Focus on original, sustainable and Best Of British products as New Business Pavilion launches
Big names are already signing up for Autumn Fair as the Birmingham show’s aims to deliver an inspirational and vibrant Gift destination, including the greeting card section – and there’s a New Business Pavilion to boot.
The 2024 show will see a greater focus on new and original products, local Best Of British suppliers and products, and sustainable suppliers among more than 800 exhibitors, while the pavilion is designed to support small businesses and the next generation of creators and makers.
Soraya Gadelrab, Autumn Fair event director, said: “The Gift destination is shaping up to be exceptional. As the largest seasonal showcase in the latter part of the year, retailers will delight in discovering their next bestsellers and taking great products from our show floor to their shop window in time for retail’s peak season.
“The destination that keeps on giving, Gift is the largest source for gift inspiration, wellness products, stationery, toys and more. We showcase a treasure-trove of personalised and licensed gifts, playful products and beauty essentials. With 800 plus suppliers and a diverse range of products, the show prioritises every step of the buying journey.”
Ready-to-exhibit entry-level price packages, with access to exhibitor playbooks and associated support and marketing initiatives, are available for the New Business Pavilion at Autumn Fair, and also for the follow-up Spring Fair in February, across all sectors including The Summerhouse, a curated home for the most beautiful, style-led and on-trend interior accessories and gifts; as well as Home Living & Décor; Gift; Beauty & Wellbeing; Greeting Cards, Stationery & Wrapping; Kids, Toys & Play; Everyday; and within Moda, Clothing & Footwear; Fashion Accessories; and Jewellery & Watch.
Soraya added: “We are very excited to launch our New Business packages, tailor-made for small businesses to help them put their products in front of key, purchase-ready buyers from leading stores like Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Tesco, and Dunelm as well as thousands of independent retailers.
“This opportunity also helps businesses who have never exhibited before to meet and learn from the best by joining the 800+ seasoned makers, creators and product sellers while at the show.”
Sought-after brands who have confirmed their showcase space for 2024 include cardies Brainbox Candy, Twizler, Marina B, The Art File, Emotional Rescue, Five Dollar Shake, and Toasted Crumpet, along with Cardgains, Widdop And Co, Lesser & Pavey, Joe Davies, Richard Lang & Sons, Rex London, Hill Interiors, Malini, Sifcon, Chic Antique, Kikkerland Europe, Walton & Co, Quirky Barn, London Ornaments, Blooms By Samuel Baker, Ultimate Products, East of India, Forever England, Quay Traders, Verma Enterprises, Alchemy England, Price’s Patent Candles, Home Fragrance Co, House Of Disaster, Bubblegum Stuff, Crystal Magick Wholesale, Luxa, Willsow, Keel Toys, Fountasia, DCUK, Ty UK, Bomb Cosmetics, Casa Verde UK, Chalk UK, Gift Republic, Gingko, Grupo Erik, University Games, House Of Marbles, Lanka Kade, Hippychick, Jess & Lou, D&X, Miss Shorthair, Amber Hall Jewellery, Berber Leather, Big Metal, Saloos, Ashwood Leather, Lunar, Lighthouse Clothing, and Jessica Graaf.
AF portfolio director Jackson Szabo added: “This September’s show will offer brilliant products and brilliant brands, all at a brilliant time of year. This year, we’re anticipating over 12,000 visitors, 85% of which attend to buy or source products.
“From big names to independents, it’s the perfect destination to meet key buyers looking to place orders. Autumn Fair is all about buying and timing. Providing a wholesale platform that showcases and celebrates quality homewares, gifting and fashion products and innovation, the show streamlines the shopping and stocking up experience with products and brands who are relevant for the winter season, with fast fulfilment.
“This is the event where retailers, specifically independents, can source from brands that can make a difference to their business now, at the end of year peak shopping season.”
Longstanding exhibitor Widdop And Co, which has licensing deals with greetings publishers Raspberry Blossom, Say It With Songs, and Hotchpotch, among others, will be back as md Stephen Illingworth sees the importance of Autumn Fair in the retail calendar.
“There’s loads of ways to get in touch with people,” he explained. “However, coming to a show, meeting someone in person and looking them in the eye, picking up the product, feeling its value, there’s only really one way to do that, and that’s trade shows, which bring everybody together in one place for a short period of time.
“Everybody can showcase, can collaborate, and it’s the only way to see the best of the best, the product that’s in the market at one time, in one place.”
Autumn Fair is the UK’s largest retail marketplace in the second half of the year and runs at Birmingham’s NEC over Sunday to Wednesday, 1-4 September.
