Autumn Fair, retail’s leading seasonal showcase for Home, Gift and Fashion, opens its doors this Sunday offering buyers the chance to capitalise on the year’s final purchasing opportunity, as it continues to put the spotlight on Britain’s independent retailers and help safeguard their future.
Autumn Fair is dedicated to delivering inspirational in-season goods at scale and buyers attending from 1st – 4th September at the NEC Birmingham will discover more than 800 exhibitors and be able to touch and feel over 500,000 products and new launches ready for immediate purchase – essential for independent retailers who need to avoid the risks and storage costs associated with large early-year orders. Autumn Fair enables them to stay agile and respond quickly to trends, as well as experience the products in person and shop from a huge range of exhibitors offering different minimum order sizes.
As the biggest gift show in the UK at this time of year, Autumn Fair inspires the best gifting experience with more than 300 suppliers in the Gift destination including Widdop & Co, Forever England, Kikkerland, Gift Republic, Powell Craft, House of Disaster, East of India, Selbrae House, Big Potato Games, Richard Langs, Joe Davies, Fountasia, and Sifcon.
Discover large-scale newness
With 38% of the show featuring new exhibitors and 30% exclusive, Autumn Fair offers retailers access to thousands of innovative products that cannot be found elsewhere. It is the only place to discover so much newness at this time of year. The exclusive selection allows retailers to strategically refresh their product lines mid-year, top-up on bestsellers, and ensure they stay ahead of emerging trends and shifting consumer demands.
The 4-day show is expected to attract over 12,000 purchase-ready buyers from retailers including Tesco, John Lewis, Next, WHSmith, Aldi, Dunelm, Waitrose, Costco, Fenwick, Amazon, ASOS, Boots, Sainsbury’s Argos, TJX, Hamleys, Blue Diamond, Starbucks, Ocado, Rockett St. George, River Island, Poundland, Elphicks, Cardzone, The Disney Store, DFS, The Very Group, TikTok, Under Armour, The Oxford Shirt Company, Vinterior, Waterstones, World Duty Free, ZSL, Voisins, Alligator Pear, Robert Dyas, Frasers Group, Cotswold Trading, Dansk, Antler & Rose, Belle & Mack, Black+Blum, Cowshed Interiors, Bladons, Dancing Leopard, Bloom and Brew, Bodenhams, Booths, Boyds Stores, British Museum, Caboose Homeware, Cancer Research, The Celtic Company, Chandlers, Chatsworth House, Dalmore Farm Shop, Diageo, Deyongs, Elphicks, Forbidden Planet, Graham & Green, Hollands of Cheltenham, Hoopers, Hopewells of Nottingham, Longleat, McElhinney’s, Melin Tregwynt, Morleys, N Brown, National Trust, Nest, Plümo, Rossiters of Bath, Royal Museums Greenwich, Ruby Hammer Ltd, Sue Parkinson, The Nest at No.9, as well as hundreds of garden centres.
Over 8,000 independent shop owners will attend making it the largest gathering of independents in the UK for this time of year.
A host of new buyer attractions, partnerships and exclusive offers launch at the show aimed at making their buying journey easier and more enjoyable. In the Buyers Lounge, book in for expert advice at the Ambience Clinic, get visual merchandising inspiration at the Merchandising Masterclasses, and join guided buyer tours of the Home & Gift destinations. Making product discovery easier than ever, discover refreshed product trails, dedicated lounges, the Gift Of The Year Showcase, and the New Business Pavilion.
Exclusive partnership with Faire
As Autumn Fair’s online marketplace of choice, Faire will help hundreds of exhibiting brands take orders on its platform from retailers attending the show and help retailers experience the power of Faire for online wholesale buying. This collaboration will bridge online and offline wholesale for the first time in the UK and simplify the buying process for 20,000 independent retailers.
New customers to Faire receive 50% off their first order and free shipping, up to £100 and 7 days after sign up and free shipping using the promo code ‘AUTUMNFAIR’ at checkout. This collaboration opens up a new audience of buyers and facilitates smoother, more cost-effective orders, empowering retailers to maximise their purchasing power at the show.
Autumn Fair will also offer buyers the first opportunity to see and learn more about Faire’s new order writing capabilities that make it easier than ever before to bridge online and offline selling. Jackson Szabo, Portfolio Director of Autumn Fair says, “It’s exciting to be part of the first formal partnership of this scale at Autumn Fair, which highlights all the positive developments and direction the show is taking. Working collaboratively, we look forward to exploring how we can influence buying habits, share insights, and showcase trends for our audience, elevating the experience to a new level. With over a third of exhibitors at Autumn Fair already selling through Faire, this partnership feels like a natural progression. We’re eager to see the opportunities this relationship will bring to both Autumn Fair and Faire.”
Transform Your Retail Experience at the Ambience Clinic Hosted by SS+A
This weekend, the Autumn Fair presents an exclusive opportunity for retailers and business owners to enhance their customer experience and drive revenue growth. Hosted by Stephen Spencer + Associates, the Ambience Clinic offers attendees a unique chance to meet with subject experts to explore key strategies for maximising return on investment through customer engagement. Enjoy a complimentary tea or coffee at the Buyers Lounge with one of their Associates and come away with three immediate actions to improve productivity and return investment in your organisation.
Topics covered include:
Understanding Customer Experience: Learn how customers perceive and interact with your brand and how to optimise these experiences.
Revitalising Retail Spaces: Discover the steps to refresh your retail environment, both in physical and digital spaces.
