This month we’re asking retailers: What has been the best trade show this year and why?

Carters

I would say the NBF Bed Show, because you have nearly all suppliers in one place, see what’s new and then bring it back to the showroom for your customers.

Linthorpe Beds

Our favourite trade show this year has definitely been the NBF. It’s perfectly aligned with our core market and showcases the very best in mattresses and bedroom furniture. With so many leading manufacturers under one roof, it gave us the opportunity to see the latest innovations, compare ranges, and gather fresh ideas for our stores. Beyond the products, it’s also a great chance to reconnect with our reps and industry peers — building relationships, sharing insights, and celebrating the continued progress within the bed industry.

Millie & Jones

As this was our first year of trading, we haven’t attended any trade shows yet. However, we do plan to go to the January Furniture Show in Birmingham, which we’ve heard is the largest and most comprehensive event in the UK for our sector. It really stands out because it brings together such a wide range of suppliers, from established furniture brands to up and coming designers, all under one roof. For us, it’ll be a great opportunity to connect with key partners, see new product trends in person, and hopefully form some valuable long-term relationships.

Home World – Mattress & Bed Centres

For us the best trade show was the NFB bed show, we are a bed specialist so it fits very well for us. I picked up two new suppliers, suppliers we knew but have never opened an account with until now. I’d say a close second it the January NEC because they have more “volume bed manufacturers” there. These two shows for us are where we get the most value.

The Good Sleep Company

I’ve only attended two this year; JFS and Northpoint. I’d say North Point was the best for me as I was able to see everyone I needed to in a well laid out environment that is very easy to get to for Scottish retailers. JFS was also good, however and I was able to pick up some great products there as well.

Dreamland Bedding Centre

Each trade show this year has brought its own distinctive value to the industry calendar. The January furniture show really fostered a genuine sense of camaraderie, uniting suppliers and retailers. Everyone seems to have shared a commitment to advancing the sector. The AIS show, meanwhile, serves as an ideal mid-year touchpoint between the NBFs shows, a chance to reconnect, explore upcoming developments, and, of course, enjoy what is consistently the best food of any show. That said, the NBF Show truly distinguished itself this year. With all our suppliers now proud NBF members, it was inspiring to see the industry represented so cohesively under one roof. We placed orders for over 40 new products during the show, a testament to both the strength of the offering and the show’s relevance to our business. The gala evening was exceptional, the best I have attended, and the bed-focused nature of the event makes it perfectly aligned with our core specialism.

Glasswells

There are two shows which in my mind are very important. The main NEC furniture show. This showcases many suppliers from around the world and brings together some of the best British suppliers. And the second has to be the AIS show as we are members. We appreciate the support given by the buying and sourcing group offering new initiatives which benefit its members.

Mattressman

This year, the NBF Bed Show stands out as the best trade show. It’s incredibly informative, not just for seeing the latest trends and innovations from bed manufacturers, but also for exploring the component companies behind the products. Attending provides a comprehensive view of the market, making it invaluable for anyone in the industry. For Mattressman, this insight is particularly useful in helping us understand the full supply chain, discover new innovations, and ensure we continue offering our customers the best quality and value in mattresses and accessories.