Geopolitical uncertainty, trade conflicts and mounting cost pressures are challenging the global consumer goods industry more than ever – as confirmed by the latest Industry Index from IFH KÖLN and Messe Frankfurt. Against this backdrop, Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld remain the international one-stop shop for industry, trade and commercial buyers. Geopolitical uncertainty, trade conflicts and mounting cost pressures are challenging the global consumer goods industry more than ever – as confirmed by the latest Industry Index from IFH KÖLN and Messe Frankfurt. Against this backdrop, Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld remain the international one-stop shop for industry, trade and commercial buyers.

Despite the challenging economic and geopolitical environment, current registrations for 2027 are almost on a par with the previous year. This underlines the continued relevance of the three international trade fairs as a key business platform for the global consumer goods industry. “The second wave of our global Industry Index clearly shows the immense pressure our industries are currently facing. Against this backdrop, we see the registration levels for 2027 and the strong commitment to Frankfurt from many international market players as very positive signals. Together, Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld will provide decisive impetus for new business opportunities next January,” said Philipp Ferger, Vice President Consumer Goods Fairs at Messe Frankfurt.

Under the motto “Moving the market together”, Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld will once again bring the global consumer goods industry together in Frankfurt from 29 January to 1/2 February 2027. Their unique combination makes the three concurrently held leading trade fairs the largest international platform for modern living, seasonal decoration and creative hobbies.

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The doors to Autumn Fair 2026 open this Sunday, bringing the retail industry together at the NEC Birmingham for four days of product discovery, buying, networking and practical business insight at one of the most commercially important moments in the retail calendar.

From Sunday until 9^th September, buyers can discover new collections and proven bestsellers across Gift, Home, Fashion, Beauty & Wellbeing, Greetings, Kids, Toys & Play, Jewellery & Watch, Fashion Accessories, Food & Drink, and Retail Services, with the show providing a crucial opportunity to make final buying decisions, react to what is selling and refresh ranges ahead of the Golden Quarter.

This year the opportunity becomes even bigger. Glee joins Autumn Fair on 8^th – 9^th September, creating a combined buying event spanning home, gift, fashion, garden and outdoor living. Across the two shows, more than 1,250 exhibitors, 500,000+ products and 20,000+ buyers will come together at the NEC, opening up significant new cross-buying opportunities for retailers looking beyond their traditional categories.

It is an audience with real buying power: 80 percent of the combined Autumn Fair and Glee audience has purchasing power, while 70 percent operates physical stores, bringing together department stores, multiples, independents, garden centres, visitor attractions, online businesses and specialist retailers.

Matthew Mein, Event Director at Autumn Fair & Glee, said: “There is a fantastic energy around Autumn Fair this year. Retail is changing quickly, and we’ve really thought about how the show can help buyers respond, whether that’s discovering an emerging brand, getting practical advice for their business, exploring new technology or seeing completely new ways to reach customers. There’s a huge amount for retailers to experience over the four days, alongside the thousands of products and collections they come here to discover. And with Glee joining us from Tuesday, there are even more opportunities to explore categories they might not traditionally buy into. We can’t wait to welcome the industry through the doors.”

Newness takes centre stage

For retailers searching for their next bestseller, newness is one of the biggest stories of Autumn Fair 2026, with more than 25 percent of brands new to the show and over 30 percent exhibiting exclusively at Autumn Fair.

Across the show floor, buyers will find an extensive mix of established industry leaders, returning favourites and emerging businesses spanning every major retail category.

Among the brands bringing fresh inspiration to the show floor are Widdop & Co, Gift Republic, Puckator, Gingko Design, Warmies, Chalk, Pacific Lifestyle, Malini, Hill Interiors, Forever England, Lighthouse Clothing, Powder Design, Gold Trip, Evolve Organic Beauty, The English Soap Company, Bomb Cosmetics, Wild Spirit Sportswear and adhock, spanning everything from fashion and jewellery to interiors, gifting, beauty, wellbeing and sustainable home fragrance.

Gift also brings together leading names including Joe Davies, Chalk UK, Lesser & Pavey, Richard Lang & Sons, Kikkerland, University Games, Anjica and Candlelight Products, alongside a wave of new exhibitors and emerging designers.

