Spring Fair 2026 has announced the return of Pitch Live in partnership with co.lective, its high-energy live pitch competition designed for founder-led, retail-ready exhibitors.

Taking place during the show (1–4 February 2026 at the NEC, Birmingham), Pitch Live offers a curated platform where up-and-coming makers and entrepreneurs present their products, ideas and business visions directly to experienced industry judges including Claire Smith, Buyer at Voisins Department Store; Judy Bendall, Head of Retail at Blenheim Palace; Rosie Troman, Senior Buyer at Nobody’s Child; Joanne Barker, Owner at Hettie & Sid; and Deborah Jakobsen, Founder and Managing Director, Roo & Little Boo.

Taking place on The Merchant’s Corner stage in Hall 3 across the first three days of the show, the sessions are:

• Gift Product Pitch: Sunday 1 February at 15:00
• Fashion Product Pitch: Monday 2 February at 15:00
• Kids Product Pitch: Tuesday 3 February at 15:00

This year, three winners across Gift, Kids, and Fashion categories, will receive a business boosting prize pack worth £8,000 including:

• A 3-day pop-up with co.lective at Westfield London, White City or another premium co.lective location launching in 2026
• Two 1-hour PR and brand strategy consultations with Sharon Good, CEO of Good Results PR
• A 3 m² contribution toward their Spring Fair 2027 stand

Built for ambition, Pitch Live champions entrepreneurial creativity, offering visibility and real business opportunities to small but innovative businesses. It embodies Spring Fair’s commitment to discover fresh talent, nurture independent retail, and support growth in a dynamic retail market.

Ami Rabheru, Founder, Retail Huddle & co.lective says, “Working with incredible founder-led brands every day through Retail Huddle, I see firsthand how challenging it has become to secure shelf space, stand out, and truly cut through the noise. So, we set out to build a new kind of shelf, right in the heart of Westfield London. co.lective is a retail pop-up destination designed to bridge the gap from URL to IRL for emerging brands. The platform allows brands to showcase their products, meet their audience, and test big retail in short, powerful sprints at high-traffic locations. We’re excited to be collaborating with Spring Fair on Pitch Live, which shares the vision of opening doors and creating bold new pathways for emerging brands to be seen, supported, and celebrated.”

What to Expect: Pitch Live 2026

• Live Pitch Sessions: Selected brands take the stage to pitch their concepts, products and plans, showcasing what makes them stand out.
• Feedback Potential: A panel of retail leaders, buyers and industry experts delivers practical, real-time feedback designed to strengthen their retail strategy.
• Spotlight & Exposure: Participants gain exposure to a wide network of retailers, buyers, and media attending Spring Fair, with the chance to secure orders or strategic deals on the spot.
• Talent Discovery: For established retailers and buyers, Pitch Live offers a curated shortlist of new, trend-led brands, ideal for sourcing fresh collections and tapping into evolving consumer tastes.

Jackson Szabo, Portfolio Director, Spring Fair says, “In a climate where independence, creativity and agility are more crucial than ever, Pitch Live offers a direct route to growth. It breaks down barriers for smaller brands and helps buyers discover fresh potential beyond established names. For the trade as a whole, this means the constant renewal of product ranges, diversification, and forward-thinking merchandising. As Spring Fair reshapes itself to become more than a marketplace, evolving into a hub of inspiration, innovation and partnership, Pitch Live captures the spirit of invention and opportunity. It offers a platform where the next breakout brand can meet the buyer who champions them, where new ideas become commercially viable collections, and where retail innovation truly earns its spotlight.”

Last year’s Pitch Live winner discovered first-hand how valuable the experience was for their businesses. Nici Robinson, founder of Blue Bear & Co, “Pitch Live gave us real confidence, strong exposure and genuine interest from buyers. Winning was a huge boost and has already helped drive sales and new conversations.”

Sophie Eckley, founder of Nudie, “Pitch Live pushed me out of my comfort zone, but winning was incredible. Buyers came straight to the stand and the PR support is already helping me take the business forward.”

Terence Chung from FRUU Cosmetics, “Pitch Live was a brilliant launch pad. It helped validate our concept, sharpen our story and connect us with the right retailers. Winning confirmed there’s real demand for what we’re building.”

Deadline for entries is Tuesday 13th January 2026. Visit the Pitch Live page at www.springfair.com/pitch-live  for details on entry, judging criteria and how to secure a place in the next round.

About co.lective

co.lective is a curated retail pop-up destination that showcases emerging, retail-ready brands in high-footfall locations. It gives next-gen brands a practical route into physical retail, helping them meet their audience, test products and build confidence before scaling further. This is retail done differently: conscious, collaborative and community-first.

About Retail Huddle

Retail Huddle is a consultancy and business support platform dedicated to empowering founder-led product brands in the retail and wholesale landscape. Founded by former retail buyer Ami Rabheru, it combines industry expertise with practical support through mentoring, workshops, masterclasses and community events. It’s where creativity meets retail strategy.

Spring Fair 2026 runs from 1–4 February at the NEC Birmingham.

Register free now at www.springfair.com and explore the full programme.