Bread & Butter failed to return exhibitors' deposits

Many brands due to exhibit at the bankrupt Bread & Butter fashion fair in Berlin are yet to receive their deposits reimbursed.

According to Drapers online, brands that paid deposits for the cancelled autumn 15 edition of Bread & Butter have are still owed “thousands of pounds” following the trade show’s fall into administration in December.

Exhibitors are generally required to pay a 50 percent deposit upon securing their space at a show, which most brands would have done in November or early December.

On January 22 the show's administrators announced the show would move to a new location for its next season in July, where its exhibition prices will be lower per square meter.

For most brands, not having their deposits timely refunded will highly affect their cash-flow at a costly time in the season. The production and sales calendar collide with many companies having to pay their factories and deliveries at the same time as their sales are underway. Brands can easily be charged in excess of 2000 pounds per rail at similar fairs, with paying deposits in excess of 10,000 pounds.

One brand’s marketing manager told Drapers she would have to wait until March to find out if it will be refunded: “We’ve been left hanging. We are owed thousands of pounds; the deposit is 50 percent of the stall amount. Everything is in the hands of the receivers, so we will have to wait and see.”