Buyers, retailers, and sourcing professionals from across the globe gathered at the highly anticipated event, with representatives from major industry players such as John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, All Saints, Next, Temperley London, River Island, Joules, Lucy & Yak, Bad Monday, Jaded London and Gigi & Olive.
United by a shared commitment to driving meaningful change in the fashion and retail sectors, attendees explored pioneering sustainable solutions and formed powerful new connections that will shape the future of the industry.
This year's show features an exceptional line-up of 250 responsible manufacturers from around the world, from over 22 key sourcing regions, including UK, Portugal, Morocco, India, Nepal, Italy, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Türkiye, France, China and more.
Posted: 9 July 2025
Gibsons Games has been honoured with a King's Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development.
Gibsons is one of 197 organisations nationally to be recognised with the award, recognised for its excellence in sustainable development.
The company is a fourth-generation family-business founded in 1919, a small team based in Surrey, committed to bringing people together with the fun and joy of puzzles and games.
Kate Gibson, Managing Director, said: "This award is an incredible honour for Gibsons. It celebrates the ongoing efforts of our team, past and present, who have shaped our sustainability model and prioritised how we can do better. I couldn't be prouder."
Posted: 8 July 2025
New research from Ventrica has revealed the revenue benefits for brands that invest in providing emotive customer experiences (CX) that consumers want.
The company surveyed over 2,000 UK consumers and found that over the last 12 months, only 4 per cent of positive experiences were delivered by AI and only 18 per cent were a combination of AI and human interaction. Furthermore, only just over half (53 percent) found chatbots to be a successful means of resolving enquiries, significantly lower than calls (87 percent).
This is leaving UK brands at risk of losing out on potential revenue opportunities, with the survey finding consumers would be willing to spend up to £100 more on a brand in the future, following a positive experience.
Posted: 8 July 2025
A significant leadership change is underway at the globally active family-owned business Schwan-STABILO.
With operations spanning Writing Instruments, Cosmetics, and Outdoor, and revenues of approximately 800 million, the Group employs more than 5,200 people in 38 locations worldwide. After nearly three decades in various leadership roles, Sebastian Schwanhäußer will step down from his operational responsibilities at the end of the current fiscal year and assumed the position of Chairman of the Advisory Board on July 1, 2025.
As of October 1, 2025, Michele Molon will take over as Group CEO of Schwan-STABILO. During the transition period, CFO Anke Buttler will lead the Group's operations.
Posted: 4 July 2025
Autumn Fair, the UK's leading marketplace for home, gift, and fashion, has revealed its most ambitious and retailer-focused content programme to date. Practical, focused, and easy to consume, it's been thoughtfully designed to fit around buyers and deliver maximum value in minimal time.
Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 7–10 September 2025, this year's show recognises the pressures facing independent retailers, from rising costs and evolving customer behaviours to the demands of digital transformation and responds with a powerful new programme of over 30 short, high-impact sessions.
Across the brand-new Retail Corner stage and Buyers Retreat, the agenda is packed with real-world strategies, future-facing trend intelligence, and expert-led workshops to help home, gift and fashion retailers buy smarter, sell better, and future-proof their businesses, while staying connected to the wider retail industry without missing a beat on the show floor.
Posted: 2 July 2025
The Literary Gift Company is re-branding its trade website to reflect the evolution of the business and the broad range of topics and curiosities that inspire its products.
It marks a new phase for the company as it seeks to work with even more independent bookshops, libraries, museums, theatres, galleries and gift shops across the UK and beyond.
The Literary Gift Company Trade becomes Academically Gifted,www.academicallygifted.co.uk
The Literary Gift Company Trade website was created in response to calls from bookshops who wanted to stock products created for www.theliterarygiftcompany.com.
As the company's sister site, www.presentindicative.com, came online the company began producing a growing range of unusual design-led products with an academic twist. The new brand and website reflect this evolution.
Posted: 30 June 2025
Supplier of colourful jewellery, scarves and bags, Miss Milly has scooped the gong for Micro Business of the Year at the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Awards.
"We have previously been a finalist for Most Promising New Business," explains a delighted Sarah Watmore, Owner. "And after a strong period of sustained growth it felt like the right time to enter these prestigious, local awards again. I am over the moon that our consistency, passion, evolution and success has been formally recognised."
Judged by representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Luke Elliott from the Worcestershire Growth Hub, Sarah was presented with her award at a sparkling magic-themed evening at the Worcester Arena.
Posted: 25 June 2025
Source Fashion, the leading destination for responsible sourcing and fashion innovation, running 8th-10th July 2025 at The Grand Hall, Olympia London, is proud to announce the launch of its brand-new event app. Designed to transform how attendees experience the show on-site and throughout the year, The Source Fashion app, powered by Grip, is now available for download.
Created to increase engagement and connection between exhibitors and visitors the Source Fashion app acts as a smart companion before, during, and after the event. Key features include:
Customisable Schedules: Visitors can browse the full agenda and curate personalised itineraries tailored to their business goals and interests.
Smart Networking: AI-powered matchmaking connects visitors and exhibitors. Users can schedule meetings and build networks.
Posted: 19 June 2025
Inside Out Toys, a leading UK distributor of sustainable and educational toys, is excited to announce a new partnership with innovative toy brand Smartivity.
From 1st July 2025, Inside Out Toys will become the exclusive UK distributor for a range of Smartivity STEM-based construction and science kits, aimed at children aged 6 years and above.
Designed to inspire young minds through hands-on play, Smartivity kits combine STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) with creative construction to provide hours of educational fun.
The range includes everything from mechanical models to art-meets-engineering projects, all made from high-quality, sustainable materials.
With retail prices starting at just £11.99, Smartivity kits offer accessible and engaging options for independent toy and gift retailers, garden centres, museums, and educational stores.
Posted: 19 June 2025
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.
Posted: 17 June 2025
