Attire Accessories - Sep/Oct 2018 (Issue 72)

SHOW PREVIEW 61 Taking place over four days in September, this year’s Autumn Fair will be championing its role as the gateway to the Golden Quarter for 2018. Buyers will be able to stock up for the peak end-of-year sales period, discovering products with the power to help deliver profit across these crucial months. The event is as large as ever, and is expected to welcome 1,300 exhibitors and more than 24,000 visitors across 13 show sectors. Retailers will also have the chance to view standout products for key retail spikes in the first half of 2019, including Easter and Mother’s Day. The much talked-about Golden Quarter runs through October, November and December, as sales surge in the build up to the festive season. Research carried out by the Bank of England estimates that household spending rises by a substantial 25 per cent in the month of December. As such, this year’s show will provide visitors with the opportunity to buy products for this important selling period, as well as helping them to get ahead with new lines for next year. There will also be expert advice to help attendees capitalise on this important time, as well as understanding how to respond to changing customer expectations. In addition, there will be a full educational programme, covering topics such as experiential shopping, ecommerce and social media. “As well as being able to order product at Autumn Fair for the busiest retail period of the year, buyers will be able to check out upcoming trends, and get ahead of the competition by seeing 2019 product launches before anyone else,” says Louise Young, Managing Director at Spring & Autumn Fair. “The event is full of innovative ideas and products that will really sell and deliver profit. Buyers often tell us that it’s an important opportunity that sets them up to succeed.” MADE BY HAND The fair will also play host to Global Handicraft, a new showcase of artisanal products from across the globe. The segment will enable manufacturers to display bespoke goods across a range of disciplines including jewellery, fine ceramics, exotic textiles and unusual lighting, reflecting a growing interest in handmade goods within the home and gift market. There will also be live craft demonstrations and a programme of seminars showing retailers how to take advantage of this burgeoning trend. “Consumers have made it clear they want to connect with the products they buy and understand how they were created,” adds Louise. “Handicraft is a growing revenue stream across the industry, from independent gift shops to multi-store high street retailers.” More than 26,000 visitors are expected to attend Autumn Fair this September, ready to stock up for the busiest trading period of the year THE YOUNG ONES Show organiser, Ascential, will also be extending Autumn Fair’s children’s gifts, toys and gadgets showcase to include fashion, following the recent closure of Bubble London, the childrenswear trade show. “Childrenswear suppliers and retailers have faced challenging trading conditions of late, but the market is still forecast to grow significantly in coming years,” continues Louise. “Those companies that react to changing consumer expectations and deliver products that are on-trend will succeed in growing their market share. Whether it be for children or for teenagers, gifting children’s clothing and accessories is a key area of sell-through for retailers. Our view is that those that attend Autumn Fair will be in a much more favourable position to harness this opportunity.” AUTUMN FAIR 2 nd – 5 th September, 2018 NEC Birmingham autumnfair.com @springautfair Business guru Theo Paphitis will be hosting the #SBS Pavilion, a showcase dedicated to highlighting new products from ambitious start-ups and small businesses. The initiative will see companies that are part of Theo’s #SBS community compete to win one of 12 free exhibition spots at the fair. The #SBS initiative was created in 2010. Each week small businesses are invited to tweet Theo and secure his endorsement. Every Monday, six companies are chosen to become part of the 2,300-strong community, gaining extra publicity and the chance to attend a yearly conference. FUN THEO PAPHITIS BRINGS #SBS TO AUTUMN FAIR