Over the three-day event, Source Fashion brought together over 305 exhibitors from 19 countries, saw an increase in footfall and a 20 percent increase high value buyers, (those with a personal budget responsibility in excess of 250k). The show attracted buying teams from Next, John Lewis, Debenhams Group, Asda, Matalan, Brook Taverner, TK Maxx, Harvey Nichols, Tesco, Avon, Skinnydip London, Fred Perry, Marc Jacobs, Elizabeth Scarlett, Never Fully Dressed, Domino’s, French Connection, Glenmuir, Reiss, Killstar, Percival Menswear, Derek Rose,  Pop Soda, Bluebella, Moss Bros, Sainsbury’s, Hackett, Motel Rocks, Perry Ellis, Nobodies Child, Omnes, River Island Gigi & Olive, Goddiva, and West Ham United.

The move to Excel London enabled Source Fashion’s largest and most international edition to date, reflecting the show’s continued growth as a global sourcing platform, connecting international manufacturers with buyers while creating an increasingly important international showcase for British manufacturing.

The expanded exhibition space at Excel London has also created the platform for Source Fashion’s next phase of growth, enabling its largest international exhibitor line-up to date while giving British manufacturers greater visibility on a global stage as buyer demand for UK production continues to grow.

British manufacturing takes centre stage

As Source Fashion’s international reach continues to grow, British manufacturing emerged as one of the defining themes of this season’s show. Live demonstrations, practical workshops and conversations across the exhibition showcased the breadth of UK manufacturing capability, while exhibitors reported strong buyer engagement, new business opportunities and growing international interest in British production.

Live features including The Factory by ApparelTASKER gave visitors the opportunity to experience manufacturing first-hand, demonstrating the craftsmanship, technical expertise and transparency behind modern garment production. Zack Sartor, Owner of ApparelTASKER, said: “The response to The Factory has been incredible. One of the biggest surprises has been just how many people working in fashion have never actually seen clothing being made. Seeing visitors engage with the production process and watching our team proudly demonstrate their skills has been incredibly rewarding. Manufacturing is a craft, and giving people the opportunity to see it first-hand helps build greater understanding, appreciation and transparency across the industry. Alongside that, we’ve generated more than 200 leads during the show, making this our strongest Source Fashion yet.”

That enthusiasm was reflected more widely across the show floor, where exhibitors reported strong commercial outcomes, high-quality buyer engagement and growing demand for British manufacturing. Emma McClelland, Director of Knitster, said: “This is our first time exhibiting at Source Fashion and it exceeded every expectation. We’ve had conversations with some really significant customers, including Harvey Nichols, alongside a fantastic mix of established brands and emerging businesses. As a British manufacturer, people are often surprised by the quality and capability we’re able to offer, so it’s been a brilliant opportunity to challenge perceptions and showcase what UK manufacturing can deliver. Having more British manufacturers exhibiting together has also been a real strength, creating a stronger platform to present our industry to buyers.”

Andrea Courtney, Director of Courtney & Co, said: “Source Fashion has been incredibly positive for us. We met a wide range of brands we’d never connected with before and were busy throughout with meaningful conversations. Source Fashion attracts a much broader audience than many of the other events we attend, giving us the opportunity to meet larger customers as well as manufacturers from around the world. It’s exactly the kind of environment that helps us build new relationships and generate future business.”

Nivetha Thirumoorthy, Production Co-ordinator at Fashion-Enter, said: “This has been our most successful Source Fashion yet. We’ve met exactly the type of buyers we were hoping to connect with, including established brands that are actively looking to manufacture in the UK. Being based in London gives brands the opportunity to visit our factory, see production in progress and create content around the manufacturing process, which is becoming increasingly important. We’ve made some genuinely valuable connections over the past three days that we’re excited to develop into long-term partnerships.”

Three days of conversations shaping the future of sourcing

Across three days, Source Fashion’s content programme reflected an industry increasingly focused on implementation rather than aspiration, with discussions exploring AI, supply chain resilience, British manufacturing, transparency, circularity and the commercial realities shaping sourcing decisions today.

