Exhibitors at Birmingham-based Moda reported a strong, active opening two days.

It is now a part of the larger Spring Fair and Autumn Fair home goods and lifestyle trade shows, a hybrid format that debuted in September 2021.

“We are looking to take on some new brands and are looking for something new to add to our boutique. We’ve seen fantastic styles and colours, and the show has a good brand mix.

“We are happy with the brand selection at the show and it’s good to have everything under one roof, from homeware and handbags to handbags and fashion,” said Sanjay Mishra, business lead of Dubai-based department store Dollar Plus.

Moda, which takes place twice a year in February and September, features carefully chosen womenswear, accessories, and footwear from both well-known companies and up-and-coming designers. In addition to the Manchester-based label Saloos and the Danish womenswear brand Tia, the event this year is home to more than 90 exhibitors of womenswear and footwear.

Brands and buyers informed Drapers that orders are being written and that the show has grown (within the space it shares with Spring and Autumn Fair).

Beverley Barr, the owner of online womenswear retail chain Front Row, stated “: “It’s the best edition so far. It’s a lot bigger [than previous years] and has been laid out well.”

Brands also noted that as consumers tighten their budgets in response to the cost of living crisis, they are looking for more affordable price points than in previous seasons.

Peony, a brand of scarves and accessories with headquarters in Hertfordshire, said: “Sunday, February 5, was a great day, and we saw a lot of people. With how things has gone thus far, we are more than satisfied. This time, the show is substantially larger.

“[buyers] tend to stay two or three days so they look around more the first day and maybe come and buy the second day. They are still willing to try new things and to open new accounts but they are more savvy when it comes to price points.”

It was quiet yesterday, but footfall is picking up today, according to Odile de Candia, international sales director for UBU Clothing, a brand of raincoats and jackets with headquarters in the US.  ” We came from the US hoping to take on more stockists in the UK market but people are being very cautious about the upcoming seasons. They are looking for more value ranges.”

Although shoppers are increasingly more sensitive to price points, said Nicola Meadows, portfolio director at Spring and Autumn Fair, people are still purchasing despite their anxiety about the coming year.

“Moda is a big show and growing year on year, especially in the jewellery and watches categories,” she added, “There was a really nice buzz atmosphere yesterday and lots of businesses told us that they are confident and had a good January.”

“People are nervous about the retail market so it’s good to see lots of independents showing up and placing orders. Buyers are more sensitive to price points but it’s nothing drastic.”

She claimed that since Moda was joined with the bigger Spring Fair, the fashion accessory firms have profited the most as they are exposed to more lifestyle customers, but the exhibition still has a core fashion audience.

“We’re also constantly exploring what else we can do to grow and diversify, for example, adding more lingerie and menswear brands. It’s about giving people the opportunity if they want to come to our show,” she continued.

The next Moda will take place from September 4–7 as part of the Autumn Fair.