The Home destination showcases everything from occasional furniture and textiles to decorative accessories, artisan homeware, premium gifts and outdoor living, with Home, Living & Décor sitting alongside the carefully curated The Summer House with Bronte by Moon, Biggie Best, Casa Verde, Culinary Concepts, DM Brands, Edge Company, The Otters Brook Collection, Inis, Freckleface Home Fragrance, JJ Textile, Nordic Style, and Pacific Lifestyle. When Glee opens on Tuesday, the destination will flow into garden and outdoor living to create a more seamless indoor/outdoor buying journey.

Fashion meanwhile offers independent retailers an important second buying opportunity, with womenswear, menswear, footwear, jewellery, bags and accessories enabling buyers to top up, react to what’s selling and add newness once the season is underway, rather than relying solely on decisions made months earlier. Look out for Lighthouse Clothing, Weird Fish, Powder Design, Gold Trip, Pineapple Island, Oxford Blue, Nina Murati, Tretorn, Carol C Collections, Gini London, Nomads, and Eighth Hour.

Discover the next bestseller

For retailers, discovering what’s new, what’s next and who is emerging is one of the most valuable reasons to visit Autumn Fair. With consumers constantly looking for something different, independent retailers need products that help them refresh their offer, create reasons to visit and differentiate from the competition.

At the heart of this discovery are the newly renamed Product Pavilions, dedicated destinations designed to spotlight emerging brands, fresh product launches and retail-ready innovations across Gift, Home, Beauty & Wellbeing, Greetings, Party & Celebration and Fashion. From sustainable and purpose-led products to wellness, experiential gifting and innovative new concepts, the Product Pavilions give buyers a focused route to the brands and ideas that could become their next bestsellers, while buyers looking for proven innovation can head to the Gift of the Year Showcase, featuring winners of The Giftware Association’s Gift of the Year 2026 Awards.

New for 2026 is Food & Drink, bringing gourmet gifting and edible treats onto the show floor from brands including Spice Kitchen, The Chocolate Gift Company, Cocoba Chocolate, Joypots, Treat Kitchen and Lakrids by Bülow, with a dedicated tasting station allowing buyers to sample products before placing orders.

Follow the Trend Trails

Helping buyers make the most of their time on the show floor, Autumn Fair’s Trend Trails provide an easy way to identify suppliers aligned with key retail opportunities and sourcing priorities. Look out for the dedicated Trend Trail symbols in the Show Guide highlighting exhibitors across Made in the UK, Licensed Product, White Label, Export Ready, B Corp Certified and Also on Faire, making it easier for buyers to find relevant businesses, discover new suppliers and shop with intent.

Some of retail’s biggest buyers head to Birmingham

The show opens with an impressive line-up of retailers and buying organisations registered to attend, including John Lewis, Tesco, Next, Fortnum & Mason, Sainsbury’s Argos, Mamas & Papas, The Range, Joules, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, National Trust, British Museum, TJX, Morrisons, Waitrose, Blue Diamond, Paper Tiger and Scribbler, alongside thousands of independent retailers from across the UK.

For buyers, September provides a particularly valuable opportunity to source reactively. Independent retailers are increasingly buying later, looking for greater flexibility and seeking distinctive products without overcommitting too far in advance, making Autumn Fair an important opportunity to top up proven sellers, discover ready-to-ship stock and identify products capable of driving sales through Christmas and into early 2027.

Fashion’s next big names step into the spotlight

Product discovery moves from the stands to the stage on Sunday morning with the first Pitch Live competition of Autumn Fair 2026.

At 11am, emerging Fashion, Accessories & Jewellery brands will pitch their products live in a Dragons’ Den-style session on the Counter Talks Stage, hosted by former M&S, Next and Tesco buyer and Retail Huddle founder Ami Rabheru.

The judging panel includes fashion designer Jeff Banks, Estella Arroyo, Head of Design at George at Asda, and Sharon Good, Founder and Managing Director of Good Results PR, giving buyers a fast-track opportunity to discover potential future retail stars.