Charlotte Morley, Operations Director at Elizabeth Scarlett, said: “One of the real strengths of Source Fashion is that it combines supplier discovery with genuinely valuable industry insight. Alongside meeting manufacturers, the content programme gives buyers the opportunity to better understand the realities of sourcing, manufacturing and the challenges facing the industry. It’s a great place to hear different perspectives, learn from experts and have conversations that you don’t often get elsewhere.”

One of the standout discussions on the final day, ‘Rethinking MOQs for a Smarter Supply Chain’, brought together Hannah Abdulla, Editor at Just Style, Jacquelyn Cole, Founder of Coco Beau London, Kirsty Connor, Buying Director at Never Fully Dressed, and Nick Reed, Founder of Neem London, to explore how brands can build more agile sourcing strategies without increasing risk or overproduction. Rather than viewing minimum order quantities as a barrier, the panel highlighted the importance of stronger supplier partnerships, flexible manufacturing models and smarter buying decisions that enable brands to test products, improve cash flow and respond more effectively to changing consumer demand. Nick Reed, Founder of Neem London, said: “Find a maker that believes in your business and wants to grow with you. If they believe in what you’re building, they’ll support you through those early stages, and that’s how long-term partnerships are created.”

The conversations taking place throughout the programme reflected the continued evolution of Source Fashion itself. As the show grows, it is increasingly bringing together global sourcing expertise with expanding opportunities for British manufacturers, responding to growing buyer demand for both international production partners and stronger domestic manufacturing capability.

Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director of Source Fashion, said: “This show has marked an important milestone for Source Fashion. As we’ve grown, and our community has grown with us,  we’ve become much more than a sourcing exhibition, we are a global platform where manufacturers from around the world connect with buyers who are looking for resilient, responsible and commercially successful sourcing partners. Importantly, we’ve created an increasingly valuable international stage for British manufacturing, giving UK manufacturers the opportunity to showcase their capabilities alongside the very best in the world, and not only showcase but win the orders that will allow them to grow with us.

The success of our move to Excel London has given us the space and confidence to continue evolving the show. In January, we’ll be expanding our textiles offer and also welcoming new international pavilions from Sri Lanka, Jordan and expanding our work with the UN Women’s programme in Egypt. Importantly we’re creating even more opportunities for UK manufacturers, maker brands, and seeing an increasing buyer demand for accessories and footwear that we must service. As more people within the buying community discover Source Fashion, they’re asking for more from us, and I’m committed to building a platform that reflects how the industry is changing while continuing to support its future growth.”

Building on the momentum of its strongest edition to date, Source Fashion returns to Excel London from 19th – 21st January 2027 with an expanded textiles offer, new international pavilions and even greater opportunities for British manufacturers to connect with buyers from around the world.

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Reflecting that growing demand, Source Fashion has attracted registrations from leading retailers, brands and buying offices across the UK and internationally. Buyers from Burberry, Caroline Gardiner, French Connection, Hobbs, House of Fraser, Hugo Boss, John Lewis, Killstar, Longchamp, Marc Jacobs,  Moss Bros, Mountain Warehouse, M&S, NBrown, Never fully dressed, Next, Nutmeg clothing, Passinger,  Percival Menswear, Perry Ellis,  Ralph Lauren, Reiss, Saltrock, Tesco F&F, Toast, TJX, and  Whistles are among those registered to attend, alongside non-retail buying organisations including Abbey Road Studio, British Airways, Marriot, Westham United and Alpine Racing. International visitors from Zalando, EJ Menswear, Main Rose, Molly Bracken, Norah andBlarney Woolen Mill are also expected further demonstrating Source Fashion’s growing reach and influence across the global sourcing community.

The sold-out event will welcome 305 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions, representing a 22 percent increase in exhibitor floor space, making this the show’s largest international showcase to date. From established sourcing destinations through to emerging manufacturing markets, buyers will have access to an expanded network of audited suppliers offering apparel, textiles, trims, manufacturing services and material innovation, all under one roof.

