Upbeat Spring Fair and Moda fuel positive mood in the fashion and homeware industry. High street fashion en route to recovery according to BDO Sales Tracker report

Optimistic colours, eco-friendly products and positive vibes at the wholesale marketplace for homeware, gifts and fashion Spring Fair, which ran from 6 – 9 February at the NEC Birmingham, welcomed thousands of retail buyers and independent store retailers.  

The upbeat mood signaled a welcomed return to physical events in the UK and the significance of face to face meetings and networking opportunities so dearly missed over the last two years due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

Spread across eight halls, the show also incorporated the Moda fashion trade show where a line-up of brands encompassing womenswear, jewellery, watch and accessories, footwear and lifestyle products were showcased to the trade.

Daily catwalk presentations highlighted the key directions for the Autumn/Winter 2022 season, showcasing curated looks under the headings of Childhood Dreams, for playful ensembles; Off The Grid, for the urban traveller look; Liquid Metal, for 70s-inspiration, along with new collections presented by Jayley, Saloos and One Hundred Stars.

Also featured at this edition was The Good Retail Awards 2022 launching with the Power of One Award won by plastic-free beauty and skincare company Whitfords for its sustainable, multi-purpose packaging.  The award aims to recognise businesses that has made one small change for an impactful results. 

Meanwhile in the same week, the latest figures released by the BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker revealed that total fashion sales in the UK jumped by 61.5% in the week to 6 February 2022, compared with the same period in 2021.

Total like-for-like sales increased by 44.04% from a base of -7.52% for the same week last year. 

In-store like-for-like fashion sales were up 6,707% on the equivalent week in 2021, when the UK was in lockdown and retail stores were closed in Lockdown for the third time.

The BDO High Street Sales Tracker covers online and in-store sales in the UK across fashion, homeware and lifestyle.

Photos © Lucia Carpio 2022 at Spring Fair/Moda - NEC Birmingham