The UK’s largest B2B trade show for Home, Gift & Fashion, Autumn Fair, returns to the NEC Birmingham from 7–10 September 2025, facilitating fit-for-business partnerships by bringing 12,000+ buyers and over 800 stockists together to make connections that last. As retail prepares for the crucial golden quarter, Autumn Fair will spotlight the power and profitability of licensing across the gifting, homeware, and fashion sectors. With licensed products continuing to outperform in key categories, this year’s show reflects the growing demand for British-made, purpose-driven, and nostalgia-infused licenses.
"Licensed products remain a resilient revenue driver in a challenging market," says Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director, Autumn Fair. "Retailers are looking for compelling brand stories, lower MOQs, and cross-category flexibility — and that's exactly what many of our exhibitors will be showcasing this year."
"With licensing now having a bigger presence at Spring and Autumn Fair it offers brands looking to invest in the world of licensing a chance to extend into new product categories, reaching new consumers and new territories without major investment or major changes to process. From a retailer and buyer view, licensed products come with built-in brand recognition which can boost sales and consumer trust and well as helping differentiate product offering especially to independent retailers looking to attract in new business."
Nostalgia & Pop Culture: Retro powerhouses like Harry Potter, Star Wars, Barbie, and Friends continue to resonate with Millennial and Gen Z consumers. TV tie-ins like Friends, The Office, and Stranger Things still perform well in impulse gifting and seasonal ranges.
Lifestyle & Influencer Brands: Collaborations with UK personalities like Mrs Hinch, and Paul Moneypenny are driving sales across home and gifting.
Character Licensing: Evergreen appeal from brands such as Disney, Peppa Pig, and Marvel keeps children's categories vibrant and seasonal peaks strong.
Heritage Collaborations: Brands like Emma Bridgewater, Cath Kidston, and the V&A Museum are elevating homeware with story-rich design.
Gaming & Anime: Properties like Pokémon, Minecraft, and Demon Slayer are dominating novelty gift trends.
Fashion Licensing: Representing 60–70% of all licensing revenue in the UK, fashion collaborations continue to push the envelope in apparel and accessories.
With retail gearing up for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Back to School, and more, Autumn Fair 2025 is the ultimate destination for licensed buying inspiration. Discover the stories, brands, and collaborations shaping the future of Home, Gift & Fashion retail.
Hosted during a key buying period, Autumn Fair brings purchase-ready retail buyers and ready-to-ship suppliers together to make business happen. The show is expertly curated with thousands of must-have products across 10 key destinations, making it the trusted trade show to find new and trending collections in time for the year-end rush.
Autumn Fair takes place 7–10 September 2025 at the NEC Birmingham.
To register or find out more, visit https://www.autumnfair.com
