Autumn Fair organiser reveals inspiration and influences for retailers
Orders and customers feeling the goods are just two of the advantages of trade shows – the other one is getting the lowdown on trends.
And Autumn Fair organiser Hyve Events has been busy on this front since the recent annual show at Birmingham’s NEC, with event director Soraya Gadelrab explaining: “We were blown away by the breadth of stunning products available on the show floor.
“Autumn Fair is not only a trusted seasonal buying showcase, but it delivers tons of inspiration for retailers. We are excited to bring you some of our favourite and most relevant trends from the show floor and for the coming season.”
She said the infusion of global aesthetics into local retail trends reflects the growing demand for culturally diverse, unique, and ethically sourced products with “independent retailers at the forefront of this shift, curating collections that blend the best of international design with local tastes”.
As the world becomes more interconnected, the influence of global aesthetics on home decor, fashion, giftware, greeting cards and stationery is expected to grow, making it an exciting time for retail innovation.
Influences include:
Scandinavian Minimalism: Known for its simplicity, functionality, and muted tones, this trend has been a dominant force in home decor worldwide. Its focus on clean lines, natural materials like wood and wool, and a soft colour palette offering modern, minimalist interiors.
Japanese Zen and Wabi-Sabi: The concept of Wabi-Sabi – embracing imperfection – brings together organic, raw materials, and muted earthy colours, celebrating craftsmanship and the beauty of simplicity in the form of handcrafted ceramics, bamboo furniture, and paper lanterns.
Moroccan and Mediterranean Influences: Known for vibrant colours, intricate and geometric patterns, and an eclectic mix of textiles, these styles offer consumers an easy to achieve sense of global travel for their own homes.
African-Inspired Decor: Tribal prints, earthy colours, and raw materials such as clay, raffia, and reclaimed wood are shaping collections in interiors. African-inspired baskets, sculptures, and tapestries are highly sought after by consumers looking for unique, artisanal pieces.
In tune with the greetings industry’s sustainability focus, eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, recycled materials, or organic cotton offer both luxury and environmental benefits and the allure of eco-conscious luxury at lower costs. Retailers can enhance the luxury experience with thoughtful, eco-friendly packaging made from recycled materials.
And customisation and personalisation have become integral to the retail experience in greetings, gifting and fashion, with UK consumers embracing products that feel unique, thoughtful, and tailored to their tastes.
Visual merchandiser Debbie Flowerday, who hosted Merchandising Masterclasses at Autumn Fair, highlighted her key window trends for the season, which are driven by the products available.
“At the moment we’re seeing a change in interior design, more curved lines, arches, scalloped edges – these trickle down to furniture shapes, ceramics and fashion.
“If your merchandise has a scalloped shape think of ways to endorse the pattern and shape, the colour of the merchandise will also dictate the window props or background.
“Also, Christmas windows don’t need to be red and green! Look to the colour palette of your merchandise and bring this alive with decorations in the same colour tones.”
The Autumn Fair team added: “As the UK moves into the new season, trends in home decor, gifting, greetings, and fashion reflect a desire for warmth, sustainability, and personal expression. Earthy tones, bold patterns, and sustainable materials are at the forefront of design, allowing independent retailers to offer both style and substance to their customers.
“By tapping into these trends, retailers can appeal to consumers looking to refresh their homes, wardrobes, and gifting choices in a meaningful and on-trend way.”
Straight from the show floor, here is an edit of the looks, colours, styles and innovative products defining the coming season:
Nature’s Embrace – This focuses on bringing quiet woodland comforts to the home and embracing the elements of nature with earthy brown tones and natural textures.
Over The Rainbow – Stripes and rainbow-inspired colour combinations make this a joyful, upbeat trend, perfect for injecting pops of vibrancy.
About Face – The artistic representations of human faces, whether abstract, minimalist, or detailed on sculptures, ceramics and textiles bring a sense of personality, intrigue, and expressiveness to a space.
A Fungi Affair – Mushrooms have moved from our plates to our living spaces, and show no signs of fading away. This enchanting trend is set to be huge for the festive season.
Under The Sea – Ocean-inspired motifs including lobsters, octopus, fish and sea birds off a coastal, whimsical charm which continue to be hugely popular across home and gifting sectors.
Shimmer And Shine – Chrome, silver and anything that sparkles elevate any interior space and adds an extra special dimension to interior décor.
The Shape Of Paper – The trend for paper decorations in home decor emphasises eco-friendly, handcrafted designs. From intricate paper lanterns to festive garlands, these lightweight, versatile pieces bring texture, colour, and a playful, artistic touch to any interior setting.
Stitch In Time – Handmade crochet flowers and botanical displays have gained in popularity and make thoughtful gifts or artistic decorations.
Perfect Pastels – Emphasising soft, calming tones like blush pink, mint green, and powder blue, creating serene, inviting spaces with a modern twist.
Botanicals – Embracing nature-inspired designs, featuring lush greenery, floral patterns, and plant motifs. Popular items include botanical prints, leafy textiles, and plant-themed accessories, creating fresh, serene environments that connect interiors with the outdoors.
Modern Nostalgia – Think of the cosy, homespun charm of yesteryear, reimagined with modern elegance. Blending the warmth of a traditional Christmas with the clean simplicity of Scandinavian design, this merges the old and new.
