EVENT REVIEW: AUTUMN FAIR 2021


DELIVER RECORD ORDERS AND HELP REFUEL THE UK RETAIL INDUSTRY


AUTUMN FAIR & MODA


Millions of pounds worth of business was generated during the last four days at the UK’s leading home, gift and fashion trade show, Autumn Fair co-located with Moda, reigniting, and refuelling the retail industry.


Oliver Bonas, Fenwick, Boohoo, Blue Diamond Garden Centres, Bloom & Wild, British Garden Centres, Daylesford Organic, Fortnum & Mason, Graham & Green, Tesco, Hobbycraft, La Redoute, Lakeland, Next, Paperchase, Pets at Home, and Sainsbury’s, flocked in their thousands to attend the first major retail trade show since lockdown in March 2020. The desire to refresh their stock levels, inject newness and discover exciting new products for their stores, and experience product in person, created a very confident mood and many exhibiting suppliers secured record numbers and quality of orders. Lucy Lee, Founder, Scream Pretty, said: “The best show we’ve ever had at Autumn Fair, and we’ve signed up for the next two shows. We’re delighted and it’s exceeded our expectations. We like the new format for Spring Fair being four days instead of five, which we’ve wanted for some time so we’re very happy to be listened to and look forward to being there.” Tom Willday, Founder of Willsow, said: “This is our first big show and for us to be able to place more of our books in small gifts shops, medium sized businesses, and huge retailers such as WH Smiths, Bloom & Wild, Thortful, and so many more companies that


R 24 DIY WEEK DECEMBER 2021


etailers


from


across the UK, including Harrods, Anthropologie, Dunelm, Walt Disney Company, B&Q,


have been here, is amazing. They have been really interested in us which is overwhelming. We are that excited we will be booking Spring and Autumn Fair for next year. The organisers have all been great.” Creativity, innovation, inspiration, and inventiveness were in abundance throughout the four key show destinations: Home, Gift, Fashion and


Design & Source.


continued to be positive. The new and first-time exhibitors, including Amaura London, Crafty You Crafty Me, Katherine Sheard Art, The Candle Brand, UK Telescopes, and Ibadah London, showing in the Gift First area, all had a fantastic show, and most have already booked into Spring Fair too. Visitor, Charlotte Greenwood, Design at Sainsbury’s, said: “It’s great to see things in person again and be inspired.” Deborah Oakes, Owner of Snap Dragon added; “It’s brilliant to be back.” And, Sian Llywelyn, Director of Portmeirion Shops Ltd said: “Everyone seems to be ready for business and there is excitement in the air!”


Overall,


feedback from exhibitors has centred on the amount of pent-up demand there is for face-to-face trading again. Many, including Little Bird Told Me, Hippychick, Asmodee, Inside Out Toys, Keel Toys, My Doris, Jess & Lou, Isles & Stars, The Travelling Craft Room, Fountasia, Lesser & Pavey, Richard Lang & Son/Lang’s, Sass & Belle, Kikkerland and Lesser & Pavey, have had their busiest shows ever, opened lots of new accounts, and seen a fantastic range of buyers. According to many other exhibitors, the shows delivered above expectations with a large number already rebooking for Spring and Autumn Fair 2022. Feedback on Spring Fair’s change of dates to a four-day show have also


Julie Driscoll, Managing Director, Hyve Retail, Fashion & Digital Marketing says: “As a team, we have all been completely blown away by the attendance and huge volume of orders being written during Autumn Fair and Moda, and want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been a part of the last four incredible days. The reaction from all our wonderful exhibitors and visitors has been overwhelming and it’s very positive and encouraging for the future of the British High Street and retailing after over a year of challenges and uncertainty. “We are committed to the retail industry, developing exciting new initiatives for our next show, Spring Fair in February, with all our partners and relevant associations. Based on the last four days at Autumn Fair, I have never felt more excited and


confident in the collective ability of the retail industry to bounce back and reignite. We can’t wait for Spring Fair.” The final day of Autumn Fair’s Inspiring Retail Stage focused on its new partnership with the Retail Trust and supporting the wellbeing of people in the retail industry. With the cost of mental health absences totalling £42billion per annum and 89% of employees saying they won’t disclose a mental health issue to a manager, Spring & Autumn Fair’s partnership with the Retail Trust has been created to support their much-needed work and help raise awareness of the issues.


Following his session, discussing the importance of creating an industry that cares for the mental and physical health of all within it, on the Inspiring Retail Stage this morning (8th September) Chris Brook-Carter, CEO, Retail Trust said; “It is really great to have the shows running again for the industry. Financial and mental stress is a huge concern for retailers, and it is working in partnership with key retail events such as Spring and Autumn Fair, that we can develop initiatives that can genuinely help people, help alleviate issues, and support the wellbeing of all those in our industry.”


• For further information on Autumn Fair visit www.autumnfair. com. Spring Fair and Moda take place from 6th – 9th February 2022, visit www.springfair.com for more details.


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