Pitch Live continues with Home & Gift on Monday followed by Toy, Play & Kids Clothing on Tuesday.

Come for the products, stay for the knowledge

Pitch Live is just the start of an extensive four-day programme on the new Counter Talks Stage, created to give retailers free, practical insight they can take back to their businesses.

Across the show, experts from Google, Faire, Retail Huddle, BIRA, Buy Women Built, George at ASDA, Buying & Beyond, Licensing International and more will tackle everything from AI, digital growth and social commerce to retail crime, visual merchandising, licensing, buying, customer loyalty and consumer trends.

Alongside the stage programme, retailers can access complimentary 30-minute 1-to-1 Mentor Sessions in The Clubhouse, receiving personalised advice from experts including John Abbate, Samantha Gibbs of Nest, and Buying & Beyond foundersKaty Norton and Lynsey Abbott on issues ranging from buying and merchandising to store design, sales and commercial strategy.

A new Clubhouse for buyers – and live commerce comes to the show floor

The Clubhouse in Hall 9 provides a dedicated members’ retreat for buyers, offering a space to meet, network and recharge between appointments, alongside exclusive events, workshops and complimentary amenities.

This year it will also become a working live commerce studio through Autumn Fair’s new partnership with Whatnot. Throughout the show, visitors can watch experienced Whatnot sellers go live, see products being showcased and sold in real time and speak directly to the team about how live selling could help their own businesses reach new customers and build communities.

On Monday 7th September, the Whatnot Takeover After Party from 4pm–8pm, offers buyers and exhibitors the opportunity to go live themselves with one-to-one support from the Whatnot team, alongside food, drinks and a DJ.

AI changes the way buyers navigate the show

Technology is also transforming the buying experience this year, with Autumn Fair and Glee partnering with Alibaba.com‘s Accio as Official Agentic AI Partner.

The free AI-powered event assistant has been designed to help buyers find relevant products and brands, create personalised exhibitor shortlists, plan efficient routes around the show and build tailored agendas. Buyers can even upload an image of their shop, display or window and ask the technology to recommend exhibitors and products suited to their retail style and customer demographic.

Autumn Fair has also partnered exclusively with Faire, bringing physical and digital wholesale buying together so retailers can discover products in person at the show before using Faire’s online marketplace to continue buying year-round.

Autumn Fair puts the future of Britain’s high streets on the agenda

As thousands of independent retailers come together in Birmingham, Autumn Fair is also using the show to build momentum behind a national campaign calling for a minimum of 90 minutes’ free parking in town and city centres across England.

The campaign, Support Free Parking. Back Local Businesses. Bring People Back, centres on a Parliamentary petition calling for parking to be recognised as part of a wider strategy to increase footfall, support independent businesses and strengthen local economies. The campaign follows findings from Voices of Retail, produced by Spring & Autumn Fair in partnership with Faire, which revealed that 38 percent of independent retailers believe free parking would have the greatest positive impact on their business, while 63 percent of consumers say free parking would encourage them to visit town and city centres more often.

Visitors will see the campaign brought to life across Autumn Fair, with opportunities to scan a QR code and sign the petition throughout the show.

Autumn Fair takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 6th – 9th September 2026. Glee takes place from 8th – 10th September, co-located with Autumn Fair on 8th – 9th September.

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Autumn Fair has unveiled the full programme for its new Counter Talks Stage, bringing four days of free talks, workshops, live conversations and expert advice to the NEC Birmingham from 6th – 9th September 2026.

The finalised programme brings together leading names from across retail, buying, technology, social media, visual merchandising, licensing, business strategy and consumer trends including Buy Women Built, Google, Faire, Retail Huddle, BIRA, George at ASDA, and Jeff Banks, with sessions designed to give retailers the practical ideas and inspiration they can take straight back to their businesses.

The programme responds directly to the challenges and opportunities highlighted in the Voices of Retail 2026 report from Spring & Autumn Fair and Faire, which surveyed 650 independent retailers and more than 2,000 UK consumers. The report identified changing consumer behaviour, retail crime, pressure on margins as key issues for today’s retailers, and the growing importance of experience, storytelling, community and digital engagement.

