Autumn Fair draws in high-calibre buyers

Posted by Rachel Westall on 12 September 2024

Autumn Fair, the UK’s leading seasonal trade event for Home, Gift, and Fashion, has once again solidified its position as a key order-writing trade event, drawing in a high-calibre of decision-makers and influential buyers. This season saw a 6% increase in buyers actively looking to source and buy new products, a 20% rise in the number of buyers with sole or joint purchasing responsibility, and 30% brand new buyers, underscoring the event's continuing importance for the retail industry.

card stand at trade fair Soraya Gadelrab, Event Director of Autumn Fair says, "50% of the buyers who attended are business owners who take the time away from their store to buy and source new products at Autumn Fair which underlies the importance of coming. They love and value the community the show offers, and they trust in it to provide the newness they need for their valued customers."

Buyers could discover more than 800 exhibitors and touch and feel over 500,000 products and new launches ready for immediate purchase. With 95% of buyers from the UK, the show's wide variety of exhibitors attracted an impressive range of retailers from multiples, department stores and garden centres to charities, heritage sites and independents including Next, British Garden Centre, Fenwick, British Heart Foundation, Haven, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Poundland, River Island, Champneys, WHSmith, ZSL, Squires, Costco, Dunelm, TJX Europe, TJ Hughes, Card Factory, Ryman, Morley Stores Ltd, Aldi UK, G Rutherford & Co, Elphicks, Lucy & Yak, RSPCA, Farmfoods, Walt Disney Company, Blue Diamond, Dobbies, Lark London, New Look, Homebase, Osprey, Liverpool FC, Lakeland, Waitrose, River Island, Forbidden Planet, National Trust, HOPE

Menswear, Baldwins Department Stores, Boyd Stores Ireland, Sainsburys, F Hinds, World Duty Free, Sue Ryder, Elphicks Ltd, Robert Dyas, House of Cards, Cox & Cox, and Amazon.

stands at a trade fair Some 85% of attendees had sole or joint responsibility for purchasing and 40% of attendees came with a planned spending budget between £25k - £100k. Returning buyers demonstrated continued purchasing power with 87% making purchases, a clear indication of the event's effectiveness in driving sales.

The show offered the chance for retailers to capitalise on the year's final purchasing opportunity, as it continues to put the spotlight on Britain's independent retailers and help safeguard their future. Regional growth was also evident with increases in visitors from the South East, the Midlands, South West, North West and London, showcasing Autumn Fair's widening influence across the country.

black christmas decorations on a shelf Jeff Banks, who is collaborating with Candlelight commented on the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication of independent retailers, "I have been on the Candlelight stand all day meeting customers who purchase the Jeff Banks candle collection and have witnessed a seismic shift in retail. I have met at least 7 retailers across the country who are single stores, but have been expanding into the shop next door, and the one next to that and next to that. With the demise of many department stores, they are filling this gap on a local level by introducing new product sectors into their stores, be it perfumes, gifts, fashion, cards and even cafes to the benefit of the whole business and their high streets. The people that own them are buying with their own money and sell with passion and conviction. They are sharing the brand stories and training their sales teams, it has been incredible to see such ambitious retail once again and possibly the department stores of the future – it is how they started."

embroidered detail on dressing gown The success of Autumn Fair 2024 is further highlighted by the number of exhibitors who have already rebooked – over half re-booked onsite - for the September 2025 edition including Joe Davies, Sifcon, Malini, Hot Tomato, Ty UK, Keel Toys, Widdop & Co, Lesser and Pavey, Victorian 925 Silver ltd, D&X, Big Metal, Hippy Chick and hundreds more. Many exhibitors reported an increase in order values with quality visitors actively buying.
Product Trails, new Lounges and Pavilions made product discovery easier than ever, featuring refreshed trails that highlighted British, sustainable, new and licensed products, along with brands selling on Faire, complemented by dedicated lounges and new business pavilions.

The New Business Pavilion offered buyers a unique opportunity to discover emerging brands across sectors such as Home, Living, Décor, Gift, Beauty & Wellbeing, and Moda Fashion. A must-visit for those seeking new and launching brands which induced Flourish Home Interiors, Meraki Notebooks, Skyn Bakery, and AddSquirrel, who all reported a good show with interest from key buyers and order writing.

Event Director, Gadelrab concluded, "Autumn Fair has once again proven to be the leading order-writing trade event in the UK, attracting a significant number of influential buyers and decision-makers. With over 800 exhibitors and a wide range of new product launches, the show continues to be the destination for retailers to discover unique products, connect with peers, and prepare for the crucial holiday season."

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