Autumn Fair 2026 closed following four days of buying, discovery and networking at the NEC Birmingham, with feedback from retailers and exhibitors highlighting a more cross-category approach to sourcing, growing demand for distinctive and story-led products, and the continued importance of face-to-face relationships in retail.Across Gift, Home, Fashion and the newly co-located Glee, buyers from leading retailers including John Lewis, TJX Europe, Fenwick, NEXT, IKEA, Argos, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, The Range, Mamas & Papas, Dobbies, Blue Diamond, British Garden Centres, Natural History Museum, British Museum, ZSL, Royal Shakespeare Company, Hobbycraft, Scribbler, Paper Tiger, Joules, Mountain Warehouse, QVC and Amazon, alongside a broad mix of independent retailers, garden centres, visitor attractions and specialist stores, have used the show to discover new products, meet existing and potential suppliers and identify opportunities beyond their traditional buying categories, with the combined event creating new crossover between home, garden, gift, fashion and lifestyle.
Posted: 15 September 2026
The Home & Gift Association has met with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to discuss growth, exports, regulation and support for small businesses across the UK's home and gift sector.
Representing around 400 suppliers, manufacturers, retailers and service providers, the Association highlighted the pressures facing businesses, including rising costs, export barriers and increasing regulatory requirements.
A key focus of the meeting was international growth, with DBT outlining opportunities for UK businesses through partnerships with major online marketplaces in regions including Latin America and the Middle East. The Association welcomed further collaboration to help members access new customers and export markets.
Posted: 14 September 2026
The Luxury Fabric Show, whose exhibitors are all British suppliers offering low minimums, is launching a series of expert briefings during its autumn event next month (14-15 October at The Box Office Studio in Shoreditch, London). The exhibition presents a tightly curated collection of the best suppliers of silk, wool, lace, jacquards, linings, buttons, labels, workshop essentials and more aimed at the fashion, bridalwear, lingerie, interiors and costume making sectors.
Posted: 9 September 2026
UK Hand Knitting (UKHK), the leading organisation championing yarn crafts across the country, has announced the launch of its first comprehensive consumer research study into the UK knitting and crochet market. This landmark project will deliver unprecedented insight into how today's makers discover, purchase, and engage with yarn and craft products. The full research findings will be published later this year, with a detailed report available to all UK Hand Knitting premium subscribing shops.
Posted: 9 September 2026
Sustainability, value, innovation and the growing crossover between stationery, gifting and lifestyle are among the key trends shaping the industry, according to exhibitors at Paperworld Middle East 2026.
With buyers facing continued pressure on prices, materials and supply chains, manufacturers are increasingly focused on delivering products that combine quality, design, reliability and value.
Sustainability is also moving from a key point of differentiation to an expected part of product development. Kartik Gopal, AVP – International Business at Hindustan Pencils, says buyers are increasingly looking for responsibly sourced wood, recycled plastics and non-toxic materials, while manufacturers continue to navigate fluctuating raw material costs.
Posted: 7 September 2026
Sustainability, pressure on prices and supply, and a growing crossover between stationery, gifting, and lifestyle products are emerging as key factors shaping the international paper and stationery industry, according to exhibitors participating in Paperworld Middle East 2026 taking place from 13-15 October at Dubai World Trade Centre. The insights point to a market where manufacturers are increasingly balancing competitive pricing with growing expectations around materials, supply reliability, design and product differentiation. From a sustainability perspective, purchasing decisions are shifting, with buyers placing more importance on responsible sourcing, recycled materials, and waste reduction alongside price, quality, and performance.
Posted: 1 September 2026
Pentel has announced that independent stationery retailer Bartrums of Hay-on-Wye is the winner of the trade competition associated with Pentel's #80YearsofPentel campaign, which launched during National Stationery Week to encourage everyone to celebrate Pentel's 80th anniversary. In the campaign independent retailers could apply for special sample kits containing a sample of Pentel's quick-drying EnerGel pen, a Mattehop Gel pen, a Pointliner Colour, a Brush Sign Pen and a PLUS Glue Tape, together with blank card and a choice of three Japanese-inspired templates to colour.
Posted: 27 August 2026
The UK's leading retail trade events, Spring & Autumn Fair, has today launched a new national campaign calling for a minimum of 90 minutes' free parking in town and city centres across England. The campaign follows new research revealing retailers and consumers have independently identified the same practical measure to help encourage more visits to Britain's high streets. Launching under the banner 'Support Free Parking. Back Local Businesses. Bring People Back', the campaign centres around a Parliamentary petition urging local authorities to view parking as part of a wider strategy to increase footfall, support independent businesses and strengthen local economies.
Posted: 25 August 2026
SANTORO is proud to announce a double medal win at the 2026 Independent Toy Awards, in both 'Educational' and 'Pocket Money' categories. The Gold Medal represents a significant milestone for SANTORO's award-winning Pop & Build collection, marking the third consecutive year the range has received the competition's highest honour, this time in the 'Educational' category. That's three golds in just three years!
Posted: 20 August 2026
Paperworld Middle East, the region's leading trade show for paper and stationery products, taking place from 13th to 15th October 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre, has announced a strategic partnership with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The collaboration reinforces the event's commitment to responsible sourcing while supporting the long-term development and transformation of the paper and stationery industry across the Middle East.
Posted: 18 August 2026