Autumn Fair has unveiled the first details of its 2026 content programme, including the launch of its brand-new Counter Talks Stage, a dedicated platform designed to tackle the issues, trends and commercial realities shaping modern independent retail. Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 6–9 September 2026, Autumn Fair's new content offering has been built in response to the findings of the recently launched Voices of Retail 2026 report by Spring & Autumn Fair and Faire, which surveyed 650 independent retailers and more than 2,000 UK consumers to uncover what is really driving growth on Britain's high streets.
Posted: 30 June 2026
Birmingham will host a glittering, month-long festival in May 2027, celebrating over 250 years of jewellery making in the city, with exhibitions, activities and workshops featuring the work of world-class creatives plus the chance for visitors to make their own jewellery every day. The announcement marks one year since Birmingham was awarded World Craft City status, recognising its rich heritage, skilled artisans and innovation in jewellery and allied trades.
One year on since Birmingham was named as a World Craft City for Jewellery and Allied Trades by the World Crafts Council, organisers have announced that Birmingham Jewellery Biennial will take place across the Jewellery Quarter and wider city centre throughout May 2027.
Posted: 30 June 2026
Applications for the Nation's Favourite Businesses has opened as part of the upcoming celebrations of this year's Small Business Saturday UK, taking place on 5 December 2026. The Nation's Favourite Businesses (NFB), first introduced last year to spotlight the UK's vibrant small business community, will replace the long-running SmallBiz100, a celebration of Britain's most inspiring entrepreneurs as part of the official countdown to Small Business Saturday UK - a grassroots non-commercial campaign, originally founded by American Express in the U.S. in 2010, and the principal supporter in the UK.
Posted: 4 June 2026
More than 6,000 businesses have already signed up to support UK Small Business Week 2026 within days of its pre-launch campaign, with thousands more expected to join before the national movement officially begins next week.
The initiative, created by Nigel Botterill's Entrepreneurs Circle, is calling on Britain to get behind the small businesses keeping towns, high streets and local economies alive.
Running from June 1–7, UK Small Business Week aims to celebrate the real people behind Britain's independent businesses while encouraging consumers to actively support them.
"Small businesses are the people opening up early, staying late and taking risks every single day," said Botterill.
Posted: 28 May 2026
Britain's local retailers are powered by loyal regulars who generate them up to five times more annual revenue as they typically return to a business 11 times throughout the year, according to research from Square, the global technology company. For high street retailers specifically, the Square Local Economy Report reveals that UK consumers most often visit their local retailers and shops, over and above cafés, restaurants and beauty salons, with 70% shopping locally at least weekly. This is the highest rate across the four countries Square surveyed, compared to the US, Australia and Canada.
Posted: 28 May 2026
Registration is now officially open for Autumn Fair 2026, the UK's definitive buying destination for home, gift and fashion ahead of the peak retail trading season. Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 6th – 9th September 2026, the event co-locates with garden retail show Glee on the 8th – 9th September creating Europe's biggest buying moment for home, gift, garden and fashion retail. Bringing together 1,250+ exhibitors across both shows, Autumn Fair offers an unrivalled opportunity for retailers to source, discover and connect, all in one trip, at a critical time when Q4 ranges are being finalised.
Posted: 12 May 2026
Source Fashion has announced a refreshed Advisory Board, bringing together leading voices from across fashion, retail, sustainability and media to help shape the next phase of Source Fashion's growth and industry impact.
As the industry navigates increasing complexity across supply chains, regulation and responsible sourcing, the strengthened board reflects Source Fashion's commitment to driving meaningful industry collaboration and delivering practical, commercially relevant solutions for buyers and manufacturers.
The new Advisory Board appointments strengthen expertise across circularity, responsible sourcing and industry insight. New members include Kirsty McGregor, journalist and former Vogue Business editor; Rosie Cripps, Head of Circularity at Vivobarefoot; Miranda Beckett, Fashion Project Manager at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation; and James Sleater, CEO of Buffalo Systems.
Posted: 28 April 2026
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced a collaboration with womenswear fashion brand Love & Roses for the launch of a special 85-piece Love & Roses RHS spring-summer 2026 collection.
Balancing heritage inspiration with modern femininity, the collection celebrates florals in all their forms using designs inspired by the RHS Lindley Collections, the world's finest collection of botanical art.
The Love & Roses design team were captivated by the intricate detail, colour and storytelling found within the archive. The delicate illustrations, from beautifully structured blooms to playful fruit and vegetable designs, offered a vibrant starting point for the collection's prints and motifs.
Posted: 2 April 2026
INDX Shows, the UK's ultimate portfolio of industry-specific trade shows, has announced its highly anticipated schedule for 2027.
Hosted at Cranmore Park Exhibition Centre in Solihull, the 2027 calendar continues the brand's mission to provide a business-focused, buyer-centric environment for the independent retail sector.
Owned and curated by Associated Independent Stores (AIS), the UK's leading buying group for fashion, home, and leisure, the INDX brand has become famous for its unique, 'by buyers for buyers' ethos, and the 2027 line-up will once again feature a diverse selection of business-first trade shows.
"As we look ahead to 2027, our focus remains on delivering a curated edit of the best brands in a professional, friendly, and productive environment," said Jane Bartlett, Director of Events at AIS.
Posted: 24 March 2026
The Giftware Association is thrilled to unveil the finalists for the Gift of the Year 2026 awards! After months of anticipation, hundreds of exceptional entries, and two rigorous rounds of judging by an esteemed panel of more than 120 industry experts, the very best products from across the home and gift world have been selected to move forward in the competition.
The Gift of the Year awards celebrate the most exciting a innovative successful products across 20 diverse categories, spanning Home Fragrance, Home & Kitchen, Games & Puzzles and many more. The 2026 competition has continued to evolve attracting brand new brands and exciting products and ranges cementing its reputation as one of the most influential awards programmes in the industry.
Posted: 16 March 2026