Autumn Fair 2025 at NEC Birmingham closed on a high note, delivering a dynamic and productive event that attracted thousands of influential buyers and suppliers from across the UK. Cementing its position as the definitive order-writing show for the home, gift, fashion, and garden sectors, this year’s edition saw a marked rise in retail decision-makers seizing the final major buying opportunity ahead of the crucial holiday trading season.
Retailers turned out in force over the last four days, with thousands of influential buyers and suppliers from across the UK and overseas, and a marked rise in retail decision-makers seizing the final major buying opportunity ahead of the crucial holiday trading season.
Buyers from a wide cross-section of the industry, from national multiples, department stores and garden centres to independents, museums, activity centres and lifestyle brands including Fenwick, M&S, Baldwins, Wilkies, Diageo, Blue Diamond, Marsdens, Tesco, Natural History Museum, Jeff Banks, Bradbeers, WM Nicholls & Co, The Dressing Room, Just Lily, Barsleys, Camerons, Bents Garden Centre, Sainsbury's, Argos, Morley Stores, Frasers Group, TikTok, TJ Hughes, Sapcote Garden Centre, Haskins Garden Centre, HMV, British Heart Foundation, Menkind, The Original Factory Shop, Habitat, FW Homestores, W. Boyes & Co, Jones Wholesale, Trago Mills, Card Zone, Vinterior, After Noah, Merlin Entertainment, Walmart, Funstation, Graham and Green, Disney, Morrisons, NEXT plc, Dunelm, Matalan, F Hinds, Ocado, The Very Group, Wayfair, TK Maxx / Homesense, World Duty Free, MFI, Skinnydip London, Scribbler, Pyramid International, Squire's Garden Centres, Tate's of Sussex Garden Centres, Mole Avon Country Stores, and many more shopped the show.
Jeff Banks CBE PPCSD, fashion designer said, "The atmosphere across the show floor is alive and busy. With concerns that the retail industry, and the high street particularly, is suffering and consumers not out spending money, it was encouraging when I came to Autumn Fair to see so many small businesses here and their incredible energy and desire to succeed and thrive. There is loads of positivity from both exhibitors and visitors and that feels both amazing and refreshing. I am hearing so many stories of people doing great business."
This enthusiasm was shared by exhibitors, many of whom reported strong sales and valuable new connections. Tara Carlisle Swift, Founder at Freckleface commented, "We're thrilled to be at Autumn Fair and delighted to see old and new customers. We want our customers to come and visit us here and actually smell our products and meet us in person and experience everything in real life. It adds that value to retail that's just so important that you just lose online, especially with fragrance. We feel the show is so important and want to energise the buyers that are coming so offer incentives on orders placed. It's just incredible to get everyone together!"
Autumn Fair delivered four days of educational and inspiration content, and immersive brand activations. Highlights included the Retail Corner Stage, styled as a British high street shopfront, where sessions on trends, merchandising and retail innovation provided practical takeaways; and the Buyers Retreat, which offered, workshops, and networking. Global plush brand TY UK were unmissable with their vibrant Beanie Bouncers and Sweet Shop activations. From TV screens in the main atrium and banners across entrances to floor stickers, map borders, water fountains and lanyards, Ty filled the space with its 360-degree branding.
The Gift Of The Year Showcase which attracted buyers eager to discover the winners of The Giftware Association's prestigious 2025 Awards, shone a spotlight on the very best in design and retail-ready gifting and bestsellers for the coming year.
Gemma Sault, Managing Director, of the Giftware Association commented, "This has been my first time at the show as an exhibitor, which has been very exciting, having attended in my previous life, in my roles within retail merchandising and trading. It has been an incredible opportunity to meet and get to know so many of our Gift Association members, to see their businesses showcase incredible products, but also to meet new members and to develop opportunities for the Association.
"I think the content, showcases and Pitch Live in particular have been absolutely fantastic, and the educational content has been brilliant to really inspire and help businesses grow and also encourage new buyers and new people who are here to learn new things that will help their businesses grow and ultimately help save our High Streets. Autumn Fair has been a win all round."
The Retail Makeover Mission was a particular highlight. The show brought the new initiative to life with one-to-one mentoring sessions by the retail Task Team and inspiring talks. The one-to-one sessions offered personalised advice tailored to retailers' business challenges and the expert mentors delivered over 20 hours of personalised guidance covering buying strategy, marketing, PR & customer experience, operations, data, and visual merchandising.
Autumn Fair 2025 confirmed its role as more than a trade show, it is an essential destination where retail comes together to source, inspire, learn, and connect in one dynamic experience.
Spring Fair returns 1-4 February 2026 at NEC, Birmingham
Autumn Fair returns 6-9 September 2026 at NEC, Birmingham and will co-locate with Glee, which runs from 8-10th September 2026.
