Suppliers and visitors have celebrated being back at Scotland’s Trade Fair at the SEC, Glasgow for the first time in more than two years.
Visitor attendance was down on previous years, primarily due to the high rate of Covid-19 infection in Scotland, the postponement of the show from January to March 27-29 and the clash with Mother’s Day.
But organisers said the mood at the show was upbeat with most exhibitors happy about the quality of the buyers and enjoying the chance to re-connect with fellow suppliers and see old and new customers in person.
Show director Mark Saunders said: “Despite numerous challenges we were delighted to be able to host Scotland’s Trade Fair once again. A lower attendance was expected but we were pleased that the buyers who attended were all ordering confidently for the year ahead even if the economic outlook remains challenging.”
VisitScotland senior retail manager Yvonne Carr said: “This show is so important for us to source and support Scottish producers and we have loved seeing so many new companies. The show is just not long enough for us to complete all our buying.”
The Best Product Awards were judged on the opening morning of the show by retail experts Linda Birkbeck from House of Bruar, Catherine McGurk from Glasgow Museums and Sarah Ward, chief executive of the Giftware Association.
The next show will be held 22-24 January 2023.
