Winter 2026 Edition
A Word From Our CEO
It’s hard to believe we’re already in June, with the year moving quickly and the cooler months now upon us.
The months ahead bring a strong and exciting calendar of events designed to energise, inspire, and reconnect our industry. We’re looking forward to welcoming you to the Melbourne Gift Fair in August, followed by the Sydney Gift Fair in September. In October, we head to Gifted Brisbane, before finishing the year with our Member Connect and Showcase in Perth this November.
These events come at an important time in the retail calendar—offering a valuable opportunity to stock up, plan ahead, and prepare for key trading seasons. From discovering new products and trends to strengthening supplier relationships and gaining fresh ideas, they’re designed to support your business in meaningful ways.
Just as importantly, these events are a chance to come together. There’s something powerful about reconnecting in person—sharing experiences, learning from one another, and knowing you’re part of a community that is here to support you every step of the way. We understand that conditions remain challenging for many, and that’s exactly why staying connected matters.
As an industry, and as an association, we’re here to support you—ensuring you have the opportunities, networks, and confidence to keep moving forward.
As the cooler weather settles in, I encourage you to take care and stay warm.
We look forward to connecting with many of you across the country in the months ahead.
Anita Campbell
Australian Gift & Homewares Association CEO
Meet the Team
The AGHA sales team is dedicated to supporting exhibitors, building industry connections and helping brands make the most of every fair experience.
Stephen Brooker, Business Development Manager, is a familiar face to many across the industry, known for his strong relationships and trade fair experience. Joining the team are Account Executives Anastasiia
Pisarris and Daniel Bott, bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to the exhibitor experience. Together, the team works closely with brands to help create valuable opportunities both on and off the show floor.
Fun Facts about Stephen
• Always chasing the next great live gig
• Aspiring stand-up comedian working towards his comedy debut
Fun Facts about Anastasiia
• A DIY optimist whose “weekend projects” tend to take over the apartment
• Turns dinner time into a mini restaurant thanks to everyone’s different food preferences — and secretly enjoys the challenge
Fun Facts about Daniel
• Trekked 85km through Tasmania’s rugged Ironbound Range
• Never misses an openingnight movie premiere
Tax Time Tips
With tax time approaching, small businesses are flooded with advice. While some tips are helpful, others don’t quite add up.
This year’s key message from the ATO is simple: pause and check the facts. Taking a moment to confirm information before lodging can help prevent incorrect claims and the need to fix things later.
Start with trusted information
Before you lodge, make sure the information you are relying on is accurate and up to date. Practical ways to stay on track include:
• Use trusted sources such as ato.gov.au, ATO Community or a registered tax professional
• Be cautious of advice promising secret tax tricks
• Check the date, source and context of information, as older content can be misleading
• Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Report all income accurately
One of the most common mistakes at tax time is forgetting to declare all your income. Retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers often earn income from different sources, so make sure to declare all of your business’ income. Whether it comes from cash sales or e-commerce platforms, any income your business earns generally needs to be declared.
Getting deductions right
Deductions are an important part of your tax return, but they are also an area where mistakes happen most often. You can claim a tax deduction for most business expenses, provided they meet the 3 golden rules:
• The expense must be for business use, not for private use.
• If the expense is for a mix of business and private use, you can only claim the portion that is used for business.
• You must have records to prove your claim.
Make use of the instant asset write off
The instant asset write off lets eligible small businesses immediately deduct the full cost of assets less than $20,000 that are first used or installed by 30 June. If you haven’t received the asset by 30 June, you won’t be able to claim it - so act quickly.
Keep the right records
No records mean no claim. Strong record keeping supports every part of your tax return. Using digital tools, including the ATO app, can help you track income, expenses, receipts throughout the year.
The ATO even has a record keeping evaluation tool, to help you assess how well your business is keeping records.
Engaging a registered tax agent can also help ensure your return is lodged correctly. For more information, visit ato.gov.au/recordkeeping.
8–12 August 2026
“ Trend Intelligence is no longer about novelty — it is about clarity. This program is designed to give AGHA members the structured, forwardlooking direction they need to make confident decisions in a market that has rarely been more demanding.”
Michael Cleghorn Founder, MC&Co Trend
Inside the 2026
AGHA × MC&Co Trend Intelligence Program
A year of forecasts, insight and direction, building to Michael Cleghorn’s keynote at the AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair in August.
AGHA’s 2026 Trend Intelligence program with MC&Co Trend is now well underway. Designed to give members a structured, forward-looking view of the aesthetic and commercial forces reshaping the gift, homewares and lifestyle market, the program begins with the release of Interior Trends 2026–27 — available to members now.
The forecast identifies five key interior directions — Terravilla, Bio Structure, Atelier, Coloro/Classico and New Vintage — alongside the incubation theme Brutalora. Together, they map a market moving toward stronger material expression, greater emotional resonance and more considered styling.
The 2026 program at a glance
• March—Interior Trends 2026–27: Five directions plus an incubation theme shaping the homewares and lifestyle market. Available now.
• May—Curated Living Trends 2026–27: How interiors are becoming more intentional, cohesive and resolved.
