22 BUYERS RETURN IN FORCE AT SPRING FAIR Retailers attending Spring Fair this year are reporting a renewed sense of energy, scale and confidence across the show floor, with many highlighting the buzz, atmosphere and overall experience as clear signs of positive change. The message from those on the show floor was consistent. From the moment doors opened, retailers spoke about the experience: the look and feel of the show, and the sense that it had regained its momentum. The scale and momentum of the show were reinforced by a 30 percent growth in new brands, an eight percent rise in new exhibitors, 20 percent more international brands and a 10 percent increase in small businesses taking part. With over one million products on display – 38 percent of them exclusive to the show – and more than 100 expert speakers delivering insight and inspiration, Spring Fair 2026 firmly positioned itself as a retail destination for discovery, connection and growth. Spring Fair 2027 takes place 7th to 10th February at the NEC Birmingham. GIFT OF THE YEAR 2026 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED! The GA is thrilled to unveil the finalists for the Gift of the Year 2026 awards! After months of anticipation, hundreds of exceptional entries, and two rigorous rounds of judging by an esteemed panel of more than 120 industry experts, the very best products from across the home and gift world have been selected to move forward in the competition. The Gift of the Year awards celebrate the most exciting and innovative products across 20 diverse categories, spanning Home Fragrance, Home & Kitchen, Games & Puzzles and many more. The 2026 competition has continued to evolve attracting brand-new brands and exciting products and ranges. This year has been one of the most competitive to date, with judges from leading retailers, trade publications, and industry bodies challenged to select their top contenders from an outstanding 700+ entries. The second round of judging took place at Spring Fair 2026, which once again welcomed thousands of visitors eager to explore the shortlisted products, collect the official shortlist brochure, and discover the most exciting new launches entering the market in 2026. A Word from The Giftware Association Chris Workman, Head of Operations at The Giftware Association, shared his excitement about this year’s finalists: “Every year, we are blown away by the creativity and the hard work shown by the home and gift industry and 2026 has raised the bar even higher. Seeing the products finally displayed in real life after months of planning is always a highlight for me. Each category has grown again with new products and new ideas that have wowed the team and the judges. The judging panel had an incredibly tough task choosing their favourites from such an outstanding selection. Congratulations to all of our finalists it’s a huge achievement, and we can’t wait to reveal the winners at The Gift Awards in May.” What’s Next? The final round of judging will take place over the coming weeks to determine the coveted Judges’ Choice. The ultimate winners will be announced at the highly anticipated Gift Awards, held at the Royal Lancaster London in partnership with The Greats Gift Retailer Awards. The full list of Gift of the Year 2026 finalists is now live at: www.giftoftheyear.co.uk It’s not over yet for shortlisted brands as the public are voting for the People’s Choice Award which is now open! Anyone can vote: customers, followers, communities, and supporters across the industry. Votes for the People’s Choice Award close on 16th May. AUTUMN FAIR IS READY FOR ANOTHER EXCITING SHOW Autumn Fair 2026 is set to welcome thousands of buyers and more than 800 exhibitors over the course of four days this September. Autumn Fair’s distinctive product sectors across Home, Gift & Fashion are where best-sellers are discovered. There’s a place for every business and every product type at Autumn Fair. Offering an experience made for buyers, from show layout to curated product collections, Autumn Fair prioritises your sourcing experience. As the place for new products, Autumn Fair showcases a curated selection of the next best-selling products and hosted in September, it takes place at the perfect time of year just in time for the retail industry’s peak buying season. This year, Autumn Fair and gardening show Glee unite for two incredible days on 8th to 9th September 2026, creating the UK’s largest retail trade show in the second half of the year. This co-location delivers more value for exhibitors and creates an unrivalled retail experience. A place where interior products meet outdoor buyers. Where garden centres discover home décor and home retailers develop their green ranges. Watch boundaries blur as consumers transform living spaces into lush jungles. Visit: www.autumnfair.com
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