Sessions putting the spotlight on the issues retailers need to know about now

The completed programme adds a host of new sessions to the Counter Talks line-up, including Gift Of The Year: Discover the Award-Winning Products Shaping Retail, giving buyers a first look at award-winning products and the trends and ideas behind them.

The stage will tackle one of the biggest issues facing retailers with Tackling Retail Crime: How to Reduce Theft and Protect Your People, bringing together Lisa Maslen, Superintendent at City of London Police, and Andrew Goodacre, CEO of BIRA, alongside Jackson Szabo of Hyve Group. The session will explore practical ways retailers can respond to theft and protect both their teams and businesses.

Digital growth is another major theme, with new sessions including a fireside chat with Tom Gatenby, Co-Founder of Shopify agency Squashed Pixel and Matthew Mein, Event Director of Autumn Fair, exploring how retailers can attract customers, convert shoppers and turn their online presence into a stronger driver of growth.

Google returns with practical sessions designed to help businesses make better use of digital tools, including Practical AI for Your Business and Build Your Business Online with Google, while Google: Social Media Masterclass will explore how AI can help retailers identify trends, develop social strategies and create content more efficiently.

From the shop floor to the screen: practical ideas for every retailer

The wider Counter Talks programme brings together an equally strong line-up of practical sessions for retailers. John Abbate, Economic Growth Lead for High Streets at Westminster City Council and visual merchandising expert, will reveal simple changes retailers can make to transform their stores and customer experience, while Elyse McAvoy of Faire will share the latest consumer insights, buying behaviours and product trends in The Independent Signal: Growth Strategies & Trends Shaping the Season Ahead.

Licensing International’s Steve Manners will explore how retailers can unlock new opportunities through licensed products, from major entertainment properties to emerging trends, while social media strategist Alison Battisby of Avocado Social will tackle social advertising, content and the growing opportunities presented by live shopping.

From Buy Women Built to Buying & Beyond

The programme also puts community, collaboration and smarter buying firmly on the agenda. A new Buy Women Built panel, Building a Business Customers Come Back To, will bring together founders Laura Rudoe of Evolve Beauty and Jennifer Bailey of Calla Shoes, alongside Spring Fair’s Event Director Fay Tranter, to explore how businesses can build trust, loyalty and customer connection through storytelling and authentic brand experiences.

Autumn Fair has partnered with Buying & Beyond, founded by former senior buyers Katy Norton and Lynsey Abbott, who between them have more than 30 years’ buying experience across retailers including Accessorize, M&S, Moonpig, Hobbycraft and Dobbies Garden Centres.

The partnership will see Buying & Beyond host a live podcast on the Counter Talks Stage, The Secrets Behind How the Smartest Retailers Stay Ahead, exploring how leading buyers find inspiration, spot emerging trends and discover opportunities beyond algorithms and screens.

Buying & Beyond will host a Buyers Meet Up in The Clubhouse on Tuesday 8th September, giving buyers the chance to network with their peers, and will offer exclusive 1-to-1 mentoring sessions for retailers, buyers and brands looking for tailored advice on product ranges, margins and commercial growth.

Visit https://www.autumnfair.com/buying-beyond to book your place on The Buyers Meet Up.

New sessions bring fresh thinking on growth, digital commerce and customer trust

The agenda has been expanded with a trio of new sessions tackling some of the biggest opportunities for retailers looking to scale, build digital sales and strengthen customer relationships. From One to Many: How Independent Retailers Scale into Chains with Alex Schlagman, founder of Save The High Street explores the journey from independent business to multi-site growth, offering a timely look at what it takes to move beyond a single store and build a successful retail operation at scale. Meanwhile, The 7-Figure TikTok Shop Playbook turns the spotlight on the explosive potential of social commerce, giving retailers insight into how TikTok Shop can become a serious sales and growth channel.

Trust First: Turning Service Platforms into Marketplaces Customers Use with Anooj Sridhar from Esetrix, Emma Grantfrom Checkatrade, and Chris Dawson from ChannelX will examine the importance of trust, customer experience and community in creating platforms that people actively choose to use.

