AGHA Industry Magazine QUARTERLY
Spring 2026 Edition
Contents
A Word From Our CEO Welcome to the Spring edition of AIM.
A Word from Our CEO TWO What’s Happening at Gifted Brisbane FOUR Credit Card Surcharge FIVE Pancare Foundation SEVEN The Spring Edit NINE AGHA Events ELEVEN Member Connect & Showcase TWELVE Member Benefits THIRTEEN
Our Business Partners
It has been a busy few months for AGHA, with our industry coming together at the Melbourne Gift Fair in August, followed by the Sydney Gift Fair last week. A sincere thank you to our exhibitors, buyers, members and partners for your continued support. We are already looking ahead to Melbourne Gift Fair 2027, returning to MCEC from 31 July–4 August, and encourage exhibitors interested in being part of next year’s Fair to secure their place early. As we head into the final months of 2026, there is still plenty ahead. From 16 - 18 October, we are excited to bring Gifted Brisbane to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre for the very first time, creating a new opportunity to connect Queensland buyers and suppliers ahead of the key summer trading period.
We then head west for our final event of the year, with Member Connect & Showcase in Perth on 4 November at Aloft Perth by Marriott. Looking ahead to 2027, Gifted Melbourne returns from 30 January–1 February at MCEC, kicking off another exciting year for our industry. Our Member Connect & Showcase series will then continue around Australia, beginning on the Gold Coast on 22 March, followed by Adelaide on 28 April and Canberra on 20 May, creating more opportunities for our members and industry to connect locally. As a member-based association, we remain committed to supporting our industry, strengthening connections and creating opportunities for businesses to grow. I look forward to seeing you at an AGHA event soon.
AGHA ahga.social agha_events
Anita Campbell CEO Australian Gift & Homewares Association Cover image: Super Amazing Jewellery
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AGHA Industry Magazine QUARTERLY
Spring 2026 Edition
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What’s Happening at AGHA Gifted Brisbane?
Deliver-Me One Platform. Every Warehouse. Every Carrier. For AGHA members managing seasonal peaks, multiple warehouses, and a growing list of freight carriers, Deliver-Me brings it all together on one platform. Whether you fulfil from your own warehouse or lean on our network of trusted 4PLs, Deliver-Me connects your operations to the carriers that get your products to customers fastest and most cost-effectively, comparing rates, service levels and transit times in real time so every order ships on the smartest available option. Built for wholesalers and retailers navigating today’s freight market, Deliver-Me removes the manual work of juggling multiple carrier accounts and warehouse systems, replacing it with a single, automated view of your fulfilment and delivery operations, with status updates from pickup right through to delivery. Ready to simplify how your business ships? Get in touch with the Deliver-Me team. www.deliver-me.com.au
16–18 October 2026
Brisbane, it’s our first!
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
This October, AGHA makes its Brisbane debut with Gifted Brisbane—three focused days for Queensland retailers to discover fresh products, meet suppliers and experience new ranges firsthand.
Friday 16 October 9am–5pm Saturday 17 October 9am–5pm Sunday 18 October 9am–1pm
Hear fresh ideas from industry experts at AGHA Insights, try your luck at Spin & Win thanks to our generous exhibitors, and build new and strengthen existing connections at Gifted Connections Hour.
AGHA Insights with Marissa Candy, 12:30pm Friday 16 October and Mark Varitimos, 12:30pm Saturday 17 October
Gifted Connections Hour from 4pm Saturday 17 October EXPAND
FULFIL
Spin & Win
DELIVER
Register now
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AGHA Industry Magazine QUARTERLY
Spring 2026 Edition
from 9am daily
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Credit Card Surcharge From 1 October 2026, Australian retailers will need to change the way they handle card payment surcharges, with new rules effectively ending surcharges on most debit and credit card transactions. The changes follow a major review of merchant card payment costs and surcharging by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), aimed at making prices simpler and more transparent for consumers. Importantly, the changes apply to both physical and online retailers, so businesses should start reviewing their payment systems, websites and pricing now. What is changing? From 1 October 2026, Visa, Mastercard and eftpos will introduce “no-surcharge” rules covering credit, debit and prepaid card payments. American Express has also announced that it will remove surcharging from the same date. This means retailers will no longer be able to add an additional percentage or dollar amount to a transaction simply because the customer chooses to pay using one of these cards. For example, a retailer will no longer be able to advertise an item for $100 and then charge $101.50 because
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the customer pays by Visa or Mastercard. Instead, businesses can incorporate the cost of accepting card payments into their overall pricing, just as they do with other operating expenses such as rent, wages, freight and electricity. The changes apply whether the payment is made in-store, online or through another card payment channel. What do retailers need to do? Businesses that currently surcharge should review their systems before 1 October. This may include changing EFTPOS terminal settings, removing automatic surcharges from online checkouts and e-commerce platforms, updating websites and signage, and reviewing advertised prices. Retailers should also speak with their bank or payment service provider to understand how their merchant fees may change. As part of the reforms, the RBA is also reducing certain interchange fee caps and introducing greater transparency around merchant fees, which is intended to help businesses compare providers and negotiate better payment arrangements.
AGHA Industry Magazine QUARTERLY
Credit Card Surcharges Are Changing – What Retailers Need to Know FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS When do the new rules commence? The changes take effect from 1 October 2026. Until 30 September, businesses must continue to comply with the existing card surcharge rules.
Can I offer a cash discount instead? Yes. Retailers can encourage customers to use particular payment methods by offering a discount, including for cash or PayID. The normal displayed price must still be the full price payable by customers who do not receive the discount.
Do the changes apply to debit cards as well as credit cards? Yes. They cover Visa, Mastercard and eftpos credit, debit and prepaid cards. American Express has also announced it will remove surcharging from 1 October.
