themes of Leadership & Legacy and Commerce & Community. As the industry navigates ongoing transformation, the day reinforced Spring Fair’s evolution into an experience-led platform where retailers don’t just source product, but gain the knowledge, confidence and connections needed to lead through change.

Under Leadership & Legacy, the programme explored what it takes to build resilient, culturally intelligent businesses in an era of uncertainty. A standout session came from Liberty, as Alice Molyneaux, Head of Licensing and Brand Partnerships, shared how the iconic brand transforms 150 years of heritage into contemporary commercial opportunity. Speaking in the Licensing Lab, Molyneaux demonstrated how design-led licensing, from archive-inspired artwork to cross-category collaborations such as adidas Originals x Liberty London, strengthens loyalty, unlocks new audiences and delivers long-term value for retail partners. “Heritage only has power if you know how to evolve it,” she noted, highlighting how thoughtful collaboration turns legacy into relevance. She added, “At Liberty, our archive isn’t something we preserve behind glass, it’s a working tool that allows us to create new relevance, new partnerships and long-term commercial value. By treating our heritage as a living resource, we’re able to build partnerships that feel authentic, commercially strong and relevant to modern consumers.”

The focus on leadership was amplified in a packed POWER TALK with Theo Paphitis at The Hidden Forum, who delivered a candid and energising session on resilience, realism and growth. Drawing on his experience across Ryman, Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue and London Graphic Centre, Paphitis addressed the realities of running businesses under pressure, the shifting balance between old and new retail models, and the enduring importance of entrepreneurial thinking. His message resonated strongly with independent retailers and emerging brands alike: leadership today demands adaptability, emotional intelligence and the courage to think differently. He said, “We are in this mad, fast, changing world. Don’t think even if you’ve been in business for a long time, that it’ll carry on forever, because it won’t unless you change your business with it. Look at how many well-known names that we’re losing from the high street – just this year alone, because those businesses have lost their reason to exist. Keep challenging yourself. Just because it was right 3-4-5 years ago, is it right this year or next year? The answer might be yes, but it might actually be, we’re seeing a deterioration. Do we need to start changing and repositioning our business? And this doesn’t happen overnight; it requires time and planning. You need to start before it needs to happen, that’s very important. Do your homework. Make sure you absorb as much knowledge as possible about your market, your business, your competitors. If you have this knowledge it’ll help to empower you to make the right decisions to grow your business.”

On the subject of AI and new technology, Paphitis advised small businesses to ignore it at their peril. “Something has happened in the last 12 months that’s for real and isn’t going away. It’s going to be even more imperative if you’re in business – AI. My first piece of advice, everyone here: it’s a rash statement but I think it’s true: you will not survive unless you keep up with the rate of technological change that’s going on at the moment. It’s by far the most accelerated in my working life, by this time next year it’ll be at least twice as strong. But as a small business, ignore it at your peril, because it can make such a difference to how you can be successful in your business. It’s like having on hand your own marketing executive, or your own accountant. Treat it as an advisor, don’t treat it as the oracle quite yet.”

The theme continued with practical insight in “The Growth Map: Scaling from One Shop to Seven”, where Richard Austin, Managing Director of Vinegar Hill and Michael Apter, Owner - Paper Tiger shared the realities of expansion, from instinct-led decision making to maintaining momentum without burnout. Meanwhile, at The Style Atelier, Gill McCulloch, Buying Director at Anthropologie Europe, sat down with fashion commentator Caryn Franklin MBE to unpack the buyer’s evolving role in Curating Relevance, exploring how cultural signals, data and intuition combine to shape compelling, commercially successful ranges across fashion, home and lifestyle. On customer experience McCulloch said, “Everything starts with the customer – who they are now and who they might become. We listen closely through focus groups and social media feedback, but nothing replaces seeing customers in-store: how they interact with the space, the product and each other. Our stores are designed to be heartwarming, multigenerational places for mothers and daughters, friends shopping together, and that sense of joy is unforgettable. People always remember the first time they walk into an Anthropologie store.”

Alongside leadership, Commerce & Community took centre stage on day two, celebrating the human side of retail and the power of physical spaces to connect, inspire and endure. In The Faire Forecast 2026, Charlotte Broadbent, International Marketing and Partnerships Director at Faire, offered buyers a forward-looking lens on the stories, styles and cultural shifts shaping demand in the year ahead. The trend presentation revealed that intentional self-expression shaped consumer behaviour in 2025 and beyond, with “fitting in” firmly out of fashion. Shoppers are making more considered purchases, gravitating towards products that tell personal stories.

Looking ahead to 2026, Faire’s consumer predictions point to a retail landscape driven by experience, personality and human connection. Live stream shopping is emerging as the new shop window, with independent retailers perfectly placed to lead through authenticity and expertise. Retailers are also being encouraged to think in seasons rather than moments, extend key calendar events, and engage all five senses in-store, recognising the powerful role of scent, texture and atmosphere in brand memory. Nostalgia, comfort and ‘little treats’ continue to resonate strongly with shoppers, while the rise of AI in product discovery makes the human touch more important than ever. Broadbent emphasised that Spring Fair provides the ideal moment for retailers to define their goals, understand their customer and translate trends into strategies that feel both relevant and achievable.