This season also marks the arrival of several new sourcing destinations as Source Fashion continues to broaden buyers’ manufacturing options. The first Vietnamese Pavilion joins the show alongside new representation from Mauritius, Indonesia, Jordan and Egypt, reflecting buyers’ growing demand for more diverse and resilient sourcing strategies. Highlights include premium knitwear manufacturers from Mauritius, the introduction of female-led manufacturing businesses through Egypt’s partnership with the UN Women’s programme and expanded sourcing opportunities across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Rather than relying on traditional sourcing markets alone, buyers are increasingly building more balanced supplier networks that combine established manufacturing regions with emerging production destinations offering specialist capability, flexibility and resilience.

Alongside its expanding international offer, Source Fashion is continuing its investment in British manufacturing through its largest-ever British Pavilion. Building on the success of January’s launch, the pavilion will showcase 32 UK manufacturers, including Apparel Tasker, Fashon Enter, Courtney and Co., Deekay Knit, Knitster, Natural Fibre Company and WovenTex LTD, highlighting the increasingly important role UK production is playing within modern sourcing strategies. Together with manufacturers from across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, the British Pavilion demonstrates how buyers are increasingly combining local production with global manufacturing partners to build more agile, resilient and commercially successful supply chains.

Alongside the exhibition, Source Fashion’s content programme will bring together some of the industry’s leading voices to tackle the challenges reshaping fashion sourcing. Across the Source Debates stage and Catwalk, speakers including Jordan Razavi, CEO of OMNES, Jasmin Malik Chua, Editor-in-Chief of Sourcing Journal, Marguerite Le Rolland of Euromonitor International, Bill McRaith of Future-Proof Fashion and Jenny Holloway of Fashion-Enter will explore how AI, nearshoring, supply chain resilience, regulation and British manufacturing are reshaping sourcing decisions, giving buyers practical insight into the commercial challenges and opportunities facing the industry today.

Complementing the conference programme, live features across the show floor will bring responsible sourcing to life. Fashion Deconstructed returns with hands-on demonstrations exploring craftsmanship, repair and material innovation, while award-winning charity Neuthread headlines the Source Catwalk alongside curated exhibitor collections, showcasing how textile waste can be transformed into commercially viable fashion collections. Together, the live features demonstrate how innovation, creativity and responsible manufacturing are increasingly working hand in hand.

Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director of Source Fashion, said: “The way businesses are sourcing products, and the strategies around this, will continue to evolve. This edition of Source Fashion has evolved alongside our community . Buyers are looking for more than new suppliers; they’re looking for trusted partners, greater flexibility and the confidence to build supply chains that are resilient, responsible and commercially sustainable for the long term.

Our move to Excel London reflects the scale and ambition of where Source Fashion is heading. From our largest-ever international exhibitor line-up and expanded British Pavilion to new sourcing destinations and a content programme focused on practical solutions, this July’s edition has been designed to give buyers access to the ideas, expertise and partnerships that will shape the future of global fashion sourcing. We’re looking forward to welcoming the industry next week.”

Source Fashion takes place from 7th – 9th July 2026 at Excel London. Bringing together its largest-ever international exhibitor line-up, strongest British manufacturing showcase and an industry-leading programme of content and live features, the July edition reflects a fashion industry embracing new ways of sourcing, collaborating and growing. As the doors open next week, Source Fashion offers buyers not only new suppliers, but the ideas, partnerships and practical solutions that will help shape the future of global fashion sourcing.

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Built around the key themes identified through industry research and Source Fashion’s advisory board, the three-day programme will bring together thought leaders, practitioners and innovators across the Source Catwalk, Source Debates and Fashion Deconstructed stages. Together, they will explore the commercial realities of sustainability, supply chain resilience, regulation, circularity, innovation and the future of fashion sourcing through a combination of keynote sessions, debates, practical demonstrations and live showcases.

The Source Factory will also give visitors a unique opportunity to follow the journey of a garment from concept to creation while gaining a deeper understanding of the processes, craftsmanship and innovation that underpin responsible fashion production.

Source Catwalk: Where industry insight meets the runway

At the heart of the July programme is the Source Catwalk, a content-led platform designed to bring together industry insight, practical expertise and future-focused thinking. Combining trend analysis, fireside conversations, expert panels and live exhibitor collections, the Catwalk explores the challenges and opportunities shaping fashion sourcing, product development and retail strategy.

