Autumn Fair 2025 at NEC Birmingham closed on a high note on 10th September, delivering "a dynamic and productive event that attracted thousands of influential buyers and suppliers from across the UK", reports show organiser Hyve.
Cementing its position as a key order-writing show for the home, gift, fashion and garden sectors, this year’s edition saw a marked rise in retail decision-makers seizing the final major buying opportunity ahead of the crucial holiday trading season, Hyve adds: "With a bigger event footprint and record-breaking exhibitor growth, the show saw a +16% rise in total exhibitors and a +38% surge in new exhibitors.
"Adding to its unique appeal, over 30% of exhibitors were exclusive to Autumn Fair. Over 800 brands presented thousands of new products and exclusive launches, and the halls were alive with colour, creativity, and commerce.
"Retailers turned out in force over the four days, with thousands of influential buyers and suppliers from across the UK and overseas, and a marked rise in retail decision-makers seizing the final major buying opportunity ahead of the crucial holiday trading season."
Buyers from a wide cross-section of the industry, from national multiples, department stores and garden centres to independents, museums, activity centres and lifestyle brands shopped the show, including Fenwick, Tesco, Bradbeers, Argos, Frasers Group, Haskins Garden Centre, Habitat, FW Homestores, Trago Mills, Vinterior, Graham and Green, Next, Dunelm, The Very Group, Wayfair, TK Maxx/Homesense, MFI and Pyramid International.
More than just a buying event, Autumn Fair 2025 also delivered an immersive retail experience, blending product discovery with a strong content programme, trend insights, mentoring, and activations designed to inspire and energise the retail community.
"The upbeat energy throughout the show was echoed in the glowing feedback from exhibitors and buyers alike, who praised the standout new products, robust order volumes, and meaningful relationships forged during the event," says Hyve. "Alongside these strong commercial results, visitors also commended the inspirational content programme, networking features, and immersive show experiences that made this year’s Autumn Fair more valuable than ever."
Highlights included the Retail Corner Stage, styled as a British high street shopfront, where sessions on trends, merchandising and retail innovation provided practical takeaways, and the Buyers Retreat, which offered, workshops, and networking.
The Retail Makeover Mission was a particular highlight. The show brought the new initiative to life with one-to-one mentoring sessions by the retail Task Team and talks. The one-to-one sessions offered personalised advice tailored to retailers’ business challenges, and the expert mentors delivered over 20 hours of personalised guidance covering buying strategy, marketing, PR and customer experience, operations, data, and visual merchandising.
Jenny Brandon from Scape Interiors West in Bournemouth found the mentoring sessions invaluable: “I've spoken to three of the mentoring experts, and I think everyone's given me a very interesting perspective on marketing, on branding, and community engagement. We often get stuck in our own ways of doing things, and it's interesting to hear their perspective. I would highly recommend anybody else to do it.”
Soraya Gadelrab, event director of Autumn Fair, concludes: “Autumn Fair 2025 has truly been a record-breaking event, surpassing our expectations in terms of visitor numbers, order volumes, and overall energy on the show floor. It’s clear that retailers and suppliers alike see the value in coming together here to discover fresh products and build lasting partnerships ahead of the crucial trading season.
"We’re proud to provide a platform that continues to grow and support the retail community at such an important time of year. Autumn Fair is not just about transactions, it’s about inspiration, education, and creating an experience that empowers retailers long after the show doors close.”
Spring Fair will return to the NEC from 1st-4th February 2026, and Autumn Fair from 6-9th September 2026, co-located with Glee, running from 8-10th September 2026.
