Autumn Fair and Glee open new buying opportunities
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Autumn Fair and Glee came together at NEC Birmingham on 8 September, giving retailers the opportunity to explore products and suppliers across home, gift, fashion, garden and outdoor living.
The co-location attracted buyers from major retailers, department stores, independents and garden centre groups, with visitors looking beyond their traditional buying categories.
Exhibitors reported strong interest from new audiences, with fashion, home and lifestyle brands highlighting opportunities to connect with garden centres and other retailers they would not typically encounter at their usual trade shows.
For buyers, the combined events offered a more efficient buying trip while encouraging product discovery and cross-category sourcing.
The importance of face-to-face discovery was also highlighted, with retailers valuing the opportunity to see products, meet suppliers and uncover new brands that may not appear through online research or algorithms.
International interest added to the opportunities, with exhibitors reporting enquiries from buyers across the UK, Ireland and overseas markets.
Day Three also featured Pitch Live – Kids, Toy, Play & Clothing, with Jiggly Bitz winning the competition after presenting its plant-based 3D-printed toys to a panel of retail experts.
The event’s wider programme explored independent retail growth, customer experience, AI, visual merchandising and emerging opportunities, while the 90-minute free parking campaign continued to highlight challenges facing Britain’s high streets.
Autumn Fair continues until 9 September, while Glee runs through to 10 September, giving buyers a final opportunity to explore the combined shows and discover new products and suppliers.
Looking ahead to 2027, Autumn Fair and Glee will align their September dates, with Autumn Fair taking place from 5–8 September 2027 and Glee from 6–8 September 2027 at the NEC Birmingham.
For more information and to register, visit www.autumnfair.com / www.gleebirmingham.com