PREVIEW: AUTUMN FAIR 2026
AUTUMN FAIR 2026: CREATED FOR THE WAY RETAILERS BUY NOW
As retail continues to evolve at pace, Autumn Fair 2026 is positioning itself as far more than a traditional trade show. Returning to the NEC Birmingham from 6–9 September, the UK’s definitive buying destination for home, gift, fashion and lifestyle retail is evolving into a smarter, more immersive experience designed around the realities of modern retail.
T
his year’s event also marks the co-location of Glee on 8–9 September, creating Europe’s biggest buying
moment for home, gift, garden and fashion retail. Together, the shows will bring more than 1,250 exhibitors, 500,000+ products and over 20,000 buyers under one roof. But beyond the scale, Autumn
Fair 2026 is focused on something even more important. Built around the findings of the recently launched Voices of Retail 2026 report by Spring & Autumn Fair and Faire, the event has been shaped around the challenges and opportunities retailers are facing right now, from rising operational costs and changing consumer behaviour to the growing importance of experience-led retail, storytelling, digital engagement and community-building.
A smarter way to buy
Retail buying behaviour has changed dramatically over the past few years. Independent retailers
are buying later, reacting faster and looking for more flexibility, smaller commitments and products that genuinely stand out in a crowded market. Autumn Fair has been designed around that shift. The Golden Quarter remains the most critical trading period in the retail calendar, accounting for a significant proportion of annual sales across gifts, home, fashion, toys and seasonal categories. From Halloween and Christmas, and then through to Q1 events such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter, Autumn Fair plays a vital role in discovering newness and finding proven sellers without overcommitting too far in advance. With over 25% of brands new
30 DIY WEEK JULY 2026
to the show and more than 30% exhibiting exclusively at Autumn Fair, buyers can expect a strong mix of established suppliers, emerging brands
and trend-led
across gift, home, fashion, greetings, kids, beauty and lifestyle categories. The co-location with Glee will open up even greater opportunities for discovery.
New for 2026 is the introduction of a dedicated Food & Drink destination, bringing together gourmet gifting, artisanal food brands and indulgent treats designed to help retailers tap into one of the fastest-growing crossover categories in retail. Buyers will also be able to sample products onsite, creating a more interactive buying
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launches
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