Designed to help buyers, brands and sourcing professionals navigate an increasingly complex operating environment, the programme will examine everything from supply chain resilience and commercial sustainability to product longevity, innovation and the future of fashion careers. Alongside thought leadership and industry analysis, the Catwalk will also host daily exhibitor showcases, demonstrating how responsible sourcing, craftsmanship and innovation are being translated into commercially relevant collections.

Catwalk highlights include:

• Building a Brand in a World That Doesn’t Sit Still – Jordan Razavi, CEO of OMNES, joins Jasmin Malik Chua, Climate and Labour Editor at Sourcing Journal, for an honest conversation about scaling a modern fashion brand, navigating commercial pressures and making the strategic decisions required to grow in an increasingly unpredictable market.
• Longevity is the New Luxury – Moderator: Jasmine Chua, Climate and Labour Editor, Sourcing Journal and Dr Kate Baker, EPR Technical Manager, WEFT examine why durability, repairability and long-term product value are becoming increasingly important drivers of both design decisions and consumer demand.
• Fixing a Broken Supply Chain: Making Nearshoring Make Sense – Bill McRaith, Executive Advisor at Future-Proof Fashion, explores how brands can build more profitable, responsive and resilient sourcing strategies in an increasingly volatile market. Drawing on his experience across supply chains, he will examine how nearshoring, proximity and smarter decision-making can help businesses better align supply with demand while improving flexibility and commercial performance.
• Can British Manufacturing Help Fashion Build More Resilient Supply Chains? – Suzanne Ellingham, Jenny Holloway and Rachel Walker, MD, LLUK examine whether nearshoring and UK production can help brands reduce risk, improve responsiveness and build greater resilience in an increasingly unpredictable sourcing landscape.
• Global Outlook for Apparel and Footwear – Marguerite Le Rolland, Global Insights Manager, Fashion at Euromonitor International, unpacks the key macro and industry trends shaping the global apparel and footwear market. Drawing on the latest data and analysis, she will explore shifting consumer demand, pricing pressures, regional growth patterns and category performance, providing valuable insight into what lies ahead for sourcing and buying decisions.
• What’s Next for Fashion Consumers? – Retail and consumer trend expert Jack Stratten, Director at Insider Trends, explores the changing behaviours, expectations and market shifts shaping the future of fashion retail and buying decisions.

Source debates returns with honest conversations about fashion’s toughest challenges

Alongside the Catwalk programme, Source Debates will once again provide a platform for open discussion around some of the most pressing issues facing the fashion industry. Designed to challenge assumptions and encourage fresh thinking, the sessions will bring together buyers, brands, manufacturers and industry experts to explore the realities behind today’s sourcing, sustainability and commercial challenges.

From the role of artificial intelligence in sourcing and product development to the future of circular business models and the impact of regulation on industry progress, the programme has been designed to tackle the difficult questions many businesses are grappling with as they navigate an increasingly complex operating environment. Debate highlights include discussions on whether AI could replace elements of sourcing and buying, whether legislation can drive meaningful industry change, and how brands can balance repair, resale and circular business models with commercial performance.

Fashion Deconstructed brings production to life

Complementing the strategic discussions taking place across the Catwalk and Debates stages, Fashion Deconstructed offers a more hands-on perspective, reconnecting visitors with the skills, processes and craftsmanship that sit behind responsible fashion production. Through live demonstrations, practical workshops and interactive experiences, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how products are made, repaired and valued throughout their lifecycle.

Highlights include The Source Factory, where visitors can follow the journey of a garment from concept to creation, live handweaving and spinning demonstrations with textile artist Ruby Webster, practical garment repair sessions delivered by Fashion Enter’s Repair Centre, and The Craft Behind Ethical Fashion Making, where PETA Designer of the Year 2022 and London Fashion Week designer Sarah Regensburger will demonstrate garment construction and sewing techniques while exploring how sustainability, ethics and craftsmanship can be embedded into the creative process from the very beginning. Together, the programme demonstrates how craftsmanship, innovation and circular thinking are increasingly shaping the future of fashion manufacturing and sourcing.

Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director of Source Fashion, said: “The fashion industry is operating in one of the most complex environments it has faced in recent years. Businesses are navigating economic uncertainty, increasing regulation, evolving consumer expectations and rapid technological change, all while balancing commercial performance with long-term sustainability goals.

That’s why we’ve designed this year’s content programme around the issues that matter most to the industry right now. Whether visitors are exploring future sourcing strategies on the Catwalk, challenging established thinking through Source Debates or engaging with the practical skills and processes showcased in Fashion Deconstructed, every element of the programme has been created to deliver actionable insight and real-world learning.

Our goal is to create a space where the industry can come together to share knowledge, challenge assumptions and gain practical tools for navigating the opportunities and challenges that will shape fashion’s next chapter.”

Source Fashion returns to Excel London from 7th – 9th July 2026, bringing together audited manufacturers from the UK and key international sourcing regions alongside a content programme designed to address the most pressing challenges facing the industry today.

The full seminar schedule, including session timings, is available via Source Fashion.

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As Europe’s best performing retail property sector over the past 18-24 months, there will be a special focus on retail warehousing at this year’s edition of MAPIC. Institutional capital has returned with investment volumes rising materially across Europe as investors are attracted by strong fundamentals such as constrained supply, continued occupier demand, rental growth potential and the opportunities presented by the evolution of retail parks into hybrid retail, fulfilment and mixed-use assets.

A recent report undertaken by MAPIC, in partnership with Mercialys and Imocom Partners, highlights the key characteristics of the European retail warehousing market and points towards continued growth in the sector.

Against a backdrop of increasing liquidity after the interest-rate shock, retail warehousing has emerged as retail’s most active asset class, having achieved investment volumes of €13.9bn in 2024 (versus €8.5bn for shopping centres and €11.5bn for high streets).

Investor sentiment has been buoyed by the sector’s outperformance across a number of key metrics, including:

• Pricing dynamics: focus on mass-market categories and essential goods that align with consumers’ price sensitivity despite challenges to consumer spending.
• Convenience retail: trusted brands, easy access, ample parking, and quick shopping experiences.
• Omnichannel enabled: structurally well-suited to click-and-collect services and efficient order fulfilment.
• Essential goods: the most successful projects are anchored by convenience and necessity-based retail, encouraging repeat visits even in unstable macroeconomic conditions.

UK leads European activity

The UK’s retail market is the largest by volume of floorspace with some 10.2 million sq m across 1,500 schemes. The lack of current development pipeline is fuelling investor activity, culminating in some €1.7bn of transactions completed during H1 2025, with major institutional investors including Aviva, British Land and Legal & General among the sector’s most acquisitive players.

Vacancy rates remain historically low at just 4.6 percent, driven by continued demand from the sector’s key occupiers including Next, H&M, M&S, Boots and TK Maxx. This, alongside a limited development pipeline, is driving current rental growth levels of 2-3 percent per annum.

A European success story

The fundamentals driving retail warehousing’s success story remain a common theme throughout Europe. Investor coincidence in European retail warehousing has rebounded with renewed activity in major markets including France, Germany, Iberia and Italy.

The wider European market is currently projecting rental growth of 3.5 percent per annum, alongside yields of 5.9 percent, which is driving activity from players including Redevco, Frey and Pradera. While the UK remains the deepest and most liquid retail warehouse investment market in Europe, Spain and Italy were among the fastest-growing investment markets in 2025.

A constrained pipeline 

After a decade of moderate development, annual retail park completions across Europe are expected to reach approximately 1 million sq m in 2026.

However, this growth is highly concentrated geographically. Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Iberian Peninsula account for most new projects, while mature markets such as the UK, France, and Germany remain focused on optimising and repositioning existing assets rather than expanding overall stock.

The evolution of the retail warehousing market will be at the centre of discussions during the MAPIC’s Retail Parks Forum, a closed-door event bringing together industry stakeholders for high-level conferences and networking sessions.

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