Effective Marketing Strategies: Gain insights into crafting impactful marketing campaigns that resonate with your target audience.
Monetising Assets: Identify hidden assets within your business and learn strategies to maximise their value.
Optimising Customer Flow: Understand how to direct customer movement to enhance their experience and increase sales.
Engaging Your Team: Learn how to motivate your team to deliver exceptional customer experiences consistently.
Experience Design through the Senses: Use sensory cues to create a memorable shopping experience that aligns with your brand.
Building Customer Loyalty: Develop strategies to convert casual customers into loyal brand ambassadors.
Sustainable Systematisation: Implement systems that not only boost ROI but also promote sustainability.
Stephen Spencer says, “We [Stephen Spencer + Associates] are passionate about the future of retail and offer a wide range of practical knowledge, tips and tools to help any business to be more successful. We’re thrilled to partner with Autumn Fair to offer these free advice clinics – our aim is that every visitor should go away with some specific actions they can take, to solve a problem or exploit an opportunity.”
Spaces at the Ambience Clinic are limited, and with high demand expected, advance booking is essential. Retailers are encouraged to reserve their session in advance to ensure they receive personalised, actionable advice from SS+A’s experts. Book your session on the day by visiting the Ambience Clinic in the Buyers Lounge in Hall 6.
The Summerhouse – Discover New Collections and Heritage Favourites
Renowned as the premier destination for discovering the finest and most exquisite high-end furnishings, style-led interior décor, accessories and gifts, The Summerhouse is a must-visit at Autumn Fair for an unparalleled journey through style, innovation, and design. With its keen eye on emerging trends, the sector offers a coveted and curated showcase of a diverse range of styles from Scandinavian and rustic chic to artisanal and quirky. Experience the future of homeware and gifts at The Summerhouse, where emerging trends and timeless elegance come together.
Visitors to The Summerhouse will see new collections from My Gifts Trade, One.World, Deluxe HomeArt, DMBrands, Blooms by Samuel Baker, Casa Verde, Terrace & Garden, The Otters Brook Collection, Sofia Toscano, House of Bhava, plus heritage favourites such as Hot Tomato, Bronte by Moon, Inis Energy of the Sea, and Edge Company. Chalk UK makes its debut in The Summerhouse, adding to the excitement and diversity of offerings.
New Business Pavilions – Championing the Next Generation
Discover emerging brands in the Home, Living, Décor, Gift, Greetings & Stationery, Beauty & Wellbeing, and Moda (Fashion) sectors. The New Business Pavilions are a must-visit for those looking to uncover the next generation of makers and creators. Discover everything from handcrafted cushions and candles to lampshades and wearable art from branks including Flourish Home Interiors, Skyn Bakery, Men Cave Candles, Grass & Air, Coalesce Wearable Art, Jen Winnet Art, and Meraki Notebooks.
Discover the Best Brands
With 10 sectors across Home, Gift and Fashion, Autumn Fair will also showcase the most sought-after new and returning brands including Widdop & Co, Lesser and Pavey, Tommy Franks, Trampoline, Hill Interiors, House of MV, Malini, Sifcon, Chic Antique, Kikkerland, Walton & Co, Quirky Barn, London Ornaments, Harper Bespoke, Nila Parmar Designs, Ultimate Products, East of India, Forever England, Quay Traders, Verma Enterprises, Alchemy England, Manley & Moosh, Price’s Patent Candles, Wacky Wax, House of Disaster, Bubblegum Stuff, Luxa, Selbrae House, Willsow, Keel Toys, Fountasia, DCUK, Ty UK, Bomb Cosmetics, Brainbox Candy, Twizler, Marina B, Rex London, Cardgains, The Art File, Emotional Rescue, Five Dollar Shake, Gift Republic, Gingko, Grupo Erik, University Games, House of Marbles, Lanka Kade, Ravensburger, Hippychick, Padgett Bros, Joe Davies, Richard Lang & Sons, Bigjigs Toys, Baby Republic, La La Land, Happy Scent Co, Hilltop Houseware, Essta, Joypots, Keynvor, Lighthome, Pikkii, Pretty Little Signs, Skynamo, Sprinkled with Magic, Sunshine Lane, Gin Etc, Temple of Incense, Akamuti, Kiki & Green, The Chocolate Gift Company, The Way to You, Urban Farm-It, Craft Your Own, The Spice Kitchen, Jess & Lou, Nova of London, MiraMira, D&X, Miss Shorthair, Amber Hall Jewellery, Berber Leather, Yumi, Luxtyle, Jewn, Big Metal, Saloos, Ashwood Leather, Lunar, Lighthouse Clothing, Jessica Graaf, and hundreds more.
Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director of Autumn Fair says “As the only major UK retail event in Q3 across Home, Gift and Fashion destinations, Autumn Fair offers a substantial pre-holiday season purchasing opportunity, crucial for retailers aiming to stay competitive without the burden and risk of large orders early in the year. Plus, our exclusive partnership with Faire uniquely bridges the gap between digital and physical commerce, providing unmatched benefits such as 50% off and free shipping for new customers. With many exciting new buyer attractions, combined with our traditional buyer perks such as free parking, subsidised cloakrooms, lounge access and complimentary tea and coffee, Autumn Fair stands alone as the only show in the UK prioritising significant savings for buyers. It’s the perfect opportunity for retailers to discover the most window-worthy new products, connect with industry peers, and prepare for the festive season.”