• June—Emerging Interior Trends 2027–28: Early signals forming in product, material and silhouette.
• July—Member Webinar: Colour in the Age of Uncertainty, presented by Michael Cleghorn.
• August—Keynote at the Melbourne Gift Fair: Interior Aesthetics in an Uncontrollable World: The Architecture of Control.
• September—Melbourne Fair Report: A 48-page review of standout products and exhibitors and the looks shaping the year ahead.
The program culminates at the August Melbourne Gift Fair with Michael’s keynote, introducing a macro framework that explores how prolonged global uncertainty is reshaping consumer behaviour — and three movements defining the next phase of interior aesthetics: Structure, Personal Authorship and Familiarity.
Bringing MC&Co Trend into our 2026 program gives members access to world-class trend intelligence as a core benefit of membership — practical, commercially grounded direction they can apply with confidence across product, range and merchandising decisions.”
Anita Campbell CEO, AGHA
Fashion & Accessories
From elevated essentials to statement details, this season embraces pieces designed for both practicality and style.
The Winter Edit
Seasonal inspiration, textures, and trends emerging across Melbourne Gift Fair 2026.
As the cooler months settle in, Winter 2026 embraces warmth, comfort, and thoughtful living. Across fashion, homewares, gifting, and lifestyle, this season’s collections reflect a shift towards tactile
textures, earthy palettes, and pieces designed to elevate everyday moments.
Here’s a preview of the seasonal inspiration set to feature at Melbourne Gift Fair 2026.
Garden & Homewares Home remains at the centre of winter living, with collections inspired by warmth, texture, and slow living.
Food & Gifting
Curated food offerings, indulgent treats, and meaningful giftware create opportunities for connection and celebration throughout the season.
10. Sweet Health —Stand 782
11. The Cocktail Cart —Stand 948
Kitchen & Entertaining
Kitchen and dining collections this season focus on craftsmanship, functional design, and pieces that bring warmth to the table.
Baby, Kids & Toys
For younger audiences, winter collections focus on creativity, comfort, and play.
Bringing together brands, retailers, and emerging seasonal trends, Melbourne Gift Fair 2026 returns this August, where buyers can explore new collections, discover standout products, and find inspiration for the season ahead.
AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair 2026
8–12 August
7. The Ladelle Group —Stand 100–101
8. Blackwood Lane —Stand 1328
9. Royal Selangor —Stand 429
12. Thread the Word —Stand 783
13. Charlie Bears —Stand 216
14. Billycart Kids —Stand 72 7. 10. 12.
AGHA Events
MORE THAN A VENUE
Sydney Showground sets the stage for extraordinary events and unforgettable experiences.
With a world class menu, over 30 indoor and outdoor venue options, and an award-winning team, together we can create the unimaginable.
A Conversation With GC Gifts by Gatto & Co.
GC Gifts was originally known as Gatto & Co., a family business with a proud history spanning more than 53 years.
Can you tell us the story behind GC Gifts?
The company was founded by our parents, Ben and Grace Gatto, in 1973, beginning humbly in a small shed at the back of the family home. Through hard work the business steadily grew.
In 2016, the next generation — Matilda, Ralph, and Silvana, along with long-time family friend Leo — took over leadership of the business. Today, we are proud to continue their legacy, while also bringing new ideas and direction to the company.
You recently rebranded to GC Gifts by Gatto & Co. What does it represent for the business moving forward?
The new name represents an exciting new chapter of growth for the business, including the
expansion of our wholesale product range to better meet the evolving needs of retailers and customers.
What makes GC Gifts unique within the gift industry?
GC Gifts is proud to be one of Australia’s largest wholesalers specialising in religious and inspirational gifts. We have been the leaders in religious gifts and sacraments for decades, and are constantly looking to improve this range each year.
What have been the biggest milestones over the years?
One of our proudest milestones was celebrating 50 years as a family business — a significant achievement that reflects the dedication, hard work, and values passed down through generations of our family.
Another very special moment in our history was when Pope Benedict XVI visited Australia and we were honoured to be chosen to supply the vestments for the Pope and bishops during the visit. It was a memorable and proud achievement and remains one of the highlights of our journey.
What values have remained most important to your business throughout the years?
As a family business, we value trust, reliability, and customer care, which continues to be at the centre of everything we do.
Many of our customers have supported us for generations, and we value the loyalty, connection, and sense of community that has become such an important part of the company’s story.
“ While our name has changed... we are still the same family business our customers have known and trusted for decades.”
What are you most excited about moving forward?
One of the most exciting developments has been the launch of our new website along with our new user-friendly e-shop platform designed to make ordering more convenient for our retailers.
We look forward to continuing the strong relationships we have built with our long-standing retailers, while also welcoming new customers as they come on board.
Have you noticed any key trends in customer behaviour in recent years?
We have noticed that customers are becoming more cautious with their purchasing decisions and are increasingly seeking unique and distinctive product lines.
We have also found that more people are searching for inspirational items and religious gifts that provide greater meaning and comfort in their lives.
Become a Member With Us!
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!
agha.com.au/membership
membership@agha.com.au
1300 441 384 Contact us:
AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair
8–12 August 2026
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Doors 9–17
Register now to attend
