With its doors set to re-open for the first time in 18 months from the 5–8 September at the NEC Birmingham, Autumn Fair will be the largest must-attend event for the autumn buying season crossing the home, gift, fashion, design and source sectors.
With UK Government and AEO approved Safe & Secure Guidelines in place, Autumn Fair confidently offers a space for COVID-safe trading, networking, inspiration and more, as the retail industry gets back up and running.
Already the leading marketplace for the home and gift industry, the forthcoming Autumn Fair colocates with Moda; now offering visitors the most comprehensive and inspirational curated line-up of fashion, footwear, and jewellery, all delivered across easy to navigate key shopping destinations: Home, Gift, Fashion, Design & Source.
With a new era of retail ahead and as the industry comes together again in-person there is a huge appetite for the return of physical shows. Karen Wilson from Paper Salad, showing in Greetings, says; “Autumn Fair has always been a brilliant show for us, we missed it terribly last year so this year’s show will feel extra special. Trade shows are a key part of our business, nothing beats seeing all our collections displayed together, it creates a great impact and really promotes our brand.”
Julian Potter, managing director of Hill Interiors, returning to Home, adds: “Hill Interiors have never missed an Autumn fair since it first started. Every year we have expanded and year in year out, taken more orders, created more sales leads and opened new accounts. 2019 was the best ever Autumn Fair for us, ending 27% up on 2018. Autumn Fair is simply the perfect trade show for us. ”
Show visitors will be met with a host of compelling returning favourites, new, and exclusive to Autumn Fair brands galore. In Home and exclusive to Autumn Fair, visitors will be delighted to view exciting new ranges from Coach House, Hill Interiors, Authentic Models and Malini. The inspirational Summerhouse section will deliver an array of new premium home interior accessories and soft furnishing with exciting collaborations and launches creating the wow-factor with Gallery Direct, Pacific, and Inis.
Within Gift, look out for Eclectic Lifestyle, Joe Davies, Sass & Belle, Kikkerland Europe B.V., Sifcon International Plc, while buyers seeking the season’s must-have toys, will discover returning brands Ty and Grossman as well as new to the show Universal Games and Paul Lamond Games, Little Bird Told Me, Mood Bears, and Hippie Chick.
Within Greetings, the show welcomes The Art File, Love Lilly, Look What Debbie Did, Vent for Change, Emotional Rescue, Dean Morris, and The Gifted Stationery Company, offering fabulous new standout original designs.
Sarah Laker, owner of Stationery Supplies says: “Nothing quite beats the thrill of walking down the aisles and finding just what you were looking for, or even better, that holy grail of a product you didn’t know you needed. I’m really looking forward to getting back to trade shows and attending Autumn Fair to hunt for sustainable stationery, greetings cards and gifts from independent UK businesses.”
New exhibitors to the show line-up include recent Dragon’s Den winners Willsow, as well as Chalk UK, Bachmann Europe, Peony & Pine, Emily Victoria Candles, and Rainbow Design. Other brands showcasing their new ranges and collections at Autumn Fair include; SeaGems, Lisa Angel, Paper Salad, The Little Dog Laughed, Big Metal, Lido Pearls, My Doris, Bessie London, Susie Blue, Bomb Cosmetics, and new to the show French jewellery brand Jadien.
Putting the spotlight on the return to face-to-face networking, the new community-focused Curated Meetings programme launches at Autumn Fair and will connect pre-qualified buyers who are actively sourcing with relevant high-quality suppliers through pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings.
For the last year, show organiser’s Hyve Group plc have been at the forefront of COVID-safe event protocols, working closely with industry association, AEO (Association of Event Organisers) to establish the guidance which has been approved by UK government. The Safe & Secure Guidelines deliver industry-leading health and safety standards that puts the minds of the event community at ease. The Safe & Secure stamp will be visible onsite to confirm the highest health and safety standards across Autumn Fair.
Managing director, Retail & Fashion at Hyve Group plc, Julie Driscoll says: “All the measures being put in place are to help exhibitors and visitors feel confident about attending events once again. There is huge pent-up demand and quite rightly we are providing clear information on the detail. These guidelines leave no doubt about what exhibitors and visitors can expect on site. With our long-standing heritage and experience, we can deliver a trusted platform and inspirational marketplace for physical business to take place again and give buyers the chance to discover first-hand a whole host of returning, new, sustainable, made in Britain and exclusive brands to Autumn Fair. The show really is going to the best and only place to buy this autumn.”