What about weekend or public holiday surcharges? These changes relate specifically to card payment surcharges. They do not prohibit legitimate weekend or public holiday surcharges, booking fees or other service fees.
Do the rules apply to online stores? Yes. Online retailers will need to ensure that their checkout systems do not automatically add prohibited card surcharges.
What should retailers do now? Speak with your payment provider, review your merchant fees and pricing, check your EFTPOS and online checkout settings, and update any signage, websites or customer communications that currently refer to card surcharges.
Can I increase my prices to cover merchant fees? Yes. Card acceptance costs remain a legitimate business expense and can be incorporated into your overall pricing. What you cannot do is add a separate surcharge because the customer pays using a covered card.
Spring 2026 Edition
For retailers that currently surcharge, the key message is simple: from 1 October, they will no longer be able to charge a card surcharge, but remain free to set their prices and offer genuine discounts for preferred payment methods such as cash.
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Thank You, AGHA: A Wonderful Start to a Meaningful Partnership Pancare Foundation would like to extend a huge thank you to the Australian Gift & Homewares Association (AGHA), its members and the many businesses who connected with us at our first AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair. What a wonderful event. We were genuinely grateful for the interest in Pancare, the conversations about the work we do, and particularly the number of businesses who expressed a desire to collaborate, support our programs or explore ways they could help make a difference. For Pancare, this partnership with AGHA is about bringing a new community together around a very important cause. Upper gastrointestinal cancers, including pancreatic, liver, stomach, oesophageal and biliary cancers, affect thousands of Australians and their families every year. By raising awareness, strengthening connections, providing practical support and building new partnerships, we can help improve the experience and outcomes of those affected by these cancers. To everyone who stopped by, introduced themselves, shared a business
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idea or offered their support: thank you. We heard you, and we will be in touch very soon. We would also like to thank PAR 5 Pakenham Mazda for joining the spirit of the partnership and offering a special opportunity for AGHA members. It is a terrific example of how businesses can participate, support one another and create meaningful social impact at the same time. Here are a few photographs from our first AGHA Fair in Melbourne. It was a wonderful beginning, and we are excited about what we can achieve together. And if you, a family member, or someone you know is living with an upper GI cancer, please reach out to Pancare. Our team is here to provide information, support and guidance throughout the cancer journey. Call 1300 881 698 or visit www.pancare.org.au/support. Thank you, AGHA, for welcoming Pancare so warmly. Together, we hope we can make a meaningful difference for people and families affected by upper GI cancer.
AGHA Industry Magazine QUARTERLY
Spring 2026 Edition
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Protect and Repair Active Skin L to R: REVEA, Solmates Australia, Bare Soap & Body
The Spring Edit
Going Out Bags Above, L to R: GX Bags, Serenade Leather,
Museum of Accessories Left: Hello Weekend
Fresh Spring Scents Left: Cognescenti Below: Abundance Unlimited,
Noosa Collection
Fresh from Sydney Gift Fair, seasonal inspiration continues at Gifted Brisbane, 16–18 October 2026.
Winter has passed and the weather is warming up. The season is changing and so too are the trends across gifting and homewares. Longer days mean plenty more daylight to entertain in the home, or get outdoors to picnic or even stage a
triumphant return to the beach. Take care to treat your skin with kindness as sun and heat take their toll. And don’t neglect self care—light, breezy clothing and beautifully fresh scents ensure this season is a comfortable one.
Cool, Flowy Garments Below, L to R: Istanbul Authentic Bazaar,
Magnolia Lounge
Warmer Weather Entertaining L to R: The Line Edit, Noble Sun Trading, Sacred Synerg y
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AGHA Industry Magazine QUARTERLY
Spring 2026 Edition
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AGHA Events One Industry. Every Stage. Every Opportunity.
AGHA Member Connect & Showcase PERTH
2026
4 November 2026 Aloft by Marriott Perth
AGHA Gifted BRISBANE AGHA Member Connect & Showcase PERTH
16–18 October
4 November
AGHA Member Connect & Showcase GOLD COAST AGHA Member Connect & Showcase ADELAIDE AGHA Member Connect & Showcase CANBERRA
AGHA Member Connect & Showcase GOLD COAST 22 March 2027 Novotel Surfer’s Paradise
2027 AGHA Gifted MELBOURNE
Register now for PER
View details for GC
30 January–1 February
22 March
AGHA Member Connect & Showcase ADELAIDE 28 April 2027 Stamford Plaza Adelaide
View details for ADL
28 April
20 May
AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair
31 July–4 August
AGHA Gifted SYDNEY
18–20 September
AGHA Member Connect & Showcase CANBERRA 20 May 2027 Hotel Realm Canberra
Spring 2026 Edition
View details for CAN
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Become a Member With Us! By the industry, for the industry. The Australian Gift & Homewares Association is the leading and peak industry body representing the interests of both wholesale and retail businesses in the Australian gift and homewares sector. AGHA provides its members with a range of dedicated services, support and opportunities to assist in the running of their businesses. Choose more than a trade fair, choose an association, choose AGHA!
Queensland, we’re coming to you! Discover fresh products, new suppliers and seasonal inspiration.
Extensive Marketing Opportunities Affordable Exhibition Rates WHOLESALE ONLY Industry News Business Partners Networking Events Support & Education Platinum Status Upgrade* RETAIL ONLY
Friday 16 October 9am–5pm Saturday 17 October 9am–5pm Sunday 18 October 9am–1pm
Register now to attend *Platinum Status Upgrade only available at Tier 1 events
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AGHA Industry Magazine QUARTERLY
AGHA Industry Magazine QUARTERLY Spring 2026 Edition