Talking on the practicalities of adopting the trends into retail and merchandising, she said, “Know your customer and put them at the heart of the decisions you make around trends. Starting the new year at Spring Fair is the perfect opportunity to set your strategy for the year ahead. Your goals for your business will help you filter out what is and isn’t right for you. Set your price architecture, review whether this year is about growth or consolidation, then build your merchandise and marketing plan. Be clear on your definition of success.”

This was followed by Invisible Influence, where Alison Battisby of Avocado Social revealed how shoppable and AI-enhanced content is quietly redefining discovery and purchase, giving retailers actionable strategies to harness social commerce without losing authenticity. Battisby said, “The intersection between social and commerce is now multi-channel. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and even WhatsApp is redefining how customers shop. Social commerce sales will approach ?12 billion in 2026, having almost quadrupled since 2023, with social shopping usage jumping 32% since 2022. 69% of UK consumers report making a purchase after discovering a product on social media.”

The GTN Greatest Christmas Awards, brought the garden retail community together to celebrate creativity, commitment and festive excellence. Presented by Trevor Pfeiffer, Editor of Garden Trade News, the ceremony highlighted how physical retail continues to thrive through experience, storytelling and emotional connection.

Fay Tranter, Event Director, Spring Fair said, “Day two has really underscored Spring Fair’s growing role as a trusted source of market-changing insight, a place where leadership is shared, communities are strengthened and retailers are equipped not just to survive, but to shape the future of the industry. I have had so many thought-provoking and inspiring conversations with our exhibitors and buyers over the last two days which have mirrored our outlook and confirmed our desire to create an experience-led space for retail to come together.”

Retailers in attendance included NEXT, F Hinds, Frasers Group, TJX, Dobbies Garden Centres, Age UK, Target Corporation, ALDI, Hot Topic, Otter Garden Centre, Merlin Entertainments, Scribbler, British Heart Foundation, Cardfactory,  Starbucks, The Perfume Shop, Dunelm, The National Trust, Habitat & Argos, DFS, Tesco, Peacocks, Currys, Blue Diamond, Clear Pharmacy, Cash Converters, Waterstones, RNLI, Hobbycraft, QD Commercial Group, British Garden Centres and thousands more.

Buyers and exhibitors continued to praise the show for its scale, depth of product, community and opportunities to learn and connect. Jilly Joe and Ed Aspie from Slate Clothing in the Cotswolds said “We came to Spring Fair specifically to look for additional lines to supplement our gift market, both for forward order and for in season buying. We were very pleasantly surprised once we mastered the scale of the show. We have picked up four or five really lovely lines while we've been here. On top of that, the value for us of these two days has been meeting other retailers, independent boutiques from all over the country, and having an absolutely ideal chance to network, share our experiences, both positive and less positive, and for that, we're very, very grateful. It's been, overall, a very valuable experience.”

Samantha Buck, Senior Buyer at Ragdale Hall, Leicestershire said, “Spring Fair is so important for us to attend to source new products for our retail outlets, and it's been fantastic as it covers all exhibitors from gift, interiors, fashion, jewellery and accessories. It is always lovely to connect and build upon existing relationships at the show, as well as network and find new suppliers, to help enhance our business. We always find something new and interesting at Spring Fair. It is a key trade show where we do the majority of our gift buying as well as our orders for Christmas.”

Claire Wright, owner of stripesfashion.co.uk said, “Trade shows are a great opportunity to see a wide range of diverse products in one place. They give us a chance to touch and feel the products, speak to suppliers and to be inspired by new trends. The presentations by industry experts are also incredibly useful, we watched Swipe,Sell,Scale; Winning on TikTok and visited the Faire stand to hear tips from Catherine Erdly, Retail Strategy Consultant. We have come to Spring Fair to source new home, gift and fashion brands and we found a new homeware brand and range of candles. It’s a good chance to see a diverse range of products in one place.”

Helen Allen, owner of Luvvit in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire said, “I have been coming to Spring Fair for 15 years, it’s nice to shop for lots of different products under one roof. I always find something new and have found some beautiful glassware; Oli Olsen and have bought some nice water carafe bottles for summer. We are launching a baby room in the store, so I am working my way around the show for that. As a small independent boutique with returning customers, I need to find newness and products on trend, and I have felt that there are lots of fashion accessories here and definitely more clothing here than last season.”

Encouraged by the mix of retailers and number of new accounts opened, Jeremy Minchin from Kids, Toys & Play exhibitor Hippychick said, “I’ve been really pleasantly surprised knowing the trading conditions currently, but I'm really upbeat and encouraged by the number of visitors and the positive approach to trading and the willingness to try new products. It’s been one of our most successful shows ever. We’ve been pleased to develop connections with a lot of new retailers, shops diversifying into new sectors, and our existing customers.”

Spring Fair re-opens tomorrow at 9am. Don’t miss a day of transformation, innovation, purpose and planet with:

• Jen Maude-Roxby, Head of Licensing and Business Development at Victoria and Albert Museum for Art, Design and Innovation - Highlights from the V&A’s Brand Licensing Programme at 12pm – 12:45pm, Licensing Lab.
• 1pm head to The Hidden Forum for a POWER TALK with Ray Clacher, Chief Executive, Morleys Department Stores, on Leading the Next Generation of Department Stores - Heritage, Place and Modern Relevance.
• 3pm join Jo Seddon, Design Manager of Dunelm, Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO from Products of Change on Design Without Permission: Rethinking Design at Scale at The Design Studio.

Register now at www.springfair.com.