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Spring Fair is putting a greater emphasis on its fashion destination for its next show at NEC Birmingham from 1-4 February 2026, with an expanded line-up of brands and “stronger storytelling”. Womenswear, accessories and gifting-led fashion will be represented by brands including Powder, Miss Sparrow, Suzie Blue, Lucy Kemp, Glen Appin of Scotland and Mandarina Socks from Spain, each offering versatile collections designed to perform across independent and multi-site retail environments – with an emphasis on accessible price points and repeat order potential. Jewellery will continue to play a central role within fashion at Spring Fair, with statement-led collections from Bill Skinner, Big Metal and Zsiska, alongside refined, giftable designs from Reeves & Reeves, Sea Gems and Lily Charmed. Fay Tranter, Event Director at Spring Fair, said: “Spring Fair Fashion continues to evolve as a destination, and this season really reflects the momentum we’re building. With over 300 brands now part of the fashion edit and womenswear significantly expanded, the sector feels more confident, more diverse and more relevant than ever. “What’s especially exciting is how the experience is changing. Alongside strong growth in both buyers and destination size, we’re introducing new ways for brands to be discovered and engaged with. Our new concept on The Style Atelier stage, ‘Live Fashion Campaign: The Shoot That Stops the Show’, moves away from the traditional runway format and instead brings live fashion campaigns to life. It’s more immersive, more playful, and puts individual brands and their stories at the centre of the experience. “Fashion at Spring Fair will feel noticeably more elevated this season, with fresher collections, richer content and more meaningful opportunities to connect. We’re creating space for meaningful conversation, learning and shared experience. “Our buyers can expect greater diversity, stronger storytelling and access to industry expertise, all within a platform that’s designed to support growth. This season is an important step forward, and it gives us a really strong foundation to continue building towards 2027.”

Retail software solution Lightspeed gathered industry leaders in New York City in January 2026 to examine how fragmented technology systems are becoming a competitive liability amid mounting operational pressures.

The brand’s new “always on” approach to its Cadillac Formula One partnership digs a bit deeper than a typical sports and fashion collaboration would.

On the eve of her final runway show after 38 years at Hermès, Nichanian sits down with Tim Blanks to discuss her life at the French luxury powerhouse, designing for men as a woman, the ‘magic’ the fashion industry has lost, her successor Grace Wales Bonner and what comes next.

Home, gift and fashion trade show Spring Fair, set to take place at the NEC Birmingham from 1-4 February 2026, will once again be hosting practical support and growth advice sessions for retailers and brands with two free programmes. The business-boosting opportunities include ‘1-2-1 Retail Mentoring Clinics’ in the Buyer’s Retreat, and the ‘Retail Huddle Live: Kick Start 2026’ event in The Merchant’s Corner area of show “to support smarter growth”. Here’s the details: Free 1-2-1 Retail Mentoring Clinics Monday 2 – Wednesday 4 February | Buyer’s Retreat, Hall 3 Back by popular demand, Stephen Spencer + Associates, the customer experience consultancy dedicated to driving business growth in the cultural and retail sectors, will be hosting 1-2-1 mentoring clinics offering confidential, personalised advice across every aspect of retail performance. From brand strategy and marketing to buying, merchandising, customer experience and commercial planning, each session is “matched to the retailer’s specific needs”, ensuring practical guidance that can be implemented immediately. Stephen Spencer, founder of Stephen Spencer + Associates, said: “We’re really excited to be bringing a brilliant team of retail experts to Spring Fair again in 2026. Their expertise includes brand and marketing, range building and product development, visual merchandising and sales, and eCommerce. “Our 1-2-1 Retail Mentoring Clinics are a great opportunity for retailers to talk to a friendly specialist, confidentially, about challenges including how to attract more customers or generate more sales.” As well as Stephen Spencer, the mentoring team includes: Samantha Gibbs – Independent retail insight from Nest’s director. Jane Le Bon – Visual merchandising and display expert. Catrina Hicks – Commercial retail planning and operations. Lauren Groves – Brand, marketing and project delivery. Carolyn Ehman – Strategic spaces and people-centred operations. Annika Jefferys – Creative retail design and VM specialist. Retailers can book a time slot in advance, share what they need help with, and are matched with the most relevant expert on the day. Retail Huddle Live: Kick Start 2026 Wednesday 4 February | 11am–2pm Taking place on the final day of the show, Retail Huddle Live: Kick Start 2026 is a high energy, expert-led event “designed to help retailers supercharge their 2026 strategy”, plan for profit and level up their retail game. Designed to deliver real, actionable insight, from 11am – 1pm, buyers can book dynamic Retail Power Sessions – short, focused appointments with some of the SME industry’s leading minds covering topics including: Scaling with retailers – with Ami Rabheru, retail strategist and founder of co.lective & Retail Huddle. Planning for profit – with Laura Harrison, retail consultant at LH Retail Development. Circularity – with Rachel Sheila-Kan, circular transformation specialist at Real Circularity Retail marketing that converts – with Louise Chandler, founder Soundbite Media. Experts will be available for clinic-style sessions, but slots are limited, so early booking is essential. Those without a booked slot are still welcome to drop in to: Contribute to the Challenge Wall – spark ideas, share challenges, and fuel meaningful retail conversations and network with your peers. Collect a Digital Swag Bag – packed with tools, checklists, and resources to kick-start retail strategy for 2026. Chat with the Retail Huddle team, join the conversation and meet the community shaping retail in 2026. The afternoon concludes with a Retail Huddle Networking Hour (1–2pm) – an informal, community-led session bringing together the expert community, fellow founders and independent retailers to continue conversations, share knowledge and build lasting connections. Ami Rabheru, retail strategist and founder of Retail Huddle, said: “Networking is the most powerful thing you can do for your business, it’s where light-bulb moments happen, collaborations are born, knowledge is shared and it can really help shape your next big move. “We are thrilled to be bringing Retail Huddle to Spring Fair to empower the retail community with practical, actionable insights across retail strategy, pitching to retailers, pricing and planning for profit and more. We can’t wait to help retailers and brands elevate their retail game!”

New partnerships with A$AP Rocky and celebrity stylist Erin Walsh signal the retailer’s ambitions to be known for more than selling less expensive versions of other brands’ products.

The model and actress will serve on the Los Angeles-based denim brand’s advisory board and contribute to brand strategy.

The former i-D editor in chief has been named chief creative officer of the Wonderland publisher, and will launch a new magazine and creative agency with entrepreneur Peter Jones.

Shoptalk launches its inaugural luxury retail event in the UAE capital, welcoming global and regional thought-leaders, executives and visionaries to the stage from January 27-29 at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental.