PREVIEW: AUTUMN FAIR 2026


experience ahead of the festive season. As Matthew Mein, Event Director


at Autumn Fair & Glee explains: “Independent retailers can’t afford to over-commit months in advance. Autumn Fair is designed for the way they actually buy;


flexible and in-season. “This is where they top up on


proven sellers, test new ranges with manageable orders, and discover ready-to-ship stock that gets them through the peak season without unnecessary risk.”


Practical content for modern retail


One of the biggest developments for 2026 is the launch of the new Counter Talks


Stage, deliver a


platform focused on the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping modern retail. Designed to


practical,


commercially useful insight, the programme reflects many of the themes identified within the Voices of Retail report (www.autumnfair. com/voices-retail-report), including experience-led retail, social media and digital engagement, visual merchandising, AI and retail technology, storytelling, retail crime and operational resilience. Confirmed speakers include:


• Alison Battisby, Founder of Avocado Social • John Abbate, Economic Growth Lead for High Streets at Westminster City Council • Superintendent Lisa Maslen from the National Business Crime Centre • Andrew Goodacre, CEO, BIRA • Steve Manners, UK Managing Director, Licensing International The programme will also feature workshops delivered in partnership with Google. The show’s organisers have confirmed that further speaker announcements, activations and immersive onsite experiences are still to be revealed in the lead-up to the show.


Pitch Live returns Autumn Fair’s popular Dragon’s Den-style competition Pitch Live, in partnership with Retail Huddle and co.lective, also returns for 2026 with a brand-new morning timeslot, giving shortlisted brands greater visibility and more time to benefit from buyer interest throughout the day.


The competition will spotlight


emerging brands across Home & Gift, Fashion, Accessories & Jewellery, and Kids, Toy, Play & Clothing, giving exhibitors the opportunity to pitch directly to buyers and retail experts.


Beyond the show floor Autumn Fair 2026 will also introduce The Clubhouse, an exclusive buyers-only retreat designed specifically for buyers. Positioned away from the pace of the show floor, the space will allow buyers to pause between appointments, hold informal meetings, recharge and network throughout the day.


The return of Glee The co-location with Glee adds another major dimension to the event, creating expanded buying opportunities across home, lifestyle, gifting, outdoor living and garden retail. Glee’s 2026 content programme will feature the return of Centre Stage alongside the new Feed Your Business Stage, focusing on food, beverage and hospitality innovation. Confirmed speakers include David Robinson, Chief Executive


of Dobbies Garden


Centres, George Hillier, Chairman of Hillier Nurseries, and Sam Dickson, Managing Director


Squires Garden Centres. Together, Autumn Fair and Glee


reflect the growing overlap between gifting, hospitality, home and lifestyle retail and the increasing importance


of experience-led


shopping environments. More than just a sourcing event, Autumn Fair 2026 is becoming a place where retailers can discover products, gain practical insight,


www.diyweek.net


• Register online today at: www.autumnfair.com • Download the Voices of Retail report at www.autumnfair.com/ voices-retail-report


JULY 2026 DIY WEEK 31 of


build relationships and leave better prepared for the rapidly evolving retail landscape ahead.


Register now Autumn Fair is the UK’s definitive buying destination for home, gift and fashion – the place where independent retailers discover what’s next, connect with the brands that matter, and prepare their businesses


retail event content


reactive,


to thrive through the


most important trading season of the year. In 2026, with Glee co-locating alongside us, we become Europe’s largest


half of the year, offering buyers even more reasons to make the journey. Retailers and buyers


secure their place at Autumn Fair 2026 and be part of the industry’s most important buying moment of the year.


in the second can now


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