Home, gift, fashion and lifestyle trade show, Autumn Fair, has revealed the first details of its 2026 content programme, including the launch of its brand-new Counter Talks Stage, a dedicated platform designed to tackle the issues, trends and commercial realities shaping modern independent retail.

Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 6–9 September 2026, Autumn Fair’s new content offering has been built in response to the findings of the recently launched Voices of Retail 2026 report by Spring & Autumn Fair and Faire.

The report highlighted some of the biggest challenges currently facing retailers, including rising retail crime, changing consumer behaviour, the growing importance of experience-led retail, the pressure on margins, and the increasing need for stronger storytelling, community-building and digital engagement.

Designed around these themes, the Counter Talks Stage will unite voices from retail, social media, visual merchandising, technology, business strategy and licensing for free talks and workshops offering practical insight retailers can apply immediately.

Speakers so far include:

• John Abbate, Economic Growth Lead for High Streets, Westminster City Council and Online Visual Merchandising Tutor, SDEA – With over 20 years’ experience shaping retail spaces for brands including Ralph Lauren, Levi’s and Alfred Dunhill, Abbate will explore how visual merchandising and store design can boost emotional connection, engagement and in-store experience.
• Alison Battisby, Founder, Avocado Social – A social media strategist with over 15 years’ experience helping brands including John Lewis, Tesco, Etsy and Estée Lauder grow online. Battisby will show how independent retailers can use social media to drive footfall and sales as organic reach declines and marketing budgets work harder.
• Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), and Superintendent Lisa Maslen, National Business Crime Centre, City of London Police – Goodacre and Maslen will address the growing impact of retail crime, drawing on Goodacre’s retail policy expertise and Maslen’s policing experience to offer practical guidance on tackling shoplifting, staff abuse and protecting stores, teams and profitability.
• Steve Manners, UK Managing Director, Licensing International – Manners will draw on extensive experience and current market trends to explain how licensing helps retailers unlock growth, reach new audiences and tap into consumer demand, with practical examples for businesses of all sizes.
• Elyse McAvoy, Industry & Trends Expert at Faire – McAvoy will share key consumer insights, buying behaviours and product trends shaping the season ahead, drawing on the Voices of Retail report and Faire data to highlight growth strategies and opportunities for independent retailers.

 

 

Programme highlights

The programme will also cover retail and consumer trends, AI, live shopping, retail data and brand storytelling, alongside industry leader contributions and Google-led workshops helping retailers use key free digital tools.

Wednesday will feature a Retail Huddle takeover, with founder Ami Rabheru hosting two sessions of honest discussion, shared experience and practical takeaways for founders, retailers and industry experts.

Autumn Fair’s popular Pitch Live competition also returns for 2026 with a new morning timeslot, giving shortlisted brands and winners greater visibility and more time to engage buyers. Across the first three mornings, it will spotlight emerging brands in Home & Gift; Fashion, Accessories & Jewellery; and Kids, Toy, Play & Clothing, with exhibitors pitching directly to buyers and retail experts.

For further information on Autumn Fair 2026, please click here.