Live commerce comes to The Clubhouse

Adding a digital dimension to the Autumn Fair experience, Whatnot will bring live commerce to life at The Clubhouse in Hall 9, giving retailers and brands the opportunity to see the platform in action and explore how live selling can help them reach new audiences, move more stock and build engaged online communities. Throughout the show, Whatnot sellers will broadcast live from the space, showcasing products and sharing their expertise in real time, while visitors can meet the Whatnot team, watch experienced sellers and discover how to get started themselves.

During the Whatnot Takeover After Party on Monday 7th September, 4–8pm, The Clubhouse will become a hands-on live commerce experience. Visitors can have a go at selling live themselves with 1-to-1 support from the Whatnot team, alongside food, drinks and a DJ. With spaces limited, visitors can sign up to save their spot and experience live selling first-hand at https://www.autumnfair.com/whatnot-takeover.

Pitch Live moves into the morning

Autumn Fair’s popular Pitch Live competition returns with a new morning timeslot, taking place at 11am across the first three days of the show. Fashion, Accessories & Jewellery will pitch on Sunday 6 September, Home & Gift on Monday 7th September, and Kids, Toy, Play & Clothing on Tuesday 8 September.

The earlier format is designed to give shortlisted brands greater visibility and allow buyers to continue conversations, visit stands and potentially place orders throughout the day.

Judges include Jeff Banks from Jeff Banks London; Estella Arroyo, Head of Design, George at Asda; Judy Bendall, Head of Retail at Blenheim Palace; Joanne Barker, Founder of Hettie & Sid; Ami Rabheru, Retail Strategist and Founder of Retail Huddle and a former Retail Buyer for M&S, Next & Tesco;

Retail Huddle Live brings the programme to a close

The final day of Autumn Fair will see Retail Huddle Live x Autumn Fair take over the Counter Talks Stage on Wednesday 9th September, bringing its Join the Conversation format to the show with a morning of honest discussions, interactive workshops, shared learning and practical advice for founders, retailers and buyers. Designed to help businesses trade smarter, grow with confidence and plan for profit, the programme tackles the commercial issues that matter now, from securing retail listings and maximising sell-through to building profitable seasonal ranges, using AI and digital tools, strengthening visual merchandising and communicating sustainability with impact.

The morning will feature six expert-led sessions across two blocks, with three sessions beginning at 10.30am and three more at 11.30am. The 10.30am line-up includes Toyin Laketu, Creative Business Consultant and Founder of Onwards and Up, exploring practical AI skills for business, Laura Harrison, Retail Specialist and Planning Strategist, on building a seasonal plan that drives profit, and Natasha Birk, Head of Product & Ecommerce at FlightStory (home of The Diary Of A CEO), leading a workshop on unlocking growth through small, strategic improvements to conversion, retention and the customer journey.

At 11.30am, Rachel Sheila Kan, Ecosystem Architect and Founder of The Ecosystem Incubator, Circular Earth and Real Circularity, will explore communicating sustainability stories, Ami Rabheru, former retail buyer for M&S, Next & Tesco, Retail Strategist and Founder of Retail Huddle, will share her retail buying expertise on winning more retail listings, while visual merchandising specialist Sarah Manning will lead a practical visual merchandising workshop focused on boosting sales.

From 12.30–1.30pm, The Huddle: Networking & Drop In will give visitors the chance to pause, connect and continue the conversation, with founders, retailers and buyers able to meet the hosts and industry experts, ask questions and pick up a free Digital SWAG Bag packed with resources and guides from Retail Huddle and its hosts. Spaces are limited, so retailers are encouraged to book their sessions in advance and make the final day of Autumn Fair count. Book at https://www.autumnfair.com/whats-on/retail-huddle-x-autumn-fair.

Get more from your visit

Alongside the free Counter Talks programme, retailers attending Autumn Fair can access free 1-to-1 mentoring sessions in The Clubhouse with experienced retail experts, offering personalised advice on everything from product ranges and store design to sales, strategy and business growth. Spaces are limited and visitors must be registered to secure a session.

