Go West in the new year As we head into the Golden Quarter for gifting the team at Giving & Living is looking ahead to one of the first trade sourcing events of 2026, due to take place from 18-20 January, 2026, at Westpoint, Exeter. For those who enjoy visiting this fabulous independent show – and others who’ve yet to sample the delights of the West Country – we take a sneaky peak at what’s in store. If you’re looking for a reason to visit Giving & Living in 2026, why not start with one of the best selections of designed & made in Britain products you can find at any UK trade exhibition. As the appetite for high quality, locally made British goods continues to get stronger, retailers can differentiate themselves from the crowd by buying British. Unique to Giving & Living is the Coastal Path, a sector devoted to the beautiful British seaside and its countryside environs, which help to bring so much business to the allimportant tourist trade. Retailers from all around the UK who hope to stimulate tourism in their region would benefit from the inspiration offered by this vital and vibrant show sector. Bringing together these key elements of the show are the Sustainability Stars, which highlight the vital eco-friendly and ethical credentials that help make our industry a socially, economically and environmentally responsible place. For the 2026 event, Giving & Living will once again be proud to host the Gift of the Year showcase, which brings a fantastic variety of innovative new products to the show floor in Exeter. Old School meets the New Wave For the forthcoming event we are delighted to welcome back a wonderful cohort of loyal, long-term exhibitors, joined by an exciting wave of companies that are new to Giving & Living in 2026 or returning after an absence of many years. Alongside regulars that include Quay Traders, JBA Souvenirs and Pineapple Island will be Colcards and Becky Bettesworth, both returning after many years, whilst amongst the new exhibitors are Cortina Footwear, Sticky Resin, Stosa, and Zebra Pens. For more information about the show and to register to attend visit the website: givingliving.co.uk. Companies interested in exhibiting can apply online: www.givingliving. co.uk/exhibiting/book-your-stand Autumn Fair announces BDA London as official trend partner Autumn Fair, the UK’s leading marketplace for Home, Gift & Fashion, announced BDA London as its official trend partner, bringing an exclusive preview of the key trends set to shape Autumn/Winter 2026/27. Across three days, BDA London’s Senior Creative Emily McCarthy delivered daily TrendHub presentations, providing retailers with actionable, future-focused insights to inspire buying decisions and product development. Each 30–40-minute session translated global influences into practical strategies for the UK retail market. TrendHub features: Future Trends: Homeware & Festive From layered patterns and statement tabletops to sensorial styling and mixed traditions, expect a move towards unfiltered, personal “storied” homes and colour-drenched festive experiences. “For AW26/27 the home is all about unfiltered, unfussy, real living – storied homes that feel personal and eclectic with a real shift away from perfection and polish inspired by social media. In terms of festive trends, we’re talking about sensorial styling, layered textures, colour drenching, and mixing of traditions and rituals.” Emily McCarthy brought over a decade of expertise in trend forecasting across fashion, home, and gifting, with experience working with global brands, leading agencies, and emerging creatives. Her sessions promise energy, precision, and a holistic understanding of retail’s evolving landscape. www.autumnfair.com AIS to host new member exclusive toy event in spring 2026 Associated Independent Stores (AIS), the UK and Ireland’s leading buying group, is evolving its approach to supporting the Toy sector. The company has announced it will replace the annual INDX Toy Show with an exclusive, invitation-only ‘Playroom Supplier Meet and Greet’ for AIS Members, specifically targeting toy buyers and suppliers. The decision comes in response to an increasingly crowded trade show landscape with AIS now focused on providing one-to-one networking opportunities. The new event will provide a dedicated platform for targeted conversations and relationship building. “The toy market has vastly diversified, and our Members are seeking more specific, tailored interactions with their Suppliers,” said Rosie, Head of Toys at AIS. “This new format allows Members to have in-depth discussions with these suppliers, ensuring they can curate the best possible product mix.” The event will feature an exclusive setting where members can view a specially curated toy import programme. This offers enhanced margin lines, which can only be found at AIS. Furthermore, all members who attend the event can take advantage of exclusive bespoke offers, only available on the day. A complimentary lunch will also be included for all attendees. www.aistores.co.uk 14
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