Autumn Fair has raised the bar for industry events in 2025. Returning to the NEC Birmingham from 7-10 September, the show has unveiled a suite of enhanced, highly interactive workshops, a brand-new content pre-registration system, and one-to-one mentoring sessions all designed to give independent retailers unprecedented opportunities for growth, learning, and connection in one dynamic arena.

Plan your show like never before - for the first time, buyers can pre-register online at https://www.autumnfair.com/session-booking to attend Autumn Fair’s expanded programme of content sessions and workshops. Pre-booking enables visitors to optimise their schedule ahead of the show and secure their spot at the most coveted sessions (seating is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis).

Retailer-Focused Workshops: Where Learning Meets Collaboration

This year, Autumn Fair’s learning content has been reimagined to offer maximum value and engagement. The new Retailer Social Workshops, held in the Buyers Retreat, blend creative formats such as post-it note brainstorming, quizzes, confessionals, and mood board planning in sessions that function as creative sandboxes and collaborative “retailer therapy.”

Hosted by industry experts, these sessions facilitate authentic connections and peer learning. Workshop highlights include:

• Retail Confessionals: The Pricing Mistakes That Kept Us Up at Night (7 Sept, 11:00 - 11:30): This candid workshop invites indie retailers to anonymously share their biggest pricing blunders, surprise wins and "what was I thinking?" moments. Through anonymous confessions and supportive group discussion, learn from others' costly mistakes without making them yourself, discover unconventional pricing strategies that actually worked and connect with fellow retailers over the universal struggles of getting the numbers right.
• Small Business Growth Hacks for eBay and online success (8 Sept, 11:00 - 12:00): Discover the insider tips that helped thousands of small businesses boost their sales on eBay with Andrew Rowson, CEO of EMOTIV.
• Brand Storytelling – Building Your Visual Identity (8 Sept, 14:00–14:45): A hands-on design-thinking workshop led by John Abbate from the British Display Society, focusing on building a cohesive visual brand narrative that converts browsers into loyal customers.
• Cracking the Code on Next-Gen Shoppers (9 Sept, 11:00–12:00): Role-play and strategy mapping to unlock the buying motivations and behaviours of younger consumers, moderated by retail strategist Ami Rabheru from Retail Huddle.
• Your Space, New Possibilities (9 Sept, 14:00–15:00): Peer-learning for physical retailers, sharing layout innovations and partnership ideas, led by Koral Ibrahim of The Ready House.
• A Retail Time Machine – Future-Proof Your Business (10 Sept, 13:00–14:00): A deep dive into trends from AI to workforce engagement, with actionable strategies for building resilience, moderated by Ami Rabheru.

Workshops run twice daily, providing multiple opportunities for retailers to connect and upskill. Book at https://www.autumnfair.com/session-booking.

Autumn Fair Launches Free Retail Makeover Mentoring Sessions for Buyers

Autumn Fair is giving retailers the opportunity to take their business to the next level with free one-to-one mentoring sessions from some of the industry’s most experienced experts.

Running throughout the show, the 20-minute Retail Makeover sessions are designed to provide practical, tailored advice that addresses each retailer’s unique challenges. Whether it’s boosting sales through visual merchandising, strengthening your PR strategy, or building a sustainable growth plan, the mentors will deliver actionable insights to help businesses thrive.

Confirmed experts include:

• John Abbate – Retail Design & VM Expert: shopfront design, window displays, interior VM, and store layouts that sell.
• Deryane Tadd – Founder & Director, The Dressing Room: independent retail strategy, buying, brand-building, and customer experience.
• Alex Schlagman – Founder, SaveTheHighStreet.org: high street transformation, online-offline retail integration, and community-driven growth.
• David Whiteley – COO, HelloThriver.com: business strategy, venture development, and leveraging tech for stronger operations.
• Sharon Good – PR Specialist & Owner, Good Results PR: media strategy, storytelling, and creative campaign development.

Sessions are free, but places are limited to one per person and must be booked in advance by registered buyers. Register for Autumn Fair and book your session here: autumnfair.com/retail-makeover/mentor-booking.

Experience More – Buyers Retreat and Retail Corner

The Buyers Retreat serves as an exclusive, invitation-only oasis for networking, meetings, and recharging, featuring complimentary refreshments, free cloakroom, sampling, and drinks.

Meanwhile, the Retail Corner will host a powerhouse line-up of merchandising masterclasses, trend sessions with BDA London, live pitch competitions, and interviews with retail icons.

Get ready to learn from retail's leading voices as industry icons take the stage to share their proven strategies and hard-won insights. From Harriet Hastings, CEO and Creative Director of The Biscuiteers, to Bruce Langlands, CEO of Trotters and Priya Aurora-Crowe of Lark London, these industry leaders will provide the insider knowledge and practical wisdom that can transform your own retail journey. Buyers can also hear from speakers from Ebay, Blenheim Palace, Stephen Spencer Associates, Paper Tiger, Retail 100, Licensing International, and Not On The High Street.

The Business Masterclasses are designed to strengthen every aspect of your retail operation. These sessions deliver actionable insights on the most critical areas of business, from social media, buying, placemaking and the complexities of licensing – essential knowledge to help build a more resilient and profitable retail business.

Register Now – Limited Availability

Don’t miss the new era of Autumn Fair, visit www.autumnfair.com/agenda to view the full content line-up, and pre-register to secure your place at this year’s most talked-about sessions. Please note: all seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Book at https://www.autumnfair.com/session-booking.

Ambience Clinic Returns

The Ambience Clinic, in partnership with Stephen Spencer + Associates, returns to offer free advice from its team of experts. Discover powerful yet simple ways to trigger your customers’ emotional engagement, value perception and propensity to spend more money in your store or exhibition stand. Drop by Stand 8C66 in Hall 8 for a 1:1 appointment with a retail specialist and explore ways to maximise revenue from your customer experience. You will come away with immediate actions to implement that will boost productivity and enhance your return on investment. Stephen Spencer + Associates will also be delivering masterclasses on the Retail Corner Stage.

The Giftware Association Export & Copyright Clinics

Visitors can also benefit from expert business advice at The Giftware Association Stand (Hall 7 F46–G47). On 8th September, Hooper & Co International Trade Consultancy will host free 20-minute Export Clinics, offering practical guidance on customs compliance, supply chain challenges, and the realities of trading internationally. On 9th September, the focus shifts to intellectual property as Barker Brettell runs dedicated IP Clinics, giving retailers the opportunity to discuss copyright, infringement, and protecting their creative assets with specialist advisors.

About Autumn Fair:

Autumn Fair is the UK’s leading marketplace for home, gift, and fashion, providing independent retailers, multiples, and brands with access to new products, sector innovation, and practical insight at NEC Birmingham every September.

7th - 10th September 2025, NEC Birmingham