Autumn Fair 2026 closed on 9 September following four days of buying, product discovery and networking at the NEC Birmingham, with organisers reporting increased interest in cross-category sourcing and products with a clear point of difference.
The show brought together gift, home and fashion exhibitors alongside the newly co-located Glee, attracting buyers from major retailers including John Lewis, NEXT, Argos, Sainsbury’s, Mamas & Papas and Amazon, as well as independent stores, garden centres, visitor attractions and specialist retailers.
For children’s product businesses, the event’s emphasis on crossover buying signalled opportunities, with buyers moving between clothing, gifts, lifestyle and home categories, while exhibitors reported interest from retailers looking to broaden their offer with complementary products.
Cross-category buying gains momentum
Tretorn distributor Juls Dawson said the co-location had introduced the rainwear brand for men, women and children, to gift, lifestyle and interiors buyers who had not necessarily arrived at the show looking for clothing. Dawson added that the format also supported the brand’s ambition to grow its garden centre customer base.
Claire Bevan, head of buying at the Natural History Museum, highlighted demand for products that are creative, distinctive and supported by a strong story, alongside closer relationships with producers and suppliers.
Independent retailers also remained central to the event. Exhibitors reported demand for less widely distributed products, while Helen Locke, director and founder of childrenswear brand Fable and Bear, said independent buyers stood out for their clear understanding of their customers and the ranges they wanted to add.
Quality and value remain priorities
Feedback from buyers suggested that value is being assessed through quality, sustainability and brand fit rather than price alone. Matthew Mein, event director at Autumn Fair and Glee, said buyers were looking beyond established categories for products with a genuine point of difference, while placing greater value on the relationships and stories behind the brands they stock.
Autumn Fair will return to the NEC Birmingham from 5–8 September 2027, with Glee taking place alongside it from 6–8 September 2027. For further information, please click here.