Building on the excitement of its opening day, Autumn Fair 2025 at NEC Birmingham welcomed thousands more retailers on day two
The show floor buzzed with purposeful buying, networking, and discovery as global design, craftsmanship, and innovation took centre stage across dedicated international pavilions..
From major high street names to independent boutiques, garden centres, and heritage retailers, Autumn Fair delivered a diverse gathering of buyers. Representatives from Fenwick, M&S, Baldwins, Wilkies, Diageo, Marsdens, Tesco, the Natural History Museum, Jeff Banks, Bradbeers, WM Nicholls & Co, The Dressing Room, Just Lily, Morleys, Lordes of London, Long Barn, Blue Diamond, Barsleys, Camerons, Bents Garden Centre, Sainsbury’s, Argos, Morley Stores, Frasers Group, TikTok, TJ Hughes, Sapcote Garden Centre, Haskins Garden Centre, HMV, British Heart Foundation, Menkind, The Original Factory Shop, Habitat, FW Homestores, W. Boyes & Co, and Jones Wholesale, alongside hundreds of independents and international retailers, filled the halls in search of new-season inspiration.
Global exhibitors make their mark
International exhibitors from Australia, China, the United States, Canada, Turkey, Portugal, India, Mexico, and South Africa showcased their ranges, with the launch of the Indian Pavilion, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, proving a standout attraction. Buyers praised the showcase of ethical craftsmanship, fresh-to-market designs, and globally inspired collections that promise to reinvigorate UK retail shelves.
The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) reinforced India’s role as a key sourcing destination during a presentation on the benefits of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, followed by networking and drinks.
Vikas Goyal, director, The Export Promotion Council said: “Every product tells the story of skill, product and history. What makes Indian handicrafts important is that it supports billions of artisans across the country. Buyers are looking for products that are beautiful and ethically made and the Indian Handicraft sector aligns perfectly with these values. We are delighted to be here at Autumn Fair highlighting the immense possibility in sourcing from India.”
In Hall 6, the South African Footwear and Leather Export Council (SAFLEC) presented a curated showcase of South African brands, its growing international profile signalling the rising appeal of South African-made products for UK and European buyers.
Also in Hall 6, debut exhibitors Dubai Food is leading the trend for Dubai-made confectionary. Jeremy Gill, head of sales, UK and Europe, Dubai Food, said: “Our company is based in Dubai, established in 1981, with a high profile in the UAE. We’re now coming into Europe with the launch of our confectionery range, Dubai Food. All of our chocolate is manufactured in our own factory in Dubai, so it’s the real deal – not Dubai-style chocolate, but authentic chocolate from Dubai.”
Inspiration on stage
Alongside the vibrant trading floor, Autumn Fair’s content programme continued to engage and inspire retailers, offering expert-led sessions, practical workshops, and trend insights designed to help businesses navigate the evolving retail landscape with confidence.
The day opened with Mohammed Seedat from Google Digital Garage, who demystified artificial intelligence in his session Making Sense of AI, showing retailers how to embrace technology to drive smarter decisions and enhance customer experience.
Becky Jones, co-founder of Someday Studios, followed with a practical guide on How to Open a Store Without Wasting Your Time or Money. Her advice resonated with ambitious brands weighing up the leap into bricks and mortar, offering clear strategies to turn physical retail into a growth driver rather than a costly distraction.
Visual merchandising took centre stage with Sarah Manning, a luxury retail expert with over 25 years at Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Marks & Spencer. In her festive-themed masterclass, Transform Your Seasonal Displays, Sarah unpacked proven VM principles, demonstrating how effective Christmas displays can boost sales and elevate customer engagement.
The TrendHub by BDA London session delved into Future Trends in Kids, highlighting themes of Future Nostalgia and the Perfect Parent Paradox as key drivers shaping AW26/27, giving retailers an exclusive look at tomorrow’s consumer landscape.
Retailers also discovered how sensory retail can enhance profitability in Improving Your ROI: Harnessing the Senses, delivered by Stephen Spencer (ambience director, Stephen Spencer + Associates) and Demi Pendakis (founder, F.Y.G). The session revealed simple yet powerful techniques to spark emotional connections and increase customer spend.
Meanwhile, the Buyers Retreat delivered another packed programme of interactive workshops. Andrew Rowson, CEO of EMOTIV, led Small Business Growth Hacks for eBay and Online Success, an energised session offering insider tips on selling with the marketplace and how independents can leverage data and product knowledge to maximise multi-channel growth.
Autumn Fair’s content programme continues tomorrow (Wednesday September 10), with more expert-led sessions designed to equip retailers with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing market.