Register at https://www.autumnfair.com/register-mentor-sessions

Centre Stage at Glee

Alongside Autumn Fair, co-located show Glee, the UK’s leading garden and outdoor living trade show, will also launch an expanded content programme for 2026 focused on the future of garden retail, hospitality and operational growth.

Glee’s content offering will include the return of Centre Stage, featuring keynote sessions and industry discussions exploring topics including garden retail performance, operational productivity, sustainability, talent challenges and the role of data in modern retail.

A new Feed Your Business Stage will focus specifically on food, beverage and hospitality innovation, helping garden retailers unlock new revenue opportunities through evolving customer expectations and experience-led retail. The programme will feature sessions with leading industry names including David Robinson, Chief Executive of Dobbies Garden Centres, George Hillier, Chairman of Hillier Nurseries, and Sam Dickson, Managing Director of Squires Garden Centres.

Matthew Mein, Event Director at Autumn Fair & Glee, said: “We want Autumn Fair and Glee to be more than a place to discover great products, they should give retailers the ideas, insight and connections they need to make better decisions for their businesses. This year, there is an incredible breadth of expertise and inspiration across the shows, from the Counter Talks programme and Retail Huddle Live to Buying & Beyond, mentoring, live commerce and the wider opportunities to connect with fellow retailers and industry experts. Whether you’re looking for new products, fresh ideas, practical solutions or simply a different perspective, there is something for every retailer to take away and put into action. We’re particularly excited about the new partnerships and formats that make the show more interactive, relevant and valuable for our visitors.”

View the Agenda at https://www.autumnfair.com/agenda-2026

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From August to October, visitors are being invited to experience that extraordinary story in a bold new way as Manchester Arndale shopping centre is transformed into a spectacular FREE exhibition, celebrating the internationally acclaimed Manchester illustrator, Stanley Chow and his portraits of people who put the city on the global stage.

Launching yesterday (3rd August), MCR Made sees 13 giant inflatable portraits (up to six metres in length) suspended throughout the shopping and lifestyle complex, creating an immersive trail through one of the city’s best-known landmarks. Visitors can discover towering artworks of Manchester’s biggest names, grab unmissable photo opportunities and celebrate the creativity, innovation and ambition that continue to define the city today.

The exhibition arrives as Manchester enjoys a remarkable cultural and economic renaissance. Long celebrated as the birthplace of bands including Oasis, The Smiths, Joy Division and The Stone Roses, and home to two of the world’s biggest football clubs, the great northern city has evolved into one of Europe’s most exciting destinations for food, shopping, live entertainment, culture and creativity. As well as being host to this year’s annual Brit and MOBO Awards, Manchester was also the stage for Chanel’s Metiers D’Art show in 2023, an event which saw streets of the city’s cool, indie Northern Quarter, turned into a runway.

MCR Made celebrates the people whose talent, ideas and determination helped create the city’s extraordinary reputation.

Among the famous Mancunians brought to life in the exhibition are, Liam and Noel Gallagher, footballers Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, scientist and inventor of the computer, Alan Turing, artist L.S. Lowry, TV legend Caroline Aherne, author and broadcaster Lemn Sissay and rapper Aitch, alongside other trailblazers whose influence continues to shape culture around the world.

Stanley Chow said: “The Arndale Centre for me is my Mecca, and I’m sure it is for so many people from Manchester. I’m old enough to remember when it first opened as a shopping centre nearly 50 years ago, and I haven’t stopped coming here since. I’m a proud Mancunian, so I was very flattered and touched to be asked to do this. Art needs to be seen everywhere, and not always necessarily in a gallery. I can’t think of a better place for as many people as possible from all walks of life to be able to see my work presented this way.”

David Allinson, Centre Director at Manchester Arndale, said: “Manchester has always been a city that outperforms and exceeds expectations. Through music, sport, science, politics, creativity and innovation, Manchester’s influence is recognised around the world, and MCR Made celebrates the icons whose talent, ambition and determination helped build that reputation.

The exhibition feels particularly at home inside Manchester Arndale, itself a Manchester institution that has been woven into the city’s fabric for almost five decades. The shopping centre provides the perfect backdrop for celebrating Manchester, its creativity and the iconic figures behind its global reputation.”

