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Autumn Fair organiser ITE Group has announced that the next edition of the trade show will take a ‘bold new direction’.
More than 22,000 visitors and 1,300 exhibitors are expected to attend the exhibition, which will be held at the NEC in Birmingham from September 1 to September 4.
For 2019 and beyond, Autumn Fair will occupy a new venue within the NEC. It will move to the Atrium as ‘part of a re-edited offering designed specifically to facilitate connections between suppliers and retailers’.
All gifting categories will be brought together in one zone which, ITE Group claims, will create ‘the UK’s largest gathering of gift inspiration under one roof’. The homes and interiors sectors will also be brought together to create ‘an all-new sourcing and exhibiting destination for UK and international buyers and suppliers’.
The 12 show sectors are: The Summerhouse, Gift (Contemporary Edit), Gift (General), Greetings & Stationery, Beauty & Wellbeing, Everyday, Living, Accents & Décor, Retail Solution, Fashion, Play & Tech, and Sourcing.
Sourcing is a brand new sector, located in Hall 10, to enable manufacturers from key sourcing regions around the world including Portugal, Indonesia, China and India to exhibit new products relevant for buyers for gift, home, toys, fashion and kitchen and dining.
Autumn Fair managing director Julie Driscoll said: “The new sourcing hall will bring the best of the world to our door, ensuring that buyers who ordinarily wouldn’t have the resources to commit to costly trips abroad to visit potential suppliers can make connections here at Autumn Fair. Not only that, but we’ll be pushing to attract more international retailers to buy from the UK-based suppliers that are the foundation of our show.
“We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that we share the latest trend intelligence for international vendors to ensure that they’re bringing the most relevant products for the UK market.”
She added: “Each of the sectors will be welcoming exciting new exhibitors as well as the usual visitor favourites. Across the show, exhibitors will be committed to showcasing the most relevant trends for Q4 2019 and 2020.”
“Both the Gift (Contemporary Edit) and Gift (General) sectors will deliver a focus on trend-led products, including wellbeing gifts and scented candles and diffusers, making for plenty of opportunities for cross-buying with the Living sector.
“Exhibitors such as Eclectic Lifestyle, Bubblegum and Zakka Europe will be joining the show as part of the Gift (Contemporary Edit) whilst the likes of Yankee Candle, Pukator and Widdop & Co. will be key features in Gift (General).
“And after another successful run at Spring Fair 2019, the DesignFirst platform for new and exciting exhibitors will also return to the Gift halls for Autumn Fair 2019.
“Flowing seamlessly from the Gift sectors will be the Greetings & Stationery sector, while in the Living and Accents & Décor sectors, visitors will see a real variety of products on display with exhibitors such ethical wholesale business Sabirian.
“The Summerhouse sector is the home of trend-led products, showcasing a range of well-loved brands from Britain, Scandinavia and other global design hotspots. This is where you’ll find interior accessories, lighting, outdoor accessories, furniture and design-led gifts from top brands including Libra, Morgan Wright, Nkuku, Jellycat Ltd and India Jane.
“Elsewhere, across the Beauty & Wellbeing sector, visitors can expect to see a greater focus on organic products and ethical sourcing, with key exhibitors such as Luminara and Matthew Williamson Fragrances. Sevin will also be bringing their unique spa-like stand for 2019, offering an environment that promotes a positive sense of wellbeing.”
Julie added that following the encouraging visitor and exhibitor response at Spring Fair, the Power of One campaign will continue for Autumn Fair 2019. “Energising the retail industry to take action against plastic waste and unsustainable practices, the campaign will champion the UN’s sustainable development goal for more responsible production and consumption by driving small individual, yet powerful steps towards a more sustainable future,” she said.
“Leading by example, this year’s show will see the trialling of a sustainability rating for suppliers, to make it as easy as possible for visitors to identify sustainable and responsibly sourced items.”
Register to attend Autumn Fair for free here: https://bit.ly/2Gfs65y
