Autumn Fair 2026 closed following four days of buying, discovery and networking at the NEC Birmingham, with feedback from retailers and exhibitors highlighting a more cross-category approach to sourcing, growing demand for distinctive and story-led products, and the continued importance of face-to-face relationships in retail.Across Gift, Home, Fashion and the newly co-located Glee, buyers from leading retailers including John Lewis, TJX Europe, Fenwick, NEXT, IKEA, Argos, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, The Range, Mamas & Papas, Dobbies, Blue Diamond, British Garden Centres, Natural History Museum, British Museum, ZSL, Royal Shakespeare Company, Hobbycraft, Scribbler, Paper Tiger, Joules, Mountain Warehouse, QVC and Amazon, alongside a broad mix of independent retailers, garden centres, visitor attractions and specialist stores, have used the show to discover new products, meet existing and potential suppliers and identify opportunities beyond their traditional buying categories, with the combined event creating new crossover between home, garden, gift, fashion and lifestyle.
Posted: 15 September 2026
The Home & Gift Association has met with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to discuss growth, exports, regulation and support for small businesses across the UK's home and gift sector.
Representing around 400 suppliers, manufacturers, retailers and service providers, the Association highlighted the pressures facing businesses, including rising costs, export barriers and increasing regulatory requirements.
A key focus of the meeting was international growth, with DBT outlining opportunities for UK businesses through partnerships with major online marketplaces in regions including Latin America and the Middle East. The Association welcomed further collaboration to help members access new customers and export markets.
Posted: 14 September 2026
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has announced the finalists for the 2026 NAJ Awards, taking place on 8 October at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham.
Supported by returning headline sponsor Curteis, the awards recognise the people, businesses and initiatives driving excellence across the UK jewellery industry.
Finalists have been selected across 15 categories, covering innovation, professional achievement, business excellence and community impact. For the fourth consecutive year, the awards attracted a record number of entries, highlighting the strength and creativity across the sector.
Ben Massey, Chief Executive of the National Association of Jewellers, said: "This year's finalists represent an exceptionally high standard."
Posted: 7 September 2026
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
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
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
Hale Events has confirmed that the 2026 edition of the Devon-based Giving & Living Trade Show was its last. "This show has marked a significant chapter in the life of the gifting industry, Hale Events, and for me personally," said Mike Anderson, Managing Director.
This decision comes after careful consideration. While the gift and home market continues to grow, the way products reach consumers has changed dramatically over the past decade and accelerated since the pandemic. Many businesses now sell direct to consumers or combine consumer and trade sales, and online B2B platforms and marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy, Faire, and Temu have become significant routes to market.
Posted: 26 January 2026
Source Fashion concluded a successful edition at Olympia London, bringing three days of sourcing and collaboration to a close as buyers, brands and manufacturers came together to drive progress across the fashion supply chain.
The latest edition recorded a 16 percent increase in visitors and a 12 percent rise in exhibitors, underlining the show's continued growth and increasing relevance for businesses navigating responsible, transparent and commercially viable sourcing.
Throughout the final day, the show floor remained busy as visitors made the most of their last opportunities to connect with responsible manufacturers, discover new sourcing partners and continue conversations sparked across the week. Buyers and sourcing teams from across the fashion industry attended throughout the final day.
Posted: 22 January 2026
Spring Fair 2026 (1–4 February, NEC Birmingham) is placing personal growth and practical support firmly at the heart of the show with the return of two powerful, free personal business-boosting opportunities for retailers and brands: 1-2-1 Retail Mentoring Clinics in the Buyer's Retreat and the Retail Huddle Live: Kick Start 2026 event in The Merchant's Corner.
Designed to deliver tailored advice, real-world insight and actionable next steps, both initiatives are free to attend and aimed at helping independent retailers and emerging brands trade more confidently, profitably and sustainably in the year ahead. Retailers can book a time slot in advance, share what they need help with, and are matched with the most relevant expert on the day.
Posted: 22 January 2026