Few artists are better placed to tell the city’s story than Chow. Born and based in Manchester, Chow has become one of Britain’s most recognisable illustrators, with his bold, minimalist portraits earning international acclaim across sport, music, politics and popular culture. His instantly recognisable style has seen him depict everyone from musicians and footballers to Hollywood actors and political figures, while remaining proudly rooted in the city that inspired his work. Recent (non Manc!) portraits have included Andy Burnham, Count Binface and Jude Bellingham.

Visitors can follow the free trail throughout Manchester Arndale, discovering each installation while exploring one of the UK’s premier retail destinations, with opportunities to capture their favourite Manchester icon and take part in an exclusive social media competition.

Over on Manchester Arndale’s Instagram page, there are 26 limited edition A4 signed prints available to win. Two of every icon from MCR Made, with  prints allocated at random. To be in with a chance of winning, simply follow @manchesterarndale on Instagram and Like the competition post.

David continued: “Whether you’re visiting for a weekend of live music, world-class sport, award-winning restaurants, independent shopping or the city’s renowned cultural attractions, MCR Made offers another compelling reason to experience one of Britain’s most dynamic destinations.”

MCR Made is on display at Manchester Arndale from 3rd August until 24th October. Entry is free.

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Taking place in The Clubhouse in Hall 9 throughout Autumn Fair at the NEC Birmingham from 6^th – 9^th September, the complimentary 30-minute 1-2-1 consultations have been created to give independent retailers, buyers and business owners direct access to experienced retail professionals who can provide tailored advice on everything from increasing sales and improving store layouts to strengthening product ranges, buying more effectively and future-proofing their businesses.

With appointments available on a first-come, first-served basis, the sessions aim to provide practical, actionable recommendations that retailers can implement immediately, helping them overcome challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth.

The launch comes at a time when independent retailers continue to navigate rising costs, changing consumer expectations and increased competition, making expert advice more valuable than ever.

Meet the experts

Retailers will be able to book appointments with an exceptional line-up of industry specialists, each bringing decades of commercial experience across different areas of retail.

John Abbate – Retail Design & Visual Merchandising Expert

Discover how to transform your shop into a destination customers want to visit. John will advise on everything from window displays and shopfronts to store layout, customer journey and visual merchandising to help retailers increase footfall, dwell time and sales.

Samantha Gibbs – Founder & Director, Nest

Drawing on the success of her award-winning independent retail business, Samantha will share practical advice on buying, merchandising, customer experience and creating community-focused retail environments that drive profitability and customer loyalty.

Katy Norton & Lynsey Abbott – Co-founders, Buying & Beyond

Experts in buying, merchandising and commercial strategy, Katy and Lynsey help retailers build stronger product ranges, identify emerging trends, improve supplier relationships and make more confident buying decisions that drive long-term commercial success.

Ami Rabheru – Founder, Retail Huddle

Whether tackling operational challenges, sharpening retail strategy or preparing for the future, Ami will help retailers identify practical opportunities to improve performance, strengthen leadership and accelerate business growth.

Matthew Mein, Event Director at Autumn Fair said: “We know that today’s retailers aren’t just looking for great products, they’re looking for ideas, inspiration and practical support that will help their businesses thrive. Sometimes one conversation can completely change the direction of a business, whether it’s refining a buying strategy, improving visual merchandising or discovering new ways to increase profitability. The mentoring sessions give our visitors something they simply can’t get online: dedicated one-to-one time with some of the industry’s most experienced retailers and consultants, who understand the challenges businesses are facing because they’ve lived them themselves. These 30 minutes could provide a year’s worth of ideas, and it’s another way we’re investing in our community and ensuring visitors leave Autumn Fair with not only fantastic new products, but practical advice that will continue delivering value long after the show ends. Register now to book your slot.” 

How to book

Sessions are only available to those who have registered for the show and can be booked online ahead of your visit onsite. Visit https://www.autumnfair.com/register-mentor-sessions for more information.

Autumn Fair 2026 takes place 6th – 9th September 2026 at the NEC Birmingham.

The post Autumn Fair launches free 1-2-1 Mentor Sessions appeared first on A1 Retail Magazine.

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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