Autumn Fair / 20 January Furniture Show

FAIR TRADE

Autumn Fair 2022, which took place in September at NEC Birmingham, offered the UK and Europe’s retailers a space to meet, reconnect, network and source, as well as learn about sustainability, responsible sourcing, circularity, and advice for creating a buoyant future for retailing.

www.autumnfair.com

Thousands of retailers engaged hundreds of exhibitors across product sectors including homeware, decor, gifts and Christmas.

New features included the New Product Showcase, while a stand was dedicated to the Power of One campaign, and the Sustainability Product Showcase put the spotlight on an edit of eco-conscious exhibitors, and Autumn Fair’s headline sponsor, Products of Change, collaborated on the Power of One stand, offering advice and one-on-one sessions on how to make businesses more sustainable.

Buyers from retailers including John Lewis, Fenwick, Fishpools, M&S, TJX – TKMaxx, Wayfair, Dunelm, Next and Homebase attended the show. Many commented on the importance of seeing products and meeting people in person, the scope created from crossbuying opportunities, and the benefits and value generated by the talks and presentations on the Inspiring Retail Stage and MODA Catwalk.

The event also saw the launch of a new responsible sourcing show, Source Home & Gift, to be co-located with Spring Fair and Autumn Fair, which aims to create “a new vision for responsible sourcing”, with a focus on manufacturers offering sustainable, ethical and inspirational product ranges.

Suzanne Ellingham, sourcing director at Autumn Fair, says: “The launch of Source Home & Gift indicates a step change in the way retailers and brands are now able to source products. Retailers and buying teams have been telling us that they are actively looking for responsible manufacturers, those that are not just producing sustainable products, but those that pay fair wages and are fundamentally operating in the right way. The challenge for them is finding those manufacturers – Source Home and Gift solves that problem, and by working with governments around the world who are supporting this new sourcing dynamic.”

Spring Fair will take place from 5–8th February 2023 at NEC Birmingham

NEW YEAR, NEW PRODUCT

The January Furniture Show will open its doors once again at the Birmingham NEC in January 2023. After the success of this year’s show, furniture and interior brands from around the world are raring to get back out and meet buyers, says organiser Clarion, which promises visitors plenty of new launches, fresh brands, industry insight, emerging trends and more …

www.thefurnitureshows.com/january

This coming January, buyers will have the opportunity to explore four halls of contemporary furniture, innovative design concepts, and homewares to suit all retailer and customer styles.

They will be able to discover everything from beds to cabinets, home decor and accessories from leading suppliers, all in one place. With over 10,000 new products and exclusive, never-before-seen launches from some 350 premium exhibitors, there will be endless choice of product and inspiration from some of the best brands in the industry, promises Clarion.

This season will also see the return of Furniture Talks, a schedule of masterclasses, panel discussions and interviews with renowned makers and designers. The diverse agenda will provide visitors with an opportunity to learn from the experts, listen to industry trailblazers and look ahead with recognised thought leaders. These seminars aim to help furniture and interiors professionals learn how to overcome the challenges they may be facing in today’s industry – leading voices from the furniture world will share their insights and knowledge to help make visitors’ businesses a success.

The Furniture Awards will also be back, to crown the best in the industry. An expert panel of judges will pick deserving winners across various categories, from Sustainability to Best of British.

January Furniture Show will take place from 22nd-25th January 2023 at the NEC. Find out more and sign up on the show website